❄ It Came Upon a Christmas Twist ❄

New Chapter day everyone! 😁🎄

Ahh, Chapter 7. It is finally here. 😊 There’s an “easter egg” in this one y’all so I hope you enjoy seeing that. 😁 As well as everything else that happens in this chapter. 😏

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❄Chapter 7❄

It was a little after Noon when Declan and Kinsley returned to the cabin. The first thing Kinsley did was go upstairs to check on Harper. Declan figured while she was doing that he would bring the tree inside. He thought perhaps it might impress Kinsley if he did it all by himself. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?

But it proved to be much more difficult than he thought.

Thankfully he was wearing gloves because after he got the tree off the car, he got a bit of sap on his hands while gripping the base of it to throw it over his shoulder. He'd almost lost his footing in doing so, especially with hidden sheets of ice underneath the newly fallen snow.

As he staggered his way up the deck stairs, needles falling all over the steps, Kinsley opened the front door.

“Oh! Do you need some help with that?”
“Yeah...,” Declan defeatedly answered with a grunt. “That would be great.” Shucks…

He didn’t want the tree’s sap to get on Kinsley’s bare and beautiful hands, so he tilted the top of the tree towards her to catch and grip, while he continued to hold the base as they stepped through the double doors with it. It may not have been the correct method in bringing a tree inside, but it worked.

After a quick Google search, the two figured out how to properly secure the tree in the stand - which they did manage to find in the shed, not in a tote. Nick had one of those fancy ones with a water reservoir built into it which they both thought was pretty cool. That way no one would forget to water the tree, and in turn it would help extend the tree’s life. Christmas was, after all, a little less than two weeks away.

While taking a short breather, Kinsley said to Declan, “I sure hope we didn’t wake Harper with all of that. She was fast asleep when I checked in on her.”

“I’m sure we didn’t,” he assured. “These walls are pretty well insulated. I’m glad to hear she’s sleeping.” And he was. Not just because Harper was a workaholic and needed plenty of rest to get feeling better, but he was happy to have more alone time with Kinsley. A lot more.
Kinsley nodded with a smile. “Thankfully decorating the tree isn’t very loud.”
“I’d say that depends…,” Declan countered with a grin. “Decorating the tree creates chatter and laughter, everyone relishing in the moment with glee.” Then he gripped his chin, arching his head to the side. “I guess with just the two of us it would be quieter, but,” he lowered his hand and looked deeply into her eyes, “I sure don’t want to miss out on truly relishing in the tree decorating experience with you.” He blushed, hoping that wasn’t too forward to say - that the playfulness in his tone came out more than his adoration for her.

But Kinsley didn’t seem to mind, with the way her cheeks lit up in the same way as his. Shyly, yet sincerely, she replied with, “I wouldn’t want to miss out on that either.”

Declan’s fluttering and lovestruck heart was warmed by her words once again.

This was already turning out to be one Christmas he would never forget.

The first thing they did was string the lights all around the tree, both feeling that white lights looked best on a blue spruce. A couple of times their fingers briefly touched during the stringing, which made them exchange blushed smiles at each other. Kinsley then handed Declan a couple of boxes of variously colored and embellished Christmas bulbs to put on the tree while she decorated in between them with glittery white and silver snowflake ornaments.

Then the two debated on whether to dress the tree up with some ribbon or red velvet bows. It didn’t take long to decide that the ribbon looked so much nicer and festive. Lastly, Declan laid out a silvery tree skirt while Kinsley looked for the star topper.

Brushing some of the spruce needles off his pants, Declan turned around to find Kinsley holding out the gold outlined, three dimensional capiz star to him. “Would you like to do the honor of putting up the star?” she sweetly asked him.
“Me?” he curiously asked, gently taking it from her and admiring its craftsmanship.
“Yeah. My dad was always the one to put it on the tree growing up so,” she paused, “I thought it might be fitting if you did.” She smiled. “Plus you’re our guest.”

Declan appreciated the kind thought, but wondered if perhaps this was one moment where tradition didn’t need to be esteemed. “I’m honored, but,” he studied her closely, “I get the feeling there’s something special about this star. It looks handmade.”
“It was,” Kinsley answered, her face lighting up. “It was a gift to my Grandparents from a friend in the Philippines for their 50th wedding anniversary. They got married in December. When they died, my mom inherited it and she brought it here to decorate Nick’s tree with when we last spent Christmas here together. I thought she took it home with her and dad so I was surprised to find it still here.”
Declan acknowledged her story with a warm smile, then held the star out to her. “Well then I think it would be much more appropriate for you to put it up.”

