The warmth of the apartment spread through him very quickly but Anwyn insisted that he take off his wet and dripping jacket in place of a blanket that usually covered the back of the sofa. Once he'd been wrapped up, she'd disappeared into the kitchen and was making a lot of noise and running back and forth so busily that Spencer tried to lean to see what exactly it was that she'd been doing. Eventually she hurried back through with a steaming cup on a saucer.

"Drink up, this'll have you feeling much better in no time." She beamed as she put the cup down on the coffee table. The steam rose from the cup toward him like a dancing wisp of inviting and soothing warmth, tempting him forward to take the final step in ridding his chill. The scent was familiar, like freshly baked treats of some kind that could tempt even the most serious of dieters.

"Mmmm, what is that? Is that… cinnamon in tea?" He asked excitedly.

"Why, yes it is." She smiled as she sat in the seat beside him, slowly stroking the small of his back through the blanket as he sat forwards and took a small sip of the hot tea.

"You know," He started, turning to look at her. "While I was doing some research I read that cinnamon is indicative of a good health spell… or it can be used for love, lust and male fertility." Anwyn had started out smiling but her eyes widened at the last part.

"Let's just stick with healing for now, eh?" She said in utter embarrassment.

"Oh… I wasn't suggesting… I just wanted… I was showing that I'd done research on… stuff." Spencer stuttered through, starting to panic but Anwyn placed her hand on his back, sitting forward and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"It's ok, it's super sweet that you did that. You didn't have to." She smiled to herself. "I suppose you asked Aiden where to get the items to make the wreath."

"I did. How did you know that?" He asked, frowning in confusion as he took another sip of tea.

"Let me guess, you approached my friends and she threatened you but Allison deflected the subject."

"It sounds familiar."

"Aiden has her own greenhouses and covered garden. She sent you into the woods so that you'd get soaked through as a revenge. She can be like that." Anwyn chuckled to herself as she gave him a little squeeze. "You know, you didn't need to do that. I was wrong too." Spencer put the cup down on the coffee table and turned to look at her again, making her sit up a little from his shoulder.

"I had no right to say the things I did." He contested.

"But I had no right to expect you to accept my methods. You're right, you should have just talked to me, but I should have talked to you too, not just prepare something you might not be ready for." She leaned close again. "I'm sorry."

Spencer tipped up her chin, looking into her eyes and reading the shame that had little to no place being there. He cupped her cheek and admired the smile that came as a result, the smile that always made him feel warm inside.

"You've nothing to be sorry for." He paused, looking into her eyes a little more before tilting his head and leaning in to kiss her. Their lips were pressed together for a long moment before Anwyn shifted, placing her hand on his shoulder then sliding it to the back of his hair as the kiss deepened. The warmth of her body against his did more than enough to remove his chill, much more than the tea might have done.

Finally, Spencer broke away slightly to lean his forehead against hers; keeping his eyes closed as he held the moment in his mind till Anwyn tugged at his shoulder, beckoning him to sit back in the sofa. As he did, she pulled up his arm, wrapping it and the blanket around herself before resting under his shoulder with a hand on his chest. His heartbeat thumped in her ear, making her smile at the thought of it.

"Spencer, would you stay for a while?" She asked quietly, playing with the fabric of his shirt.

"Are you kidding? There's nowhere else I'd rather be right now." He replied jovially, shifting his hand across himself to meet hers. The pair watched as they entwined their fingers until their hands clasped together in their own embrace, connecting the two of them.

"Then, maybe you could help me get ready for the Solstice next week?" Their fingers broke away and Spencer's hand slid up her arm as hers returned to his chest. He kissed the top of her head then rested his cheek gently upon it.

"I think that would mean a lot to me, all things considered. Yeah." He replied, running his fingertips up and down the skin of her upper arm. The tingle that it caused made Anwyn shudder slightly as it sent shivers up her arm then down her spine. A smile spread across her lips and her face grew hot in embarrassment of just how much she was enjoying this moment, never wanting it to really end.

The cogs had been turning in Spencer's mind as he thought of the way they'd be spending the holiday in Virginia, celebrating the rebirth of the sun. He knew he'd be sharing in something special to her, something deeply rooted in her beliefs that in truth was very personal. So why shouldn't he offer the same thing?

"Anwyn, I can't help but wonder something." He asked softly.

"Hmmm?"

"What… what do you do for Christmas?" The question threw her a little, making her sit up a little and look at him.

