Matthew Gray Gubler Short Stories - Christmas Edition

Winter Wonderland #1

Happy 1st of December! Join me every day until Christmas for a new story. Posts will be made at 6pm UK time.

One.

"Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?

In the lane snow is glistenin'.

A beautiful sight,

We're happy tonight

Walkin' in a winter wonderland."

After a long day filled with Christmas shopping in a city not too far away from where they lived and taste-testing every free food sample going, Y/N and Matthew were on their way back to their neighbourhood. They had been neighbours in New York for years and had continued to keep in touch when life had taken Matthew all the way to California through text messages and late night phone calls. When they had realised that their friendship was evolving into something more Matthew, ever the romantic, had taken to penning her poems and letters as long as his arm and she had reciprocated by writing equally as long letters back detailing her day and how she couldn't wait to see him. Every Christmas without fail he would travel back home, refusing to get into the Christmas spirit or even start shopping for it until he had his annual trip back to New York at least a few days before. Not long after he had left they had begun a tradition of dedicating a day to shopping in New York and then returning back to hers to go on a walk through the freshly-fallen snow. When the opportunity had come for him to move back to New York for a while he had jumped at the chance and they had spent an entire summer reconnecting and making good on their promises to be together as soon as she had picked him up from the airport. Summer had turned into autumn and before long it was Christmas again.

Matthew pulled into a small residential area and shut off the engine. As they took out the various bags and boxes and carried them to her house, the sound of "Winter Wonderland" suddenly blaring loudly throughout the street almost made them jump. They exchanged a cautious glance and cast their eyes to where the music was coming from. It continued to get louder as a van with a makeshift sleigh attached came around the corner. The Santa, who was perched precariously on top, waved up at the houses as excited children peered out of their bedroom windows. Matthew and Y/N smiled at the sight, making their way over to her house. Once the gifts were safely inside and hidden away, they headed back outside to begin their annual stroll around the area.

As they made their return Santa and his sleigh of sorts were making another round past Y/N's street. This time it was a slower, more traditional song they had chosen to play, no doubt in a bid to allow the neighbourhood children to wind down before going to bed. They cut through the lane at the side of her house, the snow glistening underfoot. Upon hearing the familiar tune of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", Matthew detached himself from her and held out his hand. Y/N grinned; she knew exactly what he was about to do. As she took his hand he placed his other one on her waist and started swaying along to the music. This was another one of their traditions that she savoured. They danced their way from the bottom of the lane, their dance coming to an end as they reached the top. In no time at all they were back at her door.

Standing in the middle of her front steps they made plans to have breakfast in the morning and, much to their sorrow, had to part for the night.

Matthew leaned into her and placed a sweet kiss upon her lips. She smiled into the kiss, cherishing their time together.

"Good night, my love."