My Only Wish (16 page)

I’ve lost her. And it is tearing me up to know that I’m the cause of her pain. If Abby can find a man to love, as she has said she loves me, and I can return that love with all the passion and wonder I possess, then why couldn’t this letter find its way to her as well?

I wish for Abby. I wish to have her in my life forever. As my wife. I want to marry her and have children with her. I want to wake up every day and see her smiling at me, laughing together as our children race around us.

Please, Santa, grant me this one wish.

Sincerely,

Dylan

(Although I can’t promise as fervently as Abby that I’ve been good this year, I can promise that if my wish is granted, I’ll be extra good next year.)

A laugh escaped her lips the same time a tear slid down her cheek. She looked up at him with wonder in her eyes. “Is this true?”

“Every word.” With anguish and hope in his eyes, he searched hers. “I love you so much, Abby. I wanted to tell you at the Christmas party but everything got screwed up. After meeting you, I honestly forgot about the letter. I never meant to hurt you, never meant to make you feel humiliated. You mean everything to me.”

More tears tracked down her cheeks as her heart soared. Launching herself into his arms, she wrapped around him tightly. “I love you so much, Dylan. Thinking this was all some elaborate hoax on your part, I was crushed. The note that came with my letter said you tracked me down only to amuse yourself. I couldn’t bear the thought of it.”

He swore softly before gently taking her face in his hands. “That letter was a lie. Charisse sent it to hurt me.”

“Charisse? Your old girlfriend?”

“Yes. She came over to confront me and I told her that we had been over for some time. She was upset and I told her to take whatever belongings she had left there and leave. She must have found the bottle, realized that that was how I found you.” She felt him willing her to believe him. “But I swear, none of it was true.”

“I believe you.” Her hands streaked into his hair. “I believe you,” she said again before bringing his lips softly to her. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He shakily let out a breath. “More that you’ll ever know. The time that I’ve spent with you means everything to me. You mean everything to me.” He grinned suddenly. “I guess Santa is real. Both of our wishes came true.”

“Not all of them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wasn’t there more to your letter than just having me love you in return?” She felt the first true smile light her face as realization slowly dawned on his.

“Do you want to?” His jaw was slack.

“Do I want to what?” There was a twinkle in her eye.

“Will you marry me, Abby?”

She pretended to think it over before laughing again, holding him tightly against her. “Yes. Absolutely, yes.”

He picked her up, crushing her body against his as he captured her mouth. “You won’t regret it,” he said between kisses. “And I won’t let you get out of it either. You’re stuck now.”

“And so are you. So don’t be getting any ideas.”

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ll ever need.”

“Just keep loving me.”

He kissed her softly, sealing the promise.

“I hate to cut this short,” she said, leaning back after their kiss. “But my family will be expecting me.” She wanted to smile when disappointment flashed to his face.

“You’re right.”

She began to walk toward her car before turning back to him. “Aren’t you coming?”

“You want me to come with you to your parents’ house?”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t spend the holiday with anyone else.”

Linking hands, they walked toward their future, both knowing that this would be the first of many Christmases together.

*****