The Billionaire's Christmas Baby(51)

Jackson held Emily out to her. A love that she couldn’t describe filled her heart and healed her soul as the baby stared, unblinking, at her, before breaking out into a wobbly grin. She couldn’t walk away from this baby. She had fought so hard for her, lost a job for her, battled a blizzard for her. She couldn’t give her up now. Not ever.

She looked up from Emily’s angelic face to Jackson’s. She smiled up at him. “I love you too.”

“I want us to find a home together—whatever you want. If you want to live in Hope’s Crossing then we will. I want you to have a home of your dreams. We’re going to be the family neither one of us never had. The real thing, Hannah. I want to be your husband. God, I want to be that man.”

“Wherever you and Emily are is my home.” When she felt his embrace and breathed in the scent of him, Hannah knew she was home. Jackson was home. Not a house, not a structure, him. She lifted her face to his, seeing love and the flickering of desire as he lowered his head to meet her mouth. She tasted forever on his lips as they stood in the snow, Emily nestled between them. She had found her knight, her kingdom of dreams.

Hannah had found her family for Christmas.

She had found her family forever.





Epilogue



“Daddy, don’t forget the star!”

Jackson looked down at Emily who was staring up at him with wide brown eyes, clutching a sparkling gold star in her hand. He smiled as he leaned down and lifted his three-year-old daughter into his arms. The soft, red velvet fabric of her dress brushed against his forearm as he positioned Emily close to the tree top. He secured the ornament and chuckled as she clapped her hands at the finished product.

He walked over to the window facing the snow-covered front yard, still holding Emily in his arms. The sight outside was something he would never tire of—their front yard at the cabin was lit up like Vegas.

Hannah and Emily had spent all day adding white lights to the evergreens and wreaths and a Santa sleigh on the porch. Every year Hannah insisted that a giant wreath be hung on the front door. She had even managed to coerce him into climbing up a ladder and adding lights along the roof line. But he didn’t complain. This year, he might even admit that he liked it.

“When’s Auntie and Uncle Sampson coming, Daddy?” Emily asked, peering out the window. Jackson sighed. That was another annual tradition Hannah had started—the Sampsons on Christmas Eve. Another thing he didn’t complain about. How could he when the elderly couple doted on his daughter as if they were her grandparents?

“Soon, sweetie. Just listen for bells,” Jackson said, turning as he heard Hannah’s footsteps.

His wife approached them, holding her index finger to her lips. “He’s finally sleeping,” Hannah whispered, snuggling up to his side.

“Baby Christopher sleeps too much!” Emily exclaimed with a frown.

“It just seems like that, Emily. But newborns need a lot more sleep that we do,” Hannah said, tapping Emily’s nose.

The exuberant jingling of bells indicated that the Sampsons were approaching. Jackson sighed and looked down at Hannah.

“I love you, Jackson,” she said with a gorgeous smile and a sparkle in her green eyes as she pinched his side.

“Love you too, Hannah,” he said, placing a kiss on her soft mouth. Kissing Hannah was something he never tired of. In fact, it was what he intended on spending a long time doing after the Sampsons left.

Emily laughed and bounced in his arms as the couple pulled into the driveway. A large red sack was stuffed into the rear of the sleigh.

“They’re so sweet,” Hannah whispered as she stared out the window.

Jackson agreed, but silently thought his wife was much sweeter. The woman by his side had shown him the power of forgiveness. They had a daughter in Emily, and two months ago, they welcomed a son. Jackson had learned the meaning of unconditional love.

And because of Hannah, he’d learned that holiday miracles did come true.