A Christmas Family Wish (7 page)

Chapter Seven

Rachel leaned on the metal bars around the elevated walkway
at the elephant's enclosure and stared down at the two mammoth creatures below.
The closest one curled its trunk around a chunk of hay, lifted the bunch of
grassy strands, and poked them in its mouth.

"What's it eating, Mummy?" Toby peered through the
bars, a frown on his face beneath his wool hat.

"Hay. It's dried grass."

"Is that what the elephant has for Christmas
dinner?"

Rachel laughed. "It's what it has for every dinner,
sweetheart. Although I expect the zookeepers give the elephants fresh green
food as well."

Toby nibbled the fingertips of his glove as he watched,
fascinated by the creatures.

"Come on, let's look at the giraffes." Rachel took
Toby's hand and he skipped along beside her to the next enclosure in the large
barn-like building where the big animals lived during bad weather.

Other families wandered along with them. A couple with a
baby in a stroller and a little boy about Toby's age laughed together, the
father tickling the boy until the child collapsed giggling in the man's arms.
He picked the boy up and hoisted him onto his shoulders. "There you go.
You're as tall as the giraffe now."

Rachel's heart squeezed with pain at the look of longing on
Toby's face as he leaned against her leg and stared up at the man with his son.
"Will you lift me up high, Mummy?"

"I'm not strong enough, sweetie." Rachel crouched
in front of him to tuck his scarf more tightly around his neck to keep out the
cold. "You're such a big boy now that you're too heavy for me. I'm sure
Ian will give you a ride on his shoulders, though. We'll go for a walk tomorrow
after Christmas dinner. He can lift you up high so you'll be as tall as the
Christmas tree."

Toby pouted and stubbed the toe of his boot into the stained
cement. "I want to ride up high now so I'm tall like the giraffe."

Tears pricked Rachel's eyes and she blinked them away. If
only Ian had come with them to the zoo, Toby would be getting his wish. This
was to have been their day out together as a family. She'd been looking forward
to it all week, imagining how much Toby would enjoy having Ian along on the day
trip. But it wasn't Ian's fault he'd missed the visit. His daughter had to be
his first priority; Rachel knew that.

She stood and grabbed Toby's hand, pasting on a happy smile.
"Come on; let's go to the monkey house. There's an ice cream parlor
overlooking the monkey's play area. Monkeys and ice cream sound fun, don't
they?"

Toby trotted along beside her, a smile back on his face. Her
little boy was remarkably resilient considering how many times he'd been let
down by adults in his short life. Greg always let him down; even her parents
had promised to come over for his birthday and canceled the visit because of
her dad's illness. Now Ian had backed out of today's trip. It was nobody's
fault, but the end result was that Toby missed out.

They settled on the plastic chairs in the monkey viewing
area. Toby licked a polar-bear-shaped ice cream while they watched a group of
chimpanzees climbing ropes and swinging on suspended tires.

Rachel's phone chimed and she pulled it out to check the
screen. Ian had arrived in Cornwall. A smile pulled at her lips; she was
delighted to get his message. He'd left early and called while they were eating
breakfast to say he was halfway.

She did a mental calculation. If he spent a couple of hours
in Cornwall then drove the seven hours home, he should be back around midnight.
She prayed the weather remained clear and no more snow fell to interrupt his
journey.

When they finished walking around the zoo, they stopped at
the grocery store for some fresh vegetables for Christmas dinner. Rachel
strapped Toby in his car seat and they headed home. A few flakes of snow
started falling as they bumped down the lane towards Meadow Sweet Farm.

Paula, James, and Ryan were in the courtyard in front of the
barn complex, building a snowman. Toby pressed his nose against the side window
of the car as they drove past. "When can we build a snowman, Mummy?"

"Tomorrow, sweetie. There's no time today. It'll be
getting dark soon." And she badly wanted Ian to be there to share the fun
with them.

Rachel bathed Toby then prepared dinner, keeping her phone
on the counter nearby, listening for the ding that meant she had a text. Ian
had said he would let her know when he left Cornwall, but she hadn't heard from
him yet. If he didn't start the journey soon, he wouldn't make it back for
Christmas Day.

She let Max out after dinner. At the sight of thick, fluffy
snowflakes tumbling from the sky, her heart dropped. Already another inch of
snow had fallen since they came home. By the time Ian arrived, road conditions
might be so bad the country lanes would be impassable.

The house phone rang. She dashed inside, dragging Max in by
his collar so she could shut the door to keep out the cold. "Hello, Ian.
Is that you?"

"I'm leaving now," he said, his voice strange. She
wasn't sure if he sounded happy or upset.

