Big Man For Christmas

Now Casey’s arm is around my waist as we carry cups of thick, rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. We are definitely getting stares from all the people in town, but I can’t bring myself to worry about it. Yes, some people might call me names and terrible things because I walked out on my fiancé and was with Casey the next day. But those people don’t know the whole story and don’t understand that my relationship with Tyler had already been over for a long time.

Mrs. Harlowe approaches us. She’s got a box of those amazing cookies and she’s handing them out to anyone who wants one. I do before they’re gone. Even if we still have the entire box at Casey’s house.

There’s a glint in her eye. “I thought I saw something between you two when you stopped by my house. Glad to know that I was right.”

I blush, and Casey kisses my cheek. “That’s right Mrs. Harlowe. I’ve tricked her into being with me. Who knows how long it will last?”

“Hey,” I smack my arm. “You didn’t trick me.”

“Says who?” He swipes a finger through his whipped cream and brushes it across my lips as an excuse to kiss me fully. It’s our first kiss in public, and I find that I couldn’t care less. It still lights me up from my head to my toes, tingles of light dancing through me.

Mrs. Harlowe laughs. “Well I’m happy for both of you. It’s always nice to see young love. Take a cookie?”

“Absolutely,” I say, snagging one. “And thank you.”

I turn around to find Casey shaking my father’s hand. “Thank you,” he says. “For making my daughter see sense.”

“I’m pretty sure she did that all on her own, Mr. Farrell. I’m just lucky.”

My dad smiles at me and pulls me into a hug. “You okay?”

“I’m better than okay. I didn’t have a chance to thank you for last night.”

He laughs, a deep belly laugh that carries through the air and draws people’s eyes towards us. “You don’t have to thank me for that, sweetheart. That was an absolute pleasure and I’d do it again.”

“Good.” It’s amazing to know that he’s on my side. “Are you and Mom okay?”

He nods. “We’ll be fine. We had a long talk after you left. She’ll be okay, and so will you. It may take her some time to come around, but she will.”

“Okay.”

“Just enjoy the fireworks and try not to worry.”

The smile on my face is the same one that’s been there all day. “I don’t think anything could make me sad today. Truly.”

“I’m happy for you,” he says, hugging me close again. “He’s a good man.”

“He is.”

Chimes ring out over the fields. It’s almost time for the fireworks to start. Everyone starts making their way toward the big open space reserved for them. Part of me wants to watch them in full, but a greater part of me is brimming with excitement to very much not watch them.

Casey and I wait on the edge of the field, near to the woods, watching the whole town assemble and look upwards. There are kids running around and couples spreading out blankets, and I’m suddenly emotional being here again. It feels too perfect, and I want to remember this forever.

The music for the cows at the barn is on a timer, so it should be starting right about now, and one of the farmhands volunteered to watch the cows to make sure that they don’t spook anyway.

New music starts, pumped through speakers all around the field, and the first firework explodes above our heads. I watch, spellbound for a moment. It’s been forever, and they’re so beautiful. Gold and silver falling sparkles cascade over the trees. Absolutely gorgeous.

Casey squeezes my hand and pulls me away. I follow him. The sound of music and exploding fireworks are the backdrop for us picking through the forest to the same spot we went last time. A clearing surrounded by blackberry bushes, just branches in the winter.

It’s crazy déjà vu. We’re painted in glowing colors, washed over as every starburst appears. And I hold my breath as we sink to the ground, worried that it might not be the same.

But it’s so much better than I remember.

We come together with the same passion that we had as teenagers. The same way of barely removing our clothing enough for him to squeeze inside me. The same fervent kisses to the rhythm of exploding stars.

I love him so much I can’t breathe, and when we come, we come together, shuddering in pleasure. And this time nothing will come between us after.

“Maybe we should do this every year.”

“Maybe,” he says with a smile. “It’s a good tradition.”

I sigh, staring up at the sky and watching the colors dance.

“I promised you your present today, remember?”