Chapter 4: Noah's Wish
Summary: Noah and Liv continue trying to enjoy themselves until Rafa surprises them.
Notes: Again, thank you so much for the comments! I'm touched that you all are enjoying this little Christmas story.
Liv treated Noah to a late breakfast at Dasher's Diner after sleeping in, sitting at a table instead of the counter. The bright-eyed little boy was still a bit down, the absence of his Uncle Rafa weighing heavily on his mind. She hoped some pancakes would help lift his mood.
"Here we go, chocolate chip pancakes for the little prince and a breakfast sandwich for his lovely mom," Dotti said as she placed their meals on the table. "Just give a holler if you need anything else. Enjoy!"
"Thanks, Dotti," Liv replied and watched as her sweet boy dove into his pancakes with gusto.
"What are we going to do today, Momma?" Noah asked in between bites, syrup and chocolate dripping down his chin.
She reached across the table to wipe his face with her napkin before anything landed in his lap. "Well, I was thinking that we could take a ride, just the two of us, and explore some of the covered bridges around here. I read there were a bunch and they looked pretty cool in the pictures. What do you think?"
Noah nodded eagerly. "I'd like that."
"Me, too," Liv gazed at her beautiful boy, a soft smile upon her lips. "Then there is supposed to be a Christmas festival this evening. There will be food and games and other fun things to see. Santa is supposed to be there. Does that sound like fun?"
"Yes!" Noah's eyes lit up, his normal happy mood beginning to return. "Can I get a picture with Santa?"
"Of course, you can, sweet boy!" she replied with a laugh. They finished breakfast shortly after and climbed into the Volvo SUV.
They drove across rolling hills of snow dusted back roads in search of covered bridges. Noah was suitably impressed by the wooden structures as they drove through them. It was a relaxing way to spend part of the day, just the two of them taking in the sights. They spotted a ski resort that they agreed to check out the next day.
They stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at a family-owned Italian place on the way back to the Inn. It was already dark by the time they parked the car at the Inn and strolled down to the festival.
Rafa made great time, likely due to his lead foot and light traffic. He pulled into the parking area of Rudolph's Inn just after 7 pm and trudged up to the entryway. Unfortunately, the door was locked with a handwritten sign taped to it.
Hello, we're down at the festival on Main Street. Be back soon for any late check-ins.
Pulling his coat tighter around himself, Rafa pulled the leather clothes from his pocket and slipped his hands into them. So much for surprising Liv and Noah at the Inn. He turned and walked back toward Main Street in search of this festival where he was likely to find his girlfriend and her son.
The evening was frosty, and he was glad that he changed into casual clothes and boots prior to leaving the city. Spotting the tall Christmas tree lit up brightly at the other end of Main Street, Rafa followed other stragglers making their way toward it. He debated texting Liv to make it easier to find them but decided against it. It would be more fun to completely surprise them.
It was a charming little town, Rafa noted as he passed the shops. He would enjoy exploring it with Liv and Noah as his tour guides.
Within minutes, he made it to the edges of the festival and was greeted by numerous people as he wove through the small crowd. It was a little unnerving for the city-born man to encounter such exceedingly friendly people, but he greeted them with a closed-lip smile and polite nods.
"Hello there, what can I get you?" an older blonde woman greeted Rafa as he stopped at a booth for coffee.
"Hi, just two coffees, please," he replied, pulling cash out of his wallet.
"Sure thing, handsome," the woman replied and turned to pour the coffees. She eyed the well-dressed man and knew he was not from around there. "Where are you visiting from?"
"Manhattan," Rafa replied, not really interested in making conversation. He needed the hot liquid to warm his bones, it was the only reason he stopped.
"How delightful. We have a wonderful mother and son visiting from New York City as well. I wonder if you know them?"
Normally, he would have rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion that random people from the biggest city in the world would somehow know each other. However, he already knew that the woman was likely speaking of Liv and Noah.
"A gorgeous dark-haired woman with a curly-haired boy?" he asked with his signature crooked half smile. "That's my girlfriend and her son."
"Oh really?" the woman asked delightfully. "What a striking family you three make."
"Thank you," Rafa said and raised his cup in her direction before turning to continue his search for Liv and Noah.
