Dear Ethan: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 34: Christmas Eve

[Iris - Goo Goo Dolls]

*Jodie*

We had gone out to get decorations since Ethan didn't have any. It had finally snowed the other day and the newscasters were expecting a snowstorm to hit the city tonight. Luckily we would be sequestered inside. 

Ethan had turned on the electric fireplace and it crackled as the TV above it played some Christmas tunes. He showed me how to sync up the flames with music and I shook my head laughing. He loved gadgets like that.

The tree we bought took time to assemble but when we had it up, we spent the whole day decorating it, adding a charm here and there. A ballerina mouse. A toy truck. Ethan lifted me so I could tack on the star at the top, gritting my teeth. His hands gripped my thighs tightly as I secured it on the top branch triumphantly.

"I picked these up," Ethan said, handing me a white and red knit stocking. He had bought two that we could hang over the fireplace. My heart warmed. We never had stockings growing up. We hung them up and stood back to look at them. Ethan bent down to kiss my forehead.

Was this what it felt like? To be this happy? It felt almost wrong. Here we were having the time of our lives in our own little snow globe world.

Ethan's family wanted to come but measures were still in place and Landon didn't answer my last few calls. I invited Sam to come but she drove to Jolene last night to see her parents for a few days.

My heart hammered as I stared at his face, caressing his cheek. He bent his head down like he was going for a kiss but instead, he stuck out his tongue and licked my face, making me shriek as he shook laughing.

And this was it. The messy love that I thought I never deserved. When you laughed so hard with someone that you had mascara all over your face and it hurt to breathe.

I busied myself in the kitchen, swatting Ethan with a spatula when he hovered over the cake batter.

I had made too much food but it was Christmas and I wanted the dining table decked out like it belonged on the cover of a food magazine. 

Poinsettia flowers and Christmas garlands winding its way around the table filled with roasted veggies, maple glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, and sparkling grape juice. It was a feast for the eyes.

An hour later my phone rang as I added the finishing touches to the Christmas cake. Without Sam to rely on I had to focus extra hard on getting the decorations right. I set the piping bag aside. Landon's name flashed on the screen.

I called him back, putting him on speakerphone. Perhaps he had a change of heart and decided to spend the holidays with us. Asking him was a long shot but he had been feeling down since losing his job and I didn't want him to be alone. The call went to his voicemail. I hung up, not bothering to leave a message.

He was probably busy. I would try again later.

Ethan came into the kitchen smiling, his hair wet from showering. He wrapped his arms behind me and I relaxed, leaning into him and his warmth. "Can I help you set the table?" He murmured into my hair, dropping a kiss on my ear. I bit my lip, feeling his hands wander down.

"Yes but try this first." I carefully ladled out a spoonful and watched his eyes light up, looking stunned. "Wow, it tastes just like how my mom used to make it." I grinned.

"It's your mom's recipe." His eyes bugged.

"No way, she gave it to you?" I shrugged nonchalantly, going back to stirring. He chuckled before squeezing me from behind.