Under the Mistletoe {Niall Horan Christmas Story}

Chapter 4 -- Winter Wonderland

December 24th, 2012

3:18 pm

New York, New York

"Happy Birthday, Lou!" I chimed into the speaker, Stephanie smiling beside me.

"Thanks, man!" he called back, the phone making him sound slightly muffled. "Where are you, by the way? Liam told me your flight got canceled.."

"I'm in New York," I explained as I reflected on how my situation got ten times better within a few days. One moment I was crying over not being able to fly to Mullingar, and the next, I'm giving this girl I just met the best Christmas ever. Safe to say, a major turn of events.

"New York?!" said Louis, sorrow ringing in  his voice. "But.. all alone on Christmas? Niall, man, I'm sorry!"

I chuckled at his comment, my eyes flitting to Stephanie, who smirked a little. "Well.. I wouldn't say I'm all alone." I shot a wink at Stephanie, who's cheeks turned rose in response.

"What? Who're you with?" inquired Louis from the other line.

"Louis, meet Stephanie," I grinned into the speaker, tossing the phone to Stephanie, who clumsily caught it.

"Um, hi!" she chimed merrily into the phone.

"Hi, love. May I ask.. um, who are you?" Stephanie explained everything that had happened since the airport, until now. (Though she strategically left out the part where we crowned the cutest couple of the ice rink). "Aha, I see - what? Coming, Eleanor! Sorry guys, her royal highness calls --" We heard a faint chuckle and an 'I heard that!' in the background before Louis laughed into the phone, "Merry Christmas Niall, and er, Stephanie! Talk later!" With that, the call ended and I hastily shoved my phone back into my chino's pocket.

I clapped my hands together and cleared my throat before turning to face Stephanie. "Any plans for today?"

She shook her head and her lips pulled into a polite smile. "Nope. You?"

"Well.. I had an idea.."

December 24th, 2012

4:59 pm

New York, New York

"Niall.. I'm scared," Stephanie's voice quivered and I could tell she was feeling uneasy. I gave her hand a light squeeze and whispered,

"You'll be fine,"

We shakily stepped out of the elevator, our fingers entwined and Stephanie's grip growing stronger by the second.

"You are now on the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building! Enjoy the view," chimed the overly-enthusiastic tour guide as a fake smile plastered itself onto her face. She droned on a bit about a few 'fun' facts before letting us roam about freely on the observatory.

"I wanna go back in the elevator." stated Stephanie, fear audible in her soft voice. Without warning, my hands flew to Stephanie's eyes, as an idea suddenly struck me. "What the hell are you doing, Niall?!"

I chuckled softly before answering, "Trust me, okay?" She hesitantly nodded and allowed me to guide her with my free hand.

"Just.. one.. more.. step," I whispered softly into her ear. She nodded in response, and stepped forward. My hands unconvered her eyes unexpectedly, leaving her speechless as she stared out at what lay in front of her;

All of New York City.

Her crystal clear orbs enlarged at the structured city staring back at her. Her dreadful fear of heights seemed to vanish as she pressed her nose to the glass window for a better view.