Christmas Cancellation

23. NOELLE

Chapter twenty-three

K ol walked in and nearly tripped over my suitcase, dropping a couple of bags by the door. Time seemed to freeze as we stood there. I blinked in stunned silence, my eyes darting between him and the coin on the floor. He broke the silence first.

“What’s with the suitcase?” he asked gruffly, a tight line forming between his brows. “Are you leaving? Just going to walk out without a word?”

His words snapped me back to real time. I slammed my fists onto my hips as anger bubbled to the surface. “Walk out without a word? Are you serious right now?” My voice rose with each syllable. “That’s hilarious, coming from you. You left! No note, no nothing. Cleaned up, took everything—including your damn toothbrush—and just disappeared! You didn’t even wake me up! You’re the jerk here, not me. How dare you waltz in here and try to accuse me of something? I got your message loud and clear. Just get out and stay out.”

Kol shook his head as if he was trying to back up and restart. He marched toward me, kicking the door shut with his boot. “What the hell are you talking about?”

His eyes flashed with anger, and the space between us shrank to nothing.

He was close—too close—his nostrils flaring, his jaw tight. I looked him up and down, noticing details that didn’t add up. His face was cleanly shaven, his hair perfectly tousled. He wore a dark-colored flannel shirt rolled up to the elbows, a pair of jeans, and hiking boots—nothing I recalled him having in his suitcase.

Kol gripped my shoulders, giving me a shake. “You really do have some serious trust issues.” His voice was rough, like gravel under a truck tire, but his eyes held a softness that contradicted his tone.

I was confused, my mind spinning like a top. “You left,” I repeated. “I woke up, and you were gone. Everything was gone. What was I supposed to think?”

A muscle twitched in his cheek. “I went to get supplies. We needed food; I figured you’d want something more than just pancakes.”

He heaved a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of him. “Since I joined the Army, I’ve always woken up at the ass-crack of dawn. You were out cold, sleeping peacefully—beautifully tranquil, I might add. So, I busied myself cleaning up, which didn’t take long. Then it hit me that there was something important I needed to do. Plus, I needed fresh clothes. I figured I had plenty of time to run home and grab a few things. Rotterdam’s not that far away, and based on those contented little snores you were making, I figured you wouldn’t even notice I was gone.”

I bristled, heat rising to my cheeks. “I do not snore!”

He chuckled. “Oh, you do, and it’s adorable. You talk in your sleep too.”

Mortified, I spun around, breaking away from his hold on me. “No! You’re just saying that to throw me off. No one has ever mentioned it. Don’t try to change the subject. You left. I knew you would… Everyone else has.”

He didn’t miss a beat; he wrapped his arms around me from behind, splaying one hand across my stomach and resting the other on my hip. With his chin resting atop my head, he rocked us gently. “No, sweetheart. You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not going anywhere. I always keep my promises.”

I sighed, the fight draining out of me. “I thought you’d left. No goodbye…just gone, as if you’d never existed. It’s awful when someone you care about disappears.”

He squeezed me tighter and softly kissed my cheek. “I’m not leaving, Noelle. How about I make us breakfast, and then we can talk about where we go from here?” He released me and returned to the bags he’d dropped by the door. “Brought a few things from home since all the stores are closed today.”

I bent down, picking up the coin from where it had fallen earlier, studying it. Heads. I bit my lip, my mind whirring. Maybe there was a higher power, something guiding all this chaos.

“Whatcha got there?” Kol asked, glancing over his shoulder as he passed me on his way to the kitchen.

“It’s just a coin I found. Nothing really.”

I followed him, setting the coin on the kitchen table and tracing my fingers over it contemplatively.

Kol started unloading the bags, setting eggs, bacon, ham, some veggies, a loaf of bread, orange juice, and several more items onto the counter. He caught me watching him and winked. “We’ve got to keep our strength up. Who knows what the day will bring?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I smiled softly. Maybe the coin had been a sign. Maybe Kol was right—maybe I did have it all wrong. Maybe, for once, someone was here to stay.

