Home for Christmas

by Alexa Riley

  “You know? How?” Guilt rips through me. She knew I was married to someone else and she’s laughing. If the roles were reversed I would have burned the world down.

  She looks at the fire and tells me the story of how she went with Vance to get an engagement ring. Then she tells me what happened that day and how she had to be put into the witness protection program. I try to understand why she would have chosen to leave us, but then I remember what a kind and loving heart she has. She would have seen our son get shot trying to protect her and she would have wanted to make sure that those who did it were never allowed to hurt anyone else again.

  I sit there and listen to her tell me of her sacrifice, and it’s a knife in the heart. I know that while she was doing this I betrayed her at the same time. Her story makes me feel even lower. I don’t deserve her. She cries as she tells me about Vance and the physical therapy he went through while they were gone.

  She takes a tissue out of her pocket and wipes away the tears.

  “Not long after we were pronounced dead they came to me and said you were getting remarried.”

  “Ariel, my love, it wasn’t like that.” She holds up her hand to stop me, and I do.

  “I knew when I was five years old that you were the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. We’ve been together nearly sixty years.” She gives me a soft smile. “When they told me you got married I laughed. Not because I didn’t believe them. But because all I could think was that you probably did it to save someone or help someone. You would have never done it out of love. I knew in my soul that I was the only woman you ever loved. And it would stay that way until you died. I never doubted that.”

  I’m amazed at her strength and in this moment, I know that no matter how I live the rest of my life, I’ll never be good enough for her. But I’m selfish enough to never ever let her go.

  “I never loved her. The woman I married, Autumn's mother, I only did it because I knew Autumn and Hunter were meant to be. I never touched her,” I say, pleading with her. “I know you might not believe that, but I didn’t. The thought of touching another woman made me physically sick.”

  Ariel nods and smiles like she knew this all along. Her dark gray hair falls over one shoulder and her blue eyes sparkle in the firelight. She’s never looked more beautiful than she does in this moment.

  “I don’t trust myself to touch you. I know if I do, I won’t be able to stop. It’s all I can do now to sit here and talk when all I want to do is take you to the floor and make love.”

  “Neil, I’ve been without you for nearly five years. I don’t think now is the time for you to hold back.”

  Without thought and without a care in the world, I lunge for her, pushing her down on the couch and climbing on top of her. My lips connect with hers, and every reason I had for not touching her sooner flies out the window.

  When my arms wrap around her body, it’s as if I’m finally home. My heart and my soul are right where they should be. Connected to her.

  I’ve spent my existence loving one woman, and nothing will ever change that. Not now, not in the future, and certainly not in death.

  Epilogue

  Ariel

  One year later…Christmas morning

  We’ve been opening presents all morning and the kids are squealing with delight. I made breakfast with Holly and Autumn this morning while the boys took care of the kids. We’re all full and happy as we sit by the fire and watch the snow outside.

  “Oh, it looks like there’s a present we forgot to open,” Hunter says as he reaches in the far back corner behind the tree and pulls out a big box.

  “That’s strange. I thought I got them all out,” I say and look to Neil who just shrugs.

  “It says To Mom and Dad, from Santa,” Vance says as he looks at the label and passes it to us.

  Neil takes the box and places it in my lap. I shrug and untie the big red ribbon. When I lift the lid, there’s tons of tissue inside, and I have to push it out of the way to see what’s in the bottom.

  Inside is a white dress and I look at Neil and our kids.

  “Surprise!” Autumn and Holly exclaim, looking at me and then at each other.

  “I don’t understand,” I say, confused.

  “Well, since you died, and Dad decided to remarry, technically you’re not married anymore,” Vance says, rubbing his hands together. “So we’ve decided that you guys need to fix that.”

  “What?” Neil asks, smiling at me.

  “We’ve thrown you a surprise wedding,” Holly says and looks at her watch. “You’ve got about an hour to get ready before the ceremony starts.”

  “Oh my god!” I shout as I jump up from the couch and run up the stairs.

  I can hear everyone in the living room laughing, but if I’m going to have my picture taken I want to at least fix my hair.

  Running around like crazy, I do my best to polish and buff every inch of my body, even with Neil coming in to distract me. I manage to do my hair and makeup before I slip on the gorgeous dress the kids picked out. It’s long sleeved and fitted all the way down. It flares a little at the feet in a soft mermaid style. I think I have everything perfect right when Neil steps into the room wearing a tuxedo.

