Chapter 1 #3
When it became clear we couldn’t bring the kittens along with all our holiday traveling, Nicolas took the whole operation very seriously.
He researched a dozen cat hotels, narrowed them down to the best-reviewed ones, and booked us two separate visits!
Linda was right, our little furry princes are going to be spoiled rotten over the holidays.
Sure enough, when we finally reach my apartment, both of them are waiting right inside the door. Muffin meows loudly to greet us, while Coconut, the naughty little kitty that he is, immediately tries to slip past us to escape. Nicolas scoops him up without missing a beat.
“We’re home,” I sing-song.
Muffin meows again and curls around my ankles like the good boy he is.
I’m still convinced he remembers I picked him up from that parking lot two years ago!
With his soft brown-and-white coat, he really does look like a chocolate muffin made entirely of fluff.
His little brother, Coconut, is equally fluffy, but he’s smaller and his fur is all white—hence his name!
“Are you finished packing?” he asks.
“Pretty much! It’s so silly I’m taking a suitcase for three days, isn’t it?” I bite my lip.
“It’s not silly. You’ll need space for souvenirs. And the gifts for your family. And the cats.”
I’m glad we had all the presents we could shipped right to my parents’ door. There’s no way I could have packed everything for my siblings, their partners, my parents, and my nieces and nephews in a suitcase or two!
“I’m so excited for the Christmas Market,” I clap my hands together. “I watched more vlogs last night; Quebec looks so pretty under the snow! And I can’t wait to get back to the Christmas shop! We need to find an ornament for Coconut!”
“We do,” he hums. “You’re also out of their special hot cocoa mixes. We should restock.”
I beam, remembering how sweet and enthusiastic the staff were when Nicolas took me there.
A few months ago, we finally managed a weekend getaway to visit his hometown, and it turned out to be one of our favorite trips ever.
Quebec City was so pretty at the beginning of fall; I can’t wait to see it at Christmas time!
“I can’t wait,” I smile. “Are you excited to come to Portland too?”
“Absolutely. I asked the dry cleaner to press my Christmas shirt. I requested extra care.”
I giggle. That shirt!
I found it a few weeks ago during another shopping trip with my colleague Kitty.
It was the perfect shade of blue to match his eyes, and it had the tiniest, cutest little snowmen all over it—I couldn’t not get it for Nicolas!
I knew it would be the perfect gift for our Latte Anniversary, which isn’t exactly the anniversary of our meeting, but close enough!
I mean, Nicolas is the CEO of the company, so of course I knew who he was, but I feel like we only truly met when he first approached me that fateful evening…
I had snuck away to the executives’ break room for a latte, and while I fully expected to be scolded by my boss, he actually used that as an excuse to talk to me!
Cheeky move, right? And the rest was history…
Well, if you count me finally dumping the boyfriend I had at the time (don’t worry, he was not a good man and he moved on quickly!) and Nicolas patiently taking me on date after date (eight of them in four weeks; he was relentless!) until I finally agreed to become his girlfriend (yay!).
It became such a special memory for us that I knew I wanted to celebrate the one-year anniversary of that latte meeting with him, with that shirt as a gift and, of course, a latte!
To my surprise, Nicolas had the same thought, and he gifted me the most adorable notebook for my recipes, which I obviously loved…
but I think I was even happier to see how much he liked that shirt with the tiny snowmen.
He’s worn it proudly every chance he gets since.
It caused quite a stir, because after seeing Nicolas’s shirt, a lot more executives suddenly started coming to work wearing shirts with discreet little gingerbread men or candy cane-themed ties!
The office was abuzz for days with amusement about the executives’ outfits; there was even a secret poll on who wore the best Christmas-casual office attire…
and Nicolas didn’t win despite my best efforts!
“Good,” I smile. “Oh, and what do you want for dinner tonight? You must be hungry! I saw your calendar; you didn’t have time for a proper lunch again, did you?”
“I didn’t,” he admits, “but I am hungry now. How about curry? I love your cooking, but we should take it easy this evening. Finish packing, go to bed early.”
“Good idea,” I nod. “I haven’t had it in forever!”
“Let me order it. You should go and finish packing.”
“Alright!”
