Chapter 111

The fresh aroma of flowers wafted toward her as Kiki walked into the doorway of the ballroom in The North Pole Lodge. She wrung her silk-gloved hands as she looked around the room. All eyes were on her, but there was only one person she wanted to see. Then she looked over at a group of people and her heart stopped. For standing beside his coworker was Taren, looking dashing in a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bowtie, his dark blond-streaked hair combed to perfection, looking as if he had stepped out of a fashion magazine or a fireman's calendar.
Kiki's heart leapt when their eyes met, but his expression was unreadable as he crossed the room to her. Taren stopped in front of her, and she could smell the fresh scent of his cologne, his muscles bulging beneath his tux.
"Why are you here?" he asked, his eyes soft and kind.
Of all the things she expected him to say, that wasn't it. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come." She turned to leave, but he caught her hand.
"No- please stay." His eyes were filled with so much love that she thought her heart might burst, receiving it. "I'd just like to know why you're here- please."
"I- I- I don't want time to pass us by before I told you how I feel- about you- before it's too late." She let out a deep breath, feeling more vulnerable and exposed before anyone than she had ever felt in her life.
Taren cradled her hands to his chest and pulled her close, forcing her to look into his eyes. "And how do you feel about me?"
She took in a deep breath, summoning her courage. It was now or never. "I love you, Taren. I always have- since high school. I never told you, but every man I dated never compared to you."
Concern filled his eyes. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because you were with Scarlett, and I would never do anything to come between you." She let out a deep breath. It felt good to get it out in the open. For better or worse, let the chips fall where they may.
His lips descended upon hers, causing her whole body to tingle as her heart pounded against her ribcage, trying to leap out of her chest, already claiming him as hers.
When she pulled back, she asked. "But what about--"
"Scarlett?" he finished. Somehow, her name on his lips didn't sound right.
Kiki nodded, fearing his response.
"She came here earlier, but I told her to leave." Taren's eyes bore into hers with so much intensity that the world around them seemed to fade away. At that moment, she didn't see anything, feel anything- but him. "Kiki, I don't want her in my life or Abby's. I want you."
"And how do you feel about me?" She hated herself for asking, but she had to know.
One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "I love you, Kiki. Don't you know that? I've loved you since I carried you from the fire- and maybe since high school, too, but I just didn't see it. Kiki, I love you with all of my heart." Then his lips descended upon hers once again, filling her with reassurance, and with so much love that tears sprang to her eyes.
"Hey! Get a room!" one of the men yelled.
Everyone laughed.
Taren pulled back and placed his forehead against hers. "Would you care to dance?" He shrugged. "After all, it is a ball."
Kiki laughed. "Well, since it's a ball- I'd love to."
Taren took her gloved hand in his and led her out onto the dancefloor. And from that moment on, she knew that her heart would always be his.
***
The next day, Kiki was with Taren and Abby outside, making snowmen in Taren and Evelyn's backyard. They had danced the night away and he took her home. But he came back to get her bright and early in the morning, stating that he didn't want to spend one more moment without her. Of course, she went with him gladly.
"I have an idea!" Abby announced. "Let's make a boy and a girl snowman!"
Taren's eyes widened as he bent down to his daughter's level. "You know what? That's a great idea!"
Together, the three of them rolled snowballs until they became huge balls and soon, two snowmen were standing side by side.
Abby looked at their creations, folding her arms across her chest. "No, they're missing something." Then a smile spread across her face. "I know! I'll ask Grammy for some stuff! Be right back!"
Taren laughed. "Don't bother Grammy too much!" But his warning fell on deaf ears, for she was already in the house, out of earshot. His lips curled into a smile as he took Kiki into his arms and looked into her eyes. "I'm glad we have a moment alone together."
A grin spread across Kiki's face. "Me, too."
A dimple showed in his cheek. "I had a great time last night."
"So did I." In fact, it was one of the best moments of her life.
"I'm glad you decided to come." A thought must have occurred to him, for he raised an eyebrow. "By the way, did anyone I know persuade you to go last night?"
She slid casually out of his arms. "You know what they say. I woman's heart is filled with secrets." Then she reached down to pick up some snow and threw it at him.
