21 CHAPTER TWENTY - MEETING SANTA

COLE'S POV

Finally, on our way to Vermont, where I did hope to spend more time, but one week this close to the holidays will do!

I got to hand it to Arie, who had all our purchases already packed into a suitcase that she also purchase.

After pouting at me because I refused to allow her behind the wheel of my baby, she went back to her jolly carefree self.

In the store, she changed into, red tights, red Christmas printed sweater and an outrageous scarf, that I personally found to be way to loud for my taste, but I will admit only to myself, she does look cute on her.

Thankfully, her winter jacket was much more softer, being a plain black.

When I commented on it, she chucked, "Oh I still have decorations to added" she said, to my horror.

Looking to the seat next to me I see Arie gazing out the window, with a smile on her beautiful face, appreciating the view.

How can I deny her a chance to drive my baby? I know I'll eventually give in but not just yet.

She seem lost in thought and contented, that she didn't even ask a second time where I was taking her.

Facing the road again, my mind wondered off to my conversation with Mr Lawrence and my mother earlier today.

Annette and her daughter are really desperate to pull a stunt like trapping me into marrying her.

My biggest question, is what does Kyle get out of this arrangement, because the Simmons wealth is millions greater than the Lawrence's. Has my brother gone from being in love with Antoinette to the point of being obsessed with her.

What is Arie's worth? I don't know about her mother's side of the family, but she must be set to inherit a sizeable amount for Antoinette and my brother to go to such lengths of deceit to acquire her wealth.

How do I come into this scheme of theirs. The only logical thing that I can think of right now, is that they are fearful of Arie and I being together because I would be in charge of her finances? I would never take from the girl I love! Everything that I own, is now hers.q

A finger snaps in my face, "hey" Arie says, "wake up" she chuckles.

Turning my eyes briefly off the road, raising my eyebrows, "what?" I question, looking from her eyes to the road, waiting for her response.

"How far until we get to a bathroom?* she asks shyly.

Checking my GPS, "twenty minutes, can you hold it?" I ask, watching her face screw up, with a smirk.

"If I have too, I will" she answered , grumpily, turning back to stare out the window.

I increased my speed, trying to get there in less that twenty minutes so that I don't have to see my wife quietly wringing up in her seat.

I pulled off the route, unto a side road where a service station is clearly visible.

I pulled into the station, looking around, making sure it's safe to stop here with my wife. Even though these small towns are suppose to be safe, they also breed some psychos.

I parked in front of a fuel pump, pointing to the sign marked 'WOMEN' which was too close to the men's room for my peace of mind.

"Over there" I said, climbing out of the BMW along with her.

"I can find my way" she retorts over her shoulder, as she walks towards the 'Women's' sign.

"I know you can, I thought, as I follow her. I opened the door for her to go in and looked around on the outside, walking back towards the front of the building, to wait for her.

She came around the building where I awaited her, with an annoyed expression as her eyes met mines.

"You didn't have to wait" she tells me.

Taken aback, "oh, I should have continued on our trip without you?" I asked, with an amuse glint in my eyes.

Her eyes widen at my question. "I meant the washroom" she corrects me softly.

Smiling, I walked closer to her, pulling her into my arms, "I promise your grandfather that I would protect you" I told her, leaning down my head for my hungry lips to meet hers.

Capturing her lips, in front of a service station en route to Vermont.

"Uhem" I heard a man clearly his throat,

Pulling away from her, she shyly looks downwards with her head on my chest.

I looked at the man, an elderly white headed gentleman with thin wired glasses, white beard and a slightly big belly. Frowning, because I'm not at believer, but he definitely looks like 'ole saint Nick.

Chuckling, he smiles a fatherly smile, "sorry to interrupt but if you're heading in that direction" he points to Vermont, "then you'd better get a move on because " he stops and looks to the sky, "there's a storm coming" he says with a really jolly smile.

Ariana lifts her and looks at him, smiling in awe.

"Thanks, Mr. uh.." I responded, waiting for him to introduce himself.

Stretching his right hand, "Kringle. Kris Kringle" he said as I shook his hand.

"Yeah right" I murmur softly only to hear him chuckle.

He smiles at Arie, then at me again, "enjoy your honeymoon" he says walking away, to a red vehicle parked I'm front of mines.

Surprise, I look at Arie, whose eyes was still on Kringle with a wide smile on her face.

When I look back, Kringle was gone. I took Arie's hand to walk towards our vehicle,

"I'm thirsty she says, dragging me towards the store.

As Arie purchase two drinks for us and a few snacks while I paid to top up on gas.

In fifteen minutes, we were on the road again, hopefully reaching our destination before the storm hits, I thought, looking upwards.

" Was that Santa Claus? "