Audrey’s POV:
The first Christmas after marriage.
The crackling fireplace cast a warm glow across the Cole family’s
spacious living room.
The entire family gathered in this beautifully decorated space, where
Christmas ornaments, twinkling lights, and festive garlands
transformed every corner into a holiday wonderland.
I had brought Margaret Bailey along, while Caspar had escorted his
Dorothy Thornton.
The spacious mansion could barely contain the laughter and
animated conversations filling every room.
Everyone was relishing in this precious family reunion, the air filled
with animated conversations, shared stories, and bursts of hearty
laughter that seemed to warm the room even more than the dancing
flames in the fireplace.
I nestled deeper into the plush sofa, cradling a mug of hot chocolate
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between my palms.
I caught Caspar’s gaze across the room.
We shared a silent moment of understanding–neither of us had
particularly enjoyed holiday gatherings before, but here, surrounded
by warmth and genuine affection, something had shifted.
We’d found our version of home.
I excused myself when I felt my phone vibrate, slipping out to the
garden terrace.
The crisp December air was refreshing after the warmth inside.
“Audrey!” Emma’s delighted face filled my screen.
“Merry Christmas from… where are we now, Jasper?”
The camera panned to show Jasper Kingsley’s grinning face against a
backdrop of what appeared to be ancient stone buildings.
“Athens, darling! Sending you Christmas wishes from the cradle of
Western civilization.”
“You two look amazing,” I said, feeling a genuine pang of missing
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them. “How’s the world tour going?”
“Exhausting and exhilarating,” Emma replied.
“I’ve eaten my weight in Mediterranean cuisine,” she added, patting
his stomach. “Though I maintain I haven’t gained an ounce.”
“Liar,” Jasper laughed, elbowing her.
I chuckled softly. “How much longer are you two gallivanting around?
When are you coming back?”
“Missing us already?” Emma asked with a knowing smile.
“I thought you were too busy with your perfect little family to need us
anymore.”
“Please,” I joked, gently swinging on the swing. “I might forget my
husband occasionally, but I could never forget you two,”
“Is that so?” Caspar’s voice came from behind me, making me freeze.
Caspar strode forward, taking the phone from my hand.
His eyes narrowed playfully at my friends on screen. “I’m warning you
both–stop trying to steal my wife.”
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Emma smirked.
“Audrey was ours first, and we only let you borrow her. Whether you
get to keep her depends entirely on your abilities, King C.”
Jasper nodded in agreement beside her.
“If you ever mistreat her, or if Audrey decides she’s had enough of
you, we’ll come and take her back ourselves.”
“In your dreams!” Caspar let out a cold laugh. “You two can abandon
that fantasy right now. Even if the apocalypse comes, that will never
happen!”
I continued swinging gently, watching with an amused smile as
Caspar bantered with Emma and Jasper on the video call.
The conversation was interrupted when Finley burst onto the terrace,
his face flushed with excitement.
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you two!”
His eyes were bright with barely contained news.
“Clara’s pregnant! I’m going to be a father!”
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The announcement was met with cheers and congratulations, both
from us and from Emma and Jasper on the video call.
The evening continued with champagne toasts and celebration, the
joy infectious as we all shared in Finley and Clara’s happiness.
Later that night, I helped Noah change into his pajamas at the
Thornton estate.
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His eyes were droopy from the excitement of the day, but he still had
questions, as always.
“Mommy,” he murmured as I pulled his shirt over his head, “when will
I have a sister to play with?”
The question caught me off guard, and I felt my heart skip.
“Well,” I said carefully, “that’s up to heaven to decide, sweetheart.”
Noah nodded solemnly, accepting this explanation with the peculiar
wisdom of children.
“I hope heaven decides soon,” he said simply.
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I smoothed his hair gently.
“Well, you know, Clara auntie is pregnant now. She’s going to have a
baby soon, and you’ll have a little friend to play with.”
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His eyes widened with excitement.
“Really? Can I teach the baby to paint?”
I smiled at his enthusiasm. “And yes, when they’re a little bigger, you
can definitely teach them how to paint. You’ll be the best teacher.”
“I’ll show them all my special colors,” Noah said with a yawn, his
eyelids growing heavy. “And how to make the stars look real…”
“Night, Mommy. I love you.”
“I love you too, Noah.”
I tucked him in, kissing his forehead. “Goodnight, my little artist.
Sweet dreams.”
I closed his door quietly and made my way to the master bedroom.
When I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks.
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The room had been transformed. Soft jazz played from hidden
speakers, and scented candles cast a golden glow across the space.
The curtains of the floor–to–ceiling windows were drawn back,
revealing the starlit sky.
And there, silhouetted against the panoramic view of the night, stood
Caspar with only a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still
damp from the shower.
“I heard our son’s bedtime request,” he said, turning to face me. “A
sister, huh?”
I closed the door behind me, leaning against it.
“Were you eavesdropping, Mr. Thornton?”
“I just happened to pass by,” he corrected with a smile. “And I find
myself in agreement with our son.”
“Do you now?” I moved closer, drawn to him like a moth to flame.
“Father and son telepathy?”
“Perhaps.” His eyes followed me as I approached. “Or perhaps I just want to see you around with my child again.”
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“Mmm,” I hummed, reaching him and running my fingers lightly over
his bare chest.
“Are you sure that’s not just an excuse for what you really want? You
look like you’re totally flirting with me.”
Caspar caught my hand, bringing it to his lips.
“My desire for you has never needed excuses, Audrey. If anything, it’s
only grown stronger with time.”
“Is that so?” I whispered, my fingers trailing down to the edge of his
towel.
“Let me remind you,” he murmured, “exactly how much I want you.”
His hands cupped my face gently. “Do you remember that night?
When you walked into my room by mistake?”
I nodded, feeling heat rise to my cheeks at the memory.
“Well,” I said, tugging at his towel until it fell to the floor, “perhaps we
should recreate that night.”
His eyes darkened as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to our bed.
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In the moonlight that streamed through the windows, we found each
other again, our fingers intertwined as we moved together.
“This time,” Caspar whispered against my ear, his voice a promise, “we
won’t be separated again.”
The soft glow of candles cast dancing shadows across the walls as the
night deepened.
We lost ourselves in each other, tireless and completely present in
our passion.
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-End-
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R Visitor
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
