I saw her in the rightest way, looking like Anne Hathaway…
The snow was falling in thick, fluffy flakes, painting the world outside their little apartment in soft whites and silvers. Adelaide twirled in front of the mirror, her new emerald-green dress flowing with every spin, a bright smile lighting up her face.
“Do you think it’s too much for Christmas Eve dinner, darling?” she asked, turning toward Leonardo, who was leaning against the doorframe with a mug of coffee in hand.
He watched her quietly for a moment, his gaze softening as the corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile. “Addie, you could wear a paper bag and still make the rest of the room look underdressed.”
She rolled her eyes, walking over to poke his chest lightly. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Leo.”
“Oh, won’t it?” he teased, setting his mug on the counter before pulling her into his arms. His hands rested lightly on her waist, thumbs tracing the fabric of her dress. “Because I was thinking it might get me one of those special birthday kisses.”
She laughed, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders. “Birthday kisses? That’s what you want on my birthday?”
“I’m a simple man.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping just enough to make her breath hitch. “But I wouldn’t say no to a little preview, darling.”
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she brushed a featherlight kiss against his jaw before pulling away abruptly. “That’s your preview. Merry Christmas Eve, darling. Anddddd honestly, my love, you’re the furthest thing from a simple man.”
“Addie—” The groan that left him was equal parts frustration and amusement. He pulled her back, his arms tightening around her as she giggled. “You’re impossible.”
“Oh, come on, Leo,” she murmured, resting her forehead against his. “It’s Christmas Eve. You can wait a little longer for the show.”
He sighed dramatically, but the affection in his eyes betrayed him. “Fine. But only because you look like a damn Christmas angel in that dress.”
Her laughter filled the room as he kissed her softly, his lips lingering against hers as the snow continued to fall outside.
Note - let’s just pretend this just say’s candice clarke. I’m too lazy to make a new banner.
Oh, won’t you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor?
The art room was eerily quiet for Christmas Eve, the silence only broken by the occasional crunch of snow falling off the roof outside and their laughter echoing off the paint-splattered walls. Candice sat cross-legged on the floor, a streak of red paint across her cheek, holding a palette in one hand and an empty brush in the other.
“This is way better than posing for hours in some sparkly dress, Dom.” Her nose crinkled as she grinned up at him, her green eyes framed by the faint glow of Christmas lights outside.
Dominic, kneeling a few feet away with his sleeves rolled up, smirked as he flicked green paint onto a blank canvas. “Told you. Why sit through some boring photoshoot when you can spend Christmas Eve covered in paint with me?”
“Bold of you to assume I wanted to spend my Christmas Eve with you,” she teased, dipping her brush into a blob of white paint.
“Right,” he shot back, squinting at her with mock seriousness. “Because sneaking out of your own house to hang out with me wasn’t a cry for attention or anything.”
Candice gasped, placing a dramatic hand over her heart. “Excuse me, Dominic Lucier, are you implying I wanted to see you?”
Before he could respond, she swiped her brush across his forearm, leaving a streak of white paint behind. His jaw dropped in playful indignation. “Oh, you’re asking for it now.”
What followed could only be described as chaos. Candice yelped as Dominic retaliated, dabbing green paint onto her arm. She tried to escape, but he caught her wrist, leaving both of them in a tangled mess of laughter, paint, and flushed cheeks.
By the time they both stopped, Candice’s hair was dotted with red and green, and Dominic had a streak of white across his nose. They were panting from laughter, sitting on the paint-covered floor across from each other.
“You’re a mess, you look like a christmas tree,” she said, her voice breathless but tinged with laughter.
“And whose fault is that?” he countered, his eyes twinkling as he leaned back on his hands.
There was a brief lull in their playful banter as their gazes locked. Candice’s grin softened, her cheeks turning pink—not just from the cold draft sneaking through the cracked window.
“You have…” she started, hesitating as she reached forward to wipe the paint off his face.
“What?” he asked, his voice quieter now.
“Nothing,” she whispered, her fingers lingering against his cheek for a moment longer than necessary.
Dominic swallowed, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure she could hear it. Before he could second-guess himself, he leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers. It was soft, tentative—just a heartbeat of a kiss—but it left both of them breathless and grinning like idiots.
“Merry Christmas Eve, CC,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Candice laughed softly, her forehead resting against his. “Merry Christmas… eve, Dom.”
