Page 30 of All in for Christmas

Eleanor frowns when I sit down beside her on the bed, my former world drifting away like tiny snowflakes flitting off in the wind.

“Are you sad, Mommy?”

“No, no. I’m happy.” I hug her tightly and my heart weeps with joy. “So happy, Eleanor.” This is so much more than I could have imagined. It’s a brand new feeling, being adored by these kids, who are melting my heart so completely I can’t help adoring them, too.

She hugs me and her muffled voice says, “I love you, Mommy.”

I hold in my building tears. “I love you, too.”

When I arrive in the living room my eyes still sting, but I’ve pulled myself together.

Dried my leaky tears. Dean looks over in concern from where he’s crouched by the fireplace.

The lights are low, with only one lamp burning on the entryway table and another on an end table by the sofa.

The rest of the room’s illuminated by the multicolored lights on the radiant Christmas tree.

“Everything all right?” Scout sits beside him, patiently watching his every move.

I nod because everything’s so perfect. More perfect than I ever thought it could be. “Yeah.” I sniff and center myself. “Eleanor was just being really sweet.”

“She has her moments,” he jokes. He stares fondly down the hall toward Henry’s room. “They both do.”

“They’re great kids,” I tell him.

He stuffs bunched-up newspapers below the grate, where he’s laid a fire with logs and kindling. “I agree.” He winks and my heart flutters. “We’re lucky to have them.”

My breath hitches on the truth. “They’re lucky to have you .”

Dean strikes a match and holds it to the newspaper in the hearth. It ignites with a flare, flames raking over crackling twigs, catching their spindly limbs on fire.

“Hey, Paige? I really do want to know.” He stands and walks toward me. “Is something going on?” He gazes at me sweetly. “Because you can tell me, you know.”

“Dean.” I stare into his swoony dark eyes. “There’s so much I want to tell you.”

“Oh yeah?” He brings his arms around me and holds me close. “Then spill.”

My heart pounds in my throat when I say, “I do think that calendar’s magical. Just look at the snowman, the poinsettia, those skates.”

“Hmm. Could be. Those occurrences were rather mysterious.” He pulls me nearer and gazes into my eyes.

“You want to know where the real magic is?” He gently strokes my cheek with his thumb.

“Right here, between us,” he murmurs and kisses me so tenderly I go all melty inside.

Yes, I believe that with my whole heart.

The fire behind him builds, purplish flames lapping against the logs. He’s laid the fire expertly and it fills the air with the light scent of cedar, issuing in a cozy warmth.

Dean takes my hand and leads me to the sofa. “It’s been a very full couple of days,” he says, “and you’re still adjusting to the news about your mom and Roger. Why don’t we sit and have a glass of wine?”

I see a bottle of cabernet sauvignon on the coffee table next to a corkscrew. He’s brought out two wineglasses, too. I sink down on a sofa cushion, not believing I’ve earned any of this. He opens the bottle and fills my glass.

When he hands me my glass, I ask, “Whatever did I do to deserve you?”

“Paige.” He raises his wineglass to mine. “I’m the lucky one.” His face is so handsome in the shadows. I trace the line of his dimple with my fingers. Excitement ripples through me at the feel of his skin and his late evening beard stubble.

We clink glasses and I say, “Maybe we’re both lucky?”

His lopsided grin bathes my soul in happiness. “Here’s to us, then.”

“Here’s to us!”

We clink glasses again, and he leans forward and kisses me. So silky soft, my heart pounds and my head grows light. I open my eyes and catch Scout slipping down the hall. Dean peers at the dog. “Looks like Scout’s calling it a day.”

“He might be sneaking into Eleanor’s room.”

“What?”

I nod. “I have it on good authority, he’s been sleeping on her bed.”

Dean chuckles and shakes his head. “What do you think?”

“He’s a tame, mature dog. Plus he loves those kids.” I lift a shoulder. “I don’t see any harm in it. You?”

He smiles affectionately. “Same.”

The fire burns brighter, its heat spreading toward us.

Dean takes our wineglasses and sets them on the coffee table.

He holds both my hands in his. “Have I told you lately…” His voice goes raspy.

“How much I love you.” His eyes shimmer in the firelight and my heart soars.

While I can’t recall these past six years in this dimension, I’m certain of one thing.

I do know Dean. I know this Dean like the back of my hand, or the other half of myself.

And no, he’s not the type of guy to hide his feelings.

He’s the sort who would have told me many times.

“I’m sure you have.”

“That’s good,” he says softly, “because that’s something I always want you to remember. One thing that will never change.”

“I don’t like change,” I tell him honestly, and the truth slays me. Because it’s change that’s brought me here.

“Then let’s not change anything, hmm?” He wraps his arm around me and says huskily, “Unless it’s for the better.”

Now I can’t fathom wanting to change anything at all.

I have a husband who adores me and two wonderful kids.

A sweet dog, and a passel of girlfriends I’m close to.

I’ve also got Mom, who is cancer free, and for the first time in forever she’s truly happy in a relationship.

Everyone here seems happy! Even my boss, Missy Peabody.

And happiness is all I could ever want for anyone.

Emotion blooms in my heart until it’s so overwhelming I find the words spilling out of my mouth.

“Dean,” I murmur as the fire crackles low, and the Christmas tree shines brightly, “I love you, too.”

“That’s good to hear.” His lips brush over mine and I sigh in his embrace.

Let his kisses sweep me away as he holds me closer.

So close it’s just the two of us and our rapidly beating hearts, growing nearer and nearer, warmer, my skin igniting at his touch.

He reaches over and switches off the light, gently easing me down on the sofa.

And suddenly, that other reality feels very far away.