~ Seven ~
Christmas morning was quite dreary, but even looking at the heavy, wet clouds couldn’t damper the brightness of Ellie’s mood. She lay in her bed, her hands tucked under her cheek watching Cooper sleep.
Fine hairs shadowed his chin and she traced her fingers lightly over them. She loved the feel of his skin. His nose had a slight tilt to it because of getting hit with a football when he was in ninth grade. The small scar on his chin was from a hockey puck. His dark hair was wavy and a little wild and his lashes rested against his cheeks in a way that made her heart twist.
In an effort to not feel sorry for herself this Christmas, she’d made a list of what the holiday meant to her and set about checking off every item. Tree, check. Lights, check. Movies and shows all lined up, check. Hot chocolate and sugar cookies, check and check. A steady mix of classic and pop songs, absolutely. Not once during all of her planning had it occurred to her that Christmas couldn’t be found in a song, a movie, or a beautifully trimmed tree. Those things were simply fancy wrapping paper around the real meaning of the holidays.
She hadn’t known, couldn’t know, until Cooper, that Christmas was a feeling. It was the way he made her feel when he looked at her or when he’d indulged her silly idea of putting paper presents under the tree. It was sitting side by side with someone who made her laugh as they watched re runs and stared at the fire. It was the connection she felt when their eyes locked or they shared a memory. And though she’d celebrated many Christmas’ without him, she’d never understood how special sharing the day with someone she cared for in just this way could be.
“Merry Christmas,” Cooper whispered.
Ellie looked down, her hand stuttering to a stop in its exploration of his bare chest. That in itself was a great gift. One she’d gotten to snuggle into all night. “Merry Christmas.”
They took their time getting up. She made them coffee while he made French toast. By silent, mutual agreement, she readied the berries and whip cream and stayed away from the stove.
“I want you to join me today at my parents’ house,” Cooper said when they’d finished eating and were clearing the table together.
She wanted that, too, but didn’t want to overstep. “Will your family mind?”
He came up behind her as he had the night before and wrapped his arms around her. His nose nuzzled into the crook of her neck and she arched, biting down on the sigh of contentment.
“They’ll be thrilled to see you. I want you there. Please?”
Happiness grew wings and fluttered against her rib cage. “That sounds great.”
“Good. Let’s open our gifts.”
Her nerves surged forward even as her body froze. What had seemed sweet in the moment the night before now felt incredibly…risky. She’d shared little pieces of herself with Byron and look how that had ended up. Cooper is not Byron. Not by a long shot. Still. She didn’t want him to open the paper and think she was still just the silly kid sister of his friend.
Cooper took her hand and led her to the living room. She loved her basement suite and didn’t mind living alone. Over time, she’d picked the perfect pieces to compliment the space. A little lamp from the antique shop that sat on a cool table she’d found on sale at Marshalls. The soft multicolor blanket resting on the back of her couch. As the moved to the tree, she noted that Cooper fit in her space as though he was meant to be there.
With Christmas music playing softly in the background, they sat in front of the tree, both holding their respective paper presents.
“You first,” Cooper said. She liked the way he still looked a little sleepy and rumpled. It made her want to crawl onto his lap and snuggle in.
Hoping his gift to her would bolster her courage, she unfolded the paper.
In the middle of the white page, he’d written: A very Merry Christmas.
Her heart deflated. A withered balloon. It was sweet, no doubt. He was sweet. But in comparison to what she’d given him, she worried she’d gone too far. She’d made too much of his actions the night before. She’d read into them and blown them out of proportion. Can’t back out now. Making sure her smile was in place, she looked up at him.
“Thank you.”
Both eyebrows rose. “You’re not done. Keep unfolding.”
She unfolded the bottom piece and saw he’d added something at the end of the page.
For as many years as you’ll let me.
Ellie’s heart beat so hard she was sure he could hear it. She didn’t speak when she looked at him again, but she had a feeling he could read her thoughts. If not, opening her present would assure him they were on the same page.
