Felicity couldn’t put her finger on when exactly it had happened, but things between herself and Justin were more intimate—more like they used to be many years ago.But what did it mean?What did she want it to mean?
She didn’t have any answers.She wasn’t ready to put any labels on it.Those came with expectations.It was best to just let things play out without any hopes for things to come.
With Sunny chasing after a discarded plastic ornament, they decorated the tree.Felicity knew the tree wasn’t the prettiest, but it in a way reminded her of herself.Like the tree, she was a little bit beat up, emotionally that is.And sometimes she felt as though she didn’t have it all together.But the more they worked on the tree, the more its beauty showed through.
Felicity yawned.The day was finally catching up with her.
“You’re tired.I should be going.”Justin moved to the couch and picked up Sunny, who had finally fallen asleep.
“Oh, no.Not yet.I’m fine.”She was tired, but she didn’t want him to leave.Not yet.When he hesitated, she said, “We didn’t even put the star on the top of the tree.”
He placed Sunny back on the couch.The pup stretched out and went back to sleep.Felicity smiled.The puppy looked good there.Maybe her mother should consider getting a dog.It would certainly keep her company.She tucked away the thought for another time.
“Where is the star?”Justin’s voice drew her from her thoughts.
“It should be in the box over by the couch.”
Justin moved to the cardboard box.He moved a few things around before he pulled out a white box.Felicity immediately recognized it.Year after year, she’d watched her father pull out that white box with the little blue sticker with a store’s name.
Her father always said the star was to go on the tree last.Suddenly, she was socked in the chest with another wave of grief.She missed her father so much.If she closed her eyes, she could envision him holding his hands out to her and lifting her up so she could put the star atop the tree.The grief she felt for him took her breath away.
If she missed her father that much, she couldn’t imagine how much her mother must miss him.It was like the light of understanding had shined on her.She, at last, had some idea of why her mother sold the house.
If just seeing a Christmas tree topper affected her like that, what must it be like for her mother to go to the basement to do laundry and pass by her father’s workshop.Or even if her mother went into the living room to watch television, she would have seen her father’s empty recliner.It would be a lot to deal with every day.
Felicity felt bad for her initial reaction toward her mother.She hoped it wasn’t too late to make things right between them.
“Felicity, how’s this?”
She turned her head to see Justin had placed the star atop the tree.She blinked back her tears.“It’s perfect.”
In three long strides, he was by her side.He placed a finger beneath her chin and gently lifted her head until their gazes met.“What’s wrong?”
She swiped at her cheeks.“It just reminded me of my father.This is my first Christmas in Kringle Falls without him.I guess it’s just hitting me harder than I expected.”
The next thing she knew, she was being enveloped into Justin’s strong, warm embrace.Maybe she should have resisted, but in that moment, it was exactly what she needed.Her head came to rest against his muscled chest.She could hear the beating of his heart.
With his arms around her, she truly felt at home.Nothing, not even the bookshop, made her feel this warm and safe.She never wanted to move out of his embrace.
But she knew that wasn’t possible.Her future wasn’t in Kringle Falls.And this town was Justin’s home—it would always be his home.
With that thought in mind, she pulled out of his embrace.“I’m sorry about that.”
“You never have to apologize with me.”His voice was warm and comforting.His gaze moved back to the tree.“What do you think?”
“I think it’s almost perfect.”
“Almost?”
She nodded.“It’s just missing the homemade stars.”
He nodded in understanding.“Do you have plans tomorrow?”
“I was going to work on the costumes.Why?”
He shrugged.“I just have something in mind.”
She eyed him up.“Justin, what are you up to?”
