❄ It Came Upon a Christmas Twist ❄

Aww, seems like Declan has found a sweetheart!  His grin is so cute!  Poor Harper is still sick! I know how she feels. I'm still hacking up a storm!  Dang those are huge boxes! XD  Getting caught up in Xmas lights! How sweet!(Love your editing skills!)  The Cabin looks great!  OMG is that the leg lamp from A Christmas Story?!!! 🤪 OMG Him flexing his muscles! XD I would be giggling to. And love that pose! OMG your little christmas tree lot!!!!  Gah  You are so good at setting up scenes! I'm jelly. ^_^

❄Chapter 8❄

Knowing that Declan was out of the house - and spying out the icy window to make doubly sure - Harper made her way downstairs. Her growling stomach was beyond tired of running on empty!

When she reached the base of the stairs she found Kinsley sitting at the dining table, her elbow upon it and her chin resting in the palm of her hand, staring into nothingness. Her head lifted as Harper’s presence caught her attention.

“Man that pizza smells so good!” Harper expressed to her, heading for the kitchen. “I’m famished!”
“It’s in the fridge,” Kinsley informed. “So you’ll have to heat it up.”
“No problem. Thanks!”

As Kinsley listened to the sound of the microwave reheating the pizza, her thoughts wandered back to Declan. His face a constant image in her mind now. Everything about him and the way he made her feel in the past two days healed her recovering heart in a way she didn’t believe could be possible again. 

It made her begin to reevaluate what she was doing with her life. And what might be next.  

“Guess Declan went to bed?” Harper asked, setting her plate down on the table and pulling out a chair. 
“Yep.”
Once sitting down and taking a quick glance around, Harper noted, “The decorations look great in here. Looks just like how it did the last time we spent Christmas here.”
“Thanks.” Kinsley smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”  
Harper nodded as she delved right into the slice of pizza, letting out a soft moan. She couldn’t remember the last time a pizza tasted so good. Especially since she didn’t have pizza often after starting a strict, low carb diet regimen a couple of years ago to help keep up her trim figure. 

“It’s nice to see you’re feeling better,” Kinsley expressed, internally chuckling over the way her sister was devouring the pizza slice. “You are feeling better, right?”
“Mostly,” Harper answered through a chew. “I still have a stuffy nose and coughing a little, but not as much.”
“That’s good. You’ll probably want to wear a mask at the conference, just to be on the safe side.”
“I don’t need to wear a mask,” Harper countered with. “It’s not COVID…” She bit into the crust of the pizza now.
“Still, you wouldn’t want to get anyone else sick.” 
“Kins, you’re going into nurse mode again. It’s fine.”
Kinsley tried not to roll her eyes. This was typical behavior from twin sister. “Well at least wear one when you’re in the car with Declan so you don’t get him sick.” Then she glanced away, hoping she didn’t reveal anything through her eyes and the tone in her voice. Harper had this strange way of reading her like an open book. I guess the obvious explanation would be because they are twins. 

Starting on the second slice of pizza, Harper chewed slowly as her eyes darted between the pizza slice and Kinsley, then back at the pizza again; debating within herself.  

“Speaking of Declan…you two were getting pretty cozy down here, eh?”

Kinsley froze, the blood draining from her face as she met her sister’s gaze; her heart racing with nervousness. “Oh. You saw that?”
“Of course I did,” Harper answered with a slight tone. “Like I said before, I could smell the pizza...” She bit into the slice again. 
Kinsley’s eyes shifted downward, hands clasped together in her lap and fidgeting. She wasn’t sure what to say or how to even say it.

“I-It all happened so fast. It almost felt unreal.” She mused, a smile playing across her lips. “But…it wasn’t.” She lifted her head, pausing to study her sister’s face expression. “Are you mad?”

Harper set the slice of pizza down and finished chewing before responding. “No,” she dryly answered, then swallowed. That might have been a white lie. “I’m just wondering if you’ve thought this whole thing through,” she continued, giving her sister a pointed look.

Kinsley gave Harper a somewhat confused look in return. “What do you mean?”

“Well for starters,” Harper began, shifting her weight in the chair a little, “you only just met Declan like what, almost two days ago?”
Kinsley looked away.
“You don’t even know him well enough to–”
“Ok are you being the caring sister right now, trying to tell me that he’s not the kind, funny, and wonderful guy that he seems to be?” Kinsley timidly came back with.

Harper stiffened. “Well, no, that’s not what I’m saying at all. He’s all of that. Truly. I’m just saying it’s a bit early to be kissing him when you’ve only known him for two days.”

Kinsley looked away again, muttering quietly, “I seem to remember you kissing guys you’ve only known for an hour…” She was not getting this lecture. Not from Harper. 

Harper gave her a stern look. “That was years ago. When I was young and stupid. We’re older now, Kins…we both know better than that.”
“I know,” Kinsley lightly acknowledged. “And because I know, I did not take kissing him lightly.”
Harper’s gaze softened.
“It hasn’t been easy moving on from Ryan. Sometimes I feel like my heart will never fully heal from that. But,” she paused, her heart fluttering again, “in the past couple of days Declan has made me feel happier than I’ve been in months. And there’s this spark that happened between us.” She held a hand to her chest, looking Harper in the eye again. “A connection that I can’t even fully explain…but it is genuine.” 

“Kins,” Harper started, reaching over the table and placing her hand on her sister’s, “I’m not trying to disregard that or anything, but it’s not just the kiss. How are you two even going to make a relationship work? Declan lives in Wyoming, you live in Nevada. That's like a thousand miles away. You know long distance relationships hardly ever work out…”

Kinsley shrugged, not even knowing for sure herself how they'd make it work, but said, “I know we'll find a way to make it work.” Oh how her heart hoped for it.

Harper’s gaze lowered with her lips pressed together and she removed her hand from sister’s. She sat back into the chair and folded her arms. “I dunno Kins…you talk about feeling a connection with Declan and,” she somewhat hesitated, “I’ve been feeling a connection with him too. For a while now, actually.”

Kinsley’s heart screeched to a halt and her chest tightened as she met her sister’s revelatory gaze. “What?”

The tone in Kinsley’s voice made Harper instantly correct herself. “Well, not a connection per se, but an attraction, yes.”

Kinsley blinked at her in disbelief.

