I want so much to ask her more about her past, but I know she’ll tell me when she’s ready.
“You know, I don’t think I’ll be going back to that apartment,” she says. A hopeful look in her eyes.
“And I don’t want you to, it was only to straighten out that super of yours I bought the place… helped out God knows how many of your neighbors he terrorized like that too.”
“I’d like to stay here, with you,” she adds, making my own breath catch. A lump in my throat hearing her say it so sweetly.
“You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever met, Lucian Kellerman, and I want to get to know you more than I can say,” she says, flushed red and her lips pushing against mine.
“Sounds like a proposal,” I muse aloud, not meaning to make her feel embarrassed.
“Maybe we could be real life Mr. And Mrs. Claus?” I add. “But only if you want.”
“That sounds more like a proposal,” she counters, punching me lightly in the chest.
“I’m serious, Carol,” I tell her. “I love you more than anyone or anything, and I know it’s only been a few days… but just imagine. We could have all this, every day for the rest of our lives.”
She gnaws at her lip, and I can feel both our hearts pounding.
I haven’t asked her, but I’ve kind of just asked her.
I hope it’s not too much too soon. I don’t want to scare her off.
“What about your retail empire?” she asks, looking down at her hands.
“How does a girl like me fit into all that? I’ll hardly ever see you.”
“You’re all I see, Carol,” I tell her, my voice cracking with emotion.
“And if you’ll let me, you’ll be all I see, every day… all day for the rest of our lives.”
“You mean?” she asks, her lip quivering.
“I mean it, Carol. I want you today and every day after this. Be my Mrs. Claus and let me be your Mr. Claus. Just say yes,” I tell her.
“Then yes,” she gushes. “Yes, today and every other day… Yes.”
I grip her hard, pulling her tight and kissing her until she squeaks.
The smoke alarm goes off again, but I don’t care.
I have all the fire I need in her and she said yes, she actually said yes!
EPILOGUE
Carol
Wanting to wait to get married was like asking Lucian to hold his breath.
And I really didn’t want to wait, but once he set his mind to fixing his business it took a while.
Right up until my baby bump was getting in the way of things.
He’s spent months going through his entire company, making sure every single employee gets a pay rate they deserve and more.
He’s restructured his management, which includes me for some reason, to oversee the whole process and he’s bought up half the side of town where I used to live, determined to make sure people have a better way of living as well as working.
“It’s not just where you come from, Carol. It’s what you have to offer,” he exclaims, almost manic over piles of paper, files, and building plans on his desk as I stand next to him, rubbing my belly.
“I know dear, but…”
“I mean, did you know? We have a hundred college graduates sleeping roughly within twenty blocks of our own stores? It’s not good enough.”
Smiling I take his hand and kiss it before sitting on his lap.
I know he likes this at this time of the day, any day. No matter how busy he is.
“I’m sorry honey, I just get so caught up in all this. How’s your day goin’? Did you get that doctor’s appointment, find out why you’ve been feeling so-”
I did.
And I have.
I grind myself into his lap some more, taking his hand and pressing it onto my belly.
Giving him a knowing look.
I’ve been through three dress sizes, then elastic pants, and finally a smock in the past few months.
All the while Lucian’s only commented on how much more beautiful I look to him every day.
His appetite for me physically has only increased to the point I almost forgot all about it, swept up in his attentions for me.
If it wasn’t for total access to a whole retail chain I would’ve given up wearing a bra too.
“We’re gonna have to put a ring on this,” I announce, puffing a breath and wiggling a finger in front of his eyes as it dawns on him.
“Daddy,” I add. “Mister Claus,” I tease him again, squirming harder in his lap.
“You mean we-” he stammers, making me cock a brow.
“Now, don’t try and pretend you don’t know how babies are made, Lucian Kellerman,” I taunt him.
“Why didn’t you-” he asks, and I only have to point to the stacks of work around him.
“I did tell you, a hundred times… in a way,” I admit, shrugging.
“But you’re so tied up with all this, I couldn’t get through. Now I know, I have the ultrasound. Oh, Lucian, aren’t you happy?” I ask, suddenly worried I’m only giving him one more thing to worry about.
