Chapter 37
Lauren
“Here you go.” I hand over the last gingerbread heart to a woman from out of town wearing the most beautiful pink scarf with white flowers. “Enjoy!”
“We’re officially sold out,” Caleb declares with a satisfied nod.
“Perfect timing, isn’t it?” I whisper and slide my arms around his middle, breathing a heavy sigh against his jacket. “The market ends in half an hour, anyway.”
It’s only late afternoon, and the sun is already setting, warm lights casting a warm, golden glow over the snow-covered festival.
“Let’s go!” Caleb reaches for my hand, and together we slowly trudge over the Christmas market. I’m acutely aware of the subtle stares everyone who lives in Wayward Hollow shoots our way, and I can’t help but grin, pretending I don’t notice them.
I let go of Caleb’s hand, only to hug his arm to my chest as we walk, beaming brighter than the street lights.
“What is it?” he asks, looking at me with an adorably confused expression.
“Nothing,” I reply, my grin so wide it’s about to split my face in two. “I just really like this.”
“The Christmas market?” He tilts his head, his eyebrows scrunching together in that really cute way as he thinks. “I guess we could go visit the one in the next town over tomorrow. It’s running a day longer.”
I squeeze his arm. “Walking over it with you,” I clarify, and I could swear it brings the most adorable blush to his cheeks.
“Oh,” he says, rubbing his glove-clad palm over his face.
“Yeah, oh,” I tease him, then get on my tiptoes to press my lips against his cheek.
“God, you two are adorable,” Nic coos as we approach their booth. The crowd is slowly thinning out, with most booths already sold out of their merchandise.
But not Nic and Henry. Their dogs have infinite kisses to give.
“Come on, get over here! You two get doggie kisses on the house.” She giggles and beckons us closer.
“Perfect.” I let go of Caleb’s arm only to lace my fingers with his and pull him with me. “I want some kisses from my best boy.”
I approach Jensen Ackles, whose tail is already in helicopter mode the moment he hears my voice. “Hello, Wayward Hollow’s most handsome boy.” We come to a stop beside Jensen’s, and he completely ignores me. Instead, he immediately trots over to my boyfriend. “Hey!”
“I guess he likes me better.” Caleb teases and runs his fingers through Jensen’s thick fur.
I purse my lips in a pout and cross my arms in front of my chest. “Traitor,” I grumble, and take a sideways step to Richard, who is apparently a lot happier to see me. I rub the top of his head, and he leans into my hand, closing his eyes and sticking his tongue out of his mouth.
Suddenly, the subtle background Christmas music becomes louder. Then it stops.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please note that the Christmas market is closing in five minutes. All stall owners, please gather in the square for the tree lighting and award ceremony.” I flinch at Harry’s voice. It’s so much louder than the music.
Visitors stream toward the exit. Meanwhile, Nic and Henry take off the dog’s costumes, much to the dog's protest.
“You’re aware the two of them need to wear those for Christmas, right?” I tease Nic, and she nods softly.
“I got Henry and me matching Christmas sweaters,” she reveals in a whisper. “They even had some for pets.”
“You have the best ideas,” I say just as faintly. “I’ll have to order some for us too. And maybe one for Kieran so he won’t feel left out. Oh I love that! They’re going to hate us.”
“Nah, they love us,” Nic replies with a self-assured grin. “Make sure to get your boyfriend to wear it.”
Caleb reaches for my hand, pulling me with him back to our booth where we quickly take down the decorations. We make our way to the town square, him carrying the box we put everything in under his arm with ease.
“Oh wow, that’s a lot of people,” I say, staring at the crowd in front of the stage. About half of them are wearing Santa hats, and practically all of them have a hot beverage in their hands. “Damn it, we should have thought of that.” I point at someone’s steaming mug as we walk by.
We make our way into the crowd. Caleb, being taller, tries to find Kieran and the rest.
