Two weeks had gone by, filled with rehearsals and dinners and a few other outings that had nothing to do with dance and everything to do with how much he and Juliet really enjoyed spending time with Laura.

Today’s outing was one that they’d put off specifically until a day when Laura wasn’t working at either of her jobs. Along with his little Christmas Elf, Matthew had wanted to make a day of fun for all of them and maybe, just maybe, get a chance to ask Laura if she would want to go out with him. Just him. Dinner? Movie? Whatever she wanted.

When they pulled up outside Laura’s apartment complex, she was waiting on the curb bundled up in her warmest layers and a floppy hat that looked like it could swallow her whole if it had half a chance.

Putting the car in park in the loading zone, Matthew opened his door to get out.

“Don’t worry,” Laura called out as she walked toward them, “I can get the door.”

He got to the other side of the car as she stepped up to reach for the back-passenger door.

She stopped short when she saw Juliet sitting in the back, waving at her through the glass. Laura turned to look at Matthew and he smiled at the confusion plainly written on her features.

Matthew opened the door to the front passenger seat and gave her a grin. “Need a hand?”

“I’m short,” she laughed, “but not that short. Why isn’t Juliet up front?”

“Because I wanted you to sit up front with my dad!”

Matthew and Laura laughed at the voice booming from the backseat.

“You heard her,” Matthew pulled the door open further.

“Okay, little miss,” Laura climbed up into the passenger seat and sat down, setting her bag on the floor by her feet.

Matthew was ready when she turned back, handing her the seatbelt and enjoying the flush of color in her cheeks. Whether it was from the bite of cold in the air or the way her gloved fingers brushed his as she took hold of the seatbelt, he didn’t know.

He could hope, but he didn’t know.

When they pulled up into the parking lot of the Pioneer Tree Farm Matthew had to laugh. Both Laura and Juliet were leaning toward their windows staring at the lines of trees in the snowy landscape.

When Laura heard him, she sat back in her seat, her hands working at the seatbelt release. “What’s so funny?”

He liked seeing the spark of humor in her eyes even when she was mock-glaring at him. “Both of my ladies are staring out at the trees as if you’ve never seen nature before.”

Her fingers fumbled with the catch and he wondered if she’d heard his slip.

“Walking in the rows will be like our walk to Clara’s house.” He said the words but they sounded a little flat and desperate even to his own ears.

Juliet, however, was unphased, and ready to hop down out of the car. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Matthew reached over and clicked the button, releasing her seatbelt. “It’s… probably harder, because you’re wearing gloves.”

“Thanks,” she gave him a little smile and moved the seatbelt back toward the door before reaching for her bag.

Less than a minute later, Matthew had both passenger-side doors open and both Juliet and Laura on the ground.

It had taken three different trips up and down the same two rows before Juliet decided on just ‘the perfect’ Christmas tree. As they watched one of the farm employees draw the wagon back toward the main building of the farm, Matthew walked side by side with Laura as Juliet skipped on ahead, peppering the crisp and still air with questions for the farm hand.

“I’m glad you could come with us,” he looked at her for a moment before turning back to watch the path ahead.

Laura chuckled. “You two waited for my day off to come, so how could I say no?” When he remained silent beside her she stopped and put a hand on his arm. “You know I was just joking, right?”

When he didn’t immediately answer, her hand moved from his arm to his hand, giving him a gentle squeeze. Even through the bulk of both gloves he swore he could feel her warmth and gentle spirit.

“I really have been looking forward to this,” she told him in a soft hush. “I haven’t put up a tree for a few years. It seemed a waste to do it just for me.” She leaned a fraction of an inch closer, but it felt as if she leaned against him and he savored the quiet intimacy of the moment. “Thanks for including me in this.”

He nodded and stepped just a bit closer, putting their joined hands against his chest, near his heart. “It’s the first time we’ve done this. Before, we’ve always made do with trips to a lot where the trees are already wrapped up, but we wanted to try something new this year. Start a new tradition,” he drew in a breath, “something new for our family.”

He wasn’t sure what she’d heard in his words. He wasn’t even sure exactly what he’d meant. The best thing he could do was becoming a moving target. They continued to walk toward the house, with Laura’s hand tucked into the crook of his arm.

“They said they’ll have some hot chocolate ready for us when we get back.”

“Oh,” she sighed, “that sounds heavenly. If you don’t have any at your house, can we stop off at the store and pick up some apple cider and more hot chocolate so we can have some while we’re decorating the tree?”

He smiled and before he could answer he saw her turn to look at him.

“You have some, don’t you?”

Nodding, he continued to walk, watching as Juliet entered the storage area where they would wrap up the tree for transport. “I had a little elf that reminded me to pick some up the other night just for today.”

