Epilogue

EPILOGUE

5 YEARS LATER

T he mountain air carried a crisp stillness, the kind that only came after fresh snow.

Outside, the world was blanketed in white, the towering pines bowing under the weight of glistening frost. Inside Vivienne and Alex’s home, the quiet was filled with a different kind of warmth—a gentle hum of holiday preparation.

The living room was a reflection of the life they had built together. The stone fireplace, Alex’s handiwork, crackled with golden flames, while the mantle above it bore elegant garlands of evergreen sprigs and twinkling lights, a nod to Vivienne’s eye for detail. Nearby, a Christmas tree stood proud, its decorations a careful mix of shimmering glass baubles and homemade trinkets. One ornament caught the light—a delicate snowflake etched with the words “First Christmas Together,” a relic from years past.

Vivienne stood at the dining table, a thoughtful expression on her face as she arranged a centerpiece. Her fingers moved with practiced grace, tucking sprigs of holly among the candles she had chosen for their understated elegance. A faint hum escaped her lips, a melody Alex couldn’t quite place but recognized as one of Vivienne’s holiday habits—new this year and wholly unintentional.

“Caught you,” Alex teased, leaning in the doorway with a playful grin. She was dressed casually in a flannel shirt and jeans. Her hair, now grown out to her shoulders, was tied back, though wisps had already escaped. “Didn’t think I’d ever hear you humming a Christmas tune.”

Vivienne paused, narrowing her eyes but unable to suppress the slight smirk. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, of course not.” Alex crossed the room, stealing a cookie from the tray Vivienne had set aside for guests. “Must have been the wind whistling Jingle Bells.”

“Those are for the party!” Vivienne swatted at her, but her reprimand lacked any real heat. She shook her head, her dark curls bouncing, and turned her attention back to the table. “And for the record, I wasn’t humming Jingle Bells. I have standards.”

Alex popped the cookie into her mouth with a grin, leaning a hip against the table as she chewed. “Well, whatever it was, I liked it. It’s good to see you enjoying the season.”

The comment caught Vivienne off guard, and for a moment, she stilled, her gaze drifting to the tree. She let out a soft breath, her voice quieter. “I didn’t think I ever would, not like this.”

Alex’s expression softened. She reached out, resting a hand lightly on Vivienne’s back. “You’ve come a long way, Vivi. We both have.”

Vivienne turned to look at her, the warmth in Alex’s dark brown eyes steadying her. It had taken years to unlearn the habits of a life spent rushing from one goal to the next, years to embrace the quiet moments like this one. But with Alex, she’d found her way, not just to the holidays but to something deeper—a home, a life, a sense of belonging.

“Do you think they’ll like it?” Vivienne asked, nodding toward the decorated room. “The city crowd and the mountain crowd?”

“They’ll love it,” Alex said without hesitation. “It’s us. A little bit of you, a little bit of me. That’s why it works.”

Vivienne’s lips curved into a smile. Alex was right. The room was a reflection of both of them: the crisp lines of Vivienne’s taste softened by the rustic charm Alex had brought into her life. Even the scent—a blend of pine, cinnamon, and something warm and buttery—felt like a perfect blend of their worlds.

As if on cue, Alex pulled her into a loose hug, resting her chin on Vivienne’s shoulder. “You know,” she murmured, “I think this might be the coziest Christmas yet.”

Vivienne leaned into her, letting her guard down for just a moment. “It’s certainly better than my old routine of work, wine, and denial.”

Alex chuckled, her breath warm against Vivienne’s cheek. “Progress.”

They stood like that for a moment, wrapped in the glow of the firelight and each other. Outside, the wind stirred the snow into a delicate dance, but inside, there was only stillness and peace.

“Now,” Alex said, pulling back with a glint in her eye, “how about you let me help with something before the guests arrive?”

“Help?” Vivienne arched her brow. “Is this the same Alex who once tried to decorate cookies with a hammer?”

Alex shrugged, unbothered. “Hey, you’ve got to admit, they were pretty memorable.”

Vivienne laughed, the sound light and free. “Fine. But you’re on firewood duty. And no hammers.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Alex winked before heading toward the door, grabbing her coat on the way.

Vivienne watched her go, her heart full in a way it hadn’t been in years. She turned back to her centerpiece, adjusting a single holly berry until it sat just right. The room glowed warmly around her, not just from the lights and fire but from the life she and Alex had created—a life worth celebrating.

Soon after, their guests arrived. The kitchen was alive with the energy of the holiday party preparations. Pots clattered, laughter echoed, and the warm, savory scent of roasted vegetables mingled with the sweetness of spiced cider simmering on the stove. Vivienne moved with practiced efficiency, deftly arranging the last of the hors d’oeuvres on a gleaming silver platter.

