More bad new came the next day. Not only was her shop destroyed to the point she had to shut down for repairs, her parents were snowed in in Michigan and all flights had been cancelled until the storm passed. They weren’t going to make it for Christmas. Or her babies birth.

Michael hadn’t contacted her since she’d chased him away the night before. Did it surprise her he had run so easily? Yes. In all her life he had never turned tail and ran. He’d do the exact opposite. Taking the brunt of the punishment for her stunts. He’d always protected her. Always stood by her side.

Until now.

Until the baby.

Broken-hearted, Lizzie curled up in her chair and stared, numb, at her television. Christmas movies played around the clock but now they had lost their joy. Which made her even sadder. She’d lost her Christmas spirit. That had never happened before.

The wives dropped in periodically to check on her. Tried to cheer her up. It worked most of the time, but the dark cloud hanging over her head always came back as soon as they left. She’d pushed Michael away and he wouldn’t be back. She would be a single mom in every sense of the word. It would be her last name on the baby’s birth certificate. Not Michael’s as she’d hoped.

She would go through the birth alone. Her parents weren’t going to be there. Michael hated her. The wives promised to be there and she knew they would, but it wasn’t the same as having the ones you loved at your side. She didn’t want to have this baby alone.

What a mess. She never should have moved out here in the first place. What a fool she’d been to think Michael might love her and want to be a family.

A silly, romantic fool.

This had to stop. Moping and whining about it wasn’t going to help anyone. Certainly not her baby. Darci’s Christmas Eve party was in a few days and Darci wasn’t letting her get out of coming. Might as well make use of her time and make some chocolates for the party. With her shop closed she felt idle. Maybe some baking would make her feel better. Or distract her.

Rising to her feet, Lizzie headed for the kitchen and some baking therapy.

Life had to go on. She had a baby on the way. Lots to do and prepare for.

Time to get her mind straight and move forward.

As painful as that was.

The days flew by until it was suddenly Christmas Eve and her due date were upon her. She’d had a doctor’s appointment yesterday and was only dilated one centimeter. This baby wasn’t coming anytime soon. Could be days or weeks. Part of her wished for a little more time, even as she longed for her baby to be in her arms. Her life wasn’t where she’d hoped it would be. She wasn’t ready for this baby to come into the world yet.

She and Michael had run into each other a couple time over the past few days, but their interactions had been informal at best. So many times she’d wanted to apologize, but the words wouldn’t come.

Lizzie smoothed a hand over her dress and looked at herself in the mirror. God, she looked like a beached whale. The soft fabric of her holiday dress fell gently over her curves and made her feel a little less pregnant. She’d spent a pretty penny on it, but it was worth every penny. The red lace and scalloped neckline made her feel better. And it was perfect for the party.

Which she was going to be late for if she didn’t get moving. She grabbed her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders before picking up her tray of chocolates and purse. Slowly, she made her way downstairs to the Uber waiting for her.

The driver, a middle-aged woman with a happy smile, greeted her with a merry message and helped her into the car.

Lizzie settled in the backseat, her heart pounding. In a few minutes she would be in the same room as Michael. Stuck together for the night. What if he brought a date? That would mortify her.

She straightened in her seat. Didn’t matter. He was free to date whomever he wanted. She had no claim on him. And he made it clear he didn’t want her.

Christmas lights flew by as they drove toward the beach. But it just wasn’t the same as a white Christmas. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to not seeing snow during the holidays.

Jack and Darci lived in an adorable little gingerbread house as Cloe called it. And she was right. The cute Victorian home looked like it had come straight out of the pages of The Nutcracker. It didn’t fit Jack at all, but it was all Darci.

When the Uber pulled up and she saw all the cars parked in the driveway she almost chickened out. She couldn’t do this. Couldn’t bear to see Michael with another woman. Couldn’t do a holiday party when nothing in her life was settled. This was her favorite time of the year and she was a mess.

