Christmas off Script - Extended Epilogue
Christmas Day - one year later
‘D o you need to use your set square?’ Leo asked his eldest brother as Henry adjusted the tiny posy of evergreens pinned to the front of Leo’s suit for the third time. ‘Maybe your spirit level?’
‘It was on the wonk,’ Henry replied patiently. ‘Ella’s an artist. She’ll notice details like these.’
‘No, she won’t. She’s too in love with me for that. All she’s going to see when she walks down the aisle is the best-looking Foxbrooke.’
‘Not just the one with the best-developed ego?’ Connor asked with a grin from his position at the window overlooking the manor’s gardens.
‘No, that’s Dad,’ Leo replied cheerfully. ‘I’m the best-looking.’
‘Wasn’t Henry on the cover of Vogue magazine?’ Connor continued.
‘Seriously? Why does everyone keep going on about that?’ Leo asked. ‘It was bloody years ago!’
‘Actually—’ Henry began.
‘Anyway,’ Leo interrupted. ‘My day, my glory. Your job is to make sure we’re on time at the church, hand over the rings, then make some heartfelt speeches at the reception about how amazing I am.’
Connor’s laugh was warm. ‘I think we can do that.’
Leo smiled, his contentment sprinkled with impatient excitement at seeing Ella again. The past year with her had been the happiest of his life. She was his favourite person to be with, think about or talk about. His colleagues at work had been amused and bemused by his levels of adoration, however his family had not. They knew better than anyone else the importance of Ella in his life. Whether when they were children, or now as adults, endlessly in love with each other.
‘I can’t believe it snowed,’ Connor said. ‘I should have put a bet on it.’
‘The Christmas gods are on our side,’ Leo replied. ‘I just wish it was enough for us to travel back from the church in a one-horse open sleigh.’
Henry raised his eyebrows. ‘For a couple of hundred metres walk?’
‘Yes! It would make it more festive.’
‘And a health and safety nightmare. We’re not prepared for that amount of snow in the UK.’
‘There’s a sleigh at the back of the old carriage house.’
‘Which is rusty and rotted because the last time it was used was hundreds of years ago for a jaunt around the park.’
Connor grinned. ‘Could you be any more obsessed with turning your wedding into a Hallmark movie?’
‘Oh yes,’ Leo replied happily. ‘I want us to change our surname to Christmas.’
‘What?’ Arthur exclaimed as he entered the room. ‘Renounce the good name of Foxbrooke?’
Leo smirked. ‘The British press and most of the general public think our name is anything but good.’
‘Bugger them,’ Arthur retorted. ‘Bunch of bally fools. Why d’you care what they think?’
‘I don’t. But you have to admit, being Mr and Mrs Christmas would be amazing.’
‘No, it wouldn’t. And what would be next, eh? Calling your offspring Holly and Ivy?’
‘Those are brilliant names for twins!’ Leo turned to Henry. ‘There we go. Next year, when Libby gives birth, you can call your kids that. Or Robin and Noel if they’re boys.’
Henry shook his head. ‘Not going to happen.’
‘Okay, then I’ll suggest it to Estelle. She’s due to pop her two out around the same time, isn’t she?’
Connor laughed. ‘Can I be there when you suggest it to her?’
Leo pulled a face. ‘Maybe I’ll send a text.’
‘Leo, m’boy,’ Arthur said, a frown on his face, ‘You’re not serious about this name-changing nonsense, are you?’
‘Fear not,’ Leo replied. ‘For mighty dread has seized your troubled mind. Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.’
‘What?’
‘I’d quite happily change our surname to Christmas, but Ella wants to be a Foxbrooke. Can’t think why.’
Arthur’s eyes turned glassy. ‘Because she’s a poppet and an angel,’ he replied gruffly. ‘And we’re bally lucky to have her.’
A silence settled on the room and Leo’s throat tightened. They were lucky to have her. And he was the luckiest of them all.
Connor slung an arm around his shoulder and squeezed. ‘Time to go. You’ve got a wedding to get to.’
* * *
‘It’s too light,’ Michelle said as Willow applied Ella’s make-up. ‘You can’t tell she’s wearing any.’
The brush stilled and Ella held her breath.
‘We’re going for a natural look,’ Willow replied with a smile.
Put it on thicker, then blend it.’ Michelle leaned in. ‘Ells, love, I wish you’d just let me do it for you.’
‘Michelle!’ Summer swooped in with the power of the midsummer sun. ‘Why don’t we do a quick live together? Obviously no shots of Ella, but we can show off our outfits and tease for the big reveal later. What do you think?’
