UNTAINTED

by Shanora Williams

  On the day of Christmas Eve, there was a snowball war—not fight. Battle after battle of snowballs being lobbed across the yard. It was pretty hilarious.

  I wasn’t a part of the snowball fights, but it was still just as fun watching Izzy, Noah, and Theo pummel each other with snowballs like ten-year-olds.

  By the time they were finished, their fingers like ice, the sun had hit the horizon.

  “I have some regular hot cocoa, mint cocoa, and coffee ready in the kitchen! Nice and hot for you guys!” I called when they rushed towards the porch.

  Izzy’s cheeks were flushed as she laughed with Noah. Theo blew the heat of his breath on his fingers as he followed after them. “Thanks, Chlo,” Izzy said, breathless. “It’s much needed right now.”

  “Yeah,” Noah chuckled. “I can hardly feel my hands.”

  “I totally won,” Izzy tittered, knuckling his chin.

  “Uh, that’s a lie,” Noah teased, pretending to be offended. “I won all those matches.”

  Theo rolled his eyes at them when he got closer. “Since you two can’t seem to agree on who won, how about we just deem me the Snowball Champion, huh?”

  Izzy and I burst out laughing, and Noah smiled a wary smile. He wasn’t sure whether to join in or actually agree with Theo. Theo lost fair and square. He knew it, but I was sure Noah was going to let it slide just to stay within his good graces.

  I laughed at the thought of that—how unsure of himself he was around Theo.

  “Go on inside,” Theo said to them. “We’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  Izzy bobbed her head and grabbed Noah’s hand. “Come on. I could use a hot shower too, couldn’t you?”

  “I hope you mean separately!” Theo shouted after her, his voice booming. When she didn’t answer, he yelled, “Isabelle! Separate showers!”

  Izzy only laughed when she heard him. Tickled, I stepped up to Theo and wrapped my arm around his waist. “You know you can’t hold onto her forever, right?”

  “Ehh . . . after hearing that story about that fucker of a doctor in India, I don’t trust anyone with her. This Noah kid is too . . . nice.”

  “And being nice to your daughter is a bad thing?” I laughed.

  “No.” He scratched his chin. “But it makes me even more suspicious about him. Izzy doesn’t do nice guys.”

  “Yeah. Well, there’s a first for everything, huh?” I grinned. “She needs a nice guy. She’s always had a bad habit of picking the wrong ones.”

  “I guess.” He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. His lips were surprisingly warm. “Come on. Let’s get you inside, Little Mama.”

  I snorted. “Oh my gosh! Please stop it. That sounds so bad!”

  “What? It’s cute and you know it. You’re my Little Mama now.” He rubbed my belly and I tipped my chin so my lips could meet his.

  He was ridiculous.

  Later that night, we all played a few rounds of UNO and charades by the fire while sipping on cocoa and eating Rice Krispie treats. It was fun. I didn’t have any complaints at all, other than wishing we could stay longer than a week.

  It was peaceful. Theo was smiling more than he had in years. He looked refreshed. Renewed. Complete.

  And Izzy? Seeing her with Noah gave me hope for her again. It proved she was trying. After Theo’s accident, she admitted that she wanted to do better for herself, too. She didn’t want to be afraid anymore. She wanted to take risks and live. I agreed it was the best thing to do—not to hold back.

  Theo, of course, didn’t want anyone dating his daughter, but he wasn’t against Noah. He was tough on him, yes, but only for good reasons. He loved Izzy. She was his baby girl, and always would be. But he knew he couldn’t be the only man in her life for long. Soon, he’d have to hand her over, and I knew he was going to lose his mind when that day finally happened.

  But until then, he was fine. As long as she was happy, he was happy. That’s all that mattered to him.

  On Christmas Day, after unwrapping gifts and devouring an amazing breakfast and lunch whipped up by Theo the Incredible, Theo and I decided to go out for more firewood for the fireplace before it got dark.

  It was so serene outdoors. All we heard was the wind, chiming of the jingle bells, and our boots crunching in the snow.