"Oh! We're going to play it that way, huh?" He made a perfect snowball and threw it at her, obviously careful not to hit her face.
They laughed as a snowball fight ensued, until they fell into each other's arms, laughing. His lips descended onto hers, softly at first, and then with a fierceness filled with passion.
"Am I interrupting something?" When they looked over, Abby's arms were filled with items for the snowman. She dropped it onto the snow and placed her hands on her hips.
Kiki and Taren looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Taren picked his daughter up and swung her around, causing her to laugh. "You, my dear, are too smart for your own good."
"So they say," she teased, squirming to get down. She picked up a scarf. "I thought this one would be good for the boy snowman-." She began picking up items from the snow and placed them on both the girl and boy snowmen.
Evelyn came out and sat down on the rod iron chair and set her coffee on the matching table. "Don't mind me. I just thought I'd come out and see what you were up to."
Kiki picked up the other scarf, striped in a riot of color, and placed it around the girl snowman's neck.
"Here you go!" Abby handed Kiki a carrot and some red yarn This is for the nose and the lips-." Then she handed the same to her father, who was hard at work on the boy snowman.
When they were finished, there were two perfectly decorated snowmen, a girl and a boy, standing in the yard. They even paced twigs in the sides for arms and the branches were so close they looked like they were holding hands. Abby was about to take off her gloves to add to the ends of the twigs, but her father stopped her.
"If you give your gloves to the snowman, then what will keep your hands warm?" Taren asked, a smile curling his lips.
"But Mr. Snowman will get cold!"
Kiki smiled. "They'll be just fine. I promise."
"Wait a minute-." Taren bent over with his ear toward the snowman, listening. "What?" He listened intently again, Abby's eyes wide. "What was that you said?" Kiki giggled as she watched. "Uh huh. Yes! I think that's a very good idea."
Abby's eyes were wide with wonder. "What did he say?"
Taren shrugged and then placed his hand on the other side of his mouth so the female snowman couldn't hear him. "He said that he was going to ask the girl snowman to marry him."
"And what did you say?" Abby's eyes were as big as saucers.
"I thought it was a very good idea." Then he knelt down in front of Kiki, pulled out a box, and opened it. Inside was the most beautiful engagement ring she had ever seen. From the side, Evelyn gasped. "Kiki Marie Long, would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"
Kiki's eyes opened wide. "Yes!"
Taren took off his gloves, lifted the ring from the box, and held it up to her. "This ring belonged to my grandmother and I've given it to no other woman. Would you do me the honor of wearing it?"
"Yes, of course. I'd be honored." She took off her glove and he slid it onto her finger, where it would stay for as long as she lived. It was a cluster of diamonds in an oval setting and Kiki gasped. "It's beautiful."
He took her hand, smiling as he pulled her into his arms. "I love you, Kiki Long."
"I love you, too, Taren Davis." Then his lips descended upon hers as passion filled them both.
Abby ran to them and jumped on them, knocking them both to the ground, and looked into Kiki's eyes. "Does this mean that you'll be my mama now?"
A broad grin spread across her face. "It sure does, baby. It sure does." Then Abby gave her a big hug and then ran over to her grandmother. "Did you hear, Grammy? Daddy and Kiki are getting married!"
"I heard!" Evelyn turned and yelled over to them. "Congratulations to you both! Kiki, welcome to the family!"
"Thanks, Evelyn!" She waved to her.
Then Evelyn took her granddaughter by the hand. "Let's go inside to warm you up. You're getting pretty cold out here." Then she blew Kiki and Taren a kiss. Kiki suspected that it was Evelyn's way of giving them a little privacy.
"What about Scarlett?" Kiki hated herself for ruining the moment, but she had to know. "Has she served papers?"
"No, but I did. After she left the station the other day, I asked Liam if he knew a good lawyer and he did. I called him and had papers drawn up. Once they're served to her, I'm sure she'll run like a scared rabbit." One corner of his lips curled into a heartbreaking smile. "So, it looks like it's just you and me from now on."
"And Abby," Kiki added, smiling.
"And Abby," he agreed. When he kissed her this time, she knew that she had just found her home, safe in Taren's arms.
END OF VOLUME TWO