Storybrooke
I look at all the different flavours of ice cream.
Vanilla,raspberry,blueberry,mint,cookie dough, caramel and much more.
"What will it be hallie?" Sarah asked from behind the counter.
"I'll take a peanut butter sundae with mint chocolate ice cream, please Sarah."
Sarah nods her head, her blue eyes sparkle.
"I'll get it ready for you."
So what if I'm on first name bases with the owner of the ice cream parlour.
Any given sundae Is my go to ice cream parlour it even beats out granny's diner, though I would dare tell that to granny.
I am quick to find a table and sit myself down.
With nearly 4 weeks to go Christmas was fast approaching and that meant making sure I had everything together.
Thanksgiving this year had been at granny's.
Granny and Ruby put together a massive feast and sold tickets.
It was a place for all those single and without family's to pretend for at least a day that they have someone.
This year Emma had joined us which was a nice change.
However there was one person who didn't show, perhaps he was spending it with family, maybe he has family outside of storybrooke.
Looking down at my phone I run through my checklist.
So far I had brought most of my friends presents.
I was able to find Mary Margaret a beautiful red coat that I think she would like, along with a soft woollen scarf.
As for Ruby I brought her a brand new pair of shoes, perhaps not as ankle breaking as she was used to, but these boots were quite pretty they were timberland boots with a slight heel and sheep's wool around the edges.
Ashley I had given her a simple yet pretty blouse that was dark blue and had a floral patter stitched on. Apparently she and Sean had made up and were now raising baby Alexandra together.
Emma I had brought her a very nice bottle of bourbon, Emma wasn't much of a sentimental person so a bottle of alcohol was a safe bet.
I still had to find something for Mr gold.
Working for mr gold wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, all he really had me Do was collect the rent from people and other little odd jobs, also as a plus he did let me skip this months rent as a good will gesture, so it was only right that I Buy him a gift, but I just couldn't think on what to get him.
The jungle of the doorbell diverts my attention.
To my surprise Emma walks into the shop.
We exchange brief smiles before Emma walks over to Sarah.
"Still open? I need a couple of pints for my son he loves this place…"
Emma stops.
Curious I turn to see what's happening.
I most of turned to fast or something because the moment I set my eyes on the two I'm hit with vertigo.
Gathering my bearings I looks at the pair.
Sarah is holding Emma who look disoriented.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked Emma.
"What happened?" Emma asked.
That's what's I'd like to know.
"You slipped. You almost fell. Do... Do you still want that ice cream?"
She did?
Must of happened when I was experiencing My dizzy spell.
"Yeah. Two pints of cherry vanilla."
"How about some rocky road? Uh, on the house. You look like you could use it. Have a taste."
Sarah's rocky road was the best.
Emma seems to agree with me.
"Now that is rocky road. It's delicious.
"Wanna know my secret? Lot of patience. Lot of love." Sarah tells Emma with a Warm smile.
Emma grabs her pint fo ice cream and exits the store but not before giving me one last smile.
Once again it's just Sarah and I.
"Your Sundae will be ready in a moment Hallie."
The doors jingle again this time I don't react, that was until someone slid into the chair opposite me.
"Are you stalking me?"
Jefferson Offers me a roughish grin.
"I'll have you know i was in the mood for some ice-cream, and then I thought to myself who has the best ice Cream in all of storyBrooke, turns out my intuition is correct because who do I see the moment I walk in, a beautiful lady Siting all my herself who could use some company."
Is it me of has His tone taken on a slight flirtatious twist.
Putting away my phone I decided to humour him.
"What made you think this woman wasn't hoping for some time to herself?" I playfully clock my head to the side resting my hand on my chin in fake contemplation.
"Considering the way this woman has yet to tell me to leave her alone, would tell me she likes my company as-well."
Our little one on one match is halted by the arrival of my sundae.
"Here you go Hallie."
"Thanks Sarah."
Sarah looks between the two of us with an expression I can't decipher.
Not waisting anytime I happily dig into my treat, moaning as the cold ice tingles my taste buds.
"Tasty?"
"Delectable."
Jefferson looks at the spoon in my hand.
"Can I have a taste?"
Placing a protective arm around sundae I glare at him.
"Touch my sundae and you die." I warn him.
You can do many things.
But don't touch my food.
I must amuse him because Jefferson's lips twist upwards into a grin.
"I wouldn't put it last you."
It's unknown how long we hold eye contact for but the door jingles and more people walk in essentially breaking our intense starring match.
Clearing my throat.
"So I didn't see you at granny's thanksgiving dinner."
"Crowded spaces aren't really my thing."
"Did you go out fo town then?
"No"
I have no idea why that saddened me.
Why should I care that Jefferson was alone on thanksgiving.
"Any plans for Christmas?"
That caught me off guard.
"Well…. I'm not sure, usually I spend my Christmas at the rabbit hole, you know nothing better that Christmas cocktails."
Wow….. just hearing my plans.
I have no one.
A clearing of a throat gets my attention.
Jefferson had a look of contemplation on his face, as if her were arguing with himself.
"Well..if you like… you could spend Christmas with me."
Huh
Did Jefferson just invite me to spend the holidays with him.
"I mean it would just be the two of us, but two lonely Hearts sharing a turkey together is better than either of us just sulking."
His offer is tempting.
"Are you sure? I mean I would want to intrude."
Jefferson takes my free hand and interwinds out fingers.
"Please I'd love to spend Christmas with you."
My body is tingling, this feels familiar.
His fingers interlocked with mine.
Dare I say it almost felt….natural.
It felt right.
I push those thoughts aside.
"Okay, I'd love to spend Christmas with you."
A blinding smile breaks out on Jefferson's face.
"I can't wait."
Jefferson bungs out clasped hands his his lips and presses a small kiss to the back of my hand.
My nerve endings light up, as his lips ghost my skin.
I wonder what else those lips could….
No! Bad Hallie!
My heart flutters.
A sudden realisation passed over me.
Did I have feelings for Jefferson?