A Cozy Christmas, part 4: Christmas Day, One Year Later

Every time Elle passed under the mistletoe Eddie was magically nearby.

Christmas Day, One Year Later

“I’m starting the fire!” Eddie called from the living room.

“Sounds good!” Elle replied. “I poured us some mulled wine and finished prepping the snacks,” Elle said as she walked in from the kitchen. Eddie took their glasses off the tray, then she set the charcuterie board on the coffee table. “Now, I just need to change. Back in a sec!” She stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek before slipping into her bedroom.

Once there, Elle took off her cozy sweats. She replaced them with skinny black jeans and the red sweater covered in candy canes Eddie had given her for her birthday last month. She checked her hair in the mirror before going back to the fire, and Eddie. As she rounded the corner into the living room, Eddie froze in place.

“You look beautiful…” Eddie almost whispered, trailing off as though he had more to say, but couldn’t get it out.

“Kiss me then!” Elle teased, pointing to the mistletoe above her.

He crossed the space between them so quickly that she was surprised for a moment when he brought his lips to hers. When she pulled back, she saw the same excitement in his dark eyes that she felt bubbling up inside her. The whirlwind of the past year swirled in her head as she smiled up at him.

Their first date: ice skating on New Year’s Eve. Their first kiss: in the middle of a hike in early April. The first time they said ‘I love you’: right after a splashing fight as they stood knee deep in the ocean this past summer. Their first big trip: to visit Eddie’s sister and her family in California last month for Thanksgiving. The doorbell’s buzz broke the spell. Elle looked at the door, then glanced back up at Eddie.

“Ready?” she asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be…” he said, with a thin smile.

“Why are you nervous? You know my family loves you. How could they not after that amazing rendition of ‘Santa Baby’ you performed last Christmas?” She reached up to give him a reassuring kiss before opening the door.

Over the next thirty minutes various friends and family members arrived. Every time Elle passed under the mistletoe Eddie was magically nearby. A blush reddened her cheeks as she realized she hoped he wouldn’t stop. She would need to find ways to keep passing by there as often as possible tonight. After everyone arrived, Eddie stood up in front of the fire, smiling at the mixed group of their friends and family.

“Merry Christmas, everyone! Now, I know some of you have just met one another, but I hope you’ll become fast friends! Let’s have a toast to December snow…” A chuckle from the New Yorkers momentarily interrupted him. When the laughing died down, he continued, “and let’s all raise our glasses in remembrance of those we’ve lost.” The group murmured a thoughtful response before everyone raised their glasses. “Now, come and sing with me!” he said as he held up Elle’s karaoke machine, his wide grin lighting up her heart.

And so, once again, Elle found herself in front of her fireplace on Christmas. She felt an unbelievable sense of hope and joy as she took in the sight of their family and friends crowded around the tree, taking turns singing Christmas songs and sipping mulled wine.

Later that night as the fire embers gleamed and crackled, she and Eddie cleaned up the kitchen. She felt his strong arms encircle her waist, trying to distract her from the dishes.

“These aren’t going to wash themselves,” she playfully chided before spinning around. She gasped as tears welled up in her eyes.

There was Eddie kneeling in the middle of her kitchen, a red velvet box open in his hand. His eyes twinkled with delight. She peeled her eyes away from his for a moment to glance at the diamond ring he had chosen. It was breathtaking. The central stone sparkled in the waning firelight. Along the outer edge, six diamond-shaped light blue gems pointed outward making the shape of a snowflake. She looked back into his eyes, willing herself not to cry just yet.

“Elle, my life changed last Christmas when we had our first breakfast of coffee cake and tea at this very table.” He nodded to the table where they had since spent many hours. “I had always dreamed of building a life with someone, but it didn’t make sense until that day.” Elle reached out to take his free hand in hers. “Will you marry me?” he asked, his voice layered with emotion.

“Yes!” Elle squealed, finally allowing her tears to flow freely. Eddie slid the ring on her finger, stood up, and kissed her deeply. When he pulled back a few minutes later, he didn’t let her go. Instead, he spun her around and drew her close into a slow-dance. Elle melted into him, her heart a puddle. As they twirled around the kitchen, he sang their song in her ear. When he finished, he planted a trail of kisses up her neck before moving his lips back to her ear.

“Merry Christmas, Elle,” Eddie whispered.