Chapter 3
BIRDIE
Cohen’s hands were warm on mine as he helped me out of the car.
I carefully set my foot on what felt like cement. “You're not going to let me trip over anything, are you?” I asked.
He huffed out a grunt. “That was only one time.”
“Yeah, and the chicken nearly didn't recover.” I said, referencing the time he surprised me with a trip to a farm-to-table themed bed and breakfast.
“She made a full recovery,” Cohen reminded me. “No need to feel guilty.”
“But I cock-a-doodle-doo.” I replied, cracking up at my own jokes.
Cohen sighed, but I could sense him holding back a smile. “Get thoughts of chickens out of your mind and enjoy this.”
“Okay,” I huffed, shuffling my feet slowly over the concrete, just in case. At least I didn't hear any chickens nearby.
After passing over gravel and then grass and another sidewalk, we came to a stop and Cohen said, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I've been ready since you missed our turn.” I teased.
He argued, “I didn’t miss our turn!”
“I'm not so convinced. You just didn't want to admit it.”
He chuckled. “Okay, on the count of three. One, two, three.”
I opened my eyes, and my mouth fell open as I took it in. It was Liv’s guest cottage. I’d been here before, but this time, the cottage was completely decked for Christmas.
The roof had twinkle lights all over and icicle lights dangled from the gutters. Even the door was decorated to look like a Christmas tree in green and red lights. To top it off, a sign hung on the doorknob that said, Ho, ho ho.
I laughed. “You did not do all this for me.”
He grinned over at me. “Well, to be fair, I had some help.”
I smiled, hugging him again and kissed his cheek, a short layer of stubble grazing my lips. “Thank you, Cohen. I can’t wait to see inside.”
As he opened the door, he said, “I hope you like it, because we'll be staying here until a couple days after Christmas so you and Hen have plenty of time to visit.”
My cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much, and I thought it would be impossible for me to get any happier… until we walked inside.
The interior was like something out of Santa's workshop.
A nativity scene was in the middle of the table on a layer of cotton.
All the curtains were red and green with gold snowflakes hanging from the curtain rods.
Even the bedding was Christmas themed. That's when I noticed a giant box with a bow on the bed. “What’s this?” I asked, going to it like a kid on Christmas morning.
He was smiling too as he said, “You'll have to open it to find out.”
I grinned. He didn't need to ask me twice. I went to the present, tugging on the bow and then lifting the lid. There was tons of material and crafting supplies inside, and a card settled on top with my name on the envelope.
I carefully broke the wax seal and then pulled out the card which said,
You have been invited to an ugly sweater party. Just you and I. Once we're done, we'll watch a Christmas movie by the fire. I love you. -Cohen
My eyes were stinging as I read the letter and looked over at him.
I hadn't been able to fit in an ugly sweater party this year because the holidays had been so hectic for my friends.
Henrietta was living in Cottonwood Falls, and Mara was busy with a deadline for her next book.
But Cohen knew me, knew what to give me without me even having to ask.
Salt water fell to my lips as I kissed him again and he tugged me close, breathing me in like he can never get enough of me.
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips.
I felt him smile against me. “Shall we get started?” he breathed.
I smiled as I pulled back and nodded. We began by getting out all the supplies and laying them out on the bed. “Looks like a good workbench,” I said, taking in all of our options and the space.
He rubbed my shoulder and said, “While you get this organized, I'll make us some hot chocolate.”
I grinned. “Sounds great.”
Within a few minutes, I had several different sweaters laid out in addition to a station with all the pom-poms, yarn, ornaments and anything else you could dream of to stick on a sweater.
Plus plenty of glue. As I was admiring my work, Cohen brought me a mug of cocoa topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.
I took it like a child on Christmas morning and drank a few sips before setting it down on one of the nightstands.
A glance out of the window gave me a pretty view of the main house where Henrietta’s sister-in-law and her husband lived with their daughters. I pictured them all together, settling in for the night, preparing for Santa to come in the morning, and it made my heart melt.
Christmas was one of the rare times that my parents took off work, and actually made it special for us between all of the holiday gatherings we had to go to for their business. I liked the thought of other children having a special experience too.
Cohen picked up a dark green sweater in his size and said, “What should I do with this one?”
I tilted my head. After a moment of thought, I said, “You could make a snowman with the cotton balls.”
“Love it.” he said,
“And your snowman needs to be holding a drink because you own a bar.”
He chuckled. “What kind of drink would a snowman have?”
I shrugged. “A White Russian? Y’know, because it’s cold in Russia?”
“Maybe? I’ve never been there… What about a peppermint Schnapps?”
“Also a good idea. I'm sure you'll come up with something.”
He got to work while I pulled out a sweater with a snowflake pattern on it, deciding to add blue sparkly charms on it. After all, it has kind of become my life's motto not to let anyone dull my sparkle.
While we glued and pinned (and let a swear word slip from time to time), we talked about the last ten years and our goals for the upcoming year. Cohen didn't much believe in New Year's resolutions, but I always liked the idea of a fresh start (and an excuse to buy fresh planners).
We talked about trips we might want to take with Ollie and his partner and on our own as a couple and all the things we were looking forward to in the new year. It made me so proud of this life that we had created together. Step by step, even when it looked like it wouldn’t work out for us.
Eventually, Cohen said, “I think mine is done.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and said. “Don't show me. Let's try them on and surprise each other like a first look at a wedding.”
He chuckled heartily, “Now you’re okay with surprises?”
“Well, this last one was kind of fun,” I said, reaching out and nudging his shoulder.
With a smile, he said, “I'm down for seeing my bride.”
I folded my sweater in half and said, "I'll go to the bathroom. You change out here.” Once he agreed, I left the living room. Safely inside the bathroom, I examined the sweater. I’d put so many jewels on the sweater, it had to be at least ten pounds heavier than it was when I started.
Then I pulled off my shirt so I could change. That’s when I remembered… I'd worn some sexy Christmas lingerie, planning to surprise Cohen once we got home from the party.
But this would be even better.
I took off my skirt as well and slipped on the bejeweled sweater, wearing only it with a lacy thong and bra underneath.
They matched perfectly.
I couldn’t wait to see what Cohen would think.