A Wedding for Christmas (Sweet Holiday Romance) (A Veteran's Christmas Book 3)

by Rachelle Ayala

  “I’ll go check on the food situation,” Zulu said, as she hurried down the stairs ahead of them.

  The kitchen was a frenzy of activity as Kelly directed traffic between the pizza delivery, the baker, and her sister who was running between stirring the punch and pulling cookies out of the oven.

  Kelly’s mother filled the balloons at the balloon tank, and Bree tied ribbons on balloon weights to hold them down.

  “Go and greet the guests,” Zulu said to Kelly. “Get out of the kitchen. I’ll cut up the pizzas and set them out.”

  “But I still have to make the salad for the vegetarians.” Kelly dried her hands on a dishcloth.

  “Out.” Zulu firmly steered Kelly from the kitchen.

  “Don’t forget to put out the gluten-free rice and fig casserole,” Kelly shouted as Tyler corralled her.

  “Come on, Kel, it’s show time.” He handed Arman to her. “Smile for the camera.”

  “Happy birthday,” Ford said, as Matt ran over and asked Bree for a balloon. “Let me take a picture of the birthday boy and his family.”

  “You have to get in the picture, too.” Tyler snagged his cousin. “Matt, Bree, over here. Ella, Peggy, come on.”

  Brownie barked and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Arman.

  With his arm around Kelly and his other hand on Bree’s shoulder, with family all around him, both Kelly’s and his, Tyler had finally come home from the war.

  31

  ~ Kelly ~

  It’s Christmas Eve, and so far, everything’s gone smoothly. Bree played one of the starring roles at her Christmas Pageant and was also the starring baby kisser at Arman’s birthday party. The wedding rehearsal went off without a hitch, except my father and my New York family were missing due to a delayed flight.

  Now, all we have to do is open our Christmas Eve presents, set the cookies and milk out for Santa, and try to get some sleep before the wedding tomorrow morning.

  “Will the Rooftop Santa still come down the chimney if Zulu’s sleeping in the living room?” Bree whispers to me when I hand her a plate filled with Christmas cookies.

  “Only if she’s asleep. That means we have to be extra quiet so Zulu won’t be awake when Santa gets here.” I give her a pat on her back. It’s my stock answer to make sure little kids go to sleep early on Christmas Eve.

  “I hope she doesn’t get any more nightmares,” Bree says. “Maybe she should sleep in my bed and I can stay down here. I promise I’ll be asleep good and snug.”

  The other night, Zulu had a scare when a man knocked on our front door at three in the morning. Of course, I would have been afraid too, but she freaked out, even after Tyler told the man he had the wrong house. It was only a college kid looking for a friend, but Zulu refused to go back to sleep.

  I was afraid Bree talking about Santa, a strange man, coming down the chimney would trigger another bout of nerves, but Zulu claims she’s okay.

  “I don’t think Zulu wants to sleep in a princess bed.” I marvel at Bree’s ingenuity when it comes to getting her way. She wants nothing more than to trade places and spy on Santa.

  “Why?” Bree prances from the kitchen to the living room. “She’s as pretty as a princess.”

  Yep, that’s my girl, always looking at all angles to every problem.

  “Yes, but she’s a mighty warrior.” I break off a piece of cookie and give it to Arman.

  “What if Brownie bites Santa? Will we still get presents?”

  Zulu and Tyler are out walking Brownie, and I’m a little worried Brownie would end up eating the cookies once our backs are turned. But then, Tyler would probably fight him for it.

  “Santa’s special. No dog will ever bite him.” I turn on the Christmas tree lights and stand back to admire it. Our house is cramped, and every corner is stuffed with Christmas decorations. The train Tyler and Bree made is on the dining table, and a Styrofoam snow-family decked out with colorful and shiny bling is congregated beside the Christmas tree.

  “Will Nana and Auntie Ella be here when Santa comes down the chimney?” Bree grabs a Santa hat from one of the snow-people and puts it on herself. “I want everyone to be here when Santa lands on our roof.”

  “They’re coming. But first, you and Arman have to go to sleep. Put out the milk and cookies, then it’s bath time for you.” I pull the hat down past her eyes.

