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“Oh,” Cassie made a small choking noise in her throat. “Baby, we’re not —”
“When mommies and daddies are married, they sleep in the same bed, Aiden told me. Daddy’s sleeping in your bed,” the girl explained with the simple reasoning of a four-year-old.
Cassie opened her mouth as if to explain, but clamped her lips shut when inspiration eluded her.
Ryan smiled at her discomfort before speaking up. “We’re not married, Monkey, and I don’t live here.”Not yet anyway.
“But I want you to.” Her big brown eyes focused on him with such hopefulness.
You and me both, kid. “It’s up to your mom.”
Again, Cassie made a sound in the back of her throat.
“Mommy?” Ellie turned and climbed into Cassie’s lap.
Shooting him a glare that would make less determined men squirm, she tugged the elf closer. Ryan took the momentary distraction as an opportunity to reach into the drawer beside him.
“I don’t know why your daddy said that, Ellie, but Baby, it’s more than that, it’s…” Her words fell away as she looked up and spotted the small box in his hands. She swallowed and clung tighter to their daughter. “What is that?”
“Not what you think,” he replied, his heart suddenly filling his throat.
Barely twenty-four hours had passed since he’d convinced her to give him a chance to prove they were right for each other. As much as he wanted her to promise to be his forever as his wife, he hadn’t earned that honor … yet.
Popping open the box, he revealed a diamond hanging on a thin, white gold chain. “This is my promise. My promise that I’ll wait as long as you need to know that I’m committed to loving you and making you happy every day for the rest of my life. One day, when you’re ready, I’ll put a ring on your finger and love you as my wife. Until then, I’d like you to wear this.”
A lone tear slid over her glistening eyes and plopped on her flushed cheek. In her lap, Ellie squirmed like a puppy.
With a shaking voice, he asked, “What do you say to one day?”
Wordlessly, she nodded.
“Yes?” He dared to smile.
Again, she nodded.
“Use your words, Mommy,” Ellie urged.
Laughing, Cassie finally replied, “Yes, absolutely yes.”
Ryan felt that yes in the deepest part of his soul. Maybe she hadn’t agreed to marry him, but in his heart that was just a technicality. He and Cassie belonged together this Christmas and every one after. He pulled the necklace from the box and slipped it around her neck. The diamond sparkled against the smooth skin of her chest.
“Thank you,” she whispered, leaning over to press a kiss to his lips.
Between them, their daughter giggled and wrapped an arm around each of them. “Ellie sandwich.”
Ryan pulled them both close. For the first time, he held his whole world in his arms with no barriers or secrets. As his chest tightened with the love that consumed him, the room blurred. Over their daughter’s head, Cassie’s eyes locked with his. She didn’t have to say a word. Shining back at him was the same love he held for her. He’d never had a better Christmas.
Epilogue
December 23 - One Year Later
Standing at the window of her childhood bedroom, Cassie watched as snow drifted from the swollen bellies of the clouds in the night sky, dusting the guests’ cars parked in her parents’ yard. Sophie had been right to suggest Cassie not wear the pure white gown her mother had insisted on. With the snowfall as a backdrop Cassie’s gown would’ve blended in. Instead, the champagne silk wrapped around her body now would offer a warm contrast to the cold, stark white. Her mother had been furious at her choice, but Cassie hadn’t cared. Every guest on the list knew she wasn’t a virgin. The fact her daughter would be scattering red flowers on the aisle as Cassie walked to meet the father of her child should be proof enough. Still, Sylvia Starnes liked her appearances, even if no one believed them. Luckily for Cassie tonight wasn’t about her mother and the appearances she wanted everyone to believe. Tonight was about Cassie and Ryan and Ellie officially becoming the family they’d always been in their hearts. Her stomach fluttered. In nine months their little family would grow. She hadn’t told Ryan or Ellie yet. Tonight, after they were nestled in at home . . .theirhome, she’d tell them both their Christmas wishes had been granted. They’d just have to be patient.
A knock sounded on the door.
Cassie jumped. “Yes?”
In a pure act of selflessness, Sophie had taken Cassie’s mother to get a drink, granting Cassie a few moments of alone time to gather her thoughts. She had no doubts about the vows she intended to make. Her heart belonged to Ryan - it always had. Tonight she’d just be letting everyone else in on the secret. But sometimes she needed to sit with her thoughts in the quiet and feel the emotions coursing through her.
