by Pixie Chica
In all of my thirty-one years I have never known fear as I’m feeling now. Not even when I ended up in the hospital after getting hit by a car at fifteen. The more I think about it, the more it dawns on me something is very wrong. Last night John hadn’t answered either, and while I knew it was late, that never stopped him before. I grab the keys to the car John bought me, that I’ve never used, and rush towards their home. The whole time I’m dialing his number over and over again. This time I don’t miss the empty shops as I go by. Why are the shops closed this close to Christmas? It’s a fucking ghost town, not even the cars are parked in the street. My twisted mind starts spinning some crazy ideas all of which are having me in a moment of insanity. The craziest of them all gripping at my throat, and taking my breath mostly away. What if this has all been a dream, and tomorrow I will wake up in that Florida apartment, living my humdrum life without my reason for living? The mere thought has me my body feeling heavy. I need to get there fast, or soon I’ll be sitting on the side of the road fighting down a panic attack. I can’t fathom a day where I don’t see his smiling face, or sitting on the porch at the end of the work day side by side.
“Fuck, I can’t do this.” I whisper to myself. Just as I’m about to pull over, I see the house in sight and I speed to the driveway. I manage to get out of the car, but I can’t bring myself to enter or knock on the door. How stupid am I being right now? I stand there, hand shaking, unable to let it make contact with the door knob, not knowing how much time passes. Suddenly, I see it open, and John Alexander, dressed in one of those tailored suits that always makes me a little weak, removes all the anxiety as I pull him into a hug.
“Baby, are you ok?” He whispers, holding me tight until I finally can let go enough to face him. He cups my cheek and a tear threatens to fall from my eye. He’s still here, it wasn’t some warped dream.
“I thought, oh God it’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not. Tell me what’s wrong?” He stares into my soul with that patient but demanding demeanor he carries himself with.
“I didn’t see anyone, and then the note, I let anxiety get the best of me. For a minute I thought that it was all a dream. As if life was playing a cruel joke on me, and I’d wake up without you once I opened that door.”
“Shit, I didn’t see it that way, but I can promise that will never happen...because.” John says pulling me down the steps of the house and towards the back without finishing his sentence. The suspense killing me, I open my mouth to demand he finish when I come face to face with everyone in the North Pole. “I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Waking up to you in my arms, and creating some magic of our own. And this last few weeks, I knew I needed you to be my husband. God forbid something happened in one of those trips, I need to know I can get to you. So we’re getting married today. In front of all the people who love us.”
His words stun me into silence, and my eyes focus on the way his fingers are shaking with his hand waiting for me to take his and follow him to our forever.
“Kent?”
“Fuck, sorry I… I...yes, let’s do this. I fucking love you.”
He wraps his fingers tightly around mine as we make it all the way down the altar, our friends clapping enthusiastically.
“You almost gave me a heart attack there while I waited for you to take my hand. I was for sure you were going to back out from marrying me.
“Hey gotta keep you on your toes.” We share another kiss before finally taking our spots at the front, facing each other. Standing there in a ridiculously large magistrate robe, is Crystal who is very much pregnant and cranky. She’s due any minute, so seeing here trying to officiate is very surprising.
“Ok fuckers, can we get on with this? Seeing as I brought you two together, I feel like you owe me an apology. You had to wait this long to say I do? I’m about to pop, and I wasn’t missing this for the world.” She says placing her hand on her belly for emphasis.
“Hey I tried hinting but like always this one doesn’t take hints too well.” John apologizes.
“Whatever just hush so we can get this show on the road.”
The ceremony goes quickly, with us choosing our own vows. There’s not a dry eye in the place, even from the men who are trying to hide it by coughing into their sleeves. When Crystals says kiss the groom, I pull him to me by the back of his neck. Our kiss passionate, full of possession, and all the emotions we have for one another.
“Fucking shit, it’s happening.”
The curse words coming out of Crystal’s mouth has us stopping mid kiss. We look over and she is looking down horrified at what’s happening. “Joe Claus I’m going to fucking kill you! I’m about to give birth right here.” She yells out murder clearly in her eyes.
Joe stands from the pew running, falling on his way down, in full panic mode. “Shit, baby, the baby. What...I..” He is stumbling his words, as he gets up and reaches her. Crystal starts screaming louder than I have ever heard her scream in my life.
“Okay, everyone calm down. Someone get me a wheelchair from my dad’s room. You stop freaking out, and go get the bag that’s in the closet you brought just in case. And you two, for heaven’s sake, don’t just stand there. Get the car ready, we’re going to have a baby and it’s coming in fast.” Brandie directs everyone, and we spur into action. I bring over the car and park it as close to the back as I can.
“I promise you, next time you try to put that dick in me, I’m going to tear it off!” I hear Crystal yell as she squeezes the life out of Joe’s hand.
“You don’t mean that baby. It’s the baby talking.” He says making the mistake of uttering the wrong words. Crystal let’s go of his hand grabs his junk for emphasis, making me hurt just from seeing it.