Kinsley grinned, deeply appreciating his thoughtfulness. “Ok,” she softly accepted.

Declan watched with amusement as Kinsley lifted her arm and strained to put the star up, stretching her slim body while inadvertently expelling the cutest little grunt. She didn’t realize just how tall the tree was.

“What happened to that stool we were using earlier?” she asked him, glancing around the room.
But Declan had another idea in mind. “Here I’ll give you a little boost,” he offered, coming closer to her.
“Oh,” she expressed in surprise, looking over her shoulder as he stopped directly behind her. Her heart raced excitedly.
“If you don’t mind?”
“No, not at all!” she found herself exclaiming, feeling somewhat bashful.

Declan was pleased. He never wanted to make her feel uncomfortable. “Alrighty. So I’ll just wrap my arms around your hips like this and…lift.”
“Oh!” Kinsley loudly expressed this time, then giggled. She liked how he lifted her with such gentle ease and he held her quite stably while she got the star in place.

It’s funny, but she felt this warm sense of security being held in his arms. And the feeling of her body pressed so close to his almost felt intoxicating.
Declan was feeling exactly the same, especially with the sensual scent of whatever perfume she was wearing penetrating his nostrils.

Once he lowered her to the ground, she turned to him with a shy smile and brushed some hair behind her ear. “Now all that’s left to do is plug in the lights.”
“My favorite part.” He blushed.
“Me too. You should definitely be the one to do that.” She winked.
“It would be my pleasure.”

Kinsley stepped back a bit and held her clasped hands to her chest in excited anticipation for the tree lighting.

“Ready?” Declan asked her. When she nodded he continued. “One, two, three!” And he plunged the plug into the wall outlet.

Soon the two stood together, side by side, awing breathlessly over the tree in all its glorious, sparkling, and festive glory. Their eyes met briefly with beaming smiles, impressed once again by their teamwork, then shifted their gazes back to the tree.

“Oh Declan it’s more beautiful than I imagined it would be,” Kinsley expressed with a hand held to her heart then turning her head to him with eyes of gratitude. “Thank you for helping me with all of this.”
“You’re very welcome, Kinsley.” He smiled warmly. “It was a joy to do.”
She blushed. Then her eyes widened. “Oh! We were supposed to decorate the guest house too!”
“That’s right…” Declan pressed a hand to his forehead. “But we really don’t have to do too much decorating in there just for me. Since I won’t be staying for much—”
“Nonsense! There’s no such thing as too many Christmas decorations, right?”

No, he thought with a tight-lipped smile. And in the name of Christmas how could he have said such a thing? Perhaps it’s because he’d just been too distracted by the brightest light among a million others this Holiday season. Kinsley Williams.

“You’re right," he said. "Let’s do it!”

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When all the Christmas decorating was finished, it was nearing 4 pm. The two were famished. And neither felt like cooking anything up for dinner like last night. So Declan offered to order a couple of pizzas for them, figuring that Harper would be just as hungry too once she woke up. He wondered how on earth she was going to sleep tonight - the night most likely before they had to attend the conference - having slept all day, but at least she would be well rested and perhaps feeling less cranky. Hopefully, he thought.

After making the call, Declan tucked his phone away into his pocket and bounced his eyebrows while informing Kinsley, “They said the pizzas should be here in about 15-20 minutes.”
“Great! So…what should we do while we wait?” she inquired with a soft smile.
Declan could think of a couple of things, but he needed to keep himself composed. “Maybe we could wake up Harper and let her know that dinner is on the way?”
“Oh, right!” the twin sister expressed, slapping the palm of her hand to her forehead. “Gosh I feel so bad that I’d almost forgotten about her…” She grimaced.
Declan chuckled. And he rather liked that she was feeling a little forgetful being with him too. “It’s ok, you’re not the only one.”
“No, it’s terrible,” she groaned. “I’m her sister…and a nurse!”

She was just too adorable, Declan thought. And ever so thoughtful. He stepped closer to her and almost placed his hands on her shoulders before responding, but shoved them into his pockets instead. “Hey, if Harper knows how much you love Christmas as much as I think she does, then she’ll understand you getting a little caught up in the decorating and forgetting about everything else for a bit.”

Kinsley smiled at him with rosy cheeks in appreciation. “You’re right. She would.”

And up the stairs together they went.

