Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 87

87 Epilogue

5 year Later

Clarice POV

I can’t believe my daughter is five today. It’s crazy that it feels like yesterday I stepped back into my hometown heartbroken only to wind up finding the man that was meant to love me. Never did I expect to be Mrs. Claus. My first sleigh ride with Nick was one I’ll never forget. When he let go of the reigns and practically attacked me, I thought we would crash. I screamed, but his lips silenced me. Once he reassured me that the reindeer knew the route and could fly it blindfolded, the ride got a lot hotter.

“What has that look on your face, Mrs. Kringle,” Nick asks. His deep voice only adding to the memory. His hands snake around my swollen belly. “The memory of our first sleigh ride.” He hums in appreciation before pressing a warm kiss on my neck. “I wouldn’t mind reliving that moment after you deliver our daughter, Mrs. Claus,” he says. “It’s a date then. Where are Holly and Christopher?” “They are already at the Inn with their grandparents,” he says.

I put the finishing touches on the cake just as Chrissy and Simone step into our kitchen. “Is my brother bothering you while you are trying to finish my niece’s birthday cake,” Chrissy asks. “I don’t mind his kind of bothering, but I’m done. We had better get to the dining room before our parents have promised all the kids their heart desires.” “When are you finally going to add to the brood, Chrissy? Surely you’ve had enough of spending time with Jackie boy,” Nick says.

I slap his chest because I don’t want him pressuring her. They will start their family when they are ready.

“Actually, we found out two days ago that it won’t be just the two of us anymore,” she says. Simone and I

both squeal and wrap our arms around Chrissy. “Mom and dad know, of course, but Jack and I are going

to tell everyone today. I wanted you three to know first. You are my best friends and, despite being a pain in my a**, you are my brother. I love you all,” she says.

Tears roll down her cheeks and I hug her again. “We love you too, Chrissy. Holly, Lexi, Camille, and

Christopher are going to be so excited to have a cousin. Let’s get going so you can tell everyone the good news.” Nick picks up the cake and we make our way to the Inn. I smile when I look at the three houses that now sit on the land behind it. Having our family so close is a dream come true. The kids are constantly together and there is always someone to watch over the kids when you are trying to steal a few

moments alone.

When we step into the Inn, the sound of laughter and happiness fills the air. As soon as I step into the dining room, the kids make a beeline for me. Well, for the cake I made. “Mom, is it my favorite,” Holly asks. “Of course it is. Do you think I wouldn’t make you a chocolate cake for your birthday?”

She practically jumps out of her shoes with excitement. “Mama, will you make our cake,” little Lexi asks as Camille nods her head in agreement. “Of course I will. What would you like on it?” They look at each other and a silent conversation passes between them. “We want Bluey, please,” Camille says. “Absolutely, you can have Bluey!” Christopher reaches up for me to pick him up and buries his head in my neck.

<87 Epilogue

+25 Points

He is the quiet one of the bunch, but I know that will change in time. I smile as Donovan, Nick and Chrissy’s little brother heads straight for Nick. He loves his big brother. As soon as Nick sets the cake down, he scoops him up in his arms. “Hey buddy. I missed you,” he says. “I missed you, Nicky,” he says. My husband glares at his father, who is trying to hide his smile. “You are the only one allowed to call me that little bro,” he says and presses a kiss on his forehead.

I look around the room at all the people that I love and that love me. I never expected to have all this. Nick sets Donovan on his feet, and he rushes to join the other kids who are looking at the mountain of presents. I smile as Noreen, Jared, Jonathon, and Isabella step into the dining room.

I smile even bigger when Phillip walks in with his son and husband in toe. They became part of this big loud group the minute Phillip escorted us to Carly’s when they visited the Inn and found his beloved. Darwin didn’t know what hit him. I thought his mother was going to lose her mind when she found out that he was dating a man. Despite her bigotry, Darwin wasn’t going to lose the man that was destined to be his.

He closed the bakery and moved to the fae Kingdom. Elaine left town after her father passed away and hasn’t returned. Phillip says he still gets sad from time to time, but it doesn’t last. He is smiling from ear to ear today as he watches Toby head to join the other kids. I hate that she did that to him, but he is surrounded by people that love him. I notice that Holly and Jonathon are whispering, and I wonder what that is about. Our teasing when they were just babies flashes in my mind and I wonder if maybe it was truly a possibility. I’m glad that is a long time away. I want her to stay a little girl as long as she can.

Nick moves to wrap his arm around me and I turn pressing a kiss on his lips. “I love you Clarice,” he says. “I love you Nicholas Kringle. You are mine in this life and the next. I will never regret a moment of what I went through to get to you because you are my Christmas dream come true.”

The Artic

Loretta POV

God, I wish they just killed me in that cell. This is worse than death. Igor is a rotund man who wouldn’t

know hygiene if it bit him in the a*s. All Janice does is complain about having to clean up after these

ba**ards but at least she doesn’t have to f**k any of them. Every time he calls me to his room, I know

what’s coming. Thankfully, he has been too exhausted these last few days to bother me. I step out of my room and make my way to the kitchen.

I’m starving, and I have no desire to have dinner with the lot of them. His two brothers and sisters are as

disgusting as he is. The only saving grace is he hasn’t gotten me pregnant. I can’t imagine carrying or

pushing out his big–headed children. Just as I reach the kitchen, I hear his younger sister yelling at Janice about cleaning her room. “I just cleaned your room,” she practically screams. Toni slaps her hard, knocking her to the ground.

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