I’d always felt the same. He was mine from that very first day and even more so now.
“I love you, too, North.”
Aspen
This was my first real look at Pine Ridge. Between the snow that had started falling yesterday and the Christmas lights strung across the entire little town, it was like something out of a movie.
Cole had promised the weekends would be lively, but right now, only a few people moved in and out of shops. There was minimal traffic and it was fairly quiet.
If I wanted lively, I would’ve stayed in the city. This was perfect.
“Today is for exploration and finding tree decorations,” Cole said as he rubbed his gloved hands together. “Where should we start, omega? There’s a store dedicated to Christmas.”
“Are we talking decorations or small gifts?” I asked, hating the thought of a commercial store full of manufactured bullshit everyone had in their homes. I liked things that were unique and had character.
“A bit of both,” he admitted with a frown.
“I’ve always felt like my Christmases were full of superficial things. My parents always wanted top-of-the-line presents for us. Things they could brag about. I just wanted… family. I love the idea of handmade or thrifted gifts. ‘Something you saw and thought of me’ type gifts. I think I’d like the same for our tree if that’s okay?”
“Then I’ve got the perfect shop for you,” he reassured me, holding his hand out. I slipped my gloved hand into his. “First shopping, then coffee.”
“Sounds like the perfect day.” I meant it, too. I’d been so caught up in my independence and working hard, that I hadn’t given myself time to just live.
Cole was giving me that chance and he had no idea how much that meant to me. Even before he knew me, he was giving me exactly what I was craving and couldn’t admit to myself.
“Coffee might be my love language,” I said. “Along with handmade gifts.”
“Mine is definitely physical touch and quality time. I think I’ve been craving actual connections more than I realized.” He tucked me into his side like he always did and I felt him relax around me.
“Those will work perfectly together,” I said with a smile. “I also like physical touch and quality time.”
“Not that I want to keep bringing them into this… but how did your exes handle the holidays?”
He sounded more worried for me than curious.
“They were nothing special,” I said with a shrug. “Sometimes they’d take me out to a fancy dinner or something. It was… better in the beginning, but I quickly realized I’d never be a priority.”
“I hope you know you deserve more than all they gave you,” Cole said, voice serious. “It’s not about gifts or dinners, it’s about putting thought into things.”
“I don’t think I wanted to see it before. I was independent and told myself that’s how I wanted it. The mind is a powerful thing.”
“This Christmas is going to be different,” he promised as he kissed my head.
It was a vow. His voice was low, quiet, but it hit me hard. It already felt like it was shaping up to be amazing.
“Okay, enough depressing talk.” He gestured to the shop in front of us.
It was adorable. The window was decorated and the building itself old and had character, the bricks faded but clean.
A small, wooden sign hung in front of it. Secondhand Treasures.
“Bailey spends all year traveling and gathering things, then brings them back to her sister, Claire, who sells it all here,” Cole explained. “They each have their own packs, but generally one of the sisters is always here. They have just about everything you can think of and Jack said she was talking about a new shipment of vintage Christmas decorations..”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” I said, grinning and pushing the door open.
It smelled like cinnamon and cloves, the embodiment of Christmas. The window display sparkled with lights and an assortment of vintage and gaudy ornaments hung along the garland stretching between the shelves. I loved the chaos of it all.
“Welcome in! Anything I can help you find?” a short omega asked, her hair wispy and gray, and smile warm.
