Page 70 of Declan
Elise sat in the living room, watching her mother decorate the Christmas tree as her father sat in his recliner giving orders. She watched her mother turn around and glare at him.
“Simon, if you don’t stop telling me where to put the decorations, you’ll get one where you don’t want it,” Muriel Ramsey said, making Elise laugh.
“I’m just trying to help, honey,” Simon said with a grin.
“I don’t need, nor do I want, your help. We go through this every year.”
Elise stood. “I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be down soon.”
“Honey, are you staying for Christmas?” her father asked.
“I’m going home for Christmas, Dad. Where I belong.”
“It’s about time,” her mother said.
Elise smiled. “I cannot wait to see him again.”
“I’m sure he misses you too. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates for you.” Muriel looked out the window to see snowfalling heavily.
“I hope so too.” Elise hugged her mother and father, then walked upstairs to take a shower. It had been a long day, and she was tired.
All she did was think of Declan and what he was doing. She hoped he had a good Thanksgiving, and she wanted to get home to him in time to go to the wedding with him. She wanted to surprise him.
She smiled as she entered her bedroom, then the bathroom and turned on the shower. After stripping off her clothes, she entered the stall and groaned as the warm water cascaded over her.
Elise thought back to telling Wynonna she was going and smiled as she remembered her reaction…
“Well, I knew that was coming. I hate that you’re leaving, but in my heart, I know you belong with your man. Can’t say as I blame you. He is a lady killer, as your mother would say.” Wynonna smiled.
“I miss him so much. I wanted to stay as long as I told you I would, but I can’t. I just want to go home to him now.”
“Okay. I get it. It’s where you belong. I’m happy for you, but I’ll miss you so much.”
“Come visit me. You’d love all the shops in Clifton.”
“I’ll do that once we get to summer.” Wynonna pulled her into her arms and kissed her cheek. “Be happy, honey. You deserve it. Invite me to the wedding.”
“If he asks, yours will be one of the first invitations I send out. I’ll be happy when I’m with Declan again.”
She finished out the week and left the studio for the last time. She was so anxious to get home. Home to Declan.
But the weather didn’t cooperate and all flights out of New York were cancelled when a huge snowstorm shut the city down. All Elise could do was wait it out, but she hated missing thewedding.
Chapter Eleven
Declan sat in the church pew next to Rawley, Deacon and Ava Anderson, and Jack and Randi Lawrence. This was the last place he wanted to be, but he didn’t want to miss Nate and Markie’s wedding.
As he sat there, he saw Nate and his best man, Rafe Marshall walking out of a door, and took their places at the altar. Declan chuckled when Rafe pulled at the collar of his shirt, then the music started and everyone stood to see Sydney Wright walking down the aisle in a beautiful purple dress, then Markie appeared. A vision in white with a veil covering her face, but as she got closer, Declan saw tears on her cheeks and a beautiful smile on her face.
He grinned as he saw the flowers she held shaking, but she didn’t miss a step as she made her way to her future husband.
Declan heard Nate tell her she was beautiful, as he lifted her veil, kissed her, then lowered it back down.
“I didn’t say you could do that yet, Nathanial,” the priest said, making the guests laugh.
After the wedding, everyone gathered at Dewey’s Bar. Scarlett and Noah Conway closed the bar to allow only the wedding party and guests inside. They supplied the drinks and Sloane James supplied finger food for everyone. She’d also made the wedding cake.
Declan took a seat at the bar, holding a whiskey when he felt someone sit beside him, and he turned to see his cousin, Jaxon, sitting on the stool.
