Merry Mix-Up (Holiday Hearts)

28. Newt

28

NEWT

C hristmas Morning

When I woke before either of our alarms, Jade was still sleeping. She looked so peaceful with her hands curled around the edge of the blanket and her hair strewn out over the pillow. There was just enough light coming in from the bathroom door left open after our last romp that I could see the purple streak in her hair and smiled at it. My first impression of her wild side was entirely wrong. I loved that she was so expressive now.

I thought of waking her, of kissing her face and curling her dark hair around her ear to see her face more clearly, but I also thought of how tired she must've been. The last glance at my phone before we dozed off said three a.m. I knew her alarm was set for eight so she could make it to her parents' house for their family breakfast and exchanging of gifts. I wanted her to rest as much as possible.

So I slipped out of bed and found my clothing in a tangled mess by its foot. I dressed quietly and grabbed my phone and charger, shoving them in my pocket. Then I found the little notepad with the lodge logo on it on the desk across the room and a matching pen, and I scrawled a note for Jade when she woke up, asking her to meet me at the park at five for a date. I left the note on my vacant pillow and let myself out, sure to tell the lodge staff Jade would be checking out around eight thirty.

For pre-dawn in Danville, the town was bright. Every single business and home had lights strung around them, and even bushes were illuminated. The city power bill would be outrageous, but for one glorious night, the world shone with twinkling lights and a message of hope. In the darkness of the world around us, one season can shift your perspective and change your world.

I slipped into Mom and Dad's house before seven, thinking they'd still be sleeping, but Dad was at the stove making pancakes. He greeted me with a grunt and a cup of coffee.

"So?" he asked in a questioning manner. His one eyebrow was higher than the other, and I could see the curiosity in his eyes. "Naomi told us everything. You might as well spill it. Mom's going to go nuts now. She can’t wait for grandkids."

I chuckled at his frankness and sipped the black brew. "Well, Amber wasn't Amber, and she wasn’t cheating, and all I can say is, there won't be grandkids until Jade is ready to settle down. She has big dreams, Pop."

"So you got it all figured out?" he asked as he turned to flip the pancakes. He was a smart man, and if Naomi really did tell them everything, he'd understand how much I cared about this woman.

"I think so. And if it's alright, I'd like to just take my time and enjoy savoring every moment. No pressure to get married and pop out babies." I moved toward the stairs with the intention to get a shower before breakfast was ready. Dad said nothing, so I went on my way.

When I was clean and dressed in a warm sweater and crisp jeans, I made my way back downstairs. Mom was seated at the table and Dad served up a gourmet feast of pancakes, waffles, French toast, bacon, and sausage links. We indulged, and I made it almost all the way through breakfast without Mom saying a word.

It was only when I had a few pieces of bacon left that she said, "I'm sorry I didn't point out what was happening sooner, Newt." The way she'd treated Jade Friday morning at breakfast made sense now. She probably knew about Amber and thought I was going to be hurt.

"It worked out exactly how it should have, Mom. No hard feelings." I popped the last slice of bacon into my mouth and wiped my lips clean. Mom stood and collected the dirty dishes. Dad and I helped, and in no time, we had the table clean and we were seated around the living room waiting for Dad to pass out a few gifts. It felt odd not having Naomi here for this, but her honeymoon was more important.

Our morning gift-giving ritual was typical. Dad got new socks and a power tool. Mom got a new bathrobe and some bulbs to plant in her garden in the spring, and I got a sweater and a tie and the knowledge that the woman who'd crashed into my life for the good would meet me later for a date in the frigid park. Jade texted me a good morning message and a few emojis, and my heart was full.

Around a quarter to five, I took a few pairs of gloves, a few hats, a carrot, some charcoal from Dad's summer grilling stash in the garage, and a scarf and I headed to the park where I told Jade to meet me. It was only a short wait for her, and when she pulled up and parked, we were the only two people there.

I climbed out of my car with my duffel bag full of goodies and she gave me an awkward smile. "Why are we here?" she asked as she rubbed her bare hands together. She wore her pink puffer coat, but her long, dark hair was free to roam, not contained under a hat. So I opened the bag and took out two hats and two sets of gloves, giving one set to her.

"Hat and gloves before I tell you." I grinned and decided it was high time she learned to love the outdoors. If we were stuck here in Danville for any amount of time, we had to get used to it.

"Okay?" she said, chuckling. She donned her hat and gloves, and I put mine on, then set the bag on the hood of Dad's truck. "Now what?"

"Now, we make a snowman together." I bent to begin a small ball which I'd roll through the snowpack, and she grumbled a little.

"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.