by Kenya Wright
What more could I ask for?
An ache filled me.
I could. . .
Fear slipped up my spine. I trembled in the center of my bedroom.
I could have love. . .I could even. . .have a family.
But families died. People left. Kids were born, but they could die. Husbands too. And tragedy could come. Car accidents. Plane crashes. Drownings and suicides. Choking on food or accidentally falling down the stairs. Cancer and heart attacks. Infancy deaths and murders.
I fisted my hands at my sides.
I don’t want to go to another funeral. I don’t want to cry for anyone else. This way. . .I won’t be sad. . .
But things had changed. And I knew that couldn’t be the answer anymore. I’d managed to still love Holly and Saint, even though I pretended not to openly show it. The whole time they were around me.
And the ghosts. . .
That told me that there was more than this world. There were other supernatural layers to the reality that I’d always believed. There was something after death, more life, more adventure, more realms to explore. And Mom had talked about these ghosts being her lovers. That meant that although she’d left this world due to a broken heart, she’d found love in other places—other ways.
Everything I believed is wrong.
My hand continued to shake. I pushed through it and checked my watch. While I wished I had time to mull over all that had happened in these past days, I had to help Holly.
I must be there for her, especially if she didn’t want to be in this cold-ass place to begin with.
I put on my boots, opened the door, and stood there in deep thought.
I should ask Holly about what I saw in the dream. No. It’s her wedding. She has other things on her mind. But somebody has to confirm these memories for me. That way, I’ll know for a fact that this wasn’t just dreams. It’s all real.
Ghosts were real. Other things. There were spirits and portals that unwound time. Doors that opened to the past. Magic trees were real too. And if that was true, then that meant hope was real. And that the power of hope and even love could transcend and manifest the most unimaginable things of our minds.
I stepped outside my door, shut it, and took in my surroundings, seeing everything differently. It had snowed last night.
I gazed out at the whitened landscape. A cool wind whispered against my ears. The space looked like an unfinished painting—a white canvas beckoning for color. A perfect white blanket covered the world around me. There was a brilliance to it. A magical beauty. One that no man could make.
Magic is everywhere.
The shrubs and trees were all stained with white. The ground was as smooth as a wedding cake with shimmering vanilla icing.
Of course there is more to this world. Look at the magic right here.
I went down the stairs and walked along the path to the SnowChapel. Thick blankets of white outlined the path. Footsteps and paw prints crisscrossed each other. And there was something enchanting about me making my first impressions on the freshly lain snow. Flakes crunched under my heels. I’d worn heeled boots.
After several steps, I realized that I’d left my fur coat in my villa. However, I didn’t want to go back. I was too excited to start the day—ready to look at the world and the ones I loved with these new glasses. Thankfully, I wasn’t too cold. The gown was thick and I wore heavy stockings.
It’s a new day. A new beginning. I’m relearning. I guess. Re-seeing. If that is possible.
A deep male voice sounded behind me. “Ivy.”
I stopped and turned around.
Saint stood before me. With the world looking so magical, he was an enchanting sight to behold. My heart came close to leaping out of my throat.
I was breathless. Although snow and a chilly wind surrounded me, heat engulfed my body. And I had to admit in this moment that in Saint’s presence, I felt alive, wild, and free. Perhaps that was why he was the only man to make me feel so vulnerable. He was the only one that I couldn’t stop from getting so close to my heart.
Regret filled his gaze. I wondered if he held remorse for leaving me last night.
I whispered, “You were right.”
His expression softened. “I was right about what?”
I didn’t waste any time. I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He held onto me, shielding me from the cold with his huge arms. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I whispered, scared to say the words, but knowing I would have to.
“You’re up early. We have another hour before we need to be at the chapel.”
“I wanted to make sure everything is going right for the wedding.” I lifted my gaze from his strong hands to his thick forearms, tracing the folds of his suit jacket. “I have a question.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ask me anything.”
“Did your. . .”
“What?”
“Did your stylist try to come on to you before you left?”
“What?” He blinked and looked around. “Why? Is she here?”
I shook my head. “Did she tell you that there was no reason to wait for me? Were you in a towel talking to her in your bathroom while you shaved?”
Saint let go of me and stepped back. “What’s going on? How do you know that?”
I trembled. “So it did happen?”
“Yes, but how did you know?” Saint held a confused expression on his face. “I didn’t tell anybody.”
“It doesn’t matter because that’s the end of that.” I went back to him, got on my toes, and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I won’t give her the chance to have you.”
“My stylist?”
“Anybody.” I leaned away and stared up at him. “I love you. I’m scared about that. I’m actually. . .terrified about that, but I’m more afraid to let you go. You just can’t die on me. Please don’t.”
Saint parted his lips.
“Promise.”
“Okay, Ivy. Let’s go inside my villa and get you warm—”
“Saint, I love you.”
He grinned. “I love you too. There’s just a lot to unpack. How did you know about the stylist?”
