Chapter 24

<Callie Stevens>

"Callie, can you get Henry ready? Otherwise we'll be late to the Christmas eve service." My mom calls from her room where I can see her trying to brush her hair and zip her dress at the same time.

"Yeah, mama; I'll get him ready." I reply with a smile and walk towards my baby brother's room.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year; it's the one time of the year when everyone seems to get along and be in a good mood.

"Henry, time to get ready." I coo and pick him up off the floor.

He looks forlornly at his trains as I cart him over to his bed where my mom set out his traditional Christmas outfit.

"Itchy." He mumbles and points at the Christmas tree sweater that's folded on top of his bedspread.

"It's only for a little bit of time, Henry." I sigh and pick it up.

He is right though; I wouldn't wear it even if someone paid me.

"No." He replies, crossing his little arms.

"Well, then I guess Jasper won't be playing trains with you."

"Oh, c'mon, Callie. Don't deprive him."

I turn around and find Jasper standing in the doorway wearing a button-up shirt, a pair of khakis and a grin.

"Your mom let me in." He explains as he walks towards us. "Now let's get this little squirt dressed."

Henry squeals and reaches out for Jasper. I hand him over and watch as Jasper gently sets him down on the bed.

"Little man, you need to be good for your sister; she's just trying to help you out." Jasper smiles at me as he helps Henry pull off his t-shirt.

"Itchy." Henry pouts and points towards the sweater Jasper is now holding in his hand.

"It's only itchy because it has magic in it." Jasper says without hesitation.

"No it doesn't." Henry replies and scrunches up his nose.

"Well, why else would your mama only let you wear it once a year?"

"I don't know." Henry says as if this thought had only crossed his mind just now.

"It's 'cause she doesn't want the magic to run out, little man." Jasper grins as Henry takes the sweater immediately from his outstretched hand.

Jasper helps Henry pull it over his head and then helps him tie up his little shoes.

"See? Can't you feel the magic?" Jasper asks my brother, his head tilted.

Henry nods vigorously and then exclaims that he has to go find his train tracks from downstairs.

"Who knew you were so good with kids?" I smirk as he gets up from my brother's bed.

"It's what my mama used to tell me when I didn't want to wear something. Worked like a charm every time." He chuckles and walks towards me.

He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and leans in, his lips barely brushing mine. I let out a small breath and lock eyes with him as I set my hand on the small of his back. He closes the distance between us and holds me close. I hear the pitter-patter of little footsteps coming back up the stairs and I pull away from Jasper slowly.

"We wouldn't want to traumatize Henry." I whisper and hold Jasper's hand gently.

"Then I guess I'll have to take you out to dinner where we won't traumatize anyone." He smirks and rubs circles on the back of my hand.

"I guess you will." I wink as my brother comes back into the room with his train tracks.

"Callie, five minutes; is Henry dressed?" My dad asks as he pokes his head into the room. "Oh, hey, Jasper."

"Hey, sir."

"Yeah he is, dad, see for yourself." I laugh a little and tilt my head towards Henry who's seated happily on the floor, setting up his train tracks.

"Henry, time to get your jacket on." My dad says causing my brother to pout sadly. "You can play trains with Jasper some other time."

He comes in and scoops Henry up in his arms.

"The five-minute deadline is for you two as well." My dad grins and exits the room with my squirming brother.

"I guess I better go get my jacket on." I sigh and pull Jasper out the door and down the stairs.

I slip on my cardigan and grab my purse. Within a few minutes, my family is loaded up in the SUV and I'm sitting shotgun in Jasper's truck. We leave first and my family follows us all the way to the church, probably to make sure that we don't take a detour. Not that Jasper or I would ever do that.

He pulls into a parking spot and the pair of us hop out as my dad pulls into the spot right next to us.

"We'll go get seats." I say and pull Jasper towards the door where people are filing in by the dozen.

The church is decorated with tinsel, Christmas lights and poinsettias. There's a Christmas tree in the corner of the sanctuary that almost reaches the ceiling and is wrapped in red and gold bows and more twinkling lights. Under the tree, there's neatly wrapped gifts that the church sends to children in need.

I place a gift of my own underneath the tree and then grab Jasper's hand as we go towards the front of the sanctuary to get seats. My parents find us a few minutes later and slip into the pew on the other side of me. The church is completely full with a few people even standing up in the back by the time Pastor Tate walks to the podium in the front of the room to begin the service. He gestures for us to stand up and then the worship band begins to play.

"Hark the herald angels sing: Glory to the newborn king. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies."

