The Alternate Journey

Chapter 48

The day after their wedding was spent entirely within the confines of their suite. Though they were planning a more extensive honeymoon for the summer when they had more time, they had decided to spend a few extra days in the mountains celebrating their union. With a fire crackling inside and snow falling outside, Maddie and Bishop stayed wrapped up in each other, pulling apart really only to eat and bathe. And most of that time was spent together anyway.

On day two of their mini vacation they attempted to leave. Not wanting to waste the benefit of their prime ski in/ski out location, they bundled up and snapped on skis and made for the slopes.

They got in two and half runs before Maddie lifted her ski goggles and nodded towards their bungalow with a smug grin. "Race you to bed." Though he lost the race, when Bishop crawled into bed after her, it was clearly a win.

Day three brought sunshine and a request from Bishop that made Maddie's heart melt.

"So...I know we are scheduled to be here for two more days..." He was stretched out along the length of the bed, his head near her feet as his fingers stroked slowly up and down her calf.

"Yes," she smiled down at him as she nestled into her pillow; comfortable and blissed out. "Why? Is there somewhere else you would rather be?"

"No, no," he was quick to shake his head, his smile tipping towards sweet as he took a breath and looked up to her. "Christmas Eve is tomorrow..."

"Our first as husband and wife," she nudged him with her toe.

"I know," he nodded, moving in the bed towards her, his hands sliding up her legs. "I was just thinking...we're here in Colorado, your mother is just a few hours from us..." He shrugged and looked innocent and kind and like what she imagined a younger, childlike version of him might be. "I don't know Maddie. Maybe she shouldn't be spending Christmas alone."

"What?" Maddie's eyes blinked in surprise.

"Don't get me wrong, I love being nestled here in the mountains with you and I don't really want to leave this bed for much of anything," he leaned to kiss the small of her stomach. "But. If we leave tonight or even tomorrow morning, we can do all of it with your mother; the movie, the pancakes, the snowmen..."

"You don't want my mother to be alone for Christmas," Maddie's voice caught in her throat as she sat up, reaching to ruff up his hair.

"I don't," he shook his head. "But if I'm really honest...I haven't always had the big family Christmas and after last year...I kind of like it."

"Aw baby," Maddie's heart warmed in her chest as she smiled down at him. "You want to go have Christmas with my mother, then we'll go have Christmas with my mother."

"Yeah?" He lifted his eyebrows.

"Mmm Hmm," she nodded, leaning closer so that she could kiss him. "When do you want to go?"

"Tomorrow morning?"

"Works for me," she kissed him again. "And I love you for wanting this. Thank you for thinking of this."

"Ha..." he laughed lightly, moving in closer. "You're welcome. Though...it does put us in sort of a predicament."

"What's that?" Maddie's eyebrows lifted as he moved over her, kissing her as she laid back onto the bed.

"We need to do some shopping..." He kissed into her neck. "For gifts."

"Ahhhh..." She sighed, her hands moving up around him as he settled against her.

"And that means..." He kissed lower down her body. "We have to get out of this bed."

"Ohhhh..." Maddie's lips turned into a slight frown.