Snowflakes and Second chances

Chapter 12: Decorating Committee

Chapter 12: Decorating Committee

Frost decorated the town square windows as Emma checked her clipboard. The decorating committee had gathered early, armed with lights and garland for their annual transformation of Evergreen Hollow's heart.

"North side gets the candy cane theme." Emma directed volunteers toward boxes of decorations. "South side needs fresh garland before we start the lights."

"Always the organizer." Ryan appeared beside her, carrying coiled strands of white lights. "Some things never change."

"Someone has to keep things running smoothly." Emma marked items off her list. "The festival opens in three days."

Ryan studied her focused expression. "Take a break. Help me with the gazebo."

Emma glanced at the wooden structure where they'd shared so many moments. "The gazebo needs careful planning. The lights have to be perfect."

"Trust me." Ryan held out his hand. "I've got a vision."

They carried supplies across the square, their boots crunching fresh snow. The gazebo stood peaceful in morning light, waiting for its holiday transformation.

"Start at the top?" Ryan offered Emma one end of a light strand. "Like old times?"

Emma climbed the gazebo steps, remembering other decorating days. "You were always better at the high spots."

"Only because you were the better director." Ryan followed with his share of lights. "Your eye for detail made everything work."

They began weaving lights through railings and around posts. Emma noticed Ryan had chosen warm white bulbs - her favorite. The kind that glowed like starlight against snow.

"Pass me that section?" Ryan reached down from his position on the bench.

Emma stretched up, light strand extended. Her boot caught a loose board, sending her stumbling forward. Ryan caught her shoulders, steadying her fall. The motion wrapped them both in loops of Christmas lights.

"Well." Ryan's voice came soft near her ear. "This feels familiar."

Emma became acutely aware of their position. Her hands rested against his chest, his arms still holding her steady. Tangled lights pressed them close, twinkling faintly in the morning sun.

"We should..." Emma's words trailed off as she met his eyes.

"Should what?" Ryan made no move to untangle them. "Some knots take time to undo."

Heat crept up Emma's neck despite the December chill. She could feel Ryan's heartbeat under her palms, steady and strong. Memory mixed with present moment - other times they'd decorated together, other almost-kisses in winter light.

"The committee's waiting." Emma managed finally.

"Let them wait." Ryan brushed a snowflake from her cheek. "Some moments deserve attention."

A shout from across the square broke their bubble. "Hey Mitchell! We need help with the star!"

Ryan sighed, carefully unwinding lights from their shoulders. "Duty calls."

Emma stepped back, immediately missing his warmth. "We should finish the gazebo first."

They worked in charged silence, completing the light pattern. Emma plugged in the final strand, watching white bulbs spring to life against dark wood.

"Perfect." Ryan stood back to admire their work. "Though something's missing."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small sprig of greenery. "Traditional gazebo decoration."

Emma recognized mistletoe, tied with red ribbon. "Ryan..."

"Just keeping with tradition." He hung the sprig from the center beam. "For historical accuracy."

Their eyes met across the decorated space. Years of shared history hung between them like Christmas lights - beautiful, tangled, waiting to be illuminated.

"Emma!" Sarah's voice carried from the coffee station. "Where do you want the holiday banners?"

"Coming!" Emma hurried down the gazebo steps, careful of loose boards. She paused at the bottom, looking back at Ryan. "Thanks for the help."

"Anytime." Ryan touched the mistletoe gently. "Some traditions are worth preserving."

The morning progressed in a flurry of activity. Emma directed garland hanging and light stringing, trying not to watch Ryan work with the star installation team. But her eyes kept finding him - the way he guided younger volunteers, his patient explanations of proper technique.

"He's different." Sarah appeared beside Emma, offering hot chocolate. "More grounded than when he left."

"We're all different." Emma accepted the steaming cup. "Ten years changes people."

"Some things stay the same." Sarah nodded toward the gazebo. "Like the way he looks at you when you're not watching."

Emma focused on her clipboard. "We're just working together. Professional colleagues."

"Right." Sarah's tone held amusement. "Because professional colleagues always get tangled in Christmas lights together."

"You saw that?"

"Half the square saw that." Sarah squeezed her arm. "And everyone saw what they've been seeing since you both came home - two people trying very hard not to remember how good they are together."

Before Emma could respond, Mayor Thomas called everyone to attention. "Time for the lighting test! Positions, everyone!"

Volunteers scattered to their assigned areas. Emma found herself back at the gazebo, checking connections one final time.

"Ready?" Ryan joined her, remote control in hand.

Emma nodded, holding her breath. Ryan pressed the button, and Evergreen Hollow's town square blazed to life.

White lights traced every building edge, creating a magical framework against darkening sky. Red and green garlands swayed gently in winter breeze. The massive tree sparkled with hundreds of ornaments, topped by a star that seemed to float in midair.

And the gazebo... Emma's heart caught. Ryan's vision had created something beyond beautiful. Lights flowed like falling snow, each strand placed to enhance the structure's natural grace. The effect transformed their childhood meeting place into something from a fairy tale.

"Well?" Ryan watched her face carefully. "Did we get it right?"

Emma touched a glowing post. "It's perfect. Everything we hoped for."

"Not everything." Ryan stepped closer. "Not yet."

The moment stretched between them, full of possibility. Emma felt the weight of every Christmas past, every almost-moment, every dream deferred.

"Mr. Mitchell!" Young voices broke the spell. A group of children rushed the gazebo, excited to see their decorated town. "Did you use all the lights? Can we help with the tree? Is that mistletoe real?"

Ryan answered their questions with patience, but his eyes kept finding Emma. She busied herself with final checkmarks, pretending not to notice how right everything felt.

"Hot chocolate at Chen's?" Ryan asked as the square emptied. "To celebrate a successful decoration day?"

Emma looked at her watch, thinking of emails to send and calls to return. Of all the reasons to maintain professional distance.

Snow began falling softly, catching in Ryan's hair. The gazebo glowed behind him like a beacon, while mistletoe swayed gently overhead. Some moments, Emma realized, demanded courage.

"I'd like that." She tucked away her clipboard. "To celebrate tradition."

They walked toward Chen's Restaurant, shoulders brushing occasionally. Above them, stars emerged in winter sky while Christmas lights transformed their hometown into something magical.

Emma breathed in cold air and possibility, tasting memory and hope on her tongue. Some tangles, she realized, weren't meant to be undone. Some lights were meant to guide us home.

The door to Chen's opened, releasing warmth and friendship into the snowy evening. Emma stepped inside, carrying the warmth of Ryan's smile and the promise of unfinished moments.

Behind them, the gazebo kept its gentle vigil, glowing with starlight and memory. Mistletoe swayed in winter breeze, patient as tradition, steady as love finding its way home.