The moment stretched out as we stood together on that roof, watching and waiting.The cheer from below grew louder, a wave of sound that seemed to lift us both higher.Claire's grip tightened slightly, not out of fear but excitement.Her joy was infectious, seeping into my bones and thawing the cold that had settled there.
I looked down at her hand on my wrist once more and realized something important: I didn’t want her to let go.
Not now.
Not ever.
But for tonight—for this brief moment under the stars and above the twinkling lights—I allowed myself to simply exist beside her, enjoying the warmth of her touch and the promise of something brighter ahead.
The moment seemed to stretch on forever as we stood there, waiting.The air was crisp and cold, but Claire's hand on my wrist kept me anchored in the present.
Then, with a collective gasp from the crowd below, the tree burst into light.Thousands of tiny bulbs blinked to life, cascading down the branches like shimmering droplets of gold.The tree stood tall and proud, its vibrant colors painting the night with warmth and joy.
Claire's eyes widened, her face illuminated by the glow."Isn't it beautiful?"she whispered, her breath visible in the cold air.
I glanced at her, feeling a strange tightness in my chest.Her expression was one of pure wonder, a real smile spreading across her face.It wasn't the polite smile she had given me earlier—it was genuine, unguarded, and radiant.
"Yeah," I said softly, unable to look away from her."It is."
Claire's smile outshone every light on that tree.It was a beacon of hope and warmth that I hadn't realized I needed so desperately.
She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement."Thank you for bringing me up here," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
I nodded, my throat tight with unspoken emotions."You're welcome."
We stood there in silence for a few moments longer, taking in the sight of the lit-up tree and the town below.But my attention kept drifting back to Claire.The way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the way her hair caught the light—it all seemed so surreal and perfect.
I realized then that no Christmas tree could ever hold a candle to one of Claire's real smiles.It was a revelation that hit me like a ton of bricks—unexpected and powerful.
As I stood there beside her on that rooftop, I felt something shift inside me.For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope—a sense that maybe, just maybe, there was something worth holding onto.
And as Claire's smile continued to light up the night, I knew that whatever came next; I wanted to be part of it.
For now, though, I allowed myself to simply exist in this moment with her—content to bask in the glow of both the Christmas lights and her smile.
Chapter10
Claire
The chill seeped through Christian's jacket, but I couldn't bring myself to move.The tree glowed in the distance, each twinkling light a beacon in the cold night.Beside me, Christian shifted, the roof creaking under our weight.
I watched as children ran around the base of the tree, their laughter carrying up to us.Families huddled together, sharing hot cocoa and stories.It was a scene I'd seen countless times, yet it never lost its charm.
But tonight felt different.My thoughts drifted to the man next to me, his brooding presence lingering at the edges of my mind.
The wind nipped at my cheeks as I stood by the tree; the lights reflecting in my eyes."Thank you," I murmured, turning to Christian."For bringing me here."
He shrugged, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets.He looked uncomfortable, his gaze darting away from mine.The crowd’s cheer filled the silence between us.
"I wish my grandmother had seen it," I continued, unable to stop the words spilling out."She was the one who started taking me to the lighting ceremony.When my parents died..."My voice trailed off, the memories sharp and vivid."It was hard.But she always made Christmas feel like magic."
He remained silent, his face unreadable in the glow of the Christmas lights.Yet, somehow, his quiet presence comforted me.I didn’t need him to speak; knowing he was there was enough.
The tree sparkled above us, each light a tiny miracle in the night.The chatter and laughter of the townspeople swirled around us, a festive cacophony that felt oddly distant.
"I haven’t missed a ceremony since," I admitted, glancing up at him."It’s like holding onto a piece of her, you know?"
The cold bit into my cheeks, but the warmth from the tree’s glow seemed to wrap around us like a blanket.Christian stood next to me, a solid, silent figure in the crowd.