I sneak into my bedroom and, of course, our curious kitties come along, trying their best to sneak into my suitcase like tiny, determined stowaways!
Well, more accurately, Coconut bats around a pair of fuzzy socks like it’s a toy, while Muffin claims a spot smack in the middle of my folded sweaters.
Thankfully, I’d gotten a head start earlier, but I go through everything again to make sure I’ve got it all.
It’s only three days away from home, but somehow it feels like I’m packing for a full-blown expedition!
First up: my cute new Christmas pajamas, plus the matching set I secretly bought for Nicolas. I picked ones that are extra soft and cozy because I know how particular he is about fabrics, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to love them!
Then there’s the beautiful dress I found for our Christmas Eve dinner, which I can’t wait to wear.
I was a little nervous about it at first, but Jenna insisted I looked amazing in it when I tried it on, and Emi, Nicolas’s sister-in-law, agreed it looked absolutely perfect when I sent her photos.
I packed a pair of cute Mary Jane shoes to go with it; they’ll be perfect for dinner and wandering around the hotel in style.
For Christmas Day, I picked a more relaxed outfit—something comfy enough for the drive, cozy but cute enough for lounging around my parents’ place, and sturdy enough to survive unwrapping gifts, toddler cuddles, and all the glorious food I know we’ll be eating.
I settled on one of my favorite Christmas jumpers, a pleated skirt, and some festive tights (plus an extra pair, in case the kitties got to the first!).
Next up: toiletries, slippers, and an extra pair of fuzzy socks, because I’ve learned my lesson about forgetting backup socks and ending up with snow-drenched feet.
And last, my outfit for tomorrow: the cream knit dress that’s both snug and stylish, perfect for an afternoon stroll through Quebec’s Christmas Market!
I zip up my suitcase (double-checking for stowaway kitties), and lay out my trusty red leggings and an old Christmas jumper with penguins that’ll just be for the airport and flight; I’ll change as soon as we get to the hotel for our Christmas wonderland!
By the time I finish packing, I hear the front door open—our delivery’s here!
I walk back into the living room just in time to see Nicolas thanking the delivery driver and setting the bags down on the coffee table.
He’s already fed the kitties, judging by the sound of contented munching in the kitchen.
“I think I’m all done!” I announce.
Nicolas looks up and smiles as I flop down next to him on the couch.
“Did you use the list I sent you?” he asks.
“I did,” I nod. “It was so helpful!”
Of course, he has a very, very detailed packing list—neatly organized, with checkboxes and categories and notes like “pack socks in shoes to save space.” I might’ve trimmed it a bit to make it more me, but it definitely reminded me to bring my charger and travel medicine…
both of which I would have completely forgotten otherwise, I’m sure!
“Good,” he says with a little nod. “Now let’s eat.”
“I missed their curry,” I sigh as I take in the delicious smell. “It smells so good!”
We dive in, chatting lightly while trying (and failing) to keep the cats away from our food.
Nicolas did feed them, but apparently, there’s nothing in the world quite as tempting as the smell of chicken katsu…
Coconut keeps trying to paw at my plate, and Muffin circles Nicolas like a very determined, very fluffy shark.
Thankfully, we’re both starving too, and it doesn’t take long before our plates are completely clean. I let out a happy little sigh and lean back on the couch while Nicolas heads to the kitchen to toss the trash.
“I can’t believe it’s the holidays already,” I say with a smile.
“Are you glad to be done with work?” he asks.
He returns a moment later, carrying our traditional post-dinner peppermint teas and one square each of dark chocolate. Tonight’s batch has macadamia, candied orange, and dried cranberry, which I made myself, of course!
“I love my job,” I pout, accepting my mug, “and my colleagues! But I was really looking forward to our holiday plans. And I can’t wait to spend them with you.”
Nicolas smiles, his eyes soft.
“I missed you,” he whispers. “A lot.”
I feel my cheeks go warm, and scoot closer to him on the couch.
“I missed you too,” I say quietly. “I’m so excited we get to spend Christmas together.”
“I’m excited too,” he replies.
He leans in and kisses me. It’s sweet and soft, with just the right hint of dark, orangey chocolate.
“It’s going to be a wonderful Christmas, Ophelia.”