Christmas Sugar ~ Melanie Moreland

by Moreland, Melanie

  “I like these goals.” She hummed. “But . . .”

  “But what?” I asked, worried. Maybe she didn’t want more children.

  “Can we wait a bit on the babies? There’s so much to grasp . . . and I don’t want Seth and Noelle upset by so much change, and I just need . . .”

  “A little time?” I finished.

  She nodded. “I want more children, Dylan. I want them with you. But I want time for us first. Time for the kids to adapt and for this not to feel like a dream.”

  “So, it’s not a no. It’s a wait a little while?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can handle that. It makes sense,” I admitted. “I do like the idea of just us for a while.”

  “Thank you.”

  I grinned at her, then rolled, and in a second, I had her underneath me, my mouth hovering over hers. “I think we should practice, though.”

  Her hands tugged me closer, our bodies meshing perfectly. “Yes, yes, we should. Lots and lots of practice.” She pulled me down to her mouth.

  Once again, I was home.

  I WALKED AROUND THE MAIN floor of the inn, the silence bliss to my ears. The tree lights were still on, some of the gifts under the tree, yet to be put away. It had been such an amazing day. Upstairs, Alex and the kids were asleep.

  After we’d spent hours together, making love and talking, discussing plans and our future, Alex had fallen asleep. I carried her down the hall and tucked her into her little bed. A few more nights, we’d be married and I could keep her beside me, but for now, she needed to be close to Noelle. I couldn’t sleep, though, and had come downstairs to get a brandy, hoping the liquor would help me relax. I glanced at my watch, to note it wasn’t quite midnight yet, and suddenly, I knew why the day didn’t feel done. Why it wasn’t complete.

  I reached into my pocket for my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart.

  “Hello, dear boy.” Arlene’s warm voice came over the line. “I was wondering if you’d forgotten me today.”

  “Never.”

  “Was it a good day?”

  “The best day of my life.”

  “Oh, Dylan.”

  “They were so happy to see me, Arlene. Me, not my gifts. Me.”

  “Of course they were. They love you.”

  “I asked her to marry me.”

  There was silence. “Well, my boy, you’ve surprised even me.”

  “I think I surprised everyone.”

  “And?”

  “Are you busy New Year’s Eve?”

  “What?” She gasped.

  “We’re getting married here. I want you . . . I need you here. Please, Arlene . . . you’re my family. I want you to be a part of the most important day of my life.”

  I was sure I heard a quiet sob before she replied, her voice thick with emotion. “There is no other place I’d rather be.”

  “Arrange with Roger to fly you and Simon out.”

  “I will.”

  “I need my blue suit.”

  She chuckled. “I already knew that would be the one you’d want. I’ll pick it up and some more of your personal things.”

  I leaned my forehead against the window, taking in the vista that surrounded me. “How did you know?” I asked quietly.

  “I didn’t,” she confessed. “But talking to George, and the way he spoke of her, I just . . .” She paused before continuing. “ . . . I had a feeling you had to meet her. He was so worried about her future, I was worried about yours. She sounded perfect for you. It seemed . . . like fate.”

  “It was—and she is.”

  “I’m so pleased, Dylan. This is the best news you’ve ever shared with me.”

  “I can’t wait for you to meet my girl.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her either.”

  “So, I’ll see you in a few days?”

  She laughed. “You will.”

  “Thank you.” I blew out a long breath. “I love you, Arlene. You’re like a mother to me.”

  She didn’t even try to disguise her sobs. “Thank you, dear boy. You’re like my own. I’ll see you soon.”

  “I can’t wait,” I replied and ended the call.

  “Have you ever told her that?” Alex’s voice startled me.

  I turned, held out my hand for her, pulling her close, and placed a kiss on her head.

  “No, I don’t think I have. I think she knew how I felt, but I never said it.” I sighed, looking down at Alex’s sweet face. “I’ve only ever said it to two people. You were the first. You’ve opened up a side of me I didn’t know existed, Alex.”

  She snuggled into my chest. “I like this side.”

