Page 51 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

Nick gave her a sideways look. “What did you want to talk about?”

Avery folded her hands in her lap. “Are you more excited about Christmas or your wedding?”

Holly giggled. “Well, seeing as we’re getting married a mere week after Christmas, they pretty much go hand in hand.”

“But if you had to pick one?” Avery’s mouth twisted into a mischievous grin.

Nick glanced at Holly. She could tell he was holding back a laugh.

“I’d say since Christmas comes around every year,” Nick began, “that I’m more excited for our wedding.”

Holly flexed her feet to make the rocking chair swing. “My answer is the same.”

Avery slid more comfortably into the bed and put her palms behind her head. “Okay, good. That was a test, and you both passed.”

Holly and Nick burst into laughter at Avery’s snarkiness. With a sobering sigh, Nick got to his feet and leaned over to kiss Avery on her forehead.

“Good night, kiddo.”

“Good night, Uncle Nick.”

Holly stood. “Sleep tight, Avery.”

As she approached the door, Avery sat up.

“Holly,” Avery called.

She turned, her hand on the doorframe. “Yeah?”

“I’m glad you’re going to be my aunt.”

Holly’s heart melted. “I am, too.”

Avery smiled and lay down again. Holly switched off the light and closed the door behind her.

In the hall, Holly glanced up at Nick and tittered. “So, we passed her test. How do you feel about that?”

“I feel like I could be pretty good at this parenting thing.”

“Yeah. One night tucking in your niece and raising a human from a baby to adulthood? Sure, that’s the same thing.”

Nick hugged her to him. “Are you saying I’m not ready to be a dad?”

Holly ran her hands up his biceps. “On the contrary. I think you’re going to be a great father. You definitely have the heart for it.”

“And you’re going to be an amazing mom.”

“No pressure.” She sniggered and gave him a quick kiss.

Nick gestured with his head. “As much as I’d like to freeze time and stay like this forever, we’d better go join the others.”

“After you.”

As they headed downstairs, Holly’s thoughts drifted to the future. They both wanted kids, and her chest flooded with warmth as she imagined the family she and Nick would create together. She wasn’t positive they would fulfill her mother’s wish of Holly having an abundance of children, but she could imagine two or three little carbon copies of her and Nick completing their unit.

All in good time. First, the wedding.

When they got downstairs, Rachel was serving coffee. Vivian was nowhere to be seen.

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