Mermaid Cottage is a magical place. I think I first started falling in love with Bram there. It’s where we almost made love for the first time, and where we first started coming together as a family.
“That would be okay for your work?” I don’t want to live in New York, but I don’t want Bram to have to sacrifice something he’s worked so hard for, either.
“Absolutely. I’m basing my new European offices there, in Inverness. Anywhere I need to be in Europe is just a short flight away. Better still, it means the kids don’t have to lose Mrs. MacThomas. She’s family now. What do you think?” Even if I thought it was a crap idea, there’s no way I would dash the hope in this wonderful man’s face. He really has tried so hard to think of everything.
But it’s not a crap idea. It’s beautiful.
“Bram? I love it.” Finally, I cast aside all doubts and throw myself into his arms. “But I love you more.”
Epilogue
The Stephenson-Carter Family
It’s December 31st and freezing outside, but inside Gordon Castle it’s nice and toasty. Outside the sun is shining on a crisp blanket of newly fallen snow and gives the snowflakes clinging to the trees a twinkle.
“Magical. Scotland is just magical.” The baby flutters in agreement. I only started feeling it last night and I haven’t even told Bram yet. It’s too early for him to feel it from the outside, so I hug the knowledge close to my heart, a little something just between the baby and me. I love being pregnant. Bram pampers me beyond all reasonable expectation, and the twins can’t wait to have a new brother or sister.
Our family is unorthodox, that’s for sure, but it works for us. Rhona won’t hear of us hiring another nanny. She’s kept her own home, the place where she raised her family and lived with her husband for forty years, but she mostly lives with us now. We’re adding an extension to Mermaid Cottage, just for her.
We legally adopted the twins. They decided on their own to start calling us ‘mum’ and ‘da’ which is what their Scottish friends call their parents. When they talk about Roman and Mary, they call them ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy’ which is how they remember. We still tell them stories about their parents daily, and each twin has their own photo album full of pictures that they take out whenever they miss them.
“It’s a gorgeous day for a wedding.” Everything is exactly the way I always hoped my wedding would be. As a little girl, I dreamed of a Christmas wedding, with snow outside and a church covered in holly inside. That’s an iffy prospect in Oklahoma, but here in the Scottish Highlands, it’s almost a given. “I didn’t plan on being five months pregnant, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. You are also a dream come true, my little sweet pea.” I know our baby is a girl, but Bram wants to be surprised on the day, so I have to be careful not to give it away. Sweet pea is what I call her, but we’ve already decided to name her Susannah Grace if it’s a girl, Susannah, after my mother, and Grace, after Bram’s. When we adopted the twins, Bram and I also changed our last names to the hyphenated Stephenson-Carter, so both our families are represented.
“You look perfect, lovie.”
Rhona comes up behind me and turns me away from the window so she can get a good look at me in my wedding dress. I’ve never wanted traditional white. When I was little, I saw a colorized version of Meet Me in St. Louis and fell in love with a crimson red velvet gown worn by Judy Garland’s character. For my wedding dress, I used that gown as the base template and had the seamstress add long, flowing sleeves. The effect is a gorgeous Medieval style creation that I’ve not been able to stop staring at since it was delivered. It fits tight across the bust then opens at the empire waistline to a full skirt with a small, trailing train.
The final addition is the smoky quartz necklace Bram bought me that day in Bricktown. I rarely ever take it off, and it glows warmly now. I’ve kept my hair simple, just a few curls pulled back from my face and hanging down my back.
“I’ve brought yer bouquet. It’s almost time. How’re ye feeling?” My morning sickness has finally gone away and I’m at that stage where people have started to refer to me as ‘glowing’.
“I feel wonderful, Rhona. I’m so happy I could cry.” It’s a running joke in our family that I cry no matter what, but it’s true, I do. Especially now that my hormones are going nuts.
“Och, don’t ye cry today, Tessa. At least not until the pictures have been taken. Ye’ll not want puffy eyes, now, will ye?”
“Don’t worry, Rhona, I’m just kidding. Isn’t this bouquet fabulous?” The dark green foliage of the bouquet is interwoven with sweet little white snowdrops, all grown right here at the castle. The overall effect is stunning, especially when held against the wine-red of my dress.
“Yer pure brilliant, my love.” I can tell that even though I might not cry today, Rhona isn’t going to make it.
“I love you, Rhona. Thank you for everything. We really wouldn’t be a complete family without you.”
“Och, wheesht! Yer aff yer heid.” As always, when she’s deeply moved, she slips into her native Scottish language.
The door to the room I’m using as a dressing room opens and my best friend Nicki rushes in.
“It’s time, Tess. Are you ready?”
Am I ready? To marry the only man I’ve ever really loved? A man who loves me and our children more than anything else in the world?
Silly question.
“I’m more than ready. Let’s do this.” I gather the small train in my left hand with Nicki’s help and wait at the wide open French doors that lead into the Orangery. Mrs. MacThomas is escorted inside by Archie, looking adorable in a miniature tux that exactly matches Bram’s with its crimson cummerbund and tie. Rhona sits in pride of place on the front row. She is acting Mother of both the Bride and Groom. Archie then moves over to stand next to Bram, as his Best Man. Next down the aisle is Abbie, wearing an emerald green velvet bridesmaid’s gown. Then Nicki, as my Maid of Honor.
It’s my turn. I can hardly believe how perfect my life is now.
I walk down the aisle, eyes locked with Bram’s.
When I reach him, he leans down to whisper in my ear.
His breath is warm, and his beard tickles my cheek as he says, “Thank you for making this family with me.”
Family. The most beautiful word in the world.
THE END
Acknowledgments
I’m so grateful for everyone who had even a small part in helping me realize this story into a full-fledged book. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that I had no shortage of friends and family willing to read the early stages and provide feedback and support. I can’t list all the names, and if I tried, I’d be sure to miss out someone and that just wouldn’t be cool, so thank you, thank you, thank you, to you all. I appreciate you so much.
I do, however, have to name two incredibly special people who not only told me they believed in me, but showed me they did by giving me the luxury of not having to worry about the mundane so I could concentrate on the creative. Thank you so much to my wonderful sister and mom, Julie and Maxine Macomb. I’m so touched by your generosity, and I love you.
Because of Them wouldn’t exist as you see it without the magic of the following talented professionals. Autumn Gantz of Wordsmith Publicity is an extraordinary resource for all things romance, as well as being an excellent editor and publicist. Thank you, Autumn, for being patient with all my questions and mistakes. Amy Queau of QDesign brought Tessa and Bram to life with a cover so beautiful that I got goose bumps the first time I saw it. Sarah Plocher of All Encompassing Books provided excellent, and much needed, proofreading skills. Formatting was expertly applied by Lauren Runow. Thank you all so much.
To my husband and daughter, I just want to thank you both for everything because that’s what you are, my everything.
Lastly, thank you to each person who takes time from their busy lives to read my writing. Out of the millions of stories out there, thank you for choosing mine.
A
bout the Author
Melissa Macomb is a transplanted Oklahoman who now lives on the Moray Coast in Scotland with her husband and wire fox terrier, Mr. Maxie Moo. In addition to writing contemporary romance novels, she loves baking. Her specialty is transforming high calorie treats into healthier, low calorie versions that still taste decadent. She loves taking long walks along the coast, swimming, Liverpool Football Club, and watching Walter Presents Scandi-Noir series.
Find Melissa on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Because of Them: Heartfelt Romance Page 22