He dodged through excited children as he neared an area set up like the North Pole where Santa was seated, taking photos with children. Keen green eyes scanned the crowd of parents and children until his eyes landed on Liv, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her. She was standing in line with Noah, who was chatting away to someone next to them. Taking in the figure next to them, he frowned darkly.
It was the flannel-clad guy from the diner.
Noah led Liv by the hand through the small crowd, eager to find Santa. He had a special wish to ask the jolly old man and the sooner he got to ask; the sooner it might come true.
"Slow down, sweet boy," Liv laughed as he tugged her along. He was surprisingly strong for such a young boy. "Don't you want to get some hot chocolate?"
"Not yet, Momma. We need to get in line to see Santa!"
Shaking her head in amusement, Liv just followed her son's lead and they soon found themselves in line. Noah bounced on his toes, anxious to have his turn, while Liv gazed around at the adults and children scattered around the festival area. There was a nice size crowd enjoying the many offerings of the festival.
"Hey there," a deep voice said from behind them, and Liv turned to find Jack standing in line behind them, two young children about 4 years old with him.
"Hi Jack," Noah greeted while Liv shot him a polite smile that did not reach her eyes. Not missing a beat, Noah glanced at the children and asked, "You have kids?"
Glancing down, Jack smiled at the tow-headed children. "No, I don't have any kids. This is Amy and Mike, my niece and nephew. Say hi to my friends, Noah and Olivia." The small children were shy and just waved as they leaned into their uncle's legs.
As the line moved along, Noah was able to engage Amy and Mike in conversation by asking what they wanted for Christmas. Before long, he was charming the kids and adults with his own list of wants from Santa.
"Olivia," Jack said while the children were distracted in their own conversation. "Can I take you and Noah ice skating tomorrow?"
Liv's eyes widened and she stared blankly at the man for a moment. She shot him a polite yet exasperated smile. "I'm sorry, that sounds lovely, if really does, but Noah and I plan to go ice skating and do some of the other winter activities with my boyfriend when he arrives. Thank you for offering, though."
Obvious disappointment flashed in Jack's blue eyes, but he smiled in understanding. "No worries, thought I would give it a shot. When is this boyfriend supposed to arrive?"
"I'm not sure. He had to stay behind for work, but we're hoping he can join us soon, even if it's just for a day or two. We miss him terribly, right Noah?"
Nodding vigorously, Noah agreed. "I miss Uncle Rafa so much! I planned to ask Santa if he could help get him here soon."
Liv pulled her sweet son close, a teary smile gracing her lips.
"Liv…"
She froze at the sound of her name, barely above a whisper yet a voice she would know anywhere. Spinning around, her eyes met Rafa blazing green gaze and her heart practically leapt from her chest.
"Rafa," she breathed, while Noah yelled "Uncle Rafa!" and flung himself at the man's legs. Rafa handed Liv the coffee cups just in time as a Noah-sized missile launched itself into his chest. The boy clung to him, babbling away about how much he missed him. Rafa caressed the soft curls on Noah's head, humming a tune to calm the boy down.
After a beat, Liv rushed to join their hug, mindful of the cups of hot liquid in her hands. "What… how… when did you get here?"
Wrapping an arm around her as he shifted Noah to one hip, he placed his lips on hers softly, though the kiss deepened quickly with their mutual need. Finally, they broke apart when breathing became a necessity. "I just got here. I missed you both too much to stay away any longer."
"I'm so glad you're here," she sobbed, unable to keep from touching him.
"Uncle Rafa! I'm so glad you're here, too!"
"You have no idea how much I missed you both. I don't want to be away from either of you again," Rafa admitted. Turning his gaze to meet Liv's deep brown eyes, he said, "I am so in love with you."
"Oh Rafa, I'm so in love with you, too," Liv murmured, pressing her lips to his as Noah still clung to him.
"Um, guys," Jack's voice broke through their little bubble moments later. "It's Noah's turn to see Santa."
"Thanks Jack," Liv said, not bothering to take her eyes off of Rafa as they led Noah toward Santa.
As the little boy sat next to Santa, he changed his wish at the last moment. Now that Rafa was here with them, he wanted the man to never leave. He wanted Rafa to move in with them and marry his mom and become his dad. He explained all of this to the bearded old man, who smiled down at him with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.