I made my way over to the counter next to him, ready to pitch in with breakfast. “You can chop those if you want,” he said, gesturing to the veggies he’d brought. After washing his hands, he cracked a few eggs into a bowl, whisking them with a quick flick of his wrist. “I’m glad you’re not some vegan,” he said, tossing a handful of diced ham into the pan. “No way a meat-asaurus like me could last for long with a woman like that.”

I nudged him with my elbow, grinning as I slid the cutting board with the bell peppers and tomatoes I’d just cut up closer to him. “ Meat-asaurus ? Is that even a word?” I snorted. “And don’t worry, I won’t make you eat tofu. That stuff is gross.”

He chuckled, sprinkling the veggies into the pan alongside the ham. “ Meat-asaurus is definitely in my vocabulary. Besides, you can’t deny that bacon makes everything better.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Well, I can’t argue with that logic.” The sizzle of bacon filled the kitchen, making my stomach rumble. While he worked, I canceled the flight I’d just booked.

When everything was ready, I laid a couple of plates on the counter, watching as Kol expertly folded the omelet with the spatula, cut it in half, and flipped the pieces onto the plates like a pro.

“Not bad, Mr. Captain,” I teased, grabbing some salt and pepper.

“You learn to cook when you spend half your life in the middle of nowhere,” he replied, shooting me a playful wink as he pushed a plate toward me. “But seriously, no tofu. Ever.”

Laughing, I shook my head and moved to the table to set my plate down. Then I grabbed some utensils and poured a couple of glasses of juice. Everything about this felt easy—like we’d been doing it for years instead of days.

But underneath that ease, something twisted in my stomach, gnawing at me.

When we sat down to eat, Kol dived into his omelet without hesitation. I took a bite, savoring the flavors, but my mind was elsewhere. Was he going to stick around? Or was this just another fleeting moment in a life full of them? I’d given him my heart, and while he seemed to be offering his in return, the morning’s confusion had shaken me more than I wanted to admit.

Kol paused mid-bite, watching me push my food around the plate. “What’s going on in that mind of yours, Noelle?”

I set my fork down, staring at the table before finally meeting his eyes. “Please don’t break my heart. There’s not much of it left.”

Slowly, he placed his fork on his plate, then leaned forward, elbows on the table, and studied me. He reached a hand across the table, covering mine. His thumb traced circles on my skin, the rough calluses sending goose bumps up my arm. “I’m not here to hurt you. You’ve been through so much already. But you don’t have to carry everything by yourself anymore. I’m here to help with the load.” His eyes held mine, the golden flecks in his irises catching the light. “You deserve someone who’s going to be straight with you, always. And that’s what I’m offering. I know words are easy, but I’m not just about words. I’ll prove it to you. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to rush you. But I want you to know I’m here for the long haul—no matter how long it takes for you to believe that.”

My breath hitched. Without thinking, I stood up and moved behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and resting my hands on his chest. I bent down, kissing his cheek softly, lingering there for just a second .

Kol turned to gently cup my cheek in his hand, and then he pulled me in for a sweet kiss.

I melted into it.

When I broke away, I caressed the edge of his jaw with my fingertips before letting my hands fall to my sides. I slipped back into my chair, my heart lighter than it had been all morning. Kol studied me for a moment, and then we both returned to our omelets.

After a few more bites, he cleared his throat. “By the way, the roads are looking much better now. Between the sun and the city’s cleanup, there’s no problem getting out. And barely anyone’s out since it’s Christmas Morning.”

I took a sip of juice, a playful grin creeping onto my face. “Oh, so you’re saying we should take your big red sleigh out for a flight?”

Kol chuckled, shaking his head as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “If that’s what Miss Claus wants, we’ll fire it up. No reindeer required. Maybe I’ll even let you fly it this time.”

“Ooo, you trust me that much?”

“It’s a chance I’m willing to take,” he teased, rising from the table and placing his dish in the sink.

“I’ll clean up the kitchen if you build me a fire,” I said. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at that fireplace without thinking about…”

Memories of his hands on my body skittered through my mind.

Kol’s eyes darkened with desire. “Trust me, I’ll never forget how the firelight flickered over your…skin.” He cleared his throat and blinked away the hunger in his eyes. “I’d be happy to build you a fire. I’m an expert, remember?”

