Asher (Ashes & Embers 6)

Oh wow, as I was writing this, he came into the bedroom with a surprise gift for me. It’s a charm bracelet with little charms he picked out! A heart, a dog, a key, a journal, a guitar, a flame, a letter A, a letter E, and a microphone. I love it!

I must have been nineteen when I wrote this entry, which means when the fifteen-year mark hit, I was in the coma. I wonder if Asher went and dug the memory box up himself?

No. He definitely wouldn’t. It would destroy him with grief to do that alone.

“You ready for your surprise?”

Years later, and he’s still surprising me with romantic things.

I smile at him standing in the archway of the living room. He’s holding my new winter coat with the faux fur trim in one hand and my new suede snow boots in the other.

“I thought you got lost out there,” I tease.

He insisted I stay in the house and pretend I didn’t hear all the banging noises going on while he’s been outside for almost three hours.

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect.” He crosses the room to hand me the jacket and boots. “It just started to snow.”

Excited, I pull the jacket and boots on over my jeans and sweater. Taking my hand, he leads me out the front door, instructing me to keep my eyes closed until he tells me to open them. Clinging to his hand, I walk carefully with my eyes clamped shut to what I think is the sidewalk in front of our house.

“Okay. You can open your eyes now.”

I’m smiling before I even open my eyes, but when I finally see what he’s been doing for the past few hours, a huge smile spreads across my face.

“Oh my God! Asher, it’s amazing!” I clap my hands. He’s outlined our entire house—including the windows, front door, and roof with tiny Christmas lights. He didn’t stop there, though. A lighted, life-size Santa Claus, sleigh, and reindeer are on the roof, looking as if they’re ready to take flight toward a star suspended several feet over the roof.

Lit red-and-white candy canes line the driveway and the walkway, and ten huge nutcracker statues span the front of the house. A family of glowing snowmen, a few little elves, and a decorated tree are on the front lawn. The front door is covered in silver wrapping paper and a big red bow, with a spotlight shining on it.

It’s my first Christmas, and my very first snow is lightly falling on us. All month we’ve been watching holiday cartoons and movies, and I haven’t been able to get enough of all things Christmas.

Excited, I throw my arms around him and plant a big kiss on his lips. “I love it. It’s all so beautiful! It’s better than the movies!”

“You like it?” He beams almost as bright as all the lights.

“It’s perfect.” I hug him tighter. “Thank you so much for doing this for me.”

“I’m not done yet, baby.”

Tor’s voice suddenly interrupts us. “Seriously?” he says. “I’m gonna have to wear sunglasses in my own house to shield my eyes from this glaring atrocity you’ve created.”

He’s walking down his driveway toward us, wearing fuzzy Cookie Monster slippers.

“You’re gonna be that neighbor?” Asher jokes back.

“How can I be when you already are?” Standing next to us, he stares up at our glowing house, squinting. “Good thing you’re rich. Your electric bill is gonna be crazy.”

“It’s worth it,” Asher says. “You better step up your game, pal. It’s Tia’s first Christmas, and her grandparents are already beating you at being cool.”

Tor slaps Asher’s back. “We’re letting you ‘cuz you’re old.”

Laughing, Asher says, “We’re going inside. We’ll see you guys tomorrow night at Gram’s?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Asher’s entire family will be at his Gram’s tomorrow night for Christmas Eve dinner, which apparently I attended for years before the accident. I’m excited about what, to me, will be my first real family holiday party.

Asher makes us hot cocoa with marshmallows and peppermint schnapps, and we sit on the floor in front of the fireplace to warm up, watching the flames lick at the wood.

I actually moan in ecstasy after my first sip. “Wow, that’s good!”

“Hey, I’m getting a little jealous.” He leans in to nuzzle his lips against my neck.

His beard tickling my skin makes me giggle. I turn my face to meet his mouth and linger there, staring into his eyes. “It’s really good,” I breathe.

“It tastes even better on your lips.” My stomach burns and quivers, not from the drink, but in response to the deep sensuality dripping in his voice.

Taking the mug from his hand, I put it and mine off to the side before wrapping my arms around his wide shoulders.

“The lights you put up are so pretty.” I rub the tip of my nose against his, and dip down to press my lips to his. “Thank you for making my first Christmas special for me.”