He held it up and she nodded. “My turn. Let’s see what you wanted me to have for Christmas.”
Cooper’s smile filled the room and Ellie thought her heart might burst. Warmth seeped through her, over her, surrounding her like one of his hugs. He looked at her as he reached out and cupped her cheek.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” he whispered, kissing her with a passion that promised so much more than either of them had bargained for. As he pulled her closer and she snuggled into him as she’d wanted to, the paper fluttered from his hands. It wasn’t until later, that she saw it lying there, face up.
All the times she’d felt something was wrong with her because she was so inexperienced. Now, she was grateful that she could offer him everything she’d never given before. His eyes followed her gaze and he smiled when he re-read the two words: My heart.
***
Later that day, she put aside her nerves and focused on the excitement of seeing his family again after all of these years. Reconnecting with Cooper was like coming home and realizing you’d been gone far too long. Funny how she’d had to move from their small hometown for that to happen.
Cooper stopped before opening the door to his parents’ house. Pushing her hair back from her face, he gently kissed around the rough edges of the band aid that covered her stitches.
“Finding you makes me realize what I’ve been missing all these years. Why no one else has been the one.”
Her feet were on the ground, but his words made her feel like she was floating. Ellie put her hands on his waist, anchoring herself. “What if Tommy doesn’t give you the blessing you’re looking for?”
It was the fear that had been playing in her mind since last night. She’d teased him, but she knew he respected the friendship he’d had with her brother enough to at least take a step back if Tommy wasn’t comfortable. It hardly seemed fair since Ellie had been willing to spend Christmas alone in favor of her brother’s happiness. Before she could work herself up about it, he leaned in and kissed her.
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
He opened the door and once they’d shed their winter gear, they walked through the house toward the sound of laughter, music, and chatting. He’d said both of his siblings had married and his sister had two kids. His brother’s wife was expecting their first. Bracing herself for a full room, Ellie froze when she saw Tommy standing near the fireplace. He and his girlfriend were laughing at something Cooper’s brother was saying.
Tommy’s gaze caught hers and he laughed. “There she is. Don’t let her near the stove,” he said, making the others laugh as well.
Clearly, Cooper had shared the story. Had they spoken about it the night before? Maybe she should have listened to the conversation instead of chickening out and refilling their wine glasses.
Ellie and Cooper were both swept up into hugs and holiday greetings. When she finally reached Tommy, she couldn’t wait any longer to ask.
“What’d she say?”
His girlfriend, Becky, leaned around his shoulder, placing her hand in view. The ring Tommy chose shone on her wedding finger.
“She said yes,” Becky shared.
More hugs followed and Ellie hoped that this was the first of many Christmas’ filled with the noise and laughter of people she loved. She missed her parents and wished they were here. Next year. Casting a quick glance across the room to where Cooper stood talking with his mom, he caught her eye. The smile he shared made her feel like they were the only two people in the room. Until Tommy nudged her with his hip.
“So? You and Coop, huh?”
Ellie almost choked on her drink. She looked up at her big brother. You really should have listened in on the conversation last night.
“He told you?”
Tommy smiled and put his arm around her. “He said you guys had reconnected and asked me to come today. Thought you could use a dose of family. Just so you know, I planned to see you today anyway. So did Becky. She was pissed when I told her you were giving us some space so we could celebrate our engagement.”
Ellie looked over at Becky and grinned. “I guess a celebration like that should be a group thing. A family thing.”
“That’s what she said.”
Ellie arched a brow. “So, he told you we reconnected and then what?” Had Cooper gotten Tommy’s blessing or not?
“Then you walked in and I took one look at the two of you and realized I wasn’t the only one who ended up getting everything I wanted this Christmas.”
Cooper joined them then, taking her hand and pulling her into his side. Tommy simply grinned and her worries slipped away. She’d expected a solitary Christmas and fate had danced in, unexpectedly, giving her something she couldn’t have planned for: a chance at love.