“Happy?” he gasps, sweeping all the papers aside and lifting me up onto his desk, his strong legs between mine.
“Of course I am, and we’ll have to… ya know. Get married right away,” he adds quickly. His eyes dart around mine, his best thinking face leaping into action.
“No son of mine’s gonna be born out of wedlock. We can fly to Vegas, we can be married tonight!” he almost shouts, making me laugh.
“We could just make some arrangements,” I offer. “And what makes you think it’s a boy after all?” I ask defiantly, wondering how he knows already.
“I guess I just… I mean. Just tell me you’re okay?” he finally says, wanting to squeeze me but not too hard. As if I’ll break now that he knows I’m pregnant.
Now that we’re pregnant.
And so it was that after my clumsy announcement, Lucian Kellerman arranged the biggest wedding of all time in no time.
Swept off my feet?
That’s an understatement.
I don’t think he’s slept for the whole week while he arranged for all his business dealings to be taken care of so we could be married and then honeymoon.
The one thing I actually have a say in.
The wedding?
That’s a blur, with a cathedral, gown and so many people I don’t know I’ll ever remember it all let alone try to forget it.
Lucian tried hard. Maybe a bit too hard, but I got my man and the wedding band to prove it.
A father to our children, and enough crystal ware to fill a mansion, which it has.
“We can go anywhere you want, Carol. As long as the doctors say it’s okay,” he adds, holding his huge hands over my middle for the millionth time.
“We’ll be fine,” I tell him, wondering where on earth we could go.
To get away from all of Lucian’s business, to get away.
Just the two of us.
He smacks his head, as if dumbstruck, naming an obscure island I’ve never heard of.
“It used to be owned by the family, a long time ago,” he explains. “We… I gave it back to the original owners, on the proviso we could still buy their vanilla crops at a fair price and I could use their beach. The one beach I actually remember from my childhood. Say we can, Carol. Tell me you’ll go?” he asks earnestly.
If anything, I want to see Lucian happy. I can see he only wants the same for his new family.
One thing I don’t know about my new husband, apart from his hidden cooking skills is his seamanship.
I expect to fly out to said island, but Lucian being Lucian he arranges a yacht to sail us there, a journey of four days to the Caribbean.
I’ll never forget it, and I can see how much it means to Lucian to sail us all there.
Baby and me.
He works on his tan while I sit under a huge straw hat, marveling at how he handles such a huge boat that he constantly reminds me is called a yacht.<
br />
We have fresh lobster and seafood every night, and I have so much more appreciation for Lucian, who seems determined to keep me satisfied in every way imaginable.
All day, every day.
Lucian has one goal in mind, to keep his woman satisfied on all fronts.
“We’re almost there, darling,” he announces, steering the yacht in a certain direction after announcing the sight of land.
Our island home for the next few weeks.
“I can’t wait,” I murmur, laying back on my towel, knowing my man is at the helm for us both.
My best friend, my lover, and the father of our children.
My Mr. Claus.
The thought makes me giggle.
“What?” he calls over, but I shrug.
“Nothing, honey. Just… I love you.”
Lucian mouths the words, I know and he sets his course.
Guiding us all on to safe harbors and new adventures.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Lucian
“Daddy, Daddy! Push me again!”
She shoots me a glance of mock disdain, but I know she only has eyes for our sons.
And for me.
It’s freezing and our plans for an island getaway have been dashed by doctor’s orders.
“No sea travel, planes, or anything that will excite the mother to be.”
And it took no doing from me, those were his exact words.
Carol’s bundled up in thermals and a snowsuit as we play outside.
Christmas Eve, a few more years since we both stood on the exact same spot.
And by God, if she isn’t more beautiful today.
The luckiest day of my life was the day she agreed to be my wife.
“Well go then,” she chides me, folding her arms. “Push them down the dang hill.”
And I do.
The new sleds we had made for the twins are safer and more everything than the older ones still in the hall closet.
But I can tell my Mrs. Claus still isn’t okay with her sons adopting a little bit of their old man’s dare-devilry at such a young age.
The boys, Mark and Mike, squeal with delight as they hurtle down the frozen hillside. Reminding their old man of something he never had.
Watching Carol’s breath catch, I watch the boys, launching myself down after them on my own sled.
