Hey all. Here's the one-shot for the 8th day of Christmas. This one is another AU and the town of Passiflora is mine, I needed a small town in New York for them to live, creating them one.

Happy New Year, everyone. May your 2021 be blessed.

Enjoy!

Christmas in the country

"It's really coming down out there," Wade said, pulling his wife into his lap, kissing her bare shoulder, watching the big fluffy snow flakes float down out the living room window.

"The kids did want a white Christmas," she giggled, feeling the wispy hair of his beard tickle her shoulder.

"Doesn't mean I want one," he grumbled, burying his face in the crook of her neck, lightly biting the sensitive flesh.

"You, my dear husband make very little sense," she breathed out, biting down on her bottom lip. "You're the one that never moved from this place, when you had been given a choice," she reminded him, before her thoughts drifted off elsewhere.

"I know," he sighed, pulling away, his forehead falling to her shoulder. "I stayed because this is where you were at, and I couldn't leave my life, the one I wanted," he said.

"You know that I would have moved with you. Wade, you're the only home that I will ever need," she told him, moving to sit sideways on his lap. "Nothing is more important than that," she stated, combing her fingers through his slightly graying hair.

"You're my home as well, Zo. Always will be," he promised. "I love living here, it's just a love/hate relationship with the snow," he chuckled.

"You don't have to tell me," she told him. "There's fresh coffee in the kitchen and more boxes of lights by the front door," she informed him, getting off his lap.

"I will get what I can done before the Rugrats get up and want to go sledding down the big hill, make all sorts of things in the snow," he chuckled. "I'll get Jack and Lynn to help with the decorations on the front porch," he told her.

"I'll have hot cocoa ready for them, just make sure they don't get too cold out there," she warned him, quickly sharing a kiss with her husband of 10 years.

You never know where you're going to meet the person you fall in love with. The day hadn't been anything special. She went to get a cup of coffee and a bagel before making her way to the ice rink to meet up with friends for a day of fun and shopping. They had bumped into each other at the coffee shop, muttering a sorry as they went about their day. It wasn't until they crashed into each other at the rink on the ice. Both ready to yell at the other when it turned into the best day of their lives.

The rest of the time at the rink they became inseparable. Zoe's cheeks red from the blood rushing to her cheeks more than the cold bite of the wind. They exchanged phone numbers and before the night was over with, they had their first official date planned.

Wade hadn't ever been fond of being in the city of New York. He loves everything about being far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He lives a good 45 minutes away from the heart of New York. Loves his little town of Passiflora, New York. He moved to the small town when he was 18, wanting to be far, far away from his hometown of Bluebell, Alabama. Too much has happened in Bluebell for the place to ever feel like home. So, he moved, found a run down bar to work at and fix it up on his free time while finding a way to buy the bar.

A few of his friends had talked him into going to the city to have fun. He didn't ask questions, they told him the day would end at a bar and that had been good enough for him. The last thing he expected was to find the love of his life. A quick hook up, sure, but the person to share all of him with, nope. But that's what makes it so special.

Zoe grew up in the city, loves everything the city has to offer. As much as she loved the city it didn't take any convincing on his part to get her to move in with him. He asked and she happily accepted. A couple of days of the week she goes back to the city to work at the hospital and the rest of the week she works at the small family owned practice.

Ten years ago they got married, easily one of the happiest days of their lives. The birth of their now 8-year-old son Jack and the birth of their now 6-year-old daughter Lynn topping their special day.

Wade made quick works of getting even more decorations put up. He didn't think he could find any room left of the house for more lights. He's sure they can see their house over 10 miles away. It's what Zoe wanted, and he's found it hard to disappoint her.

"How much mistletoe is out here?" She laughed, seeing at least five bundles of it hung up on the roof of the porch.

"Not sure," he shrugged with a laugh, pulling her close. "Enough to make it our personal kissing booth," he winked.

Their lips were mere inches apart when they were pelted with snow. Their kids laughter ringing out. Without warning, Wade and Zoe scooped up some snow and tossed it at their kids, hearing them scream as they tried to run through deep snow.

With it getting dark and with cold kids, they headed inside, leaving their small family of snow creatures behind. They helped their kids get their wet winter gear off. Wade took the kids to the living room to start a fire and Zoe headed to the kitchen to make some hot cocoa.

"Rudolph, daddy," Lynn suggested.

Wade strummed his guitar finding the right chords to play, while Zoe handed the hot cocoa out making sure the cocoa for the kids was warm, not wanting them to burn their tongues.

Most nights ended with them sitting around the fire place and singing Christmas songs. He's learned a few Hanukkah songs for his wife. In the summer he sings whatever song the kids request as they watch the sun set behind their house. There just isn't anything like Christmas in the country.