As it turned out, Harper woke up an hour ago, finding a book in the bedroom to read when she discovered the two were not in the house. Kinsley told her all about the decorating they did, and Declan’s help in picking out the perfect tree and bringing it inside the house.

“You?” Harper questioned Declan, lowering the book. “You brought a real Christmas tree into the house? All by yourself?”
Declan’s smile faded, hesitating for a second - with Kinsley boring her bright gaze into him from the side - and dug at the floor with the tip of his shoe. “Well uh…almost.”
“Yeah that’s what I thought,” Harper knowingly concluded, lifting the book back up. “He can’t even carry a case of copy paper from the car and into the office by himself…”
“Hey! That was ONE time!” Declan protested, while Kinsley giggled. “I worked out my arms a little too hard at the gym the night before.”

“Yeah you just keep telling yourself that,” Harper dismissed, continuing to read.

“Oh Harper, be nice,” Kinsley playfully chided, after seeing Declan rub a hand down his face.

Of course Harper would try to embarrass him in front of another woman, especially one he’s interested in. Even if that woman was her twin sister. Wait, she doesn’t suspect that, does she? he thought with a halt. No…she’s kidding. His racing heart decelerated. She’s totally kidding.

“Oh Kins, Declan knows I’m joking with him,” Harper confirmed his thought, shooting him a glance as if to ask, “Right Declan?”

Now Kinsley looked at Declan with curiosity.

“Yeah,” he immediately answered, mostly to Kinsley, pasting on a smile. “It’s what she always does.”

He couldn’t tell if that flustered Harper or not because the doorbell rang. “Pizza’s here!” he declared with a clap in relief. “I’ll get it.” And he went straight out of the room with pleasure.

“Oh you two ordered pizza?” Harper asked Kinsley. “Nice! I could definitely eat.”
“Yeah. I can bring you up a couple of pieces if you’d like?”
“No thanks, I’ll go down and get some in a bit.” Her nose was practically buried in between the pages of the book. “I’ve forgotten how good this book is…”
Kinsley craned her neck and tried to read which book it was, but the light in the room was too dim to make it out. “Ok. Well it’ll be there for you whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”

Clearly sensing that she too was also becoming “forgotten,” Kinsley went to join Declan downstairs.

Once she entered the living room she was pleasantly greeted with dim overhead lighting, accentuating the lights from the Christmas tree and garlands, and a roaring fire going in the fireplace. She drew in a breath of delight.

“Here you go,” Declan greeted her with, holding out a plate he’d already prepared for her. Napkin underneath it and all.
“Thank you,” she expressed, taking it with a blush.
“Hey we should see if they have any good Christmas movies on TV to watch while we eat,” he suggested, heading for the couch and picking up the remote with his free hand.
Kinsley pleasantly followed. “I dunno. It’s probably just the romantic Christmas movies,” she informed, figuring he’d want to know that beforehand.

But all he did was give her a warm and genuine look from the couch. “I don’t mind.”

Kinsley’s eyebrows gradually rose upward as a smile played across her lips. Could he be any more perfect? Her burning and excited palpitating heart was really beginning to fall for this man she’d only just met almost two days ago.

And falling hard.

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Sure enough, the only channels playing Christmas movies were Hallmark and Lifetime, showcasing their newest releases for the season, all in the Romance genre. The title of Lifetime Channel’s next film piqued the two’s interest much more than Hallmark's. It was called: “The Christmas Card Lost to Time.”

Declan and Kinsley sat close together, eating their pizzas with great anticipation as they watched a young woman named Maureen, who’d received a 50 year old card in the mail that was originally sent to her Grandmother from a man in World War II - who was not her Grandfather - which never arrived until this present day, go on a journey to figure out who this long lost lover of her Grandmother’s was. She soon meets Alan, the CEO of a mega corporation in the nearest big city, who just so happens to be the grandson of the mysterious man Maureen is looking for. After some intense persuasion, Alan agrees to help Maureen go through his deceased grandpa’s old journals, along with her grandmother’s, to discover the truth about their grandparent’s relationship that was never revealed between both families. While reading the journals together, the answers are found. And in that time, Maureen and Alan develop a bond and kiss passionately after discovering the painful truth to their grandparent’s war torn relationship. Naturally, conflict arises as a few days later Alan’s secretary, who has a crush on him, reveals to Maureen that he’s always been a player and will never change his ways simply because he shared a tender moment with her. Brokenhearted, Maureen leaves for home and Alan shows up at just the right moment on her doorstep, singing “Blue Christmas,” ready and willing to tell Maureen the truth about himself…how she and the journals changed him…and declare the love he developed for her during their time together. Both felt that it was their grandparent’s lost love that was meant to bring them together and in that spirit they kiss deeply underneath the falling snow, in the light of the full moon and Christmas lights, and go on to live happily ever after.

