"Wish me luck, sis," she grinned.
"Good luck! I'll be thinking of you," Evette smiled. "The taxi should be outside in a few minutes."
Nicole ran to the elevator and outside where the taxi was just pulling up.
Killarney, please," she instructed the taxi driver. "I'll pay you double if you can get me there by seven."
"I'll do my best, love, but the traffic is hectic," he replied.
Nicole nodded and pulled her mobile phone from her handbag. She tried dialling Paul's number but there was no reply. It went straight to voicemail.
She took a few deep breaths to calm her pounding heart. Reading Paul's journal had made everything clear to her. She had missed him so much and she didn't want to live another day without him.
She felt simultaneously excited and nervous. Her stomach was doing somersaults at the thought of seeing him again. She'd wondered why he hadn't been contacting her much these past few weeks. He seemed strangely aloof and distant.
Of course, he had probably assumed that she'd read the journal and he must have thought it peculiar that she made no reference or mention of it in their recent conversations. She wondered if he'd given up hope of her meeting him.
Please be there, she thought desperately.
Traffic out of the city was indeed very heavy, just as the taxi driver had said. It had literally taken them half an hour to crawl slowly to the city's outskirts. She couldn't wait for them to get onto the motorway where she knew they could pick up speed.
She thanked God that she hadn't gone last minute Christmas shopping with her sister that morning, otherwise she would never have read Paul's journal in time. Her mind raced with thoughts of him.
Where is he planning on going? Please God let him be there.
She prayed fervently for the first time in a very long time. She'd abandoned God after everything that had happened to her since that fateful day in September because she partly blamed Him for the disaster that had turned her life upside down.
Now she realised that the wedding fiasco had in fact been a blessing in disguise. It had opened her eyes to what truly mattered in her life and taught her to start living with her heart and not so much with her head.
She tried to practice her Yoga breathing in a vain effort to calm her nerves, but it didn't help. All she could think about was seeing Paul again. She checked her mobile phone for the umpteenth time, wondering if he'd returned her call.
"How long more 'til we're in Killarney?" she asked the taxi driver, as she tried to keep the desperation out of her voice.
"I'm doing the best I can, love. If I go any faster I'll be breaking the speed limits."
"Fine."
Nicole sat back in her seat and looked out the window at the beautiful winter landscape. She could see the majestic mountains of Killarney National Park in the far distance. The sun was setting over the mountains, casting a golden glow over their snowy peaks.
She shivered, suddenly becoming aware of the flimsy top she was wearing underneath her coat. I wish I'd taken a few extra minutes to change my clothes.
She was wearing a light tee-shirt and her oldest pair of faded jeans. She glanced down at her battered runners and wished she was wearing her power heels. They always made her feel more in control.
She thrust her hands deeper into her pockets and huddled against the taxi's heater for warmth. "We're almost there, love," the taxi driver interrupted her thoughts. Nicole's heart lurched. "Where shall I drop you?"
"Anywhere around here is fine, thank you."
She paid the driver and jumped out of the taxi. He'd dropped her on the outskirts of the town so she had a ten minute walk ahead of her to reach the town centre, where the clock was situated. She wanted to walk in the cold, evening air to try to steady her nerves before she met Paul, so she pulled her hat down over her ears and walked briskly.
The town was filled with last-minute stragglers as they finished their final gift purchases before making their journey home. Christmas carols blasted from restaurant stereo systems; the party season had well and truly begun.
Nicole rounded the corner just in front of the square. She could see the clock and a few people standing under it. Everyone arranged to meet under the town's huge old clock, which was more than two hundred years old. It was the main focal point in the town.
Suddenly she saw Paul and her heart soared. She ran to him and he immediately enveloped her in his arms, covering her face in kisses.
"I can't believe you're here," he whispered as he held her close. "I wasn't sure you'd come."
"Of course I'm here. I love you so much Paul, too much to ever let you go."
She buried her face in his chest and breathed in his familiar soapy scent. She'd missed him so much, more than she'd realised; being in his arms felt like coming home at last.
They stood there for some time, wrapped in each other's arms, not caring who was looking at them. Nicole never wanted to let him go.
"I love you," Paul said. "I'm so happy you came back to me."
He had tears in his eyes as he gazed at her. She felt the last bit of her hurt and anger dissipate as she saw the love in his eyes. She shivered involuntarily.
"Let's get out of the cold," he suggested. "I think it's going to freeze tonight."
He held her hand as they walked to the nearest restaurant. It was packed with people who were enjoying the festive atmosphere. The air was filled with laughter and happy chattering. They were lucky enough to find a table for two by the open fire where they ordered two hot chocolates with marshmallows and pulled their chairs close together.
"I'm so glad we didn't have to go for any more counselling sessions," Paul said. "I could see the strain it was putting on you and I hated putting you through it."
"I know, I've always been uncomfortable with sharing my problems, especially with strangers." "I was hoping my journal would let you see how much I love and have always loved you. I'm so sorry for how I treated you and I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
"Sssh, enough of that now," Nicole put a finger to his lips to silence him.
