Christmas Sugar (Insta-Spark)

“I think I do.”

She shivered a little in my arms, and I pulled her closer. “You should be in bed.”

“I was lonely without you. In fact,” she admitted, “when I woke up in my own bed, I thought I had dreamed the whole thing. But your ring was there, so I knew it was real.”

“I didn’t want to confuse Noelle.”

She tilted up her head. “Soon we won’t have to pretend.”

“Hmm, I like that.”

She pressed against me. “I can still come to visit.”

I grinned, lowering my face to hers. “We can use my room for alone time, and you sleep there?”

“It’s only for a few nights.”

Knowing she was right and soon we’d be together, I nodded. “I can work with that.”

I was right. Arlene Carson breezed in the next night, bringing with her the two things I loved the most: her impeccable organizational skills and her need to make sure I was looked after.

An hour after she arrived, it was as if she’d known Alex and her family their entire life. Alex sat beside her on the sofa with Noelle perched on her knee. George listened with rapt attention to every word she spoke, and even Seth leaned in, anxious to hear what she had to say—which was a lot. Simon and I sat on another sofa sipping scotch, cast aside to the wonder that was Mrs. C.

“We might as well not be here,” I mumbled, taking a generous sip.

“Get used to it,” Simon snorted. “At least we have some good scotch.”

“I heard you,” Arlene sang, casting a frown in our direction. “Do not drink that scotch all night. We have a lot to do and only a few days to get it done. We have a wedding to organize, a house to buy, and then we need to get these two lovebirds off on a honeymoon.”

I brightened a little at those words.

“Dylan,” she ordered, “tomorrow you and Alex get the license. I’ll arrange everything else. We’ll go look at the house when you get back, and you can work on the honeymoon. You have to be back by the twentieth. I’ve changed our cruise date until then.”

“Why?”

She looked at me as if I had six heads. “I’ll be staying to look after Noelle and Seth while you’re gone and also to help George with his move. I’ve already spoken with Jodi, who was very helpful, and she has recommended a contractor for anything that has to happen to the house before you get back.”

Alex nodded. “Michael is great.”

“Won’t, ah, Doug be a little upset when you show up with a bunch of strangers, George?”

He grinned. “I spoke with him and he’s fine. We’ll visit after you leave. I’m certain you’ll love the property, Dylan.”

“Okay, then.”

George was right. I did love it, and I could see Alex did too. It was called the Gables because of the many ornate gables adorning the house. An older, Victorian-style house, it had been well cared for and added to with t

he addition of a large loft and sunroom on the back that took full advantage of the view. There were six good-sized bedrooms, including a massive master with its own bathroom, a large kitchen, and a family room, with spectacular views from every window.

There was an expansive piece of property that contained five self-contained cottages, each a miniature version of the main house. It held immense potential for investment, but more importantly was the potential it held for being a home filled with happiness for my new family. By the end of the afternoon, I’d shaken hands on yet another large deal in the small province of Nova Scotia. They were thrilled with the offer, and the fact that we wanted in as swiftly as they wanted out. We could move in right after we came back from our honeymoon. They were taking all their furniture and personal items, but the cottages stayed intact. Arlene was already making notes with Alex about buying beds and other pieces of furniture, so our plans were well underway.

It was all so fast, so unexpected, I knew I should be nervous, anxious, and feeling out of control. Instead, I felt as if things were falling into place in my life, and I was remarkably calm.

New Year’s Eve dawned bright and filled with promises. When I went downstairs to find Alex, the lower level had been transformed. Flowers and tulle were draped everywhere, minute fairy lights scattered around. The mantel piled high with candles, flowers, and pinecones. As I stood gazing around, I felt my chest tighten in anticipation. Right there was where I would marry my Alex. In a couple of hours, she would be mine—forever.

A noise made me turn, and I saw her watching me. I held out my hand, smiling as she came closer. I tugged her into my arms, kissing her softly. “Are you ready for this?”

She nodded, eyes large in her face. “I have to keep pinching myself to know it’s not a dream.”