  With everything going on, I’m not sure Bree can get any sleep. I know I can’t. Tomorrow’s not only Christmas, but also my wedding. I’m still hoping my father can make it, but if not, it’s his loss. As for Tyler, he truly believes Sawyer will be back, despite not hearing a peep from him after he left to go to Afghanistan.

  In any case, I have nothing against walking down the aisle alone, and he’s fine with standing alone at the altar. The important thing is we’ll have each other at the end of the ceremony and for the rest of our lives.

  “When Papa and Zulu get back from walking Brownie, can I open my Christmas Eve present?” Bree places the plate of cookies on the coffee table next to a sign that reads, “For Santa Only.”

  “Only after you take your bath and brush your teeth.”

  We Kennedys, soon to be Mannings, have a lot of Christmas traditions, and one of them is the pajama present parade. No one opens their present unless they’re dressed in their pajamas, and before we do, we each have to pick one and parade around to all the Christmas decorations, giving thanks to God at every stop.

  “Okay, Mama! Everyone, even Zulu, has to get into her pajamas to get her present. Right?” Bree puts on her bossy face and rushes upstairs to the bathroom.

  “Right, everyone,” I call out after her as the door shuts.

  Bree still has a tiny limp from the bone marrow transplant, where they drilled a hole in her hip bone and removed some of the marrow, but she’s as energetic as always, and a team of flying reindeers couldn’t tear her from her flower girl duties tomorrow.

  ~ Kelly ~

  “I don’t have any pajamas,” Tyler complains to me after he comes home from walking Brownie. “You know what I wear, or don’t wear, to bed.”

  We’re locked in our bedroom to get ready for the pajama parade. Downstairs, Mama and Ella are changing into theirs, and even Zulu agreed to wear one of my green elf nightgowns.

  “You can’t go out there naked.” I throw an ugly set of plaid flannel pajamas at him. “The rule is everyone has to wear pajamas to open their first present.”

  He gawks at the garish, red and green tartan pants. “You know how awful this is?”

  “Put them on.” I, of course, am wearing a stylish red hoodie with white trim and snowflake pattern over a pair of sexy leggings with fluffy fur cuffs.

  “Mama, Papa, hurry!” Bree knocks on the bedroom door. “If we don’t hurry up and open our presents and get to sleep, Santa might miss our rooftop tonight.”

  I laugh to myself at the monster I’ve created. Earlier, I showed Bree a Santa tracking app and programmed it so his approach to San Francisco would be at midnight. I used it to motivate Bree to hurry through her bath and bedtime routines, and now, she’s running around hounding everyone to be ready.

  “Your father won’t put on his Christmas pajamas. He’s being very naughty. I’m not sure Santa will show up when there’s a bad boy in the house.”

  “Papa! You have to be good tonight,” Bree says from outside the door. “You can be bad tomorrow, but tonight, you have to put on the new pajamas Mama and I bought for you.”

  I wrap my arms around Tyler and rub my fluffy fur-trimmed cleavage against his bare chest. “Let’s make a deal. If you put them on, you can do a strip show for me later, and I’ll make you a very good boy.”

  Tyler groans as he pulls on the awful plaid pajamas. “Remember, you promised me goodies.”

  “Just be glad they’re not red and green striped PJs. That was the one Bree wanted me to buy.” I snap a picture of him when he’s dressed, then turn the phone’s camera around for a selfie. “Blackmail pictures in case you mak
e a run for it tomorrow.”

  “As if I’m not already wearing a ball and chain,” he grumbles.

  I peck a kiss on his stubborn lips. “Too bad. I’ve thrown away the key.”

  “Mama, Papa, hurry up,” Bree says, knocking on the door. “Santa’s landing soon. He’s crossed into California already.”

  “Okay, okay, show time.” I hook Tyler’s arm, and we scramble down the stairs to the living room together.

  “Surprise!” Shouts ring out and I stop, stunned at the large number of people crowded into our living room.

  Mama, Ella, Ford and Sheryl, Matt, Zulu, my college roommate, Tyler’s veteran buddies, friends from work and church throw confetti at me and Tyler.

