Page 249 of Nanny and the Beast

“I wanted to give these to you early,” he says, handing me the two presents—one is large and rectangular, and the other is the size of a ring box.”Open the bigger one first.”

He watches as I tear the gift wrap.

The smile freezes on my lips when I see the velvet case. With my heart in my throat, I open it. Giant rubies and diamonds glitter up at me. It’s a gorgeous necklace with matching earrings.

“Klaus, this must have cost you a fortune,” I say.

“Do you like them?” he asks. “Rubies are your birthstone.”

“They are,” I say, looking up at my husband.

Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I would find a love like this.He’s a sweet, attentive man who goes above and beyond for the people he loves.

“Well?” he says.

“I love them, Klaus,” I say. “I just don’t know if I have anything to wear them with.”

“Alaric is throwing a New Year’s Eve party,” he says. “I also bought you a custom-made Vivienne Westwood gown that will match perfectly with this set.”

I throw my arms around him.

“Thank you,” I say. “They’re beautiful.”

“Open the other gift,” he says. There’s excitement in his voice.

“Okay,” I say, picking up the smaller gift.

I open it to see that it’s another velvet box. There’s a single key inside it.

“What is this for?” I ask, holding the key up.

“You’ll see,” he says, tugging on my hand and making me follow him.

We stop to pet the little Labrador puppy that’s a Christmas gift for Rosalie and James. Rosalie asked for a pony, but we figured she would be equally delighted with a little puppy.

Klaus helps me into my coat before we step outside into the crisp morning air. He borrowsone of Alaric’s cars, a sleek black Lamborghini, and buckles me in.

I love the way Klaus drives. He’s careful, but he’s also a little bit of a speed demon.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Instead of giving me a reply, he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it.

I pick a song on his phone. As we drive down the quiet tree-lined street while the rest of the world is asleep, I’m hit by a feeling of déjà vu. Only a few months ago, I was driving to thehospital to see my grandmother. I was scared out of my mind because I felt like my stalker was following me. I felt like I was all alone in the world.

But now, my life is rich with love.

I wipe my tears away with the back of my hand.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” Klaus asks, catching me crying.

“Happy tears,” I tell him. “I’m so happy we met when we did.”

He looks concerned, but he’s used to my mood swings by now. The smallest things bring tears to my eyes. It’s not really sadness, but more like a release of emotions when everything gets too much for me.

“We’re here,” he says, stopping in front of a building that’s under construction.

“What is this place?” I ask him.

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