Page 60 of The CEO's Christmas Wife

“I chose you to become my assistant a little over a year ago today. What I did not realize was that I was also choosing my wife. I chose you then, I choose you now, and I will choose you until I breathe my last breath. I vow to be your provider, your protector, your lover, and your best friend. The word of God says that he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. I am highly favored because of you. I love you, Kandice Noelle.”

I slid the ring onto her finger, and we turned and looked at the minister.

“With the reading of these vows and the exchange of these rings, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Kayn. You may now kiss your bride.”

I pulled Kandi into my arms and covered her lips. She threw her arms around me as I pressed my lips deeper into hers. I had proposed to her at her parents’ annual New Year’s ball after everyone had left except for her family. I had asked her father forher hand in marriage two days before that, and although he had become emotional about his baby girl marrying, he gladly gave his blessings. I had promised her parents that we would have a long engagement so that they could get to know me better and feel comfortable relinquishing their daughter’s life to me.

Whistles and clapping filled our backyard. I had set up several outdoor heaters to assist the two large fireplaces that I had constructed in our large rear garden.

My woman was stunning in her white silk, simple gown, and a red faux fur shrug. Swarovski crystals embellished white red-bottom stilettos that adorned her feet. Byron and Chauncey were in black suits, but my suit was white with a red vest and boutonniere. Kandi’s sister, Holly, and her future sister-in-law, Nicolette, both wore red, fitted dresses with white shrugs.

In March, I began building our dream home in Cherokee Falls, which we moved into in July of this year. Since only our families were in attendance, our ceremony was held on Christmas Day, a day that had come to have new meaning for both of us. In some ways, we were both reborn last Christmas, learning to love, to accept, and to embrace a love so vastly different than the ones we had experienced in the past.

After the celebration calmed down, we ushered everyone back inside of our five-thousand-square-foot home.

“Before we continue the celebration, I would like to give my wife her Christmas gift. We’ll be back.”

Everyone oohed and ahhed, making Kandi look suspiciously at me. I led her toward the front of our home and produced a key. Inserting it into the lock of the first door off the front hallway, I glanced over my shoulder at my wife, whose hand I still held.

“What are you up to, Mr. Kayn? I haven’t been allowed in that room since you built the home.”

“You’re about to find out, Mrs. Kayn.”

She giggled. “I love the sound of that.”

“Me too,” I agreed with a wink. I pushed the door open and led her inside.

“Kayn, what is this space?”

“This is your new home office, Mrs. Kayn, Life Coach Extraordinaire.”

She giggled as I pushed the door open and then gasped. Kandi pulled her hand free from mine as she squealed and hopped up and down in excitement.

KANDI

I had been renting a space in town to meet with my clients. But Kayn had created a space that was warm and inviting. From the tray ceilings to the muted, soft, natural tones, my new office exuded action, confidence, and strength. Plush tan chairs with cozy textures and warm tones encouraged open and easy conversations.

A large, tan settee with diamond tufting sat opposite an oak desk. Behind the desk was a floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelf that held books, plants, and pictures of the two of us throughout the last year of our lives. To the right of my desk was a diamond-tufted armchair placed in front of a large picture window.

“Sit down and tell me what you think about it,” Kayn suggested, holding his hand out toward my desk. The office chair he purchased matched the armchair and the settee, and it was comfortable. I took in my favorite inspirational quotes hanging on the wall as he moved to the window to pull back the drapes and remove the paper he had taped over the windows for the last several months.

As he did that, my eyes went to a large picture across from my desk.

“Kayn! It’s Mistletoe Falls in the winter.”

“I thought that you might like that.”

“I love it. It’s where we first fell in love. And, oh my goodness, look at that view,” I declared, getting out of my seat and going to the windows. My office overlooked the garden and waterfall in our front yard, and it was gorgeous.

“My clients will be inspired by this view alone.”

“Well, what do you think about the office as a whole?”

“It could easily inspire my clients to visualize their goals and take bold steps toward executing their strategic goals. It’s perfect, baby,” I professed as he took me into his arms and held me. I planned to continue meeting with the large business owners at their corporate offices, but I would bring the small business owners here to my office.

“I’m glad you like it.” He kissed me.

Our kiss made me ready to send our guests home so that we could consummate our marriage. I felt that way even more so when I heard the oohs and ahhs from the doorway. I looked up to find our family peering into my office.

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