The Accidental Wife by Sara Islam

Before I knew it, it was Christmas. I was excited for this one, because that was going to be the first Christmas I got to spend with my daughter. It had also been six years since 1 last spent Christmas with Emily, so to say that I was excited would be an understatement. The past six Christmases had been the same for me. I spent them with my family, and we exchanged gifts, but I had always felt that something was missing. Emily was missing. I was pathetic

as I ended up buying her a gift each Christmas when I didn't even know if I would ever see her again or not. Each Christmas, I remembered my first Christmas with her and the way she looked when she realized that I got her the sewing machine she had been saving to ge This time, I knew how I felt, and I wanted nothing but to make her mine. I wanted her to have my last name again. I wanted to see my ring on her finger. I was giving her time though, I was sure of my feelings. I was in love with her and wanted to grow old with her; however, I didn't want her to feel rushed. I wanted to give her all the time she could ever need,

I didn't know which reaction I was supposed to expect from her. I was aware that what I planned on gifting her was huge, but she deserved the best.

"You look good in your ugly Christmas sweater!" She grinned, looking at me. She had a red sweater on with

white and green reindeers. What made her extra cute was the reindeer ears she had on. If somebody didn't know who she was, they would never guess that she was a multimillionaire who owned one of the most successful fashion brands.

"So do you." I kissed her nose and adjusted the reindeer ears she had over her head. The two of us brought the snacks from the kitchen to the living room where everybody was. As usual, we were at my parents' place and the whole family was present. "It's good to finally have you here again on Christmas Harper smiled at my girl who blushed as she took a seat beside her on the couch.

"Are you ready to exchange the gifts?" Mum exclaimed, earning cheers from her grandchildren.

"Are you

Ansel, Harper's husband, got up from his place and made his way to the Christmas tree to help Mum hand over the gifts.

the gift to whom. "Thanks, guys," I said, smiling at them as I took the gift from Mum. I found many things when I opened the box. Gold cufflinks, a bottle of my favorite champagne, Two VIP tickets to the next game of my favorite football team and my favorite candy. We all exchanged gifts with each other, and Rosie was over the moon when she found out that she was going to attend the next concert of her favourite artist. It was Emily's gift to her, and Rosie was ecstatic because it was also an over-the- sea trip. I

box to Emily. I knew that it was

this your gift to her!" Nosy

couldn't wrap my mind around the gift she got me. She still remembered how much I wanted to go ziplining, so she booked it for us. In Zanzibar. I told her

was dying to call my wife carefully remove the wrapping. She opened the box and

me with a small

asked her and she nodded. I loved the enthusiasm I saw in her eyes. I got up from my place and gently pulled her hand

couldn't give him a straight answer. We might take an hour or five. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was about to take Emily to a place I was certain she missed a lot and I didn't plan

take Rosie?" Emily

with her cousins. We aren't going anywhere," Mum replied

of us headed to my car and I

to go in our ugly sweaters?" I laughed at her

is going to be where I'm taking you

wonder where you're taking me." I knew how curious Emily was. She was probably dying to know what I was keeping from her. "Give me a hint!"

Chapter 65