❄ It Came Upon a Christmas Twist ❄

Here's the next Chapter y'all! 🎉🎄

A quick little note here first:

Unfortunately, I was unable to find the perfect pose for what I was trying to illustrate at the beginning of this chapter so if it looks like Kinsley and Declan are cutting chicken and chopping veggies in a strange way, just pretend they're doing it properly. Lol! 😆 Always good to use one's imagination often. 😉 

Enjoy!

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❄Chapter 5❄ 

The kitchen was smaller than Declan expected for such a grand cabin home, but its quaint, woodsy charm certainly made up for it. The cabinets hugged the ceiling and looked to be made of dark maple with small glass panes built into them. The appliances matched their color and style, the fridge itself adorning real wood in its doors. Accents of green were in the plants on the wall, the curtains, and in the pots and pans.

Kinsley leaned over the island counter, strands of hair falling forwards beside her cheeks, cutting the chicken bre'asts into small strips. She had on a forest green colored apron, tied gently around her waist, showing off her slim, well trimmed figure. It teased Declan’s senses for a bit.

“What can I help with?” he asked her, clasping his hands together.

Kinsley lifted her head, acknowledging him. “Umm,” she paused, blowing one of the strands of hair away from her eye and briefly looking around the countertop, “how about you start cutting up the veggies and then we’ll go from there.” She smiled.
“I can do that,” he expressed, grabbing the nearest knife he could find and joining her side at the island counter. “How would you like them cut?”
His thoughtful question impressed her and warmed her heart. “Nothing too fancy. The carrots should be cut into little cubes, the celery into bite size pieces, and the onions diced finely.”
Declan nodded. “I think I’ll let you tackle the onions or you’re going to have a crying man over here…”
She chuckled. “That’s just fine. They need to be separated from the carrots and celery anyway. When you’re done chopping those up, go ahead and pour them into this pot right here.” She pointed behind her.
“You got it.”
"Thanks."  

After a few seconds of quiet chopping, Declan asked, “So how exactly is this righteous chicken noodle soup of your mother’s made?”
Kinsley suppressed a giggle at his use of the word righteous. “Well, first we’ll saute the carrots and celery in some butter and garlic in the stock pot, while I pan fry the chicken pieces in a special blend of spices.”
“I take it, it's a secret blend of spices?” He winked.
“Yes.” She grinned with a twinkle in her eye. “Then once the veggies are a little soft, we’ll add in the chicken stock and a little bouillon and the egg noodles. Then bring it to a boil. Then once the noodles are al dente we’ll add in the chicken and onions and let it all simmer for a few minutes until it’s done.” 
“Sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it.” 

It was at that moment when a carrot he was chopping, rolled off the cutting board and onto the floor. Instinctively he and Kinsley both bent down to reach for it, bumping heads in the process. 

“Oh!” they both cried, rubbing at their foreheads while crouched. “Are you ok?” they asked in unison also, which produced some blushed chuckles. 
“I’m sorry,” Kinsley expressed. “I thought I’d grab that for you since you were on a roll dicing there…,” she trailed off, quickly getting lost in his beautiful dark brown eyes while in such close proximity to him.
“It’s ok,” he breathed, gazing deeply into her baby-blue eyes in return. “I guess I forgot how much of a clutz I am in the kitchen...”
"I never would've guessed..."

After those few lovely seconds in time, Declan held out his hands and helped Kinsley back up onto her feet. Then the two took turns washing their hands in the sink before going right back to preparing the meal. 

Soon they found themselves in the simmering stage of the soup preparation. That’s when Declan couldn’t help asking her, “So what was it like growing up with Harper as your twin sister?” He noticed a glint in Kinsley’s eye through his side glance, producing a twisted grin; almost as if she’d been long expecting him to ask that question. 
“It was…fine,” she simply, yet playfully answered, purposely not meeting his gaze.
“Fine?” he emphasized. “You two are so different from each other. I’m sure there were many times when things were anything but fine between you two…”

There was a pause, the feeling in the room shifting slightly. “You’re right…it wasn’t always fine.”
Her tone held Declan’s attention as he intently listened for the rest.