“Well,” she grinned, “I’ll have to remember to thank that little elf when we get back.” They took another few steps and she slowed her pace beside him. “If I haven’t already thanked you,” she cleared her throat, “I want to thank you for including me during these outings. I’ve had so much fun spending time with you.” She rushed on. “With you both.”

“Well, we’ve enjoyed having you with us. Both of us.”

She rolled her eyes at him.

“And it seems like you’re picking up things from Juliet, just like she is from you.”

“Me?” Laura stopped and looked up at him. “What has she picked up from me?”

“She watches you all the time. She’s picked up some of how you walk. During rehearsals, she watches your every move and she says she’d trying to learn the ‘quality of your movement’ on stage. She’s your biggest fan.”

Laura hung her head down for a moment, but he saw the soft smile on her lips. When she looked back up at him, he saw tears glistening on her lashes. “Well I’m her biggest fan too. Behind you, I’m guessing, but I’ll take second to you without being too jealous.”

“Well, maybe we can share? I’m willing to share the status with you.”

“Oh, well that’s mighty generous of you.”

He shrugged. “I’m great like that.”

“Yes,” she smiled softly at him, “you are.”

His heart was already pounding in his chest. Seeing her look at him with that smile on her face, meeting her eyes with his, alone. Standing in the middle of the snow.

Matthew wanted to say something, but he couldn’t seem to make a sound, too afraid to break the magic of the moment.

“Dad!”

They both laughed and turned toward the main building of the tree farm. Jumping up and down like a jumping jack, Juliet was waving both arms over her head.

“Hurry up! They’ve got the hot chocolate ready!”

He lifted his free arm and waved at her. “We’ll be right there!”

“Okay! Come on!”

With another jump, she darted back inside.

They laughed together.

“Seems like we’re holding her up.” Laura gestured toward the main building. “We should probably get there before she drinks all the hot chocolate.”

“We’re going to need to help her drink some of it or we’ll be stopping three times before we get home.”

They started to walk, still arm and arm when Laura caught sight of something on the path. “Looks like someone dropped an earring in the snow.”

She let go of Matthew’s arm and took a step toward a little pile of snow off to the side of the path.

He saw her foot slip on a patch of ice. “Watch out!”

Before he could get to her, Laura went down into the snow, falling onto the path like a ragdoll.

Matthew rushed over to her side and got down on his knees. “Laura? Laura,” he stripped off his gloves and gently touched the side of her face, “answer me.”

She roused almost immediately, coming awake with a start. “What- what happened?”

“You fell,” he let out a sigh of momentary relief, “are you okay?”

She turned her head and winced. “Looks like I hit my head.”

He saw her start to reach her hand toward her head and took hold of it. “You should keep still.” Setting her hand on her stomach he pulled his phone out and dialed 911.

“I can get up.”

He heard the beginnings of panic in her voice. “Stay where you are. I want the paramedics to help you up. I think you landed on the ice and-”

“No, no!”

He saw real fear in her eyes.

“Help me up. I need to get up!”

The operator answered. “This is 911. What is the nature of your emergency?”

He answered her, giving all the pertinent information, but he didn’t want Laura to feel like he was ignoring her. He sat down on the icy path and held her hand gently in his, looking into her eyes as he finished the call.

When it was over, he set the phone down. “Hey, hey… breathe.”

While she continued to gasp in every breath, it slowed down by half. Still too quick for his peace of mind.

“Please, Matthew, let me up.”

He couldn’t help the way his heart ached in his chest at the wide-eyed panic on her face. “What’s wrong, Laura. Tell me.”

“My back,” she tried to shake her head and winced at the sudden movement, “I injured it a few years ago. That’s why I don’t… that’s why I can’t dance like I used to.”

Tears trickled from the corners of her eyes and he leaned closer to her, using his free hand to wipe the crystalline drops from her skin. “Hey, you’re going to be okay.”

“I know,” she whispered but he wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself. There was a desperate edge to her tone that tied his stomach up in knots.

When they heard the far-off wail of the ambulance through the still air around them Matthew let out a breath. “They’re coming, Laura. Don’t move, okay?”

She laughed and it sounded more like a sob. “I’m good right where I am. Don’t worry about me.”

He looked down at her and felt his eyes welling with tears. “I am so, so sorry. If I’d known-”

“That I was going to slip on ice? No one has that kind of crystal ball, Matthew.” Her eyes swept the sky above his head and he saw her rapidly blinking away her tears. “Just don’t let go of my hand just yet, okay? Please… don’t let go.”

“No way,” he tried to give her an encouraging smile, “you’re stuck with me.”

She blew out a breath, closed her eyes, and then he heard her start to cry.