Karera | [ Stacey x OC (F) ]

C27 - Christmas Eve pt.2

Third Person's POV

The night sky stretched above them, a blanket of stars shining down as Louise and Stacey strolled hand in hand along the beach. The gentle waves brushed against the shore, and a cool breeze rustled through, carrying the sounds of their friend's laughter from not too far away. This peaceful moment felt almost surreal, as if they were in a world all their own.

Finding a comfortable spot on the sand, they sat down, feeling the earth beneath them as they gazed out at the endless horizon. Stacey leaned her head on Louise's shoulder, savoring the quiet, the warmth, and the soft sense of belonging that settled between them. Louise took a deep breath, then gently began to comb her fingers through Stacey's hair, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Did you know," Louise began, her voice quiet and thoughtful, "that my family invited yours to celebrate tomorrow?"

Stacey looked up, a flicker of surprise lighting up her face. She didn't answer immediately, instead glancing out at the shimmering sea. After a moment, she smiled softly. "I didn't know." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But… I'd love to spend Christmas with you." Her tone held a warmth that wrapped around Louise's heart, making her feel more grounded and cherished than ever.

Louise's smile widened, and she gently leaned over to press a tender kiss to Stacey's forehead. "Minsan." she admitted, her voice laced with amazement, "Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na umabot tayo sa ganito."

Stacey chuckled softly, nudging her gently. "Pinag-dududahan mo ba commitment ko, Tuazon?"

"Not at all." Louise replied. "I just—sometimes I think back to the way we started. Like… what if wala ako noon doon, what if hindi ako nag suggest sa 'yo na mag fake relationship para lang tumigil si Donny?"

Stacey was quiet, thinking for a moment before finally speaking, "Maybe… maybe there would've been another way. Maybe nandito pa rin tayo, kagaya ngayon, kahit iba yung nangyari." She met Louise's gaze, her eyes filled with a kind of certainty that made Louise's heart skip a beat.

Louise grinned, feeling a burst of playful energy. Standing up, she walked toward the edge of the water, then bent down to scoop a handful of the cool, salty ocean and splashed it in Stacey's direction. Stacey gasped, startled, and shot Louise a glare mixed with shock and amusement. Louise's laughter rang out across the beach, echoing through the night.

"Aba! Lagot ka talaga sa 'kin!" Stacey called, her eyes alight with mischief as she bolted up from the sand. She took a step forward, aiming to return the favor, but Louise darted away, sprinting down the shore. They ran, their laughter mingling with the sound of the waves, chasing each other as the cool water sprayed up around them.

Just as Stacey was about to catch up, Louise tripped on a patch of sand and tumbled down, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. Stacey slowed down, grinning as she walked over and saw her girlfriend sprawled on the sand, still chuckling. Seizing her chance, Stacey leaned down and splashed a handful of water on Louise, her triumphant laugh filling the air.

"Oh, you think you're so clever." Louise gasped, barely able to contain her laughter.

"Absolutely." Stacey replied, her grin widening. But just as she leaned down further, her foot slipped in the sand, and she stumbled forward, falling directly onto Louise. They froze, their faces inches apart, caught in each other's gaze. The laughter faded, replaced by a quiet, heartfelt connection.