A Christmas Spark (Part 3)

The awkward silence surrounded the two of us; Aster, staring ahead, couldn’t say anything, while I was too dismayed to speak up. Though, I have managed to keep my face unwavering, despite the sadness increasing inside of me. Seeing Aster’s face made me feel joyful. But now, he might be going away, if he got accepted at a job in Colorado. But I could always Skype with him, even if I have to go back to London. On the other hand, I wouldn’t receive that warm comfort with Aster in real life.

We made it to the front of my parent’s house, and, as I was about to knock, my daughter sprang up when she opened it. “Uncle Aster!” she beamed, hugging him tightly.

“Kit!” Aster chuckled lightly and swiped her off her feet, swinging Kit around before placing her on the ground. “It’s so good to meet you. I’d been waiting to see you and your mom for a while.”

“And we’re excited to see you, too, Uncle Aster.” Kit tugged him by the hand, ecstatic to have fun with him. “Come on! There’s so much we have to do.”

“Ok, for a couple of minutes,” he laughed. “But I have to go soon.”

“Aww!”

When Aster and I entered, my mom came out of the kitchen with flour on her hands and yellow apron. “Back so soon?” she inquired, dusting herself off with her.

“I wish I could stay,” said Aster. “but I have a flight to catch.”

My mother’s lips fell, dismay etched on her face. “I see.”

“But I will try to be back soon,” he quickly responded. “I promise.”

“If you say so.” She glanced at me and back at Aster, hesitant until she managed to speak. “Well, I could give you something to wish you good luck while enjoying the holiday. Just give me a minute or so.” I quirked my eyebrow when my mom nodded me toward the kitchen. “Belle, a little hand?”

I didn’t question her, so I decided to follow my mom into the kitchen, leaving Kit and Aster to play in the hall.

“I think you should tell him,” my mother whispered.

“Tell Aster, what?”

“That you like him, silly!”

My eyes expanded by my mom’s suggestion. I didn’t get to hear that from a parent every day. If it were my dad, then it would be even more awkward. But this was not my dad. “What makes you think-- How did you--” I rubbed my head, flustered after my mom blurted out my secret. “Why am I even talking to you?”

“Just admit it, honey.” I glared at my mom who nudged my arm playfully with her elbow. “I have seen it in your eyes whenever you’re with him.”

I groaned and flew my arms up and covered my face with my gloved hands. “What is your point, mom?”

Uncovering my face, my mom was grabbing a couple of cookies in different shapes and sizes, placing them on a yellow, ceramic plate. “My point is that you should confess before he goes away. I believe that is why he is leaving.”

“Because I didn’t say, ‘I love him?’” my voice raised a little higher, pointing at myself. “Mom, I don’t think--”

“I remembered when you left New Jersey with Stan,” she interjected. “Sure, Aster was happy for you and wanted you to feel that way, but I know, in his eyes, he wasn’t brave enough to tell you the truth. And I know you weren’t brave enough to tell him the truth, either.”

I was a child again, being scorned by my mother. Though, this was no ordinary lecture that I would get when I was young. And, to be honest, my mother was right. Not only was Aster hiding his feelings for me, but I, too, was hiding it from him. For the longest, I thought he was uncomfortable hanging out with me, what with everyone teasing him for being much overweight, but I never cared. I also didn’t care if everyone teased us for being the odd couple. But still, I haven't had the chance to tell him through the years because of a misunderstanding.

Now, I knew.

I shook my head and sighed, rubbing my temple with my first three fingers. “Mom, I can’t tell him now. He has to catch a flight in a couple of minutes and get ready for tomorrow’s interview. I can’t ruin his chance.”

“But it’s never too late,” my daughter’s voice came in.

Swiveling my head, I was astounded to see Kit in the kitchen. “Sweetie, why aren’t you with your uncle?”

“Because he’s with grandpa,” she exclaimed. “I think you should be with him, considering that you love him.” Kit’s lips curved into a playful smirk.

“Now Kit--”

“Two to one,” my mom pointed out. “You’ve been outvoted.”

When I didn’t respond, my daughter approached me with pleading eyes, as she tugged at the hem of my coat. “Please, mommy? He’s much better than daddy.”

Kit’s innocent, green eyes won me over, along with her argument. And she did have a point; Aster was better than Stan.

Rolling my eyes over, I grinned at my mom and daughter while patting Kit’s head. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Honey, my father called. “Aster needs to go.”

“Coming!” My mom finished wrapping the plate full of cookies with a clear foil and handed it to me. “Give this to him,” she insisted. “Dad, Kit, and I will let you be.”

I nodded my head and carefully ambled out of the kitchen.

When I entered the hall, my dad and Aster’s conversation ceased and stared at me. Clearing my throat, I said, “I would like to talk to Aster before he goes. Alone, please.”

The two men exchanged their glances before returning their gazes on me. My dad nodded in affirmation and smiled, walking out of the room.

Aster was perplexed when I took him by the arm and led him out of the house, while I carried a plate of my mother’s homemade cookies in my hand. As I closed the door behind us, my hand was still gripping his arm. “Belle?” Aster spoke. “What--”

I interrupted him when I leaned close, pressing my lips to his. At first, I thought I was foolish, and Aster was going to push me off. But he didn’t. Aster returned the kiss, as his hands glided up to my shoulders. Slowly, he pulled away, letting out a soft gasp as his face was a few inches from mine. “Why did you…” Aster’s voice trailed off and turned his head, spotting the mistletoe that was dangling on the doorway. “You do realize that the mistletoe is inside, right?”

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, as I shook my head. “Aster…” I paused, trying to find the words until it appeared in my head. “For so long, we’ve been hiding our feelings for each other. But since we’re grown up and alone, I think it’s best to let it all out.”

Aster blinked his eyes several times, registering my words into his brain. Slowly, his lips curled into an affectionate smile. “Does that mean--”

“Yes,” I interrupted him, knowing what Aster was going to say.

“But what about London?”

“Forget about London. I want to be with the people, whom I’ve grown up with.” I leaned my face against Aster’s, my forehead resting on his. “I want to be with you.”

My best friend-- now lover-- cupped my cheek with his hand before planting a kiss on my forehead. “That’s the best Christmas wish I ever had.”

I giggled softly before Aster and I’s lips collided, slow and passionate. His arms encircled my body, while my one arm did the same with his, bringing us a warm embrace. It felt great to release those emotions and taste my once crush’s lips. So sweet and alive.

For far too long, we didn’t think we have that spark until we reunited.

We didn’t know how long our embrace went until my family awed at us; they were behind the house window, pressing their faces against it. So Aster and I laughed after we pulled away, blushing red. “So,” I breathed, feeling my throat burning from both the burning kiss and the winter’s air. “is it not too late for you to join us, again?”

“Nope.” Aster waved a dismissive hand. “Colorado can wait. Besides, there’s plenty of jobs to look at. I heard the job that I wanted to go to had bad reviews.”

I laughed once more as the two of us went inside to rejoin the family, filling the house with laughter and joy.

(So that's the last part of my holiday shorty story. I hope you enjoyed my short story while enjoying this holiday season. Stay up-to-date for more stories you want to red from me).