"How did it go?"

"I'm bringing Ella home with me." Ian's voice
cracked and he cleared his throat. "She's going to stay over Christmas,
maybe longer."

"That's wonderful. I'm really happy for you."

"Could I ask you a favor? Will you turn up the radiator
in the small bedroom at the end of the hall and make up the bed? You'll find
little girls' bed linen in the linen closet in the bathroom."

"Sure. Drive carefully. It's snowing here again."

"Will do. See you later." Then the phone cut off.

"I love you," Rachel whispered. Her euphoria at
hearing Ian's happy news faded to be replaced by doubts. Now Ella was coming,
would Ian would want her and Toby to move out?

She stared at a painting of a chicken on the kitchen wall,
her heart thumping so hard it hurt her chest. Just when Rachel thought she and
Toby had found some stability, fate had turned everything upside down again.

***

Ian couldn't stop smiling. Even though he'd driven for
fourteen hours, and his eyes were gritty with fatigue, he had never been
happier in his life. His little girl was with him! Tonight she would sleep in
her bedroom at Meadow Sweet Farm for the first time in over two years.

Ella had been such a good girl, no tears or tantrums when he
carried her away from her mother and put her in his car. It was almost as if
she was pleased to get away from Jane and Eric.

At that thought, conflicting emotions tore through Ian, a
potent mix that clenched his gut with anger one moment and filled him with joy
the next. He loved having his little girl with him, but it tore at his heart to
think his baby's mother might not want her anymore.

The strange way Jane had behaved recently all made horrible
sense now. She was pregnant, expecting Eric's child in a few weeks. That meant
Ella was suddenly in the way.

Reaching across, Ian touched his daughter's chubby hand
where she hugged her dolly. It took a lot for him to get emotional, but tears
filled his eyes as he drove down the lane to Meadow Sweet Farm and stopped
outside his house.

He had dreamed of this moment, longed for it. Ella was back
home with him, where she belonged. If Ian had his way, this was where she would
stay for good.

The security lights blinked on, casting a bright glow across
the yard. A thick blanket of snow coated everything, smoothing out corners and
covering the dirt. Everywhere was pristine white, and sparkling.

The back door opened and Rachel's slim silhouette appeared
in the doorway. He'd had plenty of time to think while he drove. He'd realized
he wasn't only desperate to bring Ella home, he badly wanted her to meet Rachel
and learn to love her. Rachel and Toby had become the most important people in
his life along with Ella.

This was a tricky situation, but the four of them would be
happy together. He'd make sure of it.

"We're home, precious." Ian leaned over and
pressed a kiss to Ella's temple. Her eyelids flickered and she made a sleepy
sound.

He released the straps securing her and pulled her into his
arms. She curled against him and yawned. She was so tired she hardly knew what
was happening.

"Let's get you inside where it's warm and up to your
bed."

He opened the door and climbed out, being extra careful as
he carried his daughter in case the snow underfoot hid ice.

"Hello." He grinned as he entered the kitchen.
Rachel closed the door behind him. She kissed him and stepped back, her gaze
moving from his face to his daughter, her expression curious.

"She's adorable. She looks like you."

That made him smile even wider, sentimental fool that he
was.

"This is Rachel," Ian said to Ella. "She's
staying here with her little boy, Toby. You'll meet him tomorrow."

"Hello, Ella." Rachel smiled and Ella blinked
back. "What's your dolly's name?"

"Lulu." Ella held up her doll to show her off.

"Lulu looks very tired after her long journey. We have
a lovely warm bed upstairs for you two."

Ian lowered his daughter to her feet, not wanting to put her
down, wishing he could hold on to her forever and never let her go. But he
needed to fetch the plastic grocery bags from the car that contained Ella's
things.

He crouched in front of his daughter. "Will you go
upstairs with Rachel? I'll come up in a minute."

She nodded. Rachel offered her hand and Ella took it. Max
had climbed out of his bed and lumbered over. Ian stroked the dog's head and he
nuzzled Ella's front. She giggled and bent to put her arms around Max's neck.
Ian would swear the old dog smiled. Maybe he had missed her too.

***

Ella was adorable with dark wavy hair and brown eyes, a tiny
female version of Ian. Rachel had been nervous about meeting her; now she
wondered why. Ella was a darling little girl. Rachel loved children and it
would be wonderful to have her here with them. She imagined Toby's excitement
in the morning when he met her.

Ian dashed out the back door and Rachel led Ella through the
hall to the stairs. The little girl stumbled and dropped her doll, obviously very
tired. Rachel picked her up and carried her upstairs and along the hall to the
smallest bedroom. She sat her on the bed, unfastened her shoes, and turned back
the covers.