"I… well, I don't… I don't usually do anything. I mean, I don't really see my dad and my mom… I don't really have family to celebrate it with." Spencer had assumed this would be the answer, ever since they'd exchanged the stories of their families. Looking at her, at the soft, slightly blushed skin of her cheeks, he fought the urge to kiss her again, to press his lips to her the smooth pink of her face.

"I don't know if you would like the idea but, I always go see my mom in Nevada and… well… I was wondering if maybe… maybe you'd like to spend Christmas with me. Visiting my mom." He cringed a little at the last part, realising just how corny it sounded but Anwyn's eyes lit up like huge sparkling marbles.

"Spencer, that's… that's… I can't, it'd be like I was intruding into your family time." She was utterly shocked.

"No, no, it's fine. My mom has been asking about you, actually. And I think she'd really enjoy the company." Anwyn turned an even deeper shade of pink.

"She's been asking about me? Oh no." She practically curled up under his arm to hide but he chuckled and pulled her back out.

"Yes, she's really excited about the idea actually." Spencer beamed, loving the idea that this mattered as much to her as it did to him. She paused for a long time, steadily turning more and more pink.

"Spencer, I'd love to. It'd be amazing and I really, really wanna meet your mom too." With that she threw her arms around him with a gleeful squeal, squeezing him as tightly as her little arms could. The surge of relief made him almost as happy as the feel of her closeness as he slid his arms around her, wrapping her in the safety and warmth of his embrace. "Oh my God, what do I get her?" Spencer chuckled at her sudden concern.

"Don't worry about that, I'll help you." He smiled as she pulled away to look at him, her eyes gazing into his with a deepness he'd not really experienced before. A deepness he'd wished for before but never attained. That's when he realised just what she actually meant to him, that she might actually be the most important thing to him now and ever. The pair sat there with Anwyn laying on Spencer's chest, staring into each other's eyes until finally, slowly, carefully, Anwyn moved forward, pressing her lips to his again and kissing him. Then again. And again, till eventually the kiss between them deepened in a slow and loving expression of their care. Her lips were so soft and her tongue caressed his so gently that he couldn't help but slide his hand to cup her face, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb.

When the pair finally parted their lips, Anwyn let out a soft gasp before gently nipping her bottom lip between her teeth. The dazed gaze between them as they both slowly opened their eyes was like an intense transfer of thoughts and wonderment which led to Anwyn's wish.

"Spencer," She whispered. "Would you… would you stay the night? I've already spent weeks without seeing you, and I'm not sure I could bare you leaving just yet. I want to just… sleep, laying in your arms, letting you protect me from myself and the stupid mistake I made in giving up the two things I care about the most right now."

Spencer was completely lost for words. Staring deep into her eyes he searched for any kind of misgiving that might have been there but he found none, only the God's honest truth.

"If you're sure that's what you want." He replied. "I can go up and grab a few things and I can stay with you… on two conditions."

"What are they?" She frowned with concern.

"Firstly, if I'm staying over, I make breakfast." Anwyn smiled and nodded happily.

"And the other?" Spencer grinned broadly before answering.

"Secondly, you promise this has nothing to do with the cinnamon you put in my tea."

Anwyn turned bright pink with embarrassment but giggled at his humour, tapping his shoulder in feigned offence.

"I promise you, if I had anything like that planned you wouldn't know till it happened." She grinned and gave him a playful wink before bursting out laughing. Spencer laughed too but she still saw the look in his eye. "I'm joking. Don't worry."

The look of relief on his face was hard to hide but deep down he knew that he enjoyed the touch of her skin, the feel of her body close to his and her scent as she held him close. In the awkward silence after the joke both of them looked at each other with the same train of thought. What if it was more than a joke?

Anwyn's bottom lip found itself back between her front teeth for a brief moment and Spencer's fingers caressed her skin with a different intent, building the tension for a few moments. Finally, Anwyn spoke.

"I… I'm going to er… go put my pyjamas on." She looked away from him, turning the deepest shade of pink so far of the night.

"Yeah, I er… need to get my things." Spencer absent mindedly tucked his hair behind his ear and smiled as Anwyn stood up. She held out a hand to help him up, which he took gratefully. "I'll… I'll see you in a moment."

Anwyn let Spencer pass to leave, smiling as he paused on the door before leaving but the moment he closed the door she erupted into full blown silent celebration and smiles so broad her eyes were shut tight. After her moment of outburst, she smoothed her hair, acting cool for absolutely no-one before wandering towards her bedroom to change.