Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Sixteen - Cold Christmas

The following weeks were perfect, a seamless blend of work, friends, and the comforting routine Kyra and I had built together. We spent time with our friends before they parted ways for the Winter WSL Break, everyone dispersing to different corners of the globe. 

Kyra and I toyed with the idea of going to Australia to visit her family, but the quick turnaround made it impractical and Kyra was worried about me going back so soon. Instead, we decided that a Christmas just for the two of us would be perfect.

As winter settled in, work slowed down. My shifts came few and far between, allowing me more time to spend with Kyra. When the last game before Christmas came and went, I finally had Kyra's undivided attention. It completely threw off my routine. 

She was constantly on the go, waking up first thing in the morning and dragging me out of bed to join her.

Just two days before Christmas, most of our friends had already travelled home, some all the way Steph, Caitlin and Katie to Australia, others scattered around England and Europe.

Like clockwork, Kyra would snuggle into me around 7am, waking me slowly. 

As soon as I murmured, "Good morning," she would whine until I finally dragged myself out of bed.

Emerging from the bedroom, I found Kyra energetically dancing around the kitchen, making us both coffee while soft music played in the background. I wandered over, slipping quietly behind her and wrapping my arms around her. She swayed back and forth as she finished the last flat white. I held up my coffee to meet my eye and let go, taking the cup from her hands. 

I sat at the dining table, bringing one knee to my chest as I took the first sip of my coffee. Kyra started clearing up, then leant on the kitchen bench facing me.

"So, what do you feel like doing today? I think it's time we go outside" she said with a smile.

I smiled, resting my chin on my knee. "I don't mind," I exhaled.

She crossed her arms, her coffee still gripped in her hand. "Do you ever make decisions?"

I shook my head. "Too much brain work. I just like going along for the ride."

She shook her head, chuckling. She slipped her phone from her pocket and started to scroll. For a few moments, we sat in silence, me just focusing on the coffee in my hand. 

She finally put down her phone and scoffed, "I know what we're doing."

I immediately looked up, "Where?" intrigued by her answer. 

"Nope, you don't get to know," she said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, scoffing in a high-pitched, whiny voice, mimicking myself, "I'll just go along for the ride then."

She smiled, giving me no time to protest. I rushed through the shower and changed quickly. 

Before I knew it, we were in her car, driving to a mystery location. Just twenty short minutes later, I glanced out the window after Kyra snuck a cheeky grin. Warner Bros Studio Tour.

"You're kidding me," I gushed.

She shook her head. "Now you can shut up about Harry Potter and shit."

I laughed, bringing my hands to my face and covering my gleaming smile. 

The studio tour was more than I had ever imagined. We walked through the Great Hall, saw the Gryffindor common room, and Diagon Alley. I tortured Kyra with picture after picture on Platform 9 and 3/4 and we tried Butterbeer for the first time. Honestly not that great.