Harper rested her arms on the table and clasped her hands together as she explained. “When Declan was first hired on, he was always so shy around me. Like a little schoolboy with his first crush on the prettiest girl in school.” She cracked a smile as she mused. “I’d watch him through the windows of my office, talking to his buddy, the secretary, and often shooting bashful glances in my direction. Then after a while when we got to know each other better, and he started to feel more comfortable around me, there developed this…tension between us you know?” She gestured with her hands. 
Kinsley really didn’t.
“Like he started joking around with me more and then getting annoyed with me whenever I had to exert my authority. I’ve just always taken that as his way of showing his attraction for me, without revealing it to everyone else in the office. Because inter-office relationships really are frowned upon.”
“Well, yeah,” Kinsley agreed, looking away and still feeling somewhat numb. 
“But not prohibited,” Harper stressed. She was the boss after all.
Yet Kinsley still felt confused. “A-Are you sure it wasn’t just that once he got to know you better, he found you annoying?” He wouldn’t be the first guy. When she saw Harper’s unamused look she added, “Sorry…” 
Harper then folded her arms again in assurance. “Kins, he bickers with me all the time. There’s definitely some suppressed feelings going on there. Why do you think I invited him to come to the conference with me?” She asked with the palm of her hand pointed towards the ceiling.

“Because I wanted to see what might happen between us. Alone, with no other distractions. Because the feelings are…mutual.” She concluded, making a point.

Hearing that, a lump developed in Kinsley’s throat as she held her sister’s gaze. It was like their teenage years all over again and it made her heart develop a painful ache. “You…you like him too?” she questioned, just to confirm.

Harper gave a slight nod before answering. “Yes.”
Kinsley lowered her eyes to the table. 
“And I haven’t admitted that to anyone. Until now…” 

Despite Harper’s revelation Kinsley’s heart fluttered in desperate communication, imploring her to trust her deepest feelings of surety about Declan. In every beautiful moment they shared together, and especially during that kiss, there was no way he held feelings for her sister at the same time.
“Are you sure you sense feelings of affection from him, Harper?” she asked, their eyes locking now. “Because like I said earlier I could feel a very strong connection and attraction between us in the short time we’ve spent together. One that’s more than just infatuation from suddenly meeting a new and handsome guy in your life. It was almost like…greater than the connection I ever felt with Ryan.” She surprised herself by saying it.

“Kins,” Harper seemingly disregarded, taking her sister’s hand again, “I think you’re still in a vulnerable and needy state since your break-up–”
Kinsley rapidly shook her head in protest.
“--so your aching heart might feel like Declan’s innate kindness is attraction. But I mean, c’mon Kins," she paused, "would he really all of the sudden be so interested in you if he wasn’t already interested in me?” 

Now that stung like a million bee stings. And Kinsley’s straight-faced, yet injured expression said it all in the now dreaded silence of the cabin.

Harper then squeezed her eyes shut, feeling immediate regret. “I’m sorry…that came out wrong.”

Kinsley sharply removed her hand from Harper’s touch and looked away, desperately trying to hold back the swirling emotions within her that tugged forcefully at her eyelids. For there were so many, and now they were riddled with insecurities. 

“I’m not trying to be mean, Kins. You know I love you, I’m just saying–” 

“I’m going to bed,” Kinsley swiftly expressed, standing up from the chair and heading for the stairs, not wishing to hear any more of this conversation. 

“Kinsley…,” Harper pined after her, but when Kinsley kept on going up the stairs, she turned and lowered her face into her hands and sighed. 

Why did their relationship always have to feel so strained, she thought; since the day they were born. She had hoped their surprise reunion at the cabin would be one filled with joy and a peaceful respite. The kind of feeling that always comes around during the Christmas season. Was she - Harper - really such a hard person to get along with? Even with her identical twin sister? And did Declan feel the same? But was just too kind to admit it? What if all her co-workers felt that way? She expelled a breath, almost shuddering at the thought…

But either way, whether Kinsley wanted to believe it or not, she was just trying to look out for her “little” sister. Like she always did. Now matter how painful it might be.

Because really, it was better this way.

                                                               ❄❄❄

The next morning - feeling mostly well - Harper checked the IDT’s website again in hopes that there was some updated information on the closure of the Pass. Naturally, no information was posted whatsoever like before. “Figures,” she muttered under her breath, just before her phone lit up and rang with a call from her Boss. She promptly slid the green button to the side and held the phone up to her ear.
“Good morning Greg. What’s the word?”
“Hey Harper. We’ve just been informed that the Pass is finally open so you and Mr. Hayes need to head out soon. We’re resuming the conference at 10 this morning.”
“Great! Gosh I’m so glad to hear that.”
“Yep. Drive carefully and don’t be late,” he teased.
“Oh you know me, there’s nothing to worry about there. See you soon. Bye!” 

Shooting a quick glance at the clock on the end table instead of right there on her phone - reading 7:28 - Harper immediately sent a text to Declan.

The Pass is open. So hurry up and get dressed and pack your stuff up because we’re leaving in a half hour sharp! Conference starts at 10.

In the guest house, Declan lowered his phone after reading the text with a painful heart. He didn’t care about the conference anymore…And he sure as heck didn’t feel like going.

But more than that, he found himself not even wanting to go home when it was over.

Kinsley. 

The very thought of leaving her was already beginning to leave a gaping hole in his heart.

His chest tightened, pondering on one pressing question. Would he ever be able to see her again after this? When their worlds were so far apart?

Every fiber of his being was determined to make it so.

                                                                ❄❄❄

Two minutes before the top of the hour, Harper was of course rushing Declan out the door as usual when he’d only just finished a bowl of cereal. His heart pounded, looking towards the spiral staircase again in anticipation. 

Kinsley still hadn’t come down for breakfast. And now he was literally being pushed out the door before saying goodbye and getting her number and leaving her for good.

That wasn’t gonna happen; not on his watch. He had to go to her. No matter how angry Harper would get.

“We’re leaving Kins!” Harper suddenly shouted towards the ceiling, to which Declan was honestly quite thankful for. Footsteps from the stairs immediately followed and now his heart fluttered with excitement. 

Kinsley came down the stairs wearing a maroon colored festive turtleneck sweater and jeans, with her hair pulled up in a messy ponytail and strands of hair dangling from the sides of her face, framing it perfectly.

My gosh she’s beautiful, Declan thought, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her sweetly again, making her his, before saying what he had to say in goodbye. 

