A Christmas Chance.

Chapter 25

Marshmallows, Corals, and Gifts

One year later

Alexa relaxed as a warm body pressed into hers and she nestled into it and sigh in contentment.

Merry Christmas from all of us here in Mistle. May you find hope, peace, joy, and love as the year unfolds. And if ever you need a place to mend stop by we have an angel fit just for you.

She pushed the marshmallow closer to the fireplace as Sheldon came to sit behind her on the blanket they had spread out before the marble hearth gaily decorated and hung with stockings.

She looked around the living room of their home filled with all the warmth of Christmas displayed in all the splendor that such a time as this brings. It filled her with an overwhelming sense of love.

Today marks a year since she has been given the best chance of her life. A chance at true love. She smiled as she nestled closer into Sheldon's chest and turned the skewer with the marshmallow. Her smile broadened as he pushed aside her golden mane which he liked to have her wear loose and kiss the exposed spot on her neck above her collar bone.

The Sheldon she knew back when she came to Mistle was long gone. No more Scrooge and definitely no longer the Grinch either. The brokenness was mended and restoration blossomed into peace, love, and happiness.

It was great to see how much they have accomplished from the changes that were made when she received the stone from the Angel that gave her the best chance she was ever given. A chance at true love.

Now here they were on Christmas eve a year later with so many things to give thanks for. She handed Sheldon the skewer and let her mind drift to the many blessings that they have been fortunate to have in the passing months.

Sheila and Maleek were now happily married for the past month, they tied the knot a few weeks after he graduated. Elizabeth was now a proud great grandmother as Ray who is now expecting to get married on the 1st of January had the chance to find himself getting a bit of the Christmas spirit that led him down a path that was filled with his bit of celestial governance.

Big Al was now doting on his rival, a new lady in town who now operates her store right in front of his.

She found herself in a beautiful family that filled the void that separated her from her parents. Sheldon's uncles, their wives, and their children as well as grandchildren made her life fill with joy and happiness, and with her sister Nicholas and Angelica now a part of it all she could not ask for me.

As Natalie Cole's Merry Christmas To You played softly in the background, the fire crackles in the fireplace, and the snow fell gently outside the window whose drape was drawn to shown the relatively decorated lawn she let her mind wander to her other gift the Angel's Cafe where every day it brought nothing but the best memories that she stored in her heart.

Life took her to Mistle and it kept her there and kept on making her life here worthwhile. How happy she was words could not begin to express and more do as her eyes drift to the clock that was about to tick midnight. Her eyes sparkled as she watched the hands meet as one on the twelve.

Merry Christmas she whispered as she thought about all the dear people of Mistle that were nothing less than family. In a few hours, most of those people would be meeting up at the Cafe where it's been decided all their Christmas would be spent with all the people who made life here meaningful.

Bertha was the most excited of them all as she got to turn the kitchen into a Christmas culinary arts of traditional delicacies that were to brag about. The guests who were there for whatever reasons would leave knowing that for Mistle it was all about Angels and the most wonderful time of the year.

"Time to open your present," she heard Sheldon said, taking her hand and pulling her up before leading her to the Christmas Tree where presents sat waiting to be opened by their relatives that were nestled in various rooms upstairs.

The couple by the tree both clad in matching pajamas decorated with Christmas replicas smiled in excitement as they both reached for the one gift they are allowed to open before they all join in with the rest of the family to open gifts later in the morning.

Sheldon reached down, took a gold box, and gave it to her as she in return took a silver one tied with a silk ribbon of pink and blue. On a count of three, they both opened their gifts. In Alexa's box was her DIY necklace now made into a more refined and stylish one. The stone was now a pendant encased in an intricate case of gold wiring while the chain was fine links of real gold.

She kissed him with gratitude and love as she felt her heart filled with joy. This was the start of her dreams coming real.

However, it was her gift to Sheldon that stood out most. In his box was a card that confirmed that he was to be a father. When he read what was written there then looked back at her Alexa knew that their life was truly now complete.

"Merry Christmas Mr. McIntosh," she whispered as her heart soared with happiness.

"Merry Christmas Mrs. McIntosh," he said before pulling her into his arms for a kiss that bespoke his love, his gratitude, and his happiness.

Nothing happens before its time and here in Mistle, the timing was ever perfect. Alexa and Sheldon could attest to this fact and so too can many of the people who came to Mistle and made it a part of their lives in some way or the other.

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Merry Christmas from everyone in Mistle. May you find hope, peace, joy, and love as the year unfolds. And if ever you need a place to mend stop on by there is an angel just for you.