Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 49: Christmas and New Years Eve

Jade's POV

Christmas morning arrived just a few days after our cozy game night, and Telluride was something out of a dream. Snow blanketed the landscape, untouched and glistening in the early light, as if the world itself had paused to celebrate. The cabin felt impossibly cozy, the fire already roaring in the hearth, and the faint scent of pine mingling with freshly brewed coffee and something sweet baking in the oven. Our private chef had outdone himself.

I padded out of the bedroom, bundled in Nick's oversized sweater and thick socks, to find him already awake, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the tree. He was grinning, his hair a wild mess, and his hands busy rummaging through a gift bag.

"Merry Christmas, love," he said, looking up at me with a boyish smile that made my heart squeeze.

"Merry Christmas," I replied, crossing the room to sit beside him. "You're like a kid right now. What's in the bag?"

He waggled his eyebrows, holding the bag just out of my reach. "Ah, ah. You'll see. But first"—he gestured to the pile of presents under the tree—"you've got a few things to open."

The two of us sat there for the next hour, taking turns unwrapping gifts, laughter spilling freely as we teased each other about our choices. I'd gotten him a limited-edition watch he'd casually mentioned wanting months ago, and the look on his face when he opened it was worth every penny.

"You remembered," he said, fastening it around his wrist. "Bloody hell, it's perfect. Thank you, Jade."

"Of course I remembered," I said, smiling. "I always remember the important things."

His grin softened, and he leaned over to kiss me, a slow, lingering kiss that left me breathless. "Your turn," he murmured, handing me a small, neatly wrapped box.

Inside, I found a delicate necklace—a gold chain with a small star pendant, simple but stunning. "Nick," I breathed, holding it up to the light. "It's beautiful."

"I thought it was fitting," he said, his voice low. "You're my star, after all."

My cheeks flushed, and I leaned into him, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "I love it. Thank you."

After breakfast—a decadent spread of pastries, scrambled eggs, and bacon—we decided to spend the day sledding on the trails outside the cabin. The chef had packed us a thermos of hot cocoa, complete with tiny marshmallows, and the crisp mountain air was invigorating as we trudged up the hill, sleds in hand.

"You do realize you're going to eat snow, right?" I teased as Nick set his sled at the top of the slope, eyeing it like it was a race car.

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "We'll see about that, Collins. Prepare to lose."

"You're way too cocky for someone who couldn't even beat me at rummy a few nights ago."

He grinned, shaking his head. "This is different. Sledding's about bravery, and I'm bloody fearless."

Before I could retort, he flopped onto his sled and took off down the hill, a trail of laughter in his wake. I followed seconds later, the rush of cold air stinging my cheeks as I raced after him, yelling at him to move out of the way.

At the bottom, he was waiting for me, lying in the snow with his arms crossed behind his head. "Took you long enough."

I flung a handful of snow at him, laughing when it hit him square in the chest. "You're impossible."

Dinner was a feast. Our chef had prepared a roasted turkey with all the trimmings—mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and buttery rolls. The table was set with candles and a centerpiece of fresh pine and red berries, the scene straight out of a holiday movie.

We ate slowly, savoring every bite, and Nick insisted on pouring us glasses of a rich red wine he claimed was perfect for the occasion. As we talked, I couldn't help but marvel at how easy everything felt. No pressure, no stress, just us.

"To us," he said, lifting his glass in a toast. "And to many more Christmases like this."

"To us," I echoed, clinking my glass against his.

The week between Christmas and New Year's flew by in a blur of snowball fights, late-night hot tub sessions, and lazy mornings spent in bed. Before we knew it, New Year's Eve had arrived, and the cabin felt charged with a quiet anticipation.

We started the evening with a decadent dinner, the table set with champagne flutes and a dessert that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Afterward, we curled up on the couch under a thick blanket, the fire casting flickering shadows on the walls.

"So," Nick said, setting his champagne flute on the coffee table and turning to me. "What's your resolution for the new year?"

I thought for a moment, my fingers toying with the star pendant around my neck. "To live more in the moment," I said finally. "To stop worrying about what's next and just... enjoy what's right in front of me."

His smile softened, his gaze steady as he reached for my hand. "That's a good one," he said. "Mine's simple."

"Oh? What is it?"

His thumb brushed over my knuckles, his voice quieter now. "To make you happy. Every day."

I blinked, my breath catching at the sincerity in his voice. "Nick..."

"I mean it," he said, meeting my gaze. "I know how much pain I caused you—how much I hurt you when I... when I messed everything up. It kills me to think about it. And I know I can't undo it, but I can make up for it. Every single day. That's my resolution."

Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at him, my heart aching in the best way. "You've already done so much," I whispered. "You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be. It's all in the past now."

He shook his head, his hand tightening around mine. "I've still got more to prove. But I'll spend this year—and every year after—making sure you never doubt how much I love you."

The clock struck midnight, and the sound of fireworks echoed faintly in the distance. Nick leaned in, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss that was slow, deep, and full of promises.

"Happy New Year, love," he murmured.

"Happy New Year," I whispered back, my heart full to bursting.

As we sat there in the glow of the fire, his arms around me and the snow still falling outside, I couldn't imagine a better way to start the year.