I couldn't stop smiling. Last night had been blissful. Ansel was so gentle with me since it was my first time and he didn't make me feel bad about it. We both weren't sure so we used protection.

I was staring at him when his eyes fluttered open.
"I guess I'm not the only one who stares at someone who's sleeping.", he said and my smile grew.

He leaned forward and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Good morning.", he said then pulled apart to wear his boxers.

"You've been smiling ever since.", he said.
"I know.", I said sitting up and pulling the sheets to cover my bareness.
"You know you surprised me yesterday.", he started.

"How?"
"I didn't know you were that...", he paused. "Agile.", he said and I gasped before throwing the pillow at him. He dodged it and started laughing. Then he went into the bathroom.

Later on, after breakfast he went to the study and I was working on a project when my phone rang. I checked the ID caller. Allister. At the same time, I saw a project I had titled K. McGery.

Oh, that's where I knew the name from. Maybe he was related to Allister. I decided to pick up the call and ask Allister about it.

"Hey, Allister. I gave you my number more than a month ago and you just call me now.", I started.
"What can I say life has been harsh to me.", he said but he sounded light.

"What happened?", I asked genuinely concerned.
"I was in a slight accident.", he said and explained what had happened. He just got out of the hospital. We chatted for a while before I decided to ask him.

"Do you have a brother?",  I asked and he was quiet for a while.
"Why do you ask?", he asked instead.

"Well there was a time, I met this guy, he had your surname and his name was Kane.", I said.
"Kane?"
"Yes.", I replied.

"First, I do have a brother, my only brother but he abandoned my family and I don't even know if he's still alive. Second, my brother's name isn't Kane so, you've met someone I don't know."

"Oh. Okay.", I said. We chatted for a while before he hung up and having done my projects I decided to start up something for this Kane guy. But I didn't even know the kind of house.

I searched for the business card and decided to give him a call.
"Hey, Riley Winson.", he said. How did he know I was the one calling?
"Hello, Mr McGery and how did you know it's Riley speaking?", I asked and he was silent for a while.

"Obviously, you know I was kinda stalking you so yeah, I had saved your number.", he said and my eyebrows shot up.

"Then you should have just called me instead.", I said.
"Oh no. That would have been rude.", he said.
"Considering all the things you've done, that is the least that would be rude.", I said.

"I'm sorry.", he apologized.
"Anyways. I want to talk about the project. You asked me to design a house without telling me what kind. Plus, we also need to talk about the terms of payment."? I said and Ansel walked into the room.

"Oh yes. Why not meet somewhere? You can decide the place and time.", he said.
"Oh, okay. Five thirty pm tomorrow, at Starbucks near my office.", I said. "Which you already know.", I added.
"Fine, that's great. I'll see you tomorrow.", he said and I hung up.

"Who was that?", Ansel asked.
"A client.", I said.
"I thought you didn't work on weekends.", he said looking at me.

"Yeah. I was just discussing some stuff.", I said.
"Okay. Anyways, you know the year's ending.", he said.
"Oh. Yeah."
"So I was thinking we spend Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with yours.", I said.

"Oh that would be lovely, but won't you want to spend Christmas with your family?", I asked.

"First, I'm spending Thanksgiving with them. Second, my mum says she wants to travel to Dublin with Max and my sisters so she's fine with it. And third, I know how you miss your family a lot and I really want to spend Christmas with you and your family.", he rambled.

"Yes Ansel, I would grant your last dying wish and let you spend Christmas at my dad's place.", I said and gave him short kisses all over his face. In the process, he captured my cheeks and pulled me into a deep kiss.

I met Kane the next day after work and we had discussed the terms of the project. Since Christmas was close, I informed him that I would not be able to give him any updates until after the New Year's celebrations and he agreed.

Now we were heading to my house. We were coming from Natalie's place and she was currently heading to the airport with Angel and Anika.

Anika was surprised when she saw I and Angel getting along. She even said that if she were dreaming she would have thought she was ill for having such a dream.

I was so excited to see my dad. Daphne and Derrick were coming along with Caleb and his family who were also staying at my dad's place for Christmas. We talked and planned everything.

Ansel and I would stay in my old room. Caleb and Jessie would stay in his room. The twins, Leah and Lincoln would stay in the guest room and Daphne and Derrick in their rooms.

When Mekhi arrived, I giddily got down. I had sent a text earlier and now my dad was outside. I ran and hugged causing him to stumble back.

"Riley!"
"Dad!! I missed you so much. It's been so long.", I said and pulled away.
"C'mon, you just saw me at your mum's remembrance."
"You talk like that was yesterday.", I said and moved aside so he could welcome Ansel.

"Is Caleb here already?", I asked.
"Yeah, he should be in the garden.", Dad said and I went around the house. The garden was at the back of the house. It wasn't as big as the one at Ansel's house.

"Cleb!!", I said purposely. "Clebby! Where are you?", I called out.
"Jeez! Do you have to call me that? What if Jessie was here.", he whined.
"And what if she was? In fact, that's what I'll be calling you.", I said.

"Oh you're just gonna embarrass yourself in front of the twins.", he said flatly.
"Oh you're such a mweanie.", I huffed and folded my arms feigning annoyance.

He laughed at my pose.
"Wow. You look grown but you still behave like you were a child.", he said and I looked at him sharply.
"Grown!", I said incredulously. "Are you saying I'm now fat!", I gasped.

