A Christmas Melody: Melody, #2

By Grace Roberts

She dreamed of a Christmas wedding. He was happy to oblige. But they weren't expecting a trip home to change their beliefs.

Even though they've been living the American dream in Boston for more than ten years, Valerie and Ryan know the best place to celebrate their Christmas wedding is back home in Ireland.
They were only supposed to spend a week in Dublin with their families, celebrate their special day, and go back to their lives in Boston. So when homesickness starts creeping into their hearts, they label it as just a little nostalgia caused by the festive season. Until an unexpected complication, only days before the wedding, makes Valerie and Ryan realize it's time they decided where they really belong.

A sweet Christmas romance that will warm your heart all year long, A Christmas Melody is a short sequel to A Love Melody, but can also be read on its own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Roberts
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393269267

Grace Roberts

Grace writes heartwarming stories set in Ireland or in small towns in the United States—two places where she’d love to live while writing full-time. She’s also an avid reader who thinks daydreaming should be a paid profession and that the world would be a better place if bookworms ruled it. Growing up as an only child, she spent all her free time with her nose stuck in books, enjoying the company of fictional friends, while dreaming of becoming an author. Discovering books by Rosamunde Pilcher was the turning point in her life, and she decided to start writing down the stories that kept playing in her head, just for fun. After the first couple of stories, though, she found it impossible to stop—and she’s been writing ever since. Subscribe to Graces’s newsletter to make sure you’re always up-to-date with her writing world.

Book preview

Chapter 1

L adies and gentlemen, in a few moments we will be starting our descent into Dublin Airport…

Valerie closed the book she had been reading for the past six hours as the voice coming from the speaker asked all passengers to make sure their seats were in the upright position and the tables in front of them were clipped.

Home.

This had been her home for eighteen years, before she’d left it all behind to chase a dream and follow her best friend to Boston. Dublin didn’t feel like home anymore, though. Twelve years had passed, and she was still just as sure as she’d been back then that she’d done the right thing, in spite of her fights with her parents and all the hard times that had followed.

Through the blanket of white and gray clouds the fields surrounding Dublin city came into view, and something stirred inside her.

Home.

The word rang loudly in her brain and, for the first time in years, she felt a little homesick. Since she’d left, she hadn’t been able to come home much, but she didn’t recall feeling her heart swell at the sight of her homeland the last time she’d flown over the green fields. Maybe she was simply older and more emotional. Or maybe it was because this time she wasn’t simply going to visit with her parents: in a week, she’d be celebrating her wedding to the love of her life, the man who’d been by her side for seventeen years, the best friend who’d supported her through thick and thin. The one person she’d be willing to follow to hell and back, and who’d do the same for her.

She couldn’t wait to see her parents’ faces when they met the groom. She’d been purposely cryptic about who she was getting married to, and to say they hadn’t been pleased about having to meet their future son-in-law only days before the wedding was putting it mildly.

Ryan stirred in the seat next to her and blinked a couple of times, before turning and giving her one of his gorgeous smiles.

Morning, love.

Her heart melted like butter as his hazel eyes locked with hers, silently communicating all the love he felt for her. Valerie smiled.

Good morning, Sleeping Beauty, she said, ruffling his soft, dark hair. You’ve been such great company to fly with. I’ve almost managed to finish my 300-page book while you were sleeping.

Ryan chuckled and stretched, before wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in for a kiss, which she playfully dodged. He kissed the top of her head instead, then rested his chin there.

Sorry, love, he said, rubbing her shoulder. My manager wasn’t much fun to travel with, so I always slept during our flights around the world. I guess I haven’t shed the habit.

Yeah, being stuck on a plane for eight hours with Gordon wouldn’t be much fun. She cringed, remembering just how awful Ryan’s manager had been to her, especially after Ryan decided to leave the music business so that he wouldn’t have to be away from her again. She still got the creeps at the thought of it.

Ryan laughed. Yeah, you could say that.

Though at times she still felt a little guilty for being the main cause of the end of his stellar career as America’s Jazz Star, she was happy about his decision. She loved him too much to even just imagine being away from him longer than two days in a row now. When her shifts at the hospital kept them apart for more than twenty-four hours, she craved his hugs, his kisses, his very presence in her life, and she couldn’t wait to go home and get lost in his arms, feel his heart beat against her cheek. That was when she truly felt at home. He was her home.

Ryan looked over Valerie’s head through the oval window. He hadn’t been home in almost two years, now. He’d barely managed to pay his parents a visit when he’d played at The O2 in Dublin, before he’d had to rush to the airport and fly to London. No, he wasn’t sorry about his decision to leave the music business. He didn’t miss the hectic schedule, the planes, the interviews, or the sleepless nights. His job as a teacher at Berklee College made him happy, especially since he could be around Valerie every day of the week.

Are you happy about coming home? he asked, staring at the green fields getting closer as the plane made its descent. You haven’t been back in a long time, have you?

Five years. She let out a sigh. I’m a little nervous, if I have to be honest.

Ryan rubbed her shoulder protectively. I can’t wait to see your parents’ faces. He chuckled. I still think they’ll want to rip my head off; they’ve never really forgiven me for stealing you away.

You didn’t steal me away from anyone. I followed you of my own volition.

Still, if I’d stayed in Dublin you wouldn’t have left, and now you’d probably be spending your days at the golf club with your husband and your kids, just like your mother wanted you to.

Valerie laughed, shaking her head. That was the life she wanted for me, but it’s not the life I wanted. She pushed back from his chest a little and looked into his eyes. I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m in his arms right now.

