"Is there a reason there is a log laying on the kitchen table?" Halt said coming in from the frosty outside having been out to feed and hay the horses. Even with a broken arm there were just certain things he wouldn't let Pauline do for him. "It's our Yule log" Pauline said coming out of the bedroom with a small linin bag and a basket. "A Yule log?" Halt said cocking a brow at the piece of wood laying on the table. "Yes a Yule log. A log which you decorate and burn on Yuletide," Pauline said bringing the materials to the kitchen table. "I am familiar with a Yule log… why is it on the kitchen table?" he said. "Because we are going to decorate it," she said patting the chair next to her encouraging him over. "Are we now?" Halt said easing onto the chair studying the log on the table. "Yes" she said matter of factly sitting in the chair next to him making sure it was very close first, her body brushed against his as she sat down "humor me just this once." "I have a feeling it'll be more than just once" he mumbled and she elbowed him gently "yes dear," he replied. Once they began decorating the log he actually found the simple holiday activity with her to be quite relaxing and they spoke softly together comfortable in one another's presence.
"There what do you think?" she asked indicating the completed log they had spent all afternoon making it and talking and drinking hot coffee and tea and it was now moving into late evening. "Almost seems a pity to burn it after all that work" Halt said softly studying the log before him. "Well that's the good part of it you burn this one and it'll bring good spirit and protection until next year when we make another," she said softly then realizing what she had implied. Halt smiled softly "well that is good then I suppose if we get to make a new one every year" he said softly. "It is?" she said softly, her face very close to his happy that he seemed attracted to the idea of spending not just this holiday season with her but many to come. "Very" he whispered softly then captured her lips with his own. Together they place the Yule log in the fireplace watching as the bits of decoration caught alight and the log began to burn. They sat on the couch silently and watched the flames dance lightly over the wood. She turned to him and placed a soft kiss to his cheek "Happy Yule, Halt" she said softly. "Happy Yule, Pauline" he said gently back. She leaned in and kissed him. He returned it and deepened it slightly. She returned it happily pouring all her love into it realizing just how much weight fell behind this man's loving words that evening. When the kiss broke they were quite close she was sitting across his lap with her arm around his neck and her hand resting against the side of his face, she looked into his green eyes taking in the intensity of them and yet the softness that lay there as well. "I love you" he said gently, his arms around her holding her to him protectively. "I love you too, Halt. I always have," she said tenderly nuzzling against his cheek. He smiled softly and nuzzled her gently back. "My love?" she said softly stroking his cheek. "Yes?" he said gently looking up at her at the tender touch. "Make love to me tonight" she said softly. At first he thought he had misheard her then the full weight of her words settled on him "are you sure? We can wait there is no-" he started but she placed a soft hand to his lips. "Halt, I am yours I always have been and I always will be, please" she said softly then kissed his cheek letting her hand fall away so he could speak. He tried to make words come out of his mouth but couldn't so instead he kissed her lovingly slowly guiding them to stand and move to the bedroom. He moved to the wall and turned the handle on the wall the opened the plate in the fireplace so that it opened up into the bedroom as well. He had installed in when he had first built the cabin after realizing just how cold it got on the coastline in the winter. The warm firelight lit the room and started to warm the small space comfortably casting warm orange glows over the couple their lips still locked together intimately and the age old dance began.