Oh, I don’t like this. Everyone here is taller than me, and I can barely take a step without bumping into someone. I keep my eyes on the ground, holding onto Caleb’s coat as he threads his way through the masses.
Breathe, Lauren. Everything’s fine. You can leave anytime you need to. It’s fine.
Then suddenly, there are no other feet on the ground around us. We’re on the outer edge of the square.
“We’ll wait here,” Caleb declares, positioning himself between me and the crowd. My eyes widen.
“How did you—?”
“You mentioned you’re not good with crowds,” he says as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Did I?” I tilt my head. I can't remember telling him about it. There wouldn't have been an occasion where it could have come up. Or was there?
Suddenly, a memory pops into my mind. Right before the Autumn Fair, there was a town assembly in his café. Every single person who lives in Wayward Hollow was crammed into that one room.
And even though he was adamant about not serving anyone, I can remember him handing me a glass of water. My eyes snap to his, my breath hitching and heart beating faster than rain against a windshield while speeding down a highway. I didn’t realize he’d been watching me even back then.
“There you are!” Kieran suddenly appears next to us. “Here, I got you some drinks.” He holds up two mugs. “Who of you is driving?”
Before I can reply, still stunned by my realization, Caleb lifts his hand.
“Okay, then you get the punch one.” Kieran hands the cup from his right hand over to Caleb and the other one to me. Huh? Didn’t he get one for himself?
“Wait, no, where’s—”
“Here’s yours.” Nic appears and hands Kieran an already half-empty mug.
“Where are Jensen and Richard?” I ask and take a sip of the mulled wine. It’s delicious. Not quite hot enough for me to burn my lip on, but it tastes rich, comforting, of orange, red wine and winter spices. The perfect drink to warm up with.
“Henry is bringing the two of them to the car,” Nic explains and takes a sip of her own drink.
“Good. That’s better than having them in this crowd,” Kieran thinks out loud and lets his eyes trail over all the people.
“Sorry I’m late,” Henry arrives, slightly out of breath as he stops next to Nic. “Have they already started?”
“Nope.” Nic hands him her own mug. Apparently, they’re sharing.
“Well, friends,” one by one, she meets our eyes, “to a fun Christmas market.” She takes her mug back from Henry and holds it in the middle of our little circle.
Henry, for lack of options, puts his hand around it too, making Nic giggle.
“To that.” I grin and clink my mug against hers. Caleb and Kieran clink theirs against ours too, and all of us, apart from Henry, collectively take a sip.
“Fuck, that’s good.” I groan as the hot liquid slowly warms me from the inside.
“Good evening, everyone!” Harry’s voice blares through the speakers, and I turn to the stage. We stand far to the side at an angle that barely lets us see Harry up there, only a thick, gray winter coat, his face barely visible between his hat and scarf.
“Thank you, everyone, for participating in this year’s Christmas market!
All proceeds will go to a charity that will be decided by the very person to earn this year’s biggest donation.
But first, I want to say that I am incredibly proud of you all.
We’ve exceeded any amount ever gathered.
Before we continue, this deserves a round of applause. ”
He waits, but since everyone’s hands are occupied with warm beverages or glove-clad, he doesn’t get much of a reply.
“Anyway,” he continues unperturbed, “every year, my heart is so full, seeing what you and the Wayward Hollow Christmas Market can accomplish. This year is no exception. That being said—” He holds up a sheet of paper.
“We’ve tallied up all the votes and donations.
As you all know, the winner gets to decide on next year’s theme and which charity will receive the funds.
” There’s a dramatic pause. “In our hearts, I think we can all agree that the real winner of this event is the charity chosen. But the most votes went to…” He unfolds another sheet and narrows his eyes to read the result.
“Kieran. Congratulations, please come on stage.”
“You did it, man!” Henry breaks into a cheer, clasping Kieran’s shoulder and shaking him excitedly.
“Congratulations,” Nic and I say in unison, though I’m not sure either of us is doing a great job at masking our jealous undertones.
