CHAPTER 23

JULIA

Christmas Day

Christmas morning filters through my bedroom window in muted light. The air is still, save for the gentle rustle of the breeze through the trees. An unfamiliar calm settles in my chest alongside quiet resolve. Today will be different-not just because it's Christmas, but because of the choice I've finally made.

Kyle.

I've spent so much of my life guarding my heart, afraid of losing myself in someone else. But these past few weeks, he's dismantled every one of my defences. It's not just the way he looks at me, or the way he makes me laugh. It's how he challenges me, and really sees me. The way he makes me want to let go of fear and take a risk.

This morning, I woke up with one clear thought. It's time.

A knock at the door pulls me from my reverie. It's Kyle, here to pick me up just as Penny text me earlier. We're meeting Penny and Chase at their surprise Christmas location that Chase planned.

"Ready?" he asks, leaning against the doorframe. His charcoal coat is dusted with snow, and his warm smile sends a flicker of hope through me.

"Ready," I say, grabbing my coat and scarf, balancing the boxes of gifts a top of each other.

The drive is quiet but not uncomfortable. Kyle hums along with Christmas songs playing on the radio. I study the way his hands grip the wheel, the faint stubble on his jawline, and admire how his profile softens in the winter light.

When we pull up to the address Penny texted, I gasp. The house is a charming, two-story older style house, with a wraparound porch, at the edge of town. A giant red ribbon trails elegantly down the front door.

"Wow," I breathe, stepping out of the car.

Chase stands on the porch, grinning from ear to ear, holding his hands over Penny's eyes.

"Merry Christmas, Penny," he says, moving his hands to reveal the house.

Her gasp echoes mine, and her hands fly to her mouth, taking it all in.

"You didn't," she whispers, tears already rolling down her cheeks.

"I did," Chase replies, wrapping an arm around her. "This is ours, Penny. A new start for us, for our family."

The tenderness of the moment is almost too much. Penny throws her arms around his neck, sobbing into his shoulder. My gaze meets Kyle's, and we share a small, knowing smile.

The roaring fire in the hearth pulls us inside, where the heat from the flames warms our faces. We tour the house, Chase explaining his renovations. We go through the dining room, with its table set for four, before returning to the lounge. After popping champagne, we dig into Chase's hearty Christmas meal.

The awkwardness between us is obvious, though we both pretend it isn't. He's as charming as ever, teasing Chase and Penny about their hobbies.

But every time our eyes meet, I feel it-the weight of everything unsaid, the pull between us that neither of us can deny anymore.

After lunch, Penny suggests we exchange gifts. I watch as she hands Chase a beautifully bound journal, its leather cover engraved with his initials.

"For your ideas," she says softly, "and the ones we'll dream up together."

Chase smiles, lifting her hand to his lips. "Perfect. Thank you."

Kyle hands Penny her gift before turning to me. He presents me with a small rectangular box wrapped in silver paper.

"Open it," he says, eying me carefully.

I untie the ribbon and pry the lid open. Inside is a delicate silver photo frame embossed with snowflakes. It holds a single photograph of Kyle and me from the wedding yesterday. We're caught in a moment of near kiss. My face tilted toward his, with his arm wrapped around my waist. The photographer was right - we look completely and undeniably in love.

For a moment, my throat tightens, and I can't speak, fingers trembling as I trace the edge of the frame.

"Julia?" Kyle's concerned voice pulls me back.

"It's beautiful," I manage, emotions daring to break free. "Thank you."

But it's not just the frame or the photo that matters. It's what it means. For the first time, I let myself see us as we are-not just two people tangled in complicated feelings, but two people who belong together.

Kyle is next to receive his gift, a sleek envelope from me. He opens it curiously, then his expression deepens as he finds my handwritten note.

Kyle,

Take me to dinner. Just us.

-Jules

He stares at it for a long moment, then lifts his eyes to mine.

"Are you sure?"

I nod, smiling, but my heart pounds deep in my chest. "I've never been more sure of anything."

With the gifts exchanged and dishes cleared, I escape to the porch with cocoa. The world is hushed under a blanket of snow.

Kyle shows up a little while later, mug in hand, and sits down next to me on the steps. Our shoulders brush against each other.

"You really mean it?" he asks.

"About dinner?" I tease, smiling into my cocoa.

"About us."

I set my mug down and face him. "Yes, Kyle. I meant it."

His gaze searches mine. "I've been waiting-wanting to hear that."

I smile, reaching for his hand. "I was scared but I know what I want now."

He doesn't hesitate. He leans in, his lips brushing against mine. Soft and tender at first, then deeper, more certain. It's everything-passion, tenderness, hope. The promise of something new, and lasting.

When we finally part, his forehead rests against mine. "I'm not letting you go, Jules. Not now, not ever."

"Good," I reply, heart swelling. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

For the first time in my life, the fear is gone. All that remains is the hope of what we can create together, our story waiting to be written, one chapter at a time. And I can't wait to see what's next.