And when we’re getting dirty, I forget all that is wrong
I sleep so I can see you 'cause I hate to wait so long
The faint hum of music from inside the party drifted out into the crisp night air. A soft snowfall blanketed the street in shimmering white, the glow from the streetlights casting an almost magical sheen on everything it touched. Riker sat on the stone steps outside the venue, his tie long discarded and the top buttons of his shirt undone. His cheeks were flushed—partly from the alcohol, partly from the cold, but mostly from the pure, uncontainable giddiness coursing through him.
Elodie stood in front of him, her coat draped over her shoulders as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You dragged me out here. What’s the big deal?”
Riker blinked up at her, grinning like she’d just told him he won the lottery. “The big deal? Elo, YOU’RE the big deal. Look at you.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Oh no. You’re drunk and sentimental, aren’t you?”
“Drunk, yes. But sentimental? Pfft, Elo, I’m always sentimental about you,” he slurred slightly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees as his grin widened.
She stepped closer, kneeling down slightly so she was eye level with him. “Alright, lover boy, what’s this all about?”
Riker reached out, cupping her face with his hands, his touch warm against her cold cheeks. His thumbs brushed her skin, and his expression softened. “You’re just… you’re so pretty. Like… not just pretty, like, you’re stunning. Like… have you seen yourself? And you’re so nice and sweet, and I don’t deserve you, but here you are, and I just… God, Elo, I love you so much.”
Her laughter spilled out, light and musical, as she leaned into his touch. “Riker, you’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love with you,” he corrected, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “And don’t try to argue, because it’s true. I love everything about you. I love your smile. I love the way you scrunch your nose when you laugh. I love that you came outside in the freezing cold just because I asked you to. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she couldn’t help but shake her head. “Riker, you’re impossible.”
“Impossibly in love with you,” he added, pulling her closer until their foreheads touched. His breath came out in warm puffs as he whispered, “I’m going to marry you one day, you know that?”
Her heart skipped at his words (he could feel it, you know), and she leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss against his lips. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” she murmured, her smile wide and bright.
“Oh, I know,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her onto his lap. They stayed like that for a while, the rest of the world fading away as the snow fell around them.
Oh, won’t you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor?
And when you get a taste, can you tell me what’s my flavor?
The soft glow of Christmas lights filled the small apartment, their colors reflecting off the ornaments that adorned the freshly decorated tree. Jordan stood back, his arms crossed and a proud smile on his face as he admired their handiwork. “Not bad for our first Christmas tree, huh?” he asked, his eyes flickering toward Sadie, who was crouched down sifting through a box of decorations.
“Not bad?” she scoffed, pulling out a glittery silver star. “It’s perfect. Except…” she glanced at the top of the tree and frowned. “It’s missing something important.”
Jordan followed her gaze and grinned, realizing what she meant. “Ah, the star,” he said, stepping forward. “Welllllllllll, let’s fix that.”
Sadie handed it to him, her brows furrowing as he held it aloft. “I can’t reach that, Jordan.”
“Lucky for you, I’m here to save the day,” he teased, setting the star back in her hands and turning around. “Hop on.”
“What are you doing?” she asked, laughing as he knelt slightly.
“You’re getting a lift, beautiful. Come on, trust me,” he said, his voice filled with playful encouragement. With a laugh and a muttered “You’re ridiculous,” she climbed onto his back, holding on tightly as he stood up.
“Okay, okay, don’t drop me,” Sadie said, her voice tinged with both amusement and a hint of nervousness.
“I’ve got you,” Jordan promised, his hands steadying her as she balanced herself.
Reaching out, Sadie carefully placed the star at the very top of the tree, straightening it slightly before leaning back to admire her work. “There,” she said with a triumphant smile. “Now it’s perfect.”
Jordan grinned, his heart swelling at the sight of her so happy. “Perfect, just like you,” he said, his voice soft as he slowly let her down.
Once her feet were back on the ground, she turned to him, her cheeks flushed from both laughter and the warmth in his gaze. “You’re such a sap, you know that?”
“Yeah, but you love it,” he teased, pulling her closer.
The twinkling lights cast a gentle glow over them as Sadie leaned into him, her arms looping around his neck. “I really do,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss.
Somehow, they ended up on the couch, tangled in each other’s arms, the warmth of the moment wrapping around them like a blanket. Sadie rested her head on Jordan’s chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his shirt.
“Our first Christmas,” she murmured, her voice sleepy but content.
“The first of many,” Jordan replied, brushing a kiss against her temple.
