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“Kyra,” they said in unison, both of them chuckling.

“I’m sure her attitude will change once she learns that he’s been sick.”

“I would bet she does a full 180,” Joy said. “And who knows? Maybe they’ll end up married, raising a little Kyra and Michael someday.”

“Anything can happen at Christmastime,” he whispered. “Now, Santa is going to kiss his Mrs. Claus, if that’s okay.”

“Permission granted,” she whispered before Santa laid one on her.

Life couldn’t get any better.

43

#Itwasyouallalong

Christmas Eve had been unlike any other Joy had known. Once Santa had left the mall, on his way to deliver presents to all the good girls and boys, she’d hurried through her closing duties. She was due to help Freya prepare the refreshments at Wintercrest Estate and didn’t want to be late. When she arrived, the estate was buzzing with anticipation as everyone scurried around, checking the light strings to ensure everything went off without a hitch. While the lights were on all season, tonight had extra features they’d saved for the final night.

As the sun faded, she stood beside Kian while he spoke about Lorelei and how much she had been looking forward to being the chosen house for the Snowcap Ridge Holiday Light Show. He’d talked about how much she loved the community. Then, once the dark set in, he’d hit a button that brought the estate to life. It was a dummy button that required massive coordination among everyone on the estate, but the result was breathtaking.

Suddenly, the grounds were awash in light, from the central fountain to the many evergreen trees, each fully decorated with Christmas finery. Then Kian turned her, and she understood why everyone had gasped when the lights came on. Every window shade was open, and an electric candle sat in each window, with themed Christmas trees behind them in the rooms facing the driveway. When she and Kian led the tour down the garden path, she noticed the rooms at the back of the house were the same.

Then it was her turn to talk about Lorelei, the estate, and Lorelei’s dreams for Snowcap Ridge. It was a strategic distraction, giving Kian time to suit up and reach Santa’s throne before the kids noticed it was empty. She paused dramatically near the end as sleigh bells and a loud HO-HO-HO rang out across the gardens. From there, pandemonium erupted.

For three hours, people milled around the estate, taking in the lights, enjoying refreshments, and, for the kids, taking one last chance to visit Santa. She’d been seated by his side on and off, wearing her Mrs. Claus coat, listening to parents tell her stories about what Lorelei had done for them or their kids when they were in the hospital.

When she grew cold, Joy went inside and helped Freya keep the coffee and cocoa going. It had been a fairytale night for her, despite the sadness that crept in around the joy and celebration. What she’d discovered at the hospital last night was that wearing the coat made her feel closer to Lorelei. It made her less tearful and more resolved to continue the initiatives Lorelei had started. It wrapped her in warmth and in Lorelei’s love, something she’d needed more than she realized this year. Lorelei was clairvoyant in that respect.

Now, the party was over, so to speak, and as the groundskeepers cleaned up and took down the tables, she was thrilled to see the massive box of food that would be delivered to the food pantry. All the food they’d collected during the season meant the food pantry would start the new year in much better shape.

Joy smiled as she walked along the path, enjoying that it was clear of snow and dry, so she didn’t have to worry about slipping. The luminary candles were still going strong, but soon someone would turn off each one, pack them up, and deliver them to Snowcap Ridge Nursing Home for their holiday dinner tomorrow.

Ahead, she noticed Kian still wearing his Santa suit and hat, the beard draped around his neck as he cleaned around the chair. He was the most unexpected gift this Christmas. She never expected him to fall back in love with Snowcap Ridge, or with her, so quickly. It was surreal that he had, and the way he looked at her when he didn’t think she was watching reinforced his words. He did love her. He wanted to work with her. He wanted to figure out how to make it work now that they were partners.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas played softly from speakers hidden in the shrubbery by the house. When they made eye contact, she smiled at the pure happiness on his face.

When she reached him, he took her crutches and set them aside, then pulled her into his arms and swayed with her to the music. “I couldn’t let Christmas Eve pass without dancing with my Mrs. Claus. I love you.”

“I love you too, but Santa, how forward of you to assume I’m your Mrs. Claus.”

He’d traded his CEO glasses for gold-rimmed Santa spectacles, which she pulled off and tucked into her pocket. He winked, and she worried she’d get lost in his eyes, especially since she couldn’t kiss him on the garden path with so many people around. “I could fix that,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck.

“You aren’t the real Santa, so he might have a few things to say about you replacing his wife right under his nose.”

“Hmm, hadn’t thought of that,” Kian admitted. The music shifted to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen as he stopped dancing and knelt. He pulled a black box from his pocket as she gasped.

“Kian, what are you doing?” she whispered, her gaze locked on his.

“Hoping we can make this fake Santa and Mrs. Claus a real thing all year round.” When he opened the ring box, she recognized the diamond-and-sapphire ring nestled inside.

“Kian, that was Lorelei’s ring.”

“It was. She left it to me and said I’d know the right person to give it to and the right time to use it. Turns out she was right. At least I hope this is the right time. If it’s not, I totally understand how sudden this is, but I couldn’t let the night pass me by on the—”

Joy pressed her finger against his lips. “Ask me.”

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “Joy, I love you so much. Did I expect this outcome when I walked into the mall a month ago? No. But now I understand it was you all along. There’s nothing I want more than a lifetime of loving you, holding you close, creating magic with you, and doing good in this world together. Your trust, forgiveness, and belief in me have changed me. They’ve made me want to be the man you can rely on forever. Joy Brady, would you do me the ultimate honor of becoming my Mrs. Claus, for real and forever? Will you be mine for a lifetime?”

“It was you all along,” Joy whispered, her chin trembling. The idea washed over her, and she saw it. She saw it all, just as Lorelei had wanted her to.