❄ It Came Upon a Christmas Twist ❄

Hey everyone! The next chapter is here!!! 😀🎄

I apologize that this one is kinda short, but it has a nice amount of pictures for your viewing pleasure. 

I was so happy to find a pose set and items that fit perfectly with this scene and it was a very enjoyable one to stage and snap pictures of. 😊

Please excuse all the clipping with the poses and Kinsley's lovely hair...this won't be the last time her hair gives me grief. 🤪 Lol! 
(That and Sims standing in front of windows! 😬 Y'all know what I'm talking about!)

Now without further adieu, enjoy Chapter 4! 

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❄Chapter 4❄

Autumnvale’s supermarket was probably the cutest little grocery store Declan had ever seen. Nestled in between all the other vintage shops on main street, if one didn’t know it was there they would surely miss it. It seemed to carry a nice selection of goods given the building’s size; the layout was well orchestrated to maximize storage space.

Various Christmas lights and garlands were hung around the shelves for an added, hometown touch. Holiday music played in the speakers overhead - of course - and he was sure he could smell a wreath scented candle burning from somewhere hidden in the store. It had a certain sweetness to it that was pleasing to his senses, much like Harper’s twin sister.

He and Kinsley engaged in small talk on the short drive over, mostly about snow and what they liked and disliked about it since they both noticed some dark clouds coming in from the East. They discovered that they both like the beauty of snow, but could do without driving in it or shoveling it. Then Kinsley said she couldn’t imagine living in a place that didn’t get snow and Declan wholeheartedly agreed. It just wasn’t Christmastime without it! On that note he wanted to ask her where she lived - along with many other questions - but held back. He didn’t want to come on too strong. Plus they had just pulled up to the building.

“Are there some groceries you’d like to pick up as well?” Kinsley asked him, after entering the store and noticing he didn’t grab a basket for himself.
“Oh uh, right,” Declan stopped in his tracks, searching for the baskets. “Yeah. Probably.”

Kinsley smiled amusingly at him as he went over to grab one, then turned and continued on her way.

Kinsley seemed to know exactly where to look for the needed groceries, so Declan just followed her lead.

“So,” he began when he returned to her side with a basket, “it’s kinda interesting how all three of us ended up at your brother’s house in small town Idaho on the same day.”
“Yeah… It is.”
“So what brought you to the cabin?” he very casually asked. “Since you know what brought us there.” He ended with a playful grin.

Kinsley didn’t seem hesitant in her response at all, unlike what Harper said. “Oh…just felt like getting away for a while. Taking a break from everyday life, you know?”
“Oh I do know.” He nodded.
“Plus the cabin is always so beautiful this time of year. A relaxing and cozy retreat.”
“It sure is. Even the guest house.” Declan smiled. “Do you think you’ll stay there through Christmas?”
“I dunno,” she replied through a breath, grabbing a few cans of chicken broth from the shelf. “Maybe. It would sure be nice, but I’ll probably be needed back at work beforehand.”

“Oh at the Hospital? Or a Clinic?” He inquired with a smirk.
She looked upon him in somewhat surprise. “How did you know?”
“Just by the way you were taking care of Harper back there,” he replied, walking proudly now. “Most folks don’t usually check a person’s pulse rate on a whim like that.”
“Observant,” she noted with a smirk herself.
“I try to be. Especially with my job."

Now that they both grabbed what they needed from the shelves, they proceeded to the produce area.

“So what do you do at Paperclips, Etc.?” Kinsley asked, grabbing a bag of celery.
“I’m the Computer Systems Analyst for the Branch,” Declan replied, bagging up a couple of apples from behind her. “In other words, the IT guy.”
“Oh wow!” she softly exclaimed, turning to face him. “That’s…really cool.” Then her eyes shifted from him, reaching for a bag of carrots now.
But the corner of Declan’s mouth turned up by the swift change in her demeanor. “You weren’t expecting me to say that, were you?”
“...No,” she blushed in response.

