Nick

"No"

My heart breaks as Wynter whispers the word of hat pained me to hear.
Wynter was my world, my everything.
I did not know if I could move on just like that. I promised I wouldn't let her go not anticipating the fact that she would have to take me back.

"I can't do it Nick.... not yet." She says, looking into my eyes before grabbing my jaw.

I looked at her, confused but eager to decipher her actions. I watch her like a distant memory, as she gently let go of my palm. Eargly, my palm tightened around her wrist. I refused to let her go, not that easily.

Her deep brown eyes met mine and from the moment I read them I knew she was mine.
She had something greater to do and for that reason, I finally let her go.

She faced forward and took a deep breath before stepping towards the middle of the stage to the podium.

I could only watch her as she walked away. I had nothing more to do....

——

"Hello Everyone." She smiles sheepishly. "I am so sorry about all of this!
I know this was supposed to be an enthusiastic announcement about going public but I have another announcement."

She pauses and turns her eyes toward me.
She smiles, taking in my full stature then turns buck yo the audience. "I am leaving Nubia Cosmetics!"

"What!!"
"Huh!!!"
"What!!!"

"Wynter... don't!" I try to come behind her but she holds up her palm to stop me.

"I am absolving my position as the active CEO  of Nubia Cosmetics. I will be stepping down and will be leaving half of my company to Elizabeth Owens. Elizabeth?"  She points to the back and the spotlight now shone on her.

Wynter

Elizabeth gasped and covered her mouth as she heard the announcement.
"Go!" Drew chuckles, pushing her forward to help her walk to the stage. She smiled awkwardly, half sprinting and half gliding to the stage.

She finally made her way across the auditorium and up the black steps that led to center stage.

"Elizabeth s the spirit and heart of this company. I am the inventor and she the artist. She executes my ideas with a spirit of creativity.
I am stepping down and will be take a less active role in the company. "

"Wynter!"
"Wynter rider! How will this change the dynamics of the company!"
"Are you still going public?"

I bend forward, making sure to press my lips against the microphone so everyone could hear me clearly. "I am sure Elizabeth Owens will be more than happy to answer all of your questions. Right Elizabeth?" I hold my arm up, motioning her towards the podium to take my place.

"Yes! Of course! Yes!" she was still in shock but eagerly raced to the podium, thrilled with the new but sudden promotion.

"All your questions? Direct to Elizabeth Owens, the new CEO of Nubia Co.
As for me?"

I looked back at Nick as he watched me through a lazy smirk.

"I have a wedding to attend...my wedding!!!"

"Whewww!!!"
"Yasss"
"You go Wynter."

I hug Elizabeth one last time, kissing her cheek before running into Nick'a arms. He lifts me up by the waist and spins me around before slowly placing me down.

We kissed again, more persistently this time before I broke and led him off the stage.

"Wyn? Are you sure? Don't give it up all because of me" he starts.

"Nick" I call his name but he continues.

"Once you leave ....that's it. You can never return to your house. Or your home. Your life will always be in the North Pole?"

"Nick" I grabbed both his hands now, pleading wi the him to listen.

"Wyn! I would never want you to quit your role becuase—"

"Shut up Nick Claus" I grabbed his jaw and pull his lips towards mine to kiss them. He finally shut ups and grabs my waist tight.
We break and I watch him. His eyes lined with worry. I don't think he expected to see me quit my company. "Wherever you are... is my home.
Now Ask me the question again."

He nods before going on one knee. We were away from the crowds and watching eyes.
It was just us, in our own little world.

He crouched down on knee and held both my hands.
"Wynter Rider. Will you make me the happiest man in the North Pole and be my wife?"

"Yes. I do. I do Nick" I smile excitedly.
He stares into my eyes before slipping a ring on me then pulls my lips into his.
We kissed desperately. Passionately.
If there wasn't an audience of one thousand people just a few steps behind us, there was no knowing what would happen.

We broke and he smirked, brushing a finger against my cheek in adoration.

"Come on we have to go" I whisper, temporarily breaking our little moment of bliss.

"Whoa whoa Wyn! You are my fiancé! What's the rush!"

"You said December 25th is when you must marry so you can still hold the title of Santa Claus?"

"Yes, but I thought we could just go somewhere? Maybe get married in a little chapel and enjoy a impromptu honeymoon? I don't care about the title anymore Wyn"

"I love you Nick, but do you think I honestly think I gave up my title of CEO to be a wife to Nick Claus, ex Santa?"

He chuckled and nodded no.

"Exactly. I for one like titles. I will be the next Mrs. Claus and you? Santa Claus.
Or maybe? I can marry Jack? I mean I'll still have the title" I teased but he grabbed my jaw, forcing me to rethink my words.

"Over my dead body" he grabbed my waist tight, kissing my lips as if it were his last time to kiss me.

Nick

"Now let's go" she smiles, grabbing my palm and leading me away towards the exits.

I smile, relishing in her determination and perseverance. Wynter pushed me to new heights everyday and for that I was thankful.

Wynter sees Drew in the corner and runs to hug him. "Thank you. I know you and Lizabeth had something to do with this."

He laughs and smiles. "Welcome to the family Mrs. Claus." He teases, returning the embrace.

"Not yet! She corrects him. Come on! We still have time before Jack takes the title" she whispers, turning around and grabbing my arm.

We run towards the exit, finally reaching my sleigh parked near the back of the lot.

"Jingles!!" Wynter ran to hug his neck. She kissed his forehead with love. His nose was red and bright.

"Awww. Why is he upset?" She turns to me.

"Because he heard about the news...and I asked him about the ring....and if he approved" I timidly revealed. I was happy Jingles and Wynter were buddies but he would have to get over it.
She was my wife now.

"What news?" She gasps before looking down at the ring on her finger.

"Jingles! Don't be sad! You'll always come before Nick!"

Jingles still upset. "Get over it"I muttered loud enough for him to hear. He whinnied and hurried his head against Wynter's shoulder.

"Hey guess what! I'm living in the North Pole from now on which means you'll see me everyday!"

He whinnies and jumped into the air, spinning around Wynter with glee.

"Aww! Im happy too. And look no red nose!" She pinched his nose before kiss his cheek. He whinnies and licks her cheek.

"I hate to break up this joyous reunion but we have to go" Wynter giggles and walks towards the passenger side of the sleigh.

I helped Wynter up the steep steps before wrapping my arms around her.

"Want to help steer the reigns" I whisper into her ears, grabbing the leather reigns to steer the sled.
She blushes but nods, pushing her palms under mine to help steer.

"Drew! Let's go!" I yelled.

Wynter and I both turn back and see Drew and Elizabeth kissing near the exit.

"Awww!!!" She screams, clapping excitedly. "Look look Nick" She shakes my arm excitedly.
She was so happy for them and to be honest, so was I. Elizabeth was a good friend to Wynter. Loyal too. I hoped they made each other happy.

Drew whispered something in her ear before kissing her forehead.

He came in the sleigh and sat in the back seat. We both looked at him then each other then faced foward.

"Come on! let's go go go!!" Drew says rushing me to steer. His face was still red.

Wynter giggles before hitting the reigns. Jingles let's out a happy snort before lifting us into the air and on the way to the North Pole.

Author Note:

I had to go back and re-edit like 20 Wynter to Wyn.

Also.
Do y'all just not like me? How many of my books has the main female protagonist not ended up with the male protagonist?

I know I be making their love story really difficult along the way but they always end up together in the end.

I love love!!!