𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 66

Back to Present Day: Carina's POV

I woke up to the sound of my dog Fern barking outside and when I opened my eyes, I gasped quietly to see I was still curled up in Remington's arms. I thought that he would go back to sleeping on the couch after I was able to fall asleep, but I guess he was just comfortable here with me. I smiled and rested my head back in his chest. His heartbeat was like music to my ears and his scent was so much stronger than ever, making me slightly more attracted to him than usual. After a while, I shuffled up a little and gently kissed his lips. He didn't move for a moment, then his eyes fluttered open and when he saw me, his teeth grinned and he greeted me, "Good morning, angel." I blushed when he said that and I laid my hand on his cheek, "Good morning, mon chérie."

He took my hand and kissed it lightly, and then moved to rest his head in his hand with his arm supporting him, and he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear while looking in my eyes. "God, you're so beautiful", he said quietly as he caressed his thumb over my cheek. He looked down at his Rolling Stones shirt that I was wearing, and he bit his lip while shaking his head, "I don't understand how my clothes look better on you." I lightly chuckled while blushing and then he kept speaking, " You know, when I met you, you were obviously attractive to me, but it was your resistance to me that got me interested in you. Then, when you took me in and helped bring me back to life, I had no choice but to fall for how kind and selfless you are. Imagine my luck when I learned that you loved me back."

I smiled hearing him profess his love for me. "I always thought girls only saw me as something like a trophy or just something to use, but you were different, you saw me as a person and I don't know how you ended up falling for me. All I know is that ever since we got to know each other better, you changed my life and I hope that, no matter how long it takes, I'll be able to convince you how worthy you are of being loved and treated like an unique, black rose in a crowd of common, red roses." I then proceeded to take his face in my hands and bring his lips to mine. He kissed me back with such gentle passion, it felt like we were kissing on a cloud in heaven. He then planted small kisses all over my face, and I giggled in response. "Goddamn, I love you so much," he affirmed in a way that made me feel blessed and then I responded back, "I love you, too."

He rested his forehead on mine, and I closed my eyes as we stayed like that for a while. When I opened my eyes again, I glanced at his bedroom window and gasped at what I saw. "Its snowing", I said, and then I got up from the bed and rushed to get a better look. It was a literal winter wonderland outside, with the trees decorated with frozen icicles, the grass replaced with a blanket of snow, and everything looking like a dream set in the North Pole. "I had no idea it snowed here. I've never seen it in person", I confessed, and then I felt two arms wrap around me and his head rest on my shoulder. "Yeah, it snows here every winter", Rem told me as we looked out the window, "It's beautiful, isn't it?" I grinned in appreciation of the beauty outside and nodded.

"Come on", he beckoned, "let's go get some breakfast. You owe me your pancakes." I laughed as he reminded me of what I offered if he slept next to me last night. He put his arm around my shoulders and kissed my head as we walked out of his room. "Wait", I said right outside the doorway, "I just want to change back into my clothes." He nodded and then I walked back inside and locked the door. After changing back and throwing on my red leather jacket, I walked back out to see he was waiting for me and just seeing me with the jacket on made him smirk without any hesitation. "Damn, am I lucky", he growled and I responded with, "I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one." He grinned at my statement and pulled me close to him where he kissed my cheek repeatedly and then my forehead to finish. I held onto his arm as we walked down the stairs to join everyone else who was starting to wake up.

I saw Nina still sleeping in that "big, comfy sofa chair" but with a warm blanket over her body, probably given to her by Emerson. The smell of pancakes was starting to fill my senses and made my stomach rumble. Man, now I wish I hadn't given up my breakfast. We entered the kitchen and saw Sebastian cooking the pancakes with two other guests who helped prepare the plates and utensils. He turned to look at us close together and starting teasing us, "Well, well, well. I see you two had a good night's sleep." My face turned red and then Seb threw his hands up, "I'm kidding, don't worry. I'm just happy you were in good company, Carina. I assume you're hungry?" I was about to answer, but my stomach's monstrous growl answered for me, causing me to feel embarrassed. They all laughed a little, and then I heard Emerson behind me without a hat remark, "You assumed correctly." I laughed along with them, and then all the plates with pancakes and syrup were passed out.

I handed Remington my pancakes with a pouting face, and then he gave me his. "You know, so we're even and I'd hate to see you starve", was his response when he saw my surprised look. I smiled at him and then kissed his cheek as I devoured the syrupy goodness sitting in front of me. We were all talking and laughing and people were talking about how this town is crazy with its rock n' roll ban and how someday we'll all be able to express our passion for a music that makes us feel free and alive, and then I found myself staring at Rem as he joined in the conversation. The way he expressed his passion for what makes him alive made me fall for him all over again and feel grateful that I was the one he gave his heart to, and I knew with every ounce of mine, I would never break it. He noticed me staring at him and I turned away quickly to not seem weird. He took my chin gently and made me look into his eyes as he whispered with a smirk, "Merry Christmas, ma chérie", then proceeded to kiss me like it was the first time, so softly yet so passionately, making me melt in his close embrace. I pulled away with my face heating up and then I looked back at him and whispered back with a smile, "Merry Christmas, mon chérie."

YAAAYYY!!! That concludes our epic Christmas special saga, always here to remind you that it doesn't matter who you celebrate Christmas with, as long as you're around people who make you feel happy and secure and loved. Thank you for all the love I've been getting for this story so far. I hope I don't disappoint you guys anytime soon. Love you all!!! 😘😘😘💕💕💕