chapter 10:"*December*"
315 Words
In Florida, December doesn’t feel like snow. It feels like lights, salt air, and family that isn’t blood.
*December 18, Miami*
Maya and Elias had their first “holiday season” together without a crisis.
No hurricanes. No goodbyes at airports. Just a tiny apartment, string lights on the balcony, and too many group chats.
*Chosen Family Dinner*
Maya’s studio friends: Aisha, a photographer, and Marco, a muralist.
Elias’s coworker: Ben, who brought his dog, Luna.
Layla on FaceTime from Atlanta, propped up against a wine bottle.
No one asked Elias about Nigeria. No one asked Maya why she “left.”
They asked: “What are you building?” “What’s the next project?”
Elias helped Marco carry a table up 3 flights. Didn’t make it a thing.
Maya let Aisha critique her new portfolio piece. Didn’t apologize for taking space.
Layla watched it all on screen and said, “You look… settled.”
Maya looked at Elias across the room, laughing with Luna. “I think I am.”
*The Gift Rule*
They’d made a rule in November: No big gifts. No debt. No proving love with money.
Maya gave Elias a small framed sketch: The Miami skyline, but every building seam was drawn in gold ink.
Elias gave Maya a key. Not to his apartment. To a shared studio space he’d put a deposit on. “For 2027. So you don’t paint on the balcony in the rain.”
No rings. No promises they weren’t ready to keep. Just: “I see your work. I’m investing in it.”
*Christmas Eve, Balcony*
It was 72 degrees. They had cafecito, not cocoa.
Maya: “Last December I was scared of you. This December I’m scared of rent.”
Elias laughed. “Progress.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Same storm, different season.”
“Same gold,” he said.
- Writer
