Melody's heart fluttered, and she could not stop grinning as she and Austin stepped into the large department store. He grabbed a cart, and she hopped in just like they did when they were kids. He took off, pushing it fast, with her squealing as he headed to the holiday décor section.

"Mom, can I do that?" she heard a little boy ask as Austin whizzed past him, ignoring the scowl from his mother; Austin didn't stop until they reached the far end of the store. Melody popped out of the cart with a mischievous grin.

"Starting in the Christmas section?" She asked as she started grabbing stuff and tossing it in the cart.

"Slow down, Bell," he took back the pink tinsel she'd just tossed in and out it around. "We are starting here to get a reasonable amount of Christmas decorations for my small apartment.  Then we'll get the rest of the stuff I need."

"The pink tinsel is necessary and very reasonable," she mocked his word with a little smirk.

"For what?" Austin asked as he cringed at it.

"The small tree we'll be putting in your bathroom," she said as she picked it back up and set it back in the cart; she then moved on to the next aisle.

"My bathroom does not need a pink tree," Austin protested.

 
"But it would be so cute!" She looked up at him with her special pout.

"...what if you can buy anything else, as much Christmas stuff as you want, so long as I don't have to have a pink tree in my bathroom?" He bargained.

She tried to hide her smile, "Okay, deal."

"Did you just con me?"

"Yup!" she chirped as she shoved a bunch more sparkly things in the cart and then ran off.

"You little!" Austin chased after her as she pushed the cart forward and darted away; she ran to the garden center and abandoned the cart to hide behind one of the Christmas trees. She was watching and waiting for him to appear when he grabbed her from behind suddenly and whispered, "gotcha!"

"Austin!" she squealed as he whirled her around.

He was laughing, but it ceased as their eyes met; the next thing she knew, their lips were locked all over again.

**

Sometime later, they were nearly done decorating Austin' s apartment, which was anything but beige now; it was full of color. A good sized colorful Christmas tree sat in the corner, Rudolf-styled throw pillows and a matching blanket draped over his couch. His walls were adorned with carious wintery scenes and much more.

Mary would be thrilled, and even Austin seemed happy with it, or maybe just with her; they'd both been smiling and kissing all day.

"What's this?" she furrowed her eyebrows as she found a large bag with a heavy box inside.

"Don't open that yet"'-

Too late, she'd already pulled the case from the bag; when did she get this? When he went to warm up the car?

"A guitar?" she asked.

"That was supposed to be a Christmas present," he said sheepishly.

"For me?" she gasped, "it's too much, Thorne; I can't take this."

"Yes, you can," he countered, "how else do I get my present?"

"What are you talking about?" Melody asked.

"Sing for me, Bell," He said softly as he nodded at it, "That's all I want for Christmas, to see you light up again like you used to when you'd sing."

"I... it's been a long time," she said quietly; she opened the case and admired the beautiful guitar inside. "This is amazing."

"Please take it, he whispered intently. "Please sing for me."

"Okay." she still remembered the song she had written for him, but it had been long. She grabbed her guitar and sat on the couch; Rudolf jumped into her lap. She snuggled and kissed him on the head before she began playing. 

It took her a few moments to get it in the right key, and then she looked up to see Austin staring at her. "Don't look right at me," she commanded.

"But."

"Austin!"

"Fine," he grumbled as he darted his eyes down.

She took a breath and then began.

"Love is the Mountain View out your window." she sang softly as the words came back to her, tears filling her eyes as she sang them to him for the first time.

"Love is the sound of our loved ones' laughter." Rudolf had jumped up to lick her face, and she stopped giggling at him for a moment; she looked over to see Austin gazing at her; this time, she didn't make him look away.

Instead, she met his eyes as she continued.

"Love is a snowflake in mid-November."

"A sign, a sign of love in the winter."

She found his eyes becoming teary as well but didn't look away.

"I need a sign that magic could be mine..."

"Love is the sound of the bell on the bakery door."

"Love is always coming back for more."

"a sign, sign," the tears were flowing freely now, but she didn't care.

"Love is a snowflake in November."

"A sign, a sign."

"I'll get my winter to remember

"I need a sign, a sign ..."

"Because love is the blue in your eyes."

"It's the tiny dimples you flash when you smile."

"Love is a snowflake. It falls whenever." She concluded. "I need a sign, a sign, and a winter to remember."

There was a moment of silence when she finished and he wiped a tear back. 

"It's been a long time, and I forgot most of the words." She said sheepishly.

"It was beautiful, Bell," he assured her, "you're beautiful."

"Austin, I wanted to tell you for so long, but I never knew how to say it," she stood up, and he did as well; he pulled her close, resting a hand over her cheek.

"I'm going to make sure you have your winter to remember," he promised before kissing her softly.

She giggled softly as they parted.

"What?" he frowned. 

"That was kind of cheesy," she admitted,

"You wrote it," he teased.

She tickled his ribs for that, and he gave her a look.

"I wouldn't have done that if I was you!"

"Austin!" she yelped as she dove away, giggling hard.

