| |
Several months later...
It was the final afternoon of work before the holidays. Lowry Engineering would be closed for more than a week, until January.
Well, saying it was an afternoon of work was really stretching the definition of the word, since they were having a party.
Iris popped a chocolate in her mouth, then turned to Emma. “What are your plans for the holidays?”
“We have to do Christmas three times in three days, and two of those are out of town. I just hope nobody gets sick, because I don’t need a repeat of last year.” Emma sighed dramatically. “I’m going to get more egg nog. Want some?”
Iris shook her head.
Emma walked away in search of egg nog, and Scott appeared beside Iris.
“I got your save-the-date email,” he said.
Iris smiled. “Yes, I’m getting married in June.” She was inviting Scott, Emma, and one other engineer in the office.
“Which surprised me. I hadn’t known you were seeing anyone.” He looked at her hands. “Ah. You’re wearing a ring.”
“I’ve been wearing it for two months.” She paused. “You actually did know I was seeing someone.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Remember my conflict of interest for the East Markham Hospital project? The site supervisor?” When he nodded, she continued. “Why weren’t you angrier at me for that?”
“I knew it was a one-off. You were so embarrassed and ashamed that I was sure it would never happen again.”
“It won’t. Because I’m marrying him.” She wasn’t ashamed of what had happened, not anymore. It wouldn’t have happened with anyone but Alex.
“So I see. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
He headed off in the direction of the food, and Emma returned. “So, what are you doing for the holidays, Iris? Lots of wedding planning?”
* * *
When Iris arrived home, the house smelled amazing.
Alex had moved into Ngin Ngin’s house with Iris after they’d gotten engaged, and last weekend, they’d put up a Christmas tree, which smelled lovely.
But it wasn’t just the Christmas tree.
“Are you baking?” she called out as she took off her boots.
Alex appeared in front of her with a plate of shortbread cookies, and she couldn’t help but grin.
“Is that smile for me or the cookies?” he asked, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“You, of course,” she said, but she plucked a cookie from the plate, even though she’d already eaten her weight in sugar today. The cookie was better than anything she could have baked herself, that was for sure.
He led her to the ugly brown couch, and she snuggled up against him.
She did, indeed, like her new life very much, but she didn’t regret the way she’d lived before: lots of going out, one-night stands. She’d enjoyed it at the time, and it had led her to Alex.
It was a very good thing that she and Crystal had gone to The Thirsty Lumberjack that night in their quest to find men. Iris had met Alex, and Crystal had met Jared—and they were getting married, too. Next fall. Iris would be a bridesmaid.
This was her first Christmas in a relationship. In addition to seeing her family on Christmas Day, she would be joining Alex’s family on Christmas Eve at his father’s house. His brother and sister-in-law had moved to Toronto a few months ago, and Ericka was now nearly nine months pregnant. Iris had bet Alex that the baby would be born in December; Alex was convinced she wouldn’t make an appearance until the New Year. Whoever lost had to make the other person a romantic dinner.
Hmm. Perhaps Alex actually wanted to lose so Iris wouldn’t set fire to anything.
She reached for another shortbread cookie—a star decorated with sprinkles—and looked around the cozy house. She loved coming home to her fiancé. Loved going to sleep next to him and waking up next to him.
So much had changed this year, and she couldn’t wait to see what the New Year would bring. Rebecca and Nicholas were doing well. Ngin Ngin had regained most of her mobility, but had agreed to remain with Iris’s parents in Scarborough for now, though she visited Iris and Alex at her house every week.
This spring, Alex planned to turn the tiny patch of grass in the backyard into a garden, complete with a swinging bench and roses. Perhaps some peonies, too.
By late summer, Nicholas would be walking, and Iris and Alex would be married.
Married.
She’d never wanted that for herself before, but thanks to the man sitting next to her, she’d changed her mind.
Alex pressed his forehead to hers, his breath warm on her face, and kissed her.
This would be the best Christmas ever.
Because she’d be spending it with the man she loved.