Mara and I had made a beautiful life together.
Slowly, the line moved us closer and closer to Santa Claus.
It was a strange tradition, if you thought about it, bringing your children to a man in disguise to have them sit on a total stranger's lap and tell him their wishes.
But there was so much magic in it too, and I could see from Mara's expression that she thought it was cute as well.
Eventually, we got to the front of the line. As Santa looked up at us, I could tell he was exhausted. Despite the tired bags under his eyes, he said, “Ho, Ho, Ho! Is there a baby on the way?”
Mara and I cringed at each other. She confided in me once that it really hurt her feelings when people assumed she was pregnant because of her size, but I was proud of the way she responded. She lifted her chin and said, “A book baby. I'm writing a story about Christmas and wanted to meet Santa.”
With his face looking especially flushed, he said, “All right then, sit on Santa's lap.”
She took him in and said, “I think I'm good.”
I snickered to myself as we walked away. “Rejected.”
Mara rolled her eyes at me. “You would think a man who is notorious for having a big belly wouldn't prejudge a woman. I'msoglad I made it out of the house today.”
“Just another day in Christmas paradise,” I said. Then I put on an Olde English accent and added, “But fear not, m’lady; there are better things in the mall than this.”
“Like what?” she replied skeptically.
“Like the food. Obviously.” I said with a laugh.
For the next hour or so, we walked through the mall finding all of my favorite holiday treats. There were roasted candy nuts, minty Christmas drinks, hot chocolate, peppermint candies, and more. It was fun to meander around with her, commenting on anything and everything.
She looked over at me and said, “Thank you so much for bringing me out of the house. It's been nice to get a break from the computer.”
I nodded, “Of course.” I noticed she had a crumb from the candied nuts on her cheek, and I said, “Hold on, let me.”
We stopped in the walkway, people parting and walking around us as I leaned in and kissed the crumb from the corner of her lips. Sweetness flooded my tastebuds, and warmth flowed through my veins.
She smiled up at me, her eyes warm and bright.
“You know something?” I asked.
She looked up at me, waiting for my answer.
“Even though you don’t like Christmas… you embody all that it is.” I cupped her cheek with my hand. “Love, family, warmth, creativity… You’re amazing, Mara.”
“I’ve never met anyone more warm or loving than you, Jonas,” she replied, winding her arms around my waist. “You’re the best partner, the best friend, I could have ever dreamed of. Better than anyone I could imagine and put on paper.”
My chest lifted at her words, and she reached on her tiptoes to kiss my lips.
We kissed for only a moment before someone behind us shouted, “Get a room!”
She chuckled while slipping her hand in mine and said, ”What's next?”
We started walking again with the flow of people, and I said, “This is going to be a treat.”
3
MARA
Jonas guidedme toward one of the department stores and said, “We have to get a last-minute Christmas gift.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I mailed out everyone’s gift cards weeks ago.”
