She dozed off, holding the phone, thinking about Aiden, until a light tapping sound woke her again. She wasn’t dreaming. Someone was knocking on the front door, tap, tap, tap. Her family must have decided to come over and cheer her up.
It made her smile—she did love all of them. Maybe she could not to be the Grinch this Christmas and instead forget her personal struggles for a day. She slid out of bed, happy to find she didn’t feel sick yet. Maybe even her morning sickness would give her a break today. Her mom had said she should be getting past the sickness stage. She prayed that were true.
Her family was still tapping on the door. Vivianne didn’t see anyone through the small window next to her front door, though. What kind of surprise were they planning? She pictured some kind of package on the porch and the bunch of them standing in the yard, grinning in the chilly morning air.
She opened the door… and found Aiden!
On his knees.
“Aiden,” she breathed. She was still groggy and half asleep, so at first she couldn’t be sure she wasn’t dreaming until he spoke.
“Vivianne Rose O’Riley, will you still be my bride? Will you let me keep you to have and to hold, forever?”
She was so shocked to see him that she didn’t notice he was holding out a small present. Even when she did see it, she didn’t reach for it or move at all. She stood stock-still, tears running down her face, her trembling hands covering her nose and mouth. Joy surged through her. Aiden was really here! She was so overjoyed to see him. To hear his voice. To look into his eyes.
And as she watched, his gaze dropped. Vivianne had come to the door in her bathrobe, but she’d been sleepy enough that she hadn’t tied it closed. He was at face level with her usually flat stomach, which was beginning to round into a baby bump. She could hide it under her work clothes, but not under a sheer nightgown…and this was Aiden.
Aiden’s eyes went wide and shot up to her face, full of hope and questions. She nodded and realized how badly she was shaking.
But then doubt crept into his eyes, and he slowly stood up. “Viv?”
Seeing his broad shoulders, seeing him right there in front of her, broke through her haze. Vivianne all but collapsed onto him, throwing her arms around her neck, pulling her body up against his. “Aiden.”
His familiar scent filled her nose. She felt at home.
He responded with, “A baby?”
She pulled him inside, not letting go. As he shut the door, she explained. “I didn’t know for a long time, not until I started getting sick every morning.”
His smile was hesitant. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She hated to see the hurt in his eyes. This should be happy news. “I wanted to, but the few times we talked, we were mad at each other. You all but said you were done with us.” Saying those words made her look away, at their home.
What if she’d lost him, now, after he’d made it here for Christmas? She hesitantly looked to his face again. His gaze was on her abdomen, and a genuine smile was spreading across his face. “A baby. Our baby, Viv.”
He reached for her and took her into his arms, offering the solid protection of his strength and love. It’d torn her apart lately to think she might have to live without this. “Our Christmas baby,” she whispered.
“Remember our honeymoon?” he asked. “And all the time we spent in our room because we couldn’t keep our hands off each other?”
She nodded.
“That’s how I feel now. I want to hold you forever.”
She took him by the hand and wordlessly led him to their bedroom, where she walked to the bed and turned around expectantly. “Aiden,” she whispered.
He let go of her hand but only to wrap his arms around her. She’d always loved the feel of his powerful arms keeping her safe, maybe because she knew he was so strong but so gentle with her. His lips found hers again, reclaiming her. She reveled in his familiar touch that was new today, new because she fully trusted him. It was a Christmas miracle that he was here on this special day. In the back of her mind, she wondered how he did it, and if there would be a price to pay. But none of that mattered in this moment.
He pulled the robe from her shoulders. It easily slid over her silk nightgown and fell to the floor. Aiden dropped to his knees, gliding his hands up her legs and over the slick fabric, up her thighs to her rounded stomach. There he paused, both his hands tenderly and softly pressed to her womb.
She caught her breath as he took the edges of her nightgown and began to slowly lift. He paused again to lay a gentle kiss on her stomach, and then rose, taking the nightgown with him. He pulled it up and over her raised arms, then tossed it on the floor, his gaze roaming her body.
“Pregnancy looks so good on you, Viv,” he murmured, taking her in with his eyes and his hands.
She had expected him rip her clothes off and make crazy, fast, urgent love to her. His slow and sensual attention took her by pleasant surprise. After enduring the miseries of morning sickness lately, this tenderness was exactly what she needed. He easily awakened her passion, kissing her lips and her body, and then taking her to the bed.
