It was his turn to swallow. She loved him and wanted him no matter what it cost her. He was humbled by her. She was perfect and special and his. His heart felt too big for his chest. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“I know, right? You are so lucky.” She laughed and then kissed him again. “Why do I get the feeling that there’s more you need to tell me.”
“There is one last thing.” He still couldn’t believe that she was finally his. “We don’t age. When you accept this life and agree to live here permanently, you stop aging. We only die when the Spirit of Christmas dies.”
“So, as of five seconds ago, I stopped aging.” She sat back and thought about it. “You should have led with that.”
“I always like to save the best for last.” He slid off the sofa and went down on one knee. He slid his hand into his jeans pocket and pulled out the gold heart necklace he should have offered her so long ago. “I know this isn’t an engagement ring by today’s standards, but when I came of marrying age things were very different. Marriage was very different. Love really didn’t enter into it. But my parents married for love. They vowed that my brother and I could do the same. Back in my village, a braided leather ring was given to a woman so that the world knew that she belonged to a man. Rings were more a sign of ownership than love. That’s why I offer you this necklace. I know it’s only a simple gold heart, but it’s my heart and I give it to you. Will you take it?”
He should be nervous, but all he felt was peace. This was right. They belonged together.
Her mouth fell open as her eyes filled with tears. Crying was bad, right?
“You don’t have to take it. I can um... I can get you a ring.” He went to snap his fingers, but she laced her fingers through his.
“Yes.” She tackled him with a hug. “A million times yes. I love the necklace. I don’t want a ring. I belong to you freely. Because I chose to be yours.”
He caught her body weight and nearly toppled over. “I love you with everything in me.”
“I love you too.” She kissed him and then turned around and lifted her hair. “Put it on me. I’ll never take it off.”
He looped it around her neck and hooked the clasp. He kissed the back of her neck.
“I don’t have anything to give you.” She turned around, brought the heart to her lips, and kissed it.
“You’re everything to me. I have you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” He stood and gently pulled her up with him. “I think we should discuss the wedding.”
“Don’t tell me, you want a big wedding.” One side of her mouth curled up. “I’m open to it if that’s what you want.” She made it sound like that wasn’t what she wanted.
He’d known she wouldn’t want all of the pomp and circumstance. “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” He grinned.
“There’s more to the marrying the son of Santa that I need to know?” She shrugged and then laughed. “Lay it on me.”
“Good news or bad news?” He still couldn’t believe that he got to have her.
“Bad, I guess.” She began to look worried.
“Where I’m from, there is no ceremony. Two people just agree to marry, and that’s it.” He would give her the wedding of her dreams if that’s what she wanted.
“If that’s the bad news, what’s the good news?” She grinned.
“I knew there was a reason I loved you. I don’t want a big wedding, but I would like a ceremony.” He hadn’t realized that he’d wanted one until now.
“I will take you in whatever way I can have you. For me, this is enough.” She held out her hand. “I agree to be your wife. I will love you forever.”
If she wanted this now, he was happy to give her his vow.
“I agree to be your husband. I will love you forever.” He stared down at her hand. “We’re not shaking on it.”
He pulled her into him and kissed her with all of the love he felt for her.
She leaned back and whispered, “Thank you.”
“For what?” He smiled down at her.
“I wasn’t talking to you.” She glanced around the room not looking for anything in particular. “I was thanking the Spirit of Christmas because you were my Christmas Wish.”
Epilogue
New Year’s Eve
“I can’t believe that you’re about to get married.” Lana’s mother wiped her eyes. “I wish your father was here. He would have loved Nick.”
“I wish he was here too.” Lana was not about to tell her mother that technically she was already married. She and Nick had agreed to an actual ceremony but in her heart, she was already committed to him.
“And that you’re marrying the son of Santa.” Jules snapped her fingers and her dress changed from a sedate navy wrap dress to a gold beaded flapper dress. “Just think, we used to call him the Son of Satan. The placement of the ‘n’ makes all the difference in the world.” She snapped her fingers and her dress changed to a short flouncy denim skirt, a red bandana halter top, and some purple cowboy boots.
“Will you stop? I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to use the Spirit of Christmas like that.” Lana glanced at her own reflection in the full-length mirror. She was back in her attic room at the Christmas Tree Inn. The antique white satin sheath she wore had belonged to her Grandma Doris. The short veil pinned to the back of her head was new. Nell had lent her a pair of blue sapphire earrings. She had the old, new, borrowed, and blue.
“Come on, this is the most fun I’ve ever had shopping for a bridesmaid’s dress.” Her best friend snapped her fingers and her dress changed to a long silver velvet robe and a giant red conical headdress. “I’m liking this. It’s not too late. I think you should consider a medieval theme.”