I don’t believe in God, but I believe that you’re my savior…
Valerie’s brows furrowed as she glanced out the kitchen window, her breath fogging up the glass. It had been snowing all day—a rare occurrence in their California home—but what caught her attention was the unmistakable glow coming from their backyard.
“Dan,” she called out, her voice tinged with curiosity and suspicion. She turned toward her husband, who was seated on the couch, their three-year-old daughter, VC, sprawled across his lap as they watched some animated Christmas special. “What’s going on out there?”
Dan glanced up, his crimson sweater slightly rumpled from VC’s wiggling. He grinned, that trademark mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh, nothing you need to worry about, love. Just… stay in here for a few more minutes.”
“Nothing I need to worry about?” she echoed, crossing her arms. “You don’t exactly have the best track record for ‘nothing.’”
“Rude,” he retorted, lifting VC off his lap and standing. “You wound me, Mrs. Parker.” He knelt down to scoop up their daughter, placing a quick kiss on her cheek as she giggled. “Alright, princess. You ready for Daddy’s surprise?”
VC’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitement. “A surprise?”
“The best surprise,” Dan said, shifting her onto his hip before turning to Valerie. “Come on, you too, beautiful. Shoes on. And coats.”
“Dan, it’s freezing out—”
“Exactly. Now trust me.”
Shooting him a skeptical look, Valerie grabbed their coats and boots, bundling VC up in her little puffball of a jacket. By the time they stepped outside, Valerie was already forming a biting remark—until the sight before her made her breath catch.
The backyard had been transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland. Strings of lights hung from every tree branch, glittering like stars against the snow. A giant snowman stood in the middle of the yard, wearing an obnoxiously oversized Parker Industries scarf, while a life-size animatronic sleigh glided across a track Dan had somehow rigged. Snow machines lined the perimeter, ensuring a continuous flurry.
But the pièce de résistance? A 3D holographic display projected in the center of the yard, showing animated reindeer prancing through the sky and Santa waving from his sleigh as he circled above.
“Dan,” Valerie whispered, awe coloring her tone. “How… when did you do this?”
“Last night,” he said nonchalantly, setting VC down so she could toddle toward the snowman. “Had the team come over while you two were asleep. Worth every penny, don’t you think?”
Valerie turned to him, her mouth opening to say something before closing again. She shook her head, a soft laugh escaping. “You’re insane.”
“You love it,” he countered, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her temple.
“I do,” she admitted, watching as VC squealed with delight, her little mittened hands reaching for the falling snowflakes.
Dan’s arms tightened around her, his voice dropping low. “I told you, didn’t I? You’re my savior, Val. You and her.” He tilted her chin up so her eyes met his. “And when I see you both happy like this, nothing else matters. Not work, not anything else. Just you.”
Her heart swelled as his words sank in, and she leaned up to kiss him softly. “You’re the most ridiculous man I’ve ever met, Daniel Parker. But I love you for it.”
Their moment was interrupted by VC’s shout of, “Mama, Papa, come play!”
“Your wish is our command, princess,” Dan said, grinning as he grabbed Valerie’s hand and pulled her toward their daughter.
As they threw snowballs, made snow angels, and chased VC around the yard, Valerie realized that somehow, Daniel Parker had managed to make Christmas magic even more magical.
“I know that you’ve been worried, but you’re dripping in my favor”
Jessica stood at the large glass windows of their living room, sipping her morning coffee, a puzzled expression on her face. The backyard was eerily quiet, and Dorian had been suspiciously absent for hours. Their three kids—Shay, Zoe, and Aiden—were still wrapped up in their pajamas, bouncing between excitement for Christmas Eve and curiosity about what their dad was up to.
“What on Earth is your dad doing out there?” Jess muttered, watching as faint flashes of light occasionally illuminated the edges of the snow-covered yard. She had tried texting Dorian, but his only reply was: “Trust me, love.”
A squeal of delight from Shay interrupted her thoughts as the 7-year-old came bounding down the stairs, dragging her 5-year-old sister Zoebehind her. “Mommy, when can we open presents?!”
“When Daddy decides to let us back there,” Jess responded, ruffling Shay’s hair. “But I wanna see what’s outside!” Zoe chimed in, pressing her hands and nose to the cold glass.
Before Jess could reply, the front door opened, and Dorian stepped in, cheeks red from the cold, his hair dusted with snow. His grin stretched wide as he dramatically clapped his hands together. “Alright, everyone, shoes on! Coats too—quickly now!”
The kids erupted into a frenzy, scrambling for their winter gear while Jess crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at her husband. “Care to tell me what this is all about, darling?”
