✔︎ |𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄*𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐄

Believe

On the fourth day of Christmas...

"I'm sorry Annie. It must have been such a tragedy loosing your brother at such a young age" Asher states understandingly. "Thanks" Annie smiles away the tears that were forming in her eyes. "You seem cold, why don't we go back inside?"

Asher seemed sympathetic in Annie's eyes. Another thing that made her stomach fill with butterflies. "No, I'm fine. It feel kind of good out here" she smiled. Annie leaned her head on Asher's shoulder as he swung his legs softly, rocking the bench that's connected to the top of her porch.

🎄🎄🎄

"This was such a great party Katie, thank you for having us" Coco reaches out and hugs Katie. "Hey, why stop now? Lets go out for dinner" Billy suggests. "Yes! That would be a great idea!" Hayley exclaimed.

"Yeah, sounds great. But Avi won't be able to come. He has an acting gig tomorrow, so he has to go to bed early"

"Oh, that's fine. We can bring him something back for tomorrow's breakfast" Katie smiled.

"Okay, Judy? Do you mind taking Avi home?" He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'll see you back home sweetie" He kisses Coco on the cheek and walked out the door with Avi.

"Let me go get my keys first, then we'll go" Billy states.

My true love gave to me...
🎄🎄🎄

While they waited for their food to arrive they talked casually among themselves. Seated at a booth. The parents talked amongst themselves, and the kids talked also, London and Hayley sometimes butting into Asher and Annie's conversations.

"What do you think about canoeing?" Asher asked. "Canoeing? Why?" Annie sounded intrigued. "I wanna take Your there after dinner" Annie blushed. "Like..a date?"

Asher smirked. "It can be whatever you want"

🎄🎄🎄

"Can I go somewhere with Asher mom?" Annie asked before they left the diner. "Now?"

"Yeah. He wants to take me canoeing" Katie squealed. "Wait, like a date?" She whispered. Annie nodded quickly. "Oh, I'm so happy for you Annie. This could be good"

"Not like her last relationship" Hayley came in out of nowhere. "Well you're just a little ninja aren't you?" Annie said provocatively. Hayley just smiled and continued walking to the car.

"Okay, you two can take Coco's car, I'm sure she won't mind. Since Asher didn't drive his" Katie walked over to Coco, soon coming back to Annie. "Here's her keys, give them to Asher. I'll drive London and Coco home"

"Thanks mom, your the best!" Annie hugged her mom then went over to Asher.

"Here" Annie held the keys out, dangling in front of Asher. "My mom's keys?"

"Yup" she dropped them in his hand. "I asked your mom, she said she's cool with it" Asher nodded his head. "Great, let's go"

They both got into the car, after driving a while, finally reaching the designated spot. "Wow, it's so beautiful" Annie said, stepping out the car looking at how the moon's reflection shown in the lake.

"I can think of something even better looking than this" Asher stepped closer to Annie. "Yeah, like what?" Annie said biting her lip.

Asher rose his hand to cheek. "You.." he whispered softly. Kissing her gently as she melted into the kiss. "Wow.." Annie said flustered. "Here, let me go get the canoe" Asher left Annie for a minute and she gazed upon the stars.

She didn't think anything could go better than this night. Let her nine days until Christmas extravaganza begin!

Four calling birds🦅 Three French hens🐓 Two turtle doves🕊 and a partridge in a pear tree

December 15, 2023