  No one else is wearing pajamas! What’s going on?

  I turn to head upstairs and change when the front door opens and more people stream in.

  “Kelly, look who’s here.” Ella yanks me by the arm, and I bump into my baseball player half-brother, Kirk.

  “Kirk, Jeanine, you made it.” I greet him and his fiancée. “You two look so good.”

  “And … so do you two.” His voice is tingled with a snicker as Tyler and I stand in front of them.

  I poke his chest. “You’re next, bro. I’ll make sure to toss the bouquet your way.”

  “I may be a catcher, but that’s one catch I’m not going to make.” He pulls his fiancée closer. “I’m putting her on the field tomorrow.”

  “You made quite a catch already,” Tyler says, giving Jeanine, a gorgeous blond who owns the hippest sports bar in Phoenix, a hug.

  “You too.” Kirk slaps Tyler on the shoulder, and I can tell they’ll be good friends.

  “Well, look who’s finally decided to make his appearance,” my mother says from beside me. Her tone is decidedly icy, and she’s holding onto Arman who’s up way past his bedtime.

  I glance past Kirk, and my eyes land on my father, standing next to his wife, Victoria.

  They are dressed impeccably, both in power suits and coats. I can’t believe they even travel in style. Victoria gives me a frosty smile and refuses to take off her coat when Tyler offers to hang it up.

  “Dad, I’m glad you made it.” I ignore her and put out my hand to shake, but he pulls me in for a bear hug.

  “You look … festive.” My father’s gaze goes up and down my Christmas hoodie pajamas.

  I allow myself to hug him again. Before he left us, I was his protégé, the one he took to the office to show off to his coworkers. I knew how to depreciate and amortize before I was ten.

  “I’m proud of you, Kelly. Very proud.” He pats my back. “I’m sorry, I missed so much of your life. From now on, I’m going to be around more.”

  I glow inside at his words. Maybe my entire life was spent trying to recreate those moments when I felt close to my father. Maybe that’s why I’m so obsessed with being strong and efficient, always trying to seek his approval. Maybe now, I can finally relax.

  “Thanks, Dad, little Bree’s been waiting for Santa.” I give him a wink, and he bends over to pick her up. Hopefully he takes the hint, because what’s Christmas without Santa?

  “I think we should change out of these pajamas,” Tyler whispers to me when we get a break in the greetings.

  We’re the only two wearing pajamas. Even Bree is in a pretty party dress, and Arman wears a little Santa suit.

  “Nah, let’s be good sports and own it.” I crank up the Christmas music and wiggle my butt. “Looks like we got punked real good.”

  32

  ~ Tyler ~

  Everything he wanted was almost in reach. Tyler laid his head down on the pillow of the sofa bed at Sawyer’s place where he was spending the night.

  Since Kelly’s father appeared at their house, he couldn’t go back upstairs and spend the night before his wedding with her.

  Somehow, it seemed disrespectful.

  Right before midnight, he’d kissed his daughter and son good night, then grabbed his tuxedo and shoes, and snuck out the back door, still wearing his obnoxious plaid pajamas under a trench coat.

  He set the Christmas Eve present he got from Kelly on the end table. It was a picture she’d taken two years ago, when she’d gone to Fort Manning, right outside of Grand Junction Colorado, to bring him home.

  He’d placed a wreath at his mom and dad’s grave markers and she’d barely missed him. The photograph was framed in a rustic walnut frame and showed his footsteps in front of the grave stones, as well as his knee imprints where he’d knelt and poured his heart out to God.

  You’re a hero, his father had always said.

  You’re a man who’ll be one lucky woman’s world, his mother would assure him.

  Mom and Dad, I am the lucky one, and Kelly is my hero.

  ~ Kelly ~

  “Mama!” Bree’s high-pitched voice jolts me out of a restless sleep the next morning. It’s Christmas morning and my wedding day.

  “What is it?” I roll off my bed and open the door.

  She runs in with tears streaking down her face.

  “Santa didn’t come because all the grownups stayed up.”

  “I’m sure he’ll come back while we’re at the wedding.”