A few days later, Melody wand Sadie had just finished getting ready for Austin's party. Her family would all be attending together. She'd picked out a white silk floor-length dress; it had spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline and clung to all her curves. With it, she has a red and white shawl sweater and a pair of simple heels. She'd left her hair down, curled it into loose waves, and kept her makeup simple.

"You look amazing; Thorne's eyes are going to pop," Sadie assured her; she was dressed in a festive red velvet dress, her curly hair tucked under a Santa hat.

"Maybe," Melody smiled with a shrug.

Melody and Austin hadn't told anyone yet about this new thing... they wanted a few days of just them enjoying this fun, flirty, kissy-face thing first, but they intended to make it clear at the party. She didn't feel guilty for not saying anything because Sadie hid her relationship with Cooper for so long.

The only thing that hadn't happened yet was that he hadn't said those three words, but he knew obviously that she was head over heels in love with him. He was receptive to that, he was attracted to her for sure. She was hopeful, though, for the first time, genuinely hopeful. 

"I'm missing something," Sadie raised an eyebrow.

"You'll find out later," Melody teased her.

"No, what happened? You're way too happy for someone that just sent her to crush a racy selfie and got fired in one week."

"I didn't get fired; Rafe and I decided together it wasn't the right fit."

Sadie snorted, "after you spilled eggnog all over Santa on his lunch break."

"I mean, he didn't have to share every detail," Melody rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, well, you do, so. why the smile, Melody?" She got closer and stared deep into her eyes, making Melody giggle and look away.

"It's happening, Sadie," she said as a huge grin took over her face, "Me and Austin."

"What!? When? How? Details now!"

"Sit. We don't have much time before the party," Melody directed.

The Thorne house was elegant and beautifully decorated for the season. The tree this year was more significant than she'd ever seen. Mary and Dr. Edward Thorne were quick to come to greet them and ushered them inside. Melody noticed many people there already, many single women, of course.

"It looks and smells amazing, Mary," Georgie said as they walked inside.

"Thank you!" Mary said happily, "help yourselves. There is plenty of everything."

"She made enough to feed the town five times over," Dr. Thorne teased her.

"Thanks, Mary! I think we're going to dance first," Sadie grabbed Cooper's hand, and he gave her the sweetest smile she'd ever seen her brother give anyone. They ran off the dance floor, leaving the group to all ooh and awe at the young couple.

"Mary, everything looks so wonderful," Bethany Coolidge, a tall and vivacious blonde, came to interrupt the group. She owned a small real estate company just outside of town and was Austin's age. Judging by her very tight little black dress, she was here on a mission, as were most of the single women here, she was sure.

"Thank you, dear," Mary said politely.

"Where is the man of the hour?" Bethany asked as she looked around, "I was hoping to score the first dance."

What? Not happening! Melody turned to tell her that when the room commotion picked up.

"Here he comes now," Edward said as all heads turned towards the stairs. Austin had shaved but left a little scruff, probably because Melody told him she liked that. His thick dark hair was cut into a shorter but still messy style. He was wearing a fitted black and grey suit with a cute Rudolf tie in honor of their puppy. When his eyes met hers, they lit up as she beamed at him.

"Perfect timing!" Bethany nearly purred beside her as Austin stepped closer.

"Austin, I'm Bethany; welcome home," she extended her hand to his.

"Hi, Bethany," he shook her hand politely.

"There is plenty of food and wine," Mary offered, "help yourself, Bethany."

"I was hoping for a dance," she said boldly, causing Melody to tense up.

"I'm sorry, my dances are revered tonight," Austin said as his gaze locked on Melody.

"They are?" Melody asked with a playful smile.

"Hopefully," he offered her a sweet smile.

"Doug, is it okay if I ask your daughter to dance?" he turned his attention to her dad, who smiled widely, his green eyes full of joy.

"I can't think of a better man to do just that," he said, squeezing Austin's shoulder.

"Good because I'm hoping to dance with her forever," he said as his gaze fell back on Melody.

"Oh, my heart," Georgie whispered as Mary sniffled.

"So, Mell Bell, will you dance with me?" he extended his hand to her; even though they'd been flirting and kissing the past two days, this was so... formal and in front of everyone. 

She was so stunned she stood there numbly with her jaw agape.

"Mel answer him," her mom whispered as she pushed her closer.

"Oh! Yes! Of course, I will!" she cried out much louder than she needed to.

Everyone, Bethany included, laughed as Melody's cheeks turned red.

"Come on, Bell," Austin took her hand and pulled her away.

He led her to the center of the room, and she could feel everyone's eyes on them. Her cheeks were flushed from all the attention, ad her heart was racing, but as Austin pulled her into his arms and looked down at her, everyone and everything went away.

"You look so beautiful," he said as a hand stroked her cheek.

"Thank you, Austin," she whispered.

"I love you, Bell," her heart soured as those magical words escaped his beautiful lips.

"You do? You really do?" Her eyes welled with tears. 

"Yes, I do," he assured her with a sweet kiss before whirling her around the dance floor.

"I have loved you for as long as I have known you, Melody Annabelle Reed."

"And I have loved you from day one too, Austin Edward Throne."

"Forever," he promised.

"Always," she agreed.

✨✨✨

~ The end!!

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a beautiful holiday season!!