“This is the best Christmas, ever.” Alice melted against James, chasing his lips for a kiss.
“I have to agree. How about we give Addy and Chloe a little privacy? I have an idea.”
Alice took his hand and followed her husband into the studio. The space was equipped with bright overhead lights, but for the holidays James had hung twinkle lights around the space. He turned them on now, ushering Alice to the far corner where a small loveseat waited for them.
While Alice got settled into her seat, James pulled a bottle of wine from one of their many travels. It was a special bottle they were saving for a special occasion. “We’ll share with the girls in a minute, but first,” he said, popping the cork and pouring two portions into old paint glasses, “a Christmas toast.”
“I love you, you know that, right?” Alice teased, clinking glasses and opening her arms for James. He gracelessly fell onto the couch beside her, pulling her close until they were flush against each other. His heart rate slowed as they clicked into place. No matter where they were in the world, James never felt more at home than in Alice’s arms.
“I love you more, Alice.”
And there they sat, surrounded by twinkle lights in their creative space. To their left sat a bunch of James’s completed canvases ready for their next showing. To their right was Alice’s writing nook, her typewriter ribbon replaced, and a stack of paper at the ready.
Despite all their journeys and adventures, Alice couldn’t think of a better place to be for Christmas than right here, in Buckeye Falls with her husband, friends, and family.