Page 43 of Merry Mix-Up

"You know I hate snow, though," she complained, and she kicked some snow at me playfully.

"It's only because you've never had anyone to play in the snow with. Trust me?" I stood and took her hand, and she shrugged at me, rolling her eyes.

"Alright…" Jade stooped with me to begin rolling our base for our snowman. She heaved and pushed, and I checked out her perfect ass. Then I pushed it when it got too large for her as she started the middle ball. A few times, she took a wad of snow and threw it at me and I returned the gesture, hitting her butt more than once. We laughed and joked, and in about an hour, we had the resemblance of a snowman.

"See, I told you it wasn't that bad," I said, hooking an arm around her waist.

"But I'm freezing." Her teeth chattered, and I could see how cold she was by the rosy tint of her cheeks and nose.

"But it was fun… and I can think of a few ways to warm up." I pulled her against my body and kissed her frigid nose. "But first, we finish our creation." After a smack on the butt, I jogged to the truck and got my bag and carried it back to our snowman. Jade helped me position the coal for eyes and mouth and buttons. She draped the scarf around his neck while I found sticks for arms, and finally, we shoved the carrot into the top ball for his nose.

"Oh, he has no hat!" she chided, then took off her sock hat and stretched it over his big, round head. "There, perfect."

The smile on her face was priceless, and I wished my fingers weren't so cold or I'd have taken a picture of her just like this.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" I held her again, as if it were the first time, feeling her body melt against mine.

"You're insane, you know that? Who likes the snow, anyway? This is crazy." Her chattering teeth didn't dissuade me from enjoying the moment. I was soaking up every second of it, knowing I had to go to Chicago next week and my time with her would be limited.

"I think I love the snow even more today than I ever have." I kissed her softly and felt how chapped her lips were. Poor girl really was cold.

"Why's that?" she asked, and her hands splayed on my woolen trench coat which barely cut the sting of the winter breeze.

"Because out in the snow is where I knew I was in love with you. I think winter is my new favorite season, specifically when it's very snowy and icy. And especially when you're here with me." I kissed her hard again and felt warmth flood my body.

When she pulled away, she said, "If I still like summer better, would you hate me?" Her laughter met mine, and I spun her around.

"I could never hate you, Jade. In fact, I love you so much I'm thinking of working from Danville and my parents' house one week a month. Might even get a place here… Might even just go fully remote so I can be closer to you all the time." I couldn't help but kiss her again.

"But your dream… the firm and going to New York?—"

"Can wait until it meets your path, and then we'll travel together. You're my dream now, Jade." My heart felt in sync with hers finally, and I didn't want anything to ever change that.

"I love you, silly boy." Her playful chiding only made me more fond of her.

"Now, let's go warm up… Is Amber at your place?" I asked, and she smirked at me as she rolled her eyes.

"It's empty, and my bed is very warm and toasty." Jade winked as she left me standing there and headed to her car. Now this was the sort of date I could get used to.

29

EPILOGUE: JADE

December 18th, One Year later…

The church was packed with people of all ages decked in their Christmas finery. Mom wore a hideous sweater that lit up and flashed. Amber and Derek wore matching reindeer antlers and bright red noses, which I made fun of them for, but that's what sisters are for. Newt sat next to me in his very dapper brown leisure suit and green tie. He was gorgeous, as always, matching my army-green leggings and oversized tan sweater.

I nestled into his side as we watched the pageant unfold. This year's Mary and Joseph were portrayed by none other than Naomi and Jared, brand-new parents and so over the top happy about it. Though, the baby in the manger was a doll, not the newborn. Little Jared Jr. sat on Newt's mom's lap to the right of him and made me get all the baby cravings.

"He's so cute," I whispered as I watched Newt's mom try to bottle feed the mostly breastfed infant. His elf hat and striped onesie were adorable.

"Shh, it's Naomi's big line," Newt said, shushing me. He touched the tip of my nose and I turned to pay attention.

Naomi was beautiful in the costume, still blushing with postpartum afterglow, and Jared stood tall and strong behind her as she announced the birth of the Christ. The entire thing was a timeless tale, told every year during this pageant, but it was the first time I paid much attention. To me, Christmas had always been about family and togetherness, and now that I had Newt, I knew it would forever be that for me. I laid my head on his shoulder and my hand on his stomach as Naomi recited her lines and the church erupted into applause.

He kissed my forehead and whispered into my ear, "Let's sneak out before the crowd goes wild."

"You don't want to tell Nomie she did a good job?" I asked, using his sister's nickname. We'd gotten closer over the past twelve months now that I was dating Newt. He got his own place here in town but still spent every other week in the city. But every time he was home, his parents hosted a family dinner, to which I was always invited now.

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