Christmas Candy

24- Goodbye Deadwood

Harmony was glued to Jaspers hip throughout the night as they walked around saying their goodbyes to everyone. She felt sad to be leaving everyone, but she also was feeling a sense of relief. Relieved to be leaving the place that she's felt has jinxed her since she was a little girl.

Jasper and Harmony were dancing when Nick walked over to them. "Can I cut in?"

Jasper lowered his hands and stepped back with a smile. "Five minutes is all you have," he warned.

"I better make it quick then," Nick said as he stepped in front of Harmony.

"While I'm waiting for my girl to come back to my arms, I'll go talk with Celine," Jasper said as he leaned his head between Nick and Harmony, kissing her on the lips.

As Nick and Harmony danced, his eyes remained focused on her face, studying her expressions and the look in her eye. For the first time in a long time, he saw happiness in her. Her blue eyes were brighter, and they were twinkling. Her face also had a beautiful glow to it, something he hadn't seen since she was pregnant with Zoe. "You look beautiful tonight. Very beautiful..."

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself," Harmony responded with a warm smile.

"You have no idea how much I'm going to miss you."

"Yes, I do. Because I'll be missing you just as much."

"This is for the best, though. And Jasper is a wonderful guy. I couldn't have asked for a better person to come to this town and to do what he's done around here. Mainly with you. You've come a long way, and much faster than I thought it would take," he admitted.

Harmony furrowed her brows and tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

Nick didn't want to tell Harmony what he did but felt she needed to know as a friend what he did for her, with hopes she doesn't become upset with him. And storm away from him once again. He took a deep breath and tightened his arms around her. "Celine and I worked together looking for someone to come to this town to play Santa. I wanted the best Santa money could buy. One who could bring happiness, cheer, smiles, and love to this town. I also had intentions. Good intentions..." he added, not wanting to upset her for what he was about to say next.

He clasped his hands together to keep her from leaving and said, "I also wanted the Santa we were to find, to bring life back into you. For you to let go of Gabriel and to move on. And to also bring the joy of Christmas back into your life. Not only for your sake but your kids. I felt so damn bad for Amelia and Zoe that you weren't letting them experience this time of year with Santa, the celebrations, the singing, the tree, hanging ornaments, and lights, with them also them experiencing the opening of presents. Jasper didn't know our intentions when he came here." He paused, saw a little of anger in her eyes, then he nervously chuckled.

"When I tried asking him for his help with you. He almost kicked my ass in my own office."

"He should of," Harmony hissed.

"Jasper didn't like what my intentions were for bringing him here. But after our talk, I realized what kind of guy he was and that he was the perfect man for you. Jasper admitted to falling in love with you, that he was already trying to help you and that he wasn't going to force you into doing anything you didn't want to do. He also insisted I back off and let you heal on your own terms. In which I did. I sat back and watched. And what I was seeing put a smile on my face, with that smile growing wider every day. I saw you were allowing yourself to move on from the past, with me, also seeing how you were falling for Jasper. And right now, I couldn't be any prouder for where you've allowed yourself to be. Even though I just admitted to something I said I wasn't going to, I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. I didn't do this to upset you. I did this as your best friend, for you and your kids. You deserve a happy life. And damn it, I know Jasper will give you, Amelia, and Zoe a happy and wonderful life. I wish you nothing but the best. And I will ask that you don't ever forget about me."