Happily Ever Christmas

~Twenty-Six~

I arrived at the top of the curving grand staircase trimmed in holiday garlands and found myself looking out at a sea of smiling faces.

My vision immediately swam as I experienced a bout of light-headedness. The corset probably wasn't helping any, either.

Then I felt my daughter squeezing my hand, and when I looked down, she gave me a reassuring smile.

I smiled back, even though I still felt a bit sick inside.

With my brave children at my side, I could do anything.

We started to slowly descend the staircase together as a family, me blushing as my kids grinned and waved.

Then I looked up from the gleaming stairs themselves and found myself captured in a pair of crystalline blue eyes.

Steve was waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase, and he looked just about good enough to eat.

         *~*~*~*

Just the sight of him took my breath away.

Someone must've told him I'd be wearing blue tonight because he was dressed impeccably in a dark blue suit with a little forget-me-not flower tucked into his lapel that perfectly complemented both our outfits.

Santa Claus cleaned up well.

Before I even knew it, I was standing in front of him with my head tilted back to accommodate his towering physique.

My kids were giggling at me and Steve gave me a patient smile that made me blush.

"You look beautiful, Emberly." He told me softly.

"You do, too!" I blurted, then blushed all the more furiously at my clumsy tongue. "I mean-!"

"Dance with him, Mom." Olivia urged me in a low-pitched, conspiratorial voice.

I glanced down at my kids helplessly. How did I tell them that Mama can't dance to save her life? Two left feet didn't even begin to describe it.

Olivia smiled encouragingly, though, and Bradley gave me two thumbs up, making me sigh in defeat. They both seemed so set on the idea now.

"Don't worry about us." Olivia assured me. "We'll go see the chocolate fountain and hobnob with the locals."

This made me laugh aloud because my darling daughter was just too witty and clever and brilliant and charming for her own good and I was worried it would get her in trouble someday.

Another sigh. Just hopefully not tonight.

"Okay, but behave, you crazy kids, I mean it!" I said to them sternly, but they were already dashing off to the chocolate fountain.

I watched them go with pursed lips then turned back to Steve with a nervous little swallow.

He was studying me, still with that patient smile.

He offered his hand to me. "Well? Shall we dance? For the sake of the children, of course."

This won a smile from me and I put my gloved hand daintily in his bare palm to feel his fingers close around mine.

"For the children!" I agreed, and let him lead me out onto the gleaming golden dance floor.

Steve gently pulled me into his arms and I felt like everyone was staring at me. We were one of the few couples on the dance floor.

"I-I have a confession to make." I told him, and I could feel my cheeks aching as they rushed with blood.

He cocked his head and smiled indulgently down at me. He looked so handsome with his hair freshly trimmed, while sporting that signature sexy five o'clock shadow.