Page 18 of Father Christmas

"Over?" Noel desperately wanted Mindy to complete that sentence. He wanted to know how she defined their relationship. That would be necessary when they filled out the paperwork he'd brought over with him.

Instead of answering, Mindy shrugged.

Noel strode past her into the apartment. He felt her moving slowly behind him. Once he had the paperwork laid out on her kitchen island, he turned to her.

Mindy yelped as Noel gripped both sides of her waist and hoisted her up onto the island. He spread her thighs and insinuated himself in between her legs. Then he held up the paperwork between them, pointing to the field noting relationship.

"What do you prefer we put here? Girlfriend and boyfriend? Lover? Partner? Fiancée? It's entirely up to you."

"Fiancée?"

Noel's grin spread huge as he ignored the question at the end of the single word. "I accept your proposal. Fiancée it is."

"Noel, wait. Aren't you… aren't you firing me?"

"Why would I fire you? You were excellent at the party last night."

"Then aren't you dumping me?"

"I just agreed to marry you."

"But Elvin?—"

"Do you want to marry Elvin?"

Mindy jerked back as though the very idea repulsed her. Then she caught herself, likely reminding herself that he was Elvin's father.

"I want you," Noel said, leaning into her heat as he pulled her snug to himself. "I want to work with you. I want to sleep with you. I want to be with you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He pressed a kiss to the corner of her eyelid to catch the tear that fell. "I've tried to be there for Elvin, but he doesn't want what I have to give him. In fact, he regularly throws my style of help back in my face."

"I'm sorry," she said, but her tone was filled with an understanding that told Noel she had experienced the same setbacks with Elvin. "Elvin will always be my son. But you, Mindy Evergreen, are my heart's desire. From the moment we met, I felt a connection unlike any other. Say you feel it too."

"You know I do." Mindy nuzzled against his palm, her lips curving into a radiant smile.

"I know our situation is complicated. But life is short, and I don't want to miss this chance at real happiness. You make me feel alive in a way I haven't for years. I'm ready to follow my heart, no matter what anyone thinks." Noel took a deep breath."If you feel the same, I want to see where this new journey takes us."

Mindy's eyes glistened with emotion. She caressed his bearded cheek. "I could fall in love with you."

"You could?"

"Maybe I already have. Just a little."

"That's convenient, because I'm already on the floor for you."

Noel's pulse raced, joy flooding through him. Unable to resist any longer, he captured her mouth in a passionate kiss. Mindy melted against him with a soft moan.

His hands slid down to her waist, drawing her even closer as their kiss deepened. She twined her arms around his neck, fingers tangling in his silver locks. All the built-up longing and tension between them ignited in that moment. Their mouths met again, and then again, kissing fiercely under the Christmas lights. The paperwork was forgotten, the gesture no longer necessary as it was clear this wasn't going to be a Christmas fling. It was the start of a lifelong holiday tradition.

EPILOGUE

Five Years Later

The soft glow of Christmas morning filled the room. Cheerful notes of a Christmas carol played in the background. Snow danced down from the sky to land on the windowsill in a lazy pattern that filled Mindy with joy. This had always been her favorite time of year. But over the last five years, she'd woken each morning feeling like it was Christmas every day.

She watched as Noel carefully placed the Christmas star on the top of their tree, a ritual they performed every year since they got married. The star sparkled, its golden light catching on the delicate ornaments and twinkling lights that adorned the tree.

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