to buy you the most beautiful diamond—and don’t you dare say no! I’m so going to spoil you, my future Mrs. Balfour.”
“I can’t believe I proposed to you—Mr. Scott!”
He threw his arms around her, lifting her up. “Hey! I got a great idea! Let’s do it tonight?”
“Get married?”
“Yeah! Why fanny about? The vicar’s still at the party! You’re in this beautiful white, albeit muddy, dress”—he chuckled, setting her back on the ground—“and I’m in a tux. We already look like a bride and groom!”
Leia ogled their outfits. “Oh, my god, we do! But I’d hate to steal Simon and Freddie’s thunder.” She pressed her lips tight as something tiny and wet landed in her lashes. “Plus, I’d want Dad here. And I’d really like Ava and Poppy to be our flower girls.”
He nodded. “There is that.”
“Let’s not tell anyone. At least for a bit?” Leia grabbed his hands and kissed him. “Keep it just for us?”
A smile played with his lips. “Ooh, that’s hot! A secret fiancée!”
She gazed into Tarquin’s eyes as a sprinkling of snowflakes danced between them. Her face lit up, all glowing and sparkly, like Alex and Mark’s Christmas trees back in their warm apartment. “It’s snowing! You said it never snows!”
“It doesn’t, not really…but I put in a word with Mother Nature, just for you.” He leaned in, kissing her on the lips again and again until Leia pulled away laughing. “Sorry, but I just can’t stop snogging you! It’s so amazing! Leia, we’re getting married! We’re moving to New York! Two things I did NOT expect to say when I woke up this morning!” He chuckled. “How soon do you have to be back?”
“Right after the holidays.”
“So we could still do Christmas and your birthday here, then? With Sarah and your dad?”
“Or on Orkney?” Leia bit her lip. “Maybe Jordan could rent a car and the three of them could take the ferry over?”
“Great idea! We could show them all the sights.”
“You could play Santa for Ava and Poppy, and I’d get to watch that weird male bonding ritual you call the Ba’.”
“Admit it.” He thrust out his chest. “All that Orcadian testosterone turns you on, doesn’t it?”
Leia giggled. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I can think of a few things.” Tarquin winked.
Epilogue
“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.”
Mary Davis
LEIA
One year and ten days later, Thursday, December 31, 2020
Leia sipped her apple soft drink and looked up from her gratitude journal, the bistro in Brooklyn’s IKEA bustling with happy shoppers tucking into meatballs and pink cream cakes. In the mix of dark winter coats and wooly hats, she spotted Tarquin, parka unzipped and his arms weighed down by two large blue and yellow shopping bags. What didn’t he buy? She giggled.
“Sorry, that took longer than I thought.” Tarquin delicately rested his haul on the floor then scratched a hand through his hair. “I forgot the play tunnel for Mrs. Chuzzlewit, and then had to double back and pick up that cute circus tent for Ava and Poppy.”
Leia flipped her journal closed and nudged it aside, watching Tarquin strip free of his coat. “You do realize Fiona is gonna kill you, right?”
Smiling mischievously, he neatly folded his parka over the back of his chair. “Where else will they stash all the stuffies and dolls you gave them this summer?”
Leia shrugged as Tarquin sat down. “So I spoiled our flower girls…” She reached across the square table and grasped his hand, her thumb flirting with the platinum band on his ring finger. “It was a beautiful day, wasn’t it?”
“The best. One of the longest days of the year, too, which was fitting. I never wanted it to end.” His dimples deepened as he angled closer. “I love you, Mrs. Balfour.”
“I love you, too, Mr. Scott.” Leia leaned over her apple drink and Tarquin’s milky coffee and greeted his lips with a quick kiss. “I know it’s only been six months, but do I get to call myself an honorary Orcadian now?”
“If a Balfour family wedding in the Italian Chapel doesn’t seal it, I’m not sure what does.” He squeezed her hand before he let go.
Leia matched his grin. “I’m glad we could get married there. Sarah and Dad are still talking about its beautiful paintings. I know Mom would’ve been smitten, too.” Her expression muted. “Tarquin, I’m sorry your mom wasn’t there.”
He shook his head and picked up his cup. “Don’t be—I’m not. I was relieved when you agreed not to invite