Chapter 20: One Night

Xx Christmas Eve xX

Otto had drifted off with one of the shades to his window open. He liked to wake up during a snowstorm. Mostly because he wasn't in it, but it reminded him of Rosie.

Waking up on Christmas morning. Drinking hot chocolate as she opened his present. He'd given her many things over the years, but books always won. Especially first editions he'd managed to hunt down.

He never thought he'd be happy like that again. But recently, moreso than any other thought, he wondered if she'd approve. Of his happiness. Of Ada.

In his mind, his dreams began to shape into those comfortable, Christmas mornings. Rosie reading over a book as they cuddled on the sofa and listened to his music.

"When do you think the snow will stop?" She queried, "I'd like to go out and take a walk at some point."

"A walk? I best dig out the other two coats," he'd chuckled, and she laughed with him.

"We have to walk off the dinner," she put down her book for a moment and turned to him with a big, knowing smile, "and then what comes after?"

"After the walk?" He sighed, remembering all too well, "Coffee at the café. Looking at the adoption dogs at the store. A walk along the bridge."

"Pure heaven. I'm always happy with you. And YOU deserve happiness," her hand fell to his chest and a tinge of sadness glowed in her eyes, "don't rob yourself of it. You have something special, and I don't want you to constantly justify it."

He wasn't entirely sure what this way. Maybe his brain was creating this scenario? But it felt…strangely real.

"You're ok with Ada?"

"What, you think I'd want you to wallow in self-pity?" She snorted and nodded at him, "I like her. She's smart, funny, and doesn't take nonsense."

Her hand moved to his cheek, and he felt warmed by the familiar sensation. Something he'd missed, but the pain had eased. It finally felt like he could say goodbye.

"Now, wake up. I can smell something good," she leaned forward and gave him one, brief kiss.

Otto shut his eyes and felt a familiar pull. The feeling of her light touch disappeared and when he opened his eyes, he was greeted by that familiar light from his window. The snow hadn't yet settled, and it was still dark, but he could smell something and hear quiet noises coming from the kitchen.

He got himself up and followed the smell of pancakes and the sound of soft humming. He was quiet when he encountered her.

Ada, carefully putting food onto a plate on a table that she decorated and occasionally sang snippets of silent night.

She looked up and smiled, though how she knew he was standing there, he had no idea.

"Good morning. I made you breakfast," she turned back to the sink and put the hot pan into the water, letting the 'hiss' of the steam run its course before she continued talking, "and coffee will be ready, of course."

"It's still dark out," he wandered closer, temporarily ignoring the food and focusing solely on her.

"Good ambiance. Not everyone is awake and it's sort of…peaceful," she turned back to him and he admired her long legs in one of his shirts that showed off her skin in all the right places.

"New York is never," his hands slipped over her waist, "peaceful."

"Ok, you have me there."

Arms looped about the other, his around her back and hers around his neck.

Their lips brushed as words unsaid were not needed. But they both knew that love unspoken was strongest of all.