"We have a lot of lost time to make up."
She leaned over and kissed him softly.
"I want you," he murmured, burying his face in her hair.
Chapter 24
"Good morning, sweetheart."
Nicole stirred from her slumber and stretched luxuriously under the softness of the duvet. It was the best night's sleep she'd had in months.
"Good morning, darling."
She struggled to sit up in bed. "Something smells good."
The welcome smell of strong coffee and warm, buttery toast wafted in the air towards her. Paul was busily stirring milk and sugar into their drinks.
"I could get used to this treatment," she teased, taking the coffee that he offered her. She reached up to kiss him. "I love you."
"I love you too," Paul whispered as he gently kissed her mouth. "I've missed you."
Nicole could see his desire for her burning in his eyes.
"I've missed you too."
Their kisses grew more urgent. He kissed her mouth, her neck, her breasts.
"I want you," she said as she unwrapped herself from the duvet and pulled him on top of her.
It was the sweetest love they'd ever made, made all the sweeter by the months they'd been apart. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in their love. Afterwards, they held each other close and dozed peacefully.
The sound of the telephone ringing startled them awake.
"Hello," Nicole answered.
"This is your wake up call, madam. It's seven o' clock. Good morning and Merry Christmas." Nicole sat bolt upright in bed.
"What on earth's the matter?" Paul asked.
"It's seven o' clock on Christmas morning!" she cried. "I should be at home cooking! I completely forgot about everything after last night. Thank God I remembered to ask for a wakeup call."
"Don't stress, love, you've got plenty
of time."
She jumped out of bed and ran to the shower. She was showered and dressed in no time.
"Oh no! How am I going to get home?" she tore around the bedroom, flinging things into her handbag.
"I'll never get a taxi on Christmas morning."
"I'll drive you in my car," Paul offered, yawning and stretching as if he had all the time in the world.
Relief spread across Nicole's face.
"Let me grab a quick shower and then we'll be off. I'll have you home in less than two hours. Have another coffee and relax."
"Ok."
She refilled her coffee cup and stood by the window while Paul showered and dressed.
Nicole smiled as she looked out over the snow-capped mountains and valleys below her. It was a bitterly cold morning. The temperatures had plummeted dramatically overnight and the ground was covered in a white blanket of snow which had fallen overnight. The bright winter sun glittered on the frosty branches of the trees. It was a perfect winter wonderland. She sighed contentedly.
They had stayed the night in the penthouse suite at the Killarney Plaza Hotel and what an amazing night it had been. They had spent hours making love and talking.
The tension and awkwardness that had existed between them had completely evaporated and Nicole finally felt at peace with her decision to give Paul another chance. She knew he'd changed and more importantly she'd changed too.
It felt like their relationship was already on a more even keel. Gone was the old Nicole who constantly wanted to please Paul and in her place was someone who knew what she wanted and was no longer afraid to express it.
***~~~***
"I'll see you later," Paul said as he kissed her goodbye. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Dinner should be ready at five-ish."
She kissed him quickly before jumping out of his car and hurrying into the apartment, where she knew Evette would be looking forward to hearing all the gossip.
"Tell me everything!" Evette rushed to the front door to greet her, before she had barely put her key in the lock. Nicole laughed.
"Well, we're back together for sure," she grinned.
"Somehow, I gathered that much. You look happy."
"I am happy; the happiest I've been in quite a while."
"I don't suppose I should ask you to elaborate on the details?" Evette teased.
Nicole blushed and grinned.
"I'm afraid Christmas dinner is going to be late," Nicole apologised, changing the subject. "We didn't wake up until quite late."
"Everything is under control, sis, don't you worry. I was up at the crack of dawn, stuffing the turkey and it's been in the oven since half past six."
"Thanks, Ev, you're the best!"
"I'm just relieved you came back in time to organise the rest of the cooking. I was dreading having to cook the rest of the dinner myself. I called mom earlier to ask her for detailed instructions on how to sort the turkey and she talked me through everything step by step. I wouldn't be surprised if I've forgotten something important."
"I'm sure you did everything perfectly, but I might go and have a quick check on how it's coming along, unless you want to do it?"
"No, no, it's all yours, sis. I've done enough cooking for one day," Evette insisted.
The wonderful aroma of roast turkey filled the kitchen.
"It smells delicious," Nicole smiled, as she basted the roast. "My compliments to the chef."
Evette was rummaging about in the cupboards, searching for glasses. She pulled a bottle of chilled Champagne and some freshly squeezed orange juice from the refrigerator, then she proceeded to fill two flutes with a concoction of Champagne and orange.
"What is it?" Nicole asked, as she dubiously accepted the glass her sister offered.
"It's Buck's Fizz, a traditional drink to celebrate Christmas Day," Evette explained.
"Merry Christmas!" They clinked their glasses together and sipped their drinks.
"It's pleasantly refreshing," Nicole said, sounding surprised.
"Shall we exchange our gifts now or wait until later?" Evette asked.
"I think we should wait until everyone's here."