“We’re much closer now, but we fought a lot growing up,” she began. “Mainly because of trivial things like she didn’t want my stuff on her side of the room, and I didn’t want her stuff on my side of the room either. Or getting annoyed if one of us copied the other’s outfit. And if one of us got away with one thing, the other wanted to get away with it too. And on the flip side, if one of us got in trouble, somehow the other one ended up getting in trouble as well.”
Declan soberly nodded. He could only imagine.
“So there was always this feeling of unfairness between us.” She finally met his gaze. “I couldn’t do anything big or eventful in life without Harper doing it also and vice versa. Then when we started showing interest in boys, many of them didn’t want to date us once they found out we had an identical twin…”
“That’s hard,” Declan sympathized.

She nodded. “In one case Harper was always so mean to this boy I secretly had a crush on for a while that whenever I tried to talk to him, he would just walk away from me. Eventually he told a friend of mine that he had a hard time figuring out if I was me, or Harper. So that hurt a bit.”
“I bet.”
“And it’s not like I didn’t give Harper grief either when it came to boys,” she sweetly acknowledged, holding a hand to her chest. “One time she got into a big fight with one of her high school boyfriends and he told her, ‘Why can’t you be more like your sister?’ and,” she grimaced, “that didn’t end very well.”
Declan grimaced also, Harper’s reaction to that fully playing out in his mind.
“She snubbed me for a good couple of weeks after that. And I’m not kidding…not a word to me at all.”
“Oh I believe it,” Declan expressed. “Once Harper sets her mind on something, she sticks to it.”

“Yeah.” She smiled in agreement, then looked past him in thoughtfulness. “Although despite all that…she always had my back when I needed it. I was always so shy and quiet, never brave enough to speak out or stand up for myself. So that’s when Harper would rush in, the firecracker that she is,” she chuckled, “and save me from all sorts of turmoil and embarrassment. And from becoming a doormat. There were many times I didn’t know what I would do without her…”

She looked at him directly now. “I always found myself wishing I was more like her, that we could be that typical, close-knit set of identical twins that no one would ever dare mess with yet always loved to be around. But,” she sighed, “it just wasn’t that way with us. And eventually I learned to be ok with that. Learned that it’s ok to be different from my twin sister and to celebrate who I am as an individual. And I have gotten a little more assertive like her over the years.” She grinned. “But I’m still working on it.”   
Declan smiled too, his cheeks flushing as well. “That’s wonderful. And yeah, never stop celebrating who you are as a person. I can already tell you’re pretty great…”

A nervous lump developed in his throat, hoping he hadn’t said too much.
But Kinsley assured him with her eyes that she welcomed the compliment, and it warmed her heart.

“And you know what?” Declan asked, leaning into her slightly, “I was shy and not very assertive when I was a kid too…kind of a pu'shover sometimes. Kids were always picking on me, calling me a w'uss or a chicken or a big fat nerd and mean stuff like that.”
Kinsley frowned with a barely audible, “Aww,” in sympathy. 
“And I never really had anyone to look out for me or stand up for me so,” he paused, “I had to eventually learn how to do that all on my own. And it wasn’t easy.”
“Oh? Are you an only child?”
“Yep.”

The two gazed into each other’s eyes for a quiet moment, commiserating.  

“Oh!” Kinsley suddenly cried in that ever sweet voice of hers, seeing that the simmering soup was more boiling and feared the noodles had become too soft. She quickly turned the burner off and moved the pot to the other side of the stove. “Shoot!”
“It looks like it’s alright,” Declan soothed, then complimented, “It smells amazing! I dunno if you could hear my stomach growling…”
“I might have.” She smirked. 
He was really beginning to like her smirks. “But yeah I dunno about you, but I’m ready to dig in!”
“Well first I’m going to take some up to Harper,” she kindly reminded.
“Right. Of course.” He squeezed his eyes shut, while Kinsley opened the cabinet to get out some bowls. Dang it Declan, stop doing that! He ordered himself, in regards to forgetting about Harper. 

