One For The Holiday: A Christmas Novella
Page 7
“I had already chosen you before the run in. I just didn’t know I had a chance.”
“You had a chance since I saw you in the gas station that first day.”
“Hmm, so I got punched in the face for nothing.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. It all worked out in the end.”
“Can I kiss you?”
“As many times as you want. We have nothing stopping us.”
I reach down and lift her face to mine. I softly kiss her lips. I playfully bite her bottom lip.
“If you keep doing that you may get more than you came for,” she winks.
“Promise.”
“Yep.” I lift her in my arms and carry her to the bedroom. I want to make my first time with her special. I dim the light. She puts on soft Christmas music to lighten the mood. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end this Thanksgiving holiday. I am so looking forward to Christmas now that I have my one special wish.
Epilogue
The following Year – Christmas Eve
Lauren
“These gifts are so heavy. Pat, can you help me with the packages? Where did Trenton go? He was just here.”
“He just said ‘I have to take care of something’. I have no idea.”
“Okay. We bought the girls the entire store.”
“What else is new,” he says lugging in the boxes.
“Don’t worry we bought you some nice gifts too.”
“Now I’m happy.”
“You’re such a big baby.”
The girls are so excited for Christmas. They love this time of year. They have their pretty Christmas dresses on.
“You girls look beautiful.”
“Thanks so do you Aunt Lauren,” Kara says.
“Aww you’re so sweet.”
“Grandmom said Santa is stopping by.”
“Wow that is so exciting. I can’t wait to see the big guy.”
I walk into the dining room and kiss everyone hello. Christmas Eve dinner is at Trenton’s parent’s house every year.
“Did anyone see Trenton? He walked in with me and then disappeared.”
“I think he went to go help Wayne next door with his lights.”
“Okay.” Trenton is always helping someone. I grab a glass of wine and some shrimp cocktail.
“Everything looks delicious.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” I offer to help her, but she declines and says she has it covered. “Just take a seat and relax. You work so hard all the time.”
I have been working extremely hard lately. Trenton and I have barely seen each other this past week. We are taking a vacation next week to Riviera Maya and I have been putting in so many hours working for other people so I have adequate coverage. Trenton is hosting a dancing show for celebrities…the new phenomenon. It’s being filmed in New York which works out pretty well for us. That has been keeping him busy while I’m at work. We do manage to make time for each other whenever possible which is most important. We moved in together about 6 months ago which made everything a lot easier. We were going back and forth between my apartment and his house. I eventually gave up my apartment and moved into his house.
Emily calls into the kitchen, “Santa’s here.”
“Wow, Em, that’s great.”
“He asked if there was a Lauren here. Aunt Lauren, Santa wants to talk to you.” She grabs my hand and drags me into the living room. Oh My God, Trenton is dressed as Santa. I can so tell it is him. The girls have no idea it’s him or do they? I love that he does this sort of thing for them. He is going to make a great father one day.
“Hi Lauren, Ho Ho Ho. Have you been a good girl this year?” I can’t help but chuckle.
“Oh yes Santa, I’ve been so good.”
“Have you been treating that studly boyfriend of yours good too?”
“Sometimes.” I wink.
“That’s great to hear.”
“Well, he wanted me to give you this big box and said don’t open it until he gets here.”
“Thanks Santa. I’ll wait for him to get here.”
What the hell could possibly be in this gigantic box? He has issues, but the one thing I love about him is that he makes my life all the more interesting.
“Girls, you better be good because I will be back tonight while you are asleep.”
With that being said, Santa left the building. A half hour later Trenton comes strolling in the house. “I see Santa left your package.”
“Yes he did. I’ll open it later when we all open our gifts.”
“Open it now.”
“No. we have to eat dinner first.”
“My mom doesn’t mind.”
“Stop, that’s rude.”
“Mom, come in here. Do you care if Lauren opens up her gift now? I can’t wait for her to see what I got her.”
“You’ve always been inpatient with Christmas gifts.” She laughs.
“What did you get her?”
“I wonder where I get my patience from. Lauren, just open it.”
I begin to tear the wrapping paper off. Pat and Kristin are sitting on the sofa with the girls. They are watching A Christmas Story which just started on television. I finally get all the paper off of this big box and then I open the flaps on the top. I look inside and it is full of white Styrofoam.
“What the hell, Trenton?”
“Just keep searching.” I find another smaller box about the size of a shoe box. I open that. Inside is a smaller box. I open that up and there is a jewelry box inside.
“Oh Trent, you got me jewelry. That’s nice of you.”
“Just open the box.” He says. I open the lid and pull out a smaller velvet box. I open the lid and the look of shock registers on my face. I go to say something to Trenton, but he is kneeling down in front of me on one knee. I put my hand over my mouth.
“Trenton.”
“Lauren, you have been there for me and supported me in everything that I do. This past year with you has been unreal. Before you came along I was miserable. I didn’t care about life and I definitely hated the holidays. You have shown me what real love is. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you my love and appreciation for you. I can’t imagine this life without you being a part of it. Will you marry me and make me the happiest damn man?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” I cry out. My hand is shaking as he puts the beautiful diamond on my finger. So much has changed in a year and a half. Some people would never want to get married again if they went through what Trenton and I have been through. Especially me because the trauma happened on my wedding day, but when two people know they are meant to be together nothing in this world can stop fate.
“Come on let’s go celebrate Christmas Eve with our family.” Trenton says as he grabs my hand and we walk into the dining room.
The family all raise their glasses to us. “To the future Mr. and Mrs. Trenton McNeil”.
“Slainte,” everyone says in unison.
Acknowledgements
To my #1 men … My husband and my son I love you always. You are my biggest fans.
Special thanks to my Family and Friends for supporting me always. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you to all my readers. You make my job possible. Without you this wouldn’t work.
My street team members are the best. Thanks for always pimping me out and spreading the love. I would also like to thank all the blogs that support me in every way possible. Thanks for the shares likes and comments.
To my beta readers- You guys are the best. You stick by me no matter what.
Kelly Sloane, Linda Field, Mayas Sanders, Samantha Wiley, Cecily Bonney, Kelly Teti, Kaylee Lovering, Beth Santucci, Angela Cruz, Jennifer Cassell, Kelly Kline, Stephanie Christensen, Danielle Renee, Tabitha Charisse, April Warren, Lorena Garcia, Kelly Kligge, Brianna Jacot, Amy DeJesus, Katie Slater, Autumn Ortel, Addison Kline
To My PA’s Stephanie Christensen and Kelly Sloane- Love ya. Thanks for always being there for m
e.
About The Author
S. Donahue is a Philadelphia based author who penned her first romance novel, Acquiring Hearts, in 2013, and Trusting Hearts in 2014 on an independent basis. She is currently working on the third novel Judging Hearts, set to be released Winter 2015. They are part of her first series titled The Heart Series.
Donahue is also working on a completely new series called The Boston Kirkpatrick’s. The first book in the series is called Protecting You. It was released in May 2014. The second book was released in December 2015 titled Locking You.. This series will also consist of several Novellas that are in the works including the newly released The Long Pour.
S. Donahue lives with her husband and their four-year old son in the city of Brotherly Love.