Page 47 of Love Affair in London (Once Again #12)

Christmas Day

Piper hadn’t purchased a Christmas tree in years. But this was her first Christmas with Jared—the first Christmas with his family—and she wanted it to be memorable.

They’d sold their respective homes and purchased a house together, more room for both them and for the kids when they stayed every other week. She now had a beautiful garden to work in, and Scarlett was helping her put tiles on the steps.

And Jared’s ex-wife still lived only a couple of miles away.

No one had been happier for Piper than Juanita.

Of course, her best friend had taken credit.

“I was the one who made you see you had to give love a second chance, right?” And Piper gave her that credit.

Even though it was Jared’s love that had finally made her realize she couldn’t allow fear to dictate their future.

Piper and Jared often got together with Juanita and George. Another match made in heaven, this time between two couples.

As a surprise for the kids, a few days ago, Piper and Jared had driven to a Christmas tree farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains, picked the perfect tree, and cut it down themselves. Now it stood proudly in their living room, a glowing icon of the season.

And an icon of love’s triumph.

Since she had no ornaments, she and Jared had decorated the tree with silver and blue baubles, matching lights and garland, with a shimmering silver star topping it. Then they’d made love beneath the tree’s soft glow.

No Christmas could have been more perfect than this.

She’d prepped the meal on Christmas Eve, and now everything went off without a hitch.

In the kitchen, Jared hugged her from behind, wrapping his warm arms around her waist. “Everything smells delicious,” he murmured.

He’d helped with the preparations—from the tree to the housecleaning to the cooking.

“Thank you.” She leaned back into his embrace. “I can’t believe how much you did.”

His voice was a low, luscious whisper against her ear. “I’m no slouch around the house.”

He wasn’t a slouch in bed either, always attentive to her needs. The last six months had been the happiest of her life.

Soon, their plates full, everyone took a seat at the dining room table.

“The roast beef and Yorkshire pudding look amazing,” Erica said, smiling warmly.

Piper had invited Jared’s ex-wife to join the celebration.

It seemed easier than splitting Christmas between two households, and besides, Piper genuinely liked Erica.

She wasn’t the bitter ex some people might imagine.

Erica’s new boyfriend, Ben, had joined them too.

A tall, handsome man, Ben Gunderson had been Liam’s middle school teacher the previous year.

Chatty and kind and obviously besotted with Erica, he fit in effortlessly.

Piper smiled back at Erica. “Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.”

“I’ve never had Yorkshire pudding before,” Liam said. A gangly teenager, he hadn’t yet grown into his height, always standing slightly hunched as if he felt too tall. But his sharp features hinted at the heartthrob he would soon become, much like his father.

Scarlett chimed in, “Yeah, but we’ve heard about it on all those British shows Mom likes to watch on PBS.” She took after her mother, with auburn hair cascading in loose curls past her shoulders, framing her delicate face.

Jared, seated beside Piper, placed a hand over hers. “Piper introduced me to roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in London. We had Sunday roast at a real English pub.”

Piper’s cheeks flushed with pleasure as the family enjoyed her efforts. Her fears about whether Jared’s kids would accept her had melted away months ago.

Since their return from London, Piper and Jared had taken the kids on outings—to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose because Liam wanted to see the mummies.

But it wasn’t just the outings. They enjoyed movie nights with homemade pizza, or baking cookies, or playing games.

Piper had even taken Scarlett out to practice driving now that she had her learner’s permit.

And Liam had asked for cooking lessons, explaining he didn’t want to rely on takeout and frozen meals when he was on his own someday.

It was such a sweet gesture, because Piper knew his mother was an excellent cook and had already taught him many of the basics.

They were polite, smart, funny, delightful kids, just like their parents.

Jared was a considerate partner, a kind man.

And a wonderful lover. He’d welcomed her into his life, introducing her to friends, colleagues, and family without hesitation.

They’d even dined with Conrad and Olivia James a couple of times, and Piper enjoyed the couple immensely.

As she watched Jared laughing with his kids and Erica at the table, she understood that age was just a number. What mattered was love. She loved Jared’s family.

And she loved Jared with every part of her being. She would love him a year from now, five years from now, when she was eighty or even ninety—forever.

Later that night, as they lay together on the sofa in the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights, the kids having gone home with Erica, Jared whispered, “Thank you.”

She tilted her head back, her cheek brushing his chest. “You’re welcome. But what are you thanking me for?”

“For everything,” he said. “For the best Christmas ever. For all the work you put into it. For being so good with my kids. For inviting Erica and Ben.”

“Of course,” she replied, her smile radiant. “They’re your family. And I feel like they’re becoming mine too.”

“They are your family,” he said. “Erica likes you. I think you two can become good friends.”

She laughed softly. “I think so too. We have one very important thing in common—we both care about you and the kids.”

“And you’re so good for Scarlett,” he added.

“Because I can teach her how to drive?”

“You’re way better at it than I would be,” he teased, though he meant so much more.

Piper had taken the time to truly know his kids. She’d given Liam a sketchpad and colored pencils because he loved to draw, and she’d arranged thrift store shopping days with Scarlett, who had a knack for finding treasures to sell on eBay.

Jared held Piper close. “I love how you are with them. I love that you accept them.”

“Of course I do. They’re amazing, well-adjusted kids. That’s because of you and Erica—and how you raised them.”

“But they appreciate you. They love you.”

He heard the hitch in her breath. “I hope so. I love them too.”

Over the past few months, one by one, most of Piper’s fears about their relationship had fallen away.

No one mocked their age difference. The kids loved her.

She was friends with Erica. It was Piper who’d finally gotten Erica to accept a date with Ben.

Forrest had never contacted Erica again, thank God, and Ben was perfect for her.

Piper often invited them along when she arranged outings for the kids, and they all had a good time.

Life could not be better. Except for one thing.

“I’ve been thinking.” He stroked the hair at her temples.

“That’s dangerous.” She kissed the underside of his chin.

“What do you think about a June wedding? And a honeymoon in London?”

She was silent so long he couldn’t keep holding his breath, and it came out in a whoosh just as she said, “Are you asking me to marry you?”

He burst out with a laugh. “Du-uh!” Then he added, “Please don’t make me hold my breath again waiting for your answer.”

She leaned back to look at him. “Please don’t hold your breath.”

“Is that a no? Or just concern for my health?” They joked and yet his chest ached.

This was the last roadblock, her fears about following in her parents’ footsteps.

He rushed on before she could answer. “I want to grow old with you. I want to take care of you if you need me. I want you to take care of me if I need you. But I’ll hope like hell we’ll both be healthy for so many years to come.

I just want to be with you for the rest of my life and the rest of yours. ”

She bit her lip. “Are you going to make sure I don’t lose my phone at Tower Bridge?”

Relief was like a head rush, and he could have made a romance-heroine swoon. “I’ll browbeat you into zipping it in your purse instead of putting it in your pocket. Promise.”

The smile started in her eyes, then it spread to her lips, and finally came out in a laugh. “Then I’d love a June wedding and a honeymoon in London.”

He held her tight enough to make her squeak. “I love you.”

She rubbed noses with him. “But let’s make it two weeks in London.”

“Good. Because for the first week, I probably won’t let you out of bed.”

She held his gaze a long moment, her smile tremulous. “Thank you for loving me.”

“Don’t thank me,” he whispered. “It’s an honor to love you.”

She kissed him sweetly. “And I love you with all my heart.”

As he would always love her, always be with her, no matter what their far-off future held.

The Once Again series, where love always gets a second chance.