He just kept finding himself getting lost in everything that is Kinsley Williams. 

After taking a bowl of soup up to Harper, Kinsley came downstairs to find that Declan had set the table with two steaming bowls of chicken noodle soup ready for the both of them to eat. Complete with napkins underneath the spoons and glasses of ice water. He grinned bashfully at her. 

Kinsley’s heart pitter-pattered within her chest at the scene. “Declan, you’re so kind. You didn’t have to do that…,” she trailed off, approaching the table. 
“Yeah…well…,” he blushed, pulling out a chair for her, “I figured since you’re taking such good care of Harper, you deserve some care yourself.”

Isn’t he just the sweetest? her smitten mind thought. “Well thank you,” she very kindly expressed, sitting herself down. Then her ears perked up. Was that Christmas music softly playing from the radio in the background? Her smile turned brighter. 

Once Declan sat down and grabbed his spoon, Kinsley stopped him for a moment. “Do you mind if we say grace first?”
He froze. “Oh. Yeah, absolutely.” Then he set the spoon down.
“If that’s alright?” 
“Definitely!” he assured her. He was raised Christian. “I wasn’t sure if you were ok with that kind of thing or–”
“It’s ok because I wasn’t sure if you were ok with it either…”
He closed his lips with a smile. “I guess you and your sister are both more assertive than me,” he said, almost winking.
Kinsley smiled in return. Even though it wasn’t necessarily being assertive, but she knew he was just being sweet. “I’ll say it,” she offered.

Kinsley wove her fingers together while Declan folded his arms upon the table, both closing their eyes and bowing their heads before she uttered the prayer.

“Our Father, which art in Heaven, we thank thee for this meal before us, and pray that it will give our bodies the nourishment it needs to stay alert and strong this evening and into morning. We pray for those less fortunate than us, that they will be blessed to find bounty through thy holy spirit. We also pray that thy spirit will bless Harper with good health soon. And bless those who are so graciously working to clear the snow from Oaks Pass with safety, that Harper and Declan will be able to make it to the conference. We’re thankful for this Christmas season that helps us to remember thy Son, Jes'us Ch'rist our Savior. Please bless and keep us this evening and always, we ask these things humbly. Amen.” 

“Amen,” Declan solemnly expressed, opening his eyes towards Kinsley with admiration. “That was…beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She shyly blushed.
“I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a sincere and eloquently delivered prayer over a dinner of chicken noodle soup.” They laughed. “I mean, I’d expect that over Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with a giant turkey and all the fixings. But I’m just…wow.” He breathed, truly impressed. “Thank you for that. I think my soul really needed it.”
Kinsley’s smile beamed brighter. “You’re welcome. Thank you for allowing me to say it.”
He nodded.

Once they started eating, the two talked a little about religion and discovered how similar their beliefs were, consuming the soup rather quickly. It was very flavorful and filling. Then they speculated on whether the Christmas star was like the event of Saturn and Jupiter aligning back in December of 2020.

“That was seriously the coolest thing!” Kinsley happily exclaimed. “It was gorgeous!”
“It really was!”

Then she rested her chin atop her woven together fingers, her tone softening. “It was exactly the kind of heavenly reminder we needed after that awful year…”
His eyes twinkled in agreement. “For real…” 

After helping each other clear the table and wash dishes, the two dried their hands on some kitchen towels while exchanging a few smitten glances at each other.

“Thank you for your help with everything this evening Declan,” Kinsley expressed, setting down her towel. 
“It was my pleasure Kinsley,” he replied, doing the same. “I was happy to do it. And it was fun.” He smiled.
“It was.” She smiled too. “And it was a pleasure getting to know you.”

