Gavin had laughed merrily, holding up his hands in surrender. “Well, of course she is, Ian. It was obvious from the moment we met last night that Tessa is a one man woman. Unfortunately for me, she met you first. Otherwise, I have no doubt whatsoever that she and I would be making plans to fly to the Turks and Caicos islands for the New Year.”

Tessa had laughed gaily after that, though Ian had still given his uncle a somewhat threatening glare. She knew that Gavin’s flirting was entirely harmless, just as Colin’s was, but it was oddly flattering at the same time. Somehow it made her feel accepted, more like a part of the family, and Tessa had never known that sort of acceptance before now.

But it was just before the dinner dishes were cleared away, when Edward stood from his place at the head of the table with a raised glass in hand, that she truly felt like she belonged here.

“I want to formally welcome Tessa to our family,” he began. “She isn’t officially my daughter-in-law yet, but it feels as though she’s been one of us for a long time already. I think the whole family, Ian included, had given up hope that he would ever meet someone he could spend the rest of his life with, could find real happiness with. I’m very, very happy to say that we were all wrong. I’ve never seen my son so happy, and this beautiful girl here is the reason. We all adore you, Tessa, and are so pleased to welcome you to our family.”

As she rushed to give Edward a grateful hug, Tessa knew that all of the lovely gifts she’d received last night and this morning, not to mention the gifts from Ian waiting at home in San Francisco that she had yet to open, meant nothing, nothing at all, compared to the most wonderful gift of all - that of the family she had always wanted and that was finally going to be hers.

Chapter Nine

Tiburon, California – New Year’s Eve

“Thank God all of our furniture got delivered four days ago. Otherwise, I think I would have had to slip Julia a couple of Xanax to calm her down. She’s been a borderline basket case as it is getting ready for tonight. God bless my mother-in-law for getting here a couple of days ago to help out. Natalie can put anyone at ease within minutes.”

Tessa smiled sympathetically at Nathan, their host for tonight’s party. “Julia’s just a perfectionist,” she said consolingly. “She always wants everything to be just right. And I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to her, but we just arrived back from London yesterday afternoon.”

She’d been sleepy after the long flight, but had forced herself to stay awake until their normal bedtime, one of the numerous hints Ian had shared with her as a way to stave off jet lag. Fortunately, in their absence the housekeeper had re-stocked the fridge and pantry so that Tessa had been able to prepare a simple but elegant meal. Ian had protested, of course, offering to take her out somewhere, but she had wanted a quiet evening at home, just the two of them.

“As wonderful as the holidays were with your family,” she’d told him soon after arriving home, “I was hoping to have a little celebration of our own tonight. A special dinner, some wine, a roaring fire. I was going to use the good china, set the dining room table, candles, the works. And then after dinner we can open our Christmas gifts to each other. Does that sound all right to you?”

Ian had given her a hug. “It sounds like the most perfect evening I can imagine, love. So long as you let me help with the dinner preparations. I know my skills aren’t anything like yours have become, but perhaps you’ll trust me to chop the vegetables or mix the salad at least?”

She had laughed, knowing full well that he was more than capable of those small tasks and much more. Ian had actually amazed her with the extent of his cooking skills, though she shouldn’t have been at all surprised - after all, she had yet to discover anything he couldn’t do, and do extremely well.

Dinner had been a warm, intimate meal, something she had missed over the past couple of weeks when they had rarely been alone. He’d built a fire in the living room hearth as she had requested, and they had opened their Christmas gifts to each other there.

Ian had gone overboard, of course, having blithely ignored her pleas to be sensible about their gift giving. He’d showered her with one elaborate package after another - bath and body products that were the same scent as her perfume; exquisite couture lingerie; a new, top of the line tablet computer; a sleek leather laptop case that was the feminine version of his own; a stunning set of emerald and diamond jewelry - necklace, earrings, bracelet.

The last gift he’d given to her was rather oddly shaped, and the wrapping looked as though it had been done rather hastily. Tessa had regarded him curiously as she’d begun to unwrap the package.

“What in the world can this be - oh.”

She’d stared in mingled disbelief and joy at the fleecy white lamb she held in her hands. And while the stuffed toy hadn’t looked exactly like the beloved one from her childhood, it was close enough to bring tears of happiness to her eyes.

“Oh, God,” she’d whispered hoarsely. “I can’t believe you did this, Ian. But what am I saying - of course I can believe it. Because you are the most thoughtful, caring, wonderful man in the entire world, and you constantly do all of these lovely things that make me want to weep with joy.”

She’d flung herself at him then, tumbling him to the floor in front of the fireplace, and pressing kisses over his face and neck. “I love you so much,” she’d murmured. “Thank you for my little lamb. And for all of the sweet things you do for me every day.”

Ian had grinned up at her, brushing a lone tear from her eye. “That’s because you are sweet,” he had teased. “But I’m happy you like your new Lambie. I know it’s not a substitute for the one you had as a little girl, but I hope it’s close.”

“It’s perfect,” she’d assured him, dropping a kiss on his lips. “In fact, it’s even more special because I know you took such care to pick it out for me.”

Her gifts to him had seemed insignificant in comparison, but Ian had been thrilled with the things she’d chosen - a cashmere neck scarf; a new book by one of his favorite authors; a bottle of his favorite brandy; a horrendously expensive Hermes silk tie in a shade of blue that he declared was an exact match to her eyes; and a silver frame that held a photo of the two of them. Colin had taken it during their visit to Tuscany last September, then emailed the file to Tessa. In the photo, she and Ian had been embracing, gazing into each other’s eyes with a look of pure love. It had instantly become her very favorite photo, and she’d had a copy made for each of them.