Page 41 of The Holiday Disaster

Some people came to share our bench, making conversation with us. A few were locals who expressed that they never got tired of these holiday parties no matter how many times they had experienced it. They’d seen countless people fall in love and get together during these parties.

I looked around and saw all the couples that were now on the dance floor. They stuck close to their loved ones, whispering to each other or holding each other as they swayed to the music.

There was something magical about this place, and I agreed with the locals. I could watch all the romance blooming before my eyes countless times without getting tired of it. The sparkling lights casted a warm glow on the entire scene.

What amazed me even more was that Kingsley and I were now a part of this scene. We were officially together like every other couple here, and the urge to be a part of the magic shot through me.

I chugged the rest of my drink and stood. “Let’s dance?” I asked Kingsley, holding my hand out to him. He finished the rest of his drink as well, and took my hand. We tossed our empty cups into the nearby trash can before hitting the dance floor.

My arms wrapped around his neck and his lay claim around my waist. We mostly rocked back and forth to the music as I stared into those glittering blue eyes.

“I’m going to miss this place,” I whispered. My throat was clogged with emotions, but I told myself I wasn’t going to cry on our last day here.

“Me too,” he said, pressing his forehead against mine. “But we can come back again in the future. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”

The heavy feeling became lighter. He always knew what to say, and he was right. Our time here might be ending tonight, but it didn’t mean this was the end of everything. In fact, it was only the beginning.

“Couples, please gather around the Christmas tree. The final dance will start soon!” The music stopped as the emcee’s voice boomed through the speakers and couples rushed from the sidelines onto the main square.

The once bustling area quieted down as the band played a slow song of dedication and love. Falling in love was the easy part, but staying together and making the relationship work was what true romance was.

As the band sang words of forever and staying faithful to their love, I gazed at the man who I wanted to make those same vows to.

“Do you think the Doves of Destiny will bless us with eternal happiness and all that jazz?” I asked, our hips continued to sway together to the slow music.

Kingsley chuckled and leaned our foreheads together. My eyes closed as his long lashes danced across my skin. “As long as we’re together, happiness is merely the beginning. We’re going to be the most successful couple those birds have ever blessed.”

He smashed his lips to mine to seal his words. I smiled into the kiss. The love I felt for this man overwhelmed all my senses until the music and other couples around us disappeared. It was just the two of us as the Doves of Destiny witnessed our love and hopes for our bright future.

* * *

The airline arranged a mini bus to come pick us up from the B&B since quite a few of us stranded passengers had stayed there. It was bittersweet leaving the room that had become a place full of memories of our beginning.

It was still dark as we drove away, the bright Christmas lights that decorated the B&B twinkled as if saying goodbye to us. But I told myself this wouldn’t be the last time I saw the place. Like Kingsley had said, we’d have plenty of chances to visit again in the future.

When we arrived back at the small airport, they checked us in and guided us to the gate as we waited for the rest of the passengers. I shot a quick message to my family, letting them know that we’d be flying soon and that we’d take a taxi back home.

It still worried me what our families would think about me and Kingsley suddenly dating. Growing up, we couldn’t stand being in the same room together, but now I wanted him with me all the time.

When I told Kingsley this, he’d made sure to remind me thatIwas the one who couldn’t stand being in the same room as him, not the other way around. I scoffed at that, but couldn’t argue back since he was right.

Thankfully, Kingsley wasn’t one to rub the past in my face and allowed me to make up for all the times I’d snubbed him with hugs and kisses.

No one had replied to my text yet when they called for our flight to start boarding. It made sense since it was still pretty early and everyone was probably still sleeping. I wasn’t worried about it since they would see the text when they woke, so I turned off my phone and followed Kingsley to board the plane.

We were seated at a two-seater again but in the middle of the plane this time instead of the back. I didn’t even fight as Kingsley lifted my suitcase in the overhead bin. It was early, and I was too tired to even pretend that I was strong enough to lift it over my head.

Besides, even if I could have done it myself, I liked having Kingsley take care of me. It made me feel loved.

I took the window seat as Kingsley sat by the aisle. I thought it would calm my nerves if I could see the flight take off. Something had gone wrong on the last flight, and I wasn’t so sure that my bad luck wouldn’t hit again.

“You okay?” Kingsley asked, grabbing my hand. I looked over to him and saw the worry etched in his eyes.

“Yeah. I am. I’m perfect,” I said with a smile. His expression relaxed as he brought my hand up for a kiss. The nerves still bubbled up inside me, but having him beside me gave me a sense of calm that I wouldn’t have had if I was sitting on the plane alone.

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered as the plane took off like he’d known my worries. His words were the same assurances he’d comforted me with on the first flight, and that helped put to rest the last of my worries. Everything turned out more than okay when the plane’s engine had failed, so why wouldn’t it this time?

And he was right again. Hours later, the plane had safely landed in our hometown’s airport. The cabin exploded in applause and cheers when we touched down and happy chatter surrounded us. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who had been worried about the flight.

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