“You’re so beautiful,” he breathed. “I missed you so much. I thought I lost you.”
He stood and slipped out of his shirt, and then dropped his pants. Seeing him naked never ceased to amaze her. This man—her husband—kept himself in top shape with chiseled muscles defining every inch of him. Everything a man should be, Aiden was.
He moved over her, like he wanted to make love, but instead he reached down to the ground. She wondered what he was getting out of his pants because they certainly didn’t need a condom at this point.
When he looked back at her, he had the small present again. It was a small black box with a ribbon tied around it. She had forgotten about it in the excitement of his arrival.
“I want you to know I meant every word of what I have said to you. I vow to have and hold you forever, not just physically but emotionally as a supportive husband.” His voice was husky with love and tenderness, edged with lust. She was aching for him and suspected he felt the same. That made his gesture all the more special.
He pulled the ribbon loose while she watched, and he opened the box, revealing a glinting diamond ring. It had to be two carats!
“Aiden!” She glanced down at the slim wedding band already on her finger, which had three small embedded diamonds. At the time, it had felt like the perfect ring for her, for their love.
Aiden reached for her hand and slipped the stunning diamond onto her finger, moving it up to nestle against her first ring. They fit together perfectly.
“This symbolizes how our love is growing.” His voice gave out. “And now we’ll have a family.”
A tear tickle its way down Vivianne’s face. She was crying happy tears of love and shared memories and future possibilities. “Come here.” It was all she could manage to murmur.
Physically, she yearned for him as she felt her body rise to meet his. Emotionally, her heart sang joyously.
He made love to her looking into her eyes, wholly giving himself to her.
“I’ll be here forever,” he promised.
Suddenly she shuddered, crying his name, her entire being releasing, taking flight in an exhilarating leap.
***
Aiden spotted them through the living room window the next day after breakfast. He knew he’d been caught. However, he’d gotten Christmas with his wife and won her love again. That was what mattered.
“Aiden?” Vivianne came up beside him, resting her hand on his shoulder as she followed his gaze out the window. “Oh, no, what’s going on?”
She looked at him and understanding washed across her pretty face.
“Well, I might have broken a few rules,” he said.
“You did that for me, to get here for Christmas?” Tears formed in her eyes. “You didn’t have to rush here that much.”
“Yes, I did.” He turned to face her and put his hands on her shoulders, holding her
and wishing to transfer his strength to her. “We might have fixed things later, but I wanted to get here for Christmas. For you.” He looked down at her stomach and smiled. “I’m so, so glad I did, Viv.”
She smiled as the doorbell rang.
Within minutes, Aiden left with them, walking down the walk with his head held high and calm on his face. Only at the vehicle did he look back toward the house to offer a quick nod at Vivianne.
Through the window, she mouthed, “I love you.”
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“Congrats!” Daniels said, grinning at Aiden. They stood on either side of Vivanne’s hospital bed. “And nice timing. I’m shipping out tomorrow. Won’t be the same without you, but this…this is awesome, bro.”
Aiden met Vivianne’s gaze and wondered if his eyes were glowing like hers. Wasn’t it strange—he’d always thought he was the stronger one, at least physically, but not after his wife gave birth. His marriage, and now his children, were such a blessing and miracle.
“Now which one is which?” Daniels asked.
Viv laughed. “This is Tiffany Rose and this is Jacob Allen.”
This time, Daniels and Aiden shared a look. They’d lost their friend Jacob on a mission three years prior.
Little Tiffany was born first, with perfect tiny features and bright, curious eyes. Jacob came into the world screaming. Aiden decided right away both were tough. And beautiful. And perfect.
A camera flash went off. Martha had been taking pictures nonstop. The room was full of parents, family, and friends, but Vivianne and Aiden couldn’t send everyone out just yet. It was too exciting to share their new family.
Aiden walked around the bed to grab Daniels in a bear hug. “Thank you for what you did on Christmas.”
Aiden had only incurred some minor consequences for their Special Ops Christmas scheme. Luckily he’d been able to take full blame and keep his team out of hot water. However, it was well worth it. He had even been reassigned to the nearby base and a new program.
Several people were talking at once, and Martha was cooing at both babies, but Aiden just looked at his wife, his lovely, strong, beautiful wife. Her head rested back against the pillows, her dark auburn hair fanning out around her, and her eyes were full of love. Vivianne smiled, looking tired but joyful, and mouthed, “I love you.”
