Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas Coda 54

THE ADRIEN ENGLISH MYSTERIES series: Adrien and Jake


It wasn’t often I woke before Jake, so the luxury of lying next to him and watching his sleeping face in the pearly-rosy light of dawn felt just that: a luxury.

He looked completely and totally relaxed in a way he hadn’t since we’d returned from London. Gone were the lines of worry and stress around his eyes. Gone were the dark shadows beneath his eyes. The line of his mouth was soft. He didn’t just look relaxed, he looked content. Happy.

The Boy Who Got Everything He Wanted for Christmas.

I studied the threads of silver in his pale hair, the flecks of platinum in the gold bristle on his lean jaw…neither of us was getting any younger, but growing old together more than compensated.

My gaze traveled back to the kissable curve of his lips, but no. He needed this extra bit of sleep after the last week. I could wait. A little while anyway.

I’d been awake since five or so. Scout was lying against my legs, snoring peaceably, and Tomkins was curled atop the nest of pillows against the headboard watching me watch Jake.

“Hey, Cat,” I said soundlessly.

As if he understood, Tomkins responded with a silent meow.

I smiled then smiled again remembering the night before. 


“Will you marry me, Adrien-with-an-e?”
“Baby, I thought you’d never ask.”

That was the truth. I really had never expected that we would actually marry. Never thought I wanted to be married—until I’d seen that little velvet box in Jake’s hand.

So make that The Two Boys That Got Everything They Wanted for Christmas.

I raised my head to look at the table in front of the fireplace. I studied the half full champagne glasses, the litter of wrapping and ribbons, and that small blue velvet box.

“Nope, not a dream,” Jake said. His voice sounded rusty and his smile was sleepy—but still content. “Having second thoughts?”

“Ha.”

I kissed him then, gave into the simple pleasure of his mouth against mine, his taste and smell and touch.

When I lifted my head, he reached up and brushed my hair lightly back from my eyes.

“From this day forward?” Despite the smile there was something tentative in his eyes.

I smiled too, didn’t try to hide my happiness or play it cool. We were so far past any of that nonsense. This was us and we had fought hard to get here.

I said—and I meant every word, “Happily Ever After.”




53 comments:

  1. Thank you Josh! That was beautiful.
    Your calendar this month really made the season brighter, it means a lot to me. Thank you for your time and efforts, it is much appreciated!
    A very Merry Christmas to you, and all the best in the world! <3
    L.

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  2. What a lovely surprise! Thank you 😍😍😍

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing this happy, shiny, content, PERFECT moment with us. It’s like witnessing the love and happiness of one’s dear, longtime friends! My heart is full of joy and warmth this morning. :-) Thank you, dear.

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  4. Oh, now that just made me cry. Happily ever after. *sigh*

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  5. Oh, finally! So happy for them. And it's so sweet to read it on Christmas Day. Thank you, Josh!

    Savanna

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  6. Thank you for that beautiful coda, if any two have fought for their happily ever after, it’s Adrien and Jake!

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  7. This is truly a hard earned HEA ❤️

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  8. Merry Christmas !!! That was really sweet!

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  9. As special as it could get! Thanks so much. Yes they fought and won: Happiness ever after, indeed. Thanks for the Calendar, it is always a joy to the (Josh-)world. I wish you a merry christmas and a happy New Year (sorry, you can't hear me sing it to you ;-) )
    Anke from Germany

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  10. Josh, over the years you’ve created vivid characters to tell your stories. I love so much about all of them. But for me, there are no characters closer to my heart than Jake & Adrien. Through five brilliant novels they fought for their happy ending. Any time you grace us with a new look into their lives, it is a sheer delight. Thank you.

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  11. *happy sigh*

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  12. Hallelujah! It's about time Josh....none of us are getting any younger y'know. ��

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  13. I love Adrien and Jake, To bits. Most deserved HEA ever! <3

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  14. I just happened to read this a couple of hours after I finished this year's playing of the 'So This Is Christmas' audiobook. Perfect.

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  15. Awww... The best Christmas coda ever!
    The happily ever after for Adrien and Jake worth a lot!
    Thank you, Josh. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  16. SO damn sweet and so well deserved for these two. Thank you for this! :)

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  17. Thank you for this extra special finish to this year's advent calendar. Very best wishes to you and your family ow and into the New Year!

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  18. Love these two. Perfect punctuation point. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Sandymg.

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  19. "I smiled too, didn’t try to hide my happiness or play it cool. We were so far past any of that nonsense. This was us and we had fought hard to get here"

    Perfect :) You know that whatever the future brings, they will share it together, with no more lies and pretence. They've fought hard for this and nothing will stand between them any longer.
    Thank you, Josh :)

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  20. Just now seeing this! Where have I been?! Loved it. So fitting. Wonderful coda to close out the year. Thank you.

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  21. Perfect! But, I still want more Adrien and Jake...

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  22. GAH...I’m so behind! This is perfection! �� Thank you so much for this extra glimpse into Jake and Adrien’s world.

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  23. I will never get tired of those two.

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  24. That was truly special but I want more. What about the story of their journey as seen through Jake's eyes.That would be a real challenge and put a whole different angle on the story. I do so want to know Jake's thoughts.

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