Page 34 of Married to Her Yeti
Never.He squeezed her tighter. “I messaged youbecause I couldn’t do it, Mari. Not when I’m still so in love with you.”
Tears filled her eyes, the soft, golden-brown glimmering like gemstones in the light of the Christmas tree.
Heart swelling, Nima dug into his front pocket for Mari’s wedding band. He held it before her, loving how she covered her mouth with her hand like a prospective bride. “I want a fresh start too, Mari. With you. I ache for the life we’d dreamed about, supporting each other through moments of joy and in the face of adversity.” They’d both failed on that count for the last ten years, but he would not make the mistake again. “My love for you has never been stronger. Will you marry me again?”
“Nima...” Mari all but whispered, tears gliding down rounded cheeks into a smile so beautiful it made his raw heart ache. “Yes,” she said, extending her trembling hand. “I would love to renew our vows.”
A wave of pure joy washed over Nima, so intense he thought he might overflow with happiness. He slid the ring onto her finger. She blinked down at the silver band, now a true symbol of the commitment and love they shared. Her eyes met his, and she cupped his cheeks, her fingersgliding through his fur. He shivered with delight at her touch, loving how she tugged him in, her lips brushing his.
“Thank you,” she said, “for your patience and forgiveness. In two short days, you’ve filled me with... well, life. I can’t wait to celebrate wins with you. And I vow to stand by your side during difficult times too. I want it all, Nima. I want you.”
When she sifted her hand through the fur on the back of his neck, he growled, his chest vibrating against her. “I want to take you home, Mari.” He pictured her laid out and naked in the middle of her bed again.
“Yes,” she breathed, “I want the holiday we planned. To be with you, just the two of us for Christmas—and more. Move in with me, Nima? We can figure out all the details as we go. I know that your work will sometimes take you out of town. But when it doesn’t, I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up in your arms. I want to eat my meals with you and talk about our days. I want to cuddle with you on the couch for movie nights and experience all the little things couples do together that we’ve missed.”
A fucking dream come true.They’d make it work with his jobs. Maybe he could remodel the bakeryafter all and finally recreate lupinefor her. His voice was hoarse with emotion as he replied, “I want all of that too.” He grabbed her jacket before lifting her into his arms again and carrying her downstairs to the theater room.
Kat lay curled up in the corner of Tseten’s couch under a blanket, while he sat in a recliner with his feet up. He paused the movie when they came in and lowered his chair.
“We’re going back to Mari’s,” Nima announced.
“And the divorce papers?” Tseten asked.
Mari unwound her arm from Nima’s neck and held out her hand to show off her wedding band. “No one is signing any papers. We’re renewing our vows.”
Kat squealed, while a wide smile overtook Tseten’s face. “My heartfelt congratulations to you both,” he said, before adding, “My birthday party in March would be the perfect time and place to recite your vows in front of friends and family. Who wouldn’t want to have a second marriage ceremony on the Polaris Ice Field?”
Nima longed to make new, happy memories of his and Mari’s wedding vows while surrounded by the most important people in their lives. Her eyes met his, sparkling as she grinned up at him. Nowords were necessary. The suggestion appealed to them both. “Mari’s ankle will be better by then,” Nima said.
“And my ribs healed,” she added.
Kat bounded toward them and gripped Mari’s hand to admire her ring. Despite her sometimes-tough exterior, she beamed at her sister and wiped what looked like a tear from her eye as she glanced up at Nima. “You just happened to have a wedding band on you?”
Mari nibbled at her lip. “It’s from our Nevada wedding—long story.”
Kat shook her head, grinning. “You wore this on a chain around your neck for all these years, didn’t you, Mar?”
“Yes,” Mari admitted. Nima’s heart squeezed. She’d maintained hope and love—in her own way—for years.
Kat asked, “Where’s Nima’s?”
“My front pocket,” he said, unable to pull his gaze from the woman in his arms. “Mari will place it on my finger when we renew our vows.”
Tears swelled in Mari’s eyes, spilling when she vigorously nodded. “I will. I can’t wait.”
Kat wiped her own stray tear away with a knuckle. “I’m kicked out tonight, aren’t I?”
Mari glanced at Nima, then bit her lip as she turned back to her sister. “Come over tomorrow for leftover pizza?”
Kat dug in her purse before discreetly handing something to Mari. “No, thank you. Christmas or not, I’ll give you two lovebirds a few days. I’ll crash at Mom and Dad’s.”
Mari opened her palm, and Nima realized she held condoms. Yep. That’s something Kat would do. Mari asked, “Do I want to know why these are yeti-sized, Kat?”
“A woman should always be prepared to take care of herself,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “And they fit other cryptids too, you know.” She raised a challenging eyebrow.
Nima would let Mari unpack that one with her sister—another time. He gazed down at Mari. “Are you ready to go home,wife?”
“So ready,husband.”
