Chapter 5 Noelle
Noelle
Snow still clings to the heels of my boots as I step through the front door, and the familiar scent of lemon cough drops hits me first.
At once, all my childhood memories rush to the forefront of my mind, and I’m an innocent kid again. One who has never had her heart broken.
Nana’s house truly is frozen in time. I spy the same patchwork quilt, the one folded neatly over the back of the sofa, and the familiar cuckoo clock ticking away above the mantel.
My mind goes back to that awkward truck ride as I try to distract my thoughts.
Of all the Alphas I could have run into on the highway… I had to be him. No doubt he will tell his brothers, and soon news will spread throughout town of my return.
“Was that Frost?” Mom asks as she takes my bright pink coat from me.
“Yes. I don’t want to talk about it. I had a rough journey,” I reply, removing my hat and scarf as I hang them up with my coat.
Mom looks at me, concerned, peering back out the window as if the Alpha is still there. He won’t be. He’ll be long gone now.
Mom was disappointed when things didn’t work out with me and the guys, but she has always been supportive of my choice not to pursue more Alphas after we left Silverpine.
It just wasn’t in the cards for me. I had more important things on my mind, like college, writing, and getting my first publishing deal.
I’m really not the same Omega anymore, but Frost Wynter hasn’t changed. Albeit a little taller and more built, he’s still the same Alpha who hurt me, further cementing my belief that leaving Silverpine was the best decision of my life.
“Are you all right? I know coming home must have been hard for you,” Mom says, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I roll my eyes, placing my arms around her as I bring her in for a hug. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m here.”
Someone hovers in the kitchen, and I turn around to find my dad, Joel. He holds up his coffee mug to me. “Hey, kiddo. You good?”
“Hi, Dad,” I say, moving over to hug him now.
My other two dads stayed behind in New York. Mom has been here for a few weeks, so they’ve been taking it in turns every weekend to be with her.
Dad ruffles my hair as he throws his arms around me. “What happened to the car?”
I sigh. “I left it on the highway… I was in no fit state to drive, apparently.”
Dad smiles tightly. “I take it seeing Frost wasn’t easy, but I’m glad he was there to help you out. That was pretty good of him.”
I groan, following Mom up the stairs as we go to see Nana. “Don’t you start. You have to say that because his dad is your fishing buddy.”
Dad calls out after me as we reach the top of the stairs. “N-No! I’m just saying that I’m happy you had someone—”
“Just let it drop, Joel,” Mom chimes in now as we head to Nana’s room.
My dads have always been supportive, but their disappointment was palpable when things didn’t work out with me and the guys.
They want me to have what Mom has. I’m their little girl; they want me to be happy. But I can find happiness without Alphas.
Mom looks at me before we step into the room. “You may want to prepare yourself, Noelle. She has gotten worse.”
Now I push all bitter thoughts of Alphas aside as I put on a brave face for Nana. She’s the reason why I’m back at Silverpine.
Not the guys… but Nana.
Finally, Mom pushes the door open, and its hinges creak as we step into the bedroom.
My heart cleaves in two when I spy the frail woman beneath the blankets, her eyes closed with sleep.
I swallow a lump in my throat. It’s worse than I thought.
“Nana?” My voice wavers as I try to keep it steady.
She opens her eyes, smiling at me weakly as she holds up a pale hand. “Hello, sweetheart.”
I step toward the bed shakily, taking my time to sit down at her bedside. I’m too afraid to jostle her.
Nana’s chest rises and falls much slower than I remember, though her smile is just as beautiful.
“You look beautiful,” Nana rasps, reaching her hand out to stroke my face.
I thread my fingers with hers, taking note of how weak and papery they feel beneath mine. “I’m home, Nana. I missed you so much.”
Nana smiles. “I missed you, too. Christmas wouldn’t have been the same without you, Noelle.”
I hold back tears as I press her knuckles to my lips, kissing them gently. I have so much to catch her up with.
Nana always believed in my writing, and she was the first to encourage me to pursue a career as an author.
Which is why I hand her the gift-wrapped manuscript.
Anything to keep her going.
Nana looks at me. “What is this?”
“A gift for Christmas. I’m going to put it under the tree… and no peeking!”
Nana laughs as I recite her famous line she used on me many Christmases. I always liked to peek into my gifts, too, to see what she got me.
“I promise,” she smiles.
I fight back the sting of tears as I keep a hold of her hand, reaching across to place my fingers over her cheek.
She soon falls back to sleep at my touch, and now Mom and I watch her for a while.
Watching her sleep, looking so vulnerable in her bed, cements my choice further. This holiday season is going to be all about her and no one else. I want this one to be special and like all the ones we shared when I was little.
It will be filled with laughter and the smell of her sweet Christmas cookies as we sing along to carols.
And no one is going to ruin it for me.
Absolutely no one.