❝ Ṡ𝗶𝚗cₗǟ𝗶ℝ❞

Finally, a proper coffee date.

I sat back and watched Viola devour a slab of chocolate cake. The dainty eater I thought I was familiar with from the few times food had been involved when we were together was gone. It seemed that cake brought out a wild, hungry side.

“Is it good?” I asked.

Viola lowered her fork and licked her lips. Clearing his throat, she nodded.

“Oh, did you want some?”

The lack of eye contact and the way she held the plate close to her chest gave me the impression that Viola, in no way, wanted to share.

I chuckled.

“I’m fine. I might grab a slice of their cherry pie later.”

For the time being, I was happy with my mocha. I eyed my drink and the melting whipped cream.

“Okay,” Viola looked relieved as she picked up her fork and continued eating.

Is now a good time to ask?

Leaning forward, I ran my finger down the side of my mug.

“What are you doing Christmas Day? Or more specifically in the afternoon?”

“Me?” Viola covered her mouth and swallowed. “Um, I don’t know. Mars will be out of course. And I’ve got no plans so, TV and snacks” she smiled.

“You don’t spend it with any of your family?”

She shook her head.

“With our parents out of town, we kids usually do our own thing. Joel has his family now so they do their own family thing. And Erin well... it depends. Last year, she went to a ski resort with a couple of friends. I can’t remember if she said what she was doing this time” she wiped at the corner of her mouth. “Why?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to spend it with me and, maybe, meet my parents,” I said.

Since confronting Marvin, Viola had changed a little. Maybe not changed, but rather, I felt as if Viola had relaxed... accepted I was sticking around.

Her eyes widened.

“Meet your parents? Really?”

“Well, it seems only fair. I’ve met yours, after all,” I picked up my drink and took a sip. “I had thought in the New Year, but...” Our relationship had been picking up speed, from messages to late-night phone calls to, at last, a coffee date. “I want them to meet you. To meet my girlfriend.”

“Oh,” Viola lowered her plate. “Okay. Yes. What do I do though? Should I bring them something?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. A gift? To say thanks for making... you” She tilted her head. “Or not.”

I laughed.

“Definitely not. You don’t need to bring anything, just yourself and your smile is enough.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Viola narrowed her eyes.

“But I want to make a good impression. This is my first time meeting the parents of someone I’m dating. Well, actually, there was one time, but that was more by accident. We happened to bump into them on the street” she sighed and pouted. “I got dumped two days later.”

What am I supposed to say to that?

“Erm, right. But seriously, you don’t need to bring anything.”

Viola stared at me.

“Fine. How about some flowers for my mom and a bottle of red wine for my dad? But nothing expensive or fancy,” I added.

Viola’s expression brightened as she smiled.

“I can do that.”

Warmth spread through my chest. I hoped it would always be this easy to make Viola smile.

I love it when she does.
I think I love her for everything she does.

***

Viola arrived at my parent’s place just after three in the afternoon, and I had already missed her more than I thought possible as I’d done the normal Christmas Day things with my family.

Maybe I should have asked her to come for the whole day.

“Vie” I rested my hands on her shoulders as I stood behind her. “Meet my Mom and Dad.”

Viola straightened.

“Hello. Nice to meet you.”

So stiff.

I gently squeezed Vie’s shoulders, kneading her muscles.

“Mom, Dad. This is Viola” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, hugging her from the back. “My girlfriend,” I added.

My mom smiled.

“Oh, sheʼs so pretty” she gushed. “It's lovely to meet you, Viola. Eugenia,” she pressed her hand to her chest, “And Robert” She waved a hand over her shoulder to where my dad was standing.

“Hi. Hello.”

Viola held out the potted mini rose and the bottle of wine she had brought as gifts.

“Oh, thank you. You didn’t have to. But thank you” She took them and passed them up to her husband. “You found us okay?” she asked with a smile. “I told Sin to come get you.”

I huffed.

“Well maybe if you hadn’t made me eat so much at lunch, I’d have managed to drag myself off the couch.”

My mom shook her head.

“Or rather if your father hadn’t talked you into drinking with him.”

“It was one beer,” my dad uttered, then headed for the kitchen with the plant and wine.

“Two,” she called after him.

There was an awkward pause.

“Well, come in, come in” She turned her chair, encouraging Viola to follow her.

My dad left the kitchen to accompany her to the living room, having swapped Viola’s presents for another beer.
When there was a little distance between her and my parents, Viola relaxed her shoulders. She looked up at me.

“You okay?” I mouthed, rubbing her arm in support.

Viola nodded and I leaned my head to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“See. That wasn’t difficult at all.”

Huffing a breath, Viola elbowed me in the stomach.

“It’s been like three minutes. There’s still plenty of time for me to make a complete idiot of myself. What if they hate me? What if I can’t stop myself from shooting off on a tangent from the conversation? What if—” I bopped her on the forehead. “What was that for?” she pouted.

“As I said, I’m full of lunch, and may have had a beer or two, so you’re going to have to make me a promise today.”

“A promise?” Vie’s cheeks puffed out as she thought over my request.

“Yes. So, do you promise?”

“Aren’t you going to tell me what it is first?” she quirked an eyebrow.

I rested my chin on her shoulder.

“Nope. Just hurry up and promise so I can crash on the couch and cuddle up to my girlfriend.”

After a pause, Viola nodded.

“Okay. I promise.”

“Good.”

“What did I just agree to?”

“You’re not allowed to overthink for the rest of the afternoon” I tucked her hair behind both ears. “Okay?”

Viola lowered her gaze but agreed.

“Okay.”

“Are you two planning on joining us or what?” my mother called from the living room.

“Coming,” I shouted back and pecked my girl’s cheek. “Come on.”