"Shall we visit the bathroom before you climb into
bed?"

Ella nodded. They walked along the hall together and Rachel
held Lulu while Ella used the toilet. She finished washing her hands and face
as Ian appeared at the doorway with a toothbrush.

"Just in time," Rachel said. "Do you want to brush
your own teeth?" she asked the child.

"I want Daddy to do it."

Rachel stepped out of the way to let Ian in. He put
toothpaste on the brush and bent to clean his daughter's teeth, the grin still
on his face. Her heart fluttered with pleasure to see Ian so happy. It was as
if a light had come on inside him now Ella was here.

"There you go, precious," Ian said. "Time to
get your pajamas on and jump into bed."

Rachel followed them back to the bedroom and watched Ian
help Ella change, then snuggle her in bed. When he kissed her good night, she
looped her arms around his neck.

"Do you remember your bedroom, darling?" he asked.

Ella nodded.

"You were only two when you last slept here. Your crib
used to be up against that wall."

When Ian tried to withdraw, Ella hung on tight, whimpering in
distress. "Don't go, Daddy."

He climbed on the bed and stretched out beside her.
"It's all right, darling. I'll stay if you want me to."

Ian kissed his daughter and stroked her hair, his little
girl so small and delicate beside him. It was easy to see he adored Ella and
was a caring father—exactly what Rachel had expected, exactly what she longed
for Toby to have. This kind man had enough love for all of them; she was sure
of it.

She leaned over, breathed in the fresh herbal scent of him,
and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad to have you back safely. See you in the
morning. Sleep well."

He turned his head, a sleepy smile on his face. "Thank
you for being so understanding. I love you, Rach."

He loved her.
Words she had dreamed of him saying for
so many years. She sank to her knees beside the bed and wrapped her arms around
him, resting her cheek on his. "I love you too, darling. So much."

"When things settle down, we'll have time for
ourselves, just the two of us. I promise."

"I can wait." After eight years, what were a few
more days? Rachel laughed and pressed her face against his neck, hugging him
tightly, willing him to sense just how much she loved him, this man who had the
knack of turning problems into new opportunities.

Chapter Eight

Rachel woke to the patter of small feet and childish
laughter outside her bedroom door. She smiled as she yawned and stretched. It
sounded as though Toby and Ella had found each other already.

Eager to start Christmas Day, she jumped out of bed, pulled
on her dressing gown, and pushed her feet in her slippers. In the hall, Ella
and Toby sat on the carpet outside Ian's bedroom door, playing.

"Lulu can be Jimbo's girlfriend," Toby said
seriously. "They have to hold hands." He stood his teddy beside
Ella's doll and pressed their hands together.

Love and tenderness swelled inside Rachel. The children were
so sweet together. No one would guess they had both lived through difficult
experiences recently and only just met.

"Hello, you two. Merry Christmas." Rachel stooped
to kiss Toby's head and put an arm around each child's shoulders. Toby kissed
her back and Ella curled shyly against her side.

Ian's bedroom door stood wide but he was still asleep,
despite the excited chatter of the children. Rachel smiled down at Ella. "I
think we'd better leave Daddy to sleep in, don't you?" He must have been
exhausted after his long drive.

Rachel rose and moved to close the door. As she did, she
noticed the photo on his bedside table. A wonderful idea came to her.

She tiptoed into the room, casting a longing glance at Ian,
so gorgeous with his dark hair all ruffled. She kissed him lightly on the neck
without disturbing him, grabbed the photo frame off his nightstand, and slipped
out of the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

Rachel found dressing gowns and slippers for both children,
then led them downstairs. Max rose from his basket, tail wagging furiously as
the children charged into the kitchen. "Max, Max," they both shouted,
hugging and patting him. The dog looked very pleased with himself as Rachel
opened the back door and let him out.

Max loped through a foot of snow covering the yard, barking
at a rabbit that had ventured too close to the house.

"Toby, Ella, look at the snow." The children
rushed to gaze out of the door, the Christmas excitement bubbling over as they
jumped up and down.

"Can we build a snowman, Mummy?"

"As soon as we've finished breakfast. You need
something warm in those tummies before you go outside." Rachel tickled
them both so they dashed away giggling, then called Max inside.

As soon as the children had plates of scrambled eggs on
toast, she made herself a slice of toast and sat down, her sketch pad open on
the table, the photo from Ian's nightstand in front of her. She'd specialized
in horses, but she'd also been good at drawing people. With luck, that skill
hadn't deserted her.

