Chapter Twenty
The next few days passed so quickly that looking back, it was hard to understand how much fun they’d packed into that short time.
Between the visit to Santa Claus, eating all the holiday specials at the various cafes offered up for seasonal customers, and the drives through the streets to see the Christmas lights, they came home happy and exhausted from every excursion.
One special morning had them out shopping for holiday treats to be delivered to the orphanage in town.
Letting the kids loose in the shopping mall, making decisions to buy loads of coloring books, crayons, painting kits and other fun toys to make a better Christmas for children in need, turned out to be their favorite treat of all.
Especially the delivery of the bags to the women in charge who were delighted to see so many gifts and thanked both Charlie and Maisie profusely.
All these activities fell into their plans of keeping the kids from sinking into despair by the loss of their mom. At the end of each day, they both sat with the children as they nestled into their beds and held a community rehash of what they enjoyed most.
This night, Colin perched at the end of Charlie’s bed while Jaq helped Maisie into her pajamas. “So, Charlie, what was your favorite thing we did today?”
“That’s easy. Walking through the Chateau Frontenac.
Seeing the trees. And all the shops with decorations.
” The boy’s eyes still glowed with the excitement he’d felt when they’d stepped through the huge doors leading into the foyer.
Even though Colin had seen that display many times over the days while he’d been staying there, he had to admit that it was breathtaking.
The staff had decorated a number of Christmas trees so beautifully that the tourists flocked there to take photos. In fact, Jaq had insisted they get so many shots of their family that it would take a fair amount of time to go through and weed out the keepers.
Maisie piped up, “I liked the dowies best. Did you see those princess ones?” Her voice lowered, filling with awe. “There were so many, and they were all beautifuw. That other girl, the one who cwied when her mommy pulled her away… it was sad.”
Personally, Jaq thought the child had been bratty and didn’t deserve to be rewarded for her tantrum, but then kids did see the world differently. “Remember though… her mommy told her she had lots of dolls. Maybe she didn’t need another one.”
Maisie picked up a ragged looking baby-doll with a missing arm that screamed out ‘wash me’.
“I have a dowie. Her name is Lili. But she wouldn’t mind if I got another one, would you Lili?
” Jaq noticed that she only brought this babydoll out from under her covers at bedtime, and then the doll was cuddled closely while Maisie drifted off.
Jaq tucked them in. “Lili. That’s a nice name. How did you pick that one?”
Charlie heard them talking and when he saw that Maisie had stopped paying attention, he answered. “Lili’s in a TV show called Trotro. Maisie and I like that cartoon. Maman used to let us watch it sometimes.”
“I see. We’ll check the schedule and see if we can turn on the TV when it’s playing again. I’d love to see it with you. Would that be okay?” Jaq liked seeing his face light up.
“Sure.” Charlie looked at Colin. “You can watch with us too if you want.”
“I want,” Colin teased and pulled the blankets up over Charlie’s shoulders. “Okay, snuggle down now. It’s time to sleep. Tomorrow is the big day, and Jaq and I have a lot of things to do so we’re ready for Santa’s arrival.”
Charlie grinned while doing as he was told. “We put out the cookies and milk.”
“Yes you did, and Santa’s going to have a big surprise when he bites into one of those shortbread treats. Happy dreams, pal.”
“Good night, Colin.” Before he could turn away, Charlie pushed up and gave Colin a huge hug.
Jaq watched his eyes close tight and saw him swallow hard while hugging the boy back before easing him again under the covers and gently brushing his hair from his forehead.
He blinked a number of times as he made his way to kiss Maisie’s forehead in the same way she did with the children each night.
Any affection from the kids seemed to affect him strongly, and she liked how he controlled it.
How he was always gentle and kind, yet firm.
She’d known for some time that he’d make a good father but seeing him like this over these last few days made her understand how much he’d come to love the children.
The promise he’d made to their mother would have been enough for him to do his best to look after them but now everything had changed.
Now… he loved them and would fight for them for as long as it took.
Funny, she’d always had this niggling doubt that things had moved too fast and that the whole situation had been too much like a fairy-tale or a TV show.
Not anymore. Now she accepted that real life had taken over and had no qualms that the ending would be as Colin had painted from the beginning.
They would be a real family. Of that she had no misgivings.
Unknown to her as to why she felt the need to suddenly attack the man, she moved into his space as soon as they left the kid’s bedroom and without warning, she hugged him hard.
