Eve taps the door before she pops her head into the room. “It’s almost time.”
“We’re ready,” Rae informs her, and I think we’ve both been ready for Isaac our whole lives.
I mouth for Eve to give us a moment, and she nods before closing the door. I let Eve plan the wedding because she can throw an amazing Christmas party. I knew she’d be all over a Christmas wedding, and she has blown it out of the water.
“Come sit with me.” I walk over to the ottoman, and when I sit down I pat the spot next to me. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Now?” Rae throws her hands up like I’ve lost my mind. “We have things to do.” I laugh as she sighs and drops down next to me.
“I still have another Christmas present to give you.” She perks up. “Something you’ve been asking for.” I don’t know why I’m so nervous to tell her. I guess because it’s always been Rae and me, and now there’s Isaac too.
We’re about to throw another baby into the mix, and even though I know she’s been asking for a sibling, it will inevitably change our dynamic. Isaac and I waited a year because I wanted her to have time with just the two of them.
“What?” She scrunches her little nose before her eyes go round and drop to my stomach. I nod my head yes because she’s already guessed it. She jumps up, letting out a small scream of excitement. “We’re having a baby!?”
“We are,” I confirm, and she dances all around, washing away any worry I had.
“I’m going to be the best big sister ever,” she declares, tilting her chin up. In that I have no doubt. She’s an angel with her cousins.
She puts her hand on my belly and my eyes start to fill with tears as she talks to the baby in my stomach. “Is your dress too tight? Could it be squeezing our baby?” She gives me a concerned look that is exactly the same as Isaac.
I laugh more. “The baby is fine.”
Another knock sounds at the door before Eve comes in. She is in a beautiful dark green dress as my maid of honor.
“Are we ready?” my brother asks, coming to stand behind his wife.
“Yes,” Rae chirps, ready to get this show on the road already. We start to walk out, but my brother stops me for a moment.
“He’s a good man,” I say before my brother can get a word out. He lets out a deep chuckle and shakes his head. He and Isaac have become close in the past year, so I didn’t really think he was going to object.
“I know that. I just wanted to tell you that I love you.”
“Why is everyone trying to make me cry?” I blink quickly, trying to get the tears to stop so they don’t ruin my makeup.
“I should have—”
“Don’t,” I stop him. “That path led all of us here.” He smiles, knowing I’m right.
He got me away from Paul, which in a small way led him to his wife. He nods before kissing me on the cheek.
He offers me his arm, and I take it. He leads me down the stairs where Rae and Eve are waiting for us. He gives me one last kiss on the cheek before pulling my veil over my head for me. After that he takes Eve's arm, and they walk down the aisle.
Rae comes over and takes my hand, and my heart clenches with love. I knew early on that I wanted Rae to be the one to give me away, so we’re going to walk down the aisle together.
We wait for the music to start before the doors open wide. And to my surprise, Isaac isn’t at the end of the aisle waiting for us, he’s right there looking gorgeous in his suit.
“I vowed to you girls I’d always be at your side,” he says softly, stepping forward.
The tears come as we part, letting Isaac take Rae’s hand as I lock my arm with his. We walk down together knowing we will forever be unbreakable.
Stalking in a Winter Wonderland
BY ALEXA RILEY
Eve Tinsel loves everything about Christmas even though she doesn’t have anyone to celebrate it with. So instead of getting down about it, she throws herself into planning the best holiday parties ever! Too bad her new client Dasher Sleigh is barking orders like Scrooge…until they meet in person.
One look at Eve, and Dasher can’t stay away. He’s doing things that are a little crazy, but what choice does he have? Eve belongs to him, and to prove it, he’s stalking her every move.
Warning: Does Christmas cheer include hunting down the woman you love and claiming her? You bet your cute tinsel! Sip some cocoa and kick back for an over-the-top holiday read.