Page 62 of Christmas Promises

“You look beautiful. Just right,” Dad said, his voice gruff but full of love.

Laney squeezed his arm. “Thanks, Daddy.”

Both Grace and Laney’s mother were crying as her father walked her down the makeshift aisle. When they reached Nolan, her dad kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, baby girl.”

“You take care of her, young man,” he said to Nolan, his voice thick.

“Yes sir,” Nolan said.

He stepped back, and Laney reached for Nolan’s hands.

“Hi,” Nolan whispered.

“Hi,” she whispered back.

Max cleared his throat and spoke with mock gravity. “Ladies and gentlemen and adorable little people, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Nolan Hayes and Laney Gray. Since I’ve no idea what I’m doing, I shall ask them to exchange spontaneous vows. Nolan, you may go first.”

Nolan smiled, looking into Laney’s eyes. “I’ve already said it, but I’ll say it again. You’ve always been the one. I’ve known it since that innocent summer we spent together. When we parted at the end of August, we promised we would find a way to be together someday. That someday is now. I promise to care for you, respect you, support your dreams, and love you for the rest of my days.”

Laney’s voice shook, but she managed to speak. “Nolan, you have been the biggest surprise. The best surprise. I don’t know how I went all these years without you by my side, but now that you are, I have no intention of letting you go. I promise to be your best friend, your confidante, chief cook, reading-in-bed partner, and loving wife for the rest of my days.”

Max grinned. “With the power vested in me by the state of Vermont and the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

The room cheered as she and Nolan kissed. When they parted, the Rudolph nose on Laney’s sweater spontaneously glowed as if to express approval. Thus, it was to a room full of laughter that their married life began.

“It’s going to be hard to beat this next year,” Max said. “This has been epic. Now let’s party. I’m going to bring up the good bubbly from the store.”

More cheers. The music changed to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and everyone started to dance.

Laney and Nolan, despite the peppy tune, held each other close, swaying to the music as their family danced around them.

EPILOGUE

Laney woke on Christmas morning and rolled over to greet her husband, but the bed was empty. She got up, pulling on her robe, and went to the window, pulling back the curtain to let in the morning light. It had snowed overnight, and the world lay under a blanket of white. She stood there for a moment, taking it in, the scent of coffee drifting up from the kitchen.

She padded downstairs to the kitchen and found Nolan putting together a tray of breakfast pastries and mugs of steaming coffee.

“Merry Christmas!” Laney kissed him on the cheek.

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Hayes.” He drew her into an embrace, holding her tight for a moment.

“Oh, that sounds so good rolling off your tongue.” She grinned up at him. “I’ll never get tired of it, Professor Hayes.”

“Nor will I,” Nolan said, before letting her go to finish the tray.

In the meantime, Laney grabbed her mug of coffee. “I can’t believe you woke before me. I always wake first on Christmas morning.”

“I’m like a kid this morning. I woke up excited to give you your gifts.” Nolan gestured toward the living room. “Let’s have our breakfast by the fire and open our presents from each other before your parents and Aunt Edna get here.”

Laney squealed, bouncing on her toes and almost spilling coffee over the rim of her cup. “Yay.”

They settled on the couch, with the Christmas tree lights twinkling merrily and the fireplace lit. Nolan grabbed two gifts from under the tree and handed them to her.

“Go ahead. Open the small one first,” Nolan said.

She did so, unwrapping the rectangular box, assuming it was jewelry. It was. A silver charm bracelet lay against a bed of fluffy cotton. She lifted it from the box to see two charms—a book and a miniature diamond ring. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“I thought I could get you a charm each Christmas and maybe your birthday too. Something that represents the year.”

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