Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mari held her breath and ignored the ache in her side as she swung herself toward Nima. She hadn’t realized he’d moved until he was standing before her.
“You’re going to hurt yourself,” he rumbled as he gently scooped her into his arms. Her crutches fell to the snowy driveway as her stomach made a small swoop. From being lifted or because Nima held her in his arms again? Definitely the latter.
Tseten appeared at the door, waved, and said, “Evening, ladies,” before collecting Mari’s discarded crutches and gesturing toward the house. “Come on in.”
Nima carried Mari inside, while Tseten and Kat followed.
As Tseten closed the front door, he said, “What a lovely Christmas Eve surprise. Better than Santa himself.”
Kat held up a pizza box. “We even come bearing gifts.”
Mari frowned. “Wait, we’re a surprise? I texted Nima.”
Nima looked down at her and cocked his head. “I didn’t receive any texts from you.”
Well, that explained it. “I messaged to tell you I’d like to talk too,” she told him, then glanced at Tseten. “Sorry for showing up so late, I . . .”
Tseten raised a hand as if to stop her, a look of understanding on his face.
“I don’t always get the best cell signal up here and you don’t need to explain yourself, Mari.
” He got her. Despite years of her denial, Tseten had always suspected she still cared for Nima.
He was right, and her chest expanded with gratitude that he’d never given up on them.
Tseten had unfailingly provided her with updates about Nima for years, even when she’d acted ungrateful.
“Why don’t you two head up to the living room?
You’ll have more privacy there,” Tseten said to her and Nima before turning to Kat.
“Have you seen my new home theater? Go through that door and take a left. Cue up any movie you’d like.
” He held up his phone. “Rosa just returned home from midnight mass. I’ll join you after I talk to her. ”
“Say hi to Rosa for us,” Kat said as she carried the pizza box toward the theater room. “I’m putting on Die Hard. Now that’s my kind of Christmas movie.” She paused next to Nima, who still held Mari in his arms, and threatened, “If you break my sister’s heart again, you’re going to need crutches.”
Nima, completely unruffled, said, “I appreciate your sisterly devotion, Kat. We both have Mari’s best interests at heart. Save me a slice of pizza.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of Mari’s mouth, hope springing at his words.
Maybe she wasn’t too late after all. Nima carried her up the stairs to Tseten’s open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room.
Nima set her on the end of the couch, across from the beautiful seven-foot Christmas tree by the window.
“Do you need anything?” he asked as he helped her out of her jacket.
“No, thank you.” She squirmed to face him as he perched beside her.
She would crawl out of her skin if she didn’t immediately express her emotions.
“I’ve been very selfish, Nima. And for that, I owe you an apology.
After our trip, I was hurt and heartbroken.
I never considered your feelings. Over the last ten years, I thought only about myself, my pain.
And for the last two days, everything I’ve said and done has been about me and my wants. ”
Nima’s face was unreadable, but Mari pushed on.
She wouldn’t lose her nerve now. “I spent so many years being angry with you and the world—cruel fates. But at the same time, it seemed like part of me would never be whole again. I thought the only way to fix myself was to file for divorce so I could move on. But now, I’m not so sure.
” She shook her head. “My brain is telling me it’s safer for us to start over and be friends only.
But my gut, my heart, and my soul disagree.
” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I don’t just want you as my friend.
I want you by my side always and forever, even if that scares the shit out of me. But it’s what feels right.”
As Nima’s stunning aqua-blue gaze continued to search hers, she went for it, laid all her cards on the table. “Nima, I’m still in love with you. I always have been. Will you give me a second chance?”
Nima’s heart thundered as Mari’s words sank in. Mari loved him. His chest was in danger of bursting. He was so full of amazement and happiness.
Careful of her ribs, he drew Mari into his lap, his lips grazing her forehead.
“I never stopped loving you. Over the years, I’ve learned that love doesn’t simply fade when you no longer see—or even talk to—someone day to day.
I always knew in my heart that you were the only person for me.
There will never be anyone else. Ever. You complete me, Mari. ”
He pulled back to brush a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “So yes, I would be overjoyed to give you a second chance. And I hope you’re willing to give me the same opportunity. I want to support you and be by your side. To be your partner in life.”
Nima closed his eyes, then cast a glance at the paperwork still laid out on the kitchen island across the room.
“I may not have known we were married all these years—and believe me, it kills me not to remember our ceremony and vows—but I couldn’t bring myself to sign the divorce papers.
Not without talking to you again first and telling you how I feel. ”
Mari sniffed. “When I saw your text, I was afraid you wanted to discuss details of the divorce. Imagining you signing the papers ripped my heart in two.”
Never. He squeezed her tighter. “I messaged you because I couldn’t do it, Mari. Not when I’m still so in love with you.”