“If I told you, then you would think I’m crazy.”
“I already think you’re crazy, Ivy.”
I quirked my eyebrows. “What?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh. . .well I guess I do have some mental issues.”
“A few.”
“Hey, I don’t need you to help me with that.”
“You actually do.” He moved his gloved hand to my chin and outlined my lip with his finger. “What changed, Ivy? I’m happy. I’m now not going to let you turn this around. But what happened?”
“You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Try me.”
I frowned. “Ghosts came to me. Well, first my mother showed up and she was in that same rope that she killed herself with and—”
“The nightmares are back.”
“This wasn’t truly a nightmare. We sat in clouds.”
“O-kay.”
“And so she has these two ex-lovers that are like powerful ghosts.”
“Yeah. We should definitely go inside. Have you slept?”
“That’s what I’m trying to say, Saint. When I sleep, my mother’s spirits come and show me things. Like the one spirit showed me my past and then the other showed me this month.”
A large truck barreled and parked in front of the SnowChapel. An illustration of flowers was painted on the side.
“Oh, that’s the florist.” I left his hold and headed that way. “We have to make sure everything is great. Did you know that Holly didn’t even want to have the wedding here?”
“Yeah.”
I stopped and turned to him. “You knew?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged.
“Why would you let her do that? This wedding is supposed to be about her. Not me.”
“Because loving you is one of her
happiest duties in life. Nikolas and I couldn’t convince her to do otherwise.”
I wanted to cry. Instead, I stepped back as if her love was around and ready to grab me. “I. . .”
“Yes?”
Do I deserve her?
I sighed. “Does it seem like I love her too?”
“Of course, Ivy.”
My voice went weak. “Are you sure?”
“Why would you ask that? You’re one of the most loving people I know.”
I shook my head. “How could you say that? I do my best to not love you all. It hurts too much.”
“Still, you love us. If not for you, Nikolas and Holly wouldn’t be together.”
“I didn’t really have a hand in that.”
“If not for you, I wouldn’t be a chef or have my own restaurants and shows.”
“My grandmother was the one—”
“No, Ivy. It was you. Your Grandmother showed me around the kitchen and ignited the passion for food, but you kept it going. You were always encouraging me. Always telling me how my food tasted good even when I knew it might’ve sucked. You always sent me cookbooks and chef biographies. That was why I decided to be a chef.”
I held my hand over my heart. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. You’re always caring for us and pretending that it’s no big deal. Even with your charity. You dedicate your collections to helping single mothers. It costs you so much money and time. And every year you push yourself even more so that you can help more.”
I looked away. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
He took my chin and brought my view back to him. “It is a big deal. Say it.”
“What?”
“Repeat after me. You love people.”
“I don’t need to say it.”
“Come on.”
I frowned. “I love people.”
“And your charity is a big deal.”
My bottom lip quivered. “It’s a big deal.”
“You’re a good, loving person.”
“I’m a good, loving person.”
He gave me a wicked smile. “And you love me.”
“I do love you, Saint.”
“And you’re ready to make this work.”
I swallowed.
“That wasn’t a question, Ivy. You’re supposed to repeat after me.”
I nodded. “I’m ready to make this work. I just need us to take baby steps.”
“No way. I’ve waited several years. I’m grabbing you and we’re leaping forward. Enough with the baby steps.”
I edged back.
He closed the distance. “It’s too late for that.”
He was barely half an inch away from me.
I widened my eyes. “Too late for what?”
He moved in closer. “It’s too late to escape me, Ivy. Now that you’re going to try, I won’t let you back out of it.”
My knees went weak. I forced myself to remain standing. “Okay. I’m just. . .”
“Afraid.”
“Don’t leave me, Saint.”
“Have I left you all these years?” He kissed me before I could answer. And then those huge arms lifted me like I weighed nothing. And I melted in his arms, even though it was so cold and icy outside. I was warm in his embrace. Hot within that kiss.
When the kiss ended, I immediately wanted to head back to the villa. A boom came from the truck. I turned. Men had begun carrying huge stacks of flowers out and heading into the SnowChapel.
I looked back at Saint.
The whole time he’d been watching me.
I cleared my throat. “We should check on the decorations.”
“Should we?” He licked his lips. “Holly has a wedding planner and my mother will be all over the place checking this and that. Perhaps we could do other things.”
I smiled, knowing the wicked thoughts spinning in his head. “I told her I would make sure everything went exactly as planned. Besides. . .she’s here because of me.”
“She has no regrets about it.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to be there for her.” I let out a long breath. “I love her.”
He curved his lips into a smile. “Okay. Then I’ll help too.”
“Thank you.”
Saint offered me his arm. My body tingled when I took it. I’d just told him I would give him a chance. This was a huge step. Thankfully, he didn’t bring it up anymore. I was still mulling it over in my head.
