by Sarah Gai
"I know, right! It came as a shock to everyone. The town's biggest bully turned saint. You know she went after Nolan first, tried her hardest." Winter felt her jealousy rise with every word, visible, too, to Nicole. "Don't worry, he wouldn't give her the time of day. Then boom, next thing we all know she fell head-over-heels for Henry. Well, he had been single for a while since...”
“The tragedy," Winter interrupted. "Keep going."
"Right, well, anyway, next thing we hear they're getting married. And no word of a lie, that boy worked a miracle because Sadie is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet."
"I can't believe it," Winter shook her head.
"Well, you will".
Winter had her doubts—big ones. Sadie had been one of the meanest girls in school by far, but everyone deserved a second chance, right?
Nicole turned her head and almost jumped across the table, grabbing Winter’s phone before she even registered what was going on. Hugging it to her chest, she shut her eyes and Winter watched her lips pronounce, "Messages." Winter tried to grab it out of her friend’s hand, but Nicole jumped away. Jeez, what were they in high school still?
Nicole looked at the screen and swooned. Turning it around for Winter to see, “It’s literally only been a few hours since I was near you and I friggin’ miss you already xoxo." Winter grabbed for the phone and Nicole let her have it.
"Aww, that is so sweet. You guys will be so super cute together."
"We’re not together. It was just one date, Nicole." The air shifted as Winter turned and set off towards the kitchen sink, grabbing her coffee cup off the bench to wash it out. She couldn't put a finger on it, but something about Nicole sent warning signals in Winter’s direction when she was pissed off or annoyed. Winter turned to see a look of disappointment on her friend’s face.
"Don't do this."
"Do what?"
"You're going to try to push him away. I can feel it."
"You don't understand, Nic. No one understands."
"Oh, I understand. I know what you lost. I know he was your world, Winter. I was there in that friendship, too, you know. We all grieved. We all miss him. You were not the only one who suffered that day."
"Let’s not do this, Nicole."
"Look, I don't want to fight Winter, but for five years you've cut yourself off from us. You live in the past, longing for someone who has moved on to a better place. We are here. Charlie and me and Rosie and, most of all, Nolan. He's crazy about you. Don't ruin that."
"I think you should go."
"Fine."
"Fine."
As Nicole reached to pick up her bag hanging over the stool she signed, "I'll pick you up Wednesday. We’re picking out the flowers and cake."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Winter watched as her friend stormed towards the door, feeling the thud as Nic slammed it hard after exiting. Winter walked over and locked it before she turned and made her way back to her room. Cradling her phone, she read his message again as another one came through: "Want me to bring dinner over tonight?"
She wanted to see him, but after her and Nicole's fight she decided against it. She was too hurt and confused. She didn't know what she wanted. Was she ready to move on? Let another in? Would anyone ever be able to take the place of the one person she thought she would spend the rest of her life with? He wasn't just a high school sweetheart; they lived and breathed for each other. It wasn't something you could just move on from.
She texted Nolan back, "That's really sweet, but I'm still so tired from last night and this morning. Tomorrow?"
She wasn't ruling whatever was going on between them out. She just needed a moment to collect her thoughts, not to mention she was scared Nicole might be right and sooner or later she would push him away. She prayed to God she was ready. Ready to start learning to live and love again.
Winter
It was one o'clock and Nolan would be arriving any minute. He wanted to take her somewhere on his lunch break. She was almost pacing a hole in her mother’s carpet as she watched through the front window for him to arrive. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but not seeing him was causing all sorts of mixed feelings. She almost texted him the other night to beg him to come over. Damn Nolan Reed! He was turning her into mush. She hated feeling so out of control. Her mind was telling her to run, but her heart said to give whatever they were a chance.
Winter watched as his blue pick-up pulled into view and she was out the door before he even had a chance to park next to the curb. She wrapped her scarf around her neck tightly as she ran to the passenger door. He had only one leg out of the truck before Winter opened up the passenger side and climbed in next to him. Before she second-guessed herself, she leaned over and kissed the side of his cheek. He looked surprised as he turned his face towards her.
"Missed you, too," he signed before pulling his leg fully back into the driver’s seat.
Winter smiled shyly at him; her boldness causing her to blush. "So, where are we going?" she asked before she buckled her seatbelt.
"It's a surprise, but one I hope one you will like." He wouldn't give anything away.
They headed past the center of town towards the pier. Winter thought she knew what he was doing as he parked the car near the marina, but she wasn't expecting them to walk beyond the row of restaurants and into Reed's Publishing House—his mother's business.
As he ushered her inside, Winter’s mouth fell open. It was just a small, modern office with three desks, beige carpets, and white walls on which hung framed pictures of the published books and authors his mother had signed. As Winter let go of Nolan's hand, she wandered around, perusing all of the covers being displayed that had been on the NY Times Bestsellers List, USA Today, and many acclaimed others. The last time Winter saw Nolan's mom she was a one-horse show with only a few publishing contracts. Business must be doing really well, she thought.
Nolan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and turned her around. "Winter," Kim greeted, as she approached them, arms outstretched, walking out of her office. She wrapped Winter in a soft hug before moving on to her son, kissing him sweetly on the cheek.
