Angie went home that afternoon, her face still flushed in crimson red, hands and lips trembling and body shivering from the cold. “She’s down with the flu,” Mrs. Hernandez explained to Lindsey over the phone, “Don’t worry. She will get better soon. Thanks to Vince, he gave her medicine earlier. Yes, I will tell her to rest for the meantime until Christmas.”

Everyone thought that Angie might be undergoing fatigue due to the restless days and nights organizing everything. Her weekend after the gala was jam-packed, she has to be packed for their visit to the orphanage. Mrs. Hernandez felt terrible for her. Oblivious to everyone, she had been spending restless nights unable to explain the queasy feeling as the days come closer to the orphanage visit. They took it as a form of excitement and fatigue all rolled in one. But she knew there was something peculiar. She had always had a negative premonition when things were going right for her. Often, somewhere along the road was a massive twist that either derail her or put her under emotional turmoil.

The 24th of December arrived, the snow stormed the beautiful city wind howling outside at a speed of 50 miles per hour covering the entire neighborhood with snow. On the TV news, the rest of Quebec was warned about the blizzard and temperatures dropping to −15 °C.

Vince peeked outside, clutching at his coat. He looked around his tiny house staring at the dying flame in the fireplace. Shoving firewood he gathered during the weekend, the fire flickered and hissed, and a red image popped before his eyes. His mind wandered to the woman who has been wracking his brain for the last few months. He saw desperation from eyes, a lonely soul that’s wanting to break free. Those eyes that pierced through him shouting for help no one else can hear but him.

“But why me?” he wondered, pushed himself up and gazed at his house. The flames hissed, the wind howled sending its final cry and the clock chimed in perfect harmony responding to what he said. The Snowball on the coffee table glimmered. It was the only item that signifies Christmas. A massive contrast to the lavish Christmas decorations they had back in their cabin in Nevada. Christmas for him was now just an ordinary day that comes in each year. But, he could find in himself to discard the Snowball for it was one of Vicky’s possessions, which she vowed to give to her long-lost sibling if they ever see each other. A wish that could never happen.

Kring. The phone rang, cutting him off his reverie.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Vince. You have not forgotten our Christmas dinner tomorrow, right?”

“Oh,” scratching his head, how could he have forgotten about it? “Of course not, Mrs. Hernandez,” checking the watch, which just struck 12. Vince peeked outside and the storm seems to have died down. He still has a few hours left for that last-minute shopping. Surely he can’t go there empty-handed.

“We will see you at 6 pm?”

“Yes, sure.”

The 25th of December 2019

The sun shined on the white-covered neighborhood. Vince looked around. Smoke rose from the chimney, kids building snowmen, Christmas carols heard from outside, and kids of all ages flock outside of their home, lightning up their yard showcasing their holiday decorations. Everywhere people were smiling and greeting each other “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holiday.”

An old chevy strolled through the neighborhood, stopping on each occasion when flocks of adults with their kids in tow crossed the street. Each one bringing a present or a cookie, lining up the queue to the most popular man in town, Santa.

Vince turned on his radio. The old Chevy joined in the Christmas jive as Nat King Cole’s voice resonated, filled the air appealing to the Grinch driving the stag.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

He felt Christmas chills catching on as he sniffled and blinked several times. It was still, in fact, her fiancee’s favorite Christmas song. Slowing down when he saw the bronze bell tower shortly revealing the grandeur of Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. He parked his car at a nearby car park and walked towards the cathedral.

Inside, Vince jaw dropped at the astounding architecture of the cathedral, which has intricately designed murals and the golden altar. The church was filled with churchgoers attending Christmas Eve Mass. He went straight to the rows of candles, grabbed two candles, and lit them up. He was never the religious type, but it was a tradition that he has been accustomed to because of Vicky. Even without her, he intended to keep this tradition as he prayed for her eternal repose.

The bells rang, signaling the end of the mass chiming into the hymn of Holy Night sung by the choir next to the grand piano. Hundreds of churchgoers began spilling out of the cathedral, chatting, singing, and smiling at whoever they met.

“Merry Christmas, Dad,” Angie kissed her dad then turned to her mom, “Merry Christmas, Mom.” Notre-Dame de Quebec was bustling with churchgoers walking around greeting each and everyone a Happy Holiday.

“Happy holidays, my love. Our prayers have been answered this year and your first Christmas again.”

“I am so happy for you, Bonita. Merry Christmas,” said her dad.

“Mom, Dad, I will wait for you outside. I think your friends are looking for you,” pointing to a group of ladies chatting with each other.

“Okay, see you outside,” Mrs. Hernandez replied, knowing her daughter was not keen on the idea of brushing elbows with the ladies.

