Page 62 of All I Want For Christmas

Alison ran her fingers through his hair, making it stick out in multiple directions. “I don’t believe you!”

“It’s all true.”

The doorbell rang. His father and his brothers-in-law didn’t move or react, transfixed by the TV.

His mother yelled from the kitchen, “Sam, get the door!”

“I got it,” Christian told his father, who looked loath to stand up.

He gave Alison a horsey ride on the way to the door, wondering if one of the neighbors was stopping by with more cookies. They had enough for the entire state already, but Mrs. Morris next door did some rocking raspberry bars.

But when he flung open the door, he froze.

It wasn’t Mrs. Morris.

It was Blue.

Standing there on the stoop in her velvet jacket, her hair dusted with fresh falling snow, her eyes wide, phone clutched in her hands. A taxi sat in the driveway, still running.

“Blue. Hi,” he said, bending down and shaking Alison off his back, his heart pounding. Blue had shown up, proving him completely wrong, and hope started to swell inside him.

“Hi,” she said. “I...I came to say thank you for the snow globe.” She rubbed her lips together nervously. “It’s beautiful, Christian.”

“You’re welcome. I wish I could have given you more.” He wanted to reach for her, but at the same time, knew this was her move.

“You’ve given me more than you can imagine.” She swallowed, hand nervously tucked into the front pocket of her jeans, other hand clutching her phone like a lifeline. “And, I would like to see you again if that offer still stands.”

Hope burst into full-fledged glee. Christian nodded. “Hell yes.”

“Okay. Good. That’s good.” She stood there, still looking awkward. “I wish I had something to give you for Christmas.”

Christian burst into a grin. “This would be a perfect time to kiss me,” he told her. “That’s something you can give me.”

Blue shocked him by suddenly launching herself into his arms, like she’d just been waiting for the invitation. Armsaround his neck, she kissed him relentlessly, both of them pouring their emotions into the hot and passionate embrace.

He only came to his senses when he realized Alison was tugging on his leg.

As they managed to pry themselves apart, Blue whispered in his ear. “I want to be with you. Is that insane or what?”

“Totally insane. And I’m crazy desperate to be with you, so I guess that makes us a good fit.” He patted Alison’s head absently and stared intently at Blue. “So are you going to Miami tonight or are you going to send that taxi away and come into the house?”

He’d gotten more than he’d ever expected, a possible future with Blue and he was thrilled, but damn, he wanted her to come into the house and make his Christmas complete.

Blue stared at the man in front of her, a little girl clinging to him like a monkey, and felt things she’d only ever dreamed she could feel. Hell, yes, she was coming into the house. She wasn’t stupid enough to walk away from him twice in one day.

Turning she waved off the taxi then grinned at Christian. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.” Leaning down, she smiled at the little girl. “Hi, I’m Blue. What’s your name?”

“Alison.” She looked up at her uncle. “What did she say her name was?”

Blue laughed, knowing she was about to spend the next ten minutes hearing that from a whole round of relatives.

A middle-aged woman appeared in the doorway behind Christian, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. “Christian, who’s at the door?”

Christian glanced back, grinning. He reached out and took Blue’s hand and pulled her into the house. “Mom, this is Blue. My new girlfriend.”

And Blue decided maybe Santa didn’t suck so much after all.

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