The biggest, brightest, most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life radiates across Morgan’s face and in that moment, I know I’m not. I know she wants exactly what I want, and she wants it now.
The grin on her face leaves me truly breathless. I’ve seen her smiling on dozens of magazine covers, but no other expression has ever matched the true joy shining through now.
“This is what I want, Eric. You’re what I want.”
“You’ve got me, baby.”
“Then nothing else matters,” she gushes, excitedly. “We’ve got money. We’ve got each other. What more do we need? Let’s stop traveling. Let’s just . . . be us. Let’s put down real roots, Eric. I want to settle down with you . . . for good.”
I pull her against me, playfully pinning her against the couch so that I can kiss her again and again until she’s squealing with laughter and wiggling beneath me.
“That’s all I want, babe,” I say breathlessly. “You’ve just made me the happiest guy in the world.”
“Me too!” she exclaims! “Oh my god! Are we really doing this?”
“We’re doing it!”
Morgan squeals and her excitement bowls me over. Before I know it, I’m sprawled on the floor with my gorgeous muse atop me, peppering me with kisses. “I’m so happy, Eric! We’re going to get to be normal people and spend every day together. And we’ll get to see our friends so much more, too! I want to be there for them. I want to see Ryan grow up and be part of Stacy and Jake’s new little one’s life.”
“It’s like you’re reading my mind,” I murmur, grinning back at her.
Morgan flushes a faint shade of shy pink, which is unusual for the bold, beautiful woman straddling me. She lightly runs her fingers through my hair and whispers, “Maybe we can even start our own little family soon . . .”
My heart is so full it might burst as I pull Morgan into my arms. “Why wait?”
Her sweet laughter fills the air as she plants an excited kiss on my lips. “There’s no time like the present!”
She’s already pulling my t-shirt she’s wearing over her head and as anxious as I am to join her, there’s still more I have to say. My hand catches her arm and she stills the moment she sees the serious look in my eyes. “Morgan,” I whisper, fighting my emotions. “I can’t tell you what this means to me.”
“Eric, it means everything to me, too.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think you understand what you’re giving me,” I choke out. “I . . . I’ve always thought it was too late for me to have this kind of life. One full of love and a real family. But you’ve shown me it’s not too late and I’m never going to take that for granted. I’m never going to take you for granted, Morgan.” I search her eyes, wanting to be sure she absorbs the full weight of my love for her. “This gift you’re giving me . . . I won’t ever forget it. I won’t let you down, Morgan.”
“Eric . . . you couldn’t even if you tried. You’re my soulmate.”
Morgan’s lips crash into mine and I let go of the last bit of my past that’s been weighing me down. That part of my life is over now. I’ve fully emerged from the shadows. The future belongs to me and Morgan. And it’s going to be great.
Chloe Price
“It’s snowing,” I whisper, leaning against one of the large, beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby as the morning light sparkles across the freshly fallen snow.
Strong arms encircle my waist as Ethan’s chest presses against my spine. He cuddles me against him and kisses my cheek, his stubble making me shiver. “It’s a true white Christmas, huh? You certainly do pull off miracles, Miss Price.”
Giggling, I turn around to face him. I lean up onto my tiptoes, stealing a sweet kiss before whispering, “Merry Christmas morning!”
“Merry Christmas,” he answers warmly.
Our Christmas Eve was perfect. We’d snuggled on the couch and watched Miracle on 34th Street, with Margot, Owen and the kids all cozied up nearby. Chloe Martin’s words had danced in my head for a moment before I let them go.
Sure, more time has passed than I like since Ethan and I got engaged, but it has all been time well spent. We spent it together and with family, making beautiful memories and that’s really all that matters to me. The time for me and Ethan will come. I’m not worried.
I know how ironic that is, considering I worry about everything else.
Speaking of . . . I wonder when our guests will be joining us this morning?
I’m anxious to make sure they have the perfect Christmas.
Ethan’s gaze shifts around briefly, and if I didn't know better, I’d think he was anxious, too. But that would be silly. I'm the one who gets nervous most of the time—except right now.
I feel strangely at ease. But I know that’s a byproduct of being wrapped in Ethan’s strong arms. It could also be that I’m actually enjoying our unexpected guests. It doesn’t feel like we’re sharing our lodge with strangers this Christmas, but with true friends.
The past few days have been magical in so many ways.
Our guests haven't come downstairs yet, but the sun has only just risen. I'm sure it won’t be long before little Ryan rouses them all, eager to see if Santa paid him a visit. Actually, I’m surprised Ava hasn’t herded my sister and Owen out of bed yet.
As if on cue, I hear the pitter-patter of little feet.
“Merry Christmas!” Margot says through a yawn from across the lobby with Ava scampering in front of her. I wave to my big sister and scoop up my niece in a big hug. Margot joins us while Owen sleepily traipses behind her.
I put Ava down and greet each of them with a warm hug, so happy to have them here.