“If we are not out in 15 minutes, get yourself a cab, alright?” Mr. Hernandez interjected.

Outside, a group of girls and boys were singing Christmas Carols near the steps. Passersby and church attendees paused to admire the angelic voices as if opening up the gates of heaven and letting them in. Amongst the bunch of crowds is a lone figure with jet-black hair, stands 1.88 meters, chiseled jaw, and cute almond eyes. He must have been the only Asian American in the bunch who stood out more because of his stance. And to Angie, he was more than just an onlooker but a charmer and savior. And Vince was his name.

“Hey, I did not know you were here,” approaching Vince from behind, tapping on his shoulder.

“Well, yeah, just happened. The music actually brought me here,” he replied, pointing out at the chorale who were on their 4th song, singing Little Drummer Boy. “Are you alone?”

“No, I’m with my folks. They are with their friends though and will be out shortly. Did you bring your car by chance?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe we can go ahead, and I will just message mom. I am a bit worried about the turkey we left in the roster.”

“Wow, it must be a festive meal!”

“Oh, not at all. We will just have a “simple” Mexican Noche Buena, gesturing the quote sign at Vince. We will have Pozole, roast turkey, tamales, bacalao (salt cod), and Ensalada Nochebuena (Christmas Eve salad). For dessert, we have bunuelos. Finally, for drinking, we will have Ponche, counting each recipe one by one with her finger. See, that’s seven. If I can count on my fingers, then it is still considered a small meal,” grinning from ear to ear.

“Wait for me here, I will just get the car,” Vince replied. After 5 minutes, he came back in his old Chevy, which he dusted vigorously like the paintings scraped off the car.

Angie stepped in his car, mouth turned up as she tried to buckle her seatbelt. She tugged at it multiple times but would not heed. Vince reached out for the buckle, pull it in one heap, closing into Angie. Their faces were two inches apart. Angie sat there, fidgeting on her feet, staring at Vince’s head and smelling his perfume. “Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch,” she murmured.

“What?” Vince asked.

“Nothing. Just drive,” she demanded.

Vince’s face lit up, smirked and turned his head to the wheels. He reached out to the radio and set it on the same station he was listening to earlier that day. He drove and hummed to the songs on the radio.

Angie turned her head to him, “You never fail to surprise me. I never thought you like these kinds of songs.”

“Haha. Not really,” he grinned, maneuvering his Chevy to the chateau. He looked up and said, “I have always wondered what is inside that building.”

“Let’s go there now if you want,” she replied nonchalantly.

“Wow! Hold your horses. I never thought you do things in a spur of the moment.”

“Hahaha. Now we’re even,” Angie beamed. “honestly, I have not skated outside for as long as I can remember.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” his eyes popped, chuckling, “would you want to give it a shot now? glancing at his watch, it’s only 6 pm anyway.”

“Humor me. I might go straight to my room after too exhausted to move,” thinking of the sumptuous meal that was waiting for them.

“I think it would be fun. Just 30 minutes will do,” Vince sneered as he turned the wheels to the parking space next to the skating rink.

The two climbed down the Chevy looked around, snow-covered the entire area, lights from the building reflected by the snow casting a warm light glow against the white backdrop. A handful of skaters were on the rink, which meant that Angie would have enough space to skate and tumble as she called it.

The duo changed into skating gears promising each other that they will only take 30 minutes. Giving an excuse that Mrs. Hernandez will get mad if they were late for dinner like mischievous teenagers frolicking on Christmas eve.

Vince sped up as soon as hitting the ice, sliding and gliding like a bird released from the cage. Angie walked one step at a time like a baby trying his first step in his life. He slid next to her, grabbed her hand, leading her to the open ring. By then, the skaters have left as if on queue creating a perfect setting reminiscent of the romantic shenanigans of couples in the movie. He held her two hands, like a pro guiding a newbie into the ice. Angie giggled at every step she made, her heart racing 10 miles a minute and fog coming out from her mouth. She held Vince’s hands firmly terrified at the thought of falling down on the cold floor. Heat surged all over her body despite the chilly weather.

A few minutes passed by. Angie was able to stand on her own and skate a few inches at a time. When her hands shoot in the air and knees wobbled, Vince dashed next to where she was standing, catching her in a dip at the nick of time. Wrapped in his arms, she giggled, panting and breathing in cold air. Vince felt every muscle in his body twitched, anxious that he might have crushed Angie’s frail body. His heart fell to his stomach, sending butterflies to flutter, staring intently into those deep brown eyes. Their eyes met, and both of their hearts exploded. Vince gently brushes her crimson red cheeks and lips, staring closely at those eyes as if he was speaking to her soul. His face two inches away from hers. At that moment, time stands still.

