Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 71

424 The Medging (Part 1)

71 The Pledging (Part 1)

Clarice POV

“Oh my god sweetheart, you look so beautiful. I’m so glad that your dad and I get to be here today. I know your dad carried such guilt for not being able to be there when you married Trevor to walk you down the aisle. I missed helping you get dressed and giving you grandma’s broach. I’m so sorry, Clarice,” she says, tears edging her eyes. She places the broach on the strap of my dress.

“Mom, I love you. Both of us made mistakes. Right now is what is important. Having you and dad here while I pledge to the man I love. Knowing that from now on I’ll have you both in my life. That you’ll be there to watch my daughter grow up. To have you there when I have this baby and all the ones I have in the future. That is what is important, mom, not the mistakes we made. No more apologies are necessary.”

“You’re so smart, strong, and beautiful. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become,” she says and pulls me into her arms. A knock on the door has her releasing her hold on me. I reach up and wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I love you, mom.” “I love you too, Claribelle,” she says. The door opens and Chrissy, Anya, Alexia and Simone step inside. They all look beautiful. I smile when I see the excitement in Chrissy’s eyes.

My smile fades when I notice Simone’s eyes are puffy and red like she has been crying. I move to stand in front of her. “What’s wrong? What happened? Did Trevor say something stupid? He does that sometimes when he is nervous. I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” She smiles before she practically launches herself at me. I hug her back and look at Alexia, who is smiling from ear to ear. “He didn’t say anything stupid. I’m just feeling overwhelmed. I’ve never had mothers or sisters before,” she says as she pulls back.

Alexia takes Simone’s hand in hers. “I’m just grateful for all of you,” she says. “I never had sisters and now I have two. I’m grateful too. Should we head outside before the men come looking for us? I’m excited to claim my man.” The collective of women laughs. My mother loops her arm with mine as we make our way out of the room and down the long hallway. My dad and Chris are waiting in the large sitting room. My mother, Alexia, and Anya all kiss my head and then Chrissy’s before they make their way outside.

Chris pulls Chrissy aside as my dad offers me his hand. “You look radiant, Claribelle. Being in love looks good on you,” he says. “Thank you daddy.” I fight the tears forming in my eyes. “Before I lead you out there and watch you pledge to Nick, who is an amazing young man and not because he is Santa Claus, I want to thank you,” he says. I look at him confused. “You leaving and making your mother see that she deserved better made me take a long look at the man I had become. I have no doubt I would have continued to hurt her and hurt you. 1

47 The Pledging (Part 1)

hate that I missed so much time with you, but you’ve made me a better man. I’m so proud to call you my daughter Clarice,” he says.

The tears roll down my cheeks, and he reaches up, wiping them away. “I love you daddy. I never stopped. I’m so glad to have you back in my life. The man I remember picking me up when I scraped my knee, who helped me with homework, and who tucked me in at night. That’s the man I remember and the man you are now. The one who made mistakes and learned to love mom the way she deserved. I’m proud of you, dad.”

Chris says. We both lift our hands pressing our fingers together. The minute our skin touches, warmth envelops me. “Nick, do you vow to love Clarice and no other? To make her your partner in all things. To bestow your magic with this joining of blood. To treat her with the respect and reverence the Queen of Christmas deserves,” he says. My eyes get big. Did he just say Queen? “I do,” Nick says and squeezes my hand.

I don’t remember anyone mentioning me becoming Queen, but I should have realized that Nick becoming Santa made me his Queen. “Breathe Clarice, you will be amazing,” Nick says. “Clarice, do you vow to love Nick and no other? To make him your partner in all things. To stand by him even when he is overbearing and grumpy. To support him in his new role as Santa Claus, the King of Christmas,” Chris says.

Despite my heart feeling like it is going to beat out of my chest, I speak the words without hesitation. “I do.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, our fingers start to glow. Not only our fingers but the glow moves through our body until we are completely engulfed in the light. Nick turns to face me and lowers his lips to mine. I can’t describe the feeling as our pledging bonds our souls. When he breaks the kiss, the glow fades, but my smile doesn’t.

*Clarice, you will now have the ability to teleport, so you won’t have to depend on any of us to bring you here, or anywhere you would like to go. As long as it is a familiar place, you will appear there,” Chris says. Before he says another word, I picture myself standing in the bedroom we were in last night and when I open my eyes I squeal. I do the same and return to my place in front of Nick. He throws his head back and laughs. I launch myself at him, and it’s my turn to kiss him, pouring all my love into the kiss.

Chris leans down and presses a kiss on my forehead before he hugs Nick tightly. Anya hugs me and kisses my cheek. Nick wraps his arm around me and leads me to where Chrissy and Jack are standing. I hug Chrissy and then Jack before they take their places in front of Chris. I can see he is choked up seeing his daughter about to pledge to Jack. Not that he doesn’t love Nick, but Chrissy is definitely daddy’s girl.

He goes to open his mouth to begin and the sound of a voice I had hoped not hear screeches from behind us. We turn in time to see Penelope almost face plant in the snow. The woman at her side is definitely her mother and her resting b**ch face is impressive. Anger surges inside me at their audacity to interrupt the pledging. I look back at Chrissy, and she looks as pissed as I feel. The tips of my fingers start to tingle. I raise my hand and notice they have a blue hew. What the hell is happening?