18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Cole

If someone had told me two days ago I would be sitting on the couch with Noelle tucked by my side, I would've called them a liar. Not that it wasn't what I had dreamed of—I just didn't think it would be possible. And yet here we are.

She snuggles her face against my chest and wraps her arms a bit tighter around me, causing every part of me to melt just a little. I adjust my grip and pull her closer, leaning my face on her head and giving her a kiss. Her scent envelopes me, and I breathe her in as my body relaxes with slow, easy breaths. I could stay in this position for the rest of my life.

"The tree looks amazing." Her voice vibrates against my chest.

The white twinkle lights give the tree a soft glow that highlights each ornament. My eyes land on the popcorn garland, and my lip quirks. The finished product is beautiful. The red Twizzlers Noelle insisted upon really do give it the perfect pop of color. But dang, they were hard to thread.

"You were right about the Twizzlers. They make the garland, even though it took forever."

She turns her gaze toward me with a smile that lights her entire face. "See, I told you. Sometimes, you just have to trust me."

"I always trust you, Bug." My voice is huskier than I had intended, and her eyes soften.

I run my hand gently across her chin and let my gaze take in her bright expression and radiant glow. My finger gently skims her lips, and a soft breath comes out as they part at my touch. My lip curls up and I lean in, gently pulling her chin upward so I can cover her lips with mine. Her hand rests lightly on my chest, and the heat from her touch spreads through all the tiny crevices of my heart.

Her hand cups my face, pulling me closer. The lingering taste of hot chocolate has me craving more. My hand curls behind her neck as she tilts her head to give me better access.

Off in the distance, I hear Jingle Bells playing, only to stop and start again.

"Do you hear Jingle Bells ?" I say against her lips, and she lets out a giggle.

"It's Mel." She softly kisses me before pushing off of my chest and getting up.

"Mel?" I ask, still dazed from the effect she has on me.

"Yeah, she has her own ringtone."

"Wait, where do you think you're going?" I grab the bottom of her sweater and try to pull her back, only to have her wiggle out of my grasp.

"It'll be quick. I promise," she looks over her shoulder with a smirk.

"Famous last words," I groan and throw my body down on the couch before pushing myself up and resting my head on my hand so that I can watch her.

"Hey, Mel. What's up?" She catches my eye and grins as she heads back to the couch and sits beside me, gently running her hand through my hair. I listen to the one-sided conversation and feel my body relax under Noelle's gentle ministrations.

It's been a long day, and I didn't realize how tired I was until now. I collapse my elbow and rest my head on Noelle's lap.

My eyes open to the soft glow cast from the remaining embers in the fireplace and a blanket covering me. I look around to see that I'm alone. I have no idea how long I've been out, and the darkness doesn't give me any sense of time. I shift position so that I can pull my phone out of my pocket. When the screen lights up, I see it's already 5 a.m.

Looks like Mike sent some messages after I fell asleep.

I sit up, stretch, and roll my neck before checking his messages.

Okay, some was a bit of an understatement.

Mike: Why aren't you answering? Mike: Cole? Mike: Okay, Noelle just told Mel you're asleep. What are you doing asleep at 10 p.m.? Mike: I hear Mel oohing and ahhing. What's happening? You know she's not going to tell me anything. Mike: Girl code and all.

A small chuckle escapes at the ‘girl code'.

Mike: Dude. These two are gonna be talking all night. I need details! Mike: Fine. I'll just head to bed. Mike: The roads are cleared, and we'll be driving up tomorrow. Noelle said the power came back on, and everything is good. Mike: From the sound of those two real good wink emoji

That has me full-on laughing. I cover my mouth, not wanting to wake Noelle.

Mike: Guess I'll just talk to you when I see you. Mike: grimace emoji Mike: Are you really asleep? Mike: facepalm emoji

I rub my face and shake my head, a grin forming on my lips. Mike doesn't realize it, but sometimes he's as bad as the women.

