Page 63 of Christmas Promises

“Just like our ornaments.”

“That’s right,” Nolan said. “Tokens that represent all the memories we’ll make during our life together.”

“You are the perfect man for me.” She lifted her wrist so that he could help her with the bracelet. When it was clasped, she held it up to show him.

“Beautiful piece for my beautiful wife.” He gestured toward the bigger box. “Open that one next.”

She tore open the paper to find a box filled with art supplies—fine paper, a set of pencils, watercolor tubes, and paintbrushes.

“Just in case you have time in the coming year to dabble,” Nolan said. “Like when we were kids.”

She itched to draw him right then and there, looking more handsome than anyone should be, but instead she kissed him and jumped up to give him his gift. Unlike her, he unwrapped the paper carefully, so as not to rip it. The man was a saint, always thinking of the environment.

His face lit up as he set aside the wrapping paper to reveal a copy ofWalden. “What’s this?”

“It’s not a first edition or anything,” Laney said hastily, worried he would think she dropped upwards of twenty grand. “But it’s a later printing from the original plates by the publisher. Edna found it for me. She says it’s in remarkable condition.”

His eyes shone as he leaned closer to kiss her. “You are the perfect woman for me.”

“Aren’t we lucky?”

“It’s all been a miracle.”

“A whirlwind of a miracle.” She touched her fingers to his scruffy chin. “I love you to pieces.”

“And I you.”

They enjoyed their breakfast and coffee in front of the fire with Christmas music playing softly in the background. The day promised to be a busy one, filled with gift exchanges and family meals, but for now it was just the two of them. They’d made a pact between them so long ago. One that took sixteen years to fulfill, but here they were. Finally,, in the place they were meant to be. Beside each other, for better or worse, for as long as they both should live.

“This is the best Christmas ever,” Laney said.

Nolan lifted his mug. “To our first Christmas as a married couple.”

“To soulmates.” She clinked her cup with his, gazing into his eyes, filled with what could only be called Christmas spirit. This was the true meaning of Christmas. Two souls who had found each other at last.

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