Finishing her toast, she brushed the crumbs from her hands
and carefully scrutinized the photo, mentally sketching the image of Ian
holding Ella before she put pen to paper. When she was sure she knew what to
do, she started.

She shielded her drawing from the children with a breakfast
cereal box. She didn't want them to tell Ian and spoil the surprise. After
thirty minutes, she was finished. The picture wasn't as good as she'd wanted,
but then they never were. Given more time, she would have used special paper
and had the drawing framed, but she could do that after Christmas.

She rolled up the page from her sketchbook, wrapped it in
Christmas paper, then padded through to the sitting room in her slippers and
popped it under the tree with the other presents. As Ella had arrived
unexpectedly, Rachel didn't have a gift for her. Chewing her lip in thought,
she sorted out one of her presents to Toby and relabeled it for Ella.

With the children bouncing around, eager to get dressed and
go outside, Rachel put the turkey in the oven, then carrying a cup of tea for
Ian, she herded the little ones upstairs. She intended to tap on Ian's door and
wake him gently, but Toby and Ella reached there first and burst into the room.

"Daddy, Daddy, it's Christmas," Ella shouted.

"It's Christmas," Toby chimed in, bouncing around
on the mattress on his knees, holding Ella's hands. Even Max had made it up the
stairs to join them. He waggled his way around the bed, tail going like mad,
and licked Ian's face.

The poor man spluttered, raising a hand to protect himself.
"Enough, already. I'm awake."

"Merry Christmas. Sorry about the rude awakening. I
tried to let you sleep late." Rachel put his cup of tea on the nightstand
and slipped the photo frame back in place at the same time.

Ian grabbed her hand and slid over, making room for her.
"Come here and give me a Christmas cuddle."

With a girlish giggle, she let him pull her underneath the
covers. Sensation zinged along her nerves as she snuggled against his warm
body.

He kissed her and leaned back, a smile on his face.
"Merry Christmas, my darling. Sorry I didn't get a chance to ask how your
day at the zoo went."

"We had fun, but we missed you."

"I'm glad you missed me. I wanted to be there."

"Snowman, snowman," Ella and Toby chanted
together.

"Okay, okay." Ian pushed up on an elbow and both
children jumped on him for a hug and kiss. "You two scoot off out of here
and let me get dressed. As soon as I come down, we'll go and build this
snowman."

"Yay." The children both cheered before dashing
out the door.

Ian flopped back on the pillow. When Rachel tried to move,
his arm tightened around her. "I want you to myself for a few
seconds." He kissed her again, stroking a hand over her hair and trailing
his fingertips across her cheek. "I keep thinking I've imagined how
beautiful you are, but my memory didn't play tricks. You really are as
beautiful as in my dreams."'

Pleasure rushed through Rachel at his words. She wasn't used
to compliments. "Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Harper?"

"There's nothing I'd enjoy more than spending Christmas
Day in bed with you, but I guess we'd better get up before the kids come
back." With a wry grin, he released her.

After Ian came down and had a quick slice of toast, they all
bundled up in coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and rubber boots. Ian opened the
back door and Max leaped around in the snow, scattering ice crystals over
everyone, making them laugh.

They gathered buckets of snow and built a huge pile in the
middle of the yard, then rolled a snowball around until it was head-sized. Ian
lifted it on top of the body and wrapped his scarf around the snowman's neck.

The children dug through the snow on the driveway to find
pebbles to use as eyes, while Rachel fetched a carrot for his nose.

"All right, you three, stand beside your creation so I
can take a photo." She held up her phone and gestured for them to take
their positions.

Happiness bubbled inside her as Ian crouched in front of the
snowman with Toby under one arm and Ella under the other. They all grinned, snowflakes
clinging to their coats and gloves, their cheeks flushed with excitement and
cold.

Before they went inside, Ian lifted the children on his
shoulders one after the other, and they took turns pretending to be giraffes.

After Christmas dinner they settled in front of the log fire
in the sitting room, the Christmas tree lights twinkling. With a Christmas
cartoon showing on the television, they unwrapped the presents from beneath the
tree.

Rachel snapped photos of the children ripping the paper off their
gifts, while she and Ian sipped mulled wine, laughing at their antics.

She called her parents to wish them Merry Christmas and
texted them some Christmas photographs of the children with the snowman, and
one of all four of them by the Christmas tree. Her mum texted her a photograph
of the sun gleaming off the azure blue Mediterranean Sea, the view from their
conservatory where they were eating Christmas dinner.

