by Laura Kaye
“There. Look.”
Brady turned back to the mirror. “Huh.” Whatever the stick was had turned his eyebrows white. In a not too fake way. “You have a Santa belly for me in that bag of tricks?”
Something pillow-like whacked him in the gut.
“Asshole,” he said, chuckling.
Danny elbowed Victor. “I don’t think that’s approved vocabulary for Santa.”
“Keep it up. Wait ’til you see what’s in your stocking this year.”
“That’s the spirit,” Victor said.
Bobby helped stuff and organize his belly and buckle the wide black belt. “There.”
Not bad. Not bad at all. He turned to the guys. “How do I look?”
Danny’s expression cracked first. “Like someone who is thoroughly pussy-whipped.” Bobby most tried to resist, but then he joined the others, who were laughing so hard they could barely remain upright.
Ignoring the asswipes behind him, he fished his wallet and a few other necessities from his uniform pants and slipped them inside the pocket at his hip. Luckily the coat and all the padding would hide the lump. “Whatever. You three be dickheads all you want. I make this shit look good. I’m outta here.”
“Wait,” Bobby choked. “Don’t forget your bag. These are the favors for the kids.”
“Fine.”
“Maybe you should…practice your ho, ho, ho. You know, to…make sure it’s authentic,” Victor said, nearly wheezing.
Brady threw the bag over his shoulder. “Ho, ho, fuck you.” He stalked out of the bathroom, and could still hear their laughter at the far end of the hall.
…
A commotion erupted at the doors. Joss turned and relief flooded through her veins at the sight of Santa Claus arriving. Wonder who it is? Had Brady’s friend found her a volunteer, too? She was going to have to find out the guy’s favorite beer and send him a whole case.
She made her way across the room to give New Santa the instructions Flu Santa had received in advance. Nina beat her to it. Her director joined New Santa’s side and began whispering to him even as kids came running up to him. Joss grinned. New Santa saved Christmas for the center’s children. She might just have to give him a kiss for that.
She backtracked through the room to the stage and cued the emcee. He made a big welcome announcement and then the band seamlessly segued into “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Applause and cheers sounded through the room.
The kids lined up for Santa and in a time-honored tradition took turns sitting on his lap. Each child received a hearty “Ho, ho, ho” and a colorful ribboned bag from Santa’s big red sack.
“This party is awesome, Joss,” Alyssa said, coming up beside her.
“It really is, especially with Santa here. Look how excited the kids are,” Marco added.
“I know. I’m so relieved.” She turned to Alyssa. “You look gorgeous, by the way.” Brady’s sister wore a strapless bright red sheath dress. Sparkly silver shoes peaked out from under the hem.
“Thanks. So do you. I think you just might be glowing.” Alyssa grinned.
Joss could almost believe it. She was happier than she could ever remember being. She smoothed a hand over her belly.
“So where’s Brady?” Marco asked.
“I don’t know. He was going to watch out for the Santa suit to arrive. But I haven’t seen him since.” She scanned the room and shrugged. “I’ll find him. You guys should get something to eat.”
“What about you?” Alyssa asked.
“I will. Later. My insides feel like Jell-O right now.” Between the Santa mishap, general stress over wanting the party to be a success, and hoping to find the perfect moment to finally give voice to her feelings, no way she was chancing food.
She glanced around the room, still not finding Brady in the crowd. “Would you excuse me? I’m going to try calling him.”
“Don’t worry.” Marco smiled. “He won’t have gone far from you.”
“I know.” And she did. Brady knew how important this night was to her. He’d already proven that by getting his friend to save the day. She threaded her way through the minglers to the lobby outside the ballroom and tried Brady’s number. It went right to voice mail.
Victor and Danny rounded the corner, beers in hand.
She stepped into their path. “Hi. Have you seen Brady lately?”
They glanced at each other. “No. No, uh, he came to find you,” Danny said.
Joss narrowed her gaze. Danny was acting squirrelly. “Seriously. Where is he?”
“He went in the ballroom,” Victor said.
She sighed and glanced back into the crowd. Including the center’s children, there were about three hundred guests. She’d find him eventually. She just hated for him to feel she’d worked all night and ignored him.
Nina found her a short time later. “Ready to be the hostess with the mostess?” she asked.
“Absolutely.”
Nina wrapped arms with her as they walked to the side of the stage. They stepped up onto the platform and waited for the emcee to introduce them. Joss used the slightly higher vantage point to search for Brady again. She was half tempted to ask the emcee to call his name. Not that she would. But where the hell was he? Exasperation had morphed into worry that had boiled into a healthy dose of I’m-gonna-kick-me-some-sailor-boy-butt!
“Ladies and gentlemen, please offer a warm round of applause for your hostesses this evening, the community center’s director, Nina Johnson, and assistant director, Joss Daniels.”
