My heart racing, I scan the crowd for Paige. I need to tell her. I spot her near the center of the staging area, helping a group of children climb aboard a float decorated to look like Santa’s workshop.
I make my way toward her. As I get closer, I can see the flush of excitement on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes as she assists a little girl in an elf costume. The sight of her makes my heart swell with an emotion that nearly consumes me.
“Paige,” I call out, my voice carrying a note of urgency that makes her look up.
Her eyes meet mine, and her smile widens. She says something to the children, then makes her way toward me, concern flickering across her features as she takes in my intense expression.
“Noah? Is everything okay?” she asks as she reaches me.
Without a word, I pull her into my arms, one hand cupping her face as I bring my lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. I pour everything I’m feeling into that kiss—the joy, the relief, the excitement for the future, and the love that’s been growing in my heart since the moment she came back into my life.
Paige responds with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around my neck as she melts into the embrace. For a moment, there’s nothing but the warmth of her body against mine, the softness of her lips, and the mingling of our breath in the cold winter air.
When we finally part, both a little breathless, Paige’s eyes are wide with surprise and something that looks a lot like hope. “Wow,” she says, a grin spreading across her face. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from a place of pure joy. “That,” I say, my voice low and intense, “was the first of many kisses we’ll share on our adventure. Paige, I’m going with you.”
Paige just stares at me, her mouth slightly open. Then, with a shriek of delight that turns heads all around us, she throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off balance.
“Really?” she asks, pulling back to search my face. “You’re really coming?”
I grin, shaking my head in wonder at how quickly everything has changed. “Sam’s buying the business. Can you believe it? He just offered out of the blue. It’s like... it’s like a Christmas miracle.”
Paige’s eyes fill with happy tears, and she pulls me in for another kiss. This one is softer, sweeter, but no less passionate. When we part, she rests her forehead against mine, her breath warm on my face.
“Noah,” she whispers. “I’m so happy.”
Before I can respond, before I can tell her that I’m in love with her, the sharp blast of the fire truck’s siren cuts through the air. We both jump at the sound, then burst into laughter at our startled reactions.
Sam leans out the window. “At least find some mistletoe,” he yells. The other firefighters laugh at his joke. I wave at them, not at all embarrassed.
“Come on,” I say, grabbing Paige’s hand and tugging her toward the front of the parade. “We need to be up there to direct the floats off the main route so they don’t back up.”
We hurry through the crowd. Paige’s hand is warm in mine, our fingers intertwined as if they were always meant to be that way. We’re moving faster than the floats that crawl along and toss candy. Paige is stopped and interviewed for the local paper. I just grin behind her. As we reach the front of the parade, I can’t stop grinning, feeling like my face might split in two from the sheer joy of it all.
Paige and I work in perfect sync, directing the floats off different side streets and keeping everything running smoothly. Every now and then, our eyes meet, and we share a smile. The air nips at my cheeks, but I barely feel it, warmed from the inside by the glow of love and anticipation.
The last float goes by, and the crowd disperses, ready to be in their warm homes. Paige finds me and links her arm to mine.
As we walk together, I marvel at how much has changed in such a short time. Just this morning, I was weighed down by doubt and fear. Now, I feel as light as a snowflake, buoyed by love and the promise of adventures to come.
People call out to me—they wave, give a thumbs up, a shouted “Great job, Noah.” The parade, it seems, is a resounding success. While I feel a sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished, it’s overshadowed by the excitement of what’s to come.
Paige gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “Penny, for your thoughts?” she asks, her breath forming a small cloud in the night air.
I smile down at her, marveling at how right it feels to be with her. “Just thinking about how much has changed. How much is going to change? It’s exciting.”
“And now you’re about to see just how big the world really is,” Paige says, her voice warm with promise.
Her words chase away the last lingering doubts. She’s right, of course. This isn’t an ending, it’s a beginning. And Benton Falls, with its familiar streets and friendly faces, will always be here.
“We should celebrate,” Paige says suddenly, her voice brimming with excitement. “After the parade. Just you and me. What do you say?”
The idea sends a thrill through me. “Absolutely,” I agree. “Did you have something in mind?”
Paige’s eyes twinkle mischievously. “Leave it to me. I know just the thing.”
Paige and I help with some of the clean-up. The adrenaline of the day is starting to wear off, leaving me with a pleasant tiredness and a sense of accomplishment.