The two exchanged smiles as they drew closer to each other, until Harper stepped in and gave Kinsley a tight hug. 
“We gotta run now. It was so good to see you!” 
“You too,” Kinsley casually expressed, still recovering from their conversation last night. She faked a smile as they broke their embrace.
“Take care of yourself now,” Harper wished, saying so much more than that with her eyes.
Kinsley read it all. “I will.”

With a pursed lip, Harper nodded. And with that she turned for her luggage resting on the floor nearby. “I’ll let you know when we get there and also when we return to Wyoming. Let’s go, Declan…”

An air of uneasiness surrounded Declan and Kinsley as they met eyes again, but it wasn’t the terrible sort. They still couldn’t stop exchanging smiles of affection while in each other's presence. 

“Declan seriously,” Harper interrupted again from the doorway, glancing at her watch. “It’s already after 8.”
“Can you give me a minute?” Declan firmly, yet gently, asked her over his shoulder. “Please?”

Kinsley and Harper shot quick glances at each other before Harper conceded to their requests. “Alright. I’ll be waiting in the car. Please hurry.” And off she went towards the vehicle with her luggage, taking Declan’s along with her. 

When Declan turned his head back around to face Kinsley, he was pleased to find that she had drawn closer to him. “Hey you,” he greeted her with.
“Hey,” she breathed through a smile, her eyes shifting somewhat. Her emotions were still reeling from the night before and she brushed one of her loose bangs behind her ear in nervousness as usual.
Declan drew in a breath, trying to calm his racing heart as he worked to compose himself. He wasn’t even sure how to begin. “You know, I never thought I’d find it this hard...leaving a small random town in Idaho of all places, and leaving behind someone so special that I’ve only known for two days…”
Kinsley blushed, her eyes welling up with tears. Feeling exactly the same. 
“I had the most wonderful time here with you Kinsley.” His eyes glistened in heartfelt declaration.
“And I with you, Declan. I'll never forget it.” 
He nodded in assent. “I really wish it didn’t have to end…”
“Me too…”

After both swallowing the lumps in their throats, Declan piped up a bit. “So I was thinking, maybe we could put each other’s numbers in our phones and keep in touch.” He extended his phone out to her.
“Oh, yeah, absolutely!” Her face brightened, doing the same. 

After inputting their numbers into each other’s phones, the two grinned brightly. 

“Maybe you could visit me in Wyoming someday,” Declan suggested. “And I could take you out on a real date. Show you all my favorite places.” He blushed, greatly wishing for it.
Kinsley did the same. “I’d love that,” she said with sincerity, even though the pain from last night was swiftly returning. 
“Of course I wouldn’t mind visiting you in Nevada,” he assured. “I've never been there before so...you can show me all your favorite places.”
“Yeah.”

Harper honked the horn, causing both of them to jump. Declan had to suppress an eyeroll in response. 

“Guess that’s my cue,” he said, feeling a sense of deja vu. 
Kinsley giggled, remembering. Oh how wonderful he was. And how joyful he made her feel, in every second they spent together. He complimented herself in so many ways. In every way she needed.

She just wished that her sister didn’t feel the same for him - and lived so much closer to him. And worked with him. Every single day. Far away in a different state.

“Have a good time at the conference, Declan,” she wished him, wanting this moment to end, but at the same time hating that it was. “And a safe trip home.” 
“You too Kinsley,” he wished in the same manner. “Take care of yourself. And Merry Christmas.”
Her face beamed. “Merry Christmas.”

The two embraced and held each other for a long, fleeting moment. 

“This isn’t goodbye,” Declan whispered by her ear, trying to brighten the difficult moments like he always did. “It’s just ‘see you later.’”

“Yeah,” Kinsley whispered back. I wish… Her emotions reeled again, realizing just how much Declan’s mere presence kept them at bay and she feared how relentless they would be when he was gone.

As they started to let go, Declan held her for a few seconds longer, gazing longingly in her eyes. Oh how he wanted to kiss her again. To feel her soft lips caressing his one more time before who knows how long it would be when they’d see each other again.

But she didn’t seem to hold the same desire in her eyes. And while it was a twinge disappointing, it was ok. He could respect that, especially since he knew she was still healing from her past relationship. Everything happened so fast between us, I’m sure she’s still trying to process it all, he thought, fully letting her go. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I hope…

Harper honked the horn three times now. And it honestly made Declan’s blood start to boil.

“Oh she’s really angry now,” Kinsley said with a chuckle. “You should go. I’ll text you later.” She promised.
Declan nodded. “I look forward to it. Later,” he winked.
Her face beamed. “Later.” 

After Declan rushed out the door, Kinsley waved to them both, then gently pushed the door shut with the palm of her hand and lowered her eyes in sadness. 

As she turned around to face all the beautiful Christmas decorations surrounding her, mainly the brightly lit and ornament adorned blue spruce tree - that oh so special tree that she and Declan picked out together -

 - she cupped a hand to her lips and could no longer hold back the tears. Her just barely healed heart breaking all over again.

Outside in the car, once Declan got in, Harper said, “I’m sorry about that Declan, it’s just we really have to–”
“Whatever, it’s fine,” Declan sharply interrupted her while buckling his seatbelt. “Let’s just go.” And with that, he leaned his elbow on the door’s armrest and rested his chin in the palm of his hand while gazing out at the winter wonderland that was Autumnvale and once again feeling an immense amount of heartache.
The tone in his voice made Harper’s stomach lurch, because it was one she never heard come out of him before, and it was so unlike him. 

Expelling a light breath, she put the car in gear and drove out of the driveway. So many thoughts and questions swirled about in her mind. What exactly happened during his and Kinsley’s parting? Did they kiss again? Was he feeling so down simply because of leaving her, or did Kinsley say something to put an end to their two day fling? She hoped for the latter, but she really couldn’t be sure.

Either way he’ll get over it, she ultimately thought, more firmly gripping the steering wheel. Really, it’s for the best. For him and Kinsley. Life will go on and the two of us will pick up right where we left off.

But as she shot a quick, inadvertent glance at Declan - his countenance still gray and his glazed over eyes fixed out the window - her confident grip on the steering wheel weakened. And she began to wonder…if they actually would.  

                                                                    ❄❄❄

It felt so satisfying to Harper to finally make it through the blockade and into Oak’s Pass. To the point that she found herself cheering on the inside. It’s about darn time! Delays didn’t exist in her life’s vocabulary and she sure as heck hoped that one like this would never happen again. 