Declan loved inadvertently witnessing tears of sorrow and joy shed from Kinsley’s eyes throughout the movie; he’d admit he’d had to hold a few back himself. But once the end credits rolled, their hearts and faces lit up with gladness, once again convinced that no matter what season it is, the power of love conquers everything.

And both were craving it desperately.

Seeing that their plates and napkins needed to go into the trash, Kinsley picked them up and prepared to head into the kitchen with them, but Declan gently stopped her and offered to take them for her. She smiled at him, with a “thank you” and then sat herself down in the sofa directly in front of the fireplace.  Her eyes getting lost in the flames.

When Declan returned, she expressed to him, “That was such a beautiful movie,” as he sat himself down beside her.
“Yeah. It really was,” he agreed, resting his arm on the back of the couch behind her. “One of the best Christmas movies I’ve seen in a long time.”

Kinsley flashed a smile at his remark, but it was soon replaced with a sorrowful frown as she lowered her head and gaze from him, clasping her hands in her lap. She couldn't seem to hold it back any longer.

Somehow all the brightness in her countenance that had been constantly present during the past couple of days - in the very short time Declan had known her – swiftly faded away. His heart went from a rapid, love-struck flutter, to being pierced with a dagger of concern in an instant. “Are you alright?” he asked her, as the air surrounding them became thin. He leaned forward and inched closer to her, his gaze remaining fixed on her. “What’s wrong?”

While nervously twiddling her fingers, holding back much emotion, Kinsley swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking. “Declan, do you believe a love like that is still possible to have with someone these days?” She batted her eyelids to prevent the incoming tears. “I don’t just mean the love that developed between Maureen and Alan,” she paused, meeting his gaze now, “but the endearing love their grandparents had for each other.”

Declan stared into her glistening eyes, studying them - as well as her - for a few seconds before responding. There was something his heart desperately wanted to respond with, but his soul impressed upon him to say something else. “Why do you ask that?” he tenderly inquired.

While not exactly getting the response she was hoping for, but understanding why he’d be curious, Kinsley sighed. “You know when you asked me what brought me to the cabin? And I told you it was because I needed a break from life,” she began, shifting her gaze to the crackling fireplace. “It wasn’t just because of that. I needed to get away from my ex-boyfriend.” She looked at him again.

Now a lump formed in Declan’s throat; his heart nervously thumping over what she might reveal, but desperately curious to learn more at the same time. He gave her a nod of acknowledgement, encouraging her with his eyes to go on.

“Ryan and I met while I was in nursing school and we dated for three years,” she began. “He was so supportive of me. Hardly ever complained about my grueling work hours once I got a job at the Hospital. He was wonderful. Kind, caring, and generous. Always there when I needed him to be, and was that constant shoulder I often needed to cry on.” She smiled in reminiscence, the ache she’d been pushing away for so long returning and tugging at her eyelids. “He was my world…and my future. The first man I’d ever fallen in love with.”
Declan nodded again, his heart clenching with sorrow. He tried to brace himself for what she reveal next.
“Then one day, a little over a year ago, this woman suddenly showed up in our life.” Her voice choked, taking the softness in it away. “A former girlfriend of his from high school. They’d gone their separate ways when they went off to different colleges.” She shifted her weight on the sofa, turning to more fully face Declan now. “She brought a little girl with her - her daughter – who was about six years old. And she didn’t waste any time at all revealing to Ryan that he was the father… And causing our world to come crumbling down all around us.”

Declan’s racing heart halted so hard it almost dropped into his stomach. “You’re kidding me?” he asked with a look of shock.

She shook her head with a tightly pursed lip. “No. I’m not,” she answered, tears escaping her eyes.

Declan closed his eyes and pinched his forehead with his fingers, expelling a big sigh. “Geez…”

Kinsley continued. “So a few days later Ryan just up and broke up with me, seemingly forgetting everything we had built together in the past three years. He told me that he wanted to do the right thing and be a present father for his daughter, which I admired, but,” she lightly shook her head, “I knew it was more than that. There were still feelings there for his ex that never fully went away.”
Declan gazed into her tearful eyes once again, his soul rapidly absorbing her sorrow.
“My heart was so broken…” She lowered her head with a sniff. “If I hadn’t had to work I would’ve hid myself up in my house for months, never going anywhere or talking to anyone because the only energy I had was to cry.”

