Page 82 of Her Royal Christmas

Erin nodded.

They closed the children’s door quietly behind them.

Their bedroom felt different tonight.

Warmer. Dimmer. The fire glowed low, shadows dancing along the plaid rug. Outside the window, snow drifted past like slow-moving stars.

Erin toed off her boots and stood there for a second, letting the weight of the day slide off her shoulders.

Alex watched her from near the window, fingers restingalong the frame, moonlight catching her ash blonde hair and highlighting her beautiful features in a way that made Erin’s breath catch.

Her wife.

Her queen.

Her Alex.

Alex turned and held her gaze — and Erin felt something inside her unlock.

Alex took a step closer.

Then another.

Then her hands tucked themselves lightly at Erin’s waist, thumbs brushing upward, warm even through the fabric of Erin’s shirt.

“Hi,” Alex whispered.

Erin let out a shaky breath. “Hi.”

It felt like a beginning — though they were six years and three children and endless storms into this marriage.

Alex rested her forehead against Erin’s chest.

“I’ve missed you,” Alex whispered.

Erin closed her eyes.

“Alex,” she breathed, “I’m right here.”

“But you haven’t been,” Alex said, voice barely audible. “Not really. And neither have I. We’ve been… surviving. Managing. Passing like ships. I’ve missed you so much it hurt to even think about it.”

Erin’s chest ached.

She slid her arms around Alex’s shoulders, pulling her in. “I know. I feel it too.”

Alex’s voice broke on a soft exhale. “I want you. Not just the idea of us.You.”

Erin held her tighter, swallowing the emotion swelling in her throat.

“We’ll find our way back,” Erin whispered into Alex’s hair. “We already are.”

Alex lifted her head, eyes gleaming. “Do you want to talk first, or are you going to kiss me now?”

Erin choked on a laugh. “I… maybe both?”

Alex smiled — not the public smile, not the carefully curated royal one. This was soft. Hungry. Honest.

“Come sit with me,” Alex murmured, tugging her toward the bed.