  “Where did you get that?” I ask, looking him up and down. “You look as handsome as the day we got married.”

  “The boys got it for me. And this thing better be quick. I can’t wait to strip you out of that dress,” he says as he comes over and places a soft kiss on my neck. I know he’s trying his best not to mess up my makeup, but he also knows that spot drives me crazy.

  “Careful now. I’m about to be a married woman,” I say, and he winks at me.

  He holds out his arm for me to take and places my hand in the crook of his elbow.

  “Shall we?” he asks, and I nod.

  When we get downstairs the whole place has been transformed into a winter wonderland. Everyone is dressed up and there are caterers buzzing around setting up everything. I gasp as I see the wedding cake that’s identical to our first one. I start to cry, but then Neil leans over and whispers in my ear that I’m not allowed to cry on our wedding day.

  It was the same thing he said to me the first time we were married and I got emotional before we said our vows. He always knows exactly what to say and when. I never realized just how lucky I was to have him until I was made to stay away. I think that’s why now our time is so precious and I appreciate every moment we have. I know what it’s like to lose him and I never want to feel that way again.

  As we walk down the aisle to the altar they’ve had set up, the officiant comes forward and opens his notes. He talks of love and what today means, but the only thing I can hear is my heart. It’s singing today because it’s so full of love. Love for my family, love for my husband, love for all that surrounds us now. I’m finally home and exactly where I belong, in the arms of my soul mate.

  THE END!

  STEALING CHRISTMAS

  by

  Alexa Riley

  Christmas Winter is lucky she loves this time of year, because her name didn’t give her much of a choice. She’s always bubbly and happy. So when she takes a job as an elf in the mall, she’s excited to spread some cheer. But Christmas could never expect what happens when she catches the eye of a stranger.

  Nicholas Light owns everything he sees, and when his eyes land on the new elf in his mall’s Santa exhibit, he knows she’s no different. There’s something about her sweet innocence that he has to have, and he’ll concoct a plan to make that happen.

  Warning: Grab your jingle bells and swing them over your head… This holiday quickie is gonna light up your Noel. Okay, none of that made sense. But it sounded festive, right? This book is adorable, and you’ll love it. Just don’t get tinsel stuck in the wrong places. Trust us.

  Copyright © 2016 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any mea
ns, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to riley_alexa@aol.com

  http://alexariley.com/

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Edited by Aquila Editing

  Photographer Lanaya Flavelle

  Cover Model Ruby Roxx

  Cover Design Perfect Pear Creative Covers

  To every woman in every shape.

  There are enough reasons in the world to divide us… let it not be the size of the woman standing next to you.

  Chapter 1

  “Oh, and I’ll take the Santa hat cookie with sprinkles, too,” I say, smiling at Nancy as she packs up the ridiculous amount of cookies I’m taking with me today. I couldn’t just pick one, and I know I’ll need them later when I start to feel a little down.

  “Someone is going to have a sweet Christmas.” Nancy gives me a wink as she closes the lid on the cookies before handing me the box.

  “How much do I owe you?”

  “It’s on me. Merry Christmas.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot!” Setting the cookie box down on the counter, I dig through my purse until I find the small present. I pull it out and hand it to her.

  “You shouldn’t have!” she says as her eyes light up and she rips off the wrapping. She opens the small box to reveal a silver rolling pin. I’d gotten ornaments for everyone this year. Last year I got hot chocolate cups and filled them with sweets. I always try to do something, even if it’s small. It is my favorite holiday, after all.

  The mall comes to life this time of year—all the kids running around and the smell of cookies and pine in the air. The only thing missing is snow, and I’m praying for it. The weather said it was going to come, and I know if it does, it will cheer me up tonight when I get home.

  “I love it,” Nancy says, coming around the counter and giving me a hug. The smell of sugar wraps around me before she pulls away. “I better hurry up and close. My honey is waiting for me, and I still need to wrap all the presents for the grandkids.”

  I give her a small wave, wish her a merry Christmas, before I head back to my office area. Almost everyone is long gone. The Christmas lights are already turned off, and a feeling of sadness washes over me. This is the time of year when I miss my mom the most. Even though it was just the two of us, we always celebrated big. I fight the melancholy threatening to take over and keep a smile pasted on my face as I walk.

