‘I hope you didn’t want more children,’ he muttered under his breath, and Liv started to laugh because her life suddenly seemed so amazing and everything around her was just perfect.
‘Can we go and get married straight away in case you change your mind?’
‘He won’t change his mind.’ Max settled himself between them. ‘Stefano was lonely until we came along. He had no Christmas decorations of his own, can you believe that? Now he has us, we’ll be able to help him with his Christmas tree every year. And you’ll be able to sleep in his bed, like married people are supposed to.’
The sleigh bells jangled as the horses moved back up the road towards the chalet and Liv and Stefano exchanged a look over the top of his head.
‘I love you, Stefano.’ Saying the words suddenly made it all seem real and she suddenly discovered that it was perfectly possible to smile and cry at the same time. ‘I love you so much and this is the best Christmas I could possibly have imagined.’
His dark eyes flared with emotion. ‘And I love you, tesoro. You’re mine. Always.’
‘Oh please!’ Giggling and squirming between them, Max covered his ears and shuddered. ‘Someone let me out of here before I’m sick. I’m sure Father Christmas doesn’t have to listen to this in his sleigh.’
* * * * *