Chapter 20:
On December 24th, Christmas Eve, Elysia and Christian had reached a lake, now frozen by the cold weather. Elysia, who was much better than before, had fallen in love with the winter snow. Christian had set camp and decided to stay for a while till winter had passed since the weather conditions were bad. Besides, resting couldn't hurt.
Elysia had gone out and played in the snow, making snow angels. She laughed and got up, going over to a tree. She watched Christian, who was finishing setting up tent. Once she was sure he was finished, she threw a snowball at him. She quickly hid by the tree, giggling. She looked back at his spot and realized he was gone. Elysia frowned confused. Just as she was going to go look for him, she felt two arms wrap around her and throw her to the ground. Christian laughed as she looked up angrily at him.
If I never knew you
If I never felt this love
I would have no inkling of
How precious life can be
Elysia hit at his chest playfully, and they rolled around in the snow until Elysia was on top.
And if I never held you
I would never have a clue
How at last I'd find in you
The missing part of me
Elysia stood up and broke in a run, with Christian picking up snow balls, lunging them at her.
In this world so full of fear
Full of rage and lies
I can see the truth so clear
In your eyes, so soft your eyes
He finally caught her. She kissed him lightly. Christian smiled,
And I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Lost forever
If I never knew you
Elysia smiled and pointed behind him. He looked, seeing a small white rabbit. He pulled out a couple of crumbs and edging towards it. She smiled,
If I never knew you
I'd be safe but half as real
Never knowing I could feel
A love so strong and true
I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole
Life through
Lost, forever, if I never
Knew you.
He smiled as the rabbit started to get the crumbs and he used his other hand to gesture her to come over. Elysia smiled sitting by him, and she gently petted the little rabbit.
I never knew that
Fear and hate could be so strong
All they'd leave us where these
Whispers in the night
But still my heart is singing
We were right..
The rabbit hopped away and they both stood. Christian took her hand, and led her back to the camp site to get ice skates. She smiled,
If I never knew you
If I never knew this love
Then I would have no inkling of
How precious life
Can be
He turned back taking both of her hands and leading her in the tent with him,
There's no moment I regret
Since the moment that we met
If our time has gone too fast
I've lived at last…
They came back out with the skates. They went to the frozen lake, sitting on the log, putting on the skates.
I thought our love would
Be so beautiful
Somehow we'd make the
Whole world bright
Elysia stood and skated out onto the ice. She was graceful like a swan, and she turned to Christian stretching out her hand,
I thought our love would
Be so beautiful
We'd turn darkness into light
Christian skated over to her, spinning them both.
We were right
And if I never knew you
I'd have lived my whole life
Through
Empty as the sky
Elysia smiled as they fell side by side. She looked over to him. He caught her stare.
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you
He kissed her lightly, caressing her cheek. Elysia smiled soft, kissing his caressing hand.
They returned to camp and was later than either expected, and they fixed dinner. Elysia smiled, this time it was deer meat. She ate quickly, she had grown soar and tired, wanting to sleep. "Good night," he said. Elysia entered her tent, slipping into a wool nightgown and getting in her sleeping bag. She almost instantly was asleep.
Elysia awoke smelling eggs, bacon, and grits. She sat up, realizing it was morning. She dressed quickly, stopping outside. She was shocked. Christian had decorated the campsite, with strings of walnuts, and aluminum. He used three branches to decorate the campsite. What anyone else might have disliked or thought cheap, she found extremely beautiful.
By the fire were presents. She felt her eyes fill with tears of joy. Christian was now beside her and offered her a cup of hot cocoa. "Merry Christmas Elysia," he said handing her the cup. he brought her breakfast already fixed, watching her eat before doing so himself.
Then, Elysia opened her presents. The first to her surprise, was a fur coat made by the animals he'd killed, including the wolf. The second, was a slik dress to be worn on formal occasions. The third, was a small velvet box. He took it from her, opening it. She was speechless, "I made these a while back and wanted to save them fro Christmas." It was a necklace and on the gold chain was a heart-shaped key. He pulled out what looked like a green egg and placed the key in it.
It opened, becoming a flower with pink petals. Inside was a snow globe, which played the song she had given Christian to sing. In the snow globe, were a boy and girl spinning. She smiled singing with the globe,
There was a melody
Locked deep inside of me
But now it's free
It found a place
Embraced by harmony
Sweet harmony
Love more than
Anything
Teaches our hearts
To sing
Only love could
Break the spell
Now I know
Very well
The love with in
Myself
She turned to him, tears in her eyes. "This is the best gift I've ever been given." she said, "Other than one." "What's that?," he asked. "When god gave me you," she answered, kissing his cheek.