She snapped her fingers again and her dress changed to a suit of armor. Jules pulled the face visor up. “This is surprisingly itchy.”
Light knocking sounded at the attic door.
“As long as you’re not Nick, you can come in,” Lana called across the room.
Jules clomped over to the steps that led down to the second floor her suit of armor squeaking with every step. “Yes?”
“Oh um... hey.” Chris stood at the top of the stairs. “Are you ready because we’re ready but if you’re not ready that’s okay, but in case you are we are too just so you know.”
Lana mashed her lips together to keep from laughing. Chris’s charm seemed to disappear around Jules.
Jules’s armor squeaked as she bent her arm and gave him a thumbs up. “We’ll be down in a minute.”
“Okay.” Chris just stood there staring at Jules.
Several beats passed.
Jules finally said, “Anything else?”
“What?” Chris continued to stare at her. “Oh.”
He turned around and went down the stairs. The door closed behind him.
“Okay, Jules. It’s time.” Lana held out her palm, and a bouquet of Texas wildflowers filled her palm.”
Jules snapped her fingers, and a coral velvet sheath dress replaced the armor.
Lana’s mother snapped her fingers, and a silver beaded dress replaced the light green pantsuit. “I could get used to the snappy thing.”
“Mrs. G. you look amazing.” Jules snapped her fingers, and her smaller bouquet of flowers appeared in her hand.
“Before we go downstairs, I want to give you these.” Lana picked up the two necklaces that Santa had given to her this morning. The necklaces were silver with a small silver heart just like the gold one Lana wore around her neck. She handed one to her mother and one to Jules. “My wedding present from Santa was the two of you. With these necklaces, you can always find Christmas, Texas. I may not be able to leave, but the two of you are welcome any time.”
Her mother held it up to the light. “It’s beautiful in its simplicity. Just the necklace you would have chosen for yourself.”
“I know. Nick picked out mine, and his father patterned yours after it. Nick knows me so well.” Lana put
down her bouquet and helped her mother put on the necklace.
“I love it.” Jules snapped her fingers, and the necklace appeared around her neck.
“Now, it’s time.” Lana’s mother snapped her fingers, and her smudged makeup turned flawless. “Yes, I like this snappy thing.”
Lana led the procession down the stairs.
***
St. Nicholas watched as Nick and Lana pledged again to love each other forever.
As the patron saint of children, he’d watched over and cared for billions of children over the millennia, but he’d never regretted not having children until now. He could imagine himself with two sons. One with curly blond hair who fell in love with a woman in the blink of an eye and then did the wrong thing for what he thought were the right reasons. And another son brimming with so much charm that he could he talk anyone into doing anything … until he met his soulmate who taught him that nothing worth having comes easy.
St. Nicholas smiled to himself. He did have two sons, though they were not his blood. He looked down on them now. He’d been there at their births, played with them when no one was looking, held them when they were frightened, and worried over them when they were ill. He’d laughed when they did something funny, taken pride in them when they’d learned from their mistakes, and loved them no matter what. They were his.
He felt unadulterated joy that his oldest had finally found his destiny.
Love was as precious as Christmas Wishes.
He glanced at Santa Claus. St. Nicholas had one more Christmas Wish to fulfill.
He blew the happy couple a kiss.
Santa himself had wished for a grandson. Nine months from now, Santa’s first and only Christmas Wish would come true.
St. Nicholas laughed.
Santa had managed to find The Christmas Loop Hole.
Now if he could just find some pants...
* * *
Other Books By Katie Graykowski
* * *
ROMANCE
THE LONE STARS
Perfect Summer
Saving Grace
Changing Lanes
The Debra Dilemma
Charming Coco
THE MARILYNS
Place Your Betts
Getting Lucky
Sorry Charlie
TEXAS ROSE RANCH
Texas Rose Forever
Texas Rose Always
Texas Rose Evermore
Texas Rose Forgiven- Out soon
THE FORT WORTH WRANGERS
Lyric and Lingerie
Harmony and High Heels
MYSTERY
PTO MURDER CLUB
Rest In Pieces
Blown To Pieces
Just One Piece
URBAN FANTASY SCI-FI
TIME, INC.
The Navigator -Out Soon
THE TOUGH LADIES
Cold As January
Sweet Susie Sweet
* * *
About the Author
* * *
Katie Graykowski is an award-winning author who likes sassy heroines, Mexican food, movies where lots of stuff gets blown up, and glitter nail polish. She lives on a hilltop outside of Austin, Texas where her home office has an excellent view of the Texas Hill Country. When she’s not writing, she’s scuba diving. Drop by her website www.katiegraykowski.com or send her an email at [email protected].
Welcome to Christmas, Texas: A Christmas Network Novel Page 13