I hold Jasper's hand and watch as he sings with his eyes closed, a peaceful expression blanketing his face. Thank you, God for helping me to save him.

~~~~~

"Merry Christmas; may the lord bless you now and always." Pastor Tate says as he dismisses us.

I pull Jasper into a hug and feel him kiss my forehead gently.

"Merry Christmas, Jasper, I love you." I whisper in his ear as he lets go of me.

"I love you too, Callie." He replies and grabs my hand before we follow my parents out the side doors of the sanctuary.

"So, what's on the agenda for the rest of the day?" My mom asks as she slips into the front seat of our family SUV.

I turn to Jasper and raise my eyebrows expectantly. He smiles and rubs my hand affectionately.

"I was going to take Callie out to lunch if that's okay with you guys." Jasper says politely and turns towards my mother.

"Works for me." My mom winks as she closes her car door and waves to me.

I shake my head in a good natured way and then follow Jasper to his truck. He unlocks it and then helps me get in before closing the door for me. I buckle my seatbelt and then grab his hand as he pulls out of the parking space, making his way slowly onto the main road of Everington. I turn on the radio and find a station that's playing Christmas carols. The sound of Feliz Navidad fills the truck, causing Jasper to groan just a little.

"Not this song again." He shakes his head as pulls to a stop at a red light.

"But it's my favorite." I pout, more to annoy him than because I actually like it.

"You are the only person I'd put up with this awful mariachi music for."

"Oh, c'mon; you know you like it." I wink and hum along with the song.

"You're a lot funnier than you think you are." He chuckles as he pulls up in front of some cute little French bistro a few miles outside of town.

He helps me out and walks me toward the cozy looking restaurant. It has a rooster on the front door and the words "Le Coq au Vin" scrawled in red paint across a rustic wooden sign. Jasper holds my hand as we walk into the bistro to the sound of a twinkling bell, which alerts the staff to our entrance. A polite hostess smiles and asks for the name on the reservation.

"Jasper Coven." Jasper says as the hostess searches her clipboard.

"Ah, right here." She replies in a thick French accent. "Right this way, Jasper and company."

We follow her through the restaurant that's filled with warm, friendly looking patrons sipping on wine and eating fancy French food. She stops at a cozy booth and gestures for us both to sit down as she places a menu at each place. Jasper helps me into my chair, hanging my jacket on the coat hook right next to our booth. He then takes his seat and opens up the menu as the hostess walks away.

"Order anything you want; it's my gift to you." He smiles sweetly and grabs my hand across the table.

"Thank you, Jasper; you really didn't have to." I reply, my eyes sparkling in the low lighting.

"But I wanted to; after everything you've done for me this year, I wanted to show you how much you mean to me."

"Everything I did for you this year was because I love you, Jasper, and I'd go back and do it all again."

"I couldn't ask for a better girlfriend than you, Callie, never forget that." He kisses my hand gently as a waiter comes to take our orders.

"What can I get y'all to drink?" The waiter asks in a southern drawl.

"I'll take some lemonade." Jasper replies and then turns to face me.

"I'd like some black tea with cream and sugar."

"Okay, can I get y'all anything to start off your meal?"

"I think just some bread and butter would be fine, thank you." Jasper says, turning to me.

"Sounds amazing." I say with a smile.

~~~~~

I ordered the spinach quiche and Jasper had steak. We spent the afternoon talking and stealing food from each other's plates, while the weather grew cold outside.

"This has really been the best gift, Jasper. Thank you." I smile as I eye the last bite of crème brulee in the dish between the two of us.

"Anytime, and will you please take the last bite instead of just starin' at it?" Jasper smirks and pushes the dish closer to me.

I relent and take the final bite, the custard melting on my tongue. His smirk changes into a grin as takes my hand in his.

"I'm really glad you enjoyed it. I'd do anything to keep you smiling like that." Jasper tilts his head and rubs my hand comfortingly.

The waiter comes by and asks us if we liked the meal. Once we reply in the affirmative, he sets the check down and begins to clear the table. Jasper grabs the check and slips a credit card into the leather portfolio before handing it back to the waiter. Jasper grabs my jacket for me and helps me into it as the waiter comes back.

"Merry Christmas, guys." He smiles politely and the walks off to tend to the other customers.

Jasper grabs my hand and walks me to the front of the cozy bistro and back to his black truck that's parked in the far corner of the lot. I pull my jacket closer to me and then feel him wrap his arm around my shoulder to shield me from the wind. I smile happily as we finally reach his truck and he helps me into the shotgun seat. I close the door and buckle my seatbelt as he hops into the driver's seat. He pulls out of the parking space as rain begins to dot the windshield. The drive back to my house is comfortable and I feel myself drift off to sleep as Jasper's wheels keep on turning.

When I wake up, we're parked in the field near his house, rain beating down on his truck in a calming rhythm. I feel him rub my shoulder and whisper comforting things in my ear. A small smile spreads across my lips as I open my eyes where I find him leaning over me. I brush some overgrown blonde hair out of his eyes, my fingers lingering on his cheek.

"I love you so much." I whisper, placing my lips gently on his.

He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him, his lips never leaving mine. I tangle my fingers in his hair as he slowly releases me, a smile playing on his lips.

"I got you something." I say, remembering the gift I'd left in my jacket packet.

He nods and watches as I reach inside my pocket, pulling out a neatly wrapped package.

I place it gently in his hands, my brown eyes gazing intently as he opens it. His smile widens when he sees the small cross pendant attached to a leather chain that nestled on a bed of cotton inside the box. He takes it out and puts it on, his eyes gleaming as he turns back to face me.

"I love it." He gives me a sincere look and pulls me into a hug.

"I'm glad." I smile, reveling in the feeling of his arms around me. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, baby." He replies, placing his lips on my forehead.