Declan still hadn’t said a word since they left the cabin. Yet he couldn’t fully keep himself from looking over at Harper, wondering how she felt about his silence through the ever plain look on her face. Or what she might be thinking. He didn’t know how much Kinsley may have revealed to her about them.  

But when Harper looked back at him, he snapped his head back towards the window, almost feeling a twinge of pain because of how utterly identical she looked to the woman that he had so greatly fallen for. But it wasn’t her…

And he wasn’t sure how he was going to handle looking at Harper from now on. Every single day at work. 

“Hey,” Harper finally addressed in a cheery tone. “We’re finally driving through the Pass!” 
“Yeah,” he casually acknowledged. 
“Hopefully there won’t be another major snowstorm that blocks it off when the conference is over!” She shuddered to think. 
Declan just shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind it actually. This part of Idaho is gorgeous.” He wasn’t just referring to the landscape. Even though Kinsley wasn’t fully attached to Idaho, he didn’t care. Idaho was where she was right now. “I could stick around for a little while still…”

Seeing that his mood still hadn’t changed, and his eyes were once again fixed out the window, Harper sighed. Maybe she was going about this in the wrong way. She referred back to some recent training she had on better connecting with her co-workers; and really it could be applied to all relationships, not just ones in the workplace. 

“You really had fun in Autumnvale didn’t you?” she kindly asked him.

Declan turned to look at her now, not expecting that question, but certainly welcoming it. “Yeah.” He smiled. “I did.” Then naturally he added, “I’m sorry you were sick the whole time.”

Harper appreciated that and gave him a smile in return. “It’s ok. It’s not like I’ve never been there before and missed out on how nice it is.”
Declan nodded.
Then she paused for a moment. “You and Kinsley really did a great job with the decorations.”
Declan’s eyes widened at her sincere compliment. “Why thank you. I’m surprised you even noticed them, Mrs. Grinch,” he teased. 
There he is, Harper happily thought before playfully dropping her jaw at him. “I do not hate Christmas, Declan! I like it, I just…well…you know what bothers me about it sometimes.” 
He did; and it seemed so trivial to him. But then again everyone’s feelings are different.

It was truly unfortunate that she didn’t love Christmas the way her twin sister did.

And for a second there he’d almost forgotten he wasn’t talking to Kinsley. And he sighed.

He missed her. And Harper was making it harder to be away from her, especially when showing a warm side to herself like she did just then. He turned his head back towards the side window watching the snow-capped trees rapidly pass by. His thoughts racing with them.

He wasn’t sure how he was going to handle being around Harper now, and that concerned him. His job was on the line in that regard, and he certainly couldn’t quit over something like that. Even if he didn’t love his job. 

He sighed again. The only way he was going to find relief would be to tell Harper about his feelings for Kinsley. But then again he also feared how Harper would react to that. Would it hurt their friendship - even though it wasn’t especially strong? Would she start treating him differently around the office to where everyone would start asking probing questions as to why? 

He didn’t know what to do. 

He just had to pray that it would all work out for the best. Where everyone involved would be happy.

“You’re not gonna go all silent on me again are you?” Harper interrupted his thoughts. 

Declan squeezed his eyes shut, before turning his head to face her again. “No. I was just thinking about something.”
“Oh? Like what exactly?”

Quick! he thought. Oh! “How long is the conference going to be again?”

                                                                ❄❄❄

It was just a one day conference. A long, ten hour one.

The two made it just in time, which calmed Harper’s simmering nerves during the rest of the drive. The first half of the conference consisted of different speeches and presentations from Paperclips Etc.’s owner, CEO, and rebranding team. It was extremely informative and Declan felt honored and relieved to have all the insider info about the future of the struggling company before most everyone else; as he was sure everyone back home at the office held the same questions and concerns he’d been having. He sure as heck was going to give Andy all the “deets” before Harper would call a meeting about it with the other employees upon their return. If that bothered Harper, he didn’t care.

After lunch, the second half of the conference consisted of group sessions catered to the different departments within the company for a more in depth look at the changes and the implementation of them, and that’s when Declan and Harper went their separate ways. Declan welcomed it honestly. It was still just too much to be around Harper…in more ways than the obvious one.

At dinner Declan didn’t even think about finding Harper to sit with. He was pleasurably engaging in many different conversations with the other attendees, getting to know the wonderful people that made Paperclips, Etc. what it is, and towards what it could become. 

When the conference was over, Declan was actually stopped on his way out by the COO of the company who asked him about his personal opinion on the rebranding - particularly with the new website and computer operations. It caught Declan by immense surprise, but he felt honored that his opinion was valued. At least, that’s the impression he got during their discussion. It was a sincerely pleasurable one, and it provided him with a greater sense of hope in the direction the company was going in than when he first heard the big “R” word. And based on Harper’s compliments on the encounter as they headed back to the company car, he had a strong feeling she tipped the COO in his direction. He was flattered; truly. She really didn’t have to do that, he thought. Especially if she might not take too kindly to him after he revealed the true feelings of his heart towards her twin sister. 

He also wondered why all of the sudden Harper was saying and doing nice things for him, when normally she didn’t go out of her way to do anything for him. Guess she was never really given the opportunity to, his thoughts concluded with a shrug. But that was debatable. 

Or was it because she felt more of a bond with him after having gone on this wild trip together, like Andy said might happen. He really couldn’t be sure. Harper was always a tough nut to crack. 

It was nearing 10pm when the two drove the few blocks down the road to the Hotel they were supposed to originally stay in before the conference. Declan longed to stay the night again in the twin’s brother’s guest house, just to have another moment - or two or three - with Kinsley before he had to go home. A home that was now 1,000 miles away from quite possibly the love of his life. His heart ached so terribly for her. It brightened his day to receive the little text messages back from her about how boring, yet entertaining, the conference was. It was almost like it fueled his soul and made him feel more alive and confident in himself, especially during his interaction with the COO. 

When he made it up to his room he had this extreme desire to give Kinsley a call, perhaps just to wish her goodnight, but soon decided against it. It was too late in the evening. He would have plenty of opportunities to talk to her on the phone later. 

But that didn’t stop him from gazing out over the lights of the city from the balcony, pining for her and imagining telling her everything his heart deeply felt for her. 

Little did he know that Kinsley stood outside on the cabin’s upstairs balcony at the same time, watching the snowflakes fall and thinking about nothing but him. So consumed by her thoughts that she couldn’t sleep.

In the morning, Harper knocked on Declan’s door bright and early, as he expected. They enjoyed a quick complimentary breakfast together before getting back on the road to Boise to catch their flight home. 

