Authors: Sharon Coady
Christmas Choices (17 page)
“Yes, you were. You loved her so much. She made you a bit gentler, I think.” She took his hand. “I love you.”
“I know you do. Now, you kids make me proud. Kellen?”
“Yes sir?”
“I know you’re a self-made man. Your work is above reproach, and you’re very good at what you do. Harry and I have been talking about some investments. I’d like to be a silent partner and help expand your business. Denny here has been talking you up all over town.”
“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it. I’m sure any advice you can give me would be helpful. Can we discuss your offer after Rhian and I are married?”
“Fine. Girl, I guess you better get working on the wedding. There are a lot of people that will want to come.” He turned to walk away.
“Father!”
Glancing back, “Yes, Rhian?”
“This is our wedding. Kellen and I don’t want something big. So please, no invitation list with your business friends. I’m planning my wedding my way. It will be a few days before Christmas.” She took Kellen’s hand. “I want Christmas to be special for both of us and I think this will be perfect.”
A smile spread over her father’s face. “Got it.” Shaking his head, he chuckled. “You are a lot like your mother. It’s about time I saw that spunk. Okay, I’ll leave you to it, just let me know where to send the check.” He walked out the door laughing.
“Christmas?” Kellen looked down at her with his brows drawn together.
“Christmas has always been a special time for me. My parents made it magical, yours didn’t. I want to make it a special, happy time for you. Is that all right?”
His eyes sparkled as he pulled her close. “I think Christmas is going to become very special for me from now on. Thank you,” he said in a voice husky with emotion.
R
hian and Kellen stood in the garden behind the cafe. Beautiful ceramic heaters chased away the December chill, keeping the guests comfortable. White lights sparkled in the trees and along the pathway leading to the café door. Kellen and Denny had built an arbor and woven twinkling lights all around it. Poinsettias stood on either side adding just a touch of color.
Grandfather, her father, Denny, Deanna, and a handful of friends stood in attendance. Rhian wore a strapless, pale-blue satin wedding gown with a beaded bodice, fitted waist, and a full, flowing skirt. She wore her hair pulled back from her face with small white flowers pinned throughout. She glanced at her handsome groom in his suit and tie.
They had written their own vows and she glowed as Kellen began. He reached out and took her hand. “Rhian, you saw through my facade to the man I am deep inside. You believed in me enough to not give up on us, to fight for what you wanted. I trust you with my heart, my soul, and my life. I promise to honor you and stand by you always. I love you more than life itself, and you've made me the luckiest man alive by being my wife.”
She smiled, tears clouding her vision, and took a deep breath. “Kellen, you are everything I ever dreamed of. You are strong, gentle, kind, and accepting. You see all my flaws and love me in spite of them. You have given me your love, the most wonderful gift I could ever hope to receive. I promise to honor you and stand by you always. I am the luckiest woman alive to have you as my husband. I'll love you always.” She leaned close and whispered, “I saw through to the diamond inside.”
The preacher held out his hand with their rings in his palm.
Kellen took hers and placed it on her finger. “With this ring, I take you for my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward.”
Rhian placed the ring on his finger. “With this ring, I take you for my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward.”
“You may kiss your bride.”
Kellen pulled her into his arms, claiming her lips with his. “Always,” he whispered.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Kellen Slade.”
Her grandfather held their reception at the café. Her father approached them near the end of the celebration. “Can I talk to you both for a few minutes?”
“Sure what’s up?” she said, putting her arm through his.
“I have a wedding gift for you. He pulled a large envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Kellen. “I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Father!”
“Rhian!” Deanna came bounding up with a blond man in tow. “You remember Preston, don’t you?”
Shaking his hand, Rhian tried to recall the tall good-looking man. Just as she was about to say no, she realized he was the bartender at the blues club. “Nice to meet you, Preston. Thank you for coming.”
“Hey, we wouldn’t have missed it. Nice wedding and this is an awesome café. We’ll be back for dinner one evening. Deanna said the food is great here.”
Glancing over at her friend, she saw genuine happiness in her eyes. Grabbing her in a big hug, she whispered, “So this is the secret you’ve been hiding. Thank you for coming. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, go have fun. It’s your wedding night!” Deanna clapped her hands. “We’ll see you later.” She grabbed Preston’s hand and pulled him towards the jukebox.
“Are you ready to head home, Mr. Slade?”
“I think so, Mrs. Slade.”
When they arrived at their home, Kellen insisted on carrying her over the threshold. “Welcome home, Mrs. Slade.” He kissed her as she slid out of his arms.
“I’m so happy to
be
home, Mr. Slade.” She reached up and pulled him down to kiss him. “I love you.”
“Ditto. Hey, want to open some of these gifts?” Deanna and her mother had brought the gifts by earlier and placed them near the Christmas tree.
“Sure, where do we start?” she asked, looking at the stack of presents. “They look so pretty sitting around the tree.”
“Well, we could start with the envelope your dad gave us.” He pulled it out of his suit coat and handed it to her.
She opened it and held up two first class tickets to Italy. “He gave us a honeymoon to Italy. Why would he do that?”
“Because he knows you love Italy and figures you would want to go back there with me? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing's wrong. I’m so happy he came around. He left the flight open so we can visit any city we choose. There’s a note saying we can make any arrangements we want. He is covering everything.” She wiped away a tear.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“I’m just overwhelmed with his gift. But can we afford for you to be gone for a honeymoon like this?”
“Why not? I can take some time off. Rhian, you know we won’t have to worry about money, right?”
“Of course not! But I know you worked hard to build your business, and I don’t want anything to happen because we take an extended honeymoon.”
He pulled her close and sighed. “Rhian, nothing is going to happen to my business. We don’t have to leave tomorrow. You said the tickets are open, right?”
“Right.” She nodded.
“Okay. I can finish up the job in a couple of weeks. Remember, baby, I own the business, which means I make my schedules and choose my jobs.”
She put her hands on his face. “I love you. I don’t ever want you to do anything that causes you worry or stress. I don’t want to be one of those selfish, rich girls.”
“You could never be one of those selfish, rich girls. It isn’t you.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Thank you for bringing the simple joys back into my life.”
“Thank you for having our wedding at Christmas time.”
“You’re very welcome, baby.” He smiled and kissed her softly. “How about we wait and open the other gifts Christmas morning? I think there’s something I’d much rather do tonight.”
“You’re too smart sometimes.”
He grabbed her, pulling her closer. “About time you realized that.”
“I’ve always realized that.” She wiggled away from him shaking her ass.
“Oh, you’re in trouble now,” he said as he stalked across the floor after her.
Rhian turned and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck laughing. “If you call this ‘trouble,’ I hope I stay in trouble with you for the rest of my life!”
T
hank you for reading Kellen and Rhian’s story. If you enjoyed their story, please consider leaving a review. Thanks!
Sharon Coady is an author who writes stories with characters that will draw you into their lives.
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