Robyn

by Lucy McConnell

  “What’s going on?” Gabe grabbed the side of the chopper and eased himself out.

  “This isn’t right. It should have worked.” Robyn’s eyes pooled with tears. She ran to him and hugged him close, being gentle with his injury. “I love you. I love you with all my heart.”

  “I love you too.” He kissed her temple. Her panic was all too real.

  “Then why didn’t it work?” She whipped around, pulling out of his arms and the chill went into his bones. “Lux, what is happening?” she demanded.

  Disoriented, with the world spinning around him, Gabe went to his knees, barely registering the frigid water soaking his pants. The air was so cold he couldn’t catch his breath. Robyn cried out and dropped to her knees beside him. She threw her arms around him. The chill lessened, but it was inside of him now, like a bacteria rapidly multiplying in his cells. “Robyn.” He touched her face. “You’re a beautiful Christmas bride.”

  “Gabe?” Her tears began to fall. “What’s happening?” she asked Lux again.

  Lux sniffed. “The only thing we can figure is that … he doesn’t believe.” She and Quik grasped for one another.

  “Elfin dust!” Ginger cried from across the cave. “Noooo!” She wailed.

  Frost sobbed louder.

  “We have to get him out of here. He’ll freeze.” Robyn tried to lift him, but it hurt and he yelled out, sinking lower into the slush. “Get the reindeer.” She motioned frantically at Ginger.

  “They can’t fly.” Ginger’s face crumpled. “It’s happening.”

  Robyn sobbed against his chest. “I just wanted you, Gabe. I didn’t mean for this to happen. It was supposed to work. You’re my true love, my match.” She lifted her head and yelled at the ceiling. “Do you hear that? I love him! It’s supposed to work!”

  Gabe’s energy drained away and he could barely lift his hand. The world was shrinking, the edges of his vision turning dark. The cold started to ease off, replaced with an inner warmth that made him feel sleepy. If this was the end, then he wanted Robyn to know how much she meant to him. He concentrated on touching her velvet cheek. He couldn’t feel anything anymore. It wouldn’t be long. “Robyn.”

  She lifted her gaze to meet his. Rivers of tears ran down her face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so, so sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Our love was supposed to be enough.”

  It was—it was more than enough for him. He could barely draw a breath, and he needed to make this count. With his last words, he was going to give her what he should have given her from the start. “You …” He gasped twice. “You are my Christmas wish.”

  She sobbed and buried her face between his neck and shoulder. His heart broke open at the sound. This woman was his whole world. If anyone represented Christmas Magic, it was her.

  “I believe in you,” he whispered. His energy drained, and he felt himself drift away.

  * * *

  Robyn held her breath. If she held it in and never let it go, then this moment would last forever and Gabe would never die. She’d almost lost him once to a madman. She’d thought that was bad. But to have him die because she failed Christmas was too much to bear. Tears of regret burned down her frozen cheeks. The Magic was so low, even she felt the chill in the air.

  They had limited time before it wore off completely. She couldn’t look up from Gabe, couldn’t see the stables fall to pieces or the elves turn to dust. The reindeer would wander into the frozen world and have to fend for themselves. The family legacy ended with her. Christmas Magic was right to pick Ginger to be Santa; Robyn wasn’t up to wearing the red suit.

  But even all that paled in comparison to losing the love of her life. “Gabe.” She shook him gently. “Gabe.”

  A huge gust of warm wind blew through the open stable doors, whipping her hair across her face.

  “Robyn!” Ginger cried out in warning.

  She lifted her head to find herself and Gabe off the ground, floating. She sat up taller, still holding him close to her chest. They were all floating.

  “Is this normal?” Tannon yelled above the noise. The door that went to the rest of the castle banged open. Robyn flinched.

  “Is anything in our lives ever normal?” answered Ginger. Her red dress floated around her legs, the wet spots getting smaller and smaller.

  “It’s blow-drying the castle.” Frost gathered her white hair off her face.

