The crackling of the fire and the Christmas music filled the silence around them, but all Bella could hear was the joy pulsing through her body, banging like a drum in her ears. Any doubts she’d had about the timing of their relationship faded. He’d kissed her in the one moment they had together. The one moment Freddie had left the room.

Freddie.

‘Freddie!’ Nick and Bella dropped each other’s hands and she darted back just as footsteps sounded on the creaking old stairs and he ran through the door into the living room.

‘Can we do our tree now, Dad?’ he shouted, bounding through the door.

Nick pushed his hands into his pockets as if to show nothing had been happening, but a faint blush appeared on his stubbled cheeks. Bella hid the smile that was attempting to get out by biting her lip.

Despite Freddie’s arrival and the abrupt end to the kiss, another new, precious memory had formed for her. After all her fears, this Christmas was proving to be rather eventful.

Nick turned his gaze to Freddie as the afternoon twilight fell. The flames glittered in his eyes, brightening them, and Bella stopped herself from begging him to stay. They’d spent hours on her tree, moving pieces up and down, inching the lights forwards or back, but Freddie had shown no impatience. Instead, he’d eaten four snowballs and drunk two hot chocolates, enjoying every moment as much as she had and she was grateful for his patience, especially given the last few minutes.

‘Yes, you should definitely go and do your tree. It’s getting dark already. Thank you, both.’ She tried to read Nick’s expression, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking now. The air around them seemed charged as if they had both now recognised the new, exciting start they’d found. Hoping he’d understand her meaning, she said, ‘You’ve made my day more special than I could have hoped for.’

Without any hesitation, Freddie ran forwards and hugged her. She hoped Nick would approve, especially after the kiss, and was relieved to see him smiling. ‘Go on, you two. Go get your tree done. I’ve got some presents to wrap for the giving tree.’

When they’d left, she pulled the tag for Nick from her coat pocket and ran her finger along the edge. For all its lightness, the kiss had been intense, bursting with emotion. Sensual and loving. Unyielding. It spoke of so much more to come, and Bella’s heart squeezed at the thought of what might happen now. So many unexpected and happy memories had already formed for her this Christmas, would she be lucky enough to have even more?

Chapter 24

Nick and Freddie set to decorating their tree and if it was possible, Freddie showed even more enthusiasm than he had for Bella’s.