the whole house glows with tiny warm lights, wrapped around the banisters, hanging across the windows, reflecting softly on the snow outside. the air smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, melted chocolate, and something buttery coming from the oven. there’s faint christmas music playing from the living room : old, soft, the kind with bells that sound like falling snow.

your friends went upstairs to wrap gifts, leaving you and billie alone in the kitchen; like the night itself gently pushed everyone else out.

billie is mixing cookie dough in a big bowl, wearing that oversized christmas sweater that makes her look softer than she admits. her cheeks are pink from the heat, or just the fact that she’s spending time with her best friend. her nose a little red. there’s a string of fairy lights behind her, and it makes her look almost unreal.

billie: “okay, honest opinion… do these smell festive or like an accident waiting to happen”

you lean in, close enough to feel the warmth from the oven.

you: “it smells like… christmas chaos.”

she laughs, low and warm, and the sound fits perfectly in the holiday air.

outside, snowflakes drift past the window like movie snow. slow, thick, glowing under the streetlights. inside, everything feels safe, gold, a little magical. when billie brushes against your arm, it feels like the room gets even warmer.

she looks around the kitchen, the messy bowls, the red-and-green sprinkles everywhere, the candles flickering on the counter. then she looks at you. her eyes soften, the kind of soft that feels like a secret.

and then she steps closer. slowly. carefully. like she’s afraid the moment will break if she moves too fast.

she wraps her arms around you, gentle at first. but then she pulls you in fully, pressing her cheek against your shoulder. her sweater is warm, her breath warmer, and the hug is everything you both needed.

your hands rest on her waist, and she melts just a little, like she’s been waiting for the excuse.

billie: “this feels like… i don’t know. the good part of christmas. the perfect present."

the lights glow around you, reflecting in the window like stars. a timer beeps softly on the counter, but neither of you move. snow keeps falling outside. the whole world feels wrapped in a blanket.

and billie doesn’t let go. not for a long moment. like maybe this : you, her, christmas warmth… is exactly where she wanted to be all along.