Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
My heart explodes then because this is too much news in one sitting.
“I don’t know,” I say in a slow tone. “There’s been a lot of hurt, anxiety, and a lot of change in the air all at once, Nick. Can I have some time to think about it?”
The billionaire looks disappointed, but then he cocks his head and smiles at me.
“Of course,” he says quietly. “I wasn’t expecting you to do a turnabout with so little warning. You can have as long as you like, Ells. I’ll be at Lakeview Manor, and—”
But that’s when I drop all pretense of being hard-to-get because I’ve missed Nick for so long, and so much, that this is the answer to my dreams. He’s reappeared in my life like Prince Charming with the missing slipper, and suddenly, my ballgown really is a ballgown, and my chariot isn’t going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
With a cry, I launch myself at the billionaire, circling my arms around his neck and peppering him with kisses while sobbing at the same time.
“Yes,” I say through tearful gasps. “Yes, we should try for a relationship. I’ve missed you so much, Nick, and this is what I want too.”
He holds me close as best he can with one arm, while cradling our child with the other.
“I’m so glad, Ella,” he says in a deep, quivering voice. “I was so afraid you’d say no, or give me the cold shoulder, or show total disinterest, which would have been the worst. I can’t promise that things will be perfect, but I want to try. I love you, Ella, and I appreciate you so much for bringing our son into the world, and for struggling so hard on your own for such a long time. But I’m here now, baby girl, and I want this to work.”
“I love you too,” I say as tears pour down my cheeks. “And I’m not looking for perfection, Nick. I’m looking for happiness, joy, and family, and with you, I think it can really come true.”
With that, Nick seizes my mouth in a kiss, his blue eyes blazing as he claims me as his woman. I’m left breathless, my heart racing when Marty wails, unhappy that he’s not the center of attention. Our son grabs at my hair while also pounding against the solid chest of his father.
We break away for a moment, leaning our foreheads against each other as our baby demands our attention. Meanwhile, Nick smiles at me.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he whispers.
“And here’s to many more,” I whisper back. With that, the clouds part and a glorious future awaits because this is the best Christmas gift of all ... with my man and my son circled together in love.
EPILOGUE
Ella
A year later.
“Okay really, Marty?” I ask in a rueful tone. “Didn’t we just change your bib?”
But my adorable son merely gabbles at me, his cheeks smeared with apple sauce and his bib a complete mess. Marty’s teething and the amount of saliva dripping from this kid at all hours is insane. We go through six or seven bibs per day because my son is a total saliva factory.
But then my pretty blonde babysitter swoops in.
“Oh, I’ll change him,” Rainey says with a little laugh. “Come on, little guy. Let’s go get you a fresh bib!”
Marty squeals as Rainey carries him into the house, and I look at their disappearing figures fondly before leaning back with a grateful sigh. It’s tough being the mom of a two-year-old while also pregnant with my second. Rainey is a lifesaver, and I couldn’t manage the day to day without my babysitter.
Then again, life has completely changed since Nick appeared at our door on Christmas Eve, and I sigh with bliss as I lean back on the deck chair. Our confrontation was difficult but totally worth it because it ended with Nick moving to Minnesota, and then we all moved together into Lakeview Manor. I was bursting with excitement from the first day.
“Oh my god, we’ll have to re-do these window swags,” I said, pointing to the purple velvet drapes in the formal sitting room of the mansion. “And the topiaries in the driveway need to be trimmed, if not re-shaped altogether. I think we could do something a little more triangular, and not oblong. What do you think, Nick?”
My boyfriend merely pulled me in for a kiss that left me breathless.
“If I had to guess, I’d say that you love the house more than me,” he says in a playful tone. “Admit it, Ella.”
“Oh you,” I giggle while swatting at his huge chest. “Of course I love you, and I moved here to be with you and our son. But I adore Lakeview Manor too, and it feels like a dream to finally live here for real.”
After all, Nick has made my dreams come true. I have everything at my disposal, including a housekeeper, driver, chef, and of course, the help of Rainey, our babysitter. I barely have to lift a finger, and feel so relaxed and carefree in my new role. Of course, there’s also the fact that we found out I was pregnant for the second time, which was a total shock.