Lilly & Leclerc ~ [CL 16]

30.2. December

A short 2nd half of this weekends chapter! Hope it's worth the wait 🥰

"You're going to love the chalet." Charles urges for about the tenth time as we pull onto a small snow-cleared road.

The almost two hour drive to the resort we were staying on had breezed by after I forced Charles to take me to McDonald's for food on the way. I fed him fries and nuggets over in the centre console between giggles and bites of my own veggie burger. When that was over we hummed along to Christmas songs with Charles belting out an impressive rendition of Last Christmas. The enthusiasm of his singing had me red in the face with laughter, especially when I attempted to join in at the chorus before promptly 'shush'ed by Charles. I couldn't help but double over when Charles looked to me with the most serious expression I've ever seen on him, and said 'You just can't hold the notes Lill'.

The rest of our journey had been spent mostly with me open mouthed looking out the window at the stunning views. For much of the drive mountains surrounded us and as we dove deeper into the Dolomites snow covered an increasing amount of them. It looked like something from a painting. The sky turned from bright clear blue to candifloss pink and finally settling on the deep purple of twilight, as if the bright snow is fighting the darkness.

"You're here, so I know I'll love it." I coo reaching for Charles' arm and giving it a soft squeeze as he turns the steering wheel. He cringes at my words then grins. "I hate myself for saying that too, don't worry." I add with a small laugh. Charles looks relieved before he laughs away my words too. I still feel pink in the cheeks from admitting my thoughts outloud.

We pass three large chalet's covered in twinkling Christmas lights before we slow a little further. Then I see it, just around the corner from the other smaller chalet's we'd passed was a large one, maybe that's an understatement. The place is huge! At least twice as wide as the others we passed with a driveway to match. The whole place is practically illuminated with small Christmas lights and the glow of a real fire which just make me want to scream at how festive it is. The snow towering on the roof, pouring down the sides and piled by either side of the wide driveway made it look like something from a cheesy hallmark movie - and I love it! "Oh my god!" I squeak, my mouth falling open for what feels like the hundredth time as I look to the building with wide eyes.

Charles cuts the engine, nodding in agreement with me before hopping from the car. He can't wipe the smile from his face and neither can I, not even when I have to drag one of my (admittedly) overpacked suitcases up the path fighting over ice to get there. Charles just laughs at my struggle, shaking his head and breezing past me and placing the first of my suitcases down on the porch and unlocking the door before coming to rescue me seconds later. He ushers me inside excitedly with happy words and my stomach feels so swirly with excitement I can't even tell him to calm down.

"Thanks, I-" my words are cut off when I see the inside of the chalet.

Cosy is the only word which could possibly be used to describe it. Warm lights illuminate the room which is filled with thick fleece blankets, a real log burning fire place and bare Christmas tree by the French doors which open out into a balcony which I just can't wait to see the view from in lighter hours. If I thought this place was like a movie set before, it has nothing on now.

"Told you." Charles coo's sounding proud from beside me. I can't help but gape a little at the surroundings, feeling a little overwhelmed by the beauty of the whole place. I knew it would be fancy, you don't have the kind of money does without everything being fancy I just didn't expect...this. "I thought we could decorate the tree tomorrow?" Charles suggests and I find myself nodding in immediate agreement. I think that if my heart could explode right now it would. Charles wraps his arms around me from behind and nuzzles his head back into my neck.