One
Chapter 1
Everyone loves Christmas.
What’s not to like? It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
It starts with the Christmas lights—bright, colorful, and warm little twinkles strung across shops and houses, shining along the streets like the first sign that, yes, Christmas is coming! Then come the Advent calendars, filled with chocolates or little gifts, whether you make your own or prefer the surprise. I’m personally team chocolate, but I’ve seen all kinds nowadays, even with different beers, teas, makeup, or toys! Of course, if you’re among the ones who like to get ahead, you would have started your Christmas shopping early, but I’m guessing most of it would happen in December, right? Surely it’s an occasion to see what decorations our favorite shops put up that year, and if the mall has changed its decor too! For children, it’s a chance to try to meet Santa as well… For the grown-ups, we get to pull out our cozy, silly, pretty, orgloriously ugly Christmas sweaters—the ones we only get to wear in December, even at work! Oh, and do not forget, the Christmas markets open! I love to stroll surrounded by the scent of mulled wine, warm pretzels, and roasted chestnuts! Not to mention, you can look around those adorable little chalets, full of all those unique local gifts you can pick up for your family!
I think most of us like the anticipation of Christmas as much as we do the actual day, or Christmas Eve! Though there’s something extra special about when it’s just around the corner, I think. We see signs everywhere for weeks, but once you put up your decorations at home, every morning and evening until Christmas feels a bit more special! Personally, I can’t help but put up decorations in my house even if I don’t spend Christmas there, just to remind myself it’s coming. It doesn’t take much! A few candles, a little tree, some Christmas lights, et voilà!
Once you get to where you’re actually going to spend Christmas, though, it’s a bit more magical, isn’t it? Even more so when you get ready with everyone! To hang up the stockings, decorate the house, set the prettiest tables, cook a wonderful meal, and then spend time with our loved ones. Maybe you’ll watch TV, play board games, bicker around the table, wear matching pajamas, or even head out to Christmas Mass, to each their own! But whatever you do, it’s a truly special moment.
And then we go to bed, and the next thing you know, it’s Christmas morning! Everyone’s digging through the presents under the tree, gathering with family, eating more delicious food, and listening to merry songs by the fireplace (I guess not everyone has a fireplace, but the rest is a given, right?).
Whether it’s wearing ridiculous jumpers at work, marveling at the lights and decorations, or enjoying hot drinksand sweet treats… I’ve always truly believed that Christmas is the most wonderful, magical, and merry time of the year.
Except… Well, things don’t always go as planned, do they?
“I can’t believe we’re having our last workday like this. It’s ridiculous!”
I nod at Jenna’s complaint—she’s just saying what everyone’s thinking. It’sfreezingin the office!
We’re all shivering in our seats, and I rub my arms through the sleeves of my thickest Christmas jumper, trying to warm up a little, but I really,reallyregret not bringing that extra pair of fluffy socks… Oh, I envy my kitties so much right now. I bet those two are curled up between my jumpers, napping away in my drawer like smug little marshmallows!
To be fair, Jennadidtext me this morning to warn me that the heating was down, but I didn’t think it’d be this bad! By my fluffy socks, how unlucky are we for the heat to break on the last day before vacation? Just one more day, and it wouldn’t have mattered! Well, the office management has already apologized a dozen times, so I suppose there’s nothing else we can do but sip our hot cocoa, try to stay warm, and count the minutes until freedom… and the holidays!
“At least we have hot drinks,” I smile. “Shall I go for another round?”
“Yes, please,” Jenna pouts. “I need another hot cocoa before I turn into an icicle!”
I chuckle and trot to the break room to warm myself up. Sure enough, there’s a line of people bundled up and shuffling in place, grumbling about the cold… I guess we’re not feeling too merry today.
“Oh, Ophelia!”
Linda, our CEO’s assistant, walks up to me with a steaming cup of coffee and that gorgeous smile of hers. Since she alsohappens to be myboyfriend’sassistant, I’m so glad we get along! She’s absolutely adorable, always gives me a heads-up if Nicolas’s schedule changes, and she’s been so discreet about our relationship. Not that it’s a secret anymore that Nicolas and I are a thing, but still, I’m glad we’re old news now. Being the subject of the company’s gossip mill is really nofun at all!
She stops in front of me with the cutest knit blanket slung over her shoulders.
“Hi, Linda! How are you?”
“Freezing, like everyone,” she chuckles, “but excited for the holidays! I still need to finish all my shopping tomorrow. I can’t believe Christmas is intwodays!”
“Same here,” I grin. “Make sure to stop by our office! We’ve got tons of food and even Christmas crackers. I made a bûche de Noël. It looks kind of wonky, but I promise it tastes fantastic.”
“You know I will,” she winks at me. “I’ve heard half of the office praising that bûche of yours already! I can’t not come have a taste. Have you heard from Nicolas yet?”
“I have! He just texted me minutes ago that he landed at Logan.” I nod.
“Oh, I’m glad!” Linda smiles. “Four cities in a week… The poor man deserves a break! Are you excited for the holidays? I can’t believe you’re spending it with the Queen Mother,” she adds with a little grimace.
“She’s not that bad,” I say with a chuckle, “and she booked us a room in areallynice hotel in Quebec City. We’re spending Christmas Eve there!”
“Are you?” She blinks. “He mentioned going to Portland with you, so I thought she was the one coming…”
“We’re doing both, actually,” I explain. “We really wanted to spend Christmas together this year, so we agreed to try splitting the holiday: Christmas Eve with his family, Christmas Day with mine.”
“Heavens! You’re going to go from Quebec to Maine overnight?”
