Twenty Four

The palm treessway gently in the warm breeze, their fronds rustling like soft whispers. The air is filled with the scent of the ocean, mingling with the festive aroma of holiday treats. It's Christmas in our tropical paradise, and Lucius and I stroll hand in hand down the beach, our fingers entwined, hearts brimming with joy.

The world around us is alive with the sounds and sights of Christmas—children building sand-snowmen, couples sharing kisses under mistletoe hanging from the palm trees, and the gentle hum of Christmas carols played by a local band.

We stop for a moment, looking out at the ocean. The waves crash gently against the shore, their rhythm soothing and constant.

I lean my head on Lucius's shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek.

"This is perfect," I whisper. "Everything is perfect."

Lucius kisses the top of my head. "It really is. And it's only going to get better."

As we continue our walk, we pass by a small group of people we know from campus gathered around a bonfire on the beach. They're singing Christmas songs, their voices blending with the fire"s crackling and the waves breaking on the beach. Lucius and I join them for a while, singing along and sharing in the joy of the moment.

After a few songs, we continue our journey, wandering along the beautifully decorated pier. Twinkling lights hang from the palm trees, and storefronts are adorned with garlands and wreaths. There's a festive energy in the air, a sense of community and togetherness that makes everything feel even more special.

Lucius and I find a small café, its windows painted with fake snow, and a winter scene. We step in, greeted by the rich aroma of coffee and hot chocolate. We order our drinks and find a cozy corner to sit in. The café is filled with people enjoying the holiday season, their laughter and conversations creating a comforting background hum.

As we sip our drinks, Lucius reaches across the table and takes my hand. "This feels so right," he says, his voice filled with conviction. "Being with you—it all feels so perfect."

I squeeze his hand, my heart full. "I feel the same way, Lucius."

Eventually, we make our way to the beach again. The sun has dipped below the horizon, and the sky is painted with deep purples and blues, dotted with stars. The moon casts a silvery glow over the water, making it shimmer like a sea of diamonds. We find a quiet spot and sit down, our feet just inches from the gently lapping waves.

Lucius wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. "I can't believe how lucky I am," he murmurs. "To have you in my life, to share these moments with you."

I look up at him, my heart swelling with love. "I feel the same way, Lucius. You make every moment special. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

"We should head to Uncle John's. He's not patient when it comes to Christmas and I want to give him the tickets we got him."

We stand and, hand in hand, head back up the beach to his uncle's house. We're doing Christmas with him tonight since we'll be at his parents" all Christmas break, and John will be on his trip. He doesn't know it yet, but he will when he opens the ski trip we got him.

The sun casts a golden glow over the beach, illuminating our path as we approach the tall, decorated palm tree that stands proudly as the centerpiece of our unique Christmas celebration. It's adorned with twinkling lights, seashells, and colorful ornaments that reflect the spirit of our sun-drenched holiday. Lucius looks at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief and excitement.

"Isn't this perfect?" he says, squeezing my hand gently. His voice is warm and full of affection, the kind that makes my heart flutter every time.

I nod, a wide smile spreading across my face. "It's absolutely perfect," I agree, leaning into him as we walk. The world around us seems to melt away, leaving just the two of us in this magical moment.

We pause under the palm tree, its lights twinkling above us like a canopy of stars. Lucius turns to face me, his expression growing serious but tender. My pulse quickens as I feel a sense of anticipation in the air.

"Marley," he begins, his voice soft and earnest, "there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

I tilt my head, curious. "What is it?"

He takes a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "Would you move in with me? Off-campus, I mean. I want us to start a new chapter together, somewhere that's just ours."

The world stops spinning for a moment. His words hang in the air, filled with promise and hope. My heart swells with emotion, and I nod without hesitation, a joyful laugh escapes my lips.

"Yes, Luci! Yes, I'd love to move in with you!" I exclaim, my eyes brimming with tears of happiness.

No more sex on small little king beds that barely fit my centaur, no more socks on the door for me and Stacy to say our room is in use. A place, an actual home, for just us. I'm so excited.

Before I can say anything else, I notice something strange. Tiny white flakes begin to fall from the sky, landing on our hair and shoulders. I blink in surprise, holding out my hand to catch a flake. It's snow, soft and cold against my skin, a stark contrast to the warm tropical air.

"What…?" I trail off, looking up in wonder. It's snowing, in the middle of our sunlit paradise.

Lucius grins, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Merry Christmas," he says, nodding toward a figure in the distance.

I follow his gaze and see Uncle John standing by a machine, a broad smile on his face as he waves at us. It's a snow machine, creating this whimsical winter wonderland just for us.

I laugh, the sound pure and loud, and leap into Lucius's arms. He catches me effortlessly, holding me close as I shower his face with kisses.

"I love you so much," I say, my voice filled with emotion. "This is perfect, Lucius. Absolutely perfect."

He kisses the tip of my nose, his lips soft and warm. "I love you too, Marley. More than anything."

He sets me down gently, and we stand there for a moment, wrapped in each other's embrace as the snow continues to fall around us. It feels like a dream, a beautiful, surreal dream that I never want to end.

Coming in 2025 will be Brooks' story. Will he and Stacy get the HEA they deserve or will life have other plans?