Chapter 2

They’d gone to bed last night under the guise everything was okay. Around midnight she’d rolled over with the intent to snuggle up to her gal only to find the other side of the bed cold and empty. Murmured voices and curiosity had dragged her from the warmth of the blanket to the bedroom door, a faint glow coming from the direction of the living room.

That was where she had found Belle, her beloved, lying on the couch clutching a pillow. Though the TV had been out of sight, Julie had known the familiar dialogue belonged to a holiday classic about a smart little boy outwitting some crooks. Belle had sniffled, swiping the back of her hand over her eyes.

The sight had caused Julie to bite down on her lip, torn between going over to comfort Belle and leaving her to her private moment. In the end she had gone back to bed, knowing all too well how Belle often hid her tears, keeping them secret. Falling asleep again had proven hard.

She relayed it all to Hector. “This time of year has always been important to her, you know. You know her parents adore her, but they’ve decided to try reconciling with Prue, and Belle’s taking this a lot harder than I expected. Though I totally get why she’s hiding her pain from me. So I want to do something special for her. Something to put the cheer back into the holidays.” If that’s even possible. She looked so crestfallen after they called.

“I’m guessing you already have this ‘something’ picked out?”

She gave him a firm nod, more determined than ever. “And I want to run it by you. Also, I want to extend an invitation to you, since no one should be alone this time of year. Family goes beyond blood and all that jazz. Besides, we did turkey at your place; it’s only fair we host the next get-together.”

Hector munched his sweet, all ears as Julie laid out what she planned to do. The idea had come to her in those sleepless hours and made all the sense in the world. To execute her plan she required a partner in crime, however. Who better than Hector? She just hoped everything would go well. 2

Julie hummed along to the Christmas carol playing on the radio, having already heard three variations of the same song since she’d started baking two hours ago. Never mind the fact it was only the third of December. She’d been jamming out to holiday tunes since the middle of November. They only came round once a year, and Julie fully intended to get her fix.

Holding a blue bowl in her arm, she mixed the spice cookie dough with a wooden spoon. A batch of gingerbread already in the oven scented the kitchen and made her stomach growl. She took a pinch of dough to try it, wanting to make sure it tasted right before she placed the dollops on a ready baking sheet.

“Mmm.” Julie savored the tease. This was easily her favorite part of the season, all the delicious food, and she always allowed herself to indulge, from Thanksgiving until the New Year when she then vowed to lose the weight. By end of the day she planned to have four different types of cookies occupying the curvy snowman cookie jar and a handful of plastic containers. “Perfect.”

The carol switched to a commercial for a jewelry sale. The oven dinged. As Julie bent to retrieve the gingerbread figures, she heard the jingle of keys in the lock and the apartment door opening a second later. She placed the hot tray on the stove top, slipping a second tray into the oven in their place. On her way by she turned up the radio on the bookshelf in the dining room, the first strains of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” coming through.

Julie arrived at the front door just in time to catch her beloved kicking the door closed with her boot heel. Then she proceeded to drop her bag on the floor and toss her keys in a bowl on a small table nearby. As soon as Belle Manders slipped off her winter boots, Julie swept her up and proceeded to twirl her around the living room.

“Hello, my dear,” Julie greeted.

“You’re in a good mood.”

Julie smiled. “And why shouldn’t I be?” As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them, wishing she could take them back. “I’m sorry.”

Their impromptu dance ended, but Julie maintained hold of Belle’s hand, their fingers entwined. She rubbed her thumb in circles over the back of Belle’s hand, searching the eyes of the woman she loved. Despite the jollyness of the season, Belle had developed a case of the doldrums, recent changes to some long-standing traditions the culprit behind her lacking cheer. They’d discussed it, and Julie understood her disappointment. There was a special charm to this time of year, magic in the air, and everyone wanted to cling tightly to that sense of wonderment.