Guarded Hearts

fuck Belly, you feel so good

After clearing up the wrapping paper after our present exchange, I felt the need to reach out to my dad and sister, wishing them a Merry Christmas and letting them know that I was thinking of them. I dialed my dad's number and waited as it rang.

"Hey, Mabel! Merry Christmas!" my dad's warm voice greeted me.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," I replied, a hint of sadness in my voice. "I just wanted to say that it's tough having our first Christmas without Mom. But we'll raise a glass to her tonight and keep her memory alive."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before my dad cleared his throat. "She's with us in spirit, Mabel," he said gently. "We miss her too, but we're going to cherish the moments we have together. Stay strong, my dear."

"I will, Dad," I replied, trying to steady my voice. "Give my love to Amelia. I'll see you both soon."

After bidding farewell to my dad, I returned to Kai, finding him waiting by the cabin's entrance. Without exchanging a word, we set off on a leisurely stroll through the woods. The crisp winter air brushed against our cheeks, and a sense of tranquility settled over us.

As we wandered, hand in hand, through nature's embrace, we found ourselves drawn back to the cabin. Kai's eyes lit up with an idea as he gathered some firewood, his hands skillfully arranging the logs in the fire pit.

With the fire crackling and casting a warm glow, we sat side by side, toasting marshmallows over the dancing flames. The sweet aroma of melting chocolate and toasty marshmallows filled the air, mingling with the scent of pine and wood smoke.

We laughed and savored our gooey, delicious creations, enjoying each other's company under the starlit sky. The crackling fire mirrored the warmth we felt in our hearts, filling the afternoon with a sense of comfort and love.

As we gazed into the flickering flames, I leaned my head against Kai's shoulder, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the moments we shared together. The memories of my mother and the bittersweetness of this first Christmas without her lingered in my heart, but being with Kai brought solace and joy.

"Here's to our love and the memories we're creating," Kai said softly, raising his marshmallow-topped stick as if proposing a toast.

I smiled, mirroring his gesture and tapping my stick against his. "To the past, the present, and the future," I added, my voice filled with warmth.

We clinked our makeshift toast together, the moment filling the air with a sense of hope and resilience.

With the crackling fire as our backdrop, we savored the sweetness of the smores, our hearts intertwining with the flickering flames. This Christmas, though tinged with the ache of loss, was also a testament to the strength of love and the power of forging new memories.

As we sat there, beneath the grey sky, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settling over me.

After a period of time, sat in comfortable silence, Kai turned to me noticing I was shivering from the cold.

"Let's head inside," He suggested, gently tugging me towards the warmth of the cabin. "You look cold, and I think we could both use a little heat."

I nodded, and Kai put out the fire. We then made our way back into the cosy cabin.

Kai's voice broke the peaceful silence as he leaned in close, his warm breath tickling my ear. "You know, we could warm up even more with a nice, steamy shower," he suggested playfully, his voice laced with a hint of mischief.

Blushing, I nodded in agreement with Kai's suggestion. "Yeah, a warm shower sounds nice," I replied, my cheeks probably even redder than before.

Kai guided me into the bathroom, his touch gentle yet filled with anticipation. He adjusted the water temperature, ensuring it was just right, before inviting me to step in first. Hesitant but eager, I stepped under the spray of warm water, feeling its soothing touch on my chilled skin.