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December 25
Wynn cuddled his daughter, who wore a green velvet dress with an appliquéd reindeer, as he watched his brand-new wife from across the room. A week ago, he and Felicity had married each other in a small, intimate New York chapel. Ayla’s adoption would not be final for some time, but it was in the works.
On the twenty-third, the three of them had come home to the house in Falcon’s Notch to spend the holidays. Wynn hadn’t pushed, but Felicity had decided on her own to invite her mother and uncle for a short visit. They had arrived this afternoon.
The Christmas evening meal had been simple, but that was for the best under the circumstances. Felicity’s family seemed in awe of his home and not entirely comfortable, though he had tried his best to make them so.
Wynn and Felicity had exchanged gifts last night by the fire. Unfortunately, there had been no time to get a tree. Next year, he promised himself.
The beautiful painting of the Smokies Felicity had given him would hang in his home office. Wynn wanted it in his study where he could see it often and remember the lessons he had learned from the mountains.
To Felicity, he had given a diamond solitaire necklace, one that matched her engagement ring. Before they were married, she had protested that she didn’t need a ring, but he had been adamant.
Now, seeing it and the wedding band on her finger gave him a deep sense of pride and peace. She was his and he was hers.
Felicity rose and came to where he stood, smiling at him in a way that made his heart jerk in his chest. Iris and Felicity’s uncle were leaving in the morning. Wynn would have the rest of the week and the beginning of the New Year to make love to his new wife and to create a romantic holiday week they would always remember.
He touched her cheek. “Do they like the surprise?” Felicity’s uncle was a huge baseball fan. Apparently, so was Iris. Wynn and Felicity had given them a set of tickets to spring training and a premium room at a fancy hotel for a week and a half.
Felicity smiled. “They’re thrilled. But I think they feel bad they don’t have something for us. I tried to tell them their visit was gift enough.”
He searched her face. “And you’re sure you’re okay with all this?”
“Not entirely, but I’m working on it. I have so much happiness and love bursting out of me right now, it would be petty not to share it.”
He pulled her close and laughed when Ayla predictably went for a lock of Felicity’s hair. “I love you, Mrs. Oliver,” he said. “No more running away for either of us.”
Felicity rested her cheek over his heart and sighed. “I know Ayla is ours, but I’d like to have at least one more.”
Shocked, he pulled back to see her face more clearly. “You’re not...”
She laughed. “Pregnant? No. Not yet. But I’d like to try.”
His hand trembled as he smoothed her hair from her face. “Yes. Me, too. But not too soon. I need some time to spoil my new wife.”
“That goes both ways, Wynn. You’re not alone anymore. Ayla and I are going to drive you nuts with hugs and kisses, aren’t we, little one?”
The baby blew bubbles, seeming to indicate her agreement.
Wynn stared over Felicity’s head and out the plate glass window that framed a dramatic section of the Smokies’ highest peaks.
He had come full circle in this place that had held both pain and pleasure. He and Felicity would never forget their past, both the good and the bad. But from now on, they would build on the love that had survived all these years.
This was his best Christmas ever, and it was only the beginning...
