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Authors: Emma Darcy

Merry Christmas (Mills & Boon Vintage 90s Modern) (14 page)

BOOK: Merry Christmas (Mills & Boon Vintage 90s Modern)
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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I
’VE got one more present to give,” Kimberly declared, her eyes sparkling with the anticipation of surprising them.
Nick wondered what she had up her sleeve. They’d cleared the bundle underneath the Christmas tree. Three piles of gifts were now on full display, their discarded wrapping littering the floor around them.
“But there’s nothing left,” Merry pointed out.
Kimberly laughed. “I thought of it last night. You’ll never guess.”
“Are we allowed to play twenty questions?” Nick asked, happy to go along with the teasing.
He couldn’t remember ever feeling so happy. The three of them were sprawled on the carpet in the living room, surrounded by the trappings and spirit of Christmas. It was a perfect day outside and everything was right with his world. Beautifully, wonderfully right.
“Animal, mineral or vegetable?” he tossed at his daughter, revelling in the knowledge of their true relationship.
“It’s an idea, not a thing,” she smugly announced.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Then I give up.”
“Me, too,” Merry said, shaking her head. “An idea makes it far too tricky.”
“I knew you’d never guess,” Kimberly crowed triumphantly. “I’ve decided to go to PLC as a weekly boarder. It’ll give you and Nick lots of time together, Merry. Like a really long honeymoon. Just the two of you.”
“Oh!” Merry flushed, still a bit self-conscious over Kimberly’s pleasure in finding them together this morning. “It’s a lovely thought, Kimberly, but is it what you want to do?”
“I don’t mind at all now I know I’ll have you both at the weekends. It’ll be fun being with a whole lot of other girls, doing the same stuff.”
“Sure about this, Kimberly?” Nick asked, touched by her caring for them, yet reluctant to lose the sense of family he felt so strongly this morning.
“Absolutely!” she replied decisively. “Merry can help me shop for the right clothes and I’ll have lots of exciting things to tell you at weekends.” Her brow puckered. “There’s one thing though...”
“You can always change your mind,” Nick prompted.
“No. It’s Mrs. Armstrong. She’s been really nice, minding me. I don’t like the thought of putting her out of a job.”
Nick felt a swell of pride in his daughter. The kind concern for Fran Armstrong showed a generosity of spirit that had been sadly lacking with Rachel. On the other hand, grandmotherly Fran was hardly a threat to the place Kimberly had secretly earmarked for Merry.
“Don’t worry about Mrs. Armstrong, Kimberly. I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. I promise you she won’t lose by it.”
Relief spread into smile. “That’s good. She’s still waiting on a grandchild. Her daughter’s been trying to have a baby, but no luck yet.”
A baby, Nick thought, and looked at Merry, remembering their conversation earlier this morning. It had shocked him when he realised he hadn’t thought of using any form of contraception. On both nights his need and desire for her had obliterated any normal consideration of consequences. It was Merry who’d thought of it afterward, asking if he minded if they had another baby. As if he’d mind!
She caught his gaze and the soft look in her eyes and her smile told him she was thinking of the same conversation. A Christmas baby. Like Kimberly. Though if it happened, he wouldn’t be missing out on the birth this time. He reached out and took Merry’s hand in his, squeezing it as he silently promised he’d be there for her. Be there for everything.
“I know!” Kimberly said brightly, drawing their attention. “Why don’t you two have a baby? Mrs. Armstrong would love that.”
The suggestion popped out so unexpectedly, it caught them both by surprise. “How would you feel about it if we did, Kimberly?” Nick asked.
“Really?” she squealed excitedly.
He laughed at her. “Yes. Really.”
She clapped her hands. “I’ve always wanted a sister or a brother.” Her eyes glowed at the prospect. “If you got to work on it straight away we could have a bigger family next Christmas.”
Merry laughed, her cheeks burning even more brightly.
A Christmas family, Nick thought. What could be better?
“But you must promise to do all the baby shopping with me,” Kimberly demanded of her mother. “I mean that’s real mother stuff and I want to be in on it.”
Her real mother...
Kimberly loved having her.
Merry was right. It was a miracle the three of them had come together and everything had turned out right.
He feasted his eyes on the very special beauty of the woman he loved and would always love. It was true. She made him feel as though all the Christmas lights in the world had been switched on inside him.
His Merry Christmas.
No. His and Kimberly’s.
Their own special Merry Christmas.
ISBN: 9781408984345
 
Merry Christmas
 
© Emma Darcy 1997
 
First Published in Great Britain in 1997
Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
 
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, including without limitation xerography, photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
 
This ebook is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the prior consent of the publisher, in any form or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
 
All characters in this work have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
 
This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l.
 
® and TM are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.
 
BOOK: Merry Christmas (Mills & Boon Vintage 90s Modern)
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