Epilogue
One Year Later
Charlotte mingled among her guests as they celebrate the second Christmas at Fairfax Manor.
Micheal and her mother-in-law raised their glasses in a silent toast from across the ballroom.
Her marriage to Joseph had occurred in June after a courtship that had swept her completely off her feet.
Balls, carriage rides, the theater, ices at Gunters, and anything Joseph could think of to basically woo her had finally made her ask him if they could just get married.
The expression on Joseph’s face when she had said the words aloud was still etched in her memory.
Shock. Disbelief. And then pure joy. It was something she would never forget, and he did everything in his power to see that they were wed as soon as the banns were read.
The man of her dreams strode across the room to come to her side.
He held out a glass of champagne but she declined with a knowing smile.
She had news to tell him and now was a good a time as any.
She pulled his arm as they left the ballroom and when she finally found a quiet room without any guests, she went into his arms. He bent down to kiss her lips.
“What mischief are you up to now, wife?” he asked nuzzling her neck.
“The worse sort, husband, but we have guests so we need to make this brief liaison quick,” she teased, pressing her body into his. She heard a groan from deep inside his chest.
“Keep this up, and we will be leaving our guests to fend for themselves while I whisk you up to our bedroom, my love.”
She caressed the nape of his neck. “Before we leave our guests, I have news for you.”
“I’m certain it can wait. Let me kiss you instead, while we’re still alone,” he murmured leaving a trail of kisses down her neck.
“Behave for a moment, darling, so I can tell you my news,” she begged with a laugh.
He raised his head, but she could see he was barely holding back on what he really wanted to be doing. “Very well, but be quick. I have other plans in store for us tonight.”
She gave him a smirk before reaching for one of his hands and placing it on her stomach. “Congratulations, my dearest love. You’re going to be a father.”
His eyes widened and he stumbled back. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “Are you happy?”
“Happy? Why, I want to shout for joy from the rooftop. Of course, I’m thrilled with such news,” he declared, before coming back to lift her up and begin swinging her around. And then he remembered himself. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Her laughter filled the room. “You could never hurt me, Joseph.”
His lips pressed against her own and for several minutes they had thoughts only of each other and the baby that would enter their lives in the months to come. But laughter coming from their guests broke the spell. They both looked upward to see the mistletoe bough over their heads.
Joseph’s gaze returned to hers. “I really must say I do so enjoy this family tradition.”
“We’ll pass it down to our own children one day,” Charlotte declared, with another smile.
“Let’s go tell our guests of our news… that is, if you agree we should celebrate our child that will bless our lives in the coming year,” he said awaiting her approval.
“I couldn’t think of a better time than while we are with our family and friends,” she said in excitement.
They returned to the ballroom and Joseph signaled for the attention of their guests.
Applause erupted at the news of their forthcoming child.
Charlotte and Joseph were surrounded by family and friends who came to offer their congratulations.
The holiday party had become a different sort of celebration, and Charlotte was thrilled with the child that grew inside her.
When Joseph and Charlotte finally took leave of their guests far into the morning hours, Joseph’s lovemaking look on a whole different meaning that night.
And as she lay next to her husband after he had fallen fast asleep, Charlotte could only be thankful for the miracle of mistletoe and midnight wishes that had made all her dreams finally come true.
The End