Chapter 9

The young lovers sat at the elaborately set dining table and dug into the feast.

"Where did all this food come from?" Nova asked. "Is someone joining us?"

"No, snow. It's just us."

She swallowed the tasteless biscuit. His foreboding tone suddenly spoiled her appetite.

"I love the song you wrote for me," she said. "Will you please teach me how to play it?"

Nova stood and tugged Ash's hand. She led him over to the piano. He sat on the bench and pulled her down. Once she was comfortable on her lover's lap, she gazed over her shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"Don't get distracted, little bunny." He chuckled but kissed her nonetheless.

"Mmm-hmm."

He wrapped his arms around her and placed her fingers on the keys.

He tapped her right ring finger, followed by her left thumb. Ash hummed the tune as he moved Nova's hands accordingly, tapping her fingers for each note.

The music was clunky and awkward, but they laughed anyway. Enjoying the tender moments in between.

When Nova had enough, she slid from Ash's lap to sit on the bench next to him and watched his expert fingers play the melody. She swayed and hummed along.

They spent a joyful Christmas morning together, building memories that would last forever.

Later, when they were cuddled on the couch, curled up in the blanket, and watching the wood crackle in the fireplace that Ash himself had chopped, he turned to her thoughtfully.

"How did you get here, Nova?"

"What do you mean?"

She blinked and looked around at the cabin, becoming distressed. Ash sighed and took her hand.

"I've been here for ten years, Nova. I've watched you every day, waiting."

"I don't understand." She swallowed.

"Don't you, though?"

"Wha… what do you mean?"

Ash cupped her cheeks. "I never left, Nova."

"No!" she cried. Tears streamed down her face.

"What did you wish?"

"I didn't want to live without you anymore. I wanted to be with you forever."

"And we will be. Inside the snow globe."