Christmas in the Mountains {Christmas Novelette} ✓

Chapter Nine

She raised from the couch and walked into the kitchen, admiring the view. She wrapped her arms around Nicholas, running her hands greedily across his smooth chest, and laid her head against his bare back. Nicholas chuckled and raised Noelle's hand to his lips, planting a gentle kiss. She could feel him smiling against her skin. 

"Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?" he asked. 

"I did, though I suspect it was because of the company," she said with a wink. Nicholas grinned and turned to face her, leaning his forehead against hers. 

"I love you so much, Noelle," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. 

Noelle sighed. "I love you too, Nicholas." She ran her fingers through his messy hair. 

Nicholas swept Noelle her from her feet, twirling her around. 

He sat her back down on the ground. Noelle walked around the kitchen and gathered plates and utensils. She set the table as Nicholas began placing food onto the plates. He took the skillet back to the kitchen and joined her at the table.

They dug into the food, Noelle's taste buds watering with appreciation as she inhaled the five cheese omelet. She had forgotten how good of a cook Nicholas was. 

"We should go on a date tonight," Nicholas said. "It's been so long since we've been out together. We could go dancing," he said, pulling Noelle from her chair and playfully spinning her around the room. She giggled and wrapped her hand in his. 

"I'd like that," Noelle said, excited anticipation coursing through her. 

"Maybe after, we can go to a movie and to Carol's Diner. God, I've missed her hot chicken and fried pickles," Nicholas beamed. 

"Then it's a date. And then after, we can come back and celebrate Christmas, just the two of us." 

The idea of a date was exactly what Noelle needed. She hadn't been out in a guy in... well, longer than she cared to admit. The idea of going out with Nicholas, of rekindling their feelings and reliving their teenage days when they were consumed with puppy love made Noelle smile. Only having eyes for each other made Noelle's heart skip a beat. 

"I'll need to go into town first. I have a few errands to run." 

"That would be fine. I have to run to town myself for a bit too. I'll meet you here around six for our date," Nicholas winked as he pulled Noelle in for a kiss. He finished his omelet and helped Noelle clean up the kitchen before disappearing off into the snowy cold air.

Noelle got dressed for the day and sipped on tea before going out into the cold, wintry Tennessee air.

She wanted to get Nicholas something for Christmas. She hadn't expected to run into him while visiting Silverwood Falls as well as not expecting to fall back in love with him again either.

Noelle was worried the shops would be closed since it was Christmas Day, but she lucked out because Mr. Manley's Department Store was open during the morning ofr last minute shoppers like herself. Inside she found a few shirts and a new tea maker since tea is his favorite drink. Even after all of these years, Noelle hadn't forgotten Nicholas' favorite things.

Noelle took her gifts and put them in the passenger seat of the car and went back to the cabin. There was still several hours before she would be meeting up with Nicholas. She wrapped the gifts and while doing so, she reminisced on the holidays she had spent with Nicholas over the years. He got her a promise ring one year, a symbol of his devotion. Of course, the ring had been stuffed into the back of a dresser drawer for years now. Noelle couldn't bear to see the ring, to remember the life she was suppose to build with Nicholas, but she also couldn't bring herself to throw it away. She hadn't seen the rose gold band in nearly ten years.