“It’s beautiful,” I gush.
“So are you,” he rasps, kissing me once more.
“Without breaking the moment,” I begin, still holding onto him. “What does that have to do with the house?”
He grins. “Because he said even if we never got married, or even if we didn’t have kids, someone who loved his woman as much as I love you, should get to give her what she wants. He’s given it to us at a cheaper price. He has no use for money with no more living family. But this… this is what he wanted for the place.”
“No,” I murmur, completely stumped. His grin spreads into a smile. “This is the house you bought?”
“Yes. And it’s too late to back out. All the checks and what-have-you got finalised and completed today, so the estate agents called me this morning to let me know we could come down this afternoon to sign the deeds. It’s been killing me not being able to tell you this is the property. I wanted it to be a surprise. You happy?”
I throw myself at him, as I try to keep it together. He drops back onto the picnic blanket and the dogs go nuts, barking at us. Buster licks the side of my face as I lift my head to look down at Beau. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby.”
“We’re getting married,” I declare, still shocked this is happening. I never expected a thing.
“We’re getting married,” he agrees.
“And this is what you want?”
“I meant it when I said I want it all with you. This is just the beginning. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
“Beau,” I rasp. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”
“I’ll do anything for you, baby.”
“I love you so much,” I choke out, leaning down to kiss him.
His hands grip my arse cheeks, grinding me down on his erection.
I have a fiancé.
My heart is bursting with joy.
Pulling back, Beau lifts a hand to cup my cheek. “There’s just one favour I need.”
I smile so wide I feel like my face will crack. “Anything.”
“Can you tell your uncle Max after the wedding?”
Shit!
I have to tell my family.
“And your dad,” he continues.
I laugh at his dreaded expression. “They are going to be happy because I’m happy. But I want to tell Lily first. Is that okay?”
“Anything you want,” he tells me.
“I love you,” I tell him, staring down at his handsome face.
“I love you too,” he declares, rolling until I’m beneath him, and breathless.
I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. He came into my life when my faith in humanity had dwindled. He gave me back that faith. He gave me back the light I needed in a world full of darkness. He protected me. Saved me. But he also made me laugh. Images of us watching One Tree Hill flicker through my mind. Him tickling me on the sofa. Him cooking me breakfast. Our first time together. Our first ‘I love you’.
It’s Beau.
It will always be Beau.
And I can’t wait for what else our future has in store for us.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book is for my readers, for those who keep purchasing book after book, and for those who love these characters as much as I do.
When I started Malik so many moons ago, I never expected this series to become so big, or so long. However, bringing you a new book with each character hasn’t been hard. They are so easy to write.
And I hope you love Lily’s novel as much as I do. Her novel was always going to be a Christmas special. Always. Her love for the holiday is just too special for it not to be. And I couldn’t picture a better way to get what I wanted than with her pregnancy. Having the short stories—some of which I wrote, years ago now—rewritten and put into this book, has honestly been the best decision I made.
You asked, and I gave, and I hope those flashback scenes were everything you hoped they would be.
This isn’t the end for Lily and Jaxon. They will still be in the Hayes series, and the Next Generation novels.
What comes next? Who knows? I have so many works in progress that I’m excited about. It’s going to be hard to choose. But please join my readers group, Lisa’s Luscious Readers, for more updates on what’s next.
If you enjoyed Lily, please, please leave a review on the appropriate platform. Reviews help authors, and I love hearing from you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you for letting me continue my dream.
And for those who need to hear this: Your happily ever after is coming.
I’d also like to give a massive shout out to those who have helped make this book complete. Stephanie, for once again editing. I don’t know what I’d do without you. To Michelle, for beta reading and letting me run over things with her. And to Cassy Roop, for the amazing cover. And finally, to those who gave me the inspiration to write this.
You people are amazing, and I couldn’t do this without any of you.
And last, and most importantly, I want to thank my amazing mum. No matter what, she has made Christmas a special time and place for me and my siblings. And now, as a mother myself, she gives that magic to my kids. Without her, Christmas wouldn’t be the same.
I don’t think she’ll ever realise just how truly special she is. It’s not about gifts, or even about the dinner she slaves away cooking all day. It’s her. She has made room at the Christmas table so people aren’t alone on Christmas Day. She’s made them feel welcome and a part of the family. She brings the meaning to home. She brings the meaning to a family Christmas.
Growing up, I saw her struggle, and fight through it. I’ve seen her sad yet keep a smile on her face. I’ve seen her tears when she thinks no one is looking. And I’ve seen her be there for everyone around her even when she needed someone to be there for her.
She’s never made me feel anything but loved.
She’s my hero.
My biggest supporter.
And I’m proud to call her my mum.
I love you. Thank you for being you.