There were piles of gifts heaped under the tree and Evette couldn't wait to get her hands on them. "You never were any good at waiting," Nicole laughed.
"Tell me about it. How many guests are coming to dinner anyway?"
"There'll be mom, dad, Paul and us, of course; quite a small gathering, actually."
"Everyone's gone to their parents for dinner," Evette said. "I'm surprised Paul isn't having dinner with his family."
"Don't you remember his mom and dad moved to France during the summer. They were supposed to be going for a holiday but they loved it so much they never came back."
"Lucky them, I've always wanted to live in France, ever since the year I spent studying there." "I'd miss you too much if you moved away."
"I'd miss you too, besides I'm a high-powered business woman now, with an empire to run." Evette giggled, the Champagne had already gone straight to her head.
"Speaking of business, how's Amanda and the wedding of the century?"
Evette rolled her eyes. "They've gone skiing in Aspen for two weeks, so my life should be fairly quiet. I'll be glad of the break from her incessant emails and phone calls. Anyway, everything's under control, I think."
The buzzer heralded the arrival of their first guests.
"Come on up." Evette buzzed their parent's through the gates.
"Merry Christmas darlings! John Baxter enveloped his daughter's in a bear hug.
"Merry Christmas! Let me take the gifts from you," Evette grinned as she helped her mother place more parcels under the tree.
"All for me, I hope."
"Oh, Ev, you haven't changed since you were a child," her mother smiled fondly at her daughter. "I remember when you were small you were a terror for searching for your Christmas gifts. You'd ransack the entire house. Nowhere was safe from you."
Everyone laughed at the happy memories.
The two sisters busied themselves in the kitchen, making the final preparations for dinner, while their parents relaxed in the living room.
"I hope Paul and I are as happy as mom and dad when we're their age," Nicole sighed, helping herself to another glass of Buck's Fizz.
"I'm sure you'll be very happy together," Evette assured her sister. "You both want it to work and you're both willing to work at it."
"I hope so. I'm sorry for inviting Paul to dinner without asking you. It was such a spur of the moment decision and I couldn't stand the thought of him being alone on Christmas Day. It won't be too awkward for you, will it?"
"Don't be daft," Evette protested. "The more the merrier. If you can forgive Paul, then I can forgive him too."
"Everything looks and smells absolutely delicious," John smiled lovingly at his daughters as they brought in plates of food and placed them carefully on the table.
"My mouth is watering," Paul agreed.
"Darlings, you've outdone yourselves," Imelda Baxter looked appreciatively at the feast in front of her.
"If it tastes even half as good as your Christmas dinners, mom, we'll be thrilled," Nicole complimented her mother.
“Bon appetit, everybody, tuck in,” Nicole smiled around the table at her guests.
The table was laden down with a mouth-watering feast of food. The succulent turkey, with all the trimmings, took pride of place in the centre of the table. There were plates piled high with golden brown roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and a myriad array of roasted winter vegetables. Bread sauce, gravy and cranberry sauce made up the usual Christmas dinner condiments and of course there was plenty of wine flowing to keep everyone merry.
“You've outdone yourself, sis. This is one of the most delicious Christmas dinners I've enjoyed in years.”
“It's almost as tasty as your mother's cooking,” John agreed.
“Ahem,” Imelda coughed dramatically.
“I s
aid almost as tasty, darling,” John laughed and squeezed his wife's hand.
“High praise indeed,” Nicole beamed at her guests.
“I'm absolutely stuffed,” Paul groaned and leaned back in his chair. “If I eat another bite I might just explode.”
“I've got pudding and brandy cream if anyone's interested?” Nicole teased.
“We’ll have some later, sis. How about we open our presents now?”
“Great idea,” Paul and Imelda agreed.
“You've been dying to open your gifts for weeks, Ev,” Nicole teased. “I'm surprised you managed to resist the temptation, especially when they were staring at you from under the tree.”
“It was difficult, I must admit, but I didn't dare open them. I knew you'd kill me.”
The ladies retired to the couch while Paul and John cleared the table and washed the dishes.
“Ahh, this is the life,” Imelda sighed as she curled up in her seat and slowly sipped the last of her wine. “It makes a pleasant change to have someone else cook the dinner, especially a dinner as tasty as that, thank you darlings.”
“You're welcome mom, our pleasure.”
Evette jumped up and began passing out the gifts as soon as John and Paul reappeared. There was a flurry of gift wrap and excitement whilst they opened their presents and thanked each other.
“Where's Paul?” Nicole asked. He'd suddenly disappeared.
“I'm right here, sweetheart,” he sat beside her and gave her a beautifully wrapped box. “I saved the best for last.”
“Whatever could it be?” Nicole smiled as she carefully unwrapped her gift. “You certainly didn't wrap this,” she teased him. “You're not exactly the most precise wrapper I know.”
Paul watched her face intently.
There, sitting in a dark purple velvet box was the most exquisite ring. It was a sapphire stone, surrounded with tiny, sparkling diamonds on a platinum band.
Nicole and everyone else gasped when they saw it. Paul took the box from her and got down on one knee.
The Wedding Day Page 16