  It felt like Christmas went so fast this year. I blinked and the holiday was over. I always get a little sad when each holiday comes to an end, but Christmas always hits me the hardest. Going home to an empty apartment to spend the day alone makes my heart sink. It’s the only day of the year the mall completely shuts down, so I don’t have work to distract me. Even on Thanksgiving we’re open in the evening.

  Rounding the corner, I take the back hallway to my office area to grab my keys. I see my manager Krista sitting at her desk still, and I’m confused because I was sure she’d be long gone by now.

  “Hey, what are you still doing here?” I ask, setting down the box of cookies.

  “I need a favor,” she sighs, looking up from her computer. I don’t know how she stares at that thing all day. I love being around people, and I love making people smile even more. It’s why I enjoy this job so much. I get to do all the holiday decorations and events at the mall. I love seeing people’s faces light up with excitement when they get to see Santa or even the Easter Bunny. Their smiles are infectious.

  “Anything,” I tell her, making her lips pull into a smile as the worry lines on her face fade away.

  “I need you to go to an event tonight.”

  I pause, then look down at my outfit. I’m still dressed up as one of Santa’s little helpers. I love it because it makes me feel super festive, and because I made it myself. I couldn’t find anything that fit me right, so I pulled this together. But somehow, I feel that this might not be appropriate for something Krista wants.

  “I’ll have to run home and change. Do I have time?”

  “No, I need you to go like that. It was requested.”

  “It was requested?” I ask, wondering what that means.

  “It was, and so were you.”

  “Oh,” I say, and feel excitement start to bubble inside me. I don’t have to go home yet. I can go to a Christmas party. The stirrings of happiness start to fizz in my tummy at the prospect of something to do other than wallow in my own self-pity. “I was requested personally?”

  She nods and smiles. I must have made a really good impression on someone if they want me to come to their Christmas party. I wonder if I’m a guest or if I’m working.

  “What do I even do?”

  “It didn’t really say. Just that they wanted you, and to dress like you do when you’re Santa’s helper.”

  I clap excitedly, but Krista doesn’t seem to have my enthusiasm.

  “Why so glum? This sounds like fun!”

  She shakes her head, stands up from behind her desk, and comes around to the front of it. She leans up against it and looks at me. “It’s at Nicholas Light’s mansion.”

  That makes me pause, but not because I’m scared. I’m curious. I’ve only heard rumors about him. He owns everything, or so they say. I know for a fact he owns this mall, and I’m sure a dozen others.

  “I didn’t think anyone was ever allowed at his house.” It’s another rumor I’d heard, along with the one where he never leaves his home and never lets anyone in. They say all kinds of things about him. That he’s mean and broody, and I wonder if it’s all true. I also wonder if I could make him smile. It sounds like a challenge, and I love a good one.

  “I’ve worked here five years and I’ve never seen him. I’ve also never received an email from him, either. Until today.”

  “This is exciting.” I can feel myself smiling so big it almost hurts.

  “There is something else I wanted to talk to you about.” She folds her hands across her chest. It’s something I’ve noticed she does when she’s really worried. “There’s talk about him shutting the mall down.”

  I gasp at her words. Close the mall down? I love this place. I don’t think I could ever find a job like this one, one where my sole focus is spreading joy and laughter. I need this job. When my mom passed away two years ago, I was lost and lonely. When I got this job, I found myself smiling again and wanting to make others smile, too.

  “You want me to try to talk to him?” I edge. Either way, I’m doing it. No way am I letting him shut this place down. There are so many people with businesses here. I’ve made a little family here, and now this place is all I have.

  “Christmas.” She takes a breath, letting her hands drop. “Shit. I feel like I’m sending a lamb to a tiger.”

  I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.

  She shakes her head. “Everyone around here loves you, Christmas. You’re a breath of fresh air. You have this innocence about you.”

  I feel my cheeks warm, not sure what she is getting at.

  “He requested you specifically. He wants you.”

  I feel myself warm even more. No, that can’t be right. He doesn’t even know me.

  “I don’t think—”

  She cuts me off. “See? Innocent.”

  “So what are you saying?”

  “Be careful is all, and maybe if you get his ear, you can see about saving the mall.”

  I grab my jacket off my chair and pick up my box of cookies.

  “I got this,” I tell her, suddenly feeling like I have a major purpo
se. I want to save the mall and all the future Christmases it might have.

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