"Ooh. Ansel didn't tell you huhn? I guess he doesn't want to come clean.", he said with a shrug.
"You're so mean.", I said swatting his arm. He stood from his crouched position and gave me a side hug.

"Yeah yeah okay. Welcome.", he said and I released my arms to hug him back.
"I missed you so much. Hope you're feeling better now. And your job, I hope......"

"No Riley, it's Christmas, even our bosses gave us leave, so we shouldn't talk about work now. C'mon let's head in now so you'll see the others.", he said and we went in.

Dad and Ansel were talking with Theresa and Jessie in the kitchen.
"This kitchen seems so crowded you know.", I said to make our presence known.

"Riley!! Why'd you let Caleb see you before I did.", Jessie said before she hugged me and I felt her stomach was bigger. I didn't say anything, maybe she was expecting and would reveal it as a surprise. Or she had just eaten a lot.

"Riley you're welcome.", Theresa said.
"Thank you.", I replied. We hadn't talked much since her confessions at my mum's remembrance.

We all chatted for a while before Jessie, Daphne. and I started to prepare dinner along with Theresa. It was nice as we got to catch up.

Theresa told us that she was hosting a small Christmas Eve party and then we would have Christmas Day to ourselves. Daphne said she now had a boyfriend whom she was gonna bring to the party. Jessie talked about the twins and how they'd been faring.

"So Riley, what of you and Ansel?", Jessie asked and they all looked at me and I paused in cutting the onions.
"What about us?", I asked back.

"Oh c'mon, we know things are definitely different now. I mean it's not like when you both were married. You guys seem closer.", Daphne said.

"We're fine.", I said and cracked up a smile remembering when Ansel was mimicking me at how I was when we had first married.
"Ooh. She's smiling that smile.", Jessie cooed.

"What smile?", I asked.
"You know, that seemingly innocent smile, the one you have when you've, you know.", Daphne paused before she wiggled her brows.

At that moment, Ansel walked in and came towards me. I looked at him with a question in my eyes.

Once he was closer he stopped beside me and came very close, I could feel his hot breath fanning my ear. What was he going to do?

"Can you guys be a little faster.", he whispered and I turned to face him so I was backing the rest.
"Why? You're so hungry you can't wait for some more minutes."
"Yeah. I'm hungry... for you.", he said and I gasped silently before hitting him slightly on the shoulder.

"So that's all you came to say.", I said.
"No.", he said and looked to the freezer before opening it and getting a bottle of water. "Came to get this.", he said and for the moment we just stood staring lovingly into each other's eyes and at the moment I so wanted to kiss him.

Someone cleared their throat behind us and I jerked a bit.
"Um... I'll leave you all to it.", he said to them and pecked my cheek softly before he left.

I sighed and turned around.
"That was one of the most romantic gestures I've ever seen.", Daphne cooed.
"I can't even remember when last Caleb did something like that. I guess I'll have to go all tough on him.", Jessie said.

"You know what I know.", Theresa started. "It's that the men are the ones who'll go tough on us if they become hungry angry men. Their signs have started showing that's why Ansel came in here.", she said and we all laughed.

I was really happy to be here, with all of them.

Soon it was Christmas Eve, and the party was already in full swing by afternoon. I had worn a bright green dress. It was long and fitted in the upper body and flair from the waist to the floor.

I had done my hair up with pins, though Daphne had helped a lot. After we were done with our make-up I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked pretty.

As I turned around I saw Ansel at the door staring at me. He came in and closed the door.

"You look very amazing.", he said and came very close.
"Thank you. You look good too.", I said and leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek.

We were really happy with each other and I couldn't wish for anything else.

He nuzzled his face in my neck and sniffed me.
"You scent amazing too.", he said. I stood there taking in his appearance. He was in a red suit with a white inner. His hair was dashingly styled.

It was at that moment, I realised I had done the best thing by marrying him. I couldn't wish for anything else.

"Ansel.", I started and came closer till there was no space. I stared intensely at him. "You... you are so many things and since I've gotten married to you, I've realised being a wonderful husband is the top ok the list.", I said and he wanted to say something but I put my finger on his lips.

"Thank you so much for being very patient towards me, and I love you for that.", I said and he rose his brows, so I continued. "Yes, Ansel Winson, it took me months to say this but I love you. And now I've realised, I want you to know it too.", I said.

"Really!!!", he exclaimed before he lifted me and spun me around. He dropped me down and looked at me with this goofy smile that just made me laugh.

"Okay, pinch me. Let me know if this is real.", he said.
"Will this make it real.", I said and leaned in to kiss him ever so softly. He gripped my waist a bit tighter and deepened the kiss. My hands stopped at the tips of his hair.

I pulled away and he rested his forehead on mine.
"Why'd you style your hair, I loved tugging it whenever we kiss.", I said. 
"Don't worry, by the end of the party today you can show your agility and play with it later.", he teased and I rolled my eyes swatting him.

"We should head downstairs, so they won't think we don't wanna come.", I said stepping away.
"Fine, but at night I won't let you come up with any excuse.", he said.
"Until then. For now, we have a party to attend.", I said and we hooked arms before heading downstairs with the loveliest smile.

After all, I was in love.

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The Sparkling Authoress
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