Chapter Fifteen (Last)
Zoya took a deep breath, letting the cold December air fill her lungs as she stumbled out onto the bustling sidewalk. But she couldn't keep pace with the pedestrians, she couldn't move forward, she couldn't keep walking away from the only two people in the world that she truly loved. The Santa on the street corner jingled his bell and the image of Asad in Hope's Crossing rushed through her mind. He'd fought for her, defended her, saved her. Asad had taken the leap of faith. She had begged him to adopt Lily, to fight for his niece, and he had kept his promise. And now it was Zoya who was running the minute things got tough. She had spent so many years running. She understood why he had lied to her. He was the protector. He did it for his mother, his sister, and now for her and Lily. There was no way she could walk away from Asad. She had to go back.
She slowly turned around when she heard her name above the noise of traffic and pedestrian chatter. It was the deep, rich voice that said her name like no one else could. There he was. Asad stood tall and straight in the middle of the sidewalk, his black coat covered with snow.
Her eyes left his for a moment and her step faltered, as it had that night she'd found Lily. Asad wasn't alone. In his arms, in complete contrast to his black coat, was a pink bundle. The world slowed for a moment, even as Asad rushed toward her. Through the blur of tears, the haze of disbelief, she knew. Even though she had walked out on him, he was here for her.
"Zoya," he said roughly.
"Asad."
He lifted his free hand to her cheek. He was real.
"I'm sorry I lied to you, and I know you said you needed time, but, hell, I can't let you go."
"I was on my way to you," she said, laughing and crying at the same time. "I'm sorry I walked out on you."
"I love you. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life loving every single day. I don't want a day to go by that I don't get to kiss you or hold you. You, Zoya. I want you forever." He stepped closer to her, wiping the tears that ran down her face. "I want you and Lily. Forever. If you'll have me, of course," he said with that smile that echoed his love.
She took a deep breath. "Lily?"
"I know that guy is a sham. You know it too. Lily is ours, but you need to believe it. And if we have to fight for her, we will. And we'll win," he said, brushing a kiss on Lily's forehead.
Asad held Lily 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 Lily's angelic face to Asad'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 at your place 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, Zoya. I want to be your husband. God, I want to be that man. Wherever you and Lily are is my home."
When she felt his embrace and breathed in the scent of him, Zoya knew she was home. Asad 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, Lily nestled between them. She had found her knight, her kingdom of dreams.
Zoya had found her family for Christmas.
She had found her family forever.
Epilogue:
"Daddy, don't forget the star!"
Asad looked down at Lily 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 Lily 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 Lily in his arms. The sight outside was something he would never tire of"their front yard at the cabin was lit up.
Zoya and Lily had spent all day adding white lights to the evergreens and wreaths and a Santa sleigh on the porch. Every year Zoya 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 D'costa coming, Daddy?" Lily asked, peering out the window. Asad sighed. That was another annual tradition Zoya had started"the D'costa's come 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," Asad said, turning as he heard Zoya's footsteps.
His wife approached them, holding her index finger to her lips. "He's finally sleeping," Zoya whispered, snuggling up to his side.
"My little brother sleeps too much!" Lily exclaimed with a frown.
"It just seems like that, Lily. But newborns need a lot more sleep that we do," Zoya said, tapping Lily's nose.
The exuberant jingling of bells indicated that the D'costa's were approaching. Asad sighed and looked down at Zoya.
"I love you, Asad," she said with a gorgeous smile and a sparkle in her brown eyes as she pinched his side.
"Love you too, Zoya," he said, placing a kiss on her soft mouth. Kissing Zoya was something he never tired of. In fact, it was what he intended on spending a long time doing after the D'costa's left.
Lily 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," Zoya whispered as she stared out the window.
Asad 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 Lily, and two months ago, they welcomed a son. Asad had learned the meaning of unconditional love. And because of Zoya, he'd learned that holiday miracles did come true.
This wonderful story is an adaptation of the book 'The Billionaire's Christmas Baby' written by 'Victoria James'. Thank you everyone for being such a wonderful reader and being so supportive.
Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Deepawali... 🥳 🥳 🥳
Take care 🤗
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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