Chapter Thirty-Four

"I'll be right back," Archer says as he starts to pull his hand from mine. I cling to his hand tighter.

"No, wait, where are you going?" I ask, trying to pull him back towards me. He lets my tug guide him back.

"I'll only be gone for five minutes. I promise. Hang out here with James. He'll take care of you," Archer says as he gestures towards James, who's already putting more cookies on a plate.

"Fiiiine. You have five minutes!" I shout as Archer starts walking away from me. "I'm timing you!" I point to my nonexistent watch.

Archer steps back towards me and gives me a kiss. I rise up onto my tiptoes and let myself fall into it. "Four minutes and forty-four seconds," I say against his lips. He quickly breaks the kiss and starts jogging away.

"Well, James, what do you have for me?" I turn towards the stand next to me and cross my arms on the counter.

"How'd I do?" I hear a voice whisper into my ear as strong arms wrap around my waist. I look at my invisible watch again.

"Three minutes late. You owe me for making me wait, right James?"

I look towards James who is nodding his head.

"Dang. I think I have an idea on how to make it up to you." A mischievous grin starts to form on Archer's face. I give him a sideways look.

He leans down and kisses me, pulling me towards him until every part of my body is against his. It feels like fire is shooting through me at his touch.

After what feels like minutes, Archer steps back a few inches so that his arms are still around me but our bodies are no longer touching. I shiver from the lack of contact.

"That's a good start," I say breathlessly.

"Oh ya?"

"But you kept me waiting for three minutes," I say as I hold up three fingers. "That makes up for one of them." I put down one finger.

"You're right." He pulls me in for another kiss. This time, I break us apart and put my hands on his chest.

"I think James might be getting a little tired of our show," I say pointing towards James, who is turned away from us as much as he can while still manning his booth.

Archer laughs. "Sorry, James!"

"It's no problem. Glad you young folk are happy. Don't let that love go." James smiles.

I'm taken aback for a second at his use of the word love. Is that not what it's starting to feel like though? I've never been in love, but I've never felt like how I feel right now. This overwhelming need for someone. To constantly want to be around them, talking to them, sitting in silence with them. Thinking about him at every second of every day. Wondering what he's doing and if he's okay when I'm not with him. Is this what love feels like?

Archer's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Am I forgiven yet?"

I hold up two fingers before putting one down. "You're still one minute in debt."

Archer kisses me on the side of my head.

"Doesn't count."

He moves towards my ears. His lips tracing the side of my head as he moves. "I'll save that one for later."

Chills run up my spine as he kisses my ear, grabs my hand, and starts leading us away.

"So, I was thinking," Archer says as he starts making small circles on my hand with his thumb. I can't help but smile. This must be what real happiness feels like.

"That can be dangerous." I smile up at him.

He looks down at me for a second and then nods. "True. I think this is a good thing though. What are your Christmas plans?"

"Honestly, I don't know yet. I'm too far away from my family to get there and back in time for my next commitment. Plus, they've started taking trips during Christmas since they know I'm usually not home for it."

Archer pulls me to a stop. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah," I shrug. "It's no big deal. You get used to it after awhile."

Archer stands there looking at me for a few more seconds. His eyes are swimming with so many emotions. One of them being what seems like pity.

"Seriously, it's not a big deal. I usually hang out with Willow and her family if I can."

"That's it. It's decided," Archer says firmly as he starts pulling us down the street again.

"Oh yeah? Do I get to know what's decided for me?" I poke him in the side.

"You're celebrating Christmas with my family. We'll be close to where I live. We'll have plenty of time to have a proper Christmas and get you back in time for what you need to do."

I stop in my tracks. "Christmas? With your family?"

Archer nods. "It's only right. No Christmas should go by without a proper celebration. It's illegal."

I laugh at him and try to keep my face light, but I'm kind of freaking out. Yeah, I've gotten close with his dad and Juliet but this feels different. Celebrating a major holiday with him and his family? It seems like something you do when you're really serious about someone. Is that where we are? I know my feelings get stronger by the day but is that how he's feeling?

Once again, Archer pulls me out of my racing thoughts. He drops my hand and grabs my shoulders, turning me towards him.

"I'm not going to argue about this. It's happening. You deserve a Christmas full of home cooked meals, presents, a warm fireplace, a slightly obnoxious family, and . . ." he pauses for a second. "And me," he says, shyly.

I stare into his eyes, seeing the sincerity in them. This means a lot to him. And honestly, it sounds amazing. Exactly what I need right now actually. After today, I'm really starting to realize just how much I've been missing out on other aspects of life. I love my job but I'm starting to see just how much I've been giving up for it.

"I'd love to," I answer.

Archer wraps his arms around me and lifts me up into the air. "You won't regret it, I promise!"

He sets me down on the ground, gives me a quick kiss, and then starts leading us out the main gates. I tighten my grip on his hand and pull him to a stop. He turns towards me, confusion on his face. I wrap my arms around him and pull myself towards him. He instantly responds pulling me closer.

"Tonight was perfect," I whisper into his shirt. "I don't want this day to end."

Archer pulls away and looks at me. He softly runs his hand down my cheek.

"Don't worry," he says as he leans in to kiss the spot his hand just occupied. "We have an infinite amount of days like this in our future."

I smile and give him a quick kiss before he starts leading us out again, my belly flipping excitedly at his use of the words ‘our future.'