Her aquamarine eyes showed just how deep her feelings for him were. She’d always been an open book to him, just like he knew he was to her, and this was the best thing about their relationship, the one thing he’d always wanted in his wife.

His wife.

He could barely believe that, in less than a week, Valerie would become his wife.

I love you, he said, before placing a soft kiss on her lips. She was just about to deepen it when the wheels hit the runway, and they were jostled apart. Now, behave, Doctor Fogarty. We’ve plenty of time for that later on tonight.

With you staying at your parents’ and me staying at mine? she asked, quirking an eyebrow.

He chuckled. Fair enough. I’d forgotten the accommodation arrangements. No sex before the wedding; we’ve gotta follow traditions, my love. Valerie laughed, shaking her head. He grinned. But I can always try to sneak inside your bedroom when your parents are asleep.

She laughed even harder, causing the person sitting in front of them to turn around. Valerie blushed and looked down, punching Ryan in the ribs when he started chuckling.

"Eejit," she said through gritted teeth. He took her hand in response, and kissed her palm.

Don’t worry; I’ll find a way to overcome all obstacles and kiss you goodnight.

At that, he stood up and got out of the seat, pulling out their duffel bags from the overhead lockers and getting ready to disembark.

Ryan directed her around the airport with ease, causing Valerie to make a mental estimation of how many airports he’d visited over the last five years. After collecting their luggage, they went to the car rental and retrieved their car, a silver sedan that made Ryan scrunch up his nose. He’d always had a thing for sporty cars, like most men she knew, but Valerie had managed to make him see that driving around Dublin in December in a convertible wouldn’t really be a smart choice. In the end, he’d given in, and gotten behind the wheel of the sedan.

Valerie stared at the busy Dublin streets—the Christmas decorations and people overloaded with shopping bags—and butterflies flew all around in her stomach as excitement built inside her. In a week she’d have the Christmas wedding she’d dreamed of all her life.

When the car stopped in front of Ryan’s parents’ house, Valerie’s heart thudded fast and loud, while her hands started to sweat. Now she wasn’t so sure she was ready for this.

She stood before Ryan’s childhood house in the nice neighborhood of Ballsbridge while they waited for his parents to answer the door. When the sound of footsteps came from behind the door, she inhaled deeply, and held the cold air in for a few seconds, before releasing it in a puffy breath. Ryan squeezed her hand.

Don’t worry, they’ll love ya. He winked, and she smiled in spite of her crazy heart rate.

Ryan!

His mother threw herself at him as soon as she opened the door. He let go of Valerie’s hand and hugged his mother. Valerie felt almost vulnerable now that his hand wasn’t holding hers anymore, and she shrank back, stuffing both her hands in the pockets of her woolen coat.

It’s so good to see you, son. I can’t believe how long it’s been, Ryan’s mother said, with her head against his chest, still buried in his coat.

I know, I’m sorry, Mom, he said, rubbing his mother’s back in a loving way that made Valerie’s heart swell with pride. He was the most caring man in the world, and she was going to marry him in a week. Now, she was a lucky woman.

Oh, well, look who’s here. Valerie! His mother pulled back and held out her arms toward Valerie, pulling her in for a hug. It’s been ages since we last saw you, my dear. You’ve turned into a beautiful young woman—and a great doctor, from what Ryan’s told us. We know you saved him after that terrible accident.

Valerie smiled. It’s good to see you, too, Patricia.

Have you come home for Ryan’s wedding? I should’ve known you would never miss it, not with the way you two have always been so close.

Ryan chuckled, and Valerie glared at him.

Mom, actually… He cleared his throat, and his mother turned back, releasing Valerie from the hug. Valerie’s getting married, too. That’s why she’s here. He flashed Valerie a cheeky grin, and she elbowed him in the ribs when his mother wasn’t looking at her.

Patricia’s eyes widened and she gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. Now, isn’t that wonderful? When are you getting married?

Christmas Eve, Ryan said with a smile, probably knowing this time his clever mother would get the clue.

Oh, but that’s the day you’re… Patricia’s face fell for a second, until she connected all the dots, and her eyes lit up. "Wait a minute. Are you two getting married? To each other?"

Ryan’s face cracked into a huge smile, and his mother squealed like a little girl, looking from one to the other, trying to decide who to hug first. Since Valerie was closer, she threw her arms around her again and squeezed her in a bear hug, causing Valerie to cough as her airways temporarily constricted.

Oh dear, this is the best Christmas present you could give me, kids!

Ryan laughed and stepped closer, patting a hand on his mother’s back.

When did this happen? Why didn’t you say anything when we spoke on the phone? How long have you two been together? Your father is going to be ecstatic when he hears this.

Mom, calm down now. Although Val’s a great cardiac surgeon, we don’t really want you to have a heart attack.

Patricia giggled and smacked her son’s shoulder playfully, taking his hand and Valerie’s at the same time.

You two. Married. Your grandfather would be jumping with joy, she said, sniffling. He always warned us about it; he always said one day you’d open your eyes and realize what he’d known all along. He was never wrong, that one.

How about you invite us in for a cup of tea, so we don’t die of hypothermia here on the steps? Ryan said. His mother nodded and pulled them both inside. He managed to sneak a look at Valerie just before his mother started calling for his father, and he gave her his most loving and reassuring smile. She smiled back, knowing she’d be able to relax now that they had his mother’s blessing.

Ryan’s father was just as happy as his mother had been, and they spent more than an hour talking over a cup of tea and homemade cinnamon cookies about how things had changed and how he’d proposed. They told Ryan’s