But I have another idea. I adjust my tall socks as they shift around over my knees. I’m just in pink panties and a light gray fluffy sweater. I can tell by the way his eyes track me that he’s enjoying the show and the outfit I’m wearing. I move past the tree and find my jacket that’s hanging on a hook near the front door and fish out the present I made for him a few months ago. I had no idea our Christmas would be like this or that we would have confessed our love for one another or even that he would have fulfilled every fantasy I’ve ever had about him.
Even still, I made this for him because without all the romantic stuff we’ve finally acted on, he really, truly means so much to me, and I wanted him to know that on some level.
My gift is small, and I wrapped it in light green paper with goofy reindeer on it. He stifles a laugh at their googly eyes, just like I knew he would when I walk back over to him and hold it out with both hands, suddenly nervous.
He raises a brow. “For me?”
My cheeks warm. “Of course for you.” I hate that he seems so surprised, but I understand that no one has probably ever done anything for him like this.
Cillian takes the present gently, like he’s afraid it might break in his usually rough hands. His big fingers work carefully through the ribbon, and he sets each piece aside instead of tearing it.
He opens the lid, and I see the look of understanding on his handsome face. Inside is a simple, minimalistic leather bracelet. It’s black, with a thin silver plate engraved by me with a single word in my handwriting.
“Home.”
Cillian’sbreath catches just barely. He’s not blinking, and I know that tactic all too well. He’s overwhelmed by emotion, and his jaw works like he’s trying to keep it together. When he finally speaks, his voice is low and almost… broken. “Ellie…” Cillian swallows hard, thumb brushing over the engraved plate. “This—baby, this is…”
He can’t finish the thought.
So I do.
“You gave me a home when I didn’t have one anymore,” I whisper. “A real one. A safe one. I wanted you to have something that reminds you that you’re home too. With me.”
He leans forward and presses his forehead to mine, breathing deeply like he needs the moment to steady himself. Then he kisses me reverently. It’s a kiss that says everything he can’t verbalize without unraveling.
When he finally pulls back, he clears his throat. “My turn.”
He reaches beside the chair and brings out a box I didn’t even notice earlier. He pulls me on his lap and then hands me the package. I don’t know which one of the freshmen hockey boys girlfriends have good taste, but the wrapping paper is the cutest. I make a mental note to find out so I can thank her for helping. I’m sure being here with a bunch of freshman hockey players was a real chore. “Open it,” he murmurs.
I untie the ribbon carefully, lift the lid, and?—
My breath catches.
Inside is a framed piece of music notation.
Handwritten. My handwriting.
I’d know it anywhere. It’s the first song I ever composed once Cillian brought me to Castlebrook.
It’s perfect. Preserved and displayed behind glass.
“I stole the original hoping you wouldn’t notice,” he says softly, watching me with that intense, reverent look that makes my heart ache. “I wanted the first music you ever made with me to be something you could keep forever. I thought we could hang it above the fireplace.”
My throat tightens. My eyes heat, and I trace the notes behind the glass with trembling fingers.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “It’s the most thoughtful gift I could ever ask for. I love it, Cillian. And you, I love you so much.”
He pulls me closer, arms tightening around my waist as he presses a kiss to my cheek, then my temple, then my jaw.
“You’rebeautiful,” he murmurs. “Everything you touch becomes something worth protecting, and I want you to remember that, baby. You mean literally everything to me.”
I turn toward him, heart full. Too full, it feels like. “Thank you,” I breathe out the words that don’t seem like they’re enough for such a thoughtful gift.
Cillian cups my face, brushing his thumb under my eye. “Thank you, Ellie girl. For giving me the life I never thought I’d have.” I set the frame carefully aside and wrap both arms around his neck, settling more fully into his lap.
“I love you,” is all I say, because that’s all there is to say in this moment.
His arms tighten around me, and he presses his forehead to mine as the snow falls softly outside the cabin windows. “It’s really coming down out there,” he murmurs. “We’re going tobe stuck here for a while…days…maybe weeks.” I can hear the playful tone in his voice, and it instantly makes my heart happy.