Once again, not much was said between them during the drive.

After getting through the Pass and their car passed by the Autumnvale turn off sign, Declan looked back at it with heaviness in his heart; a piece of it having been left there. 

Life back home was never going to feel the same.

I miss you… He texted Kinsley at that very moment and then slipped his phone away into his pocket. 

*Last Chapter of the story coming on Thursday. 💗 Stay tuned!*

A/N: Not sure why this song kept continually popping up in my mind when writing that part where Declan and Kinsley were looking up at the stars and missing each other. I guess some of the lyrics match the feelings... An oldie, but a goodie. Enjoy. 💗🎵

"I'm With You" - Avril Lavigne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4PDqRFAIUE

Aww, thank you very much graceymanors 🥰 It is sooooo much work setting up these pictures. It can be quite stressful at times. 😓 But the reward is well worth it, especially for the added enjoyment to the story for y'all. 💜 (That and watching my story come to life like a movie. 👍🏻)

Yep, that be the leg lamp to A Christmas Story. I knew it would catch some attention. 😜

Lol! Thanks for the compliment too on my "mad Paint photo editing skills!" 😆 You're too kind. 😊

Alrighty everyone, here is the concluding Chapter to "It Came Upon a Christmas Twist." 💗
It's always sad for me to close out a story, especially when I've grown so close to the characters. I develop a love for each and every one of them and a piece of them always dwells within my heart forever. Enjoy! And thank you all *so* much for reading it. I hope it's added to the joy of your Holiday season. 🥰 🎄❄MERRY CHRISTMAS!❄🎄

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❄Chapter 9❄

A week passed, and Christmas was just around the corner.

During that time, everyone in the Paperclips, Etc. branch in Larkspur, Wyoming worked tirelessly on getting everything finalized before the Holiday break to usher in all the new changes happening after the first of the year. 

Declan felt busier than ever on the job. But he preferred it that way because it reduced his interactions with Harper greatly. It was still hard to see her and talk to her. However he still had something very important to tell her.

And lately…he’d been having mixed feelings about it.   

“Hey hombre!” Andy greeted him at his desk, just as he was finishing up for the day.
“Hey,” Declan glumly answered, putting a file folder away in his desk drawer, his soul still reeling from a plethora of emotions that had gradually become heavier in the last week. 
It seemed Andy had picked up on them already. “You alright? You haven’t been your usual, cheery self lately. Which is a lot considering that your favorite holiday of the year is only three days away.” He partially rested his bottom on the edge of Declan’s desk and folded his arms. “What’s up?”
“I dunno,” Declan answered, leaning forward in his chair with his hands clasped together on his desk, staring into his blank computer screen. 
“You’re still keeping in touch with Kinsley, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So the flame’s still burning?” Andy asked with a smirk.
“That’s the thing,” Declan started, turning his head toward him, but not meeting his gaze, “I don’t know…”

Hearing that, Andy’s face immediately fell, as well as the air surrounding them, making it become thin.

Declan sighed. “I’m not sure what’s going on. Maybe it’s the whole long distance thing, I just,” he stopped, leaning back in his chair now and holding a fist to his lips in disbelief. “Something’s wrong.”
“Explain,” Andy practically demanded. 

But poor Declan didn’t quite know how, and it took him a few seconds to respond. “I guess it all started after the plane landed here in Wyoming.” He lowered his limp fist and finally looked at Andy. “She didn’t respond to the text I sent her before getting on the plane telling her that I miss her.”
Andy’s eyebrows rose.
“I knew for sure she’d say it back to me, otherwise I wouldn’t have said it. But…she didn’t. I mean, texts can get lost in the data waves when a phone is in airplane mode, right?”
Andy casually nodded.
“So that’s what I figured happened and went ahead and sent her a text informing her that we had landed. She did text back, ‘Thank you. I’m glad to hear that’ and then she asked how the flight went, and if Harper was being less annoying so that was nice.”
Andy chuckled, continuing to listen.
“I mean, all of our random conversations over text in the following days have been nice, but,” he frowned, “it almost seems like the spark has fizzled out. On her end, not mine. When I tried to engage her in various different ways, her responses just seemed brief and…empty.” He didn’t know how else to explain it.
“Dude, you know how it is with texting,” Andy stated, with an outstretched palm. “You need to call her!”

“Well I asked if I could call her a couple of times and she said she was sorry she couldn’t chat because she was either too busy at work or feeling tired. She is a nurse in a busy hospital after all.” 

Andy shrugged. He guessed that made sense.
“Then yesterday I asked if she’d given any more thought about coming over here to visit - and I even added that I would be more than willing to go visit her - but,” he stopped, shaking his head, “she just said she didn’t know if she could…” He emotionally swallowed. “Without giving me any more details or saying anything else in the hopes that she’d try to make it happen. I mean, it’s almost like she’s blowing me off and…that’s just not like her, Andy. Especially not without giving me some kind of reason.” His eyes shifted around. “She wouldn’t act like this. Not after the connection we had. Not after that kiss…”
Andy sighed, mostly understanding. And he truly felt sympathy for his friend. “I’m sorry to hear that, hombre. That’s rough. But really, you’d only known her for two days,” he couldn’t help saying, “How can you possibly–”
“But I do know her, Andy,” Declan stressed. “No matter how impossible that may seem. She’s not acting like herself. Something is wrong,” he concluded, holding a fist up to his lips again and thinking. 
Andy didn’t know what else to say. 

Then, as if a certain awareness had just been given to him, Declan’s eyes faintly lit up underneath the pale fluorescent lighting of the office. He wasn’t entirely sure what it meant, or if it was a divine message or whatever, but it certainly felt hopeful. “Maybe Harper knows something I don’t,” he said with determination, standing up from his chair.

Andy’s eyes widened. “Uh, are you sure you wanna do that?”
“Why not?” Declan asked him. “Harper’s gonna find out about me and Kinsley one way or another. So I might as well tell her now.” Then he turned towards her office. “And maybe that’s the key,” he added.  
Andy’s eyes turned away from his disappearing friend to the wall in a state of confusion over that last remark, but he just shrugged it off. Whatever, hombre. Good luck. 

Driven by the fierceness of a heart in love, yet on the verge of shattering, Declan walked right into Harper’s office without knocking. It made the woman’s head shoot up from whatever she was typing with a start.