As we walked off toward the truck, we shared a look. Love blazed within his gaze. And I shyly glanced away, too nervous to deal with the new feelings rising within me.
Chapter 16
Sleigh Ride
I spent the next hour checking all the boxes for the wedding. The planner was on her job, doing everything correctly. When she needed an extra hand, Saint and I jumped in and helped.
The officiator and chapel staff wore Lappish clothing. I’d looked it up on my phone and discovered that the Lappish people were split between four nation-states—Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Their garments’ colors remained in red, blue, yellow, and green.
I found the outfits lively and inspiring. I made a note to explore this style in my next Winter collection. Both men and women wore a pullover. For the men, it hung to their mid-thighs. For the women, it stopped at their knees. Fabric belts wrapped around their waist. Along with that, they had on pants, hats, and bonnets. Boots decorated their feet. Some even wore fur leggings. I’d asked a woman what animal the fur come from. She’d explained it was from reindeer.
Once it was time for the wedding, I breathed in a sigh of relief.
Saint and I rushed to Holly’s Villa. Both mothers were inside swarming over her like nagging vultures, touching her hair and commenting on every aspect. Exhaustion covered Holly’s face. Her expression begged me to save her. But I was so overtaken by how she looked. It took me a minute to rush in.
So Beautiful.
Her gown had turned out to be breathtaking. Surely, Cinderella would have been pleased. A dream dress. I’d come up with over twenty designs for her. This was the one she chose. Once she did, I sent it to a designer friend who specialized in wedding gowns.
“Okay, everybody.” I clapped. “You have to get in the chapel.”
Holly’s mother’s eyes watered. “She just. . .looks so gorgeous. We should take another photo.”
Holly widened her eyes. “Mom, we took several. I also hired a photographer.”
“Mrs. Madison, it’s so cold in the chapel. We really should get you in there so that the rest of the guests don’t freeze to death.”
“Oh, that’s right.” She put on her white fur coat. “Everyone is gathering there.”
Nikolas’s mother touched the top of her hair. “Hmmm. Is this the veil that you’re going to wear?”
Holly frowned and was about to speak.
I jumped in. “Mrs. Ingram, it’s really time to go. Thanks so much for helping Holly. Saint will show you your seats.”
Saint frowned but nodded.
“Well, in my day, we didn’t wear so many flamboyant things for a wedding.” Mrs. Ingram walked away. “Weddings were about love not about the things you can buy.”
Holly’s frown deepened.
Saint guided them away.
The door shut close.
“Bitch,” Holly mumbled and looked back in the mirror. “Do you think the veil is too much? I mean it could be, but—”
“It’s beautiful. Enchanting and stunning. I helped you pick it all out, so don’t even think about what she said. You know I would never have my girl looking crazy at her wedding.”
Holly turned to me. “Do you like it?”
“It’s amazing!” I rushed over and gave her the biggest hug, doing my best not to mess up her makeup. “You are the most enchanting bride I’ve ever seen.”
She hugged me back. Her body shivered against me. “I’m so scared.”
“What? Why?”
“I thought I wanted this. But maybe I don’t. I
f I wanted this. If it was good, then why am I so nervous?”
I leaned away and smiled at her. “Because it’s that good.”
“What?”
“Just trust me. I know you want this. I’ve listened to you for years talking about marrying Nikolas and coming up with the names of your children.”
She grinned. “Nicky and Olly.”
“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “Names that we’re going to work on.”
“I like those names.”
“Well. . .it’s your wedding so we won’t argue about that now.”
She turned back to the wedding. “You’re right. I do look. . .”
“Splendid. Breathtaking. Gorgeous.”
She let out a long breath. “And this is going to be a good thing.”
“The best decision you will ever make in your life. Besides, officially, you’re already married.”
“I am. And he’s been so awesome.” Her eyes watered.
“Nope.” I shook my head. “You’re not doing that right now. After the pictures, you can cry. Suck it up, soldier.”
“But this is really happening.” A tear peeked out from the corner of her eye.
I grabbed a napkin and dabbed at it. “No more tears, Holly.”
“Okay.” She shook her hands in front of her as if that could stop them.
“Suck them up.”
“Sucking them up.” She blew out another long breath. “And. . .how’s the chapel? Is everything in place?”
“Saint and I were out there hours earlier working with the staff and doing your planner’s bidding. Everything is perfect. It all looks magical.”
She widened her eyes. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” I captured her arms with both of my hands and gazed into her eyes. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this. This will be an unforgettable memory for me this Christmas.”
“That’s. . .” More tears came.
“Damn it, Holly.” I dabbed at the other tears.
“That’s what I wanted for you.”
I gently wiped at one. “I know. Mission accomplished.”
“You know?”
“Yes.”
“Who told you?” She frowned. “Saint?”
“I figured it out.” I checked for more tears. “Either way, thank you. And in the future, I would like to say that the Caribbean Islands are also a magical place too. Jamaica especially.”
