Stalking in a Winter Wonderland

“You’re home, Eve,” he says softly, and I look up at him to meet his eyes. This man, who has changed my whole world from the moment he came stomping into it, has made this truly the best day ever. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” I say back, pulling Dasher down for a kiss.

I have no doubt my Dasher will live up to his word, and every Christmas here will be filled with love and happiness. How could it not be when Dasher is at my side?EpilogueEveTwo years later…I stand in front of the Christmas tree, my hand resting on my stomach. I still haven't told Dasher that I’m pregnant again. We’d barely gotten the all-clear to have sex and we managed to make baby number two. Not that I’m upset about it, because I want our son to have brothers and sisters.

I see how Jillian and Dasher are together, and they know that no matter what they will always have each other. It would’ve been nice when I lost my parents to have had someone there with me. It makes me crave a big family. A craving I know my husband will fulfill.

“I miss you,” I say to the picture over the fireplace. The room is now filled with more of them since Dasher made it his mission to make this place my home too. It wasn't hard with how bare his side of the estate was.

“Wife.” Dasher wraps his arm around me from behind. He kisses my neck. I turn in his arms. “Jillian stole him from me,” he says before I can ask where our baby boy is.

Jillian has been a saint. She might not have been born my sister, but she is now. Both she and Rae have their own spots in my heart.

“People will be arriving soon,” I remind him. I know what he’s thinking from the look in his eyes. We’ve already done our Christmas morning. Now it’s late afternoon, and the Christmas party will start soon. He wants a stolen moment with me.

“I hate sharing you.” I laugh at the pouty look on his face.

“The girls love it,” I remind him. I love it too. This is now our tradition. “Plus, I can’t help myself. You know how much I love celebrating Christmas.” He gives me a look. “Okay, I like celebrating every holiday, but I’m a damn good party planner.” I might not do it as a job anymore, but I still know how to throw an over-the-top party. I’ve actually gotten a little competitive about it.

Jewels was sad to see me go from the company, but she knew I was following my heart. My dream has always been to find my true love and spend every waking moment with my family. I knew better than most to cherish these moments. I was lucky enough I found a man who wants to make all my dreams come true.

“There is one more gift I haven't given you yet. It just arrived.”

“Oh, I was sure you were trying to get lucky,” I tease him.

“I don’t have to try.” He gives my ass a squeeze. This is true.

“I still have one more gift for you too.”

“You want to go first?” he asks.

“What is taking so long!” Rae pokes her head in, making Dasher chuckle.

“I guess I’ll go first. Bring it in.” He motions to her. Rae comes walking in with a box in her hand. “Go on,” he tells me.

I reach for the top of the box and pull the lid off. Two little fluffy gray kittens sit inside. Their big blue eyes stare up at me.

“You remembered.” My eyes fill with tears. I told him forever ago when we first met that I always wanted a kitten. Of course Dasher went and got me two, because everything he does for me he does to the extreme.

“I remember every word you say, Eve.” He reaches into the box and hands me one of the kittens. I lift the baby kitten up and kiss the top of his head.

“Can I name them, Aunty Eve?” Rae asks.

“Of course.” It never gets old hearing her call me that. I don’t think Dasher will ever understand all he’s given me. He thinks he can be a little crazy when it comes to me, but I love it.

“We’re going to have a houseful,” I laugh, handing my kitten to Rae so I can give the other a few kisses. There are going to be so many babies around here, and I’m going to love every second of it.

“We have a big house to fill.” Dasher smirks. He’s always talking about filling it. “We’ll get there.”

I lean into him. “At this rate I have no doubt.” I tilt my head up, looking into his eyes. The same eyes as our son. “I’m pregnant.” He stares at me with no expression on his face. He takes the kitten from me, giving it to Rae. The next thing I know I’m in his arms and he’s kissing me.