Little Green Apples (Ivan×OC)

Chapter 6

Her first year had come and gone in the blink of an eye. It was now the winter of the year after she arrived, and the land was covered under a blanket of snow.

She watched as Gunnar made snowmen and Khalid grumble about how anyone could find pleasure in being freezing cold. She had gotten the chance to visit her parents a few times, but hadn't seen them in a couple months; they didn't even recognize who she was. 

Ivan was in his office seeing to some paperwork, periodically watching out the window to keep an eye on them. He noticed the two men being themselves, but Jessica looked as if she was in a trance looking at the scenery. He finished his work and descended to the courtyard and took a seat beside her, wondering what she was so absorbed in… He loved the church grounds and countryside in the summer and fall, but in winter it was barren, white, and gray. 

"See something interesting out there?", he quipped.

"Not necessarily. I've never seen so much wide open space before. Being in Copenhagen most of my life, I'm used to crowded dirty wet streets full of people yelling and street vendors trying to sell cheap, gaudy trinkets for Christmas. It's so quiet and free out here," she told him. 

He couldn't help but notice how her blue eyes sparkled with happiness as she explained why she was so enthused about spending winter in the country. She was quite enchanting, this little lady who came to him a year ago. He felt a warmth in his chest when he saw her smile.

She noticed a change in his expression as he was looking at her, and it gave her butterflies. They sat staring at each other for a moment then turned away awkwardly, both feeling heat slowly rise to their faces. 

"I've arranged a special dinner for tonight. I hope you're all good with baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet potato pie for dessert." 

Ivan gave her an incredulous look. 

"How could you have possibly had time to prepare all that? You've been out here for several hours!," he exclaimed. 

"I haven't been out here all day… I was inside and got bored, so I put in a ham in the oven and had the ingredients for the sides sitting out. I should actually probably go and  check on everything. But not before I get to take advantage of having nice fluffy snow on the ground…"

She paused, spread out her arms, fell backward into the thickest part of the snow, and started to make a snow angel. Her FIRST snow angel. It was pure bliss! 

She could feel snow seep into her coat through the arms, but she couldn't care less. When it went down into her pants though, that was a different story. She immediately hopped up off the ground and started dancing around in a panic. 

"... What are you doing?", Ivan asked, obviously confused.

"Snow- ugh -down… pants- ugh, COLD!", she gasped while laughing.

Ivan soon joined in laughing as did the others as she ran into the kitchen and stood with her back to the oven. A few moments later, the others walked in to check on her.

"I hope that's helping. I imagine a cold ass isn't the most pleasant thing in the world," Gunnar commented.

Ivan put the back of his hand over his mouth, obviously trying to hide a grin. She looked down then back up at the group.

"Yes, Gunnar, it definitely helps… Now to check on that ham!", she exclaimed, trying to quickly change the subject.

Thankfully, it was almost done, so she had cooking to distract her from her embarrassment.

Business as usual. Ivan giving the prayer, Gunnar and Khalid being... them, and Ivan and Jessica mainly talking amongst themselves. 

"Maybe when spring comes we can all plan a camping trip!," Gunnar suggested.