“Try me! I’m not kidding! Oh it’ll be good baby. Oh you know you want this candy cane. That candy cane is what caused this.” She says glaring at him. John has to pull her hand away before she causes real damage, and Joe’s looking like a chastised kid wanting to hide.
I would too, Crystal is a sweetheart until she’s pissed, then everyone needs to stay out of her way or she will blow you to smithereens.
Three hours later, we welcomed Joe Claus, Jr. and Brandie Grace, on the same day I got my forever. This place is definitely magical, and we have another Christmas Delivery.
Epilogue Two - John Alexander
February 1st - two years after that…
I look at my clock again. Where is he? My husband should be over here already keeping all crazy Cupids away from me. I love them, but they can be overwhelming as hell. Especially since they are in wedding mode, and everyone loves to tell you all the details. To say they are a colorful bunch is putting it mildly, all except, Romeo. The oldest, and only still single child in the Cupid clan, and he gets reminded of it at every turn.
“Oh John, I’m so happy you came. I didn’t see you last year, with that handsome husband of yours.” Lovin Cupid, Romeo’s mom, greets me pulling at my cheeks like she used to do when I was a child. Yeah Kent is going to get it later.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, especially since it said mandatory on the invitation.” I say as politely as I can to her. The woman is a bit crazy, and has been making sure her children get married off as soon as possible. With the exception of...Romeo.
“Well, I had to make sure everyone was here for my daughter’s rehearsal dinner, now where’s that precious Crystal. Too bad I didn’t scoop her up first. She would have been perfect for Romeo, that stubborn child of mine. I heard she was the one who set you both up, see she had it in her.” She says, before walking away, not really waiting for an answer. This is not the first time she makes that comment, and if it wasn’t because Romeo has made it very clear, Crystal is his best friend’s wife, and that just sick, I’m sure Joe would have been breaking down the Cupid empire. Especially since Crystal was pregnant again, and she had been sicker this time around. He was grunting at the first thing that moved the wrong way at his woman.
With a sigh of relief I see Kent come through the door, and behind him is a pissed off looking Romeo. I really feel for the guy, it can’t be easy having to deal with a mother who is trying to get you hitched at every breathing moment.
“Yo Romeo, what’s up?” I ask him, pulling him into a side hug. We are good friends, and we all shoot pool on Saturdays and talk shop comparing holiday traffic.
Turning to my husband I give him a quick kiss. “Took you long enough, I’ve already been visited by the Cupid Matriarch. I thought I was going to have to fake death, and even then, I think she would try and spin it into a tragic love story.”
Kent only laughs at my comment, but Romeo grunts. “You ain’t kidding. I made him wait for me, that’s why we were late. I wasn’t coming here alone and unchaperoned. I need my mother as far away from me as possible.” He says looking around nervously, and I know he’s looking out for his mother. Lovin is the most notorious cupid that ever lived. She expects everyone to be married, and full of babies by age twenty-five. But Romeo is 35 and he’s gotten away with staying single for far too long.
“Why? Who is it this time? Because she was making a case for you stealing Joe’s girl.”
“That again?” Kent asks and I nod my head.
“She’s determined to get me engaged by my sister’s wedding. I’m her last child without someone, and she thinks it’s bad for business.”
“It is, and I have found you someone already.” His mother says coming behind us, and the look of horror on his face makes me pity him.
“Mom, it’s not happening. I don’t need a date, I got it covered.”
“Oh yeah, and how do you have it covered? I will not have you show up without a date to the wedding. I already called the Lantern’s, their daughter is single, and I am sure I could make that work.”
At the name of the Sonja Lantern, I can see him shudder. Sonja and him, are like siblings, and I already know that isn’t going to go over well with either one of them. He looks over at me, eyes begging for an out and I know I’m going to have to pull this out of my ass.
“He doesn’t need a date because I got him one. He’s been dating a friend of mine, but she is a very reserved person, so he was keeping it quiet. You know how that goes, but I’m sure she would not be happy to know you were trying to set him up.” I say quickly trying to cover for my friend, who is now looking equally as surprised as his mother.
“Oh my god! This is the best news ever! I have to go tell your sister, no your father, hell I’m telling everyone!” With that she spins on her heel and is off.
“Dude, I’m going to fucking kill you. Now what am I going to do? I don’t have a date!”
“Actually I know the perfect girl!” I say causing Kent to quirk an eyebrow. “She’s perfect because she’s saving up to leave town, and she’s almost got enough to leave. She’s super sweet and your mother will love her, but it’s gonna cost you a thousand bucks.”
“A thousand bucks?” They both yell out, thinking the same thing.
“Hey you're the desperate one not me. She’ll do you a favor and disappear the next day.” I tell him knowing he’s going to end up sticking to my plan.
“Is this like her thing, like an escort?” Romeo asks looking a bit queasy at the thought of using an escort.
“Fuck no, but she’s already fixed everyone’s computer in town, so she’s out of options and she’s only got a couple thousand more to go. I’m sure she’d be willing as long as you don’t try anything.”
