Stefanie London

A Merry Aussie Christmas bonus epilogue

Evie looked at the screen displaying all the flights out of JFK International airport with utter dismay as many of them flicked from “delayed” to “cancelled.” They’d already been wandering around the terminal for more than three hours, anxiously monitoring the status of their flight after being informed that a snowstorm was blowing in harder and faster than expected.

“My first experience of snow and it’s ruining our trip,” she said, knotting her hands in front of her.

“It hasn’t ruined anything. We’re still here together, that’s all that matters.” Jasper slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She could still smell the remnants of soap on his skin from earlier that morning. They’d made love in the shower and she’d been on top of the world.

 But now…

“What about the wedding? What if the storm doesn’t pass and we miss it?” Her voice climbed an octave higher and she huddled into Jasper’s side, still staring at the screen. “We can’t miss our own wedding.”

They were due to fly from New York to Boston that afternoon, and then make the drive out to a quaint little town called Forever Falls where they were to be married in four days’ time, on Christmas Eve. Everything was waiting for them. They’d booked a gorgeous inn run by a guy who’d grown up in Patterson’s Bluff and had invited all their family and friends to join them. Evie’s sisters were joint maids of honour, and she had a custom-made wedding dress. There would be snow and Christmas trees and romance and carols and cake—all things that she loved.

Most of all, she couldn’t wait for the moment that it was time to stand by Jasper’s side and declare her love for him in front of all the people who mattered in their lives. She wanted to be his wife more than anything, and to have him as her husband.

“I should never had suggested we squeeze in a trip to New York beforehand,” she said, sighing. “I was being greedy.”

“No way. I wouldn’t change anything about this trip.” Jasper grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “The way your face lit up when we saw Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center was worth it.”

“You mean watching me fall on my arse trying to ice skate in Bryant Park was worth it,” she said, shaking her head and laughing. Jasper was right. She’d always wanted to see New York and the days they’d spent there had been totally magical.

“I’ll treasure that memory of your soggy backside forever,” he said with a cheeky grin. “But seriously, I’m so glad we did this. The storm will pass and we will get married. I’m not leaving this country until we’re hitched, I promise.”

How had she gotten so lucky to have a man like Jasper want to marry her? Every day she asked herself the same question. No matter what she fretted about—whether it was an issue with a Designs By Evie order or her freaking out whenever she felt under the weather—he was there for her, body and soul.

“Are you worried I’m going to change my mind?” he teased, leaning in to kiss her. When his lips brushed hers and his strong arms wrapped around her body, everything suddenly felt less scary. Less fraught. “I’m in it for the long haul, Evie. You’re never going to get rid of me. I’m stuck to you like a barnacle on a boat.”

She giggled. “Lucky you’re a handsome barnacle.”

“Come on, let’s go to the customer service desk.” He planted a kiss on the top of her head. “I doubt we’re getting out of here for a while.”

*

Two hours later, Jasper opened the door to an airport hotel room. As he predicted, they weren’t going anywhere tonight. However, some sweet talking had helped him and Evie secure a room. It wasn’t flashy. But at least it was a place to sleep. Still, he hated seeing the worry in his fiancée’s eyes. This was supposed to be a dream holiday for her. A bucket list item.

Jasper had planned the trip, since he was the more experienced traveller of the two of them. And he’d checked every single detail to make sure it was the absolute best trip she could possibly have. He wanted Evie to have the experience of a lifetime, especially since Christmas was her favourite time of year and this was her first time travelling overseas.

Getting grounded by a snowstorm before their wedding was not part of the plan. In reality he should have scheduled them to have more of a buffer. But nothing could be done about that now. All they could do was make the best of the situation.

“Why don’t you have a bath?” he suggested, dragging their suitcases over by the bed.

Evie’s shoulders were hiked up around her ears and her blond hair was piled on top of her head in a haphazard knot. The corners of her mouth drooped, and a line was etched between her brows. She’d been texting with her sisters, who were stranded in San Francisco. Apparently, the low visibility around Boston was causing issues for many of the wedding guests.

“At least Lily made it there,” Evie said, ignoring his suggestion. She dropped down onto the bed. “My wedding dress will be at the venue in time, but I won’t.”

“We’ve re-booked for flights tomorrow and I have every confidence that we’ll be flying out of here.” Was that entire the truth? No. Jasper had no idea whether that flight would go ahead or not, but he decided to fake confidence in the airport’s systems for Evie’s sake. “The best we can do is enjoy our night. So, I’m going to run you a bath and you’re going to soak until you look like a prune. Got it?”

A smile flickered across her lips. “Would you find that sexy? Me being wrinkly all over?”