Meeting them both at the bottom.
They’re fine.
Squealing like monkeys. Begging to be tossed down again.
“I think your mommy wants us back inside now, boys,” I tell them, smiling at their wide eyes.
“Pleeeeaaassse daddy?” they implore me, and I know I’m lost.
“Once more then,” I promise, taking both their hands as we trudge back up the icy hill, snow crunching under our feet.
Reminding myself that Christmas dinner is in the oven.
Carol’s waiting, pecking my cheek and then the boy’s heads before reminding me we have dinner waiting.
“Just one more, honey. I promised them,” I tell her. Smiling when she winks at me.
“They’re their father’s sons alright,” she exclaims, kissing me again and I hold her close.
“I love you, Carol. And so do the boys,” I tell her.
She slaps her hands on my chest, rolling her eyes, and tells me not to try and talk my way out of it.
“You can get them washed up for dinner then,” she adds, her final say in the deal and I readily agree.
“I’d be proud to,” I say, smiling, and feeling the slight sting of a frozen tear at the side of my eye before I hurtle down the hill again with my two greatest treasures, my sons.
My wife watching over us and knowing she feels the same way I do for all of them.
Love.
Pure love as I hoist them both onto my shoulders and march us all back up the hill, sleds in tow behind us.
“How’s number three?” I ask her, noting her mood but glad to see her smile.
“She’s doing just fine. I look forward to having some female company,” she adds with a grin, her hands running across her belly.
“I’ll warn the boys,” I remind her. “They’re gonna need some coaching when our baby girl comes along.”
“Boys?” I announce. “You’ll have a baby sister soon, and more than just your momma to answer to. Let’s get washed up and ready for dinner,” pleased when they agree so easily.
“You don’t need to scare them like that,” Carol says, punching my arm, but I mean it.
“It’s true, baby. Every word. If their sister is anything like their mommy, I need to prepare them for it.”
“And just what’s that supposed to mean?” she asks defiantly, hands on her hips as we reach the back door, the boys scuttling to get cleaned up after kicking their boots off by the door.
“It means,” I start to explain. “That those two boys and I will have truly met our match once we finally meet our beautiful. Baby. Daughter.”
I spell it out to her, kissing her after each word.
“Will you still love me after our third baby?” Carol asks, making a face as she runs her hands across her figure for the millionth time.
Something I haven’t told her, but it drives me wild every time I see her do it.
I’m glad the boys are inside, because I launch myself at her, running a hand up the inside of her legs, growling.
Begging her to let me fuck her on the spot.
“Maybe for dessert, we have Christmas dinner, ya know?” she reminds me. Making me smile wider.
“I know,” I tell us both. “I haven’t forgotten.”
We’ve opened half our presents, a deal we had to make with Mark and Mike last night, otherwise, Mr. and Mrs. Claus could never creep back down the stairs to put out their real surprises.
Carol’s with me on one thing, spoiling our kids rotten and I couldn’t agree more.
Neither of us ever had such love, Carol having never met her parents, and we both relish it on our boys and know the next in line will have just the same.
“Do you think they’ll grow up without being spoilt brats?” she asked last night, whispering as we stacked more wrapped gifts under the tree with their names on.
“Not a chance,” I reminded her. “They have their mommy and daddy to face off if they ever try.”
“Have I told you how much I love you today Lucian?” she asks me, once I’m serving up a slice of dark turkey meat for us both.
Our boys munching on vegetables and beans, having told us in no uncertain terms they’re vegan now.
Even though they’re just four years old.
It’s okay. They can have and will have whatever they want.
“I don’t think you did tell me,” I pretend she hasn’t told me today like she does every day.
My best friend.
The love of my life.
“Just how much do you love me? I love you more than words can say,” I challenge her, leaning in to kiss her.
Proving my point.
Showing her, I hope, it’s more than she’ll ever know.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Claus,” I whisper.
“Merry Christmas,” she replies. “Mr. Claus. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
And I do.
I love all of them.
Forever.
THE END
MERRY CHRISTMAS
NEWSLETTER
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
My Christmas Carol: An Instalove Possessive Age Gap Romance (A Man Who Knows Who He Wants Book 220) Page 8
