by C. M. Steele
With emotion filling his heart, he turned to his mother, who had brought in a tray of coffee, “So how soon can you get a wedding together, Mother?”
“Does New Year’s work for you?”
He turned back to Rose and handed her his other gift for her as he replied and an overwhelming feeling of joy rushed over him, “Sounds perfect.”
Rose opened her present. It was nicely wrapped and it was clear it was from the same jeweler. She lifted the lid and in the box laid a stunning locket that matched her ring. “Please turn it over,” he said.
She turned the locket around and the tears just fell as she read aloud, My Christmas Rose, I give you my heart for safe keeping. Love always, Spencer
“Yes, New Year’s sounds perfect,” Rose said with a beaming smile and a happy heart. “Thank you, Spencer.” She kissed him in front of all to see, forgetting they were not alone until the catcalls erupted and Reed added, “Hey, stop seducing my friend.”
The couple married on New Year’s Day in Boston at the family church with a surprising number of guests. One of which was not invited and had tried to stop the wedding. Rick had not given up on their relationship after the text and the subsequent call from Rose. He had plans to steal her away from the bastard, but all he got was an escort out of the church by two overgrown guards. The wedding continued without further interruption and the bride was blooming and the groom was mesmerized.
~Epilogue~
He pulled his truck off to the side to see a small dark colored four door sedan. It was a newer model. It should have had some good traction. It was probably a woman driver, he thought. Sure enough, he jumped out of his truck and had about approached the front of the car when the door opened and a petite brunette bundled up like an Inuit popped out. She lifted her head to look at him and he no longer felt the frigid air that circulated around him. All of a sudden it was a thousand degrees around him.
“Miss, are you all right?” He could barely get the words out.
“Umm, yes, but I don’t think my car is.” She pointed to the tire that was now flat. “Yes, it looks like you have a flat tire.”
“Are you a mechanic?” She said hopefully.
“No, little one, I am just a guy. There is only one house up here. Do you want to tell me why you were on this deserted road in the middle of nowhere and when it’s pitch black out?”
“I don’t know what to do. I know I shouldn’t have come to visit him.”
“Sweetheart, relax, don’t worry your pretty little head. I am not some creep out scouting for stranded women. I happen to be trying to get away from work and enjoy a nice vacation.” She wanted to play this game, he was all for it.
“Oh my, I can walk back to town. It is not too far from here.”
“Baby girl, the town is six miles and in this weather you wouldn’t get two miles before you started getting frost bit. Come on, you can come with me for the night and maybe we can get someone out to help tomorrow when it is light.”
“I can’t. We don’t even know each other and you wanted your peace and quiet.”
“My name is Spencer Kane. I am not a stranger now. So tell me, baby girl, what is your name?”
“It is Rose.”
“Rose?”
“Rose Kane.” She smiled up at her husband of nearly five years. It had been five years ago today that they had met in this exact spot and she had been grateful for her, well, “uncle” for his scheming. Reed and the rest of the Kane crew helped set up this little surprise for her darling hubby.
“Woman, it is cold. You should warm up in my truck.” He scooped her up as he had done those five years ago and placed her in his truck. Damn, he loved this crazy woman. But he was still angry. She had been outside in these conditions and Dani had lied to him. She said she was out last minute shopping with his wife.
“So who is going to get their ass kicked for helping you with this, besides Dani?”
With no reply, he turned to look at Rose and she was sleeping. Her hood was now off her head and now he had a great view of her face. She was a beauty before, but now it was on full display and his dick was giving him the thumbs up. This was not good. She was the first woman he actually wanted to have a conversation with, to learn things about, and always wanted to dip into her honeyed treasure. As he gazed at his greatest gift, he looked down to his newest present. Even with her puffy coat she could not hide her swollen belly. Their third child grew in her and was due any day now. His precious Christmas Rose was blooming and glowing. Over the years he found her more and more beautiful with each and every child she gave him. They had two boys and hoped that this one would be his mini Rose.
When he pulled up to the cabin, he carried her in like before and was grateful she was asleep and hadn’t noticed the cars parked on the side of the cabin. She snuggled into his arms and kissed his neck. “Did I ever tell you that I knew there was no turning back when you first took me in your arms?”
“No, my darling wife, you didn’t, but you are right, there was no turning back.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She kissed his lips tenderly.
He opened the unlocked door and whispered, “Happy Anniversary.”
Before she could return the sentiment to the man she loved, the door swung open “Happy Anniversary” rung out loud in the cabin as it was full of family.
Rose was shocked by the surprise and jumped out of Spencer’s arms. Tears were running down her face as she turned to her husband, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Mommy, why are you peeing on the floor?” Called out the little four year old Richard Spencer Kane.
“Now talk about a surprise,” Matthew called out.
Needless to say, Spencer, Rose, and the rest of the family received a special gift that night, baby Lily was born.
