My pulse quickens. “That’s not the first time you’ve called me wife tonight.” I hold my breath, wondering if he even realised he said it in his speech and when he was talking to Janice. “Was that wishful thinking or were you just having a senior moment?”
He chuckles, his chest shaking against mine as he pulls me close. “I like the way it feels on my tongue.”
Gazing into his eyes, we sway to the Christmas music. Bells ring in my heart. This man chose me over a million-dollar deal.
“How about it? Want to be Mrs. Fitzpatrick again?” He reaches into his trouser pocket and pulls out a green Tiffany box.
My hands fly to my mouth with a gasp. “You kept hold of my wedding band?”
He opens the box and takes out my ring. “Like I kept hold of the hope that maybe one day, you’d wear it again.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses my knuckles, then holds the ring at the tip of my finger, waiting for me to give him the green light.
Unable to speak, I nod as he slides the band towards my knuckle. With my fat fingers, I say a silent prayer, hoping it will still fit after all this time.
“A little snug, isn’t it?” Alex says, but he’s determined to get this ring on my finger.
I let out a sigh of relief when it reaches the base. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get it off again without medical intervention, but I’m not sure I ever want to remove it. My thumb runs along the shiny metal surface, remembering the familiarity of it like it’s always been there.
Alex’s fingers curl under my chin, lifting my head to look up into his eyes. His lips press against mine in a searing kiss with a promise of our future. Breaking the kiss, but still touching my lips, he says, “I love you, Merry.”
The bells in my heart are in full chorus. The magic of Christmas is all around us as my head spins. Lights twinkle above us like stars and I’m swept away with all the love this man’s held for me since we’ve been apart.
“I love you, Alex.” The words come out rushed as a tidal wave of emotion pours out of me. I wrap my arms around his neck and our lips lock again, taking my breath away.
“This has turned into one hell of a Christmas reunion.”
“Akissmasreunion,” I say against his mouth, needing more of him.
“How much longer do we need to stay at the reception? I need to be inside my wife.” His raspy tone makes my core clench.
I quirk my lips. “Seeing as you’re paying for the drinks, we might need to stay for a little while longer, but maybe your driver Gary can lend us the blacked-out SUV for half an hour.” My teeth sink into my lower lip, hoping he has his driver on standby.
Alex opens his jacket, retrieving his mobile, and sends a text message. His phone pings, causing a smile to stretch across his face. “We have the car for an hour.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Alex, you’re spoiling me. Are you sure you can last an hour?”
His smouldering gaze is everything I crave. “With you as my wife, probably not, but I’m gonna give it my best shot.” He places his hand on the lower dent of my back, guiding me off the dance floor.
Tingles cascade down my spine. “In that case, let’s make every second count.” Stepping into the night, the glow of twinkling lights fades behind us, but the fire between us burns brighter than ever. This is more than just akissmasreunion—this is the start of forever.
Epilogue
ALEX
1 year later
“After Christmas, I need to look for a job,” Merry says, blowing into her morning coffee.
I drop my paper onto the breakfast bar. “You don’t need to work, Merry. You could take early retirement now you’ve resigned.”
She huffs out a small laugh. “And be your housekeeper. No thanks.” She turns towards Blanche who’s cooking breakfast. “No offence, Blanche, but I couldn’t do your job.”
“I’m not that bad to work for, am I?” My brow furrows, wondering if Merry’s right. I mean, Finn didn’t want to work for me either.
“I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else, sir,” Blanche says as she plates up my breakfast with a smile.
Merry places her mug on the counter. “Oh good, because we like having you around and now that I’m going to be living here permanently, I’d like to give you a raise.”
My lips curve upwards. “You’re giving my housekeeper a raise?”