"It's so good to see you," Nolan interpreted for his mother.
"Same to you, Ms. Reed," Winter smiled at her while Nolan did his job. It was weird watching him communicate for her.
"Kim," his mother signed. Winter grinned at her. How sweet was she! She watched as Kim looked at Nolan, speaking to him and pointing at Winter.
"She said she is sorry it's the only word she has learned, but she promises to get better."
Winter pulled out her cell and began typing away. She turned the screen towards his mother and watched her read "Don't panic, cell phones are great communication tools. Just text me anytime."
Kim smiled, a look of relief on her face. "She's hired," Nolan repeated.
"What?" Winter asked him.
"Well, my mother had been looking for another designer to do book covers, author pages, social media, and stuff like that for her clients. I suggested you," he looked at her wondering if he infringed too much.
Winter didn't know what to think. It would be a dream come true. But what about her job in Seattle? Her Aunt Peggy? Holly? And did she really want to be home permanently? "This is a lot to take in Nolan," she signed unsure of how she felt.
"Look, I know it is, but look at it this way—you can literally walk to work. Plus, you get to be home and around your brother and Nicole. Besides, isn't this what you wanted to do?" he questioned her.
"You don't have to start until January," Kim told him to tell her. His mother was as short and petite as Winter; she stood next to them unsure if she did something wrong as she chewed on her fingernail anxiously.
Winter didn't want to seem too excited, yet at the same time, she felt like she was ready to bolt out the office door. Nicole's comment from yesterday about her running away relayed in her mind and ticked her off. Steeling herself, she squared her jaw and looked at Kim
with her hand held out. Kim looked elated as she placed her hand in Winter's and they shook on the deal.
Kim turned and ran back into her office, leaving the two of them just standing there. Suddenly, Winter’s phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket. "Welcome to the Reed family! P.S. I'm not a stalker, Nolan gave me your number xoxo." Winter read it and laughed.
Once they were back in the car, Winter reached over and punched Nolan in the arm. "Hey, be nice!" he held his hands up.
"I don't know whether to kiss you or kill you right now," she signed.
"I know which one I would prefer," he bantered back before leaning over, his hand rubbing her cheek; he hesitated for a moment before bringing their mouths together.
Winter could have melted into a puddle as her body erupted from his touch. Okay, so she wasn't going to kill him after all.
With one last soft peck he pulled away. "Am I forgiven?"
"I'll think about it," she chaffed trying her best to appear annoyed.
Nolan started the engine and began driving back towards Winter’s place. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but the more she thought about it the more she could have spun around a thousand times yelling, “OMG, I have the job of my dreams!"
He pulled into the driveway and hopped out, making his way around to help her out. Once he shut the door, he pulled her against his body. "Forgiven?" he mouthed.
Winter nodded her head, pulling away slightly. "There's nothing to be forgiven. I was just shocked. I should be saying thank you and covering your face with kisses. This is my dream job, Nolan." She watched him laugh; it was beautiful.
"Well, kiss away! I won't move, I promise."
Winter reached up and grabbed his face with the palms of her hands, pulled him down, and planted kisses all over him.
Nolan
"You are going to get your ass kicked, Charlie Harris, and I'm going to do nothing but stand by and watch her do it," Nicole pointed the hand holding the knife she was using to chop pumpkin with at her fiancé. Nolan stood next to her, his arms crossed, feet apart almost ready to knock his best friend out himself.
Charlie held his hands out. "What choice did I have? She's finished her rehab and besides, she's still our mother," he pleaded his case.
"But today's not the day to throw Winter into the deep end. You knew she wasn't ready to see your mother and yet you invited her for Christmas dinner?" Nolan added.
Winter was not going to like this one bit. Nolan had wanted to pick her up that morning and drive her to her brother’s, but she insisted on hitching a ride with Rosie and Carl. Things had been going well for her the past two weeks. She gave notice at her old job, but apparently, her boss was not too happy; more heartbroken he suspected after Winter explained how he felt about her. Poor bastard, Nolan felt for him. Her aunt and Holly arranged for Winter’s things to be packed at the apartment and sent over. She was really staying.
Rosie and Winter had been spending time together, shopping for presents, and picking out baby furniture. It was something he knew they both needed as a part of the healing process. There was even a lightness to her as of late; he began to see a glimpse of the old Winter—care-free, smiling more, and her signing full of life.
They had spent every moment they could together and for the first time in a long time he actually allowed himself to think about the future—a future with her in it. Of course, there were the moments. The subtle shifts he was beginning to see when she thought of Connor. She never told him, but he knew she was struggling, as if by wanting to be with Nolan she was somehow betraying his memory. Sometimes Nolan wondered if he was forever going to be competing with a ghost.
"I didn't want it to go this way. I continuously asked her to come visit mom with me, to see for herself the steps she was taking, but she made excuses every time. What was I to do?"