I love you, too. He would always love and cherish her, and he would give thanks for her every day of his life.
The End
About The Author
Kristen James loves writing romances with dreamy heroes who will melt your heart. She enjoys the outdoors and watching wildlife in her yard and along the river by her house. Besides reading and writing, she loves traveling, cycling, hiking, berry picking, canoeing, fishing, and camping, especially doing all these with her family. Life should be an adventure!
Visit www.writerkristenjames.com to learn more and read her blog. Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WriterKristenJames and Twitter at @writerkristenj. She loves to interact with readers.
Amazon author page at
http://amazon.com/author/kristenjames
Also by Kristen James:
A Spy for Christmas
A Cowboy for Christmas
Embers of Hope, Book 1, Second Gift Series
More Than a Promise, Book 2, Second Gift Series
More Than Memories
The Enemy’s Son
A Spy for Christmas
What’s more dangerous?
The Oregon wilderness? Hit men?
Or the heat in Grayson’s arms?
Robin is flying back into the misty Pacific Northwest for Christmas, which is a bit fitting after her last so-so relationship ended. Alex just wasn’t the right man for her. Things look up when Grayson sits next to her on the plane—he’s hot, charming, witty, and very into her. Unfortunately, their chance meeting puts her in danger, and suddenly Robin is trapped into spending the holiday with this charming, mysterious man at a secluded mountain cabin.
He vows to protect her with his own life if needed, but the danger isn’t just from the men tracking them down. Robin isn’t sure she can trust Grayson, and yet she’s pulled to his magnetism. Safety is quickly losing the battle to desire…
A Cowboy for Christmas
Can they put aside their differences and past hurts to save the struggling ranch?
http://amzn.to/ACowboyForChristmas
Available in print and Kindle ebook
Available in Spanish!
Un vaquero para naviad
http://amzn.com/B009JMRHFQ
“A Cowboy for Christmas is a great romance for the holidays or anytime you like. A bit fun and flirty read that will not disappoint.” --Coffee Time Romance
“Kristen James has done it again with another romance novel to warm your heart. [A Cowboy for Christmas] She has created truly down-to-earth and likable characters with Missy and Brent. The story is perfect for the holidays! Not too long, not too short, I finished the book in about a day. Like her other book, More Than Memories, you become immersed in the story, the plot and the descriptive scenery.” --reader review
More Than Memories – Can she love him again if she can’t remember him?
http://amzn.to/MoreThanMemories
Available in print and Kindle ebook
“I just loved this book [More Than Memories]! Primarily because Ms. James’ equation for the plot kept me guessing the entire time.” --Big Al’s Books and Pals, 5 Stars
“James has a great way with words and builds very realistic characters. I really enjoyed this story and although I usually do not go for romance, the relationship between Trent and Molly held my attention as they searched through their past to piece together the detail of Molly’s mysterious disappearance.” --reader review of More Than Memories, also rated 5 stars by The Fictional Bookshelf and Big Al’s Books n Pals.
Embers of Hope, Book 1, Second Gift Series
http://amzn.to/EmbersOfHope
Savanna’s Story: Savanna is falling for the sexy firefighter who once saved her life, but Jason confuses her to no end. He’s hurting over the recent death of his best friend. She’s also stuck in the middle between Jason and her friend Cassie, who just lost her husband and blames Jason. Can Savanna find a balance between loving Jason, helping Cassie, and taking care of herself and her daughter? Or is she going to lose this bet and her best friend?
http://amzn.com/B00A5TAVXM
Book 2: More Than a Promise
Cassie’s Story
Cassie escapes to Ocean View Stables on the Oregon Coast to cope with the three-year anniversary of her husband’s death. She’s starting to dream about her future again and possibly romance. A safe romance, that is, where people don’t die. She runs into Ethan Caldwell, the cute boy who teased her through grade school. He sure grew up – into a man who’d catch anyone’s eyes. Now he’s a single dad to nine-year-old Isabel, who talks about her parents getting back together…as soon as her mom is out of rehab. Then maybe her mom can watch her while her dad goes on his work trips. Apparently Ethan has some kind of dangerous, secretive government job. This isn’t at all what Cassie is looking for! So why is she running full speed into another broken heart?
Special Ops Christmas Page 4