A Christmas Family Wish by Helen Scott Taylor

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towards Ian. "Look how beautiful that scene is. I'd love to visit Mum and
Dad. They haven't seen Toby for months."
    "We'll go together, all four of us," Ian said.
"I'd like to see Jeff and Irene again. They were like a surrogate mum and
dad to me when I lost my mother."
    Rachel squeezed his hand. She vaguely remembered Ian having
trouble when he was younger, just before he started working for her dad.
    Toby and Ella were busy playing with their new toys on the
floor. Rachel passed Ian the picture she had drawn and bit her lip as he pulled
the wrapping off, eager for his reaction. He held the sheet of paper up, his
expression morphing into a smile as he scanned it.
    "You really are talented, love. It's a crime against
art for you to waste your skill working in my office."
    A startled laugh burst from Rachel. "I'm glad you like
it, but I wouldn't go that far." She was still getting her confidence back
with her drawing. Greg had convinced her it was a waste of time.
    "I love it. Thank you for being so thoughtful."
    He pulled her close and kissed her, then handed her a
present, a new shoulder bag to replace the one that had been damaged in the
storm.
    "I'm not very good at choosing this sort of thing. I
hope it's okay."
    "I love it. Thank you, Ian." Rachel kissed him
again, using the excuse for a longer cuddle. They snuggled together, sipping
their wine and watching the children.
    Ian picked up the picture she had drawn for him and examined
it again, his expression thoughtful. He sucked in a breath and blew it out.
    "There's another gift I want to give you." He rose
and headed for the door, his expression serious. "Be back in a
moment."
    Rachel stared after him, surprised by his sudden change of
mood.
    He returned within a few minutes, sat beside her, and handed
over a small green velvet box. It looked like a ring box, an old one. Rachel's
pulse raced as her gaze rose to meet his. This couldn't be what she thought it
was, surely?
    Ian nodded, a tentative smile on his lips. "Open it,
love."
    She lifted the lid to reveal an old-fashioned ring, the
round diamond set in white gold, surrounded by seed pearls. "This is
beautiful, Ian."
    "It was my mother's, given to her by her mother. It's
the only thing I have left of her."
    "Gracious, I can't accept it then. Not if it has such
important sentimental value for you."
    She tried to pass the box back but he gently closed her
fingers around it. "That's exactly why I want you to have it. I want you
to know how important you are to me."
    Rachel's breath caught in her throat as he lifted the ring
from the velvet pad, and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand.
    Her heart pounded with excitement but uncertainty lingered.
Surely it was too soon for him to make a commitment to her? He wasn't the sort
of man to rush into things. "Did you mean to put it on that finger?"
    Ian laughed. "I do know my right from my left."
    "Of course. I didn't mean to imply…"
    She stopped when she noticed the mischievous sparkle in his
eyes—he was teasing her.
    "I know exactly which finger I've put it on." He
slid off the sofa to kneel in front of her. "Rachel Carne, will you marry
me?"
    Rachel opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Tears of
happiness filled her eyes. Eight years ago when he'd rebuffed her, she'd never
thought this day would come. "Yes," she croaked, her voice thick with
emotion. "I love you so much."
    "I love you too, darling. I wanted a family so I rushed
into things with Jane. I tried to create the happy home I remembered having
before my mum died, but it never felt right with Jane like it does with you. I
was a fool when I was young. I should have waited a few years until I had my
own business and you were older."
    He raised her hand to his lips and his eyelids fell as he
kissed her finger beside the engagement ring. "I'm lucky we found each
other again and you gave me a second chance."
    "Fate gave us a second chance." She'd cursed fate
a lot lately, but it had really come