“Well yeah,” Declan sympathized, his heart clenching. “You felt cheated from a beautiful future with the man that you were in love with. That’s hard.”
She nodded, sniffing again. “When I finally felt like I was getting over it and could move forward with my life, I was at the store one day and happened upon Ryan and his new wife and kid there,” she stopped, holding a hand to her quivering mouth to steady it, “looking all beautiful and as happy as can be and…I had to leave. Get the heck out of Nevada and away from all the memories kept within it. That was when I decided to take some time off and leave town; come here to the cabin. I hoped to find solace, which I have, and to be able to figure out what to do next in my life because,” she bored her tearful eyes into his, “I’m not sure how I can go back to Nevada.”

In that moment, Declan immediately wrapped his arm around Kinsley’s shoulder and pulled her in close to him. For a moment he caressed her arm as she rested her cheek on his shoulder and cried. With the heaviest of hearts and deepest sympathy he said to her, “Kinsley, I am so sorry that happened to you. That’s one of those very unfortunate scenarios in life that no one should have to go through, and I can only imagine how much that broke your heart. I’m also sorry I made you bring it up.”

“Oh no, don’t be sorry,” she assured, lifting her head and wiping away the tears. “I’ve been holding it back for so long that I really needed to talk about it and let it all out. It feels very healing to do so. So I should really be thanking you.”
He smiled. She was too sweet, once again.

Then, not wishing to kill the moment, but rather lighten it, he said, “I know this might not be the most appropriate thing to say, but I’m saying it just as an expression, ok?”
Kinsley looked upon him curiously, then nodded.
“But I might be able to do you one worse than that.” He cracked a smile, revealing his playfulness.
“Oh?” she acknowledged, cracking a smile also.

It took Declan a moment to compose himself before revealing a painful part of his past as well, even when he’d already grieved over it and the sting didn’t hurt nearly as much anymore. He removed his glasses for good measure. “My last girlfriend Chloe and I were together for almost a year,” he began. “And I was beginning to feel like we were ready to take the next step and get married.”
Kinsley nodded again.
“Then one night when we were out having dinner, Chloe was not acting like herself. She barely acknowledged me when I was talking to her and hardly touched her food. Something was weighing on her, I could just feel it.” He swallowed. “So when I asked her what was wrong, she immediately started crying and began telling me how wonderful of a guy I am and that she had a great time with me and…,” he trailed off, giving Kinsley a certain look.
“Ohhh,” Kinsley whispered, realizing.
He nodded. “She went on to say that she met someone and they instantly hit it off and that she felt terrible about it, but couldn’t deny her feelings so,” he shrugged, “she broke up with me right then and there.”
“Oh Declan…”
“For another woman.”

Kinsley’s eyes widened as she held back as a gasp. “Oh. Wow.”

“Yeeeeah,” Declan uttered. “She told me that night too that she always wondered if she might be gay, but didn’t really believe it until she met that woman. So,” he blew out a breath, “that was a difficult one to process.”
“Oh for sure!” Kinsley exclaimed, sliding her hand onto his knee in consolation. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I kinda swore off dating for a while after that. My work buddy still gets after me for being so reserved about putting myself out there again, but,” he paused, leaning back and resting his arm on the back of the couch again, “after an experience like that it makes one feel…a little more nervous going into another relationship again. You know?”
“Absolutely,” Kinsley agreed, her tone changing again. “And see that’s the thing Declan,” she turned towards him, hands clasped on her knees, “with all these diverse attractions and relationship definitions we have in the world today,” she paused, batting away the oncoming tears again, “is it still even possible for any of us to find that true and endearing love like in the days of old?” Her glistening eyes were filled with longing, pining for the hope that all was not lost. “That we’re all living and breathing for?”

After a brief thought, Declan leaned in closer to her and voiced softly, “Well I dunno about you, but…in the last couple of days I’ve been beginning to believe so…”

Kinsley held his gaze with saccadic eye movements and staggering breaths, his heartfelt message shifting her reeling emotions in a completely different direction now. One filled with joy, pleasure, and that spark of hope her soul so desperately desired. He was such a wonderful guy, genuine in every way. And seemingly perfect for her. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest once more for him, bringing back the warmth and light into her countenance again. “Yeah…,” she whispered through her beautiful lips, desire radiating in her glistening eyes.

