The 14 Days of Christmas

“I knew it,” Celia said, starting toward the commotion.

“Granny, are you okay here if I go and—”

“Get over there,” she said, shooing me away. “Howard and Keely will look after me.”

I ran after Celia, through the crowds of people, sending up a prayer than no one had been hurt. The Snowsly Christmas market had been a phoenix rising from the flames. I just hoped those flames weren’t about to burn us to the ground.

I caught up to Celia and arrived at the Christmas Shop stall at the same time.

“What happened?” Celia asked breathlessly.

“I don’t know,” Barbara said. “The lights just went out.”

“It must be the generator,” Celia said. “It powers these three stalls.” She scrambled behind the stall and I followed her. “Yep. It’s stopped running.” She glanced at me, a mixture of disappointment and fury pooling in her eyes. “I can’t believe it. It’s the twenty-third of December. There’s no way I’m going to be able to find a new one.”

“What about Mr. Taylor in Snowsville?” Barbara suggested. “He might be able to fix it.”

“Snowsville? No one there is going to help us,” Celia said. “These were the people who took down our tree.”

“We don’t know that,” I said, putting my hand on Celia’s shoulder.

“Wait!” said Celia, leaning over. I couldn’t see what she was fiddling with. Just as I was about to pull her off so she didn’t get hurt, the lights came back on.

Celia turned and grinned. “They’d just come unplugged.”

I laughed, watching her bright, ice-blue eyes sparkle. “You’re amazing.”

“It was a plug. Even I can deal with unplugged lights.”

And a whole lot more.

Twenty-Two

Celia

Since we’d gotten stuck in Snowsville, every evening Sebastian would either walk me home or appear at my door at some point after I’d gotten into my pajamas. We’d spend the rest of the night together, swapping stories, drinking hot chocolate or just straight brandy, and then exploring each other’s bodies like we knew time was running out.

Tonight was the twenty-third. Our last night together.

Although not unexpected, when he knocked on the door, my stomach dived to the floor as if tonight was somehow different. Maybe because I was hoping that he’d tell me he’d decided to stay for Christmas. Or even move here.

A part of me, a completely unrealistic, Santa-believing part of me was hoping this wasn’t going to be our last night together.

“Should I ask about the wand?” He nodded toward the pink glitter wand in my hand. “You know this is Christmas and not wizard school, right?”

“Semantics. It’s all magic.”

He smiled and shook his head in a way I’d come to recognize as saying, I’m-not-quite-sure-what-to-do-with-you-but-I’m-rolling-with-it. Much better than the disdainful look I’d come to expect from Carl when I was involved with anything Christmassy. Or frankly did anything that I enjoyed. Looking back, I don’t think he liked me that much. It can’t have always been like that. We must have had some good times. It was difficult to remember them now.

“You want a drink?”

“You’re not wearing Christmas pajamas. What’s going on?” He unbuttoned his coat and pulled out a padded envelope.

I shrugged. “I’ve only just got in.” I glanced at the bag. “What’s this?”

Sebastian took a seat at his usual sky-blue chair at the kitchen table while I set the bag next to him before pulling out mugs for our drinks. “Open it,” he said. “Before you make drinks.”

I glanced over at him, trying to get a read on his expression. If I didn’t know better, I would say it was slightly bashful. “Is it a gift?” I asked as I peered into the bag.

He replied with a shrug. “I’m not a great wrapper.”

“But I’ve already had a beautiful Secret Santa gift from you.” I kept the weather house in my bedroom so I could see it as soon as I woke up and last thing before I went to sleep.

“This isn’t from Secret Santa. It’s from me. Just open it, but don’t get excited. It’s very practical.”

I tried my best not to break into a grin but it was supremely difficult, given the handsome reformed grinch had bought me a second Christmas present. He might be leaving tomorrow, but tonight he was making me feel like I was at the center of his world.

I shook my head, trying to push silly thoughts like that out of my brain. I wasn’t the center of Sebastian’s world. Tomorrow he was leaving, and the practical part of me doubted I’d ever see him again.

I pulled a slim parcel from the bag. “What is it?” I asked, shaking it.

“I know it’s a radical idea, but why don’t you get it out and have a look?”

I tore the wrapping paper off to reveal a padded envelope. Inside were a set of keys. I glanced across at Sebastian. What had he bought?

“You want to take a look?”