  “Well, that’s good to know. She’s coming for the wedding. It wouldn’t surprise me if she showed up tomorrow or the next day.”

  “I can hardly wait to meet her. I hope . . . I hope she likes us.”

  “Alex, she will love you—all of you. I have no doubt.” I stroked her cheek with my finger. “I love all of you, so much—but especially you, Alex. You’ve become the most important thing in my world. I hope you know that.”

  “I think I do.”

  She shivered a little in my arms, and I pulled her closer. “You should be in bed.”

  “I was lonely without you. In fact,” she admitted, “when I woke up in my own bed, I thought I had dreamed the whole thing. But your ring was there, so I knew it was real.”

  “I didn’t want to confuse Noelle.”

  She tilted up her head. “Soon we won’t have to pretend.”

  “Hmm, I like that.”

  She pressed against me. “I can still come to visit.”

  I grinned, lowering my face to hers. “We can use my room for alone time, and you sleep there?”

  “It’s only for a few nights.”

  Knowing she was right and soon we’d be together, I nodded. “I can work with that.”

  I was right. Arlene Carson breezed in the next night, bringing with her the two things I loved the most: her impeccable organizational skills and her need to make sure I was looked after.

  An hour after she arrived, it was as if she’d known Alex and her family their entire life. Alex sat beside her on the sofa with Noelle perched on her knee. George listened with rapt attention to every word she spoke, and even Seth leaned in, anxious to hear what she had to say—which was a lot. Simon and I sat on another sofa sipping scotch, cast aside to the wonder that was Mrs. C.

  “We might as well not be here,” I mumbled, taking a generous sip.

  “Get used to it,” Simon snorted. “At least we have some good scotch.”

  “I heard you,” Arlene sang, casting a frown in our direction. “Do not drink that scotch all night. We have a lot to do and only a few days to get it done. We have a wedding to organize, a house to buy, and then we need to get these two lovebirds off on a honeymoon.”

  I brightened a little at those words.

  “Dylan,” she ordered, “tomorrow you and Alex get the license. I’ll arrange everything else. We’ll go look at the house when you get back, and you can work on the honeymoon. You have to be back by the twentieth. I’ve changed our cruise date until then.”

  “Why?”

  She looked at me as if I had six heads. “I’ll be staying to look after Noelle and Seth while you’re gone and also to help George with his move. I’ve already spoken with Jodi, who was very helpful, and she has recommended a contractor for anything that has to happen to the house before you get back.”

  Alex nodded. “Michael is great.”

  “Won’t, ah, Doug be a little upset when you show up with a bunch of strangers, George?”

  He grinned. “I spoke with him and he’s fine. We’ll visit after you leave. I’m certain you’ll love the property, Dylan.”

  “Okay, then.”

  George was right. I did love it, and I could see Alex did too. It was called the Gables because of the many ornate gables adorning the house. An older, Victorian-style house, it had been well cared for and added to with t
he addition of a large loft and sunroom on the back that took full advantage of the view. There were six good-sized bedrooms, including a massive master with its own bathroom, a large kitchen, and a family room, with spectacular views from every window.

  There was an expansive piece of property that contained five self-contained cottages, each a miniature version of the main house. It held immense potential for investment, but more importantly was the potential it held for being a home filled with happiness for my new family. By the end of the afternoon, I’d shaken hands on yet another large deal in the small province of Nova Scotia. They were thrilled with the offer, and the fact that we wanted in as swiftly as they wanted out. We could move in right after we came back from our honeymoon. They were taking all their furniture and personal items, but the cottages stayed intact. Arlene was already making notes with Alex about buying beds and other pieces of furniture, so our plans were well underway.

  It was all so fast, so unexpected, I knew I should be nervous, anxious, and feeling out of control. Instead, I felt as if things were falling into place in my life, and I was remarkably calm.

