“Nah. I’ll seeMamanplenty tomorrow,” Antoine shrugs. “I’ll surprise her for breakfast. Tonight, I get to enjoy you guys.”
I’m a bit surprised by his answer, but then he and Emi exchange that big, conspiratorial smile. And that’s when I really understand what she meant when she said they were a team.
Antoine had seen his mom; he could have stopped her on the way to her room and brought her back to the table, and no one would have blamed him for it. But he didn’t. He chose to have this moment with Emi first, without his mom. He just chose Emi.
It’s such a small decision for him, but I’m sure it means a lot to her, and maybe that’s exactly what makes them strong. Because love isn’t about winning arguments, keeping the peace,or trying to please everyone; it’s about choosing your person, here and now.
It’s knowing when a fight isn’t worth it.
When to toss the scale, when to ignore a rant.
It’s flying 500 miles, 5 hours late, and smuggling hot cocoa through security.
It’s giving up the green suit to wear matching Christmas jumpers.
It’s losing the desserts you dreamed of, and still choosing to laugh and eat cheese.
Maybe love is just that: choosing your person, again and again, in the small moments…
Five
Chapter 5
When we finally kiss good night,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm;
But if you really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still good-bye-ing,
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…
I can’t help but grin as I slowly wake up. I’m all warm and cozy, wrapped in soft and toasty bed sheets with my favorite heater in the world: Nicolas, pressed against me. Frank Sinatra keeps crooning from my phone on the bedside table about letting it snow, and I smile against my boyfriend’s shoulder. I’d set it to play songs from my Christmas playlist, but it chose well today!
“…I think I get it,” I whisper.
“Mh… What?” he grumbles.
“The lyric,” I explain as I perch on one elbow to look down at his adorably grouchy morning face. “We have to let it snow away, just like Emi told us last night. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
Nicolas replies with a snore, and I chuckle. My boyfriend is many things, but a morning person he is not! So, I press a big kiss on his spiky cheek, and I let the music play on a loop, hoping it’ll wake him up while I sneak out of bed.
Alright, I have to admit I don’t have many memories of last night, but it was loads of fun! After Antoine arrived, we ordered another round of drinks, and I indulged in one extra glass of champagne that tipped me over the edge… but I don’t regret it! It was just enough to make me giddy until I got sleepy and Nicolas escorted me to our room, but certainly not enough to make me feel it today.
So, after a good shower and freshening myself up, I’m wide awake and glancing out the window; it’s still very, very early and dark, but I cannot miss the fresh, crisp blanket of white snow over Quebec City! And as soon as my heart pinches at the idea that we already have to leave, I make myself a quiet promise: next year, I will be back, and I’ll get to the Christmas Market and do all those things I missed. Sip hot cocoa, eat poutine, wander through stalls, buy my weight in nougat and souvenirs, and visit the Christmas store. And I will love it twice as much!
“What’s making you so happy?” Nicolas asks in a yawn, his arms coming to wrap around me.
“…It’s Christmas,” I whisper.
I see him blink away in the window reflection as he hugs me a bit tighter from behind.
