Chapter Two

"Well, Happy Christmas to us!" Steve exclaimed as he reached into the box and took out a bottle of red wine and two glasses. Jaime removed two smaller boxes; one held a brick of fine, aged cheddar cheese and the other had a wheel of Gouda. An assortment of crackers, a cheese board, slicer and platter were at the very bottom, and she sighed with utter contentment.

"Wine and appetizers...I wonder what's in the rest of the crates?" She spread fresh slices of cheese across the platter while Steve poured the wine. "To Mr. Ebenezer Goldman," she toasted, "to whom I owe my most humble apologies."

Steve clinked his glass to hers. "And to possibilities."

Jaime smiled warmly at him, and Steve's heart began doing cartwheels of joy. She wasn't with Chris, but did he dare to hope...? His heart had belonged to her since they were very young; did he have the right to assume anything? No, but just like the candle Steve had always kept burning for her, deep inside, hope was eternal.

"I've really missed you," Jaime told him softly.

"I missed you, too, and you can sure make a mean cheese and crackers."

Jaime laughed and reached for box number two. They opened it together, and Jaime's eyes danced with excitement. "Oscar's just a big old softy on the inside," she mused. "Who knew?" She pulled half a dozen candles from the box while Steve took out a white linen tablecloth. "There's no table!" Jaime giggled.

"So would Milady prefer dining on the end table, or the hearth?" Steve asked with a gallant flourish. Because he knew her so well, he was already spreading the cloth on the floor next to the fireplace even before she'd finished answering.

"End table's too small, and the hearth is too dirty; why don't you spread it out -" she looked at Steve in amazement – he'd done exactly what she'd been about to suggest. "Right there's good. How'd you know?"

Steve shrugged. "Years of practice. There's something else in there." He reached into the bottom of the crate and pulled out a tape player. "I'm betting we're supposed to hit Play." When he pressed the button, the room was filled with Steve and Jaime's favorite songs from a time (not that long ago) when they'd been in love. Steve stood up and extended his hand to Jaime. "Wanna dance?" he asked with a gallant bow.

Jaime leaned comfortably into Steve's strong, loving arms and sighed with sheer bliss as she nestled her head on his shoulder and followed his lead across the floor of the tiny cottage. She could understand how she'd once fallen so completely for him, and the butterflies fluttering inside her told her it could just as easily happen all over again.

Steve knew that Oscar had chosen exactly the right medicine to cure what had been ailing him. He'd been immersing himself in his work for far too long, even volunteering for assignments, trying to keep himself from dwelling on how his heart longed for Jaime and mourning everything they'd shared and lost.

They were both reluctant to break the spell Oscar's gifts had cast over them, but as the tape was nearing its end, curiosity propelled toward the box marked with a 'three'. Just beneath two linen napkins, plates and some silverware, they discovered a small thermal cooler filled with cracked crab nesting in ice that had just barely begun to melt. A second container held a crisp, brightly-colored fruit salad and a French baguette with a stick of butter completed the meal.

"This is...incredible!" Jaime whispered.

"I'll second that," Steve agreed, gazing into Jaime's eyes instead of at the food. "Absolutely breath-taking." Jaime handed him a plate, and he ate with great relish but simply couldn't take his eyes off of her. When her gaze met his own, they shared a knowing smile.

"Two boxes left..." Jaime pointed out when they'd finished eating.

"I'm betting number four is dessert."

"Then what does that leave for the last box? Let's open it next!" Jaime suggested.

"Nah – better do it the way the boss laid it out for us." Steve pulled box four just out of Jaime's reach and peeked inside. "This one's for me," he said slyly, holding up the two slices of chocolate-fudge cake (each topped with one perfect strawberry) where Jaime could see but not reach them.

"Christmas is for sharing – now gimme some!" They savored every rich, sweet bite slowly; it seemed like heaven-on-a-plate. Jaime grabbed the last crate. "You got to open dessert; dibs on this one!" Steve watched as she opened the top, then wondered what could possibly be in there that could make her blush (albeit with a huge grin on her face).

When she didn't remove the contents, Steve reached in himself and pulled out...a perfect sprig of mistletoe, tied with a bright red and green ribbon.

- - - - - -