“I’m speechless.” Merissa let the tears flow.
Kyle rushed over, pulled her up and looked deep into her eyes. “An Independence Day Wedding and a Christmas cruise – back to back. Did I get it right?”
The words choked in Merissa’s throat. Never had he caught her so unaware. To experience this sweet gift of love explicitly designed for her. She felt blessed and knew that her life would never be the same with this man by her side.
“I’ve never been on a cruise, let alone a Christmas one. Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be there?” Merissa asked.
“No idea – something about the twelve days of Christmas. Does that include the mystical couple from the North Pole?”
“Probably not, but who can do the holiday without them? Maybe they’ll come flying in on a sleigh with reindeers and sprinkle their brand of love magic all over the guests.”
Kyle kissed her on the nose. “You have a crazy imagination. You should be the author. I’d be your devoted fan.” His voice deepened, and somewhere in the moment, their lips met and the world stood still as two hearts connected.
When they broke apart, Kyle straddled his long legs over the coffee table and grabbed up the brochure. He leaned in close to her and pointed. “Says here every day is a celebration. I’m kind of eager to see the nine ladies dancing.”
Merissa slapped his arm. “On my honeymoon? Good thing we have a few more weeks of that marriage course. I think you need it.”
Kyle grabbed her hand and yanked her toward the kitchen. They enacted walking down the aisle together. “Visualize this! Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Sparton – newlyweds – your King and Queen for the night here on Imperial Cruise Lines. Can you picture it, babe? We will nod and wave to our kingdom fans, and the cheering will be so loud it will make our ears ring with delight for years to come.”
He continued the march around the island cupboard and stopped at the refrigerator. With his free hand, Kyle opened the door and peered inside. “No way,” he groaned. “I can’t believe I forgot it.”
Merissa laughed. “You forget something? Kyle Sparton, this does not surprise me in the least. I am amazed you remember anything in that messed up mind of yours.”
“I forgot to pick up the Champagne. We need to celebrate here and now.”
The ice bucket stood empty on the counter, and he stomped his foot. “Knew I’d mess up the surprise somehow.”
Merissa wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him in close. “You are all the celebration I need today. I love you so much.”
“And I love you, too. That’s why we need to seal this honeymoon plan right now.” Kyle wiggled free of her embrace. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back. You can turn on those fake flames in the electric fireplace, and when I get back, we’ll browse through the itinerary and dream.”
Merissa laughed aloud. For Kyle, the best part of any event was the planning. All the pre-excitement was just the synopsis, the first layer of a story that will be a lifetime in the making.
Kyle grabbed a set of keys off the counter. “Be right back. Promise.” A quick kiss on her cheek and he was gone.
Merissa filled the bucket with ice and removed two long-stemmed glasses from the cabinet. She’d made enough dinners in this kitchen to know her way around by heart. It would be another whole year before she moved in as his wife – so long to wait for a dream come true.
The Victorian Manor, located outside the city and nestled within a quaint suburb, suited their personality. For her author, fiancé, it provided fuel for his romance books, and for Merissa, inspiration for her magazine. The structural design created a mood they both loved to get lost in – an escape to a long-ago time and setting. There was always a fictional ghost character wandering this grand two-story home, and often they would follow their lead and play out scenes, surprising one other with a sudden plot twist. Or they’d use the empty rooms to set up whole stages using Kyle’s research and props from yard sales. Within these walls, her incredible man always discovered the next imaginary couple slated to fall in love.
Merissa glanced at the old grandfather clock when it chimed six times. Where was he? Probably another surprise – maybe some supper with the Champagne? She flicked on some easy rock tunes and danced around the room to the music. Each time she passed by the window she glanced out, expecting to see Kyle’s red sports car wheeling into the driveway. He could have covered the entire Sandhill division by now, for the store in question was only two blocks from his door.
After dumping the icy-water from the bucket down the sink, Merissa wandered into the living room and cleaned up the mess of pamphlets that lay scattered carelessly on the table and floor. She held the manila envelope close to her heart for the second time, remembering the look of glee on Kyle’s face at the realization he’d mastered a super surprise for her – his best ever.
The doorbell rang, and Merissa jumped, uneasy. Whoever could that be? Surely Kyle was not expecting company on the night of his big honeymoon reveal. At the door, she plastered on her go away face and opened it. A police officer stood there.
“Mrs. Sparton?” he asked.
“Not yet. Kyle Sparton is my fiancé,” Merissa choked out.
“Are you the closest next of kin?” He looked down at the driver’s license he held in his hand. “This
