𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗔 ↝︎ ᵍʳᵃʰᵃᵐ ᵈᵘⁿⁿᵉ

𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣, 𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙮 𝙟𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨

track 3: someone saved my life tonight

BLAIRE: I never enjoyed any holidays after Eva passed away. Hell, I didn't enjoy any normal days without her, but that Christmas — it was different.

"Where are we going?" Blaire asked as she sat in the passenger seat of the van. Graham had one hand on the steering wheel, stealing quick glances each time they came to a stoplight. Determined to keep the secret, Graham kept his mouth shut. "Aw, come on. I don't even get a hint?"

"Nope." He shook his head.

"Just so you know, I'll be pissed if you murder me." Blaire reminded, arms crossed. "I'll haunt you and drive you insane by making sure your pillow is never cold on both sides."

"Just so you know, I wouldn't dream of doing that," Graham commented as he pulled into their final destination, parking the car with ease. "Julia would miss you."

He left out the part where he would miss her too. He had a habit of doing that — a routine of never declaring everything he wanted to. Thoughts of Blaire simply piled up in his head, waiting for the day the dam would break.

"I just know I'm her favorite." Blaire joked.

"Woah, woah, woah." Graham halted. "I'm her uncle. I'm supposed to be the favorite."

"Just watch. When we get back, we'll see who she will wanna hug first, deal? The winner will be declared Julie's favorite person, other than her parents, of course." Blaire said, holding out her hand.

Graham glanced down at her extended hand before glimpsing back at her brown eyes. Part of him craved to bring up a ridiculous solution — that solution being that they date and make her Julia's official aunt, thus, making the pair her favorite aunt and uncle. It was a win-win. He would get the woman of his dreams, and she could remain one of Julia's favorite people. Of course, he wasn't going to mention his unreasonable plan, resorting to shaking her hand. "Deal."

With smiles on their faces, they exited the car, giving Blaire a clear view of their particular destination. Before she even saw it, she noticed the strong minty aroma wavering in the air.

Christmas trees.

"No way," she said, glimpsing at the man beside her as she remained glued to the ground.

Wearing one of his stupid butterfly-inducing smiles, he said, "Come on. You gotta pick the best Christmas tree before someone takes it."

Having never owned a Christmas tree before, thanks to her parents, excitement trumpeted in Blaire's chest. She couldn't help but bring him into an embrace. As always, he didn't fight it, relishing the feeling he got when he was around her.

Looking up, she was baffled to already see his gaze meeting hers, his hands perfectly placed on her waist. Despite the exhilaration striking her like an intense bolt of luminous lightening at the thought of a promising Christmas, she spotted the way Graham's eyes flickered to her lips, anticipation rising.

Silence cloaked the pair, almost as if they were waiting for the other to make the first move, their brains failing to assemble any thoughts. There was an everlasting shock coursing through their veins, one that incited a glint to spark in their eyes and make the intimate situation arise a burning feeling in their hearts.

Graham inspected her beauty — the beauty that he admired each time she strummed a guitar or did the most common task. He couldn't believe he was so, so close to her lips, something he had only achieved in his wildest fantasies.

Oblivious to the way she had him hooked and yearning, Blaire ignored the tugging in her heart and looked back down. Before separating from the hug, she smiled, making Graham's chance to make all his dreams come true slip away.