With a sigh of longing, Rachel angled her phone screen
towards Ian. "Look how beautiful that scene is. I'd love to visit Mum and
Dad. They haven't seen Toby for months."

"We'll go together, all four of us," Ian said.
"I'd like to see Jeff and Irene again. They were like a surrogate mum and
dad to me when I lost my mother."

Rachel squeezed his hand. She vaguely remembered Ian having
trouble when he was younger, just before he started working for her dad.

Toby and Ella were busy playing with their new toys on the
floor. Rachel passed Ian the picture she had drawn and bit her lip as he pulled
the wrapping off, eager for his reaction. He held the sheet of paper up, his
expression morphing into a smile as he scanned it.

"You really are talented, love. It's a crime against
art for you to waste your skill working in my office."

A startled laugh burst from Rachel. "I'm glad you like
it, but I wouldn't go that far." She was still getting her confidence back
with her drawing. Greg had convinced her it was a waste of time.

"I love it. Thank you for being so thoughtful."

He pulled her close and kissed her, then handed her a
present, a new shoulder bag to replace the one that had been damaged in the
storm.

"I'm not very good at choosing this sort of thing. I
hope it's okay."

"I love it. Thank you, Ian." Rachel kissed him
again, using the excuse for a longer cuddle. They snuggled together, sipping
their wine and watching the children.

Ian picked up the picture she had drawn for him and examined
it again, his expression thoughtful. He sucked in a breath and blew it out.

"There's another gift I want to give you." He rose
and headed for the door, his expression serious. "Be back in a
moment."

Rachel stared after him, surprised by his sudden change of
mood.

He returned within a few minutes, sat beside her, and handed
over a small green velvet box. It looked like a ring box, an old one. Rachel's
pulse raced as her gaze rose to meet his. This couldn't be what she thought it
was, surely?

Ian nodded, a tentative smile on his lips. "Open it,
love."

She lifted the lid to reveal an old-fashioned ring, the
round diamond set in white gold, surrounded by seed pearls. "This is
beautiful, Ian."

"It was my mother's, given to her by her mother. It's
the only thing I have left of her."

"Gracious, I can't accept it then. Not if it has such
important sentimental value for you."

She tried to pass the box back but he gently closed her
fingers around it. "That's exactly why I want you to have it. I want you
to know how important you are to me."

Rachel's breath caught in her throat as he lifted the ring
from the velvet pad, and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand.

Her heart pounded with excitement but uncertainty lingered.
Surely it was too soon for him to make a commitment to her? He wasn't the sort
of man to rush into things. "Did you mean to put it on that finger?"

Ian laughed. "I do know my right from my left."

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply…"

She stopped when she noticed the mischievous sparkle in his
eyes—he was teasing her.

"I know exactly which finger I've put it on." He
slid off the sofa to kneel in front of her. "Rachel Carne, will you marry
me?"

Rachel opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Tears of
happiness filled her eyes. Eight years ago when he'd rebuffed her, she'd never
thought this day would come. "Yes," she croaked, her voice thick with
emotion. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, darling. I wanted a family so I rushed
into things with Jane. I tried to create the happy home I remembered having
before my mum died, but it never felt right with Jane like it does with you. I
was a fool when I was young. I should have waited a few years until I had my
own business and you were older."

He raised her hand to his lips and his eyelids fell as he
kissed her finger beside the engagement ring. "I'm lucky we found each
other again and you gave me a second chance."

"Fate gave us a second chance." She'd cursed fate
a lot lately, but it had really come through for her this time. Maybe all the things
that had happened to bring them together were destined to be.

Toby and Ella laid down their toys and came closer. Rachel
put her arm around Toby as he touched her engagement ring while Ella snuggled
up to her daddy's side.

"That's a pretty ring," Ella said. "Can I
have one?"

Rachel and Ian both burst out laughing. Ian hugged his
daughter close and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Not for at least twenty
years, if I have my way."

They lifted the children on their laps and all cuddled
together on the sofa as the final happy scene of the Christmas cartoon played
out. The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled, and Max snored on the rug in
front of the crackling log fire.

Outside, fluffy snowflakes started falling, covering
everything in a pure white coat of perfection, renewing the world, giving them
a fresh start.

This was the Christmas Day Rachel had dreamed of ever since Toby
was born. She snuggled closer to Ian and kissed his cheek. This wonderful man
had made her Christmas family wish come true and it was only the start of their
future together.

He'd swept all her problems away and made her feel safe and
loved again. She hadn't known how low she was until Ian raised her up and gave
her hope.

He was everything she ever wanted, and he'd asked her to be
his wife. This was the best Christmas gift ever.