“What’s this for?” The huskiness of his tone sounded sexy as he held her, his arms gathering her closer.
“Because for the first time since this nightmare started, I’m accepting that what you said would happen really will. That this is not just some Harlequin Christmas story, but real life. And those kids are going to be incredibly lucky that you found them that day.”
Slowly, he held her away so he could look into her face.
“Hold it. I only became involved because you called out. Your screams for help were what made me stop in time to save Charlie’s life.
If it hadn’t been for you seeing the igloo collapsing, who knows whether we could have saved either child.
” He shook his head. “It’s unbearable to even think about it. ”
Listening to his words made the nightmare rise again, and Jaq lowered her head to his chest, needing his comfort. “So close, Colin. So close. I can’t bear to think of the ending being different. And knowing you’ll have those kids with you from now on makes everything bearable.”
Colin pulled back from her so he could look into her eyes.
“For me, what would be unbearable is not having you with us. I can’t imagine a world where the three of us are together without you, Jaq.
Is there any way that you might consider a relationship when we’re back in Vancouver?
Trust me, neither the kids nor myself want a life without you included. ”
“You don’t?”
“Of course not. I thought you understood that. All my plans for the future include you. I need you. We need you.” His lips lowered to hers, and the world exploded.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her into the dimly lit living room where the dazzling tree stood in front of the main window.
There, the many twinkling lights and sparkling decorations reflected themselves, doubling their glowing attraction.
Letting her body slide down his provocatively, he watched for her reaction to his declaration. Once she stood in front of him, still wrapped in his arms. gratitude showed in her soft smile. Whispering, she spoke close to his ear. “You care about me too?”
“Of course I do. From the first moment we met, you’ve been a huge part of this whole story.” He smiled teasingly. “I can even say the main character. I’m positive I wouldn’t have been able to manage this situation on my own.”
Intensity filled her voice as she argued. “You would have.”
“No. You don’t understand. Sure, I would have helped Gisele any way possible but adopting children and making a life for them without you in the picture… I’ve asked myself that more than once. And the answer is always the same. How would it be possible?”
“Then I’m glad I was there. It was meant to be.”
“You feel that too. I’m so glad.” He lowered them to the sofa, and with her wrapped in his arms, he kissed her deeply.
Their mouths fusing to each others while he cradled her head, his hands gently pushing her hair out of the way.
Passion flared quickly between them and soon their intimate embrace pulsated with seduction.
Their breathing became affected, and it was Colin who pushed back, letting his forehead rest against hers.
Panting with urges because of her response, he forced his own restraint to kick in, knowing that with sparks igniting the way they were, he’d be hard pressed to let her go if they went any further.
“No. We need to stop. One of the kids might come out to use the potty.”
“I know.” Jaq all but cried the last word. Her desire to be in his arms had overtaken common sense. She’d never felt this way before and wasn’t in control of herself… not in any way. To her surprise, her body had hungered for satisfaction, making her willing to do whatever he wanted.
“Oh, God. I need to leave… go to the hotel.” He wrenched himself from her clutching arms. “I can’t stay here with you, or I won’t be able to control myself.” Sadly, she tucked her hands into her lap, letting him go.
Then she remembered, “You can’t. We have presents to wrap.”
“You’re right.” Groaning, he grinned her way. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Maybe. A little. Look, I didn’t understand how much I’ve yearned for this myself.
” Chuckling, forcing her hair away from her face with a shaky hand, in a strained voice, she admitted her folly.
“We’ve only known each other a short time, but I swear it feels like a lifetime to me.
” Softened with love, her amber-like eyes glowed with sincerity.
And though he turned away, the roughness in his voice proved that it took a lot of will power. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Looking at me that way. Being so beautiful that I can’t keep my hands off you.
Caring as much as I believe you do.” He bent toward the table where a glass of milk and a dish of cookies sat waiting for Santa Claus.
Quickly, he gulped the milk, looking her way with the white mustache that made her chuckle.
“Why are you smiling? Help me. I can’t eat all these myself.”
Laughing harder, overcome with sheer joy, Jaq grabbed a cookie. “It’s nothing. I’m going to fetch the bottle of wine we bought to celebrate, then I’ll bring out the bags that I hid in the closet in my bedroom.”
“Okay. Pour me a double, will ya? In the meantime, I’ll grab the kids’ presents from the trunk of my car.”
“Don’t forget the wrapping paper and the bag with the bows and scotch tape.” Once the door closed, she hugged herself gleefully, dancing her way to the kitchen.