The Twelve Nights of Christmas (19 page)

Overwhelmed with love for him, Evie lifted her hand and stroked his hair. ‘I wasn't sure how you'd feel this year—that's why we haven't decorated the tree. I thought you might rather we didn't.' Hesitant, she watched him. ‘I know the whole thing has bad memories for you.'

‘I'm making new memories—' he captured her hand in his, his voice husky ‘—with you.'

‘Daddy, come on!' Elyssa was waiting impatiently and Rio released Evie and walked to the front door.

‘Close your eyes and don't peep until I say so.'

Elyssa squeezed them shut. ‘Can I look yet?'

Rio opened the door of the house. ‘
Now
you can look.'

Evie watched as the little girl opened her eyes. Wonder and happiness lit her whole face. Intrigued as to what had caused such a response, Evie turned her head and gasped as she saw the pretty white pony. He stood quietly, his breath clouding the air, a big red bow in his mane. Behind him was a sleigh piled high with presents.

‘Daddy!' Elyssa could hardly speak. ‘Oh, Daddy!'

Rio looked smug. ‘You like him?'

‘He's
mine
? Truly?'

‘All yours.' Rio scooped her into his arms and carried her to the pony. ‘His name is Snowflake and he's the latest member of our ever-growing family. It's a good job we have a large house.'

Elyssa had her arms around the pony, almost sobbing with excitement. ‘He's so beautiful. Oh—oh—Mummy, have you seen him?'

Mummy.

Rio inhaled sharply and so did Evie because she'd waited
for this moment for so long. For almost a year she'd been encouraging the withdrawn, confused little girl to call her Mummy and finally now, on Christmas Eve, she'd said it. To hear her use the word so naturally felt like a miracle.

The best Christmas gift of all.

Warmth spread through her body and Evie walked across to Rio and took Elyssa from him, hugging her tightly, tears on her face.

‘I see him, sweetheart, and I think he's completely perfect.'

Her grandfather appeared in the doorway, smiling his approval as he looked at Evie with her family.

Rio looked ridiculously pleased with himself. ‘It's cold out here and neither of you are properly dressed. We'll go back inside and get wrapped up and then we can go round to the stables and see Snowflake and his friends.'

Evie glanced up at him. ‘Friends?'

A smile transformed his face from handsome to breathtaking. ‘I bought a few spares. I have a feeling we're going to be needing them before too long.'

Evie's heart stumbled. He wanted more children. A big family.

Her dream come true.

As she smiled up at him she felt something cold brush against her face and Elyssa gave a squeal of excitement that made the pony throw up his head in alarm.

‘It's snowing! Mummy, Daddy, we're going to have snow for Christmas. Can we build a snowman? Do you know how?'

Rio brushed the snow from Evie's cheek. ‘Yes, I know how. We need a carrot and some pebbles and a few twigs. And we need your mother because she's brilliant at building snowmen.'

‘We also need enough snow,' Evie pointed out practically.
‘We need to find something to do while we're waiting for it to settle.'

‘I think I can solve that problem.' Rio pulled her back into his arms and held her tightly. ‘How would you feel about decorating a Christmas tree?'