“You’ll see soon enough, love.” He winked, gently kissing her on the forehead before shepherding their excited brood toward the backyard door.
Once outside, the kids gasped in unison, their faces lighting up like the Christmas tree inside. The backyard had been transformed into a glittering winter wonderland. Lights twinkled in the snow, forming intricate patterns that danced to soft Christmas music playing through hidden speakers. A small, artificial skating rink glowed in the center, surrounded by snowmen and a path of light-up candy canes. There was even a mini hot cocoa station nestled under an archway of lights.
“OH MY GOSH!” Zoe shouted, spinning in circles. “Daddy, you made this?!”
“For my girls,” Dorian said with a grin, scooping Shay up and spinning her around. Aiden, clutching his mom’s leg, looked up at Dorian with wide eyes. “Snowball fight?”
“Later, little man,” Dorian promised, laughing as he patted his youngest on the head. “First, skating lessons for everyone!”
Jess watched, her heart swelling, as Dorian led Shay and Zoe to the rink. He held their hands while they wobbled on the ice, their giggles filling the air. Aiden clung to her side, content to stay warm for now.
“Your turn, love.” Dorian’s voice interrupted her thoughts as he extended a hand toward her. She shook her head, smiling. “Oh no, darling. Someone has to supervise the cocoa.”
“Oh, come on, Jess,” he teased, stepping closer. “You’re not getting out of this.” Before she could protest, he scooped her up bridal-style, carrying her toward the rink. Her laughter rang out as the kids cheered.
Once on the ice, he set her down carefully, holding her hands as she found her balance. The song playing in the background swelled, and Dorian leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers. “Merry Christmas, Jess.”
“Merry Christmas, Dori.” Her voice was soft, filled with love.
As they glided across the ice, the kids laughing and snow softly falling around them, it felt like a scene out of a holiday movie—perfect, magical, and entirely their own.
“And we can run away to the walls inside your house
I can be the cat, baby, you can be the mouse
And we can laugh off things that we know nothing about
We can go forever until you wanna sit it out”
The soft glow of the Christmas tree filled the living room, the faint scent of pine mixing with the warm aroma of hot cocoa. Jordan Williams was stretched out on the couch, his head resting against the armrest, with Jezebel nestled against him, her legs draped over his lap. Her baby bump pressed gently against his side, a quiet reminder of the miracle they were waiting for. On the TV, a Hallmark Christmas movie played, complete with the predictable small-town love story, snowy backdrop, and cheesy holiday magic.
Jezebel’s attention seemed glued to the screen as the characters exchanged a longing look. Jordan, however, couldn’t take his eyes off her. She hadn’t changed much since they were kids—her beauty still left him breathless, and her laugh still made his heart skip a beat. His hand absently traced circles on her growing belly, his gaze soft and full of love.
“Jordan,” she murmured, catching the movement of his head out of the corner of her eye. Without looking away from the screen, she teased, “You’re not watching the movie.”
“Caught me,” he admitted with a sheepish grin, his voice low and warm. “Sorry, I just got a little… distracted.”
Finally turning her attention to him, she raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Distracted, huh? By what, exactly?”
“You,” he said simply, his eyes locked on hers. He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. “You’re so gorgeous it’s unfair, Jez. How am I supposed to pay attention to anything else?”
A soft laugh escaped her lips, and she shook her head, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Maybe,” he replied, leaning closer until his forehead rested against hers. “But I mean it. You’ve been beautiful every day since the moment I met you… but seeing you like this, carrying our child… you’re radiant, Jez.”
Her teasing expression softened, her hand coming up to rest against his cheek. “You’re making it really hard to watch this movie, you know.”
“Good,” he whispered, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss. When he pulled back, he couldn’t help but grin. “It’s not like you don’t already know how it’s going to end. They kiss, it snows, and everyone lives happily ever after.”
Jezebel laughed, settling back against him as she gave his chest a playful nudge. “And yet, here we are, watching it anyway. Some things never change.”
“Like us,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer. “I remember nights just like this, sitting on your couch, watching movies with you when we were kids. Back then, I didn’t think I’d ever be lucky enough to get my happy ending with you… but here we are.”
Her eyes glistened as she looked up at him, her smile filled with warmth and love. “Here we are,” she echoed, her hand covering his where it rested on her belly. “And it’s better than I ever could have imagined.”
The movie continued to play in the background, but neither of them paid attention. The only story that mattered was the one they were writing together—a story of second chances, and a future brighter than anyyyyy Hallmark script could ever dream up.
.