  New Year’s Eve dawned bright and filled with promises. When I went downstairs to find Alex, the lower level had been transformed. Flowers and tulle were draped everywhere, minute fairy lights scattered around. The mantel piled high with candles, flowers, and pinecones. As I stood gazing around, I felt my chest tighten in anticipation. Right there was where I would marry my Alex. In a couple of hours, she would be mine—forever.

  A noise made me turn, and I saw her watching me. I held out my hand, smiling as she came closer. I tugged her into my arms, kissing her softly. “Are you ready for this?”

  She nodded, eyes large in her face. “I have to keep pinching myself to know it’s not a dream.”

  I chuckled. “I may be more of a nightmare at times.”

  She arched her eyebrow at me, a move I’d found very sexy since she had started doing it a few days ago. “As long as you’re Dylan and not snobby Dylan we’ll be fine.”

  I laughed and kissed her hard. “You’ve been spending too much time with Mrs. C—only she gets to call me snobby.”

  I became serious. “I can hardly wait to make you mine tonight.”

  She smiled up at me, a mischievous expression dancing across her face. “Here, or do you mean later at the hotel?”

  I groaned, burying my face into her neck and dropping kisses onto her supple skin. Since Arlene and Simon had arrived, we hadn’t been together. Their room was between Alex’s and mine, and Arlene’s hearing was too good. Given everything else going on, we agreed to hold off until the wedding and we were finally alone. At the time I agreed, I found it a rather romantic gesture, but that lasted a day or so. Every chance I got, I dragged Alex behind a closed door and kissed her until we were both panting with want. But no matter where I took her, someone always found us. However, tonight, I’d finally have her alone, and tomorrow we would leave on our honeymoon—two glorious weeks of simply us. I had the villa in the Bahamas booked. It was secluded and private, with its own beach and pool. Staff was on call for meals or anything we wanted, but other than that, she was all mine.

  “I’m so ready to start our life,” I murmured against her mouth, dragging my tongue over her plump bottom lip.

  “Me too.”

  I tilted my head to kiss her as the elevator door opened and Arlene strolled out, a clipboard in hand. “Ah, there you are, Dylan. We have some things to go over, then I’m stealing Alex for the afternoon.”

  I leaned my forehead to Alex’s, fighting a groan. It was as if Arlene knew I was about to kiss Alex and appeared. Every damn time.

  Alex giggled, and I realized I’d spoken out loud. She leaned up and kissed me fast. “Tonight,” she promised. “I’ll make up for it tonight.”

  “You bet you will!” I growled as she walked away. I narrowed my eyes at Arlene, then burst out laughing when she grinned at me, not the least bit worried over my glare. She knew what she was doing.

  “You’ll pay, old woman!” I called after her, turning to get a cup of coffee.

  “Whatever, dear boy,” she replied, making me chuckle.

  I glanced at my watch. In six hours, I’d be married, and Alex would be my wife.

  Six hours until I could kiss her again.

  It was dark by 4:00 p.m. The candles flickered, and the scent of the flowers wafted through the air as Alex and I exchanged vows in front of a small gathering of those we both loved the most. I had flown in a few friends, as well as Mrs. C’s family, and the rest of the guests were Alex’s crew. I never invited nor thought to let my father know what was happening. I knew he wouldn’t care, and I had no desire to give him the chance to ruin the day for me.

  Alex wore a gorgeous, knee-length, lacy dress and I wore my favorite dark blue suit Arlene had brought with her. My best man, Seth, stood beside me, anxious and proud, and behind him was Simon. Noelle was beside her mother, far more interested in the pretty flowers she was holding for Alex than the service going on in front of her. All she knew, all she cared about, was that, as of today, she could call me Daddy. When she had asked me, I was so overcome I could barely speak, and I’d had to look to Alex, unsure how she would feel about it.

  She had smiled lovingly, running her hand over Noelle’s wild curls. “I think Dylan would like that, but after we’re married okay, sweetheart?”

  “Otay,” she said, her slipper-covered feet bouncing with happiness. “I can wait!”

  Seth had snorted. “I ain’t calling you Daddy.”

  I had to laugh, grateful for his humor restoring some lightness to the moment. “I think Dylan will do, Seth,” I agreed.

