He didn’t nod, even if he agreed. “Henry’s offered to host turkey day. It’ll make the day easier on you not to have to plan anything or cook and clean up. And you’ll be able to escape to the guesthouse early if you get tired.”
“Sounds good to me, except…” She bit her lip, a serious expression on her face.
Brett’s shoulder muscles bunched. He forced himself not to grip her hand. “What?”
“I was hoping I’d be living at your house by then.”
“My…” Realization hit like a left jab. Only this didn’t hurt. Far from it. “You’re ready?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Marry me?”
♥ ♥ ♥
Two days after Thanksgiving, Laurel stood next to Marv Crenshaw at the top of Brett’s staircase, which would soon be hers, too. Her wedding day—the real one this time—had arrived. As she adjusted her fingers around her bouquet of roses and lilies, waiting for the harpist to play, joy flowed through her.
“You’re a radiant bride,” Marv whispered.
“Thanks.” Laurel squeezed his arm. Neither of her parents had acknowledged being invited to the wedding. She’d been prepared to walk down the aisle by herself until the older gentleman offered to escort her. Saying no never crossed her mind. Not because he was Brett’s client or was bringing her interior design business, but she considered Marv part of her new family, the one she was creating in Oregon. “I appreciate you being a part of this.”
Marv beamed. “The honor and pleasure are all mine, my dear. BK sends his regards.”
She laughed.
The beginning strains of the “Wedding March” sounded. She pushed back her shoulders.
“Ready?” Marv asked.
Laurel nodded, a mix of contentment and anticipation flowing through her. She’d never been hit with bridal nerves or jitters. She just had an intense desire to say “I do” for the second time to Brett. At least the ceremony would be brief and the definition of non-tacky.
One step, two steps. When she reached the first floor, she inhaled deeply.
The scent of flowers filled the air. The wedding was small with a limited guest list, but thanks to Henry and Renee, the atmosphere shouted, “wedding of the year.”
Furniture had been moved to make room for white folding chairs. She acknowledged Alex, CeCe, and Sarah, who sat together. Danielle, who was the maid of honor, was standing to the left of the makeshift altar. Even though Laurel no longer worked at MGI, she’d stayed close to her former coworkers whom she considered friends. Across the aisle, Renee sat with her crew from the interior design firm. Cynthia Sterling and Ry Guyer, who’d been part of the Reno wedding, were seated in the second row. A few of Brett’s other friends and some MGI people were there, too.
In the front row sat Brett’s mom, a lovely woman who’d been a huge help since she arrived earlier in the week. His mom had never had a daughter, and Laurel no longer had a mom, so the two had helped each other get ready for the wedding. That time together meant so much to Laurel—an extra dose of magic on her wedding day.
Standing next to the officiant, Brett looked gorgeous in his tuxedo, but his wide smile captured her full attention. His gaze met hers, the love flowing between them palpable. Smiling proudly, Henry, the best man, stood next to the groom as he had during their first wedding.
Marv placed Laurel’s hand in Brett’s. Before the older man went to his front-row seat, he kissed her cheek.
Brett sighed. “You’re stunning.”
She stifled a giggle. “You, too.”
The officiant cleared his throat as if to remind them why they were there. They faced him.
She took a breath. And another.
This was the moment she’d been waiting for since she’d walked down the aisle in that chapel in Reno. The beginning of their happily ever after. The start of their forever.
EPILOGUE
“Merry Christmas, darling.” In the labor and delivery suite at the hospital, Brett leaned over and kissed Laurel’s forehead. “I love you.”
Her heart swelled with joy. “I love you, too.”
Holding their daughter in his arms, he kissed her tiny, knitted-cap-covered head and caressed her cheek with his fingertip. “Merry Christmas, my little Noelle.”
Laurel had never been happier or felt more content seeing her wonderful husband and perfectly healthy baby. Yes, she was sore from the delivery, but sacrifices had to be made for the birth of their baby daughter in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Seeing Noelle cradled in Brett’s arms was worth ever contraction and push.
A beautiful mix of love and life filled his gaze. “She’s almost asleep.”
“She’s had a busy day.”
“You have as well.” He laid the baby in the bassinet, picked up the snow globe, and turned the small knob. The “Wedding March” played. “This will lull her to sleep.”
Now she knew why Brett had been so insistent they pack the snow globe in her hospital bag. “The ‘Wedding March’? Wouldn’t ‘Brahms’s Lullaby’ be more appropriate?”
“Let’s call it the wedding lullaby.” His affectionate smile filled her with a warm glow. “Noelle will never know the difference.”
As the door to her hospital room opened, bells sounded. Jingle bells, to be exact.
“Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas,” a cheery voice called out. Santa Claus—wearing a red velvet suit, black leather belt, boots, and white beard—entered the room with a cloth sack slung over his back. “I was checking my list, and saw I missed a brand-new baby girl who hasn’t had the chance to be anything but nice.”
As soon as Santa saw the baby, the bag on his shoulder fell to the ground. He froze, jingle bells included. “Is that her?”
Laurel nodded. “Would you like to hold your goddaughter, Uncle Henry?”
Wide-eyed, Henry stared at Noelle. “I don’t want to wake her.”
“It’s okay,” Brett said.
Henry removed his fake beard and then picked up Noelle as if she were a fragile Faberge egg.
“Make sure you support her head,” Brett said.
“You don’t need to tell me what to do.” Henry rubbed his fingertip along Noelle’s chin. “I took a class on caring for newborns.”
Laurel exchanged a surprised look with Brett.
“Someone has to babysit her, and you’ll leave her with a stranger over my dead body.” Henry rocked Noelle in his arms. “You’re the most beautiful baby in the entire world.”
Brett smiled. “She takes after her mother.”
“She does. Your mommy and daddy did well, my little princess.” Henry grinned. “They did so well.”
Happy to have her family together, Laurel sighed. Henry made a coochie-coochie-coo sound. “You’re going to have so much fun with your uncle Henry. I’ll put Auntie Mame to shame. Wait until your first trip to New York. We can go shopping at Tiffany’s, visit the American Girl Store, and have tea at the Plaza.”
Brett’s forehead wrinkled. “Let’s not—”
Laurel squeezed his hand. This wasn’t the time for him to be an overprotective father. “Noelle is lucky to have you in her life, Henry.”
Tears glimmered in Henry’s eyes. He blinked, and they disappeared.
“Noelle.” His smile widened. “What a perfect name for a Christmas baby. I told your mommy you had to be born on December twenty-fifth, and I was right. Uncle Henry is always right.”
“Uncle Henry is sometimes right,” Brett corrected with a grin.
“We’ll discuss that later.” Henry laid Noelle back in her bassinet. “Santa asked me to do him a favor. He was busy last night.”
From his sack, he pulled out brightly wrapped packages with gold bows and handed them to Laurel and Brett. Next came a giant teddy bear with a red satin ribbon tied around its neck.
“This is for Noelle, as well as something else that is very special.” Henry emptied a purple velvet drawstring pouch into his palm. “These are yours, Noelle, when you’re old enough to know not t
o swallow them.”
Laurel tried to see what he held in his hand but couldn’t.
Brett laughed. “I don’t believe it.”
Earrings, a ring, some other piece of jewelry? Knowing Henry, the gift would be something outrageous and expensive.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Gold-plated dice,” Brett said.
Laurel didn’t get it. “Dice?”
“Not just any dice,” Henry declared. “One day, my princess, when you’re old enough to understand, Uncle Henry will explain how a roll of these dice brought your parents together.”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
If you’d like read book concierge Cara O’Neal’s story, click here. If you missed Book 1 featuring Cassie and Troy in Fiancé for the Night, click here. Books 3 and 4 are also available, click here.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today bestselling author Melissa McClone has written over forty-five sweet contemporary romance novels and been a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® Award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds, and cats who think they rule the house. They do! If you’d like to learn more about Melissa, please visit her website or email her at [email protected]. You can find Melissa at her Facebook page and her McClone Troopers Reader Facebook Group or connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA MCCLONE
STANDALONE
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The Christmas Window
SERIES
All series stories are standalone, but past characters may reappear.
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Carter’s Cowgirl
Mountain Rescue Series
Finding love in Hood Hamlet with a little help from Christmas magic…
His Christmas Wish
Her Christmas Secret
Her Christmas Kiss
His Second Chance
His Christmas Family
One Night to Forever Series
Can one night change your life…and your relationship status?
Fiancé for the Night
The Wedding Lullaby
A Little Bit Engaged
Love on the Slopes
Beach Brides and Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series
A mini-series within two multi-author series…
Jenny
Sweet Holiday Wishes
Sweet Beginnings
Ever After Series
Happily ever after reality TV style…
The Honeymoon Prize
The Cinderella Princess
Christmas in the Castle
Love at the Chocolate Shop Series
Three siblings find love thanks to Copper Mountain Chocolate…
A Thankful Heart
The Valentine Quest
The Chocolate Touch
The Bar V5 Ranch Series
Fall in love at a dude ranch in Montana…
Home for Christmas
Mistletoe Magic
Kiss Me, Cowboy
Mistletoe Wedding
A Christmas Homecoming
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The Wedding Lullaby Page 18
