Page 16 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
But I’d like to take you sometime if you’re up for it.
I’d love to.
He watched those dots appear, and he smiled. Something aboutcoaxing these sweet reactions out of her made everything worthwhile again.
Around Thanksgiving time, Sev was practically crawling out of his skin. Every day, it seemed they were waiting on orders to go home, and who even knew what the holdup was. But it seemed like every time he was ready to fall into a pit of despair, Kelsey was right there with her uplifting spirit, ready to pull him out of the darkness. And it never failed that every one of their conversations kept him smiling more than anything else ever had.
Sev! It’s Electro Dance Night at the Second Call. Meet me there!!!
It’s what?
Okay, so this one he had to look up. Turned out, Electro Dance Night was some sort of high-tech dance competition night. They laid out electronic grid pads that were connected to a massive flatscreen, and while the music was blasting, you were supposed to tap each grid in the pattern that was flashing on the screen. It was like an arcade game come to life, only with the light show going on, it was like you were inside the game.
That actually sounds like it could be fun, dancing aside.
Oh, c’mon! You don’t dance?
I can’t say I get the chance very often.
Which certainly was true enough. Sev worked a lot. When he went out, he wanted to relax, not necessarily gyrate around a light grid.
That’s it. The next time I’m there and this is happening, I’m asking Carter to dance with me.
Sev chuckled at her threat. Even if it did hit the bullseye.
Oh, I’m sure he would. But the next time we’re at the Second Call, you’re mine.
I like the sound of that.
He made a mental note to bring a few extra quarters and make use of the ancient jukebox at the Second Call in December. He loved the idea of playing a few slow songs and holding her in his arms.
As the weeks continued to roll on, Sev watched the year pass before his very eyes. His deployment wasn’t supposed to last as long as it had, but they kept extending due to mission circumstances and needs on both sides of the coin. In the end, when they finally received confirmation that they’d be returning home, he couldn’t wait to share the news with her.
Finally got my orders! I’m not sure of the exact date yet, but it’ll definitely be in December.
We’re coming up the Monday before Christmas!
Do you still remember our pact?
Did he ever.
Sev had taken so long grinning at his screen and running his thumb over her text, lost in thoughts of seeing her again, that she probably figured he was trying to think of a way to let her down easy.
I mean, if you’re busy, I totally get it.
I’ll be there.
When he finally arrived home from deployment, it was a week and a half before their date, which he figured would give just enough time to acclimate back to civilian life. His thirty days offalso coincided with his brothers being home from college and his little sister’s winter break.
The entire Severance/Maguire family, together again.
And even though he’d made it quite clear that he’d be needing to go into town on Christmas Eve, the moment he tried to quietly leave home in the family SUV, Emma decided she wanted to go into town too. His stepbrother, Nick, offered to come and window shop with her, realizing straight away how important it was for Sev to be able to take off alone. But, of course, Andy didn’t want to be left behind and realized he still had Christmas shopping to do.
Sev tried to relax in the backseat of the SUV, watching the world whiz by. He was still surprised to see a layer of snow where it had flown from the sky without him being there. The first snowfall of the season was always his favorite, feeling the world grow quiet, the scent of an impending storm, and watching the snowflakes gently flutter down. Even so, it seemed to have encouraged the Christmas spirit in the area, as nearly every home he passed was decorated and lit up for the holidays.
It immediately reminded him of Kelsey. Bright shining eyes, quick wit, and a beautiful smile. One that he hadn’t been able to forget in a year.
“Nick, could you step on the gas some? I’ve gotta be in front of the Second Call at seven.” It was around the same time that they’d met last year, and while Sev could have done with getting together with her the moment she set foot inside the state, he cooled his heels.