"Not invite her!" Nicole yelled. "I get she's your mother, Charlie. I really do. But she was beyond horrible to your sister. We witnessed it every time we were around. I know what it's like to feel unwanted, to have crap excuses for parents, and your mother was one. I just thank God I was adopted and given a loving home by the world’s greatest couple. I know she wasn't the greatest to you and I know you had the burden of looking after them both, for which I'm so sorry for sweetie, but her treatment towards Winter was downright disgusting. If Winter heard half of what that woman said, she never would have recovered. And all because in some pathetic way she blamed Winter for taking your father’s affection. She acted like a child by thinking her husband loved his little girl more than he loved her," Nicole spat out frustrated. "And don't tell me that wasn't the reason for her behavior Charlie because you know it was," she finished and went back to cutting the vegetables.
Nolan felt bad for his friend as he watched the hurt cross his face. He knew he was just trying to do the right thing. That's one of the reasons Nolan was his friend; Charlie was one of the kindest people he had ever met. He would do anything for anyone. It was a trait to be admired.
Nolan relaxed his stance and walked over, placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder, "So who's bringing her here?" he asked.
"Aunt Peggy."
Nicole forgot her anger and burst out laughing, dropping the knife on the chopping board. "Oh, this is going to the best Christmas ever. Crap is gonna hit the fan tonight! I'm going to make sure my phone is charged. I'm not going to miss a minute of this. Family photos are a must," she continued to laugh as she ran out of the kitchen. Charlie hit himself in the forehead groaning.
"Am I missing something?" Nolan asks.
"You haven't met my Aunt Peggy," he sighed as he went to finish preparing to put on lunch, but his cooking skills were less than desirable.
Nolan pushed Charlie to the side and took over the food prep, basting the meat and placing it and the vegetables in the oven. He would finish the rest in a few hours, helping Nicole. Only another hour until his girl got there and he was beginning to worry about how the day was going to turn out.
Everyone began to arrive. His mother, Kim, showed up first baring gifts of wine, which went straight in the bin so as to not tempt an alcoholic straight out of rehab.
"I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking!" she apologized to Charlie.
"Think nothing of it, Kim. You didn't know my mother was coming," he eased her worry as they waited for the other guests to show up.
When they heard the horn outside everyone was on edge wondering who would arrive first. Not that it mattered, either way this was going to be a good day or a disaster. Nolan opened the front door and smiled as he watched Winter hop out of the back seat and head for the trunk of Carl's car. He quickly slid on his boots and ran down the stairs, kissing Rosie on the way and waving to her husband.
Winter re-appeared holding a handful of gifts, which he gently took from her grip as he bent down to kiss her. Her lips were warm and if there weren't so many witnesses, he would have thrown her up against the car right then. He couldn't get enough of her! Although they were taking it slow, Nolan not wanting to push her too hard, their contact was increasing. They began to explore and it took everything in him to pull away and cool it before they did something she might regret. He still wasn't sure about how ready she was to be in a relationship.
He nodded his head to the side gesturing for her to walk ahead of him. She ran off and up the steps to greet her brother who was waiting at the door, arms ready to catch and hug her.
Entering the house, Nolan walked into the living room and placed the presents under the tree. As he stood up, a pair of hands landed on his shoulders as Winter jumped on his back. He gripped under her legs and stood tall, walking them into the kitchen where he turned and deposited her on the counter. She let go and he spun around wedging himself between her legs, his hands resting on her hips. "Hi," he mouthed. She made the sign for Merry Christmas and he smiled at her before repeating the gesture. He loved those moments where no one else existed. The two of them just peering into the other’s eyes, drinking each
other in and basking in each other’s presence. That kind of silence was a treasure to be guarded.
"Get a room you two," Nic giggled as she pushed Nolan to the side and hugged her best friend. "Come, you can help me set the table," she let Winter know. Winter jumped down and waved as she was pulled away.
"I can help," Rosie chimed in, waddling her way into the dining room.
Nolan turned and leaned against the counter. Carl seemed to look out of place. They had only met a handful of times, but he was a great guy.
"So how have you been Carl?" Charlie asked just before Nolan was going to do the same thing.
Carl pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, "Can't complain, Charlie, things have been going great. The girls have almost finished the baby’s room and well...well since Winter has returned, I’ve never seen Rosie so alive," he admitted.
"She has that affect on people," Nolan chucked. Charlie nodded in agreement.
"Well then boys, I guess we are some lucky men, hey?" Charlie walked over to the fridge and pulled out three bottles of ginger beer, handing one to each of them. "Sorry guys, this is the best I can do today," he grinned. They all laughed and popped the caps off, taking a sip and cringing.
"So, how you feeling about the baby coming along?" Nolan asked, trying to keep the conversation going. He watched as Carl lit up.
"Well, I'm over the moon. This will be my first child. I...didn't meet the love of my life until I met Rosie. Call me a late bloomer," he laughed. "It took Rosie a little longer, having already been down this path and losing it had her depressed for the first few months. But like I said, having Winter back has brought a new lease on life to the situation."
"You guys are gonna do great. Your little man couldn't ask for better parents," Charlie clapped him on the back as he walked past, heading for the living room.
"It might a girl," Carl put out there as he and Nolan followed suit.
