Eli spotted something, and his heart skipped a beat. “Quick, while there’s no one under it.” He tugged Noah’s hand.
“Under what?” Eli knew the moment Noah got the memo. “Oh my God, yes.”
They stopped under the mistletoe arch, and Eli kissed him, taking his time, Noah’s arms around him. When they parted, Eli noticed a golden retriever sitting a few feet away.
“You’ve probably already had your turn,” he told it. “Don’t be greedy.”
As though he’d understood every word, the dog stood and trotted off.
“Aw, we missed it!” someone called out. “Do it again so we can take a picture!”
Eli grabbed Noah’s hand. “Quick, run!”
As they neared the bookshop, Eli stopped, pressing his back against the brick wall, pulling Noah close until their coats brushed.
“Hi,” Eli whispered.
Noah smiled. “Hi.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before the good citizens of Mapleford get tired of asking us to kiss for them?
Noah chuckled. “In about thirty years?”
They kissed, not for the crowd, not for the spectacle, but for themselves, a promise of more to come. When they broke apart, snow drifting around them in delicate spirals, Noah touched Eli’s cheek.
“You know,” he murmured, “I asked you to hold my hand forever, but I didn’t quite expect forever to start this fast.”
Eli laughed softly. “I don’t mind.”
“Me neither.”
They kissed again, a quiet, steady beginning to their first Christmas Eve as fiancés. By the time they made it back to Noah’s house, the snow had begun to fall in earnest. Through the window, the tree lights glimmered invitingly.
Eli’s world had narrowed down to the man beside him, their gloved hands linked.
“It’s a little overwhelming, isn’t it?”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, but in a good way. The best way.”
Inside, Noah lit a fire, and the tree lights scattered warm reflections across the room. The faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla clung to Eli’s clothes.
“So, what do you want to do with our first Christmas Eve as engaged people?”
Noah smiled. “I’d be happy with just the two of us, in front of the fire. Movies, soup, grilled cheese, talking… kissing.” He grinned. “Definitely more kissing.”
Eli smiled too. “Sounds perfect.”
There was something he wanted to do before Christmas Day, but that would have to wait until he got a little time to himself.
Then he realized how he could achieve that.
“Would you do something for me this afternoon?”
Noah blinked. “Name it.”
“Would you go to the workshop and make me a picture frame? I’d like to put my drawing of you into it.”
Noah’s face glowed. “Of course I can do that. Wanna help me make it? If I can trust you near a saw, that is.”
