Page 18 of A Magical Christmas

I dropped the towel and rolled onto the mattress, settling onto my pillow with my back to Nicky. My regular, every night sleeping position.

Nicky’s hand moved over my hip, settling into a possessive hold.

That simple action had my heart thumping a little harder with happiness. Part of me had always hoped for love and true joy in this world, while another larger part had always believed I didn’t deserve it.

Only time would tell which part was right.

Chapter 8.

NICKY

I woke up with the worst feeling that something was wrong. My gut churned as I rolled away from the soft, warm body in my arms, my temperature too high—my thoughts too negative.

“Hmm... morning,” Jaydy mumbled, snuggling towards me.

I dropped a kiss on her still sleepy face. “Nature calls. Be right back.”

She nodded vaguely and settled into the pillows, immediately falling back asleep.

I slipped out of my huge bed, taking to the floor as quietly as I could so I didn’t disturb her. For a time, I simply stood there, staring at her, my heart aching at the perfect sight of Jaydy sleeping soundly in my bed; her gorgeous long flame-red hair fanned out around her. The soft smile that tilted her lips, even in sleep warmed something deep within me.

She was glorious in a way words failed to describe, and everything inside my heart told me that this woman... this witch, wasthe one. The one I was meant to love. The one who would live by my side. and die by my side... and yet... I couldn’t force her to stay here. And I sure as hell couldn’t force her to accept me if she didn’t feel the same way.

And how would she react and feel if I told her the truth? If I dared to reveal that I believed she and I were meant to be; that the hand of Fate brought her here, into my arms, and not just a desperate wish on a bad day.

The fear and uncertainty were rattling me to my core, so I went to the bathroom and took a nice, long, soothing shower. When I emerged, Jaydy was still asleep. I dearly wanted nothing more than to climb back into bed with her, but something made me turn towards my dressing room instead. I pulled on some loose, worn, denim jeans, and a white shirt, and walked down the hallway and to the kitchen.

There, sitting on a stool, was a woman I’d never seen before. She had long dark hair, with flowery pink dyed highlights. She was casually sipping at a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Meanwhile, Elsa was grinning like she’d never been happier. “Here you go Santa,” Elsa said, pushing a tray of milky hot chocolate and gingerbread towards me.

“Thank you,” I said, taking a drink before focusing on the woman who was sitting on the stool like she had every right being here. “I’m Nicky.”

“And I’m Pansy,” she answered, grinning broadly.

“Oh, you’re Mary and Paul’s daughter?”

---