“We’ll beat you next year,” I say with a nod and take his mug from him to free up his hands.
“Sure you will,” Kieran teases, then makes his way through the crowd to receive a plastic award that’s tiny enough to disappear in his hand as he accepts it, and a handshake from Harry.
After the cheers subside, and Kieran has returned after receiving so many shoulder clasps I fear for his back, Harry reaches for the microphone once more.
“And now, it’s time for the highlight of the evening and Christmas time in Wayward Hollow!” He points toward the giant Christmas tree in the center of the square. “May I get a countdown, please?”
The music turns louder—‘O Christmas Tree’ coming from every corner. People around us sway with the song, some of them humming along as all other lights slowly dim. We turn to the tree, Caleb’s hand finding mine in the dark.
“Three, two, one!” The crowd chants, and then, row by row, the lights around the tree light up.
“Oh, it’s pretty,” I whisper, taking another sip of my mulled wine.
“It is,” Caleb mutters. From the corner of my eye, I see him staring at me.
“You’re so corny.” I can’t help but giggle, not sure anymore if my cheeks are red from the alcohol or this interaction. “Do it again. I like it.”
“And I like you,” he whispers back. I lift my head and purse my lips. He leans in and kisses me, letting go of my hand to lay it at the side of my face, earning a cheer from Kieran. When he breaks the kiss, I can’t help but smile at him, happiness quite literally not letting me stop.
“I’m so happy for you two,” a teary voice says, and my gaze jumps to Kieran, confused yet amused.
“Are you crying?”
“No, I’m not,” he presses out quickly and clears his throat. “Alcohol just makes me a little emotional.”
“Aww,” I say and nudge his arm with my elbow.
“And I might be the tiniest bit in my feelings about being single.”
“You’ll find someone,” I assure him and squeeze his arm. “Nic and I could help you.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a promise or a threat,” he replies, and playfully punches his arm.
“Don’t worry,” Henry says with a barking laugh, throwing his arm over Kieran’s shoulders. “If it’s a kiss under one of the mistletoes you’re after, that can be arranged.”
“What the—no!” Kieran laughs and puts his palm in front of Henry’s face when he tries to give him a smooch on the cheek.
“He might have had a mulled wine or two too many,” Nic whispers amusedly, taking a sip of her non-alcoholic drink.
Not much later, we’re at home, warming up under a thick blanket on my couch, my cold feet pressed against his warm calves.
Taytay is curled up in my lap, while Jenna has declared Caleb her personal jungle gym.
An old Disney Christmas movie plays on the TV, but I’m staring at the flames of the fire Caleb lit in my fireplace.
“I need to correct myself,” he murmurs, and I look up at him, my chin on his shoulder.
“Hm? About what?”
“When I said I liked you…” My eyebrows shoot up, but he quickly continues, “I don’t think ‘like’ gives it justice.” He takes a deep breath, his Adam’s apple moving as he gulps.
“I love you, Lauren.”
My breath hitches, heart beating loudly and powerfully in my chest with such force I’m afraid it will jump right out.
“And I’m not even sure that word is strong enough. You make everything brighter. With you, even standing in the cold for hours on end is fun. And I know I’m not easy—”
I put my palm over his mouth, and his eyes widen slightly in surprise. “I love you too,” I tell him, tears welling up in my eyes as I hold his gaze.
Instantly, his expression softens, and he closes his fingers around my wrist, pulling my arm until I climb into his lap, facing him. His arms close around me, and he hugs me to him, almost as tightly as our first hug.
“Good,” he whispers, clearing his throat. “That’s good.”
I kiss his temple and return the hug just as hard.
This is perfect. So fitting for us.
I firmly believe our story started with my moving to Wayward Hollow, but it kick-started when I found him crestfallen after being ambushed by his mother and we sat in his café in this exact position.
It’s a full-circle moment. Even though there are cat claws in my shirt as Jenna tries to climb my back.
This is it.
The perfect moment. The perfect man. The perfect time.
The place where I belong.