AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, it looks pretty to me,” I boldly interjected, and Tenley’s cheeks turned rosy pink.
Rosemary waved her hand in my direction. “You’re obligated to think that as her boyfriend.”
“No, I’m not. But as her boyfriend, I think that makes me the most qualified, in my opinion,” I shot back.
Charlie wheezed beside me and raised a hand, offering me a fist bump. Subtly, I pounded his knuckles as a smile spread across his mouth. Points for the boyfriend with his girlfriend’s dad. My ego was definitely feeling really good at the moment.
“Don’t encourage that behavior.” Rosemary clicked her tongue at Charlie. But all he did was wink in my direction.
“We will see you guys later!” Irene jumped in, stepping away from Tenley’s grandpa. She quickly gave Tenley a hug and then whisked Rosemary away. Her grandpa pushed the wheelchair Charlie was sitting in after the two women, finally leaving Tenley and I alone.
Perfect timing since the tree lighting ceremony was about to begin.
“Ready, darling?” I quietly asked, reaching for her. Grasping her arm, I tugged her into my body.
She nodded, her body relaxing in my embrace. I really liked this, and finally, finally we would get just a moment between the two of us.
Pulling away, I made sure to slip my fingers into hers and quietly wander away from the booth we’d eaten in. Lights were flickering off all around us as the Mayor’s voice echoed throughout the entire square. Music silenced and we shuffled into the middle of the crowd.
She stood up on her tiptoes to peer above the heads in front of her, scanning everything around us before falling back flat-footed. Glancing around, I found a little picnic bench, unoccupied over to the side. It was a little farther away from where we were standing, but she’d be able to see better up there.
Gently, I tugged at her hand and nodded toward the coffee colored wood. A smile slipped across her face before we quickly weaved through the crowd. I helped her up and then stood in front of her, now that she towered over me. A few others followed suit, mostly kids, joining us on the bench.
Her hands slipped around either side of my neck, and she rested her chin against the top of my head. My skin tingled as her fingers brushed back and forth across my chest. Man, this was life. Something I’d almost written off as never being in the cards for me. She kissed the top of my hair this time, as every light in the valley snapped off.
It was pitch black, the only things that were sparkling were the silvery speckles in the sky. The moon was a thin sliver, leaving the world around us blanketed in stillness.
Then crimson blinked.
Viridescent lights flashed.
Beautiful opal snapped on, and then a massive wave of winter white danced upwards across the tree.
Tenley gasped as the star at the very top flashed bright, glowing in the darkness of the night. It lit up the entire town square, sparkling as joyous as noonday. Christmas yuletides began to play, and she slowly swayed with the soft humming that was whispering through the air.
At least for one moment, everything was right and perfect. We were alone, sharing the beginning of something I hoped would be a tradition for years to come.
“It feels like the Christmas from my childhood,” she whispered. “Magical in a way I haven’t experienced in so long.”
I smiled and leaned back against her torso. For me, it felt better. More.
There were kids laughing, dancing in circles across the white covered ground. A couple beside us kissed. Someone laughed as my parents, dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, approached the base of the tree with a “ho, ho, ho.” A line immediately filled with kids, eager to meet the man who they believed was visiting from the North Pole.
Bells jingled as Pearl, still dressed as an elf, brought an actual reindeer with her. She had a bag of treats for the animal and another for the kids. Candy canes danced between palms of the giddy teenagers, sharing simple gifts with each other as they experienced their first sparks of love, and gingerbread houses scattered amongst brightly lit up decorations as the music got the adults' feet tapping.
Tenley giggled in delight, watching the world around her. “What is this song?” she asked in glee as several couples began two-stepping beside us.
“Country Christmas music, darling,” I replied, and stepped away from her, extending my hand.
“I don’t know how to dance like that.” She balled her fingers up into fists.
“Good thing I do, and I’m leading. Come on. It’s fun.” I lifted my brows, and she hesitantly placed her palm in mine.
I immediately whisked her away, feeling carefree and light. We twirled around, dipping and dancing. She clung to me tightly, laughing, as I whirled her around and the song shifted. A classic, slower, soft, and definitely more romantic.
Humming, I spun her into me, and slipped my hand tightly around her waist. Pressing the hand I was holding into my chest, she tucked her head into my shoulder and closed her eyes.
We swayed softly.
