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He smirked and shook his head. “No, miss.”
She sat back and ran her hands over it. “It feels real.” Then she tilted her head back and looked up to the dark winter sky. Even the skyscrapers were lit up in red and green. “It smells like snow.”
“It’s supposed to, I think.” Jesse took her hand in his and Taylor took the other.
Jesse glanced at him and leaned over behind Chloe to kiss him. Then as the carriage lurched forward with the pull of the horses they kissed the girl they both loved together. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
“Are you warm enough, babe?” Chloe nodded and squeezed his hand. “You know, I think we should take a carriage ride every year—make this our family tradition. And the baby will be with us next Christmas.”
And they’d be in their house on Park Place. He was going to put up a tree in every damn room and string lights outside. Chloe would bake lots of cookies. Taylor would play his guitar in front of the fire. Maybe they’d even have a puppy by then for Peanut to grow up with. Every kid needed a dog, right? Jesse had always loved Christmas, but this year he had reason to love it just a little bit more.
“That’s a splendid idea,” Taylor agreed and then pointed up ahead. “There it is.”
The magnificent blue spruce rose more than fifty feet in the air and was illuminated by thousands upon thousands of multicolored orbs. A five-pointed star cast its light from where it was perched at the very top. Chloe squeezed his hand. Jesse shifted his gaze to see the twinkling lights reflected in her gemstone eyes. A kaleidoscope of colors. Joy radiated from her beautiful face, her lips parted in childlike awe at the splendor of it. And once again he didn’t have the words, because there were none. There simply wasn’t a word in existence that adequately captured everything he felt for her.
He’d have to think of a way to tell her, though.
Taylor assisted Chloe out of the carriage with Jesse’s hand at the small of her back. They linked their arms behind her as they always seemed to do and leisurely strolled the promenade. A group of elves passed out candy canes and holiday cheer. Heated tents served hot chocolate, eggnog, and mulled wine to keep visitors warm. Street musicians played carols and passersby stopped to sing along.
They came to an empty bench of scrolled wrought iron where they could sit and look at the tree, listen to the music, and appreciate the brilliant spectacle that surrounded them. It was magical. Taylor glanced at Jesse and he nodded. What could be more perfect? They couldn’t have planned it any better than this.
Jesse stopped and backed up to the bench, pulling Chloe to his chest. Taylor stood close behind her, his arms circled around her shoulders. He kissed the tip of her cold nose, then he softly kissed her lips and smiled against them. The one thing he hadn’t planned or rehearsed were the words.
They’re in there, Nolan.
He opened his eyes and gazed at his loves, the great tree sparkling behind them. Jesse breathed in deep through his nose. “I love you both so much.”
Her fingers held onto the open lapels of his coat and she looked up at him. “We love you too, Jesse.”
His eyes locked on hers and he couldn’t help but smile because everything he’d ever wished for was right there in his arms. Chloe. Taylor. Their baby. “Is there a word that means more than love? Because whatever that word is, I feel that, Chloe. I more than love you.” He kissed her forehead and left his lips on her skin as he spoke. “God, I fell in love with you the first time I saw you walk into Charley’s, and now…” He pulled his head back to look at her. “…now it’s so much more than simply love.”
Jesse watched a single tear trickle from her lashes. He and Taylor leaned in together to kiss it from her skin and their lips met against her cheek. Taylor murmured, “There is no word that aptly defines it, so love will have to do, little bird.”
Taylor turned her around so Chloe faced him. Jesse laid his head on her shoulder and put his arms around them both. “I’m not sure how you did it, but you made me love you.” He took her face and held it in his hands. “I love you, Chloe Elizabeth Bennett, and there are no other words for it. I love how you love us—together and as individuals. Unconditionally. And that’s how we love you.”
He kissed her then. Taylor kissed her so deeply Jesse could feel the power of it course through him. Then Taylor spoke against her lips. “You’ve accepted us for who we are and how we love. More than that, you made room in your heart for both Jesse and me. I know that wasn’t always easy, but I’m so fucking grateful you did.”
Taylor lifted his mouth from hers. “Yes, I love you, Chloe Elizabeth Bennett…” He raised his eyes. “…and I love you, Jesse Thomas Nolan…” He took Jesse’s hand and placed their joined hands on her belly. “…and I love this life we’ve created together.”
Jesse glanced at Taylor and he returned his gaze with a subtle nod. They’d bought the ring together weeks ago and originally thought to ask her on Christmas morning. He’d imagined the three of them lying beneath the tree after she said yes. Making love to her there. They still would.
He pulled the box from his inside coat pocket and Taylor pivoted with Chloe in his arms so she faced them both. Jesse took her right hand. Taylor took her left. Together they got down on one knee and together they asked her, “Chloe, will you marry us?”
Tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t speak, but she nodded, and in the background Jesse could hear the street musicians break into “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. Maybe it was cheesy, but their timing was fucking perfect. Yeah, they couldn’t have planned it any better.
Taylor held her hand as Jesse slipped the ring onto her finger. Three brilliant round two-carat diamonds on a platinum band. The jeweler at Tiffany’s told them the stones signified their past, present, and future. To them three meant so much more.
They kissed her tears and held each other with the twinkling lights shining upon them. Jesse knew they had an audience, he could feel their eyes on them. Some clapped and whistled. He was sure some shook their heads as they walked past. And he didn’t care. Because everything he cared about was right here in his arms.
“I didn’t hear you say it, cherry cake,” Taylor murmured against her cheek.
“Say what?”
“Say yes.”
“Yes!” She kissed Taylor.
“And yes!” Then she kissed him too.
