I watch as disappointment flickers across Paige’s face, quickly replaced by understanding. “I get it, Noah. I do. It just stinks. I just really feel like you should go with me.”
“The thought of you leaving, of not seeing you for months... it’s not easy, Paige. But I can’t go when I feel tied here. It’s not right. And after everything you’ve done to help me pursue my dreams, how can I ask you to give up yours and stay? That’s not right either.” I don’t understand what’s happening here. I’m just starting to learn to trust that little voice that guides me—to listen to it over the doubt that creeps in. Why do I get a different answer than Paige?
Paige moves closer, her eyes searching mine. “Then what do we do?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I kiss her temple and breathe in her scent. I don’t know what the future will bring, and facing the unknown is harder than I thought it would be. “We have the best Christmas of our lives. And then... then we follow our hearts.
The feeling of her in my arms is both comforting and bittersweet. Part of me wants to hold on and never let go. “Who knows what God has in store for us? By the time you get back, I might be a world-famous artist,” I add with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Paige looks up at me, a mix of love and pride in her eyes. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you were, Noah Montgomery.”
We stand there for a long moment, holding each other. The sound of cheers and the marching band warn us that the parade is about to begin.
“We should go,” I say finally, pulling back slightly. “They’ll be wondering where we are.”
Paige nods, but before she can step away, I lean in and kiss her. It’s a kiss full of promise and longing, of the bittersweet knowledge of our limited time together and the hope for what might come after. When we part, Paige’s eyes are shining.
“Come on,” I say, taking her hand. “Let’s go see this parade we’ve worked so hard on.”
Families line the sidewalks, children bouncing with anticipation. The air is filled with the scent of hot chocolate and the sound of Christmas music blaring from trumpets and trombones.
Paige and I make our way to our designated spot at the head of the parade. As we wait for the signal to start, I look at the woman beside me, her face aglow with the twinkling lights and the joy of the moment. In a few short days, she’ll be gone, off on her next big adventure. The thought sends a pang through my heart, but it’s tempered by pride and love.
“Ready?” I ask, squeezing her hand.
Paige looks up at me, her smile radiant. “Ready,” she confirms.
We lift our hands together and drop them. The first line of kids in the marching band lifts their right feet in unison and starts off.
The parade, with all its lights and music and joy, feels like a celebration not just of Christmas, but of growth, of love, of the endless possibilities that lie ahead. And as we make our way through the streets of Benton Falls, I hold on to the hope that this is just the beginning of our story, not the end.
Twenty-One
NOAH
“Food delivery for the parade crew.”
I look up to see Will making his way through the chaos, his arms laden with bags from the Fire Station Sub Shop. Despite my conflicted emotions over Paige leaving and the success of the parade, I can’t help but smile at the sight of him. There’s something about Will’s insistent friendship that’s hard to resist.
“Will,” Paige exclaims, hurrying over to relieve him of some of the bags. “You’re a lifesaver. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until just now.”
Will grins, his eyes twinkling. “Happy to help. Can’t have our parade organizers hangry.”
As we stand around, unwrapping the subs and eating heartily, I study Will. There’s something about him, a kind of wisdom that seems at odds with his youthful appearance. I wouldn’t have noticed it before, but I’m thinking of drawing him, and things like that pop out at me when I’m considering a person. “Hey Will, can I ask you something?” He’s had good advice for me before, maybe he’ll have an answer to our question now.
He turns away from the parade and gives me his full attention. “What’s on your mind?”
I take a deep breath, acutely aware of Paige’s presence beside me and that I’m about to talk about something that’s private between us. I hope she’s not upset with me. “You’re a religious sort, right? Why do two people get different answers to the same question, and both of them feel right?”
Will’s expression becomes serious.”You’re not getting different answers.” He looks back and forth between us, and I get the sense that he knows more about what’s happening here than he lets on. “You’re only getting an answer for yourself. Both of you have to follow your hearts.”
I don’t like that answer at all. “How can her path be the right one if it takes her away from me?” I ask. My voice snags on the emotion I’m trying to keep under wraps. The queen float goes by, and the girls, in their sparkling dresses, all wave at us. We wave back and then turn back to our conversation.
Will’s eyes meet mine, filled with a compassion that makes my chest ache. “Have you asked God to make it possible for you to go?”
His question hangs in the air between us, heavy with implication. I feel Paige’s hand slip into mine, a gesture of support and understanding that nearly undoes me.
“I don’t see how He can,” I say, grasping at the practicalities that have anchored me for so long. “It’s impossible.”
