It wasn't easy to stand there and hear everything that Veronica told her sister. I was flanked by Veronica's mother and Sherri, who'd come into the theatre a few minutes ago to let me know that everything she had to do was done. I hadn't mean to listen in. I'd walked out of the theatre with Mrs Stewart and Sherri and overheard the conversation.

When the powder room door opened, the sisters' shocked looks mirrored mine. My gaze immediately met Veronica's.

She thought I was too rich? And because of that, she thought it was unfair for me for the two of us to be together. Was she going to end things because of this?

After another beat, Veronica's eyes went to her mother. "Mom, I..."

Lily-Anne Stewart lifted her hand to stop her daughter. "Whatever you want to say to me is not nearly as important as what you should say to this young man." Her hand waved my way. "We'll head back to the room. Maggie, come."

The two sisters shared a look before Maggie followed her mother back to where June had stayed.

"I better head out. Bye, Levi." I turned to Sherri and simply nodded. "I'll walk myself out." Then, she stretched a hand to Veronica. "It's great to meet you."

Once we were alone, the heaviness of what I had heard weighed down on me. I loved this woman, wholeheartedly. She had to have known this.

"We can talk in the library." I didn't wait to make sure that she heard me. Her footsteps echoed as she followed me down the hallway and into the large room.

It housed all of my books, a collection of old and new, fiction and nonfiction. Warm, quiet, serene. I had asked my designer to make it into a smaller version of the library in the manor in France. It was the only non-modern room in the penthouse, with the wood panels, the heavy velvet curtains, the two brocade chaise and the single desk in the middle, which I had shipped from my grand mother's home, and the 1840's spiral staircase that led to the loft. It functioned mainly as my escape from the world.

The silence deafened me. I gripped the edge of the desk, my fingers and knuckles turning white. I nearly had lost Veronica after Paris. I couldn't possibly let her go now after what I knew, what I was sure, could be the best thing that had happened in my life. I hadn't known happiness like how she'd made me feel excited. At least, never in my life. Not before her.

I felt her proximity, like my own shadow connected to me, present even if I didn't look. The shaky deep breath she took in somehow let me know. I had to take this chance. I had to seal my fate with her.

After releasing the death grip I had on the desk, I straightened and turned to Veronica. Her eyes were lowered, and I waited until she gazed up at me. I didn't know how long we stood there, taking each other in, not willing to breathe or move or say anything. I wanted her to see what she needed to see. Me. Just me.

As soon as I saw her lips trembled, I knew she understood. I took one long stride to get to her, swallowing her exhale as I pressed my lips on hers. I gave everything I had into that kiss. My heart. My soul.

"How much did you hear?" she asked against my chest once we had released each other from that fate-sealing kiss.

"Enough."

Veronica shook her head, and I let her sink deeper into my arms. I led her to one of the chaise and sat with her.

"Veronica, you must know that none of these things matter to me if I can't be with you." I took her chin under my finger to have her face me, to see the truth in my eyes. "Believe me when I say that all these could easily disappear with a snap of a finger. I won't bother with the details right now, because what I have in my hands is what I consider relevant."

I let her process it for a few seconds before continuing. "Would you love me more if I wasn't so rich?" A dry chuckle escaped my lips. "Would you love me less if I gained more?"

"No. But I have to wonder... You've gone out with fabulous women, popular, more beautiful, rich, world-renowned, how do you know that you wouldn't miss that, them later on?"

I took her hands in mine; they shook under my grasps. "All I know is that I've never felt anything this intense with anyone other than with you. You make me feel loved. Not just wanted or needed or used. I might be just a man but I believe I have the right to feel desire and emotions. You challenge me in ways that nobody has, ever since I met you." I lifted her hands to my lips, and spoke softly against them. "We both know we're good for each other, could you see past the numbers and the stature and just be with me for love?"

There it was. My heart on a platter. Would she hear the honesty in my words? Feel the love in my kisses? And warmth in my touch?