“I still can’t believe you’re hosting a Christmas party,” Emma said, leaning against the counter with a glass of wine in hand. Vivienne’s longtime friend from New York had arrived earlier that day, her suitcase overflowing with designer winter wear ill-suited for the rugged mountain terrain. She was watching Vivienne with amused disbelief, clicking her red nails idly against the glass. “Last I checked, you hated Christmas. ”

Vivienne smirked, not looking up from her task. “People change.”

“People do,” Emma agreed, her gaze drifting to Alex, who was hauling in an armful of firewood from outside. Snowflakes dusted her hair, and she greeted the room with a grin that was as easy as it was genuine. “And some people have a very specific influence, it seems.”

“Do you have a point?” Vivienne asked, arching a brow as she placed the platter on the counter.

Emma took a sip of her wine, clearly savoring the moment. “Just that it’s nice to see you like this. Happy. Relaxed.”

Vivienne hesitated, the comment catching her off guard. She glanced around the room, taking in the sight of their guests—friends and family from both their lives mingling. Her mother was chatting with Alex’s father near the fireplace, the two of them laughing over what looked like an old photo album. A group of Alex’s mountain and old snowboarding friends were gathered near the Christmas tree, swapping stories with Vivienne’s colleagues from the city.

It was a strange but heartwarming blend, and for a moment, Vivienne allowed herself to simply be.

“Okay, who’s ready for cider?” Alex’s voice cut through the room as she carried a steaming pot to the counter. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and her eyes sparkled with the kind of joy that always seemed to radiate from her.

“Me, please,” Emma said, raising her glass. “And I’ll take mine without the rustic mountain twigs, thanks.”

Alex laughed, pouring the cider into mugs. “It’s a garnish, not a twig. But I’ll make yours extra plain, just for you.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes, grabbing one of the mugs and pressing it into Emma’s hand. “Ignore her. She’s been insufferable since we started decorating.”

“Only because you insisted on color-coordinating the ornaments,” Alex retorted, handing a mug to Vivienne with a wink.

“I was ensuring balance and harmony,” Vivienne shot back, though her smile gave her away.

“Balance, harmony—same thing,” Alex said with a shrug, leaning against the counter beside her. She glanced at the room, her expression softening as she took it all in. “This turned out pretty great, didn’t it?”

Vivienne followed her gaze, the tension she hadn’t realized she’d been holding releasing in a quiet exhale. “Yeah,” she admitted. “It did.”

The party was in full swing now, the air filled with music and the sound of happy conversation. Someone had turned on a playlist of holiday classics, and a few people were swaying to the music near the tree. Vivienne and Alex’s dog, a graying but still sprightly border collie named Scout, weaved through the crowd, earning a steady stream of pets and scraps.

“I’ve got to admit,” Emma said, swirling her cider, “I wasn’t sure how this whole ‘mountain holiday’ thing was going to go. But it’s…nice. Cozy.”

Vivienne smirked. “High praise coming from you.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Emma’s tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity in her words. She glanced toward Alex. “She’s good for you, you know.”

“I know,” Vivienne said quietly, her gaze softening as she watched Alex laugh with a group of guests.

The doorbell rang, and Alex moved to answer it, revealing another group of friends from the nearby town. They entered with bursts of laughter and a flurry of snow, their arms loaded with gifts and bottles of wine. Alex welcomed them with the kind of easy warmth that had first drawn Vivienne to her, and soon the room was alive with even more energy.

“Come on,” Emma said, nudging Vivienne’s arm. “Let’s mingle before the food runs out.”

Vivienne allowed herself to be pulled into the crowd, greeting guests and exchanging stories. Everywhere she looked, she saw evidence of the life she and Alex had built together—a life where their worlds could coexist, where the sharp edges of the past had been softened by the love and trust they had found in each other.

Later, as the party began to wind down, Vivienne found herself standing by the window, watching the snow fall in lazy arcs. Alex joined her, slipping an arm around her waist .

“Hey,” Alex said, her voice low and intimate. “You okay?”

Vivienne nodded, leaning into her as she ruffled the top of Scout’s furry head. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

Vivienne hesitated, then smiled. “How lucky I am.”

Alex kissed the top of her head, holding her close. “Me too, Vivi. Me too.”

The room behind them was still full of life, but in that moment, it felt like the rest of the world had faded away. Together, they stood in the glow of the Christmas lights, watching the snow fall, content in the knowledge that they had built something real—something worth celebrating.

The living room glowed with the warm light from the fireplace, the soft hum of conversation punctuated by bursts of laughter. The guests had settled into a comfortable rhythm, some clustered near the Christmas tree, others on the plush couches Alex had stubbornly insisted on keeping despite Vivienne’s argument for something more modern. Now, Vivienne had to admit they fit perfectly, their oversized cushions creating a cozy retreat for their friends and family.