There was a stunned beat, then Michelle straightened as if she’d received an electric shock. ‘Yeah! Yeah, let’s do it now!’
Ella squeezed her lips tightly together to stop a laugh escaping as Michelle hurried after Summer from the room. A year ago, her stepmother realised she had more to gain from being kind to Ella than cruel. Not only did it win her the approval of her husband, but it gave her access to Summer and her millions of followers. So far, Summer had resisted any collaboration with Michelle, but now she seemed ready to take one for the team and buy Ella some breathing space.
‘I never imagined this,’ Ella murmured to Willow.
‘Marrying my brother?’ she replied quietly. ‘Or Michelle being nice to you?’
Ella glanced at the room reflected in the mirror. Vivienne and Dervla were chatting to her birth mother, and Lila was talking animatedly to Billie-Mai and a heavily pregnant Kyla-Marie. It was a sight she’d never believed could happen.
‘Everything,’ Ella said. ‘I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and find it’s all been a dream.’
Willow smirked. ‘But instead you’re going to wake up each morning next to my brother. I’d call that a nightmare.’
Ella giggled. ‘That’s the best bit. He’s—’ She sighed happily. ‘Perfect.’
‘And so are you. Happy with what I’ve done?’
‘Yes, thank you. I feel like a princess.’
‘You’re more beautiful than that.’ Willow placed a diamond tiara on Ella’s head. ‘You’re a queen.’
Ella blinked at her reflection. ‘I can’t believe Gram-Gram let me wear this.’
‘It’s the ultimate sign of her approval. And it looks incredible on you. I tried to place a bet with my family that Leo would cry when he sees you for the first time. But they all agreed he’s going to lose it.’
‘I think I’m going to cry when I see him .’
‘That’s why I used waterproof make-up. I’ve prepared for all eventualities.’
There was a knock at the door, and Dervla went to let Ronnie into the room.
Ella caught her father’s eye in the mirror, the love and pride in his expression making her tear up. Willow pulled her chair back and Ella stood, making her way to his side.
Ronnie took her hands. ‘My little girl.’ His voice cracked. ‘All grown up.’
‘You ready to give me away?’
He shook his head. ‘I feel like I’ve only just got you back.’
Ella threw her arms around him. ‘I’m not going anywhere, Dad. You’ve got me for life.’
He held her tightly and drew in a ragged breath. ‘God bless you, love. God bless.’
‘Willow,’ Billie-Mai called out. ‘You owe me a tenner. Told you my dad would be the first to cry.’
Ella pulled back from her father, and they both grinned at each other.
‘I can’t help it, love,’ Ronnie said to Billie-Mai. ‘Just look at her.’
‘I know, Dad. But you can’t set her off or the make-up will be ruined.’
‘It’s waterproof,’ Ella said.
‘Thank f—god for that,’ Billie-Mai replied. ‘And isn’t it time for us to go?’
‘I’ll get the photographer,’ Vivienne said. ‘A few naturalistic photos, then we’ll get you into the car.’
‘Are you sure?’ Ella asked. ‘I can walk?’
Vivienne raised an impeccably shaped brow. ‘In couture? In the snow? No, honey.’
Ella grinned. ‘I can wear my Converse?’
Her future mother-in-law placed the back of her hand on her forehead and shuddered theatrically. ‘Heathen!’
Dervla chuckled. ‘You sound just like Gram-Gram, Vivi.’
‘Dear lord,’ Vivienne said as everyone laughed. ‘I take everything back. You can wear rainboots for all I care.’
Michelle re-entered the room with Summer, and Ella glanced her way. ‘You ready to go to the church, Michelle? I think the cars are outside.’
‘Yes, doll. All good. And you look lovely, by the way.’ She turned to her husband. ‘Don’t she look pretty, Ron?’
‘She does, love.’ Ronnie sidled up and took her arm. ‘Just like you.’
Even under the layers of make-up, Ella could see her stepmother blushing.
The photographer entered and gave them all a wide smile. ‘I’m just going to get a few quick shots, then we’ll head to the church. Can I have the bride and bridesmaids by the window, please?’
Ella went over and stood between Billie-Mai and Lila on one side, and Summer and Willow on the other. She’d also asked Kyla-Marie, Estelle, and Libby if they wanted to be bridesmaids, but all three were heavily pregnant and had graciously declined.
‘Gorgeous,’ the photographer said. ‘Now I just want to ask if any of you know what Cinderella said when her photos didn’t show up?’
Summer pulled a face. ‘Huh?’