“Lemme guess, you thought I was more of a paper salesman like Dwight from The Office?”
Kinsley laughed. “Not quite. And you seem like more of a Jim than a Dwight…”

Declan grinned, liking that response. And she's familiar with The Office! Nice!
“No, I thought maybe you were the assistant manager or something since you're accompanying Harper to the big conference.”
“You would think…,” Declan playfully expressed, which he noticed made Kinsley smile again. “We actually don’t have an assistant manager.”
“Oh? That’s different. No wonder Harper’s so busy all the time.”
Yeeeeah… 

The idea might’ve been tossed around the office a couple of times to hire - or promote someone - to Assistant Manager, but Harper always seemed to find a way to avoid it. Declan and Andy figured it was most likely due to the fact that she was a bit of a control freak and preferred to run the whole Branch herself. It seemed the higher ups didn’t mind, so the idea was quickly forgotten.

Next the two moved on to the meat section. Kinsley studied the chicken, debating on buying whole boneless, skinless bre'asts to cut herself, or save time by buying the more expensive, already cut into strips bre'asts.

“Definitely go for the whole,” Declan chimed in, as if reading her thoughts. “Best bang for your buck. And more meat is always better.” He winked.
Kinsley agreed. “You’re right.”

As she went to grab the package, Declan had already started lifting it up for her. With a gleam in her eye, she took it and gently placed it on top of everything else in her basket.

“Sorry,” Declan expressed, lowering his head slightly.
“For what?”
“If I’m being a little too friendly and making you feel uncomfortable…My head keeps thinking that you’re Harper and I have to remind it that you’re not.” He chuckled.

She smiled, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “You’re just fine,” she assured. “Besides, one can never be too friendly in this world, right?”
“Ohhh people really can be,” he playfully insinuated. “I’m sure you’ve had more than your fair share of overly ‘friendly’ male patients before.”
Kinsley laughed. “Fair,” was her simple response, just as Harper answered him previously in the car.

As if Declan didn’t need anymore proof that she was Harper’s twin sister. He liked that the two were similar in some ways. But in most ways, not. Kinsley was much more warm and inviting, a definite pleasure to be around.

“I think that’s everything,” Kinsley concluded. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Yeah.” He glanced down at the basket for good measure. “I’m good. Thanks.”

At the checkout counter, a plump older lady with a country print apron and short, curly gray hair excused the younger woman cashier and greeted Kinsley with, “Well if it isn’t Nick Williams’ younger sister. Let me guess…Kinsley? Or Harper?”
Kinsley chuckled. “You got it right the first time.”
A proud smile appeared on the old woman’s face. “It’s so nice to see you again my dear.”

“You too Georgine. Your store looks lovely as always.”
“Why thank you. Is Harper visiting too?”
“Yes, actually. She’s back at the cabin. Feeling sick unfortunately…”
Georgine frowned. “Oh, I’m awfully sorry to hear that. You give her my best regards.”
“I will for sure.”

Once Georgine took notice of Declan standing rather awkwardly behind Kinsley - respecting the ladies' conversation - she didn’t hesitate asking, “I take it this fine young man is your boyfriend?”

Declan’s eyes widened as Kinsley’s face turned red, prompting her to brush some hair behind her ear. “Oh no, he’s not my boyfriend, he’s–”
“Oh Harper’s boyfriend?”
“No!” Declan and Kinsley answered at the same time, in different tones...

...to which they shot humorous looks at each other.

“He’s Harper’s co-worker,” Kinsley answered for them. “They’re here for a business conference happening over in Oakridge.”
“Ohhh right.” Georgine slapped a hand onto her forehead. “That darn Pass is closed again, I take it?”
They nodded.
Then she leaned over the counter and said, “I tell ya more people come to visit Autumnvale every year in the winter due to that snowed in Pass and I think it’s going to cause a population explosion.” She gestured with her hands before finally scanning the items. “Because once folks experience the magic and hospitality of our lovely little town, they find it hard to leave.” She smirked.

