I laughed.
He pulled me into his big arms and encased me in warmth. There, I melted against him, feeling safer than I’d ever felt in my life. I would always be safe in his arms. I knew that with every inch of my soul.
He brushed his lips against my ear. “I love you, Ivy.”
Tears left my eyes. I rested my head against his shoulder. “I love you too.”
I’d said it many times to him. However, this time I meant it deep down in the crevices of my soul. A rising ache came. It was almost painful, but not the bad type. It was the sort that brought people back to life.
He leaned away and studied me. “Don’t cry.”
“Don’t worry. These are happy tears. Maybe even ones of relief.”
“When I saw you in the snow tonight, I thought all would be lost.”
“No way. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
He dropped his gaze to my mouth. “Is that right?”
My skin buzzed, craving the feel of his lips on mine. “Yes.”
He leaned in and kissed me, taking my breath and all thoughts away. I closed my eyes and opened my heart—my soul—my very existence completely to him. I held him tight. Calming warmth flooded my chest. And there was this sensation that the iciness inside me was melting away.
And the air charged around us with electric energy. I felt like we were at the center of a vortex as magic whipped around us. I swore my hair lifted and sparks burst in the air.
Saint stopped the kiss and embraced me again. I closed my eyes and went back to resting my head on his strong shoulder, happy that I’d finally come to my senses.
We stayed like that forever, holding each other and never letting go.
And still, that same electric current drifted along my skin.
A woman whispered, “Ivy.”
I opened my eyes.
My mother stood before me, glowing in golden light. That rope was still wrapped around her neck. The end of it floated in the air. Suitcases and handbags dangled from the long line. She held her hands out and wore a big grin on her face. “Can you see me?”
I nodded.
“You finally learned.”
Right as I was about to speak, sparks snapped around the rope. My mother widened her eyes and looked down as bag after bag disappeared. Her glow brightened. “What’s happening?”
I left Saint’s hold and stared in awe.
The golden light brightened to white.
My mother held out her hands. “Ivy?”
Saint spoke, but it sounded like he was far away. “What’s wrong, Ivy?”
The rope disappeared. Gasping, my mother touched her neck. She glanced at me as if I had the answer. And then large white wings grew from her back. Gold tipped each ivory feather.
“Oh, Ivy.” She looked over her shoulder at them. “I think I have to go.”
“But. . .you just started coming.” An ache filled me. “Please, don’t go, mommy.”
“Don’t worry, honey.” Her wings expanded high and wide. “I’ll still be watching you. It’ll just be different this time.”
And then she disappeared.
I sat there in shock.
“Ivy? Why are you crying?” Saint placed his hands on the side of my face. “What’s wrong? What are you looking at?”
I turned back to him. “Nothing.”
“Are you okay?”
“More than ever.”
“You called for your mom.”
“I did. She got her wings. Everything is going to be okay. It’s all going to work out for her, Dad, and even us.”
“Good. That’s the best news I’ve heard all year.” He trailed hot kisses across the curve of my jaw.
And that night we made love.
For so many years we’d fucked—his cock thrusting in and out of me. But that night, our naked bodies tangled in passion. Our hearts merged. Our gazes remained on each other, swimming in a lusty daze. I was swept up in the intensity of his deep blue eyes.
I swore my heart almost exploded from the intensity of it all—the moment and his love. Only the feeling of his cock inside of my pussy could thrill and shock me at the same time. There was a new connection between our bodies and souls—new lifelines beginning. New memories to keep us warm on the coldest nights.
When we both orgasmed, I knew that I had changed the course of my life forever. I believed it deep in my heart.
We curled up on the bed together. My head rested on his chest. He tenderly played in my hair, wrapping strands around his finger.
Silence filled the space. No words left us. There was no need for further discussion. We had already declared our love. We made the promises. We sealed the declarations with our bodies.
There would be no other options.
Cozy in his warmth, I fell asleep. And the dazzling Northern Lights watched us from the glass ceiling.
For the rest of our time in Finland, we hung out with my father. It was uncomfortable at first. Somehow, I became adjusted to loving him again. Any time anger rose, I thought of my mom’s gold-tipped wings and calmed down.
Holly and Nikolas barely left their villa. The few times we went by to say hi, all we heard was moaning and groaning. Saint became disgusted and rushed us away.
We bumped into Park and Elias too. He even showed us a few places to play pool when bored. He swore he would come to visit Park in the spring.
During the night, we made love. We ravished our bodies. We opened our souls and climbed into the passion of our new deepening love.
And when I went to sleep at night, no ghosts came and there were no nightmares. However, sometimes I saw visions of my father walking me down the aisle and Saint standing at the altar, waiting.
Three days later, Dad left Finland. I hugged him for a long time at the airport and promised to visit and meet Timothy. We agreed to spend Easter together. I thought it was a good idea.
But after all those lessons from the ghosts, I decided to make up for lost time.
On New Year’s Eve, I surprised Dad.
My father cried as he opened the door to let me in. His wife curved her lips in a smile and rose from the couch. Meanwhile, Timothy screamed and dropped his sketchpad on the floor.
Those reactions made me feel like the most loved person in the world.
I should have done this a long time ago.
All this time I thought I was alone in this world. I thanked God, the ghosts, and my mother for showing me how very wrong I was.
I was glad I surprised Dad and my brother.
No regrets.
Earlier, Saint had returned with me to New York. Once he found us a place, he rushed off to Paris to quickly grab his stuff and fire his stylist. However, I no longer wanted to spend a holiday alone again.
There was so much time to make up with Dad and Timothy.
Plus, I really wanted to show them my awesome new engagement ring.
Epilogue
Two years later
Santa, Baby
Slowly at first, Saint thrust his cock into me, spreading my wet pussy open. I moaned in pleasure.
And then he stopped and rested his forehead against mine. Our heated gazes met. I loved when he did this. I relished in the deep connection of our bodies joined. Saint was plunged so deep inside of me I could only feel him.
He kissed me and then brushed his lips against mine. “Thank you.”
My body vibrated with need. My voice shifted to a gentle whisper. “For what?”