Chapter 13 - THE FIRST REAL CHRISTMAS
The following December, Nicholas and I spent Christmas Eve at my apartment.
Daniel had decorated the living room with so many lights that the electrical bill would probably qualify as a holiday tragedy.
Nicholas arrived carrying a pie.
I stared.
“Did you bake that?”
He looked offended.
“Of course.”
Daniel appeared behind me.
“He bought it.”
Nicholas sighed.
“Traitor.”
We laughed.
Dinner was simple.
Roast chicken.
Mashed potatoes.
Green beans.
And a chocolate cake Daniel had attempted to decorate with a snowman.
The snowman looked mildly disturbed.
Nicholas complimented it anyway.
After dinner, Daniel went to meet friends.
Nicholas and I sat beside the Christmas tree.
Snow fell softly outside.
He looked toward the window.
“Last year, I found you beneath a tree.”
I nodded.
“I remember.”
“I thought you were dead.”
I looked at him.
His expression had changed.
“I've never been so afraid.”
I reached for his hand.
“I'm here.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
There was a long silence.
Then he said:
“I love you, Emily.”
My heart stopped.
Not because I was frightened.
Because I had waited a long time to hear those words from someone who understood what they meant.
I looked at him.
“I love you too.”
He smiled.
Then kissed me.
Slowly.
Gently.
Without hurry.
When we separated, he rested his forehead against mine.
“Merry Christmas.”
I laughed softly.
“Merry Christmas, Nicholas.”
May you like
Outside, snow covered the city.
But inside, everything was warm.