Applause drew them to the center of the stage. Nina offered some general welcoming remarks and talked a little about the services the center provided. “Now, we have some very good news to share with you tonight.” She smiled at Joss. “But before we get to that, let me take just a final moment to recognize the tireless service of my assistant director, Joss Daniels, who planned just about every part of tonight’s event. Didn’t she do a wonderful job?”
Applause and cheers of “Go, Miss Joss” filled the room. Joss stepped up to the microphone. “Thank you. But I enjoy this event far too much to call it a job. I hope you’re enjoying it, too.” The crowd applauded again. Joss gave a wave, her stomach giving a little squeeze. What was Nina’s good news?
Nina held up an envelope. “I’ve received word of how much we brought in in ticket sales and donations, so far. And I’m happy to report, we’ve broken a record.”
Joss gasped as butterflies flittered through her abdomen. She pressed a hand to her belly to ease the nervous twinges.
Nina made a big show of sliding the card from the envelope. You could feel the anticipation tingle in the air.
“Through the generosity of everyone in this room, from tickets and donations alone, so far we have raised $21,500.”
The audience whooped and hollered.
Now, if that didn’t make the night merry she didn’t know what did. Tears pricked at Joss’s eyes. Her mouth dropped open as she looked at Nina to see if she’d really heard what she thought she’d heard. The most they’d ever made from this part of the event was $12,000. The auctions were always the real moneymakers.
Nina raised her hands to quiet the cheers. “But the night is young. And those tables over there are loaded with items and experiences you’re going to want to fight to have. So everyone go bid, go raise your bids, and have a—”
Joss sucked in a shocked breath and grabbed her side. Something spasmed in her stomach. Down low and to the right.
Nina turned to her. “Are you all right?”
Brady was instantly on his feet and weaving his way through the crowd, trying not to push or make a scene but desperate to know what was wrong. Jesus. Was it the baby?
Joss’s laughter rang out through the PA system. “I’m sorry. The baby just kicked for the first time. I think he was going for a field goal.” Her voice was full of such happiness. “I also think he heartily approves of the incredible generosity of spirit you’ve all shown here tonight.”
&nb
sp; Laughter and applause filled the room.
It took a moment for the meaning of her words to sink into Brady’s brain. Then he almost went to his knees. Adrenaline carried him to the stage as the crowd started to disperse and mingle again.
“Santa, is everything okay?” Nina asked.
Still smiling and holding her belly, Joss glanced down at him. Her green eyes went wide. “Bra— Santa?” She surveyed those closest to the stage, presumably looking for kids who might’ve heard her revealing his true identity. She knelt near the edge of the stage. “What are you—”
Heart thundering in his chest, Brady couldn’t stand for even that much space to separate them. He slid his hands under her arms and swung her down off the low staging. She gasped and gripped his shoulders. Hugging her into him, he said, “You scared me. I thought—”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She pulled back. “Brady, you have to feel this.”
He pressed his palm to her belly. Waited. He met her gaze, alive with excitement.
Kick. Kickkick.
His jaw dropped. “That’s him?” It was the most amazing thing he’d ever experienced in his life. Everything about Joss and the baby filled him with awe.
She grasped his face through the beard. “I can’t believe you’re Santa. I’ve been looking for you for an hour, at least.” She smiled. “I can’t believe you did this.” She waved at the costume. “But thank you for doing it. It means so much to the kids. And to me. You were my hero tonight.” Tears filled her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. “I love you so much, Brady.”
The room narrowed to the two of them. His heart leapt to his throat. Did she just—
“I do. I love you. I’m sorry I couldn’t say it before. I was just—”
Brady tugged the beard free of his mouth and kissed her.
Murmurs filled the ballroom around them. He knew he’d broken character, but no way he could hold back from claiming this woman a single second longer.
“Miss Joss is kissing Santa Claus!” a little girl’s voice called out.
The room erupted in laughter. The band didn’t miss a beat and broke into “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” The crowd starting singing along.
Joss’s eyes popped open wide. They laughed into the kiss.
She’d finally given him the words. He’d been waiting for weeks. For forever. And now that’s exactly what he wanted. Time was too short. Already a part of him was worried about what happened eighteen months from now. In the meantime, he didn’t want to waste a minute with her.
Brady reached into his Santa suit pocket and grasped the little leather box there.
He opened it and dropped to one knee.
Joss’s face bore the most beautiful, open expression of surprise. “Brady?”
He nodded and focused his whole heart on her. It was easy. She owned it completely. “You have given me things I never thought I could have. Taught me things about myself I didn’t think I could learn. And made me happier than I ever thought I could be. You ease me, and I don’t want to spend another minute without you by my side. Joss Daniels, would you do me the greatest honor of my life and become my wife?”
“You…you want me…?” A tear spilled from each eye as she left the question hanging there.
“Oh, sweetness. I’ll always want you.”
Her smile was pure joy. “I’ll always want you, too. So, yes, Brady. Yes.”
