“It is. He’s the Justice of the Peace. I told you I knew a guy. The marriage certificate is right there. You still in?”
Her smile widens. “All in, D.”
When I left the house this morning, I was terrified that Poppy would choose freedom over love.
I’ve never been so glad to be wrong. Totally and utterly wrong.
Because tonight, as I enter my house, Poppy is by my side.
But more importantly, she’s mine. This incredible woman is my wife. Sometimes, you have to trust in the universe’s grand plan.
I worried I would never see Poppy again after I abandoned her in the desert. After years of searching and many more years wishing on every star to find her, I lost hope.
Turns out hope found me. So did Poppy. Once she had, I knew I’d never let her go again.
My mother takes Marissa for the night, leaving me and Poppy to consummate the love we kindled so long ago. Only this time, we’re connected on every level.
I stroke Poppy’s skin, loving the feel of her naked body against mine.
“What was your Yule wish?” Poppy inquires, her fingers tracing random designs on my chest.
“You. It’s always been you.”
She climbs up my body, her lips capturing mine as she straddles me. “Well, Mr. West, since you have me, whatever will you do with me?”
Wrapping my hands around her hips, I sink into her warmth, groaning at the sheer pleasure of being inside her. “Mrs. West, the possibilities are endless. But I promise, you’ll enjoy every one.”
Don’t get me wrong. Every single time with Poppy is incredible. But this time, with all the doubt and uncertainty stripped away, we attain new heights.
I am hers, and she is mine.
I stir in the middle of the night, noting that Poppy isn’t beside me. Sitting up, I see her outside on the balcony, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the bitter cold.
I join her, shivering at the icy blast of air. “What are you doing out here?”
Poppy turns, drawing me into a deep kiss, releasing a sated moan when we part. “Hi, D. Sorry to wake you.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m perfect. I was talking to Merry, and my folks, and our baby. Thanking them for watching out for us.”
“We’ve got a lot of angels in our corner.”
“That we do.”
I wrap my arms around her, gazing up at the starlit sky. “After a million moments without you, you’re in my arms again. Now, I want to get started making our memories.”
She recaptures my lips, her mouth more demanding as her arms wind around my neck.
I can take a hint, lifting her off the ground and carrying her back into the warmth of our bedroom. We giggle as our feet tangle in the blanket and we fall to the mattress.
“Since I got my Yule wish, can I push my luck for a Christmas one, too?” Poppy asks, her eyes glittering with mischief.
“I suppose. What do you want for Christmas?” I send her a fake scowl, but the woman knows I’ll do anything for her.
“I’d like to call Old Mother Jane. I think it’s time she got reacquainted with her nephew.”
“I love that idea, but don’t you want something for you?”
Her fingers run over my hair, inciting all manner of sparks. “I do, but I think I already got it.”
I hold her gaze, before letting mine drift down her body. I press a kiss to her stomach, praying that our Christmas wish comes true.
Somehow, I know it will.
Epilogue
Poppy
“Sunshine, you ready?” Dylan calls up the stairs, but my gaze is transfixed by the pregnancy test in front of me.
The positive pregnancy test.
I knew I was pregnant almost immediately. Some women claim they have no clue, but I felt all the slight nuances changing in my body. But I kept quiet, fearful for Dylan’s reaction.
It might seem silly, but I’m terrified of what he will say when he learns we’re having a baby. That niggling doubt in my brain is difficult to eradicate, even with my husband’s constant affections. He likely won’t be too shocked, considering we have sex almost every night of the week and we haven’t used protection once.
“Poppy, are you okay? I don’t want to miss our reservation.” Dylan pokes his head in the bathroom door, and I snatch up the pregnancy test, hiding it behind my back.
“I’m fine. Almost done.”
Those brown eyes sparkle at me as he closes the distance between us. He frames my face with his hands, pressing a kiss to my lips. “Are you?”
“Yep,” I manage, squeezing my fingers around the test. “I’ll be down in a second.”
His hands drop to my waist, but his gaze never wavers. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.”
Dylan chuckles as he grabs both my wrists, bringing them—and the test—in front of my body. His smile falters as he uncurls my fingers, one by one, from the test. “Poppy?”
I shrug, a nervous laugh escaping my throat. “Surprise,” I whisper.
He stares at the test, but his face is unreadable. With every passing second, my heart threatens to seize.
“Dylan?”
Silence.
“It might not be accurate,” I manage, feeling the tears brimming. “Let’s forget about this and go to dinner.” I take a step around him, but his arms encircle me, holding me fast.
He spins me around, and for the first time, I see the smile lighting up his face. He picks me up, pulling me into the tightest hug I’ve ever felt, his face buried against my neck. Then I feel the dampness against my skin and force his chin up to meet my gaze.
His eyes are bright with tears as he kisses me. “You’re pregnant.”
“Yeah.”
He sets me down, pushing the hair from my face as he beams at me. “We’re having a baby, Sunshine.”
His happiness unleashes my own as the tears spill down my cheeks. “You were right. You do have super sperm.”
“What I have is the most exquisite pregnant wife in the world.” Dylan sinks to his knees in front of me, lifting the edge of my sweater and pressing kisses to my stomach. “I can’t wait to meet you. I’m going to take such good care of you. You are so loved.”
There’s no chance of holding back the emotion now. I kneel next to him, capturing his mouth and letting our kiss convey all the feelings they haven’t invented words for yet.
He rests his forehead against mine, both our eyes misty. “My Sunshine Girl is having my baby.” Dylan fishes his phone from his pocket, punching in some numbers. “Hi, this is Dylan West. My wife and I have a reservation for seven. Can you make it eight? Something has come up. Thank you.”
My eyes widen at the sudden change in plans. “You know I need to eat more now, right?”
Dylan lifts me from the floor into his arms, dripping kisses along the column of my throat. “Oh, I’ll feed you, Poppy. But first, I’m making sure we both work up an appetite. I need a private celebration with my wife. Clothing optional.”
As he carries me to our bed, I grasp his chin, staring deeply into his eyes. What I see staring back is pure, unadulterated love. For me, for our family, and for our future.