  We were quiet for the most part, taking it all in—the snow-covered pine trees and frosted shrubs. The cool, crisp air. It was beautiful, a trip I would never forget. And not just for this one reason, but one much greater.

  Theo came through the trees after searching for wood. When he returned, his face was flushed and his eyes were wide. His axe was gone. “Chloe, there’s something you should see over here,” he said, eyes going hard. “But I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

  I frowned when he pointed towards the area he’d just come back from. I was sitting on a large boulder with a tumbler of hot chocolate in hand, scrolling through my phone and waiting for him to return.

  “What is it?” I asked when he helped me off the rock.

  “Just come. See for yourself.” He released my hand, giving me a wary glance. I was nervous now. What was it? A dead animal? Something worse? Was someone hurt?

  I pushed through the thick brush of trees, glancing back every so often at Theo, who wore a solemn mask.

  “I’m a little freaked out here, Theo,” I laughed nervously. “Shouldn’t you be in front of me?”

  I looked back and he shrugged. Just a shrug. What the hell?

  I was about to stop, but then I saw twinkling lights through my peripheral. They were flashing. Christmas lights. Brows furrowed, I continued ahead, pushing the pine needles out of my way and following the trail.

  An opening finally appeared and I realized I was standing in the middle of it. There was a picnic table set up with desserts. Cakes, cookies, and some coffee and milk. The table was dusted with snowflakes, candles recently lit.

  My heart nearly failed me when I realized what this was.

  My own winter wonderland.

  I walked closer, studying the twinkling lights, and that’s when something in the distance caught my eye. It was hanging from a tree branch on a red ribbon, a few steps away from the decorated picnic table. Slowly, I walked towards it, and when I got close enough, I gasped.

  “Oh my goodness,” I breathed, lifting it up. There was a diamond ring tied to the end of the ribbon. It had a large, square diamond with a gold band. It was so damn beautiful. “Theo,” I called, taking the ring down.

  I turned, searching for him, but he was no longer standing.

  He was right in front of me on one knee, looking right up with soft, whiskey eyes.

  “I can’t tell if you like it or not,” he said, teasing.

  I was frozen, not by the weather, but by this—all of this.

  “This is—wow. Wow.” I had no words.

  He reached up and took the ribbon from me. When he untied the ring, he held it up and smiled.

  “You ready for this?” he asked, fighting a grin.

  I sank my teeth into my bottom lip, nodding like a schoolgirl and clasping my fingers.

  “Chloe Knight, I want you,” he started. “I want you for the rest of my life. I want you to be my bride, and soon my wife. After all we’ve been through—all we’ve done . . . well, I can’t see myself without you again. I figure if I don’t officially claim you as mine now, I may lose you again. I mean, I wouldn’t let it happen—not even over my dead body—but you know what I’m saying.” I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me, or the tears that were building up at the rim of my eyes. “I want you in mind, body, and spirit, baby. I want us to live this life together. I want us to cherish it and have no regrets. Through the ups and downs, the good and the bad, I want you at my side.” He sighed. “So, what do you say? Will you marry me? I’ve never been the type of man to beg, but if I have to crawl around on my knees in this snow just to make you my wife, I will, and you know it.”

  He flashed a pearly, crooked smile, and I didn’t b
other hesitating on my answer. There was only one word on my tongue—only one word I could say.

  “YES!” I squealed. “Yes, Theo, I will marry you, baby!”

  I’d never seen him smile so big. So wide. He hopped to his feet and slid the ring onto my finger. And after he did, he clasped my face in his large, warm hands and kissed me.

  He kissed me so deep.

  So whole.

  So passionately.

  He kissed me like I meant the world to him, and perhaps I did. He meant the world to me too. He always had, since I was twelve years old.

  The man of my dreams was mine now.

  All mine.

  Holy shit.

  I couldn’t believe it.

  Forever. Always.

  That’s what we promised each other that night while kissing beneath the snow and twinkling lights, slow dancing, and laughing, and not knowing what the hell we were doing.

  It was a promise that would remain.

  One that would never, ever be broken.

  Epilogue

  CHLOE

  Seven Months Later

  Bells sounded and I sighed, sitting on the built-in window bench and staring out through the windowpane.

