Tim was still unable to wrap his head around the fact that a simple gesture like that had obviously changed Josephine’s mind and convinced her to stay. But, he would not complain and would definitely not start a conversation about it. This was not a moment to analyze things. They were together again; that was all that mattered.

Having missed her touch all these days, his initial thought was to take her to bed. Still, there was something that Tim Shaw had never experienced: a real date with someone that he cared about. Therefore, he drove Josephine to Bryant Park Winter Village, a huge place that offered all kinds of seasonal events, delicious food and a large, ice rink. It was very popular; they would be surrounded by dozens of ice skaters, but privacy was the last thing on Tim’s mind. He wanted to offer her a romantic date and for him, Bryant Park Winter Village was ideal for the occasion.

Festive lights shone all around them, as Josephine put on her ice blades. Holding onto his arm for balance, she tried to steady herself.

“I still can’t believe you talked me into this.” She protested. “I haven’t done any ice skating in years.”

“It’s just like riding a bike.” He teased her, as they both staggered across the ice rink floor.

“I used to fall off my bike a lot.” Josephine chuckled.

“Don’t worry. I got you.” Tim assured. “Besides, we’re not going to be skating for that long.”

“What do you have in mind, Mr. Shaw?” Her question made his eyes glint with amusement.

“A night with you,” he was quick to reply. “Do all the things I’ve missed so much.”

“Very interesting,” she commented, as they skated towards the upper right corner of the rink. As soon as they reached it, Tim rolled left and faced her. He pulled his arm out of her grasp, put his hands on her wrists and pulled her closer.

“I’ve been meaning to do this since we came to New York.” He spoke, his voice low, as he stared down into her big, brown eyes.

“What, try to kill me?” Josephine joked.

“Come on, doc,” he whispered. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“I sure do,” she said in her sweet voice, giving him the chills, as a northern breeze tugged at her hair. “You really stunned me tonight, you know that? When I heard our song, I thought that Mona was trying to make me run back to you or something. But, I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

“The song was my idea,” Tim bragged. “I thought about it, when she told me about her cousin. I was hoping to see you somewhere more private and dance to it, but you didn’t give me much choice.”

“I couldn’t stay here.” Josephine sighed. “There was nothing for me here.”

“Nothing?” Her statement puzzled him. “What about your parents? Where do they live?”

“They got divorced, back when I was in college.” She replied. “My mother lives in Dallas, my father lives in Cleveland. I wouldn’t go to either of those places. My dad could accuse me of choosing my mom and vice versa.”

“Sounds messy,” Tim’s smile grew wider.

“You have no idea,” Josephine said, a hint of sadness in her voice, as the breeze turned into a powerful wind, whipping her hair back and forth. Tim would not open his mouth. Believing that anything that he might say could ruin the moment, he only gazed upon her. Letting go of her wrists, he wrapped his long arms around her back. He bent his head down towards her, closing his eyes. And it was at that moment that he felt alive again. Her warm, tender kiss sent him to heaven, as she entwined her arms around his neck. He felt her hair whipping at his face, as he caressed her back. The magic moment made his heart flutter. Blissfully lost in her kiss, he held her even closer, feeling her soft hands on the back of his neck.

“God…” she whispered, laying a short kiss on his chin. “God, I’ve missed your kiss.”

“Not as much as I’ve missed yours.” He spoke in his baritone, as the wind subsided. A small snowflake landed on her hair, just above her forehead. Tim felt some moisture on his temple. Both of them peered up into the sky. Thousands of snowflakes were gently falling from the grey sky, turning a cold darkness to a magic, winter night. Tim shifted his gaze back to her.

“Perfect…” He thought to himself, watching as more and more snowflakes fell into her hair. “Just perfect…”

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my whole life.” A tender whisper left his lips, as their gazes met.

“I love you Tim Shaw.” She said in her soft voice, her words sending him into ultimate bliss, as her lips curled into a broad, happy smile. “I love you.”