Guardians and Angels

Chapter 30: Rapunzel

Excitement raced through every vein and ignited every nerve in my body. It's been two days since Jack and I shared our first kiss and the feeling of pure bliss hasn't left me since, neither has this silly, giddy grin. We haven't been able to see much of each other due to the upcoming holiday, but we still called and texted each other every day.

Speaking of the upcoming holiday, Christmas is tomorrow! With that knowledge and the lingering elation of that kiss, I felt like I was bathing in a river of joyful, happy emotions. After hearing so many stories of Christmas—all which tell of immense joy—I couldn't wait for tomorrow to come!

"Are the cookies done yet, mummy?" Hubert asked as we all started preparing for Santa's visit.

Elinor stifled a laugh. "Not yet. Why don't you get the milk out while we wait for them to cool down."

He nodded eagerly and padded his way towards the fridge. "Do you think Santa likes goat milk?"

Elinor, Merida, Fergus, and I wholeheartedly laughed at the innocence of his question, but the other two boys put this into thoughtful consideration. "We don't have goat milk."

"I know, I was just wondering."

I've never celebrated Christmas in the past, therefore I don't know much about it, but Merida and the triplets informed me of the gist of it all. Apparently, you're suppose to leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus, and he'd return the favor by leaving gifts if you were good. However, if you were bad, you'd receive lumps of coal. I didn't care much for getting gifts, but my excitement was steered more towards celebrating such a happy holiday with those I love, those I consider my family.

Merida, as if reading my mind, sidled up next to me and pulled me in for a hug. "This is going to be the best Christmas ever. Trust me, you're gonna love it."

"I know, I can't wait."

Merida stared at me with a weird expression on her face. Her eyes gleaming with a secret. She looked like she was about to say something, but kept her mouth closed with great effort. Her eyes quickly darted behind me and landed on something before she subtly nodded her head and tried to turn away.

"Mer, what's wrong?"

She cast her gaze downward, refusing to meet mine. "It's nothing."

Mer—"

"Rapunzel, darling can you prepare the plate of cookies now that they're cooled down?" Elinor quickly intercepted and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I desperately wanted to know what was going on in Merida's head and why she thought she had to hide something from me, but I figured she'd tell me when she was ready. "Okay."

The plate was decorated with a picture of Santa in a kilt, holding bagpipes. I laughed under my breath and set a mountain of cookies on top. I placed the plate by the fireplace and gazed at the Christmas decorations adorning it.

Watching the flames reminded me of the moment Jack and I shared only a couple days ago. No longer was the fire keeping me warm, but my own blush. I replayed the event in my head, as I've done every day since it happened, and didn't even try to fight back my smile.

"You thinking about Frosty again?"

I hadn't even heard Merida sit next to me in front of the fire. "How'd you know?"

"Because you have a certain smile when you think about him. It's lighter than your other smiles."

My smile—the very one she was talking about—grew. I had told Merida about the kiss as soon as I got home that night, and we spent the entire night talking about it. We did the same thing when she and Hiccup first kissed. I remember seeing her face glow with pure joy, and I can bet my life that I look similar to how she did.