He rose from his knee and swept her off her high heels. He let out a loud whoop that received a huge, raucous round of applause. Joss threw her head back and laughed. Next to that “yes,” it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
He settled her back on her feet and grasped her left hand. The ring had an emerald-cut diamond and rows of diamonds inlaid in the band. But what had drawn him to it was the antique look of the setting. It was her. He slid it on her ring finger. Then he pressed his lips to the very same spot.
She gazed down at the ring, eyes alive with excitement. “It’s stunning, Brady. And just perfect. All of it.” She gently pulled the Santa hat and hair from his head.
“But the kids.”
She chuckled. “I think they have a pretty good idea that I’m not Mrs. Claus.”
“Mrs. Scott sounds better, anyway.” Smiling, Brady tugged her to him and dipped her back. Grabbing his arms, she squealed and broke into a deep belly laugh. And then he kissed her long and hard, marveling at how the rest of his life had started with just one night.
Epilogue
“You look so stunning,” Christina said, adjusting the comb that held the veil in the back of Joss’s hair. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m really happy for me, too. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe this is really my life,” Joss said, turning to the mirror. And it was true. If someone had told her a year ago that today she’d have a child, a husband, and the confidence in herself and her relationships to know it would all last, that she was wanted, she never would’ve believed it. “I’m ready.” She smoothed her hands over her long white gown.
Dressed in a beautiful golden dress, Alyssa stepped next to her and squeezed her hand. “I couldn’t be happier to be getting you for a sister. And what you’ve done for Brady, the peace he’s found with you, there just aren’t words to tell you how much his happiness means to me.”
“I know. I feel the same way about you.” Joss squeezed back. “And, Brady, well, he makes me just as happy.”
“What do you say, Alyssa? Is it time we take this girl to join the wives’ club?” Christina smiled.
“Definitely.” Alyssa grinned. She and Marco had married the first weekend in May. It had been the quintessential beautiful spring day, and the mountain lake setting they chose for the ceremony was simply breathtaking. The only thing that didn’t go according to plan was Joss going into labor in the middle of the reception.
Nicholas Andrew Scott—a tribute to the man who had always been, and continued to be, like a father to Brady—was born twenty-four hours later on May 5th.
How he’d gotten to be almost four months old already, Joss didn’t know. Time was moving so fast, too fast.
“All right,” she said, reaching for her bouquet. “Let’s go get me a husband.”
Joss followed her best friends out of the hotel suite they’d stayed in the previous night and down the hall. They’d come back to the same hotel where Brady had proposed to her last Christmas. It held so many special memories for the both of them. This was the place where she’d conquered her fear and declared her love for him, the place where he’d made it clear he wanted her, forever. So it had just seemed right.
Finally they arrived at the doors to the same ballroom, divided in half to make the ceremony space more intimate.
A year ago tonight, Joss had met Brady at the park as she waited for the fireworks to begin. What if he’d never come back with their dinner? What if she’d told him he couldn’t sit down? What if she hadn’t offered him that one night together? She couldn’t imagine her life without Nicky, without Brady, without the new extended family she’d found in the Vieris. Alyssa, Marco, Lily, and Nick had all vowed to be there to support and help Joss and Nicky when Brady was deployed again next summer. But it would just be for one year. One year and then he was out, retiring—a decision he’d come to on his own. Joss never would’ve asked him to change who he was for her, but Brady said he needed to change who he was for himself.
So, yeah, crazy as it had all seemed at the time, that night had been the first night of the rest of her life. She released a deep breath and pushed all the thoughts away. She wanted to be here, totally present in the moment, because she didn’t want to miss a single minute of her new life with Brady.
The doors to the ballroom opened and the music began. Christina went first. Then Alyssa. Joss moved into the opening and looked to the front of the room.
Brady stepped forward, handsome and sexy and tempting as usual in his dress uniform.
Beside him, Marco held Nicky in his arms. She adored
that their son could be a part of this day. And the baby tuxedo was too cute for words.
Brady smiled, his gaze beckoning her to come to him.
She couldn’t resist him. She’d never been able to resist him. Thank God for that. So she took one step, then another, then another. And it was exactly how they’d make this new life—one neither of them ever expected to have—work. One step at a time, one day at a time, one night at a time. With love and trust and faith full in her heart, Joss went to the man who had become her partner, her protector, her biggest hero, knowing he wanted her as much as she wanted him. And always would.
Acknowledgments
I have so many thanks to offer for this book. First, to Heather Howland, for always believing in me and my stories. Thank you for this wonderful partnership we have. Second, to authors Christi Barth and Joya Fields, for offering me your comments on the manuscript and helping me make it so much better. Third, to my family, for always supporting my dream. And finally, to the readers. Sometimes, characters really stick with you, and that’s definitely been the case with Marco, Alyssa, Brady, and Joss. So I’m thrilled and so appreciative that you all have embraced these characters and helped me bring their world to life. I have the best readers evah! ~LK
About the Author
Laura Kaye is the best-selling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her lifelong fascination with the supernatural and storytelling. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Find out more about Laura at
LauraKayeAuthor.com
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