“Shit fine, can you call her? I really am desperate.”
I signal him to wait with my finger, and dial a number. “Chels, hey it’s me John…” I says starting to walk away, and I can see the way Kent is eyeing me. He knows what I’m up to and that I’m trying to play Cupid, but when the idea hit me, I realized how well this could work out.
Returning back after a few minutes I give him the good news. “Ok you got yourself a date. She’ll go to all the pre-wedding events, but she’s not buying anything fancy, so if it’s required, you’ll have to buy it.
“Fair enough, when do I meet her so we can go over our story.” Romeo says turning to his usual business attitude.
“Tomorrow, at The Lounge. She'll be at the last table in the dimly lit corner. “I say ready to head out of this party.
“I feel like I’m hiring a hitman.”
“In a sense you are.” Kent replies, knowing exactly who I set him up with.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Romeo asks Kent, who only smiles.
“Bro be there, I got to go.”
Taking my arm we both leave and he waits until Romeo is out of sight before laying it on me one me. “Chels, really? You know damn well those two are going to clash.”
“Or fall in love, you never know.”
“You’re playing with fire, but that’s going to be on you. I didn’t realize how much of a marshmallow you have turned into lately.”
“I blame it on you. I’ve been missing you so much. I can’t wait to get home, so we can soak in the bathtub. I’m sure you’re tired, and I can give you a massage.” I tell him truthfully, this time he was gone for three weeks, and I hardly saw him today when he got back.
“I missed you, too. This trip really did me in.”
I stop right outside our car and pull him to me, giving him a passionate kiss, getting lost in him. He’s my home, my haven, my whole world. Laying my forehead on his, I wrap my arms around his narrow waist. “Don’t ever be gone that long again. My heart can’t take it. Next time I’m coming with you, and I will sit through all those horrible meetings I know you hate.
“Deal, because I was dying without you.” He tells me helping calm that need I have just a bit.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my sissy poo. You have been listening to me tell my stories since I was just a teenager. Thanks for believing in my dream. You’re my bestie, my other, other half, and my partner in crime.
To my other half, thanks for loving me unconditionally through all my crazy ideas, this one included. You are my fiercest cheerleader. Thanks for all the late-night encouragement and the sexy inspiration. I’ll love you forever & always. You gave me my own insta-love story.
Amy, #Twin I can’t thank you enough for being my beta, you keep me sane, and on track. But most of all, thank you for the amazing friendship. I never thought I would find a bestie online, but here we are! I and me means we! Glad that we are on this adventure together.
To Jenni, thanks for putting up with all my last-minute requests, for keep it real, and for making sure I don’t make someone blonde when we both know they are brunettes and vice versa.
To the #Squad…You fucking rock! Amy, Evangeline, Christina, and Jenni! Twin, Gif, Hype, and Badass… keep making my days brighter. I am so glad you all are part of my team and keep the smile on my face!
ChaShiree, thanks for encouraging me to finally release my first book. You’ve become my bestie! #LiferGroupieForever #ImYourStalker
MK Moore and Elisa Leigh. Your stories inspired me to write my own. You all have been welcoming and supportive to me as a new author. I couldn’t have published this without you.
Elizabeth Neal, my editor, you rock, thanks for helping me mold His Christmas Delivery into all I wanted it to be.
To my ARC readers, thanks for giving this book a try and I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed writing it. Your feedback is invaluable.
To my readers, thanks for reading a piece of my soul. I hope this book lets you escape even if just for a moment. I heart all of you all!
About the Author
Most days you can find Pixie running around trying to juggle a hundred hats...one of which is Author. Btw, she still can't believe that's what she gets to call herself. What started out as a passion for book blogging turned into publishing her very first novella... Sealed with a Kiss. Pixie who is part of the LGBT Community, writes MF and FF stories that are sexy, insta-love stories full of heart and with a HEA.
H
er characters not only fall quickly, deeply, but are also possessive in nature. If she's not writing, then she's on Facebook...Tell her to get the hell out of there and get writing.
You can follow Pixie Chica via any of the social media links below, as well as joining her Facebook group (bit.ly/2VFeESa), subscribing to her newsletter (eepurl.com/gAYbSr), or visiting her website (AuthorPixieChica.com).
"Where Love Always Wins.
Other Books by Author
Always & Forever Series
Sealed with a Kiss – Book 1
In Plain Sight – Book 2
The Ties That Bind – Book 3 (January)
Sweet & Spicy Series
Teacher’s Pet – Book 1
Forever Safe Romance Series
Love at Sunset – Book 16
(Also part of Love Unexpected Series - Book 1)
*Collab with other authors*
Love Unexpected Series
Love at Sunset (See Link Above) – Book 1
Undeniable Love – Book 2
Unleashed Love – Book 3
Valladares Family Saga
Ivy’s Rebellion – Book 3
*Collab with other authors*
Tattooed Brides Series
Loved by Her
*Collab with other authors*
Pixie Christmas Books – 2019
Mistletoe
Undercover Santa
His Christmas Delivery