Page 38 of Enduring Christmas

EPILOGUE

“Isit ready,” Xenobia asked.

Luke pulled the still warm Christmas cake for the wire rack. Christmas morning came too soon. The drive back home was filled with words of love shared between Luke and Xenobia. Shiloh was fast asleep and they both were grateful they didn't have to answer any questions about what happened with Bad Santa. Luke had invited the biker back to their place for the night, but Ramsey declined under the guise of needing a good night's sleep.

"Daddy, you brought Miss Xenobia back."

"Would your daddy break a promise to you?"

"No," Shiloh cheered.

"Merry Christmas, Pumpkin," Xenobia said.

"My daddy found you," Shiloh whispered. Meow perched on the sofa, lifted his furry head, purring in agreement before jumping down to the floor.

Xenobia turned to look at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Yes, he did. I was lost, and your daddy came for me."

"Cai said because you ran off and my daddy had to come and get you, you have to get married now and have a baby so you can't go anywhere."

"Oh," Xenobia said, "that's not exactly how it works."

Luke chuckled. "That Cai is a prophet because that's how is gonna work around here."

With that, he uncovered the Christmas cake and waited for his two favorite girls to read the message scripted in red icing.

"Merry Christmas. Say I do," Shiloh read.

Luke placed the cake on the counter and withdrew a hand-written note from his pocket. He handed it to Xenobia.

She looked up at him, eyes wide. "Are you asking me to marry you?"

He pointed to the note. "Check the box marked, yes," he grinned. "And, that's the end ofenduringChristmas for the both of us."

"In that case." She smiled up at him. "I say yes." All of a sudden, Meow launched himself into the Christmas tree. Shatterproof bulbs smacked against the hardwood making a loud thwack. Branches swayed causing the tiny bell to chime in tri-harmony. Xenobia laughed. “Did you get your Christmas wish?”

Luke pulled Xenobia into his arms and hugged her close. “You are my best Christmas gift ever.” His life had taken many dark roads, but he’d stayed the course, waiting patiently for the right woman to enter his and Shiloh’s life. Xenobia’s love had been worth going the distance. His woman had thought herself all out of love, but they both had endured the pain of betrayal to rediscover the magic of unconditional love at Christmas time.