Noah (Angel Institute #7)

Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

NOAH

I watch as Paige darts between floats, her golden hair catching the lights as she directs volunteers and adds last-minute touches to decorations. Her enthusiasm is infectious, bringing smiles to everyone she encounters.

A group of children rush past, their excited squeals piercing the air as they admire a float festooned with twinkling lights and giant candy canes.

The rumble of an engine draws my attention, and I turn to see the fire truck pulling into position. Its red paint gleams, the gold trim and polished chrome dazzling against the backdrop of evergreen garlands that adorn the nearby buildings. It comes to a stop, and I spot a familiar figure hopping down from the cab.

Sam, in his full firefighter uniform, bounds toward me. There’s a spring in his step and a glint in his eye that piques my curiosity.

“Noah,” Sam calls out, his voice carrying over the din of the parade preparations. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

I force a smile, trying to match his enthusiasm. “Hey, Sam.”

Sam grins, puffing out his chest a bit. “Listen, I’ve got something important to talk to you about. Got a second?”

I nod, gesturing to a relatively quiet spot near a snowman-themed float. As we walk, I notice Sam’s eyes darting around, as if he’s making sure no one is eavesdropping. My curiosity deepens.

“What’s on your mind?” I ask as we come to a stop.

Sam takes a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as if preparing for a significant moment. “Noah, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. About the future, you know? With Alexis. And, well... I was wondering if you’d be willing to sell me the ice skating rental business.”

The words hit me, robbing me of breath. My eyes widen, and I’m sure my jaw must be hanging open in shock. Of all the things I expected Sam to say, this wasn’t even on the list.

“You... what?” I manage to stammer, my mind reeling as it tries to process this unexpected turn of events.

Sam’s expression is a mix of hope and determination. “I know it’s out of the blue, but hear me out. I’ve always admired how you run the place, and lately, I’ve been thinking about wanting to own my own business to support a future family. The rental is perfect for me—the schedule works great with my firefighting shifts, and I already know the ropes. Alexis could work the days I’m at the station. We’d do this together.”

As Sam continues to explain his reasoning, I feel a strange sensation building in my chest. It’s as if a tight knot is slowly unraveling, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my body. My heart begins to race, and I can feel a tingling in my fingertips that has nothing to do with the cold.

I listen to Sam’s words, but it’s as if I’m hearing them from a great distance. My mind is whirling, connecting dots I hadn’t even realized were there. The unexpected offer, the perfect timing, the solution to the very problem that’s been weighing me down—it all seems too good to be true.

And then it hits me.

It’s a miracle.

This is the answer to my prayer.

God has made a way for me to go with Paige.

My eyes begin to sting with unshed tears, and I blink rapidly, trying to maintain my composure in front of my tough firefighter best friend. “Sam,” I say, my voice thick with emotion, “are you sure about this? Really sure? Because if you are...” I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.

Sam nods emphatically, reaching out to grip my shoulder. “I’ve never been more sure of anything, Noah. This feels like it’s meant to be.”

A laugh bubbles up from my chest, surprising both of us with its suddenness and joy. “Meant to be,” I repeat, shaking my head in wonder.

Before I can second-guess myself, I stick out my hand. “If you’re sure, then let’s do it. Let’s make this happen.”

Sam’s face lights up, and he grasps my hand with a firm shake. The warmth of his grip travels up my arm, chasing away the last vestiges of doubt and fear.

“You won’t regret this, Noah,” Sam says, pumping my hand enthusiastically. “I promise I’ll take good care of the place.”

I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. The future, which had seemed so constrained just moments ago, now stretches out before me, full of possibility and adventure.

We part ways, Sam heading back to the fire truck with a spring in his step while I stand there for a moment, letting the reality of what just happened sink in. I sold my rink.

I sold it because …

Everything within me goes quiet as the truth comes up from deep within my soul.

I sold it because I’m in love with Paige. I love her more than I love the comfort of my little life here. I love her more than the fear of breaking out of my comfort zone. I love her more than I want to sit in my past.

I love her.