Declan read that desire instantly and leaned in to kiss her.

When Kinsley’s soft lips gently returned his kiss, he ran his fingers through her silky, smooth hair, his thumb grazing her ear and resting them upon the nape of her neck, pulling them in closer to his. Assuring her that his feelings and intentions were of the purest form and all he wanted to do was finally express it by drinking deeply from her. Caressing her. Excitement coursed through his veins, especially when this felt so good. So right.

Kinsley was beginning to feel the same, smiling at him after that gloriously long kiss with their noses pressed up against each other’s, him grinning just as delightedly in return. Without saying a word, she kissed him again, cupping his cheeks and giving of her affections wholeheartedly.

All their developed desires for each other during the past two days surged through every touch of their lips and hands, driving all their movements. The heat was rising in the room with each and every passionate, breathy kiss, beautifully accentuated by the crackling fire and twinkling Christmas lights surrounding them.

It was at that moment when Harper came down the stairs, finally deciding to get some much needed sustenance, and her eyes caught hold upon the scene unfolding on the sofa before the fireplace. Her feet stopped dead in their tracks and her heart skipped a beat. What was happening here?

With feelings of disarray, her eyes shifted downward to the floor, to the right and to the left, then back up at her co-worker and twin sister locking lips.

Gradually, she turned herself around and quietly headed back up the stairs.

Just as Declan slid his arm around the small of Kinsley’s back and laid her down upon the sofa, moans escaping through both of their lips…

…the two heard Harper’s footsteps from above and immediately pulled away in unison, sitting up in a flash. After a brief chuckle they feverishly rubbed at their necks and stood up from the couch, adjusting their clothing.

“Perhaps this might be a good time to call it a night,” Kinsley suggested, cheeks still glistening and rosy from all the smooching.
“Yeah,” Declan breathlessly agreed, although he didn’t want to. He could’ve gone all night engaging in that exhilarating act of romance with her. He couldn’t stop smiling. “Today was such a fun day Kinsley. I enjoyed every second of it. Not just that very last part.” He smirked.
She grinned, her cheeks turning redder. “Me too.” And she brushed some hair behind her ear like she always did. “It’s been a while since I’ve had so much fun with someone.”
“Same.”

Sharing another heartfelt moment, they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes again and leaned in towards each other’s lips, longing to kiss one more time.

But both knew Harper would be downstairs any second now so that thought pulled them back.

“I’ll, uh, get the door for you,” Kinsley stammered somewhat, heading in that direction.
“Oh you really don’t have to,” Declan expressed, grabbing his glasses off the coffee table and following after her.
“I know, but,” she stopped to open the door, the frigid air blowing in and bringing tiny snowflakes with it, “i-it might be best if–”
“I understand,” Declan soothed her, sensing her uneasiness. He wasn’t comfortable with Harper finding out what they just did yet either; and the feelings he’d so rapidly developed for her twin sister. He certainly held some concern as to how that revelation was going to go down with her, but for now he didn’t want to dwell on it. “You and Harper have a nice evening together,” he wished Kinsley. “Since…we’ll most likely be going to the conference tomorrow and,” he paused, due to his now aching heart over the very thought of it, “I’m not sure what will happen after that. I’m not even sure how long the conference will be, honestly.”
Kinsley stared at him with an aching heart too, a pit developing in her stomach. “Well, I’ll still be here,” she said with a shrug and a light smile. “I don’t have to return to work anytime soon, so…”
Declan nodded, his chest tightening. “I’ll see you in the morning then,” he said as an absolute. “Right before we leave.”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
He smiled. “Goodnight Kinsley.”
“Goodnight. Declan.”

And with that, Declan stepped out into the darkness of the wintry night, casting one more glance over his shoulder at her while she gently shut the door.

With a pep in his step, he hummed a romantic tune as he made his way over to the guest house.

This would be a day to remember.

Once inside, he admired all the Christmas decorations he and Kinsley put up earlier; adoration for her and all her loveliness consuming his besotted soul once more.

Of course he had to check his phone since he hadn’t all day. There was a missed call from his mom - most likely asking him about his plans for Christmas - and a single text message from Andy.

It read:

Hey! Did you and Harper go to the conference today? If not, how did things go with her hot twin sister? 😉

Shaking his head with a grin, he promptly texted back:

No, we didn't go to the conference. However, you wouldn’t believe what happened today… 

*Next Chapter coming either Tues or Wed. I can't make up my mind. Lol!*