  It was a beautiful day.

  Sunny. Warm.

  It was the end of summer.

  I rubbed my flat belly, dropping my gaze, studying the ivory silk of my dress.

  Today was the day . . . and I was a nervous jumble of mess.

  There was a banging on the door and then Izzy barged in. “I found it!” she chimed, nearly out of breath. I stood as she rushed my way with a box in hand. She opened it when she met up to me and revealed a decorative hair comb. It was made of pearls and diamonds.

  My eyes stretched. “Oh my God, Izzy.” I gaped. “Where did you get this?”

  She smiled like she was proud. “I bought it with the money I got from my last gig.” I started to speak but she took the comb out of the box and held up a hand. “And before you say anything, I still have money left over from it. It didn’t cost me too much. Noah helped pitch in.” She winked. “Consider it your wedding gift. Now turn around. Let me put it in.”

  Smiling, I turned and she reached up, sliding the comb of it above the knot in my styled hair. “Gah, Izzy, I’m so freaking nervous. I’ll probably start shaking and trip over my own two feet when I walk down the aisle. I mean, my mom is here,” I huffed as she spun me back around and fixed a few of my stray tendrils. It was an elegant up-do. Really pretty. A woman named Elle (someone Izzy met during one of her gigs) did my hair and makeup for a cheap price. I could admit that I looked stunning. I’d never seen myself so dolled up, like some sort of goddess.

  My dress, a halter-top that flowed like silky petals at my feet, was beautiful and oddly, very comfortable. Izzy helped me shop for it. It took us three months to find the right dress.

  It was hard finding the one, but this dress was perfect. I refused to let Theo see it until our wedding day. I hadn’t seen him all last night or this morning. Bachelor and bachelorette parties.

  “Oh, forget your mom’s even here,” Izzy scoffed. “She’s already acting like a cocky bitch. She probably only showed up to show off that hideous green dress.”

  I laughed. “And . . . where are they?” I asked.

  “With Kim. I saw her making her way to her seat before I came back here. It’s almost time to start.” She gripped my shoulders. “Everything is okay, Chloe. I swear. We have it all under control. The only thing you have to worry about is walking down that aisle and making my dad the happiest man on earth. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?”

  I shook my head and breathed a laugh. “No. Not at all.”

  “Good.” She kissed my cheek and then started blinking her tears away. “God, see what you did? I’m so glad this is happening, Chlo. I really am. I love you, baby love.”

  Aww. My nickname. I hadn’t heard it in years.

  I giggled, reeling her in for a hug. “Don’t cry. I can’t have my maid of honor going out with running mascara.” I rubbed her back. “But I love you too, boo.”

  “Waterproof,” she chimed over my shoulder.

  I released her and then exhaled, trying to gather my nerves again. There was a knock at the door. It was time. “All right. Gotta go. Just remember,” she murmured, “this is your dream. Your day. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.”

  I nodded and she took off, picking up the gold heels to match her dress. She was out of the door in no time, but left it wide open for me to come out.

  A woman named Nadia came into the room, smiling at me as she picked up the train of my dress. She was a part of the wedding dress package. Help me find the perfect dress at the bridal store and also show up on wedding day to make sure it fit okay and didn’t get dirty.

  “You ready?” she asked over my shoulder, Russian accent heavy.

  I nodded, picking up my bouquet of flowers. “Definitely.”

  The walk felt like it was miles away. We were in a mansion on the beach. An outdoor wedding, just like I had always dreamed.

  I walked down the hallway, my heart beating a mile a minute. I took in deep, full breaths as I heard the whispering and murmuring growing louder.

  And then I saw the room. The white and gold color scheme. The flowers embellishing the walls, running along them like vines.

  Only a few more steps and I would be outside.

  Eager now, I kept walking. I kept my steps measured for Nadia, even when I felt the sun kiss my skin. I was outside now, and when I met at the door, everyone stood, staring at me in awe. I saw so many familiar faces. Some of the teachers at the school. Some of Theo’s old friends, and a few guys that worked for him.

