She went up the walk and turned the lock easily. Inside smelled like pine cones and cinnamon. There was no furniture, but in the corner of the living room, by the fireplace, was a huge decorated tree.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he said from behind her.
She spun in a circle. “It really is. And now is the perfect time to give you your present.”
She loved the look on his face right now. He’d thought he’d been in charge of all the surprises today, but she had one more.
“But you didn’t even know you were going to see me.”
She reached into her handbag and took out the little gift bag she’d hidden in his apartment. The one that had made it through without getting crushed in her luggage, despite being hastily shoved inside without soft packing to keep it safe. And before this Christmas tree was the perfect moment. She handed it to him and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Jeremy.”
She stood back while he removed the tissue, then reached inside. The little box was the same as her mom’s had been, but what was inside was even more special.
He opened the lid and took out the ornament she’d bought.
It was white, too, but in pink glitter it spelled out “Daddy’s Girl” in swooping cursive.
His gaze shot up to hers. “Daddy’s girl... We’re having a girl?”
She nodded, tears clogging her throat. The look on his face right now... It was almost the same as when she’d first told him about the baby. Terror and surprise but now with an added ingredient: joy.
“I found out a bit by accident, just before we left for New York. I was going to tell you the night I’d decorated your apartment, but then we kind of fought and then we made up and it wasn’t the right moment. But now...now it’s right. We’re having a baby girl, and you can hang that ornament on our very first Christmas tree.”
Instead he came to her and crushed her in a hug. “I am not sure what I ever did to deserve you, but thank you. For rocking my world. For loving me. And for giving me a second chance. I’m not going to let you down, Tori. Or our baby.”
And when he’d hung the ornament on the tree, they stepped back, held hands and moved into a new future as a family.
* * *
If you enjoyed this story, look out for the next book in South Shore Billionaires trilogy
Coming soon!
And check out these other great reads from Donna Alward
Summer Escape with the Tycoon
Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate
Best Man for the Wedding Planner
All available now!
Excerpt from Falling Again for Her Island Fling by Ellie Darkins.
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