  “But he missed us! Do you think the Mall Santa or the Tree Farm Santa will come instead?”

  “Maybe the real Santa.” I give her a wink, keeping my fingers crossed that another miracle will happen before the end of the day.

  I follow Bree down the stairs, and spy Zulu cleaning up the mess from the party. The last of our guests left around three in the morning, and I was too exhausted to clean up and place presents under the tree.

  Bree rushes to the coffee table and points at the empty plate. “Someone ate all of Santa’s cookies and drank his milk.”

  “We’ll just have to set him out new ones.” I point to the gingerbread house clock on the mantel. “Christmas isn’t over yet, and I bet Santa will be back before we know it. Let’s get everything cleaned up.”

  Tyler took off with Brownie and slept at Sawyer’s place. With my father appearing at the door, he suddenly got old-fashioned and said it was bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding.

  Bree is a little ball of energy as she throws paper plates and cups into the garbage bag. Zulu straightens out the decorations and puts things back into place while I vacuum and sweep.

  It’s my wedding morning and I have a million things to do. Lists to check off and text messages to send. I should be in a frenzy, climbing the walls, tearing my hair out, and driving everyone nuts.

  But after seeing all the loving faces turned my way, feeling all the warm hugs and kisses, and being in my pajamas while everyone was dressed in party clothes, somehow, for some strange reason, I’m not stressed out.

  My pulse isn’t racing to the roof.

  Jitters aren’t jumping through my veins.

  And my mind isn’t crowded with warnings and to-dos.

  This day is going to be the most special one of my life, and I’ve got it. Whatever happens won’t change all the love surrounding me. From mom and dad, sister and brother, to friends, new and old. Everyone was here last night, and they gave me and Tyler the best bachelorette and bachelor party ever.

  I turn off the vacuum cleaner and walk over to Zulu. “Thank you for being my newest friend. I’d love to have you as a bridesmaid.”

  “Really? You would?” She blinks with surprise. “I’d love to be in your wedding, but what would I wear?”

  “Anything from my closet. I don’t have any bridesmaid dresses, but I do have some lovely floral prints. Our theme is spring flowers.”

  “It’s a big honor. Last time I attended a wedding, I stole the bride.” She wipes a corner of her eye. “But hey, don’t worry, I won’t steal you unless you have cold feet.”

  I put my arm around her. “I’m praying for Hawa, all the time.”

  “Me too.” She places her hand over her heart. “I feel it in here that she’s out there somewhere. I have to
get well so I can go find her.”

  “You’re a strong woman.”

  “I try, but mostly, I pray under my breath all the time. Tyler taught me to pray through every nightmare. God’s got this. God is my shield. God is my strength. And you know, it’s strange, but the nightmare changes and it stops making sense, and then I know it’s a dream and I snap out of it. It really works.”

  “Oh, Zulu, I know it works.” I hug her tightly, so grateful that God has brought her into my life. “God is my strength. My faith is my strength. At my weakest, He is strongest.”

  33

  ~ Tyler ~

  Tyler turned off his cell phone before going into the church building. He’d texted Sawyer a Christmas message wishing him well on the search and hoped to hear from him, but so far, nothing.

  Kelly’s New York family was already seated. Tyler was glad he’d put pressure on her father to be present. Even though Kelly claimed not to care, her face had lit up, and she was more animated after her father and half-brothers appeared at their house. It was clear they meant more to her than she admitted.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said to Kelly’s father, shaking his hand. “I’m so glad all of you are here. Anything you want to say to me before I marry your daughter?”

  “Don’t let my daughter dress you, and seriously, don’t leave milk and cookies out too early.” He chuckled and gave Tyler a slapping man-hug. “I’m proud and pleased to have you as my son-in-law. You’re a good man.”

  Kelly’s stepmother nodded primly and gave him a limp handshake, but both of Kelly’s brothers embraced him enthusiastically.

  “I’ve always wanted a football player in the family,” Kirk, her baseball playing brother, said. “Now, we can antagonize each other and argue at every family get-together, playing catch or tackle.”

  “You’re catching the garter.” Tyler made a slingshot gesture as Kirk pantomimed missing.