CHAPTER 205: DATE NIGHT WITH CHRISTMAS VIBES

Evaline:

Soft snowflakes drifted around us as we stepped out of a book store, arm in arm. We were like two lovers lost in our own winter wonderland.

Draven’s hand felt so natural entwined with mine, as if it belonged there forever. The streets of the human city were aglow with festive lights. The air was crisp and cold against our cheeks. Shops were displaying twinkling decor, their window counters were lined with gingerbread in family shapes, steaming cider, and soft fleece scarves. Everywhere we looked, Christmas was making its debut.

Draven paused outside a tiny stall offering free samples of hot chocolate. He handed me a cup warmed by steam. "For the chill... and us," he said, smiling. I sipped while smiling back. The rich sweetness instantly filled me with warmth.

Once we were done, ee wandered further, sampling cinnamon-dusted pastries - tiny puffs that melted on our tongues - and steaming mulled cider laced with cloves. Each bite and sip wrapped us further into the beautiful night.

He guided me down a street lined with craft-stall vendors, the kind that sold scented candles, knitted mittens, bespoke ornaments - the kind you would find in a film about Christmas. We stopped now and then.

At one stall, I found a fuzzy ornament shaped like a wolf pup. It looked really cute but I didn’t have a need to buy it, so we continued on our way. Next, we paused at a wooden stand selling miniature lanterns that were glowing with LED lights and smoky pine scent. This time I bought one to place on my bedside table.

As we strolled, we snapped a lot of selfies, just us - kissing with snow spiraling around, our breath warm against cold air. One especially perfect pose, with me laughing and him kissing my forehead as snow drifted down, I knew would be framed somewhere someday.

Eventually, we reached a vintage-style photo booth tucked between two cafés with glass-paneled facades. The queue was short, so we hopped in. Instantly, the air warmed as a string of tiny lights lit the cabin, and the machine whirred. We pressed close on the bench - him behind me with his arms around my waist.

The booth’s countdown flashed - 3... 2... 1...

"Wait! Is that it?" Draven suddenly shouted which made me laugh. And that very moment, he leaned down to kiss my temple - giving a perfect pose for the photo right on time.

Another - 3... 2... 1...

This time, he buried his face in my neck and a smile spread across my lips. The flash captured it all, those stolen intimate moments.

I pressed my palm against his cheek as the last snapshot clicked. The machine spit out our four-lens strip and I held it between us, smiling at the sweet record of us.

He held my hand as we left the booth and stepped into the cold with both of us holding one set of our photos.

"That was perfect," I murmured. He glanced at the photos and kissed me. "This is us," he whispered. I nodded as my heart fluttered in my chest.

We walked until the scent of roasted chestnuts led us to another glowing cart. He bought a paper cone of hot and fragrant nuts. We shared them as we continued, nibbling and talking quietly.

After walking around those streets for another twenty minutes, we finally reached a cozy diner bathing in christmas light and holiday wreaths. It was looking warm, inviting. We entered, breathing out puffs of mist. Inside, the atmosphere enveloped us - muted jazz, hazy fairy lights, and plaid cushions. We took a booth near the window overlooking snow-dusted cobblestones as a waitress wrapped us in menus and steady warmth.

We ordered hearty soup - pumpkin bisque for me and root veggie stew for him. We also ordered a cheese board to share, along with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. As we waited, Draven wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. I leaned into him, inhaling the spicy-sweet aroma of the diner while the candlelight danced through the windows.

We chatted easily. He asked how my work went these past two days, how was my time with Oscar the evening before, and finally... how was the baby doing.

I was taken aback for a moment, but before I could have responded, our soups arrived.

We thanked the waitress and I picked up my spoon to taste the warm soup that was filling the air around me with its delicious aroma. After a couple of sips, I finally spoke. "The baby is doing great. Thank you."

He looked up at me, probably hearing how genuine I was in thanking him. He smiled and brought his spoon to my lips to let me taste his soup.

As the rest of our orders arrived, we fell into our usual funny and easy-going vibe. We looked at our photos from the booth and ended up laughing at ourselves.

"You," he whispered, brushing a snowflake off my hair, "are magic."

"Only because you make me feel safe and loved," I responded.

He studied me with his gentle green eyes. Then, he leaned in and kissed my forehead. The glow from the lights and the candle made us feel private, the noisy diner a backdrop to our small, perfect world.

"Time’s flying," I said lightly when my gaze landed on my phone and I noticed it was already nearing ten.

He nodded. "Soon we’ll have to head back," he said with a brief shadow in his eyes. I nodded but prayed my heart it could be later.

We finished dinner slowly and stepped out of the diner after taking care of the bill.

As we left, he gathered my hand tight. Outside, the snow was still falling lightly. We walked back along the festoon-lit street with our arms linked. At the car, I paused and turned to him. "Tonight was... perfect." And we kissed for the dozenth time this evening, this one slow and warm.

He settled me into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver’s seat himself. As we drove off into the snowy night, I felt light, loved, and ready for whatever came next - with him and with Oscar by my side.