“Uh, nice of you to knock, Declan,” Harper dryly said, closing her laptop.

“Is there something going on with Kinsley?” he abruptly asked her. 
“Kinsley?” she asked, somewhat playing ignorance.
But Declan was not amused. “Yes, Kinsley. Your twin sister? The one I’ve been texting with every single day since we left Autumnvale.”
“You have?” Harper cried in surprise with furrowed brows.
“Have you heard from her lately?”
“Uh, not really.” She pulled out her phone to check. “She hasn’t said much to me at all since the day we got home.” Then she put her phone down and gave Declan her attention again. “She’s usually pretty busy at the hospital.”
Declan nodded, before lowering his head. “Yeah I know…” 
Then Harper eyed him curiously. “Why do you ask?”

This was the part Declan had been dreading. But at the same time, he just didn’t care anymore. It was time.

He sighed, trying to stand tall and confidently before answering. “She and I got pretty close when we were staying at the cabin.” He paused, somewhat hesitating. “And I developed feelings for her. Strong feelings.”
Harper held her gaze on him.
“I know the feeling was mutual. Without a doubt. But in the past few days while corresponding over text…it almost feels like she’s not interested anymore.” He swallowed, as it was so painful to say. “And I don’t understand it.”

“Well what did you expect, Declan?” Harper was all too swift to say. “That she’d stay interested in you when you two live in different states, a thousand miles apart, and have established careers in them? Nevermind the fact that you’d only known each other for two days.”

Why does everyone keep saying that!? the man thought with frustration.
“I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just stating the facts,” Harper expressed, but when she saw the devastated look on Declan’s face, she changed her tone. “Look it was a fling…and it was fun,” she sympathized. “My sister is gorgeous so I get it. But you two had to get back to real life. And it seems Kinsley realizes that.”
“No.” He shook his head in disagreement, his heart unwavering. “I refuse to believe that.” 

“Look,” Harper said through a breath, getting up from her chair, and coming around her desk to stand before him. “I’m here Declan.” She spread her hands apart as if beckoning, seduction radiating in her eyes. “Like I’ve always been. You don’t need to hide your feelings anymore.”

In that moment Declan stood motionless, blinking several times at her with a nonplussed look. “I-I’m sorry…what?”

“It’s ok Declan,” she soothed, inching closer to him. “I know you’ve been suppressing your feelings for me through all this tension going on between us because I’m your boss, and it would be unethical, but–”
“Woah, woah, hold up,” Declan halted, raising a palm up to her and stepping back. “You think the fact that we don’t always get along and that we bicker sometimes is because I secretly like you?”

Now it was Harper who blinked at him. “Well…yeah. Isn’t it?”
“Harper, I can’t stand you!”
She gaped at him.
“Oh gosh, sorry, that was rude!” Declan exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose and expelling a breath. “It-It’s nothing against you Harper, really. It’s just a clash in personalities. You and me,” he paused to gesture, “we are not compatible.” 

“Oh…” Harper blinked again, her face falling and taking a step backward. “Well I…I guess I misunderstood then…” Her voice choked slightly, the air of awkwardness surrounding them weighing on both of their chests. “I - I really thought you were attracted to me,” she expressed, her tone filled with disbelief. 

Her disappointment clutched at Declan’s tender heart. He had no idea she harbored any feelings for him, and he couldn’t remember the last time he felt so awful while being honest. With a look of understanding and sympathy, he revealed, “Maybe at one time I was…but we were just too different.” He lightly shrugged, not knowing what else to say. 

Harper nodded, her lips set in a hard, straight line. “Well, alright then,” she simply said, turning around with a slight huff and heading back to her desk chair. She slumped down into it and folded her arms, averting her gaze from him while shaking her head.

“Harper, I’m really sorry,” Declan deeply expressed, standing by the edge of her desk now. “You’ve always been a good boss and kind to me. And you are no doubt a strong and very beautiful woman that any man would count himself lucky to have. But for me,” he paused, his emotions overflowing, “you’re not her…”

The two held each other’s gazes for a moment as a brief, deafening silence filled the room.   

“And I really hope you aren’t the reason she’s pulling away from me,” Declan somberly added, as if knowing.

Harper’s eyes wandered to the floor now, feeling a sense of guilt.

“I love her,” Declan heartfully declared with a choke. “And I hope she still feels the same for me.”

Exhaling through her nose, Harper looked up at him again. Her eyelids growing heavy with tears as she pondered on his words. For once in her life she didn’t get the guy over her shy and soft spoken twin sister, and maybe…because that’s exactly how it was supposed to be. What is meant to be; despite her constant stubbornness and pride and thinking she knew better. She hoped the softness in her facial expression might convey her realization of that to him.

However Declan had shifted his eyes downward before he could notice. “Anyway, I’ll see you after the break,” he said in an unsteady voice. “Merry Christmas.” And with that he turned around and exited her office.  

                                                                 ❄❄❄

The next evening, December 23rd, Declan had just finished up washing the dishes when his mother called. 

After a few pleasantries were given, his mom anxiously asked, “Are you going to make it over here for Christmas? We’re only a two hour drive away, you know.” She teased.
“I dunno, mom,” Declan replied, dropping down onto his comfy sofa with nothing but the lights from the Christmas tree illuminating the room. “Most likely.”

“You don’t sound very enthusiastic about it…”
“Sorry, it’s not that it’s just,” he stopped to rub at his forehead, “there’s a lot on my mind right now.”
She knew, moms always do. “Have you heard anything back from Kinsley?”
Hearing her name made his heart ache all the more. “No… She hasn’t said anything to me for almost a couple of days now.”
“You should call her.”
“I want to mom, I’m just,” he swallowed, tears forming on his eyelids, “afraid of what she might say.” He blinked. “Afraid of what might be the truth.” He removed his glasses to wipe away an escaped tear.

“I understand honey. But you’re never going to know for sure unless you talk to her. Otherwise you’ll be spending a whole lot of time feeling–”
“Miserable for nothing,” Declan finished for her. “I know mom. It’s not like you haven’t told me that many times before.”
“So you know what you need to do then.” She winked on the other end. “And who knows? Maybe the situation is the exact opposite of what you fear. Maybe…”

There was a light knock on the front door, which pulled Declan’s attention away from whatever else his mother said. And his heart lurched in his chest over the sound; in a curious way. 

“I’m gonna have to call you back mom. Someone’s at the door.”
“Ok. I love you honey and we’ll see you soon. Goodnight.”
“Love you too. ‘Night.”