My heart racing, I scan the crowd for Paige. I need to tell her. I spot her near the center of the staging area, helping a group of children climb aboard a float decorated to look like Santa’s workshop.

I make my way toward her. As I get closer, I can see the flush of excitement on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes as she assists a little girl in an elf costume. The sight of her makes my heart swell with an emotion that nearly consumes me.

“Paige,” I call out, my voice carrying a note of urgency that makes her look up.

Her eyes meet mine, and her smile widens. She says something to the children, then makes her way toward me, concern flickering across her features as she takes in my intense expression.

“Noah? Is everything okay?” she asks as she reaches me.

Without a word, I pull her into my arms, one hand cupping her face as I bring my lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. I pour everything I’m feeling into that kiss—the joy, the relief, the excitement for the future, and the love that’s been growing in my heart since the moment she came back into my life.

Paige responds with equal fervor, her arms wrapping around my neck as she melts into the embrace. For a moment, there’s nothing but the warmth of her body against mine, the softness of her lips, and the mingling of our breath in the cold winter air.

When we finally part, both a little breathless, Paige’s eyes are wide with surprise and something that looks a lot like hope. “Wow,” she says, a grin spreading across her face. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”

I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from a place of pure joy. “That,” I say, my voice low and intense, “was the first of many kisses we’ll share on our adventure. Paige, I’m going with you.”

Paige just stares at me, her mouth slightly open. Then, with a shriek of delight that turns heads all around us, she throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off balance.

“Really?” she asks, pulling back to search my face. “You’re really coming?”

I grin, shaking my head in wonder at how quickly everything has changed. “Sam’s buying the business. Can you believe it? He just offered out of the blue. It’s like... it’s like a Christmas miracle.”

Paige’s eyes fill with happy tears, and she pulls me in for another kiss. This one is softer, sweeter, but no less passionate. When we part, she rests her forehead against mine, her breath warm on my face.

“Noah,” she whispers. “I’m so happy.”

Before I can respond, before I can tell her that I’m in love with her, the sharp blast of the fire truck’s siren cuts through the air. We both jump at the sound, then burst into laughter at our startled reactions.

Sam leans out the window. “At least find some mistletoe,” he yells. The other firefighters laugh at his joke. I wave at them, not at all embarrassed.

“Come on,” I say, grabbing Paige’s hand and tugging her toward the front of the parade. “We need to be up there to direct the floats off the main route so they don’t back up.”

We hurry through the crowd. Paige’s hand is warm in mine, our fingers intertwined as if they were always meant to be that way. We’re moving faster than the floats that crawl along and toss candy. Paige is stopped and interviewed for the local paper. I just grin behind her. As we reach the front of the parade, I can’t stop grinning, feeling like my face might split in two from the sheer joy of it all.

Paige and I work in perfect sync, directing the floats off different side streets and keeping everything running smoothly. Every now and then, our eyes meet, and we share a smile. The air nips at my cheeks, but I barely feel it, warmed from the inside by the glow of love and anticipation.

The last float goes by, and the crowd disperses, ready to be in their warm homes. Paige finds me and links her arm to mine.

As we walk together, I marvel at how much has changed in such a short time. Just this morning, I was weighed down by doubt and fear. Now, I feel as light as a snowflake, buoyed by love and the promise of adventures to come.

People call out to me—they wave, give a thumbs up, a shouted “Great job, Noah.” The parade, it seems, is a resounding success. While I feel a sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished, it’s overshadowed by the excitement of what’s to come.

Paige gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “Penny, for your thoughts?” she asks, her breath forming a small cloud in the night air.

I smile down at her, marveling at how right it feels to be with her. “Just thinking about how much has changed. How much is going to change? It’s exciting.”

“And now you’re about to see just how big the world really is,” Paige says, her voice warm with promise.

Her words chase away the last lingering doubts. She’s right, of course. This isn’t an ending, it’s a beginning. And Benton Falls, with its familiar streets and friendly faces, will always be here.