“And you as well.”

Kinsley tried not to blush at the handsome look he was giving her, or lean against the kitchen island coyly in response. She quickly straightened herself up. “Well I’m sure you have some other things to do this evening.”
Declan pretended to think for a moment. “Not really, but I can take a hint,” he joked with a wink.

“Oh no, it’s not like that. I–”
“Relax, I’m kidding,” he soothed. “I really have overstayed my welcome and…I’m sure you’d like to have some alone time to yourself.”
She smiled once again at his thoughtfulness.
“Tell Harper I’ll see her tomorrow morning,” he said, exiting the kitchen towards the front door.
Kinsley followed. “Will do.”
“Thanks. Umm, goodnight.” 
"Goodnight."

Before Declan turned the doorknob, he looked back at her with one more smitten glance...

...to which she seemed to reciprocate...

...then he opened the door and stepped out into the cold, wintry night.   

                                                               ❄❄❄

Back in the guest house, Declan checked his phone for any missed calls or messages, realizing he hadn’t looked at it all day except for that one moment he texted Harper.

He had four text messages from Andy that read:

‘Sup hombre! What’s the word on the Pass? Is it open?

I’m assuming since you didn’t answer that it IS open and you two are at the Conference? Try not to fall asleep. Lol!

Did you actually fall asleep? 😉 

Dude. Is everything ok? Call me when you see this. Ciao!

Declan smiled with amusement as he pressed the Call button on the text message and held the phone up to his ear. He’d planned on giving Andy a call anyway because there was so much to tell him about!

Instead of being greeted with the traditional “Hello?” Andy answered his phone with, “Geez Declan, you really couldn’t shoot me one simple text while you were at the Conference? You had me worried for a bit there…” 
“Sorry man,” Declan responded. “It's just been one eventful day...”
There was a pause on the other end, due to Declan’s upbeat tone. “At the Conference? Really?” 
“No.” Declan pinched the bridge of his nose. “We haven’t gone to the conference yet. The Pass is still closed due to an avalanche and so the conference has been postponed until it’s open.”

“Oh wow, really? That su'cks! When’s it gonna be open?”
“We don’t know for sure. We just have to keep checking the status on the Department of Transportation’s website every morning and see.”
"Dang, that's annoying. So you guys are just chilling at the hotel in whatever that town is? Doing whatever?"
"Actually..." There was no avoiding it now. He told Andy about them staying at the cabin house instead.
“Wait, so you and Harper are stuck in her brother’s cabin, just the two of you, alone…until further notice?”
“Well…yeah. Kind of. But–”
“What the hey are you two gonna do in all that time?” Then Andy gasped. “Wait, you said it was an eventful day. What exactly DID you two do today? It must’ve been something epic for you to not text me back at all!” It almost seemed like he was asking in a tone of jealousy rather than excitement.
“Well if you’d shut up for one second and let me talk, you’ll find out,” Declan answered somewhat playfully. “You’re not gonna believe what I have to tell you.”

Now Andy was all the more curious. “What!?”

For a split second, Declan didn’t even know where to begin. “So apparently, Harper’s sister came here to the cabin last night. Taking a little vacation herself.”
Andy raised an eyebrow. “That’s interesting. Not sure why I never figured Harper had a sister…” He shrugged.
“Oh she’s not just any sister, Andy,” Declan paused for dramatic effect. His heart quickened. “She’s her twin sister. Harper has a TWIN!” 