The driver pulled into the driveway. Lizzie opened her mouth to tell her to take her home, but the nice woman was out and helping her out of the car.

She handed Lizzie her tray of candies and smiled. “Enjoy this season of miracles,” she said before getting back in her car and driving off.

Feeling awkward, Lizzie stood there in the driveway, holding her tray of delights, uncertain where to go.

“Lizzie! You made it. Get in here.”

Darci’s happy voice drew her toward the house where Darci stood in the doorway, waving her in.

“You look amazing,” Darci said, closing the door behind them. “That dress is stunning.”

Stunning seemed more appropriate for Darci, not her. Did the woman ever gain a pregnancy pound?

“Thank you. You look incredible.”

Darci waved her off. “Wish I felt it. My ankles are so swollen I can’t wear shoes.”

Lizzie glanced at her stocking feet and they laughed. It felt so good to laugh she gave the tall, gorgeous woman a hug. Darci hugged her back and whispered in her ear, “Don’t give up on him. He’s worth the effort.”

Lizzie got lost in the festivities before she could reply. The wives surrounded her, fawned over her dress, rubbed her belly. She didn’t mind. It felt good to have friends around her with her family so far away.

She couldn’t help but seek out Micheal. She saw him standing by the Christmas tree talking to Brogan, who still seemed a little intense for her. He didn’t appear to be with anyone. Thank goodness. She didn’t go over. Instead made her way to the beverage table for a glass of punch.

Darci’s house was decorated beautifully. Christmas cheer everywhere she looked. Everyone was here, laughing and having a good time. Yet, Lizzie felt like an outsider for the first time.

When her back started to ache she went to sit on the sofa. It felt good to be off her feet, but her backache didn’t ease any.

She sat and watched her friends. They were a close-knit group in which she really didn’t belong. SEAL Team 5 and their wives belonged at this party. Not pregnant singles.

Deciding she didn’t belong, she set her glass on the coffee table and started to rise to her feet.

A hand appeared in front of her face. “Let me help.”

She looked up to see Michael standing there. Handsome as all get out in his jeans and festive green shirt. Her heart broke a bit more.

“I was just leaving,” she said.

“Without saying hello or goodbye?”

She sent him a look. “Seriously? We haven’t spoken more than ten words to each other in days.”

A grin spread across his face. “I’m kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

Oh. Oops. She was definitely off her game tonight. Normally, she could tell when he was joking.

“Sorry,” she said, putting her hand in his and letting him pull her to her feet. God, he smelled good. The heat from his body radiated into hers and wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

“Can we talk?” he asked.

He wanted to talk? Yes. There were so many things she wanted to say to him.

“I’d like that,” she said and let him lead her out the back door and onto the beach. She wished she could take off her shoes but she’d lost the ability to see her feet months ago. Besides that, it was a bit chilly out tonight.

Michael stopped just short of the ocean, not that the walk from Darci’s house to the water was all that long. Christmas lights twinkled around them, waves lapped the sand. It was incredibly romantic.

Michael took her hands in his. “I owe you an apology.”

She frowned. It was her that owed the apology.

“I shouldn’t have walked away from you like I did. I don’t know why I did. I hate myself for it.”

She melted. “I said some pretty mean things.” She squeezed his hands. “I didn’t mean them. I’m coming to terms with your decision to not be part of my life in the way I’d hoped. It’s hard for me, but, I’ll get there—”

Michael put a finger on her lips to shush her. “Would you let me finish?” Humor tinted his tone. “I never told you what I decided.”

Her brows lifted. Hope filled her chest. Could it be? Was this her Christmas miracle?

“What…did you decide?” she breathed, waiting in anticipation and fear. Her miracle could disappear as fast as it came, depending on what he said next.

“Lizzie—”

A sharp pain shot through her stomach, doubling her over. Something warm ran down her thighs.

Dear God, she was in labor.