  Joseph laughed, the sound booming through the stables. Blitz, Blitzen’s daughter, zipped past them, snorting and tossing her antlers around. Loose hay gathered into bales. Shovels and pitchforks lined up against the wall according to height. Elfin dust glowed bright, then brighter, until it was too white to look at. When it burst, an elf was left in its place.

  Tannon whooped and threw his hands in the air.

  Ginger Ho Ho Ho’d.

  Robyn held on to Gabe; his body was so cold. A part of her registered that Christmas was saved, but the sacrifice was too great. There would be no Christmas for her this year.

  The wind began to recede, and they were set gently on the now solid and dry ice. Robyn couldn’t feel the cold through her dress, but she felt it in her heart.

  Ginger came to kneel beside her. “I’m so sorry.” Her tears mixed with Robyn’s.

  “He would have made a good Kringle.” Robyn sniffed and wiped her cheeks. “He just needed someone to love him enough.”

  “You are that someone.” Frost knelt next to her.

  Sleigh bells filled the sky, and the green sled came to a perfect stop at the mouth of the cave. Mom and Dad piled out, their faces grim. Nick and the other grandkids were right behind them.

  Gabe’s eyes fluttered open. “Is that jingle bells?”

  Stunned, Robyn clutched him. “Yes!” She laughed with relief. “I mean, no. It’s sleigh bells.”

  Gabe stared at her for a moment, drinking her in, before his eyes traveled behind her. They grew wide as Max, the oldest and laziest reindeer in the herd, leaned over her shoulder and snorted in his face.

  Robyn shoved the brute away. “Go find a bucket of oats.”

  “I’ve got you covered, Miss Robyn.” Selora slipped a bridle over Max’s muzzle. “This way, Max. We’ve got a storage room full of oats.” Several other elves appeared, grinning like they’d just eaten Christmas cake. Robyn’s heart lifted to see the head stable elf busy with the animals. She thrived on caring for them.

  Mom wandered over. “Sorry we’re late. We lost power over Alaska and had to touch down.”

  Quik’s son jumped into Lux’s arms. “Grandpa said ‘nutcrackers’ three times,” he tattled.

  Dad’s cheeks turned cherry red. “I had some precious cargo to worry about.” He reached up and rubbed Nick’s head. Nick grinned at him, soaking up every bit of love her family dished out. There would be so much more of that in the years to come. Who knew what he’d turn out to be?

  Gabe grunted. “You people are for real.”

  Robyn laughed so hard her chin tipped back. “Yes, we’re real.” She helped him stand. Her heart was light, and her limbs were strong, full of Christmas Magic. She could cook a million cupcakes in an hour with this much energy. “How do you feel?”

  He rubbed his hands together. “Tingly.”

  “Me too!” Nick stomped in place. “It’s like my feet were asleep and now they’re waking up.”

  “It’s the Magic,” Lux confirmed. “It’s changing you on the inside.”

  Gabe rubbed his chest. “I’m not as sore either.”

  “Interesting.” Quik stepped forward, rubbing his chin. “As far as I know, no Kringle has ever sustained an injury of that type.”

  Lux nodded, her eyes doing that super-thinking movement. “We never get sick, but I wonder if we have healing abilities.”

  “Has anyone broken a bone before?” asked Quik.

  “Not in this family. But we should check the archives.” Lux grabbed his hand, and they dashed off.

  Robyn leaned against Gabe, grateful to fee
l his solid body behind her. She could stand here for the rest of her life.

  Lux’s and Quik’s departure signaled something in the family. The energy shifted from relief and celebration to urgent.

  “Snow globes!” Frost grabbed Ginger’s hand. “I have letters to check against the List.”

  Ginger nodded. “I’m only in the Ts. It’ll take me hours to finish the second check.”

  Dad lifted a hand. “I’ll start at Z and work backwards.” The three of them hurried off together.

  Gabe glanced down at her. “The List?”

  “That’s the one,” she confirmed.

  “I’m going to take these cuties in for some milk and cookies. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Mom winked and herded the kids ahead of her.

  Layla walked by Nick, looking up at him shyly. “Do you want to see the castle?”

