Page 54 of The Billionaire's Christmas Baby Surprise

“I know we haven’t known each other that long,” he said. “But I love you, Billie. I want to be with you. I want to be a father to our child. I want to marry you.”

“Max.” Billie felt teary. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” Max smiled up at her. “For a long time, I used to hesitate when it came to big decisions because I worried that I was making the wrong one. But I know that this is the right decision. I don’t want to waste another minute without you. Billie, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’re incredibly generous and always ready to help others — or give a second chance. You always make me laugh, whether we’re shopping for toys or wrapping gifts, or just eating dinner together. You’re the person I want to tell when something good happens. You’re the person I want to see every night before I go to sleep and every morning when I wake up. And you’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Billie Renee Stone, will you marry me?”

Billie felt tears finally spill from her eyes. “Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”

Max slid the ring onto her finger then pulled Billie into a tight hug that turned into a lingering kiss. When they separated, Max was smiling.

“I love you so much, Billie.”

“I love you, too.”

They kissed again, this time longer, slower, and more tenderly than before. Billie could hardly believe what had just happened.She’d gone from waking up this morning feeling more alone than ever to being engaged to the man she loved, a man who loved her, too. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

They kissed for a long time, the universe seeming to stand still around them. Billie never wanted this moment to end.

“Don’t worry,” Max added a few minutes later, when they were standing in each other’s arms. “We don’t have to get married right away.”

“Good,” Billie replied. “Because I’d kind of like to fit into my wedding dress.” She looked down at her belly meaningfully, and Max chuckled.

“Fair enough, but you’ll be beautiful no matter what.”

“Even in my Santa hat?”

“Especially in your Santa hat. Merry Christmas, Billie.”

“Merry Christmas, Max. Let’s make this one the best yet.”

EPILOGUE

TWO YEARS LATER: BILLIE

“Merry Christmas, Billie,” Max whispered.

“Merry Christmas.” Billie yawned and stretched, then her mouth dropped open. “Max, what are you doing here? Isn’t it bad luck to see me today?”

“No, it’s just bad luck to see you in your dress. Anyway, I didn’t like the hotel. I missed you too much.” Max kissed her on the cheek. “And I missed Henry, too.”

Billie wrapped her arms around Max and pulled him closer. “Well, I’m not complaining. As long as you’re sure this isn’t bad luck.”

Max kissed her again, on the top of the head this time. “How could it be bad luck when we’re together? Are you ready for today?”

“Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

“Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that we’ve waited enough,” Max said with a grin.

Billie grinned back. It was true — they’d done their share of waiting. After becoming engaged so soon after meeting each other, they’d decided to take a long engagement so that they’d have time to get to know each other better and plan the kind of wedding they were both excited about. Then, in the summer after they’d met, their son had been born, which had changed everything.

As if he knew his mother was thinking about him, Henry gave a short babble that Billie heard over the monitor. They exchanged a glance, then Max rolled out of bed.

“That’s my cue.” He winked and headed to the nursery. Billie yawned and stretched again, luxuriating in the warmth of the bed on a cold morning. She should get up soon, she knew it. There was still a lot to do before the wedding this afternoon, not to mention gifts that needed to be delivered this morning. Yet she was so comfortable in bed that it was hard to move. A few minutes later, Max reentered the bedroom with Henry in his arms. At sixteen months old, Henry was energetic and adorable, with a few babbled words in his vocabulary and a gummy smile for everyone he met.

“Mama!” he shouted as Max set him in Billie’s arms. Billie snuggled her son close and kissed the top of his sweet-smelling head.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

Today was Christmas Eve, but it was close enough. Max and Billie had decided on Christmas Eve as the perfect day for their wedding, since it was the day they’d gotten engaged and confessed their feelings for each other. Plus, it would give them a very special anniversary that neither of them could ever forget.

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