****
I'd be stupid to say no. All those years I'd discovered what it was like to be in a relationship, to feel loved, to be in love, being with Levi had surpassed them all. His love was pure and naked and honest.

I wasn't a religious woman, but I believed in miracles. Miracles like hearing Levi profess the depth of his love for me on Christmas Day. I also believed in fate, and that we all held it in our hands. I had been miserable when I thought I'd lost the chance to be with him in Paris. How blind would I be if I couldn't see that fate had slapped this incredibly wonderful man in front of me to give our love a chance?

Rich or not, Levi loved me for me, despite my flaws, my fears and reservations. But a 'yes' or 'no' to his question wasn't enough.

I grabbed hold of his shirt collars and dragged him closer to me. And kissed him. And given all of me. It was a kiss that sealed our destiny. He returned with as much fervor and white hot passion.

We took several more minutes before emerging from the library, and headed straight to the kitchen. Sherri hadn't left us any directions. Nonetheless, Levi took care of it all, with me assisting at his side.

Once everything was prepared, I walked into the theatre and announced that dinner was ready. Concern lined Maggie's face. My mother hadn't shown any sort of emotion. I'd imagine I would hear about it later. No matter, I was prepared.

Dinner, just like lunch, had been delicious. Afterwards, Maggie and June volunteered to do the cleanup. Levi had informed them that he had a housekeeper coming in mid-morning the next day, but my sister just hushed him. My mother told us that she would be heading to bed.

She walked over to me and Levi, seated side by side, and grabbed both our hands. "You could do worse than this man. Your father wasn't perfect. He wasn't the richest, nor the poorest, but he gave me two things that made huge differences in my life. He gave me you. And he gave me his heart. Learn to recognize that."

My mother had never said anything quite so deep and true before. It brought tears to my eyes. "Mom..."

"Oh, hush now. My eyes will swell up tomorrow if you get me in a crying mess tonight. Merry Christmas to you both. And Levi, thank you."

Levi gave her a curt nod before she let go of our hands and walked away.

"That was sweet of her."

I agreed, "Yes. She has always been very sweet."

"Like you." Levi stood and offered his hand. He led me up the stairs and down the hallway. "Are you ready to see my bedroom?"

I smiled at him. We had seen each other in several different angles, and yet, he still managed to make me feel shy. We paused in front of two carved, wooden doors. He opened one and let me step in.

"Wait." He wrapped a hand around my waist before I could go in any further. "I took something from your apartment."

"You did?"

"Yes." His eyes went up. I followed the direction of his gaze and found myself laughing.

"Is that a mistletoe?"

"I'm afraid it is. And you know what that means." He waggled his eyebrows at me. As we leaned in towards each other, my heart hammered in my chest. Had I been kissed under a mistletoe before? No. There was always a first time. As simple as it was, I was glad that I had this first time with Levi.

"I have something else for you," he told me after our kiss.

"I bet you do."

He licked his lips, and the action shot electricity deep into my core. Then he walked away, towards one of his side tables and opened a drawer. When he sauntered back to me, a small red box was on his upturned palm.

My brain froze. Everything froze. He couldn't. He wouldn't!

"Take it." He thrust the box to me. My hand shook as I took it from him. "Open it."

And I did. "What's this?" I lifted a round silver object attached to a ring. "A keychain?"

"A key fob. It's a key to this place. Now, I'm not asking you to move in, not yet, at least. But I want you to feel free to come anytime, all the time, as much as you'd like. There's a code that you need to remember and I have to introduce you to the building's lead security."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. "It's great. Thank you. I thought it was an engagement ring." I laughed at the silliness of my thoughts.

"And what if it had been?"

Now there was a question that I couldn't answer. Clearly, Levi hadn't want me to reply to it either. He simply smiled and kissed me, standing still and wondering under the mistletoe.

****

A/N: Alright that's it! Please stay tuned for Diego and Natali's story. I'm working on a short story for Valentine's Day (hopefully).

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