  Nick bobbed his head. “That’d be legit.”

  A smile widened her cheeks. “I can show you the test room. We have all the latest video games.”

  He opened the door for her, and Robyn’s heart melted just a little more for young gentleman. He would be a strong addition to the family. “You know, he believed long before you did.” She nudged Gabe. “He figured it out that first night in the safe house.”

  Gabe shook his head ruefully. “What can I say? I’m a slow learner.” He pulled her close, and her body flushed with heat. “Have I told you how beautiful you look in that dress, Sketch?”

  Her knees officially gave out at his husky tone. She’d had no idea he could sound like that. He held her up. “You scared me,” she admonished him.

  “In my defense, you claimed you are Santa’s daughter.”

  She swatted him. “I am!”

  He nipped a kiss to her jaw. “I know.” He pulled back to look in her eyes. “It’s kind of obvious, now that I think about it.”

  “Stubborn man.” She gave him a shove.

  He gathered her close and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I have to warn you …” He kissed her neck and worked his way toward her mouth.

  “Yes?” Robyn could barely draw in air. Her whole being anticipated the moment when his lips found hers.

  “I may never get enough of you.” He hovered over her mouth, his breath warm and minty on her lips.

  “I hope not,” She lifted up and closed the gap, kissing him with wild abandon. Her hands were in his hair, at his jaw, and then sliding down his chest. He buried his fingers in her hair and tipped her head, deepening the kiss.

  Robyn allowed herself to get lost in him, and as she did, she felt the tingles of Christmas Magic getting bigger. With each expression and feeling of love, she and Gabe would create more magic to share with the world. They’d become a part of something bigger than the two of them and take their place in Christmas.

  She pulled away, breathing heavily. Gabe rested his forehead against hers, his pulse thrumming just under his skin. She reveled in the knowledge that she could make his heart race.

  “I love you, Robyn Kringle. You will always be Christmas to me.”

  “I love you, too.” She traced her finger down his smooth jaw, in awe of this moment.

  “What are you thinking?”

  She smiled softly. “Three Christmases ago, I thought I’d lost everything. Looking back, it was all so small compared to right here—with you.”

  “I’ve been waiting my whole life to find you. If I’d known all it took was a Christmas wish, I would have wished on every star and written hundreds of letters to Santa.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. A thrill went through her system. “This is the best Christmas Eve of my life.”

  His words shot a bolt of adrenaline into her veins. “It’s Christmas Eve.” She began tugging him toward the door. “I’m way behind on stocking stuffers.”

  He blinked several times. “Wait—you’re the one who makes the candy?”

  She flung the door open. “Yes! And the sleigh leaves in less than three hours. There’s so much to do.” She walked three steps and spun around to grab the front of his tux and pull him to her for an ice-melting kiss. “We honeymoon on Christmas—deal?”

  He gave her a saucy grin. “Deal.”

  She wrinkled her nose with happiness and then spun out of his arms, dashing for the kitchens. She passed Tannon on the way. “Gabe’s alone.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. Her Kringle need to cook spurred her on, even as she longed to be back in Gabe’s arms.

  “I’ll get him.” Tannon waved at her to keep going.

  “Thanks!” she called over her shoulder. Joseph rode in the sleigh with Ginger. Quik spent Christmas Eve calculating fluctuations in power levels with Lux. But Frost read letters on her own. It was good for Tannon to have a friend, and good for Gabe to have a buddy.

  She stepped into the sweltering oven room and put her hands to her hips. “Roxy!” she called over the sound of 50 timers ticking away. “Where are we?”

  “We’re better off now that you’re here.” Roxy wrapped a full-length apron around her to protect her wedding dress. There was no time to change. Christmas Magic might be at full power, but they had a lot of work ahead of them.

  Robyn rubbed her palms together. “Let’s make some children happy.” She jumped in with more energy than she’d had in three years.

  An hour later, Gabe poked his head in. “Something smells wonderful.”

