'Tis The Season

“No. Let’s enjoy the silence before they put you through the paces.”

He laughs. “You know I’ve already been over here and met them before, right?”

“What?” I snuggle up to him. “Tell me everything.” My love grows as he recalls the way he stood up for me and won over my parents, bringing them in on the overthrow of the tyrant I’d almost been oppressed by. I didn’t lie when I said I wouldn’t keep Flora from him, but he will see her on my terms and with supervision. My life is my own again, and I’m choosing to spend it with the man willing to fight for me.

Epilogue

James

I lift my little girl into my arms and toss her high in the air and catch her. She giggles, and I pull her in for a hug.

“She’s getting too big for that,” Faye calls in a sing-song voice as she steps out of the passenger seat.

“What’s Mama talking about? Say that’s not true,”

“Na true, Mama.”

“No, you’re True.” Faye sweeps over and playfully tweaks her nose as she giggles. Flora True Ferguson came into the world fifteen months ago with me by her mother’s side and Preston in California, where he remained a majority of the time. While he had no problem sending money, his presence tended to be sporadic. I can’t say either of us minds.

At three months, she and her mom moved in with me, and now we’re meeting the rest of the family to celebrate our engagement. My family has flown in, eager to meet the tot that’s captured their hearts over the computer.

We’d opted for a long engagement to make up for the whirlwind romance. Faye tilts her head up for a kiss, and I do the same.

“Spoiled fiancée.” She kisses my lips, and I smile.

“Lucky fiancée,” I counter.

“Ditto.”

I press my forehead against her.

“I love you, James.”

“I love you, too, Faye. Ready to meet the British side of your family?”

Laughing, she nods. I wrap my hand around her waist and lead her into the airport. I used to doubt I’d ever have a family. Now I have a woman who owns my heart, a daughter I couldn’t love more if I tried, and plans to expand the Bailey family in the future. I’ve been dreaming about a Christmas baby. After all, when it comes to the holidays, ’tis the season for love when it comes to us.