Before he got to work, I called out after him, “Why’d you clean the firebox up so well this morning? It was spotless.”

Kol glanced over his shoulder. “It’s all about maintenance. You’ve got to take good care of a fireplace. Keeping the ashes out makes it burn cleaner and safer. A clean firebox means a hotter fire. And who doesn’t want that? Plus, if you don’t do it, it’s a mess. And I’m not a fan of messes.” He winked before heading to the living room, and I started cleaning up.

Soon the scent of burning wood filled the air. I’d forever associate that smell with…us. I was wiping down the counters and putting away the last dishes when Kol’s voice boomed from the living room. “Noelle, get in here!”

His boyish excitement had me curious. Drying my hands on a towel, I hurried into the living room.

My breath caught. The Christmas tree sparkled, lights shimmering on every branch. Aunt Mary’s beloved figurines were all lit up, their little mechanical parts whirring and clicking as they moved—tiny little dancers spinning. The sight of it all was stunning. It was like walking into a winter wonderland.

I wandered through the room, taking it all in, brushing my fingers against the tree’s boughs. It was perfect. My heart swelled. Stopping before the tree, I gazed up at the angel perched on top. She was old, her paint chipped and her wings slightly askew, but she was perfect.

“Thank you, Aunt Mary,” I whispered, a lump forming in my throat. This was the Christmas I hadn’t known I needed.

Kol stood by the fireplace. “I have a surprise for you,” he said, a half smirk playing on his lips.

I turned and walked over to him, lifting my brow. “You didn’t have to get me anything. I didn’t—”

Before I could finish, Kol leaned in, silencing me with a kiss. It was sweet and gentle, enough to make my words disappear. When he pulled back, he held out a long, slender box. It was old, the velvet worn and the edges frayed .

“Go ahead, open it,” he said.

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly untied the ribbon and opened the lid. Nestled inside was the most stunning necklace I’d ever seen—a diamond halo pendant. Its brilliant center stone and the surrounding intricate details glinted in the soft light of the room. It was clearly old, the setting ornate and full of history. And it was breathtaking.

“Kol, I—I can’t accept this,” I stuttered, overwhelmed. “It’s too much.”

Before I could protest further, he gently took the necklace from the box, spun me around, and fastened it behind my neck. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me into a tight embrace. I relaxed back into him, reveling in the warmth of his body.

“This necklace was my grandma’s,” he said quietly, his lips brushing the top of my head. “She gave it to me before she passed away. Originally, it was given to her by her mother when she was a young woman. She told me it was a gift of strength, a symbol of resilience and beauty.”

He paused, his thumbs tracing circles on my shoulders. I turned to face him, my hand instinctively reaching up to touch the pendant as his words sank in.

“My great-grandmother kept it close to her heart through many trials and tribulations—World War One, the Depression. She gave the necklace to my grandma because she, too, had to face tragic circumstances. Losing her husband in World War Two and facing polio,” he continued, keeping his gaze steady on me. “It was their reminder that, no matter how hard life got, they were tough. She told me to give it to a special girl one day—a girl who sparkled even during the worst of times.”

A tear rolled down my cheek, and Kol brushed it away with his thumb .

“I’ve met no one more deserving of this necklace than you,” he whispered. “Not even my little sisters. You’re strong, Noelle, even though you don’t realize it. It was meant for you. No matter what happens between us, you will always have a reminder of how strong you are and that you are a precious gem. You should never doubt that you were meant to be born. I don’t know what your future holds, but I do know you’re special and that there’s an important purpose for you.”

Speechless, I stared at him, my heart filled to bursting. This was more than I could have ever imagined.

I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. “Thank you, thank you so much. For this, for everything. You have no idea what this means to me,” I murmured, the words muffled against his chest. “Thank you for giving me the best gift ever.” I sniffed. Inhaling deeply, I looked up at him. “Not the necklace, but the belief that life is worth living.”

Kol held me tight, resting his chin on top of my head. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just giving you what you deserve.”

At that moment, a sense of peace seeped into my bones. Whatever the future held, I knew I could face it. With Kol by my side, I was unstoppable.