  Drawn to him, Robyn set down the mixing bowl she’d been using and pecked him on the lips. “It must be you.” She breathed deeply, taking in his leather-and-cedar scent.

  “I missed you,” he said huskily.

  She giggled, her head fuzzy. “Me too.”

  “Maybe I could help?” He looked around the room.

  Robyn looked too. Every elf had a job, and the whole production ran smoothly. “Where’s Tannon?”

  “Wrapping. Stella’s back.”

  “I wonder what took her so long?”

  “I don’t know. But she got flustered when Tannon asked if she’d been to church.”

  Robyn laughed.

  Roxy beamed. “You’re welcome to stay, Mr. Gabe. As long as you keep Miss Robyn in good spirits.”

  “That, I can do.” Gabe put a hand on her hip and snatched a piece of dough out of her bowl. “Delicious.” His eyes widened. “You really do put magic in the cookies, don’t you?”

  She wiggled her fingers, and a dusting of shimmery sprinkles fell into the dough. “Every batch.”

  “I think the chocolate molds are done.” Roxy pushed a rack of molds to the cooling room.

  Robyn continued to work, buzzing around Gabe and letting him steal kisses. “Do you think you’ll be happy here?” she asked. “I mean, would you rather live in the city and work at the studio?”

  Gabe picked up the dirty dishes and walked them to the sink, where Chip, the washing elf, took them with a tip of his hat in thanks. He came around, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and kissed her neck. For three years she’d searched for her place in Christmas, for her true self, and for true love.

  Gabe had helped her find all three of those things this Christmas. She was the baker and cookie maker who’d saved Christmas. She was Robyn, a woman who loved without fear. And she’d married a man who was willing to give his life for her.

  Best. Christmas. Ever.

  “I’m not sure how this all works out. But wherever you are is where I want to be. We’re a family now.”

  “We’re home.” She turned in his arms and he kissed her with everything he had, holding nothing back. Robyn got lost in his arms. For a man who had been afraid to be loved, he was brave in loving her. She felt his need to give her a lifetime of Christmases together flow between them. He wanted her to be joyful. He craved bringing her peace and security. But most of all, he wished for their love to go on and on.

  She smiled against his lips.

  Christmas wishes did come true.

  Epilogue

  Stella

  “I’ll ask.” Stella got to her
feet to signal the end of the meeting with the crew from Thirty-Minute Match. “But I’m not sure they’re up to interviews. Robyn and Gabe are busy decorating their new place and getting Nick settled into a school routine.” The after-Christmas lull had been anything but slow the last few years as the Kringles welcomed new members to their family and this year was no different.

  “Let us know,” said Jerry. “We’d love to have them back for a follow-up.”

  Chelsea nodded. “We get at least 30 emails a day asking about them.”

  Stella smiled. Her scheme to find Robyn a husband had worked out better than she expected. Not only had she gotten a new brother-in-law; she’d gotten a nephew.

  Okay, so Nick was totally awesome! He’d adapted to life at the North Pole like he was born to be there. Joseph took him under his wing and spent every other morning teaching him to carve. Quik said he had a natural gift for engineering and was determined to help him build a computer from spare parts before Valentine’s Day. Tannon and Lux asked him to babysit every Friday night so they could go out on a date. He readily agreed and taught his new cousin how to ice skate. They had plans for a hockey rink in the stables that the elves weren’t too thrilled about but the reindeer seemed jazzed.

  Mostly, he spent time with his brother. The two of them had come to a place of peace where neither was running away from being a family and trusting that the other one was going to stick around. Robyn had healed both their hearts.

  Stella snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot: Robyn wanted me to ask about the other guard. She saw one on the floor the day Kylo broke in here. Whatever happened to him?”

  “He’s doing great. He’d been knocked out but not shot—thankfully.” Chelsea stacked the papers in front of her. “He quit to go to culinary school shortly after that.”

  “Huh.” Stella brushed off her hands. “That’s good to hear. Well, I’m off. Thank you again.”

  “Hey, Stella?” called Jerry as she reached for the door. “If you ever want us to find you a guy, all you have to do is ask.”