Near the hearth, Alex was in her element, telling a story about a particularly wild rescue mission from her early years in the mountains. Her hands moved animatedly as she spoke, her expression lighting up with each punchline. The crowd around her hung on every word, the warmth of her presence drawing people in like the fire she stood beside.

Vivienne stayed back for a moment, savoring the scene. There was a time she might have felt out of place in a setting like this, surrounded by so much unfiltered joy. But now, it felt natural, like slipping into a perfectly tailored dress.

A hand touched her arm lightly. She turned to see her mother, elegant as ever in a cream-colored cashmere sweater, holding two glasses of mulled wine.

“I thought you could use a drink,” her mother said, passing one to her.

“Thanks,” Vivienne said, taking a sip. The spices were rich and comforting, mingling perfectly with the scent of pine and cinnamon that filled the room. “Enjoying yourself?”

Her mother’s smile was soft, her eyes wandering over the room. “I am. You’ve built something beautiful here, Vivienne.” She looked at her daughter with a rare openness, her voice quieter. “I’m proud of you.”

Vivienne blinked, the words landing with a weight she hadn’t expected. “Thank you,” she said, her throat tight. “That means a lot.”

They stood together in comfortable silence for a moment before her mother added, “Alex is wonderful, by the way. I got her to show me her Olympic medals. Very nice! She also has a real way of making people feel at home.”

“She does,” Vivienne agreed, her gaze finding Alex again. “She’s…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “She’s everything I didn’t know I needed.”

Her mother reached over, squeezing her hand. “Hold onto her. Someone like that doesn’t come around twice.”

Vivienne nodded, her chest swelling with gratitude and something deeper—certainty.

As the evening wore on, Alex rejoined her, pulling her gently toward the tree where the crowd had gathered for the final part of the evening. A small stack of presents sat beneath the twinkling lights, and someone had suggested a gift exchange to cap off the night.

“Okay, everyone,” Alex said, raising her voice to quiet the room. “Before we get into this, I just want to say a quick thank you to all of you for being here tonight. This is our first real Christmas party in this house, and it means the world to us that we get to share it with all of you.”

A round of applause and cheers followed, and Alex glanced at Vivienne, her eyes crinkling with affection. “And I also want to thank Vivienne for putting up with my terrible decorating skills and agreeing to host this chaos in the first place.”

Laughter rippled through the group, and Vivienne rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re welcome,” she said dryly, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

As the gift exchange began, Vivienne found herself sitting cross-legged on the floor beside Alex, their shoulders brushing. The room buzzed with warmth and laughter as people unwrapped everything from hand- knit scarves to novelty mugs, the atmosphere light and joyful.

Finally, Alex leaned over, placing a small, neatly wrapped box in Vivienne’s lap.

“This one’s for you,” she said softly.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, the weight of Alex’s gaze making her pulse quicken. She carefully untied the ribbon, peeling back the paper to reveal a velvet jewelry box. Her breath hitched as she opened it to find a delicate gold bracelet, its charm shaped like a tiny snowflake.

“It’s beautiful,” Vivienne said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex reached out, gently clasping the bracelet around her wrist. “It’s a reminder,” she said, her voice steady. “That even in the coldest, hardest times, there’s beauty to be found. And that no matter where we are, I’ll always be here for you.”

Vivienne swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing against her chest. She leaned forward, cupping Alex’s face in her hands. “I love you,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “More than I ever thought I could.”

Alex smiled, her eyes shining. “I love you too.”

The room around them seemed to fade, the noise and movement blending into a soft hum as they kissed—a kiss that felt like a promise, like every choice they’d made to get here had been worth it.

When they pulled apart, the party had continued around them, but Vivienne felt a sense of stillness, of peace. She looked at Alex, and for the first time in years, she wasn’t thinking about the next deadline, the next obstacle. She was simply here, in this moment, with the woman she loved.

The snow outside had started to fall heavier again, blanketing the world in quiet. From the window, the lights of their home glowed warmly against the dark, a beacon of everything they’d built together.

As the night wound down and the guests began to leave, Vivienne and Alex stood together at the door, bidding each person goodbye with hugs and laughter. When the last guest had gone, they turned back to the living room, now quiet and still.

Alex wrapped an arm around Vivienne’s waist, pulling her close. “Merry Christmas, Vivi.”

“Merry Christmas,” Vivienne replied, resting her head against Alex’s shoulder.

They stood there for a moment, watching the fire crackle and the snow fall outside. The future stretched ahead of them, unknown and full of possibility, but for now, they had everything they needed.

Together.