15
523 Words
By the time Rob came back out of the bathroom, we were all sitting by the tree with huge smiles on our faces. I took a look around at all the new people in my life. This group of friends that had adopted me as one of their own. And I felt so loved.
It didn't matter what was under the tree. James had already given me the greatest gift. And the fact that he was wondering about where the presents in the stockings came from gave me hope that maybe a small part of him believed too. All the Christmas music and movies and decorations in the world didn't compare to this feeling at all. The warmth in my chest wanted to bubble over to tears. But I didn't want anyone to mistake my happy tears for sad ones.
"I'm going to go check on the lasagna," I said and excused myself from the group. I took a deep breath when I entered the kitchen and looked out the window. The snow was falling, blanketing the city in white. It was like the whole city stood still for Christmas.
"Merry Christmas, baby," James said and wrapped his arm around my back as he joined me by the window.
"Merry Christmas, James." I smiled up at him.
"I need to tell you something important."
It was the same thing I had said to him earlier. When I told him he was home to me. I was pretty sure he was going to confess to reading my note to Santa. "And what is that?" I turned away from the snow to give him my undivided attention. Because despite the magic of a Christmas snow, I was enjoying what was right in front of me more. I stared into his brown eyes.
"When I was little, I loved Christmas. But for the past several years, Christmas was just another day. And honestly, I was relieved when it was over." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Maybe I had turned into a little bit of a Grinch."
"Just a little." I bit the inside of my lip so I wouldn't smile too hard.
"Now everything's changed. No day with you is just another day. Every day seems better than the last. And I think I forgot how magical Christmas could be until I met you. So thank you. For reminding me."
"I hope that every Christmas is as wonderful as this one," I said as I wrapped my arms behind his neck.
"It just gets better from here, baby."
"How did Santa know?" I said and looked up at the ceiling. A sprig of mistletoe was hung directly above us.
"Like I said earlier. He's a pretty talented guy." James' lips brushed against mine. I stood on my tiptoes to deepen the kiss.
Santa was definitely talented. And for just a second, I let myself believe that maybe James really hadn't decorated our apartment. Maybe Santa really did exist. I never wanted to lose the Christmas spirit. And as long as I had James, I knew I'd never become a Grinch.
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- Writer
