“I love you too.” I pull my arm out of the towel and wrap itaround his waist. I feel so safe with him. He snuggles into me, letting me hold him for a moment.
“I’ve just got you some of my clothes. They’ll drown you, but they’re dry.” He chuckles, lifting me back up to reach for a bag to his right and breaking the silence.
He pulls out a T-shirt and joggers which he helps me put on under the towel. They smell like him. Deliciously woody and spiced. I move to the passenger seat in the van to give him room to change.
He unbuttons his shirt and throws it to the side. I stare longingly at his body, biting my lips trying to compose myself, watching him dry his dark hair.
“Eyes to yourself, London.” He smirks, peeking out of the towel.
He throws on a hoodie and climbs into the seat next to me.
“Home?” he questions.
“Home.” I smile.
Epilogue
Snow starts to fall outside the cottage. I look through the kitchen window as the flurry of snowflakes begins to rest in the garden. The scent of cinnamon and pine fills the cottage along with the soft orange glow of Granny’s many candles.
The small Christmas tree sits in the corner of the dining area adorned with paper chains and baubles that Lola and I made the other day. It makes me smile. The image of Lola giggling as Sam got the paper from the chains stuck to his fingers.
I bring the warm cup of chai I have been holding up to my lips. Its spiced scent hits my nose washing me in cosy warmth as I watch the frost settle on the windows.
I’m bought out of my trance as my mother enters through the front door. “It’s freezing out there,” she chatters, holding her coat around her. My mother has not returned to London since the Winter Wonderland Ball. The angry calls and messages from my father have slowly started to fade and my mother looks more at peace. I’ve got to know who she really is, not the plastic facade I have known all my life.
She hangs her coat up on the pegs in the corridor and makes her way into the kitchen to join me. I pour her a cup of chai which she gladly accepts.
“Thank you, darling,” she whispers. “I’ve fed the chickens and put a frost coat over the crops. When Aradia finally decides to come home from Pete’s tonsils, she owes me for all the chores I’ve covered for her.” She laughs.
My aunt has been basically living with Pete now. They really do act like lovesick teenagers. Staying over at his house, not coming home for days and when she does her cheeks are flushed with love and she’s completely giddy. I’m so happy for her though. She deserves all the happiness in the world.
“I’m sure she’ll be at Gloria’s tonight. You can tell her off then.” I laugh.
Tonight is Christmas Eve and Gloria is holding a little party at The Wandering Wisp. I had been there this morning helping her and Granny set up. Sam is working at Chris’s. They are inundated with orders for tomorrow so I’ll meet him later at the cafe.
“How are you feeling?” My mother rubs my arm joining me to look out of the window at the now soft blanket of snow covering the frozen ground.
“I still feel uneasy, like I’m waiting for something.” I sigh.
My mother nods. “I understand that, but I really do think Helena isn’t stupid enough to come after us now, especially since we’ve been contacted by so many of our kind in support of everything. And if she does, we will be ready.”
“I hope not.” I take a sip of my tea, and she rubs my arm again. “But I’m also worrying about witch hunters. Sam and I, we have targets on our backs now.”
She rubs my arm. “And we will be ready, darling.” She finishes her tea and places the cup in the sink. “I’m going to get ready for the party. Shall we walk in together?”
I smile and nod. “Yeah, that would be nice. I’m guessing Granny is just staying at Gloria’s now until it starts. I bet they’re both tipsy by the time we arrive.”I smile at the thought ofGranny in a Santa hat drinking and getting truly merry.
She laughs. “Oh, I have no doubt that Gloria has already opened a bottle of port.”
We stand laughing for a moment until my mother smiles emotionally. “I’m so glad we get to do this now. I’ve missed so much of your life and I’ll never get that back.” She keeps doing this at the moment. Happy one moment and emotional the next.
I grab her hand to soothe her. “Hey, you don’t need to think like that anymore. We have the now and the future. That’s the most important part.”
She nods, trying not to cry.
“Come on.” I smile. “Go and get ready. No crying on Christmas!” I laugh, which she can’t help but join in with.
She pulls me into her for a hug. The warmth she now radiates matches that of my aunt and granny. Her warm brown sugar scent fills my nose. No more intoxicating expensive perfumes and heavy makeup. Just a woman and all she is in her natural form. Beautiful.