Tears filled her eyes, the soft, golden-brown glimmering like gemstones in the light of the Christmas tree.
Heart swelling, Nima dug into his front pocket for Mari’s wedding band.
He held it before her, loving how she covered her mouth with her hand like a prospective bride.
“I want a fresh start too, Mari. With you. I ache for the life we’d dreamed about, supporting each other through moments of joy and in the face of adversity.
” They’d both failed on that count for the last ten years, but he would not make the mistake again.
“My love for you has never been stronger. Will you marry me again?”
“Nima . . .” Mari all but whispered, tears gliding down rounded cheeks into a smile so beautiful it made his raw heart ache. “Yes,” she said, extending her trembling hand. “I would love to renew our vows.”
A wave of pure joy washed over Nima, so intense he thought he might overflow with happiness.
He slid the ring onto her finger. She blinked down at the silver band, now a true symbol of the commitment and love they shared.
Her eyes met his, and she cupped his cheeks, her fingers gliding through his fur.
He shivered with delight at her touch, loving how she tugged him in, her lips brushing his.
“Thank you,” she said, “for your patience and forgiveness. In two short days, you’ve filled me with . . . well, life. I can’t wait to celebrate wins with you. And I vow to stand by your side during difficult times too. I want it all, Nima. I want you.”
When she sifted her hand through the fur on the back of his neck, he growled, his chest vibrating against her. “I want to take you home, Mari.” He pictured her laid out and naked in the middle of her bed again.
“Yes,” she breathed, “I want the holiday we planned. To be with you, just the two of us for Christmas—and more. Move in with me, Nima? We can figure out all the details as we go. I know that your work will sometimes take you out of town. But when it doesn’t, I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up in your arms. I want to eat my meals with you and talk about our days.
I want to cuddle with you on the couch for movie nights and experience all the little things couples do together that we’ve missed. ”
A fucking dream come true. They’d make it work with his jobs.
Maybe he could remodel the bakery after all and finally recreate lupine for her.
His voice was hoarse with emotion as he replied, “I want all of that too.” He grabbed her jacket before lifting her into his arms again and carrying her downstairs to the theater room.
Kat lay curled up in the corner of Tseten’s couch under a blanket, while he sat in a recliner with his feet up. He paused the movie when they came in and lowered his chair.
“We’re going back to Mari’s,” Nima announced.
“And the divorce papers?” Tseten asked.
Mari unwound her arm from Nima’s neck and held out her hand to show off her wedding band. “No one is signing any papers. We’re renewing our vows.”
Kat squealed, while a wide smile overtook Tseten’s face.
“My heartfelt congratulations to you both,” he said, before adding, “My birthday party in March would be the perfect time and place to recite your vows in front of friends and family. Who wouldn’t want to have a second marriage ceremony on the Polaris Ice Field? ”
Nima longed to make new, happy memories of his and Mari’s wedding vows while surrounded by the most important people in their lives. Her eyes met his, sparkling as she grinned up at him. No words were necessary. The suggestion appealed to them both. “Mari’s ankle will be better by then,” Nima said.
“And my ribs healed,” she added.
Kat bounded toward them and gripped Mari’s hand to admire her ring. Despite her sometimes-tough exterior, she beamed at her sister and wiped what looked like a tear from her eye as she glanced up at Nima. “You just happened to have a wedding band on you?”
Mari nibbled at her lip. “It’s from our Nevada wedding—long story.”
Kat shook her head, grinning. “You wore this on a chain around your neck for all these years, didn’t you, Mar?”
“Yes,” Mari admitted. Nima’s heart squeezed. She’d maintained hope and love—in her own way—for years.
Kat asked, “Where’s Nima’s?”
“My front pocket,” he said, unable to pull his gaze from the woman in his arms. “Mari will place it on my finger when we renew our vows.”
Tears swelled in Mari’s eyes, spilling when she vigorously nodded. “I will. I can’t wait.”
Kat wiped her own stray tear away with a knuckle. “I’m kicked out tonight, aren’t I?”
Mari glanced at Nima, then bit her lip as she turned back to her sister. “Come over tomorrow for leftover pizza?”
Kat dug in her purse before discreetly handing something to Mari. “No, thank you. Christmas or not, I’ll give you two lovebirds a few days. I’ll crash at Mom and Dad’s.”
Mari opened her palm, and Nima realized she held condoms. Yep. That’s something Kat would do. Mari asked, “Do I want to know why these are yeti-sized, Kat?”
“A woman should always be prepared to take care of herself,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “And they fit other cryptids too, you know.” She raised a challenging eyebrow.
Nima would let Mari unpack that one with her sister—another time. He gazed down at Mari. “Are you ready to go home, wife?”
“So ready, husband.”