“We should celebrate,” Paige says suddenly, her voice brimming with excitement. “After the parade. Just you and me. What do you say?”

The idea sends a thrill through me. “Absolutely,” I agree. “Did you have something in mind?”

Paige’s eyes twinkle mischievously. “Leave it to me. I know just the thing.”

Paige and I help with some of the clean-up. The adrenaline of the day is starting to wear off, leaving me with a pleasant tiredness and a sense of accomplishment.

“Okay,” Paige says, brushing her hands off as we finish. “Give me an hour to set things up, then meet me at the pond.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “The pond? What are you planning?”

She just grins and places a quick kiss on my cheek. “You’ll see. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

As I watch her hurry off, a spring in her step, I’m struck once again by how much I love her.

I spend the next hour helping with the last of the parade clean-up, my mind buzzing with curiosity about Paige’s surprise.

The sight that greets me at the pond takes my breath away. Paige has transformed the area around the pond into a winter wonderland. Strings of fairy lights are draped over the bare branches of the surrounding trees, casting a warm glow over the scene. A small fire crackles merrily in a portable fire pit, and I can see a picnic basket and a pile of blankets nearby.

But what really catches my eye is the ice. Paige has cleared a small area of the pond, and there, gleaming in the firelight, are two pairs of ice skates.

“Paige,” I breathe, taking in the magical scene. “This is... incredible.”

She appears from behind a tree, her cheeks flushed with cold and excitement. “Do you like it? I thought, since we’re about to embark on this big adventure, we should have one last skate on your pond.”

The thoughtfulness of the gesture, the romance of the setting—it all overwhelms me. Without a word, I pull her into my arms, pouring all my emotions into a deep, passionate kiss.

When we finally part, both a little breathless, Paige’s eyes are shining. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she says with a soft laugh.

We lace up our skates and step out onto the ice. We glide across the smooth surface, hand in hand. The only sounds are the scrape of our blades on the ice and the distant hooting of an owl. We skate for hours, talking and laughing, occasionally stopping to warm ourselves by the fire or snack on the treats Paige packed. As the night wears on, a light snow begins to fall, adding to the magical atmosphere.

Finally, tired but happy, we pack up. We stand at the edge of the pond, ready to head home, and I take one last look at the scene. The twinkling lights, the smooth ice, the gently falling snow— it’s like a scene from a Christmas card come to life.

“Thank you for this,” I say to Paige, pulling her close. “For everything.”

Paige snuggles into my embrace. “We’re just getting started, Noah,” she says softly. “The best is yet to come.”

“It is.” This is the moment—the one I’ve been waiting for. “Paige?”

“Hmm?” she hums against me as she snuggles deeper. I love it when she does that. It makes me feel so strong and protective of her.

“I love you,” I kiss her head.

She pulls back and looks up at me. “Noah?” Her eyes are full of questions and hope.

“I know it might feel fast but I know what’s in my heart and it’s you. I’ve fallen in love with you.” I hold my breath, waiting to see if she feels the same way.

She grins and kisses me like she can’t hold back. “Too fast? It took you forever,” she says dramatically.

I laugh at her theatrics. “Forever?” I kiss her cheek. “And ever.” I kiss her other cheek. “And ever.” I find her lips and we are lost in a kiss that seals our hearts together for eternity.

We walk home, hand in hand, through the quiet, snow-covered streets of Benton Falls. I feel a sense of anticipation building within me. There’s so much to do. So many things to pack and gather—not to mention Christmas is in two days. My head is spinning.

For now, though, I’m content to savor this moment. The woman I love by my side, a world of possibilities ahead of us, and the magic of Christmas all around. We reach her front door just as the clock in the town square begins to chime at midnight.

“Merry Christmas, Paige,” I whisper, pulling her in for one more kiss.

“Merry Christmas, Noah,” she replies, her eyes shining with love and excitement for the future.

The future stretches out before us, as vast and full of possibility as a field of freshly fallen snow. And I’m ready, finally ready, to step out and make my mark. With Paige’s hand in mine and love in my heart, I’m ready for anything. Let the adventure begin.