Epilogue
Ring. Marriage license. Bride.
Sven adjusted the fluffy white beard covering his jaw as he escorted Christy the short distance from the Creekside Town Hall to the gazebo in the park. Fresh snow dusted the sidewalk, the ground, and the wedding venue with its holiday decorations. The sun peeked out from between the icy clouds, making everything sparkle.
Magical.
Just like waking up next to her this morning.
His daughter, his parents and the mayor waited for him and the love of his life at the bottom of the ramp. At least half the residents of his hometown surrounded the wooden structure where the high school band had played holiday songs at the Claus for a Cause festival last night. Some stood, but most sat in folding camp and lawn chairs. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band currently performed “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” through the sound system a local DJ had offered for what had been billed as a last-minute vow renewal of the couple from the North Pole.
Her gloved hand tucked in his, Mrs. Claus snuggled closer. “I can’t believe Brenna pulled this off.”
He huffed out a low laugh. “She’s an expert at talking people into doing things for a good cause.”
Within an hour of his text announcing his and Christy’s engagement, his daughter had convinced the county clerk to issue a marriage license at four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon and then planned the entire event. The wedding of Santa and Mrs. Claus quickly evolved into a community affair to extend one of the most successful fundraisers in the town’s history.
He didn’t care that the whole thing had become a public spectacle. At the end, the woman he’d loved forever would be his wife.
Finally.
She suddenly slowed beside him, sending his insides spinning. “What was the deep breath for? Are you having second thoughts?”
The combination of the questions and her cautious tone stopped him in his tracks. He turned, cradled her face in his palms, and touched his chilly lips to hers. Warmth surged through his veins. “No second thoughts. Just impatient to hear you say I do. I’ve waited a long time for this.”
“Okay.” She rose on her tiptoes and shared another kiss with him. “Let’s hurry.”
He wanted to reassure her, especially after a flicker of insecurity flashed in her eyes, but moving the ceremony along was the best way to show how much he adored her. Grasping her hand in his again, he walked with her to the gathering and aimed a curt nod at the mayor.
The song ended and she opened a small book, announcing she was ready to begin the show. “Welcome, everyone. I’m honored to preside over a very special wedding today. The Clauses have chosen to renew their marriage vows in our humble town.”
As the mayor launched into a monologue about love withstanding the test of time, his daughter grinned up at him, without a doubt gloating over the results of her efforts to manipulate his love life. She’d admitted to playing matchmaker between him and the new friend she’d met a week and a half ago.
He hadn’t needed her kick in the ass to fall madly in love with an occupational therapist who was supposed to be in town for only a few weeks to a month. The woman had owned his heart for more than three decades.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus will be reciting their own vows.” The mayor gestured for Sven to go first.
Facing his bride, he held both of her hands in his and kept his voice low so none of the little ears in the audience would accidentally discover their true identities. “Christy, I’ve loved you almost my whole life, since the very first time I saw you. You were my best friend before I knew what my feelings meant. I treasured every second of the time we spent together as friends, as lovers, as soulmates. In all the years we were apart, you lived on in my heart. Now you’re here again, and I can breathe and feel and hope. I can’t wait to share the rest of my days and nights with you as your husband.”
She squeezed his fingers, and a tear trickled toward her mouth unchecked. “Sven, you’re my rock. You’ve been by my side through so many hardships, always holding me up when I thought I would fall, and you never let me push you away. The world dimmed when I didn’t have you to lean on. Knowing you’re here with me gives me the strength to face my fears and let love guide me. I’ve found happiness with you again and I’ll cherish every day I get to be your wife.”
After a glance at the book in her hands, the mayor closed it, with her thumb marking her spot. “I understand you’re exchanging rings. We’ll keep this short since the weather’s a bit nippy this morning. As you place the ring on each other’s fingers, please recite the following. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
He nearly dropped his mittens, but they managed to slide on the matching set of wedding bands without a mishap.
“By the authority vested in me by the State of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mrs. Claus, you may—”
Lifting his bride off her feet, he sealed the deal with a kiss to rival the ones they engaged in under the mistletoe yesterday.
Raucous applause arose from their audience, and the rest of his family crowded in to congratulate him and his wife.
Warmth breath tickled his neck as she held on tight. “This is the best day of my life.”
He kissed her again. “Mine too, Mrs. Claus.”
Thanks for reading!