When Snowflakes Fall | Completed

Chapter 11 | Golden Glow

BEXLEY TURNER

"NASH, LET'S GO!" I shout as I put on my winter boots, black timberlands. Nash runs to me, dressed in his matching timberlands and winter coat. He places his iPad on the small table that sits near the front door before grabbing my hand. My hands grip the cold metal of the doorknob and I twist it before pulling it open. When I pull the door open, the icy, winter air hits me, and my eyes land on Hayden's black, Ford F-150 that's parked in the driveway.

Deep breath, Bexley. It's just Hayden, your ex that you still care for. Shit.

Snowflakes fall around Nash and I when we step out of the house and onto the cement walkway that a thin layer of snow is covering, the porch light glowing on us while we're surrounded by the darkness of a winter evening. I walk over to Hayden's truck before opening the door that leads to the back seat and helping Nash into the truck. When I finish buckling Nash into his booster seat, I close the door and walk to the other side of the truck and climb into the passenger seat.

"Hey," I greet Hayden, a nervous smile formed on my lips.

"Hey," he responds, grinning at me before looking in the backseat where Nash is looking out the window. "Would you like to stop for cocoa before we go see the lights?" He asks me, quiet enough so Nash can't hear.

"Cocoa does sound amazing right now," I grin and nod. "Let's do it."

With that being said, Hayden backs out of the driveway and turns onto the street, driving towards Moe's, the local cafe that is open for twenty-four hours every day. About ten minutes later, Hayden is pulling into the cafe parking lot and parking in an empty spot.

"Here we are," Hayden says after he puts the truck in park and pulls his keys out of the ignition.

"It's busy, isn't it?" I ask, mumbling to myself while I look at the crowds of people that are walking into Moe's or leaving. "It's been so long since I've been here."

"Remember when we came here on our first date?" Hayden smiles at me, his eyes holding familiar emotions as we reminisce in old memories.

"I do. You were so nervous, couldn't stop blushing when I would smile at you," I respond, the memories faint, but familiar.

"2011, the year I asked you to prom and had our first kiss," Hayden adds and then clears his throat, his smile dropping a little. "We should go in."

"Yeah," I agree with a nod before opening the passenger side door. My boots make contact with the pavement of the parking lot, a very thin layer of snow covering it. It stopped snowing a few minutes ago, but it's still cold out.

My hands pull on the handle of Hayden's truck, opening the back door and revealing Nash, who smiles at me when he sees me. I unbuckle him from his booster seat and help him out of the somewhat tall truck.

"Mama, where are we?" Nash asks me and places his small hand in mine when we cross the parking lot, Hayden trailing next to us.

"We're getting cocoa, darling," I answer his question and smile at Hayden when he opens the cafe door for Nash and I. "Thank you."

"I want marshmallows with mine!" Nash shouts with excitement and I place my hand over his mouth when customers in the cafe look at us. Thanks, kid.

"Then you can have marshmallows."

"Hey, mister, why are you following us?" Nash asks Hayden in confusion and I stifle a laugh.

"I, uh, I'm a friend of your mothers," Hayden responds, crouching down to his height when we stand in line. "We're going to see the Christmas lights together."

"Oh, are you getting cocoa too?"

"I am," Hayden grins at him and I watch their encounter with a large smile, my stomach blossoming with love for both of them.

❄︎

Bright lights shine in my eyes, twinkling and glimmering with a golden glow. Nash holds my hand as we walk towards the park that's full of beautiful lights and a few people. Hayden walks with us, standing next to Nash, Nash standing in the middle of both Hayden and I. My free hand clutches a warm coffee cup, full of hot cocoa with the Moe's logo on it.

"They're so sparkly," Nash says in awe while we walk through the park, glancing at the many Christmas lights that hang on trees, streetlights, and the railings of stairs.

"When are we going to tell him?" Hayden asks me as we watch Nash point at the Christmas lights.

"In a little bit, let's let him enjoy the lights first," I answer his question and he nods.

"Mama, look at that one!" Nash shouts, his face holding excitement, his blue eyes large. I glance at the blow-up snowman he pointed at and nod.

"Wow!" I say and Nash grins.

After a while of chatting with Hayden, we find a spot near the lights and take a seat on a bench after clearing the snow off with our sleeves. Nash sits on my lap and my heart beats rapidly.

"Nash, do you remember when you asked me about your dad?" I ask him and he nods.

"Yes, mama. You said that he's on a business trip and that he can't visit because he's busy," Nash answers. Guilt forms in my stomach and I nod. My eyes find Haydens and he nods at me, his eyes forgiving me.

"Well, would you like to meet your father?"

"I already did," he answers in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"Hayden is my dad, isn't he?" Nash asks and my eyes go wide.

"He is, but how did you know that?"

"I heard you and Aunt Chrissy talking one morning."

Well, shit.

"That's uh, that's nice. Wh-"

"Can I call him dad now?" Nash cuts me off and looks at Hayden then back at me with a grin.

"That's up to Hayden, darling," I respond and glance at Hayden, who has a large smile on his face, the tip of his nose pink from the cold air.

Nash turns to Hayden. "Can I call you dad?"

Hayden smiles at him. "Of course. I'd love it if you called me dad."

My heart skips a beat in my chest when Nash crawls out of my lap and hugs Hayden. "You two are going to make me cry," I mumble with a sniffle.

I should've never left him. I should have told him, but all I can do now is make up for leaving Oregon and him behind. I'm never leaving again. The only way I'd leave to go back to California is if Hayden came with Nash and I and that's final.

Thanks for reading!