‘Some day my prints will come!’ she replied with a grin, snapping photos as everyone cracked up. ‘Did you hear about the two cell phones that got married?’ she continued. ‘I heard the reception was excellent.’
Lila snorted. ‘I can’t believe I’m laughing at these!’
Ella giggled. ‘I know!’
‘What do you call two spiders that just got married?’
‘Newly-webs!’ Ella cried, and everyone cheered.
The jokes kept coming, easing the nervous tension in the room, and when they left for the church, Ella was bubbling over with happiness.
However, standing just outside Saint Saviour’s church, holding her father’s arm, Ella’s heart beat faster. Inside was Leo, waiting for her. Her! She wanted to run towards him.
‘You ready?’ Eveline asked with a smile, her cassock almost hiding her baby bump.
‘Yes!’
‘Okay, I’ll go in now. When you hear the music change, you’re up!’
Ella nodded, then smoothed her free hand over the silk satin of her dress. It was a simple design, the fabric of the skirts pinned up in layers, giving the effect of snow drifts all the way to the floor. On her feet were a pair of jewelled heels, patterned with crystals that Willow and Summer had stuck on. They were beautiful, but Ella wasn’t used to walking in them and was worried about catching her heel in the metal grating over the vents in the church floor.
‘I’ve got you, love,’ her father said gruffly. ‘I won’t let you fall.’
A lump of emotion filled Ella’s throat. ‘Thanks, Dad,’ she whispered.
The music changed, and she took a deep breath. This was it. Stepping forward with her father through the stone arch, Ella was only vaguely aware of the brightly-dressed people and the greenery inside the church. Her eyes sought out one person, and one person alone: Leo.
Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked with his. He was jaw-droppingly handsome in his suit, his blond hair shining and his aquamarine eyes lit up.
Leo. Leo. My Leo …
Emotion flooded through her, overflowing down her smiling cheeks. As they approached, tears tracked down Leo’s face and her father sniffed loudly next to her. And by the time Ella reached the altar and her dad placed her hand in Leo’s, she wanted to bawl with happiness.
Eveline stood in front of them behind a small lectern. As the music stopped, she ceremoniously placed a large box of tissues on it, causing everyone in the church to laugh.
‘Happiness is expressed in many forms,’ she said. ‘And I had a feeling that this ceremony would warrant a family-sized box of tissues. It reflects the amount of joy and love we all feel as we witness the joining of Ella and Leo in holy matrimony…’
The ceremony seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Ella’s hand only left Leo’s when they signed the register and when she placed the wedding band on his finger. The rest of the time, he held her hand tightly and spoke his marriage vows as if intending for the whole of Foxbrooke to hear them. Then, when Eveline declared them man and wife, he kissed her with such passion and adoration that her head spun and her knees buckled. Everyone cheered, clapped, and wolf-whistled. Then the organ started up, and the bells began to ring.
Leo lifted his lips from hers. ‘I love you,’ he said. ‘Thank you for making me the happiest man in the universe.’
‘I love you, too,’ she replied. ‘More than anything.’
He grinned. ‘Even more than Christmas?’
She nodded. ‘Yes. Believe it or not, such a thing is possible.’
‘You’re my wife. That proves anything is possible.’
Linking his arm with hers, they started back down the aisle together as husband and wife. Ella let her gaze travel over the crowd. Seeing her work friends, Leo’s, his extended family. She caught Zach’s eye, and he whooped loudly, his genuine happiness for her making her heart even lighter.
Nearly at the door, the heel of one of her shoes caught in the grating, and she stumbled with a gasp.
Leo held her upright. ‘You okay?’
‘One of my shoes just came off.’
Dropping to his knees, he lifted the bottom of her dress and fished around until he found it. Then he knelt before her and held it up. ‘Cinderella?’
She giggled.
‘Shall we see if the slipper fits?’
Leaning on his shoulders for support, Ella lifted her foot and Leo eased the shoe back on.
‘A perfect fit!’ he cried.
‘Thank you, my prince.’
He got to his feet and gazed at her. ‘My princess,’ he murmured, then leant down to brush a kiss across her lips. ‘Ready for the fairytale ending?’
‘I am.’
With the snow falling like white confetti, Ella took Leo’s arm, and they stepped out into a winter wonderland. The weather may have been cold, but her heart was warm, knowing that this Christmas, and every Christmas to come, Leo would always be by her side. He was her best friend, her husband, and her perfect happily ever after.
* * *
Thank you for reading Foxbrooke Extras! Have you checked out the Kinloch series yet? Laugh-out-loud steamy romcom that’s heating up the Scottish Highlands!