The Army Doctor's Christmas Baby by Helen Scott Taylor

Author:Helen Scott Taylor [Taylor, Helen Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Medical, Romance, Contemporary, Holidays, Inspirational, Military
ISBN: 1492914339
Amazon: B00FN2PPQE
Published: 2013-10-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Chattering adults and laughing children lined up outside the snow-dusted timber chalet at the entrance to Santa's grotto on the fourth floor of the busy London department store.

"We might as well carry the girls through so they're high enough to see everything," Sean said.

"Good idea. Also, they're less likely to be frightened by something if they're in our arms." Kelly followed Sean as he pushed the stroller into the parking area set aside for baby carriers and applied the brake. She lifted Annabelle from her seat while he picked up Zoe.

Kelly hitched her bag higher on her shoulder and handed their booking form to the small woman dressed as an elf in a red hat trimmed with bells.

"Follow the signs to Santa Claus's workshop." The elf lady grinned at the children. "Have fun!"

They pushed through a turnstile, ducked beneath strips of hanging greenery, and entered a dimly lit cave. Tiny mechanical elves lined up at a bench hammered at wooden dolls and trains in time to cheery Christmas music.

Annabelle clutched Kelly's coat collar, wide-eyed with fascination. She pointed at the tableau. "Me, me, me, me," she chanted in her latest refrain. It was her new favorite word and she knew exactly what it meant.

"You can't have those toys," Kelly said. "Santa's elves are still making them. When we reach Santa, he'll give you a present to take home."

Annabelle stared at Kelly, obviously trying to understand. Then she stretched towards the scene again, chattering to herself.

Kelly squinted in the low light, her eyes still not adjusted. "Is Zoe all right?" she asked Sean. As usual, Zoe was the quieter of the two children, cuddled in her daddy's arms, sucking her thumb.

"You're okay, angel, aren't you? You like the elves." Sean dropped a kiss on top of Zoe's hair.

He leaned close to Kelly, pressed his lips to Annabelle's head, and stole a quick kiss from Kelly as well.

"Zoe'll be fine. I might not sit her on Santa's knee, though. I'm willing to bet she won't like that."

They wandered along the winding woodchip path through Rudolph's stable where a huge reindeer model with a flashing red nose nodded its head, past Santa's sleigh piled high with brightly wrapped boxes tied with ribbons, and on to Santa's workshop itself.

Other family groups of mum, dad, and children strolled with them, laughing and enjoying themselves. With a rush of affection, Kelly stroked back Annabelle's hair and held her close. How she loved this sweet little girl and her sister. Anyone seeing their group probably thought she was the twins' mother, and Sean's wife. If only that were true.

Longing swept through her, leaving goose bumps on her skin. She was certainly something to them, but would never be a mother and wife if Sean adhered to what he'd said. He'd been adamant he didn't want to marry again.

She joined in with the Christmas song, singing softly to Annabelle as they passed a traditional festive scene of a decorated tree beside a fireplace with four stockings hung on the mantelpiece, two large ones and two small ones.

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