He stood up and tucked his phone into his pants pocket before approaching the door. His heart quickened the closer he inched to it, with a fleeting hope that the person on the other side of it would be the one it’d been most pining for. It was certainly possible, right? He didn’t even think to peek through the small window on the door to find out, he was just too consumed by his emotions. 

As he swung the door open with that joyous hope and expectation, it faded immediately when he saw who it was. “Harper.” 

“Hey,” she softly greeted, timidly brushing an escaped bang from her pulled back hair behind her ear. “Is it alright if I come in?”
Declan half nodded and turned to the side, gesturing with his arm for her to enter.
She didn’t hesitate in doing so.

In an air of uncomfortableness, Declan closed the door - intending to stay close to it because he hoped this exchange wouldn’t last long. He turned towards her and asked, “What is it Harper?” 

The ever stalwart woman fumbled with her hands as she replied, “I - I just wanted to say something before we go our separate ways for Christmas, and before we see each other again in the office.”
Declan nodded with a gulp.
Feeling nervous again, she clasped her hands tightly together while inching closer to him. “I know you made it clear that you don’t have any feelings for me, and I respect that. But I just had to let you know,” she gulped as well, her emotions quickly taking over, “that the time we spent together on that trip to Idaho…was the happiest and most joyous time I’ve ever spent with anyone in my life. It felt like we’d been long lost best friends…that finally found each other again.”
Feeling puzzled, Declan arched a curious eyebrow at her.

“I didn’t think I could ever find that kind of happiness with someone again, nor be able to feel that kind of joy again.” She stopped, planting her feet. “But you lit up my world in two glorious days like no other man before, and proved to me that it’s still possible for a heart to love again even after it’s been shattered into a million pieces.” Her lips quivered. 

Hearing her say the words “two days” sparked something in Declan’s heart that made it pound wildly, almost in a state of disbelief yet so delightfully overjoyed at the possibility. 

Her voice, it was so mellow and gentle. And her glistening eyes, carrying that same demure radiance. The way the feeling in the room changed and lit up when she spoke. Yes…it must be.

“Kinsley?” 

A smile immediately lit up her face, making a single tear stream down her cheek, adding to her beaming countenance. “Yes!” she whispered. “Yes Declan, it’s me!”

Declan’s heart almost leapt out of his chest as a breath escaped his mouth. He bolted towards her, stopping mere inches before her face with wide, tear-filled eyes and a bright smile, finding it difficult to breathe from the excitement. 

As their eyes locked together, he raised his hand up to the back of her head, releasing the clip that held all her soft hair up in a bun, allowing it to freely flow down her neck and around the sides of her beautiful face.

“There you are,” he said, his face beaming with joy as he stroked her cheek. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too!” she exclaimed in that ever soft voice. “So badly!”
He loved hearing it. It was everything his soul needed to hear. 

“That was a good one.” He grinned through a chuckle, somewhat impressed. “Very sneaky. And very surprising."
Her smile beamed.
"But let’s agree you never wear your hair like that again, ok?”
“Ok!” she laughed, feeling Declan eagerly press his lips upon hers with glee. Oh how good it felt to feel them again.

“So what are you doing here?” he happily asked after the kiss.

“I mean, I’m overjoyed that you’re here, of course! I was just afraid that when you stopped texting me it meant–”
Kinsley held a gentle finger to his lips, stalling him.

“Harper told me everything, and so I no longer had anything holding me back from you.”

Then her face fell. “I know I never should’ve doubted what we shared together, but when Harper told me she liked you too, I–”
Now it was Declan who held a gentle finger to her lips.

“It’s ok. You don’t have to apologize for anything,” he assured, stroking her hair again. “I understand now. And I’m just so glad you’re here.”

Kinsley sniffed, an appreciative look lighting up her face again. “So…you’re in love with me?” she playfully asked, her heart fluttering.

A smile played across Declan’s lips. “From the moment I laid eyes on you…”

She blushed.
“...once I realized you weren’t Harper.” 
They laughed. 

Declan made a mental note to thank Harper greatly for this someday.

“Well,” Kinsley began, wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders. “I’m in love with you too, Declan Hayes. Ever since we picked out the perfect Christmas tree together…and decorated it together.”
Declan’s face beamed at the memory and his heart filled with warmth. This was quite possibly the happiest moment of his life, next to that very first kiss he shared with her.

“Is it corny of me to say that all I really wanted for Christmas was you?” he asked through a chuckle.
Kinsley chuckled in return, loving it. “No, because you’re all I wanted for Christmas too,” she expressed, playfully tilting her cheek towards her shoulder with a coy smile. 
“You’re all I ever wanted in general.”
“Oh Declan…”

Pressing his forehead upon hers now he went on to say, “And no amount of distance can ever keep us apart.”
“No,” she agreed in a whisper.

“Of course that doesn’t mean we can’t figure some things out to shorten that distance...” he trailed off with a slight smirk, nuzzling her nose with his.
“Of course.” She nuzzled him in return. “We’ll make it work.”
“Yeah we will.”

With feelings of love and desire radiating and exchanging through their eyes, they both leaned in at the same time and kissed each other passionately. In the dim light of the Christmas tree lights and just as the snow began to fall outside the frosted window. 

All felt right in the world again. Just as it so often does at Christmas time. 

Outside, on the other side of the front door, Harper peeked through the tiny window again upon witnessing the kiss, and broadly smiled. She was sure chilled to the bone standing out there for so long, but seeing the way her sister’s face lit up when Declan recognized it was her, was worth every minute of it. 

Those two really are perfect for each other, she thought. My work here is done. She turned away from the door for the sake of their privacy. 

As she did so, she almost ran into something. Someone.

“Oh!” they both exclaimed in a startle.
“H-Hey Harper,” Andy bashfully greeted, scratching at the back of his head. “What brings you here?” It had him feeling genuinely confused for a second.

“Oh, just some unfinished business,” she replied with a smirk. “What brings you here?”
Snapping out of a brief daze, he replied, “Oh, uh, I was bringing Declan the gift I got him for Christmas.” He held the small box up in his hand to show her. “I meant to give it to him earlier at the office, but forgot.” He grimaced. 

A corner of Harper’s mouth quirked up at his expression. “Well give it to him later,” she suggested, shooting a sideways glance at the door. “He’s a little…,” she paused, turning back to face him, “preoccupied at the moment.” 
The look on Harper’s face revealed everything and Andy quickly figured it out with a wide grin. “Right on!”
She nodded.

