Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“I’m sure she’d love that.”
As I got to the top of the landing, I looked to my right to see the loft was strung with white Christmas lights. Amaryllis, azaleas, orchids, and red and white roses filled the entire room.
I slowly walked into the space and turned in a circle. Candles were lit, and the smell of Christmas filled the air. “Is that Nat King Cole playing?” I asked, glancing back at Aiden.
“Mom said it was one of your favorite Christmas albums.”
Nodding in disbelief, I faced him. “Aiden, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. When did you do all of this? Do you do this every Christmas Eve?”
He chuckled and slowly shook his head. “I had a bit of help from Mom, Tammy, and of course, Hadley. And no, this Christmas Eve is special.”
My heart stuttered as I stared at him. “Why is this one special?”
Aiden reached for my hands. “Because you’re here. Emma, I honestly cannot even think about what my life was like before you. Before you walked into my life, I’d honestly all but given up on love.”
Squeezing his hands, I whispered, “Aiden.”
“I walked into that café, and you smiled at me and everything changed. It scared me at first, and I fought it hard, but I know now with all of my heart that I never want to go back to the days before you. You’ve turned on a light deep down inside of me. I’ve never felt this way before, and even though I’ve waited this long to find you, I don’t want to wait another second.”
He let go of my hands, dropped down to one knee, and pulled a little blue box out of his pocket. Tears instantly fell from my eyes as I pressed a hand to my mouth.
“You’ve saved me more than you’ll ever know and in ways I can’t even put into words. I want to see your beautiful face every morning and kiss you good night every evening. I know this is fast. But I also know I love you, Emma. Like I’ve never loved anyone else. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife and Hadley’s stepmom?”
I fell to my knees and cupped his face with my hands. “Yes! Aiden, nothing would ever make me happier!”
He pulled me close and kissed me. It was the sweetest kiss I’d ever experienced. When we drew apart, he leaned his forehead to mine and closed his eyes.
“Aiden?”
Opening his eyes, he drew his head back and captured my gaze.
“You and Hadley saved me too.”
“God, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
A door flew open across the loft and Hadley stood in her bedroom doorway. She wore a wide grin, even though she was crying.
“Did you say yes?” she shouted as she looked from me to Aiden, then back to me.
I held out my hand for her to come to us. “Yes. I said yes, sweet girl.”
A loud sob ripped from her chest as she ran and jumped at both of us. Aiden and I wrapped her up as she cried happy tears. When I looked back at the door, Patty and Lance were hugging each other, then they quickly joined us on the floor.
“Welcome to the family, Emma,” Patty said as she kissed me on the cheek. “We’ve all waited a long time for you.” She wiped the tears from my face before she drew me in for a hug.
When we all stood, and the tears had stopped, I glanced around the room. I decided to forgo the chili for something more fun. “Who’s in the mood for making some pizza?”
“Me!” Hadley said as she jumped with excitement.
We spent the rest of Christmas Eve making pizzas and singing and dancing to Christmas music. Hours later, Aiden’s mom helped us clean up the kitchen.
“I have an idea for a new family tradition,” Patty said as put the last dish in the dishwasher.
“What’s that, Mom?” Aiden asked.
“I think Emma and Hadley should play a few Christmas carols on the piano,” Patty replied.
Hadley grabbed my hand and pulled me to the formal living room, where the piano was located. “Yes! Please can we play? I wanna play ‘Jingle Bells’ with you like we did the other day!”
Laughing, I allowed her to sit us both at the piano. “Remember the notes?”
Hadley nodded and concentrated as she started slowly in an overly exaggerated way. I knew she wanted to surprise her father.
Hadley spoke the notes as she played them. “EEE. EEE. EGC, DE.”
I glanced at Aiden and winked. Then, with a small nudge from me, Hadley started playing the version I’d taught her, while I accompanied by adding a bit of boogie-woogie. Patty squealed in delight as Lance took her hand and they started to dance.
Hadley wore a wide grin on her face as she focused on playing. She’d been working hard on the song the last few weeks, and it hadn’t been easy for her to focus while I was playing a different complementary tune.