Pawliday Love

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

DANIELLE

T he past three days in New York felt like a dream.Derek's world should have felt foreign, but somehow I fit right in.While he handled merger negotiations, I explored Chelsea's art district, finding inspiration in the city's raw energy.I was even able to work on my paintings capturing the softness of the city's snow against urban angles in a piece I dubbed 'Wilderness Meets Civilization'.

Derek went out of his way to ensure I felt seen and supported with morning coffee together before he headed to the office.Afternoon meetings at art galleries interested in my work.And evening walks through Central Park, hand in hand as we planned our future.It was heavenly.

Now back at the cottage, I laugh as Derek dances around Aunt Sue's kitchen to Christmas music while chopping vegetables for dinner.Scout lounges under the table, tail thumping every time one of us drops a scrap.

"You're doing it wrong," I tease, bumping Derek's hip as I reach for the spices.

"Oh really?" He catches me around the waist, pulling me against him."Need I remind you of the food poisoning again?"

"Are you ever going to let that go?"

"Never." He presses a kiss to my neck.

I turn in his arms, ready to argue, but his mouth finds mine instead.He tastes like the wine we've been cooking with.Scout's bark breaks us apart as the front door opens.

"We're home!" Aunt Sue's voice rings out."And if you two are making out in my kitchen instead of watching the turkey..."

"The turkey's fine," Derek calls back, but he steals one more kiss before letting me go.

Aunt Sue bustles in, arms full of presents, Uncle Tommy right behind her.Her face lights up when she sees us tangled together by the stove.

"I knew it!" She sets down the gifts to hug us both."Didn't I tell you, Tommy? Didn't I say they just needed a little Christmas magic?"

"You did, dear." Uncle Tommy winks at us."Though I was a bit worried it would end in murder instead of matrimony when you first suggested it."

"Please," Derek scoffs, but his arm stays around my waist."Danny would never murder me.She likes my cooking too much."

"I wouldn't be so sure." But I lean into him, unable to stop smiling."The night's still young."

We settle around the table, passing dishes and trading stories.The candlelight catches the contentment in Derek's eyes every time he looks at me, and warmth spreads through my chest.This is what I've been missing in Utah.What we've both been missing.

"So," Aunt Sue says as she serves pie."When are you moving back to New York, Danny?"

"Sue," Uncle Tommy warns, but she waves him off.

"What? A little birdie told me the Chelsea Gallery is very interested in your mountain series."

I glance at Derek, who has the grace to look sheepish."I may have made a few calls."

"We're figuring it out," I say, squeezing hishand."Derek is coming back with me to Utah tomorrow then we'll take it one masterpiece at atime."

"Just like I wrote in that note." Aunt Sue looks smuglysatisfied."The best ones come from unexpectedcollaborations."

"You're never going to let us forget this worked, are you?" Derekasks.

"Not a chance." She beams atus."My two favorite people, finally happyagain.Why would I ever stopgloating?"

Later, after dishes are done and goodbyes are said, Derek and I curl up on the couch with Scout at ourfeet.The Christmas tree lights cast soft shadows, and snow falls gentlyoutside.

"Thank you," I murmur against hischest.

"For what?"

"For proving it. For showing me we could have both ourdreams."

He tips my chin up, kissing mesoftly."Thank you for taking the leap withme."

Outside, church bells chimemidnight.Christmas has arrived, bringing with it a second chance at the future we were always meant toshare.