  “Yeah, well, for now,” he stated, not looking my way.

  My gaze met Alex’s, and I knew there was another conversation we would have to have. I wasn’t simply marrying her; I was marrying them as well. I would do whatever I needed to do to make sure they understood how important they were.

  Alex squeezed my hand, bringing me back to the moment. Behind her, Arlene grinned at me, and I realized people were waiting for me to speak.

  I said the words I never thought I would hear myself utter.

  “I do.”

  Moments later, vows spoken, rings exchanged, Alex was mine. Forever.

  Leaning down, I captured her lips, kissing her deeply. I held her close, not wanting the moment to end.

  Then I felt it—the small tug on my trouser leg. I broke away from Alex and looked down into Noelle’s sweet little face. She lifted her arms up, her smile wide.

  “My turn, Daddy.”

  “NO. THIS ISN’T RIGHT.” DYLAN tugged on his hair, then waved his hand over the set of plans he was studying.

  The architect sighed. “I’ve done everything you asked, Dylan. Can you explain what’s wrong?”

  Dylan huffed a sigh. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

  I shifted in my chair, my lower back feeling achy. I studied my husband and looked around the large office.

  This was the Dylan I knew the least. The place I disliked the most. In the city, he became the Dylan I first met. Cool, removed—in control and exact with what he wanted, and how he wanted it.

  No one but those closest to him saw the real Dylan. Warm, tender, loving, and patient to a fault. Nothing fazed him when it came to our family or our life. He was an amazing father, a good friend, and the sexiest, most loving husband a woman could hope for in her life. That man disappeared when he donned his expensive, well-tailored suit and stepped foot in his company’s office. Businessman Dylan appeared, and he reminded me too much of the man Dylan had been when I had met him, the man hiding behind his pain. I knew it was his cover and the man I married was the real Dylan, but still, I didn’t like coming to Toronto.

  The day he exploded into my life was one I would never forget. He made me feel things I didn’t think I would ever experience. Seth thought he was the coolest person ever, and Noelle . . . well, she adored him. She still did. He brou
ght forth a passion I didn’t even know existed within me, and I fell for him so hard and so fast, I didn’t know which way was up. The day he left, it was as if the world had lost its light. He couldn’t see his value—how special he was, or the non-material gifts he had to offer. He didn’t see how he completed us or made us a family—all he saw, all he thought, was he had nothing to give.

  When he showed up, bearing too many presents, a beautiful ring, and the perfect gift of his heart, was the best day of my life. I didn’t care about his money, his company, or anything else. Only him. When he told me he loved me, my world was complete. That was the Dylan I knew—and loved.

  I was looking forward to our flight home in the evening. I hadn’t really wanted to come this time, but since finding out I was pregnant, Dylan was loath to leave me, no matter how short the trip. He also wanted me to see the plans for the new house. The same architect had done the design for the new Edgewater Resort. I had jokingly suggested Dylan keep the name Sleepy Moose Inn, but I had been outvoted quickly. Edgewater Resort did suit the property. Dylan had asked John to draw up plans for our house on the bluff. But nothing seemed to work.

  I sat up and sighed quietly, rubbing my back. But it wasn’t quiet enough. Dylan’s head snapped up, and he saw what I was doing, immediately hurrying over. In the matter of several steps, he changed into my Dylan. His cool manner melted, his eyes warm and concerned as he dropped to his knees in front of me.

  “Hey, darling girl.” He reached around to rub my sore muscles. “Are you okay?”

  “Just a little tired.”

  He leaned closer, laying his hand on my stomach and rubbing it in tender circles. “Are you being kicked everywhere?”

  I chuckled. “They’re both pretty active.”

  “We’ll be home soon, and you’ll rest better. I know you don’t sleep well here.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come look at these plans. Maybe you can tell me what’s wrong.”

  He pulled me to my feet and dropped a heavy kiss on my head, leading me to the table. I looked over the plans, which confirmed what I already expected. I smiled at John, who was looking at me for any clue.