They were soon pulled apart by Lux and her husband. “Save it for the honeymoon,” said the man as he marched Jacob to stand in front of the preacher.
Lauren flushed bright red–and it had nothing to do with the heat Lux gave off that seemed to envelop the whole group standing on the steps.
On Lauren’s side were her parents, brother, and nephew. Collin looked adorable in a suit holding a green velvet pillow with rings on top. Lauren did a double take at her grandmother’s ring nestled there.
“Who presents this woman for marriage?” asked the preacher man.
“We do.” Dad and Mom stepped forward, each kissing her on the cheek.
Lauren hugged them, incredibly grateful for everything they’d put up with this holiday season, whether they remembered it or not.
“We love you, dear,” said Dad. He reached over and shook Jacob’s hand. “Couldn’t ask for a better man. Welcome to the family.”
Jacob grinned. “Thank you, sir.”
Nick stepped up and stood next to Jacob. Lauren raised her eyebrows at him. “What?” He shrugged. “Someone has to be the best man. And I was the one who brought you two together. I got him to the church on time.”
Layla huffed from her place in the crowd.
Jacob glanced at Lauren, and she rolled her eyes–begrudgingly giving permission for the Santa stand-in to be a part of their wedding.
“We are gathered on this beautiful Christmas day to witness the union of this man and this woman.”
As the preacher went on, Lauren’s world shrank to just her and Jacob. His hand was strong and sure, just like his love would be from that day forth. And truly, it had been throughout the ages. They’d fallen in love as children–not knowing the path they were on. As teenagers, they denied their hearts, afraid of the changes a love this strong would make in their world. They weren’t afraid anymore. Together they embraced their past, present, and the future–as uncertain as it seemed with their wishes swirling in on one another.
Lauren’s body tingled–though she couldn’t say if it was Christmas Magic flowing through her or her soul rejoicing at joining with her other half.
Somehow she managed to say I do and hold her hand steady as Jacob slid the ring on her finger.
“You may kiss the bride!” rang through the air.
Jacob stepped closer, making her world all that much more full, and brushed his fingers over her cheeks. “I love you forever, Lauren Morris.”
“I love you back, Jacob Morris.” She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
Jacob placed a hand on her hip and brought her body flush with his. He lowered his lips to hers, and she released herself into the kiss, holding nothing back.
There was a flash of white, a loud boom, and the world exploded.
CHAPTER24
Jacob slowly came out of sleep and stretched his arms above his head. He felt the familiar sheets under him and the weight of his comforter over his chest. He was alone.
With a groan, he acknowledged his failure. “All that work,” he mumbled as he scrubbed his face and opened his eyes to stare at the light fixture in the middle of the ceiling. He’d failed. He’d tried his best to share his heart with Lauren–even convinced her to marry him and… nothing. He was right back where he’d started. “Merry Christmas to me,” he grumbled as he threw back the covers and stomped to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
A minute later, he heard a noise. With his toothbrush in his mouth, he stepped back into the bedroom to listen.
There it was again. One of his cabinets opened and closed.
He dashed into the kitchen, ready to take his frustrations out on the burglar–or Nick if it happened to be the meddlesome Kringle–only to come up short at the sight of Lauren making bacon while wearing one of his favorite hoodies. Her hair was bed-head beautiful, and her long legs were on full display.
His mouth fell open, and he scrubbed his eyes.
“Morning, sleepy husband.”
He went right to her and wrapped her in his arms. “You and bacon? I’ve died and gone to heaven.” He kissed her neck and then her cheek and then her neck again because it made her sigh in the most wonderful way.
She leaned into his body. “Merry day after Christmas.”