Declan and Kinsley glanced at each other again, unsure of how to respond to that within the sound of the beeping scanner.

However, Declan did think to himself, Could this be anymore like a Christmas movie scene? It honestly felt quite nice.

He was really beginning to wonder if there was something to be said about those cheesy and overly cliché holiday flicks.

When the two got back into Kinsley’s car and shut the doors, a couple of seconds passed before one of them spoke.

“Well that was…awkward,” Declan lightheartedly expressed.
Kinsley suppressed a giggle. “A little bit.”
“And it always comes from sweet, little old ladies too.”
She laughed.
“You must visit your brother often, for her to recognize you?”
“Actually it’s been a couple of years since we had a family get together here. Georgine just has a crazy photographic memory. And I only remember her name because she does a lot of charity events with Nick and he mentions her often.”
Declan smiled. “I’m sure you made her day that you remembered her name. I’m terrible with names…”
“Oh don't get me wrong, I am too,” she said while starting the car.
“What?” He gaped at her playfully. “I thought nurses were trained to remember names?”
“Oh we try!” she nearly exclaimed. “But without a chart, we don’t remember anything!”

They laughed.

“Back to the cabin then?” Declan asked.
“Not yet. I didn’t see any medicine at the store so I’ve gotta grab some and a COVID test from the Pharmacy.”
“Oh. Right.” Harper.

He’d almost forgotten about her.

And he kind of felt bad about it.

Yet he couldn’t help it if his mind kept continually merging the two sisters together, his heart taking the lead towards the one most favored and desired, therefore leaving the other within the shadowy recesses of his mind.

It was a feeling unlike anything he had ever experienced before and it was all happening so pleasurably fast.

                                                                   ❄❄❄

Back at the cabin Declan hung out in one of the chairs by the fireplace, scrolling through Facebook and reading Reddit on his phone while Kinsley conversed with Harper upstairs. Earlier he thought maybe he would join Kinsley to check on her sister - because he was curious about Harper’s well-being too - but figured it would be best to give Kinsley a little space. Like earlier, he didn’t want to come on too strong and suffocate her.

He was half expecting Harper to text him something, anything. Maybe harp - he smiled at the pun - on him for not coming up to see her. But she didn’t. Yet.

It’d probably been 20 minutes or so when Kinsley came back downstairs, approaching Declan with a warm smile and a sense of relief in her eyes. He quickly slipped his phone away into his pocket and rose from the chair to greet her.

Before he could ask anything, Kinsley informed him, “The COVID test was negative.”
Relief washed over his face. “Thank goodness. How is she doing?”
“She still has a low grade fever and is feeling a little nauseated. It’s probably just a 24-hour bug. I think rest and some chicken noodle soup is the perfect thing for her right now.”
“Yeah,” he agreed with a nod. “Would you like some help making it?” It’s not like he had anything better to do. But even if he did, he would rather hang out with her anyway.
“Sure.” She smiled. Then gestured with her head towards the kitchen.
“I’ll be right there.”

Pulling out his phone again, he sent a quick text to Harper. He didn’t want her to think he was ignoring her.

Hey. I’m sorry you’re still feeling sick, but I’m glad it’s not COVID. 👏🏻 I’ll come see you later when the cooties are gone. 😉

He waited for a response before joining Kinsley in the kitchen. He hoped it would be quick.

Ha ha. Guess I don’t blame you.
You still ok staying in the guest house? Is it comfortable for you?

Yep. It’s just fine. Don’t worry about me. You just rest up and get feeling better. 👍🏻

Thanks Declan. Don’t have too much fun while I’m lying up here. We’re still on a business trip, remember?

Yes ma’am. 😉

You tu'rd…

Chuckling at that, Declan slipped his phone away into his pocket again and headed for the kitchen.

Beautiful Kinsley awaited.

Next Chapter comes Dec 11th 😁