To my relief, the time together with Vie and my parents passed quickly. The atmosphere was comfortable, the conversation flowed, and I was happy to see Viola smile once again.

“Here, use this” I laughed as I wrapped a scarf around Viola, playfully covering her whole face.

“Stop it,” she scolded and pulled the purple woolen scarf down to sit beneath her chin.

“Some gloves, too” I handed them to her.

Viola took them and pulled them on.

“Where are we going exactly?”

“For a walk. I need some fresh air before I fall asleep. Besides,” I hugged her to me. “I want some Sin-Vie time.”

A smile spread across Viola’s flushed face.

“Weʼre doing nicknames now huh? I suppose that’s okay then” she relaxed into the hug.

I kissed her on the forehead, then released her.

“So, I thought a romantic walk in the snow might be a nice way to get it” I fastened my coat, then held out my hand. “Shall we?”

When Viola took my hand, my heart swelled. I was glad she was here.

“Back in a bit,” I called to my parents and opened the front door.

Hand-in-hand, she and I stepped out onto the fresh snow. It was quiet and there didn’t seem to be anyone else around. The afternoon light was fading, the low sun casting a beautiful glow over the neighborhood.

I kept hold of Viola’s hand, pulling her to my side as they walked together. The snow added a magical feel to the world around us, and I was warmed knowing I was sharing the moment with her.

Who’d have thought Mars’ request for a favor would have brought Viola and me to this point?

“Happy?” I said, swinging our arms.

Viola gripped my hand tightly.

“Oh definitely.”

We slipped into a comfortable silence as we made our way along the street. Some of the houses we passed had snowmen in front of them. The snow nearby had been kicked up and displaced. Other houses were illuminated by strings of Christmas lights and other flashing decorations. As night crept in, the fading sunlight meant they were bright and beautiful.

“This way,” I said as we reached a small park where I used to play as a kid.

There were fading footprints on the ground, the recent snow has almost erased them and returned the park to a perfect blanket of untouched white. I let go of Viola’s hand and went over to the pair of swings. I brushed the seats clean and invited her to sit down with me.

“Seriously?”

I sat first but flinched when I could feel the cold seat through my jeans.

“Mmm,” I managed, but Viola saw straight through me.

“Cold by any chance?” she folded her arms and stared at me through narrowed eyes.

“Maybe a little” I fidgeted as I held onto the chains.

Viola laughed.

“Not as romantic as you thought, huh?”

With a sigh, I stood and wiped my ass.

“At least I tried.”

“Yes. You did” Viola stepped up to me and cupped my face.

She stared at me, smiled, then drew me close and into a kiss. I closed my eyes and shut out the world to focus only on the feel of my girl’s lips on mine. I leaned into the kiss, pushing back. Viola pulled away, and I opened my eyes and stared at her, and it hit me.

I think I love her.

I covered Vie’s hands, squeezed them, and went in for another kiss. Viola’s nose was cold as it nudged my own, and she tilted her head, parting her lips as our mouths met once more.

The kiss was firm, warm, everything. I moved my hands to her waist, guiding her forward and even closer. I didn’t want the moment to end, but eventually, we parted and a soft sigh fell from Viola’s lips.

Our gazes met and I couldn’t help myself and every feeling I had about Viola spilled out in three words.

“I love you.”

Viola’s eyes widened as they shone with surprise.

“What?” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

The words I formed then came out as nothing but silence. I hesitated before finding the courage to say again, “I love you, Viola.”

Viola lowered her hands but held my gaze.

“Say it again.”

I swallowed, glancing away for a moment, then repeated, “I love you, Viola Cahill.”

“Wow,” she blinked and took a step back.

Wait what?

Regret suddenly tightened my chest.

Did I make a mistake?

“Vie, you don’t have to say it back—”

“Shh, shh, shut up” Viola covered my mouth. “Don’t you dare ruin it, Sin.”

Ruin it?

I raised my eyebrows.

Viola took a deep breath, then blurted, “I love you, too, Sinclair Bergman.”

She does?

I pulled Viola’s hand from my mouth and held on to her. We stared at each other, and we were both grinning like insane idiots.

“So, now what?” Viola asked, straightening her back and checking around as if something was supposed to have changed at that moment.

I laughed.

“What would you want to happen?”

“I don't know. Fireworks? Flash mob, maybe? Hmm,” she suddenly tapped her chin. “Or maybe...” she moved forward and surprised me with a clumsy peck to the lips.

I gripped Viola by the wrist, dragging her close. I returned the kiss, one after another of playful pecks until Viola was chuckling and pushing me away. When we parted, I lifted my gaze. My cheek twitched as snowflakes fluttered above me, some landing on my face.

“It’s snowing,” Viola stated.

“Wow, you’re so smart. How can someone have such a sexy brain?”

Viola gave me a light punch in the arm.

“Be nice.”

“Or what?” I smirked and raised an eyebrow.

“You’re so...” Viola leaned in and nibbled on my lower lip as she kissed me “... naughty” she finished when she pulled away.

I smiled and brushed her bangs, disturbing the snow that had started to collect in her hair.

“Shall we go back?” she held out her hand.

With a nod, I laced my fingers with her.

“Sure.”

As we walked, Viola asked, “What are you doing tonight?”

I swung our arms.

“I don’t know. Home, I guess. Unless I get a better offer” I turned my head, noting the way Viola buried her chin in the scarf she was wearing.

Was it the cold or something else causing the flush of color in her cheeks?

“Will you stay with me?” she asked. “Stay over?”

I bumped my shoulder to hers.

“Of course,” I said and Viola leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder as we walked back in the snow.

From now on, I would stay as often and as long as Viola wanted me to.

Then I added, “You only had to ask.”