Page 42 of A Christmas Negotiation

The question of not waiting for life to start was certainly on Isabel’s mind. She and Jeremy hadn’t discussed marriage aside from agreeing it was best for the baby if it happened eventually. It wasn’t that she was expecting a grand proclamation of love, more that she just wanted that certainty in her life. If he didn’t pop the question soon, she planned to do it herself.

Of course, Jeremy had a lot on his plate now that he’d convinced his father to retire and step aside. There were lots of changes afoot at Sharp and Sharp as a result, including Jeremy bringing Isabel on board to start a new family law division. It was not only a good move forward for the firm, it was a way to save on office space, and they agreed that it would make things much easier when the baby arrived. They would likely get a nanny, but they also wanted to be as hands-on as possible.

A knock came at the bedroom door. Reginald, Eden’s creative director and by all accounts, the sisters’ de facto uncle, poked his head inside. “Everybody decent?” He didn’t wait for a response, waltzing into the room in a pink suit and black bowtie festooned with pink hearts.

“Reginald, Gram would have loved that outfit,” Sophie said.

He took it for a spin. “You think?”

“Definitely.”

Mindy glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “You guys should head out there and get your seats.”

Sophie, Emma and Isabel descended on Mindy, giving hugs and the gentlest of kisses on the cheek so as not to mess up her makeup. Sophie in particular was getting extremely choked up by the moment. “I love you all so much. Emma, you’re the light and joy of this family. You make everything better. Mindy, you’re the one who manages to keep us all moving forward.” She then turned to Isabel. “And Isabel, at this point, you’re pretty much our sister. We love you, too, and not just for saving Eden’s. You helped us preserve our grandmother’s legacy.”

Isabel was so overwhelmed with emotion as the four of them joined in a group hug. “This means a lot to me. I’ve always wanted sisters.”

Reginald cleared his throat loudly. “What about the stand-in for the father of the bride?”

“Get over here.” Mindy waved him into the fray, but he only stayed for a beat or two before getting them all on schedule.

“Ladies, I need you to clear out. I have a bride to escort to the altar.”

Isabel, Sophie and Emma hurried down the hall and descended the grand staircase into the foyer where the chairs were assembled. It was a small gathering—a few people from Eden’s, like Lizzie and her new boyfriend, and Duane, the security guard. There were some people from Sam’s office and Mindy’s company, as well.

Isabel ducked into the seat next to Jeremy. “Hi,” she whispered, pecking him on the cheek.

He took her hand and smiled, but otherwise kept quiet. Honestly, he’d been a little on edge all day, but she tried not to read anything into it. They were happy together, but he was under a lot of pressure to keep Sharp and Sharp firing on all cylinders.

Soft music began to play and everyone’s attention was drawn to the top of the staircase, where Mindy stood with Reginald. As they began to descend, step by step, Isabel couldn’t help but turn to a different sight, that of her brother waiting for his bride. She and Sam had been through so much together, and it felt like both a miracle and a blessing that they’d each found love, that they’d both found professional fulfillment and that they were now living in the same city. Her heart swelled at the thought of him having the happiness he so richly deserved.

The ceremony was short and sweet, officiated by one of Sam’s friends from college, who’d recently moved to New York from Boston to work with him. He’d been ordained online for exactly this occasion. As her brother took Mindy into his arms, she couldn’t have kept the tears at bay if she’d wanted to. It was too beautiful a moment to believe. Jeremy held her hand tightly, not letting go, and she hoped that it meant that no matter life’s ups and downs, he would stay by her side.

As soon as Mindy and Sam walked down the very short aisle, the music got louder and decidedly more upbeat. “Now we get to have a party,” Mindy announced, grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter who had appeared from the kitchen. “Let’s get these chairs out of here for dancing.”

Sam pulled Isabel aside and gave her a warm hug. “It means the world to me that you could be here for this.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He looked down at the platinum band now circling the ring finger on his left hand. “Did you ever think I’d get married? Be honest.”

“I always knew it would happen. It just took finding the right woman.”

He pulled her into another bear hug. “So, at some point, Mindy and I want to talk to you about a legal matter.”

Isabel reared back her head. “Not something to do with Eden’s again. I barely survived the last one.”

“Not that. The store is just fine. It’s the question of children. Mindy and I were talking and we’re considering adoption.”

This surprised Isabel. “Is something wrong?”

“No. We haven’t even started trying yet. I just...” He looked around the room at this massive home he and Mindy now owned. “There’s a lot of room here and there are a lot of children in the world who need a good home. I think we’d like to do both. Have our own kids and adopt.”

“Yes. Of course, yes. I would love to help.”

“So you’ll take our case?”

“Don’t be silly. Just try to keep me away.”