47 Destinies: Finding Grace (28 page)

Todd joined in on the joke.  “True, but she would have given them hell the whole time.  She would permanently be in solitary confinement with that sharp tongue of hers.”

“I can’t get over how ruthless she can be when she wants her way,” Grace commented, still overwhelmed by Leslie’s attitude.

“Truth be told, I can relate to her just a tad.  When I lost you, I would have done anything in the world to get you back,” Todd revealed, putting his arms around her waist.  He began to kiss her while placing his hand up her shirt.

“Are your parents here?  I do want to make a good impression,” Grace asked, looking around the enormous room.  The fire was lit and the place was decorated with old-fashioned Christmas items.

“You’re safe for a few more days.  My parents only stay here a few times a year.  They have homes all over England.  The staff came early to prepare the house for us a few days ago.  We even have our own cook so you get a well-deserved break from the kitchen.”  Todd enjoyed spoiling Grace.  “I thought you might want separate rooms since your parents and children are with us.  However, I did put us right next to each other in case we want to sneak back and forth during the night.  I also put your parents at the far end of the hall.  I can move them closer to us if you like.  It’s just that you might moan some when we make love,” Todd shared with a twinkle in his eye.

“Not me!  Fine…I may on occasion be a little vocal.” Grace folded her arms across her chest like a little child. 

“Now I see where Bella gets her temper,” Todd jabbed.

“Temper?  I’ll show you temper!” Grace grabbed a pillow and smacked Todd.  He picked up another and they began a pillow fight.  They raced around the room assaulting one another with pillows.  Between fits of laughter, Grace thought more about what Todd had told her.  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner about your background?”

Todd pondered her question.  It was something he thought about a lot over the last few months.  “I was scared.  I wanted you to like me for me and not my family ties.  I had to be sure that you would take me regardless of what I own.  I once trusted Melissa and she let me down.  I feared it would happen again.  I’m sorry it took me such a long time.”

“Please don’t concern yourself with it.  I am not upset.  It took me a long time to let Derek go.  Nobody can force us to heal.  It has to be within our own time.”  Grace laid her head on his shoulder.  She couldn’t remember a time when she had ever been this happy.

“I was thinking that since tomorrow is Christmas Eve, we can go cut down a Christmas tree.  There are tons of ornaments in the attic.  We can get everything ready for Christmas.  I have a few presents for the kids and maybe one or two for their beautiful mother.  We have over 12 acres of property and a pond where your father, Mattias and I can go fishing.  There are plenty of poles if you and Bella want to come as well.”

“They will really like that, Todd.  How about we go meet them at the tavern?  They are going to love this place!” Grace said with excitement.

“It would mean a lot to me if they do.”  Todd placed his arm around Grace’s shoulder.  He smiled down at her and gave her a tender kiss.

Everyone enjoyed the Christmas Eve festivities.  After decorating the Christmas tree, they baked cookies in the kitchen.  They played Christmas music throughout the manor and sang along with the songs.  As night fell, Christmas carolers came to their door.  The children stared in awe as the carolers sang Old English carols in the dark starry night.

After putting the kids to bed, Todd and Grace placed the presents under the tree.  Todd grinned from ear-to-ear, as it was his first time playing Santa.  He went overboard on the presents.  They were going to have to ship a lot of it home, but Todd didn’t care.  He wanted this first Christmas to be extra special for everyone.

As a surprise, Todd took Grace to church for the midnight service.  The St. Michael’s Church was built on the manor grounds when the manor was originally constructed.  Todd had given Grace a tour of the old stone church during the day.  She was thrilled to attend a candlelight service at night.  It would be the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Todd and Grace entered the church to find it nearly full.  They picked up their candles and joined in the songs and prayers.  Once the service was complete, they stayed behind to look around the church.  Grace walked to the front of the church and studied the long glass windows.  She wondered how many people once stared out these very same windows.

“There is something else I want to show you.” Todd took Grace’s hand and led her outside.  He walked over to a room and opened the door.  Inside was a small chapel well lit with candles.  “This chapel was built long ago for the use of my family.”

Grace looked in the room and took in her surroundings.  “It is perfect.  Your family lineage is impressive Todd.”

“I would like to continue that lineage, if you will let me.”  Todd got down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket.

“Grace, from the moment I first met you, I knew my heart was in trouble.  You have brought unbelievable joy and color into my gray life.  I have fallen in love with you and your incredible children.  Nothing would make me happier than to be your husband and a loving father to Mattias and Bella.  Will you marry me?”

Grace could not contain her joy.  She shouted yes and put out her hand so Todd could slip the ring on her finger.

“Todd, you have helped me discover myself.  I am alive again.  When I gave up all hope of ever finding love again, you appeared right in front of me.  I could not have dreamed up a more perfect Prince Charming.  You will never fully understand the extent of my love for you.”

“This ring belonged to my great-grandmother on my father’s side.  It has been in my family for hundreds of years and has been passed down through the generations of Harcourts.  I’ve held on to it because it was too precious to give away.  Now it will remain in my family as you become my wife.”  Todd picked up Grace and swung her around the room.

“I am honored to carry on your lineage,” Grace remarked still in shock.  “I love this chapel, Mr. Harcourt, but I don’t think it will be big enough for all the wedding guests,” Grace said with a grin.

“Where we have the wedding is completely up to you, Sexy Legs.  My role is to show up and do exactly as the bride instructs.”  He kissed her passionately.  He had finally found his missing puzzle piece.

“I want to remember this exact moment for the rest of our lives.  I don’t ever want to forget the indescribable joy and love I have in my heart,” Grace said, looking down at the sparkling ring on her finger.

“I promise you won’t ever forget, Mrs. Harcourt.”

“I like the sound of that, Mr. Harcourt.”

The End

47 Destinies:

The Matriarch

(Book Three)

Don’t miss the highly anticipated third book in the 47 Destinies series.  Travel back in time and uncover Leslie Locke’s sorted past, full of he
artbreak, lies and manipulation.