by Delia Latham
“And I adore you, Michael Trevor. I always have.”
He gathered her close, touched his lips to hers, and forgot they had an audience until the minister cleared his throat.
“Pardon me, sir!” Michael took a step backward but grinned and held his new wife close to his side.
“Please face the audience,” Ken instructed, and then made the introduction Michael had waited an entire decade to hear. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Michael Holliday.”
****
The flawlessly catered meal had been enjoyed. After-dinner espressos were lingered over. Christmas greetings had been exchanged, along with teasing comments about Noelle’s last-minute-appearance.
Noelle was beyond ready to be alone with the love of her life and sighed with pure relief when the door closed behind the last guest.
Without a word, Michael reached for her hand, and they walked up the stairs together. At the top, he swept her into his arms and carried her through the door to his bedroom, which their mothers had turned into a gorgeous honeymoon suite.
He set her on her feet but then gathered her into his arms. “You gave me quite a scare, my darling.”
“I’m so sorry.” Noelle snuggled against his chest. “I was there, just inside the doors, while you spoke your vows, and I hugged each one to my heart. Oh, Michael…I loved knowing you were making those beautiful promises just for me.”
“For you alone, Noelle. Always and forever.”
“As are mine for you.” She hesitated, and then put a hand against his cheek. “Michael, would you make one more vow with me? I promise to always trust in our love for each other, no matter what, and to remember how truly unimportant everything else really is.”
“That’s actually two more vows.”
She grinned without apology. “Why, yes, it is.”
Michael chuckled but sobered quickly. “I promise to always trust in our love for each other, no matter what.” He trailed kisses along her jawline. “And to remember how unimportant everything else is.”
“Thank you, my handsome, hunky, perfect husband.” Noelle slid her arms around his neck. “Now…are we going to stand here and talk all night?”
Her husband swept her up into his arms yet again, making her squeal in surprise at the sudden move. “We’ve done quite enough talking today…and waited far too long for what comes next.”
She nuzzled his neck and moved her lips close to his ear. “Far, far too long.”
Michael lay her gently on the bed their mothers had turned back for them. Scooping scattered chocolates off their pillows, he dropped them next to a bottle of sparkling cider nestled in a silver cooler. Then he eased down beside her, plucked a rose petal from her hair, and traced her lips with one finger. “I’m so happy you’re back, Noelle.”
She laughed softly. “It would’ve been hard to say I do from San Francisco.”
“True, but that’s not what I meant. I’m glad you’re back. The Noelle I remember.”
A smile teased her lips upward. “Oh…you mean the first Noelle?”
Michael hiked a brow, puzzlement darkening his expression for half an instant. And then he laughed as understanding dawned. “Yes. The first Noelle…as my angel did say.”
He drew her closer than he’d ever had the right to before. Ever so slowly, he bent his head to hers, and almost…almost…touched her lips with his own.
Noelle clutched at his shoulders, barely able to draw a breath. His lips tilted into the smile that never failed to make her heart race. From his eyes shone all the love he’d held so long in his heart. Over his shoulder, she glimpsed the blink and twinkle of silver bells on a Christmas tree hung with wedding-themed ornaments and wrapped in red and white ribbon. Then, at last, Michael touched his lips to hers, and she forgot the tree, and the mansion, and that the morning would bring Christmas day.
His kiss melted away every trace of the Ice Princess. Only the first Noelle remained, happy and secure in her husband’s love—a love once lost, and now forever found.
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