“You know it.” He laughed and headed to the bathroom, hoping they had some of those miniature toiletries.

A collection of small bottles sat on the vanity and one contained scented bubble bath. Score! The tub wasn’t super deep, but given Evie was a certified shorty it probably would feel like a proper sized tub to her. He started the water running and checked the temperature, fiddling with the taps until it was just right. Then he dumped the contents of the tiny bottle of bubble bath in. While the tub filled and bubbles accumulated, he coaxed Evie into the bathroom, fetching the thriller she’d picked up at the airport bookstore for the flight and thrusting it into her hands.

“Bath. Book. That’s all you’ve got to do for the next hour.”

“What about you?” she asked, her brows knitted.

“Don’t worry about me,” he replied. “You go and relax. I’ll order us some dinner.”

“I love you,” she whispered, pressing up on her toes and planting a kiss on his lips.

Tempting as it was to strip her down and get into the tub with her, he resisted. A, that tub was definitely not big enough for the both of them and B, he had other plans. They might be stranded, but that was no excuse not to make the most of every single moment.

*

What felt like a year later, but was probably more like forty-something minutes, Evie was happily soaking in the tub and feeling infinitely more relaxed. The floral scent of the bubbles soothed her and getting lost in a good thriller novel was a great escape from her current worries. Jasper always seemed to know exactly what she needed.

Slipping her bookmark between the pages to mark her spot, Evie dropped the book onto the floor by the tub. As nice as it was to have a soak, she was starving. Her tummy growled when the scent of something delicious wafted under the door of the hotel bathroom.

What had Jasper ordered for them?

She pulled the plug on the bath and got out, drying herself off and wrapping up in the silky bathrobe she’d packed because it made her feel luxurious. She opened the bathroom door, expecting to see a tray with some burgers or something casual like that, but the scene in the hotel room took her breath away. Jasper was dressed in charcoal suit pants and a crisp white shirt, the collar open around his neck. A small round table had been dragged into the middle of the room and was flanked by two chairs. Atop it was a bottle of champagne, two champagne flutes and two plates with silver domes covering them. Oh, and a tiny flickering tea light candle.

“What on earth…?” Evie blinked.

“Here.” Jasper handed her a slinky red dress—the same one she’d worn to dinner last night. She could even see the steamer sitting out on the bedside table where he’d clearly gotten the wrinkles out for her. “Get dressed. We’re going to have a romantic dinner.”

A laugh bubbled up inside her, awe at his efforts making her heart glow. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything.” He fetched a pair of gold high heels from her luggage and handed them over. “We might be stuck here for the night, but anywhere with you feels like a five-star place to me.”

Blinking back tears, she scurried into the bathroom to change. In minutes she had the dress on, a slick of lip gloss on her lips, and her hair fluffed out and blasted with the hairdryer to give it some volume. Then she slipped on a pair of earrings—her own unique design featuring a simple twist of gold metal and a tiny freshwater pearl dangling from the bottom—and stuffed her feet into the heels.

When she walked back into the hotel room, Jasper was serving up their dinner—which was some kind of pasta with garlic bread and salad. He’d poured the champagne and was holding a chair out for her.

“Are you even real?” she asked, shaking her head.

“As real as anything.” He cocked his head and looked her up and down, feasting his eyes on her. She always felt a million bucks around him, no matter if she was in track pants and a hoodie or a glamorous dress and heels. “You look incredible.”

“You look pretty fine yourself there, Mr. McCann.” She walked right up to him and looped her arms around his neck. “You amaze me, Jasper.”

“You amaze me. And I want you to know that no matter what life throws at us, we will get through it together. We’re a team.” He smoothed his palm along the edge of her jaw, his thumb brushing the corner of her lip. “I want us to celebrate every day, even the stressful ones. Even the ones when we’d rather hide under the covers. Every single day we have together is worthy of celebration.”

“Worthy enough to get dessert?” she asked hopefully.

“I’ve got all the dessert I need right here.” He pulled her close and kissed her with as much fire and passion as she held in her heart for him. “But don’t worry, there’s chocolate mousse hiding in the bar fridge.”

“You are perfect.” She stared up into his beautiful multicoloured eyes. “Thank you for helping me not to settle.”

“Never. This Christmas I’m going to be your husband for real. Come hell or highwater, we’re doing this thing Evie. Nothing will stop us, not even a snowstorm.” He kissed her long and deep and Evie knew in her heart that it would all work out okay.

No matter what life through at them, they would tackle it together. She used to be frightened of the future. Of forever. But Jasper changed all that.

Because forever was happening right now.

Read the next book in the series…