“Well, goodnight Andy,” Harper parted with, walking past him towards her car. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too…”

“H-Hey,” Andy stopped her.
She turned, the faint glow from the porch light illuminating her beautiful face as well as the snowflakes falling all around her.

He swallowed nervously. If there was ever a perfect opportunity to do what he’d been wanting to do for ages, it was now. “I-It’s pretty cold out here. Would…would you like to go grab a cup of coffee?” Perspiration had mysteriously formed on his cold forehead.

Harper arched her head at him with a furrowed brow. “At this time of night?”
Now Andy felt the blood draining from his face as his eyes bugged out. “Oh, uh, right, well…maybe a hot chocolate then? Or we could do coffee tomorrow morning, or–” Harper’s chuckle stopped him. 
Isn’t he adorable? she thought. She might’ve been a little familiar with being on the other side of this coin so she felt some sympathy for him. And it was flattering. “I could go for a hot chocolate,” she accepted with a smile, “and maybe coffee in the morning too. That is, if you don’t mind being seen outside the workplace with your boss?” 

Andy blushed, his heart pounding with excitement. “Not in the least…,” he honestly answered. Never!

He thought he could see Harper’s cheeks turning rosy as well, but it was probably just from the cold. 

The confidence in his answer impressed Harper, so she gestured her head towards her car with a smile. “Well then, let’s go.”

Heck yeah! Andy cheered within himself, swiftly setting down Declan’s gift beside the door and gleefully running over to join the most beautiful woman on the planet. Who’d actually agreed to spend time alone with him!

He stepped ahead of her just in time to open up the driver’s side door for her and this time around…Harper didn’t even bat an eye about it.

                                                        ❄Epilogue❄

And so Declan did return home for Christmas, bringing the love of his life along with him. It was the happiest Christmas ever. His parents were thrilled to meet Kinsley and felt deeply in their hearts that she was the perfect match for their son. They eventually welcomed her into the family with wide open arms. 

The following year, the Williams family held Christmas once again at Nick’s cozy cabin in Autumnvale, Idaho. 

Harper might have brought a gentleman along with her to meet the family. A man she hardly ever expected to have any interest in - let alone date - but that’s the way life goes sometimes. Always full of unexpected, pleasant surprises that shape a person’s future into what is truly meant to be. He helped to mellow her out a little bit, and she helped him to feel more confident in himself. So they were just the compliment to each other that they needed to more happily thrive in their life, jobs, and in their relationship. 

The minute Harper and her guy stepped into the cabin, their eyes met with Declan and a pregnant Kinsley with warm, bright smiles. 

“HEY HOMBRE!” the two guys happily exclaimed as they embraced and clapped each other on the back. 

The twin sisters just looked at each other with humorous expressions while shaking their heads.

It would be another wonderful Christmas to remember.

                                                         ❄THE END❄

Em, this one had me on the edge of my seat. So much drama! I had no idea until the end who Declan would end up with. Hurray for Andy finally getting the chance to be with Harper.

The poses and screenshots were perfect for the story. My favorite was Declan lifting Kinsley up to put the heirloom star on the tree.

Hey texansky ! 😃 Aww, thank you so much for the comment and compliments. 💗 I really appreciate it. 🥰 Glad you enjoyed the story. 

texansky wrote:

Em, this one had me on the edge of my seat. So much drama! I had no idea until the end who Declan would end up with.

^That was actually the idea I was going for with all the little twists in the story. 😏 So I guess I did good. 😁 

I started a new job in August and have been super busy with it which is why I haven’t got a chance to comment on your story since the first episode. I wanted to finish reading it before Christmas though to not miss any on the Christmas magic 😉, so here I am 😊.

Harper’s brother’s home in Idaho is gorgeous. Just like Declan first thought when seeing it, I wish I could live in a house like that. Just beautiful.

The twin sister was a cool twist 🙂. Funny how my first guess, which I wrote you after the first chapter, turned out to be partly correct: he DID find another girl than Harper, lol 😄.

Kinsley and Declan are so right about Christmas trees: the real ones are something special ❤️. The scent of them brings my childhood and the family Christmas gatherings we had at my grandmother’s house right at me, even though I haven’t had a real Christmas tree ever since those days. I just bring in some branches in a vase nowadays to get the scent of a real tree.

I enjoyed it how you incorporated your other Christmas story in this one 🙂. Your post card story was so great too.

It came as a real surprise to me that Harper was attracted to Declan too! Oh my was I curious to see how everything turns out 😁. Very sneaky of Kinsley to test Declan like she did, to see if he could tell her and her sister apart 😉. I was so happy to see the happy end and everything turning so well for all four of them 😊.

I felt bad for Andy in the beginning of the story so it’s nice to see he got the woman of his dreams after all 😉

Your pictures in this story are gorgeous. I can not even imagine how much time it must have taken to get everything look just right. Well done!🌟

Merry Christmas ❤️

Thank you for creating and sharing your sweet Christmas story with us emorrill . I love endings in which everyone is happy. Hallmark worthy indeed. 👏

And the work you put into not just writing the story but setting up the scenes, characters and poses for each screenshot is amazing. Wow truly a work of love.

Perchance we might meet Declan, Kinsley, Andy and Harper in a sequel one day? After all there’s another story to be told isn’t there… and Valentine’s Day is only a few months away, heh heh. 😉 

meerkattime wrote:

Funny how my first guess, which I wrote you after the first chapter, turned out to be partly correct: he DID find another girl than Harper, lol 😄.

^Indeed you did. 😏 I loved it when you originally shared that with me. It made me realize how alike we think. 😊 And that's probably why we've become such good friends. 💜

Can you believe I've never had a real Christmas tree in all my life? 😮 Maybe someday I will, if I can convince the husband. 😉 He says they're a pain! lol

Thank you for the awesome and sweet comments. 🥰 And I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. 🎄 Message me any time. 🙂

soocoolsim wrote:

Perchance we might meet Declan, Kinsley, Andy and Harper in a sequel one day? After all there’s another story to be told isn’t there… and Valentine’s Day is only a few months away, heh heh. 😉 

^Hmm, you make a good point/suggestion there soocoolsim 😏 I may have to consider that...if life doesn't keep me too busy. 🤪

Thank you so much for your sweet compliments. They warmed my heart and meant so much to me. 💗 Glad you enjoyed it. 🥰