Page 21 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

I stop at the threshold as the view out the window greets me. A blanket of white lies on the ground, and flakes the size of quarters fall from the sky. My mouth drops open as my eyes take in the sight. I put my hand on the cold glass and sigh at the winter wonderland before me.

I forgot how much I missed snow storms in upstate New York. The trees are weighed down by their new coverings, and the bushes are barely visible. We already have at least five inches and no sign of it letting up.

It’s the perfect morning for a full, warm breakfast. I’m pretty sure I saw eggs and bacon when I looked in the refrigerator yesterday.

I pull out a frying pan, place it on the stove, and pull forward the coffee maker. I smile at the lack of K-Cups. Old-school coffee is still my favorite.

I slide the can of coffee against the wall forward and open the box of filters. I place a filter in the basket and then pop the lid on the coffee. The vanilla cream scent of the grinds fills my nostrils, and I inhale thedeliciousness. I fill the filter and then cover the grinds in a dusting of cinnamon to give the coffee something special.

The coffee maker comes to life as the water heats up, and I move to the refrigerator. I pull out the eggs, bacon, and butter and bring them to the counter. I turn the burner on to medium heat, letting the pan heat up before adding a few slices of bacon.

I return to the cabinet and grab another frying pan to start the eggs. I move around the kitchen with a sense of practiced ease, and I smile for the first time in a long time. I happily remember Christmases with my grandmother.

The only thing missing is music.

Chapter Ten

Cole

I walk in, andmy face feels like it’s stuck with a thousand needles after being whipped by the wind and snow. I stomp my feet and shake the snow off my coat just as my nostrils are assaulted with the smell of eggs and bacon.

I immediately start to drool.

I make my way to the fireplace to try and get rid of the remaining chill that’s seeped into my bones. The temperature drops as the wind picks up and will only get worse as the day goes on.

I faintly hear Nat King Cole’s version ofThe Christmas Songfrom the kitchen.

A lopsided grin settles on my face. I always knew this was what it would feel like coming home to Noelle during the holidays.

I take a deep breath to ground this overall feeling of weightlessness I’m experiencing, but it doesn’t ground anything. I should nip this wild hope spreading through my chest in the bud, but it’s impossible.

I’ve waited for an opportunity to make things right with Noelle, and it’s finally here. After a rough start last night, we experienced a shift. It was palpable.

“How is it outside?” I look over to see Noelle leaning out of the kitchen doorway.

“It’s coming down pretty good. We have about six or seven inches already.” I turn my gaze back to the fire, fearful that the myriad emotions and longing racing through me will be evident in my eyes. The last thing I want to do is scare her off.

You need to take control of yourself. This is not the time to let your feelings out on the table. Pull it together.

“I’m so excited!” Noelle's voice carries from the kitchen. “I haven’t had a real white Christmas in forever.”

Ten years to be exact.

“Oh? No snow in Utah?” I casually ask, trying to mask the emotions churning inside me. I stop at thethreshold and look at the spread before me. “What is this?! Are we expecting an army?”

Noelle made eggs, bacon, and pancakes. I also smell the faint scent of cinnamon, which is a trademark of hers. She loves cinnamon in her coffee.

“I hope you’re hungry.” Her smile takes my breath away. “As you can see, I got a bit carried away.”

“You don’t say.” I lean against the door and cross my arms, a smirk on my face. “But first I need to ask…”

Her eyebrows shoot up as she glances at me.

“Where is Noelle, and what have you done with her?”

She turns a mock glare at me, and a rabble of butterflies try to escape my stomach all at once.

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” She slides a mug over to me. “Here, grab a cup of coffee.”

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