23. Christmas at the Cottage #2
By the time we finished decorating, the tree looked as though Christmas had exploded on it in the most wonderful way possible. Every inch was covered with ornaments that represented someone’s story, including me, in their celebration of the season.
The ladies began gathering their things as evening settled over the town, but Janet made me promise to call if I needed anything, and Kathy extracted a commitment to attend the Christmas Eve service at the church.
“It’s simple,” she warned, “but it’s ours.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I assured her.
After they left, Levi and I stood in my living room, surveying the transformation they’d helped create. Every surface glowed with warm light, every corner held some evidence of holiday cheer, and the tree dominated the space, wearing too much jewelry.
“So,” he said, wrapping his arms around me from behind, “how does it feel to have been properly Christmas-attacked by the Everwood ladies’ auxiliary?”
“It feels perfect,” I said, leaning back against his chest, listening to him breathe.
“Good,” he murmured into my hair. “Because I have something for you.”
He disappeared into my bedroom and returned with a small-wrapped box that he placed in my hands.
“Levi,” I started, “we said we weren’t doing gifts this year.”
“It’s small,” he said, though his expression suggested it might not be. “Open it.”
Inside the box, nestled in tissue paper, was a locket. Something simple and elegant and clearly chosen with care. The silver was warm against my fingers, and when I opened it, I found two tiny initials engraved inside: C.G. and E.G.
“Cassie Grant and Ellen Grant,” he explained quietly. “I thought...I thought you might want to carry a piece of her with you. As a reminder that she’s part of you.”
I stared down at the locket; he’d managed to honor my mother’s memory while capturing me as well.
“Levi,” I whispered, my voice unsteady.
“Too much?”
“Perfect,” I managed. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
He fastened the locket around my neck with gentle fingers, and I could feel the weight of it settle against my skin. Present. A reminder that carrying someone’s memory meant carrying their love.
“I have something for you too,” I said, retrieving the package I’d been hiding in my closet for weeks.
“I thought you said no gifts,” he teased sarcastically.
“Yeah, well, apparently we both need to work on following rules.” I handed him the gift, then sat on the couch and fidgeted with the hem of the blanket from the back of it.
He opened the first gift with excitement, tearing the paper with rapt enthusiasm.
His eyes widened when he saw what it was, revealing the first-edition copy of Once a Warrior: How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home by Jake Wood, which I’d found in a rare book shop in another town and drove ninety miles to purchase.
“Cassie,” he breathed, running his fingers over the cover with something close to reverence. “This must have cost—”
“What it costs doesn’t matter,” I interrupted. “What matters is that you mentioned it was your favorite book, and you said you’d always wanted another copy after yours was lost in the military. I wanted to give you something special.”
He looked up at me with an expression that suggested I’d given him something far more valuable than a book, no matter how rare.
“I love you,” he said simply.
“I love you too.”
We stood there in the glow of Christmas lights for a moment before my excitement for the next gift took over. “Okay, gift two.”
“Cassie,” Levi warned.
“Oh, hush and open gift two,” I said, practically bouncing in my seat.
Levi opened the next gift—tearing at the paper.
“Oh, Cassie.” Levi sighed. “It’s beautiful.” He stroked the wooden box.
“It’s made from the old cherry tree your grandpa had in his backyard. Baxter had it cut down last month, so I had Dane teach woodshop at school to make you a box from one of the branches.” I wrung my hands together when he didn’t say anything. “Do you like it?”
When Levi looked at me, he had that smile that made me go weak at the knees. The one that said everything without words.
“How did you know?” he asked in awe.
“Your mother.” I shrugged. “When I heard that Baxter got the south forty from your grandpa in exchange for your north forty, and your grandpa always regretted giving that tree away, I spoke to Baxter. He was more than happy. He even saved several large pieces for you that he’ll have delivered to your house for anything else you want.
” I sat taller, feeling a little proud of my new discovery.
It took everything I had not to tell him last week when the box was done.
Levi didn’t answer in words. When he kissed me beside the tree, his arms wrapped around my waist, he left a streak of kisses along my jaw before kissing my nose, then my forehead, then my lips.
His lips were warm and soft, and I melted into his arms. His kisses weren’t ravishing or feverish; they were soft, sweet, and perfect.
One hand moved to my cheek, and his hands tangled in my hair before he pulled away, his forehead resting against mine.
Outside, snow began to fall again, but inside, wrapped in Levi’s arms with my mother’s initials warm against my skin and the lights of home glowing around us, everything was exactly as it should be.
Cozy and joyful and beautifully, completely perfect.