Andy’s eyebrows shot up. “No way…”

“Yes, way! An identical twin at that.”
Andy gasped. “So there’s TWO Harper’s out there?” Oh he shuddered to think. Yet at the same time, a smirk played across his face.
“No,” Declan chuckled, “well, yes, in a way, but no. Her twin sister is actually very different from her. In a good way.”
“Well that’s a relief. What’s her name?”
“Kinsley.” Just saying it made Declan’s heart flutter. 
“Huh. I guess their parents went non-traditional, not giving them rhyming names or names starting with the same letter.”
“Yeah I thought that too. But I think it’s totally fitting because seriously Andy, they are so different from each other. It kinda blows my mind.” 
The dreamy tone in Declan’s voice definitely sparked Andy’s interest, causing his lips to form into a grin. “How so?” he probingly asked. 
“I mean, they have some similarities; their looks of course.”
Andy nodded. “So is she as hot as Harper?”
“Gorgeous!” Declan instantly expressed. “Honestly I - I can’t get her out of my mind.” He held the palm of his hand up to his forehead feverishly as he began to pace around the room. “I’ve never met or known a more stunningly beautiful woman before…and I thought I’d met plenty in my life up until now.” He plopped himself down onto the couch. 
“Wow,” Andy smirked again. “So what makes her so different from Harper?”
“Everything,” Declan mused besottedly.

“She’s sweeter, more soft spoken, caring, kind, and…playful.” He blushed. “She has those key qualities I’ve always wanted in a girl. She’s everything I wished Harper was when I first met her…until I found out she wasn’t.” He lowered his head for a moment. “Kinsley is…an angel. A beautiful, wonderful person, inside and out.”
“Dang hombre…someone really is the smitten kitten all of a sudden.”
But Declan paid it no mind. “I know I’ve only just met her Andy, and maybe I’m crazy, but…there’s this connection between us. I can feel it! And I think she feels it too.”
Andy smiled, truly happy for his buddy. “Well right on hombre! Does Harper know how you feel about her sister?”
Declan paused. “Not exactly… Harper caught a bug during the flight and has been upstairs in quarantine basically, while Kinsley and I have gotten to know each other better. I’m not sure if she suspects anything. Or if Kinsley is telling her anything at this very moment...” He stood up from the couch and glanced out the window at the cabin, then turned back, growing more thoughtful. “Do you think she'd be uncomfortable with me having feelings for Kinsley? Or dating her?” The thought made his heart ache a little.

That even caused Andy to halt in responding. “I dunno hombre…that’s a tough one. Maybe if she has feelings for you too, but I really don’t think so. No offense.”

“None taken. As long as we’re still talking about Harper here?” he teased.
“Ha, ha. Yes.”
Declan grinned, then it faded quickly. “Maybe I’ll somewhat hint about it when I see Harper tomorrow. See how she reacts to it. Who knows if the Pass will be open. But you know Andy,” he paused, shaking his head as the grin returned, “while it’s been kind of annoying not knowing what’s going to happen tomorrow, at the same time the suspense…is a welcome and pleasurable change.”

Andy also shook his head on the other end. “Dang hombre, you really are smitten. Well in light of this recent revelation I’m gonna need to hear more details, in text form preferably, throughout the coming days. I gotta know what happens!”
Declan chuckled. “I’ll try to remember. But if you don’t hear from me tomorrow just know that it means the Pass still isn’t open and I’m spending time with Kinsley. That is…if she still wants me to.”
“Of course she will! Especially if you think she feels a connection too.”
Declan grinned again. “Thanks Andy. I really appreciate it.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “I should probably turn in now. I’m kinda anxious for tomorrow to come.”
“Yeah you are…”
Declan shook his head amusingly. “Goodnight hombre,” he couldn’t help saying.
“Goodnight hombre. Sweet dreams!”

Declan chuckled as he ended the call, slipping his phone into his pocket. He began to wish that a wonderful girl like Kinsley would someday enter into Andy’s life just as quickly as well. Because he certainly deserved a woman like her too.

After getting into his pajamas and brushing his teeth - deciding a warm shower might be better in the morning - Declan slipped under the thick covers of the bed and gazed around the room for a moment; his head sinking into the pillow. 

There really needs to be some Christmas decorations in here, he thought.   

*Next Chapter coming Friday, Dec 13th!*