I click his contact and hit the call button. It rings five times before a groggy, annoyed voice picks up.

"Do you know what time it is?" The grin on my face gets wider as I pull out the coffee maker and prepare to brew a pot.

"Yeah, it's pretty early." I place the filter in the basket and pop the can of coffee open, adding a few scoops and sprinkling some cinnamon on top.

"Mike!" I hear a groan and swallow the laugh threatening to escape. Mel most likely threw a pillow at Mike now that she knows it's me and not someone from the station.

"Sorry, sweetie," I hear a door open and close. "Was your intention to call and get me in trouble with my wife?"

"I think you do a good job of that all on your own and don't need my help." I fill the carafe with water and then pour it into the reservoir before turning on the power. "You sounded like you wanted to talk."

"Last night!" He whisper-yells, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud. "You didn't need to call me at 5 a.m. when you woke up."

"What time do you think you'll be leaving?" I walk over to the fridge and grab the milk.

"Probably around 9 or 10." He smothers a yawn. "Or whenever Mel tells me we're leaving."

"Sounds good. I'll let you go back to bed."

"See you later," Mike yawns again before calling out. "Cole! Please make sure Noelle has the cookies ready when we get there. Mel has been talking nonstop about those cookies. And after making me wake her up, the least you can do is not make her mad at me because you've been busy kissing the baker."

"I'll do my best, but I can't make any guarantees." I nearly spit out my coffee when I hear Mike groan on the other end. "Send a text when you're on your way up."

I hear Mike yell my name just as I hang up. My phone immediately vibrates.

Mike: Cookies better be done! angry emoji Cole: I'll make sure the cookies are done. laughing emoji Mike: cursing emoji Cole: Geez. Remind me to never wake you up again. Cole: The cookies will be ready. thumbs up emoji Mike: Thank you!

Bringing my coffee, I head into the living room and work to get the fire going again. Putting my coffee on the mantle, I grab some logs and place them on the barely lit embers. Stuffing kindling between the open spaces, I strike a match and put the flame on all the kindling. The gentle crackling sound tells me everything is doing its job.

I grab my mug and head to the couch to make myself comfortable. This time of morning is one of my favorites. I love the sense of peace that comes with the silence before the day begins. I glance out the window at the dark sky and admire the blanket of stars that glisten in the cold weather.

A door opens down the hall, and I hear footsteps on the floor. A smile crosses my face as soon as I see Noelle's shadow.

"What are you doing up, Bug?" I ask, extending my arm and wrapping it around her as she snuggles up close to me. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"You weren't that loud. I could've gone back to sleep." She leans her head on my shoulder and pulls the blanket around her.

"So why didn't you? It's early. "

She leans in and kisses me on the cheek before settling her head on my shoulder. "Because I wanted to come and snuggle with you."

I can feel her smile on my shoulder, and a sea of warmth moves through my body.

"And someone fell asleep on me last night," she teases.

"Yeah, I already got an earful," I softly chuckle.

"Oh?" Noelle covers her mouth with her hand as she yawns.

"Yeah," I push the hair falling in her face behind her ear, and my lip lifts at how adorable she is. "If we don't have Mel's cookies ready when she and Mike get here later, I'm in trouble."

Slow and steady breathing reaches my ears. I slowly move to rest my mug on the end table next to me, careful to move as little as possible so as not to disrupt the woman sleeping on me.

I reach over and pull up the blanket, ensuring it covers both of us. Noelle lets out the sweetest little protest before snuggling closer and wrapping her arm across my chest.

I glance down at her face. The fire casts a soft glow so I can just make out her content expression. My lips raise at the corners at the small smile lining her lips. I let out a slow breath and feel my body settle deeper into the couch.

The heat from the fire and the warm body of the woman cuddling up to me have me yawning. I rest my cheek on Noelle's head; my heart is beyond full. I close my eyes and savor the moment. It's not long before I drift off too.