Kring. The sound of their phone broke them apart. Vince scratched his head, reaching out to his pocket. Angie brushed her coat, answering her phone. Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez called them separately, wondering where they were at that particular time. They never realized an hour has passed.

After 20 minutes, they arrived at Angie’s house. The smell of roasted turkey whiffed the air and his stomach grumbled in reply. He turned his gaze towards the life-size Nativity Scene Figurines in the middle of their hallway. “That’s my mom’s doing,” she said.

“Dinner is ready,” Mrs. Hernandez called from the kitchen. They sat down on a table filled with Christmas ornates and bounty of gourmets.

“Wow!” Vince exclaimed. He followed his nose to the roasted turkey, mashed potato, cake, Pozole, tamales, bacalao and Christmas Eve salad. He couldn’t remember the last time that he had a massive feast in from of him.

“Help yourself,” Mr. Hernandez said. “We have to give credit to the 10-Michelin star chef we have in the house,” winking at Mrs. Hernandez.

“Thank you for having me here.”

It was a delightful meal. When all four have satiated their appetites, they rose and went straight to the living room where the Christmas tree was set-up. Greeting each other Merry Christmas and exchanging gifts next to the tree has been a tradition the family has kept for years. Vince received mittens from Mrs. Hernandez. The old man brought him 30-year-old whiskey while Angie brought him a gift certificate for a spa.

“No way. Look what I got you,” handing her a gift certificate for a spa treatment. They both laughed at the coincidence.

Mrs. Hernandez stretched her neck, and Mr. Hernandez yawned. He glanced at his watch, “I never realized it’s past my bedtime. We have to retire for the night. Will you guys take care of everything?”

“Oh yes, papa. Don’t worry,” Angie replied.

“I will help Angie, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez. You should call it a night,” Vince added.

“Thank you, Vince. Merry Christmas to you two.” Mrs. Hernandez replied. They stood up and hugged each other. “Why don’t you sleep here for the night, Vince? We have a vacant guest room where you can stay.”

“That’s okay, Mrs. Hernandez. I don’t want to bother you. Besides, my dog will feel lonely staying alone for Christmas.”

“Let him be, mom,” Mr. Hernandez interjected, pulling his wife closer to him. “Good night, then.”

Right then, Angie stood up and walked to the staircase, all four of them. Glancing at Vince, she gestured him to the dining room. He gathered all the dishes and put them in the washer while Angie cleared the food on the table. Her mom loved to put together a meal of all the left-over scraps the following day. So, she tried to salvage whatever she can on the table. It was 12 midnight when they finished cleaning, clearing up the table.

“Let’s go to our backyard,” she whispered. “I want you to meet me at Snowball.”

“Snowball?”

“Uhm. He is the apple of my eye but a jealous type. So, I might as well introduce you to him,” she winked.

“Is that so?”

She called him from the study who went berserk at sight and sound of her. He was running around in circles, jumping up and down and wagging his tail. Angie knelt down, scooped Snowball into her arms, who licked her all over.

Angie held his paws, waving to Vince, “Hi Vince, I’m Snowball,” talking in a cutesy tone.

Snowball barked at Vince, who bent and waved back to him. He gently rubbed the dog’s head, who slurred responding well to Vince’s touch. “He likes you,” Angie beamed. “Let’s go out, boy. Time for a little exercise.”

Angie pushed the door, which opened to the backyard. To the right of the yard was an extension of the dining room equipped with outdoor tables and chairs made of rattan. To the left were the barbecue grill, a brick oven, and sink. Next to it was a small amphitheater with a bonfire in the middle. On the opposite side is a lap pool which has been frozen because of the weather. Snowball runs, signifying that this was his territory.

“Wow, I didn’t know you have a large backyard,” strolling alongside Angie, who went into the greenhouse, which kept all of Mrs. Hernandez plant collections from flowers to herbs. At the far corner was a bed for lettuce and tomatoes.

“Beautiful, right?” Angie said.

“Yes, it is,” Vince replied, but his eyes were fixated on the lady next to him. She turned around and blushed as their eyes met.

Angie lowered her head when Vince took one step to where she was standing. Blood pumping to her heart sending thousands of sparks into the air like fireworks in the sky. Vince felt warm hands as if he was being pushed to her. He cupped her chin, gently pulling up her face to see her eyes.

“God, you are beautiful,” he whispered, inch by inch, their distance grew smaller. His hands scooped her face as his lips found hers. Gently, in a seductive way, he teased and kissed her lips until she couldn’t take it anymore. Angie opened her lips, inviting Vince to taste every bit of her. He pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She responded, linking her arms around his neck as they end Christmas with the best gift they can ever give each other.