  Our wedding was small, so small that all we needed was a maid of honor and a best man, no extras. It wasn’t traditional, but it worked for us. Of course, Theo’s best man was good ol’ Dane, who looked really good in a suit, by the way. My maid of honor was Izzy, who looked absolutely stunning in her gold gown.

  There were a few men I’d seen at the bar. All of them clean, to my surprise. But then I picked up my gaze. And I found the priest. And beside him, My Theo.

  “You ready for this?” Mr. Lint asked from the door. Mr. Lint—the principal and a great man who reminded me a lot of my father—hooked arms with me and escorted me up the aisle.

  I could feel my heart pounding now, like a drum, with each step I took closer and closer to my Theodore. He wore the widest smile I’d ever seen, and a tear had already lined his cheek when he caught sight of me. I smiled back, so ready to be by his side. Ready for my role as his wife.

  As Mrs. Black.

  His tuxedo was crisp and clean, his tie ivory, like the pearls in the hair comb Izzy had just put in my hair. His hair was trimmed neat around his ears, still long enough to push my fingers through at the top.

  Here For You by Laura Welsh was playing, the music surrounding us. I felt the eyes on me, but I kept going, ignoring all but one pair. His.

  When we were up front, Mr. Lint kindly handed me over and Theo gave him a gracious nod.

  Nadia adjusted my dress and then took her seat up front, next to Kim.

  I grinned at them, and Kim did a small wave with Joanna’s hand. In her other arm was Sophia, who was soundlessly sleeping. My girls. My babies. Gorgeous twins. Joanna was the vibrant one. Always active. Always giggling, and she did just that when Kim waved her tiny little hand, while Sophia’s little head bobbed in her sleep.

  I loved those girls more than I ever imagined was possible. They were my life. I never thought I could love someone so much—so hard. They meant everything to me, and looked just like their father, with bright brown eyes.

  I scanned the crowd again. There were so many faces.

  And hell yes, we invited Theo’s mom, and made sure she had a front row seat as well.

  “Hey,” Theo called, and I looked over at him. He was smiling, but his eyes were still glassy. It was adorable, seeing him like this. “Just focus
on me, angel,” he murmured, and he took my hands.

  I nodded, feeling the tears sliding down my face now.

  When he looked at the priest and bobbed his head, it had begun.

  My vows were just okay, but his? Oh my goodness. His were filled with words I never thought I’d hear the real Mr. Black say.

  This wasn’t the rugged, hardcore Theo Black that grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. This wasn’t the damaged and lonely man I found in the garage.

  This was someone who had grown into something greater than I could have ever imagined.

  I was never going to forget his vows.

  “Chloe,” he’d said, no cards in hand. He’d memorized it. He still had my hand in his and was stroking it with his thumb. “I could go on and on about how much I love you. Seriously, I could. I could repeat those words every single day, for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t get tired of doing so because they are the truth. And it’s not that I just love you. I am in love with you, even after all these years. You’ve given me so much hope—so much to look forward to in this lifetime. When I was at the very bottom, you grabbed my hand and picked me right up. When I was at my loneliest, you were there for me. When I felt like I had lost it all, you held my hand and you showed me what it meant to be loved. You showed me that I would never be alone as long as I had you.” He was smiling hard now, still misty-eyed. “I know we’ve had some rough patches and spent way too much time apart. I know sometimes you questioned whether or not I would stay, but I can guarantee you right now that I am here, Chloe. And I am not going anywhere. Not ever again. You are my Little Knight—the young, beautiful knight that saved me, and brought so much light into my world. And this time, I want to be yours. Even if I’m not your knight in shining white armor, I will take the black. Because in the dark, pitch-blackness was where I found you. With all the darkness I had inside me, you transformed that and filled me with gold. Bright, blazing gold.” He squeezed my hand, his tears falling now. “You gave me two beautiful babies. You gave me something worth living for. For that, I will never be able to repay you. With you, I am free, and with you, I will die a free man, too. I don’t care about our differences or what people say. All I care about is you, Chloe Knight. The love of my life. The sun in my sky. The heaven I’ve always sought. You are my family now. My life. And I will never be able to repay you for giving this old man another shot at life and love.”