Snowflakes Danced Between Us-Fiction

Fat, fluffy snowflakes tumbled from the steel gray sky, the kind that made children tilt their heads back, stick out their tongues and squeal. Sam stood on the sidewalk outside Mae's Bakery, marveling at the snow's power to mute the normally blunt edges of the city. Even the grubby brick facades and cracked concrete sidewalks looked somehow quaint and lovely.

Inside the bakery, the air smelled impossibly good, an intoxicating blend of butter, sugar and cinnamon. Christmas music played softly in the background. Mae herself stood behind the counter, wisps of flour dusting her forehead and the tip of her nose.

"What can I get you, dear?" Mae asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Sam didn't need to look at the glass case brimming with pies, cookies, cakes and pastries. "A dozen sugar cookies, please. Assorted shapes."

Mae carefully placed a dozen festive cookies into a white box and tied it with red and white string. As she handed the package across the counter, she smiled. "I suspect these aren't just for you."

A sheepish look crossed Sam's face. "No, they're for someone special. I hope she likes them."

"Oh, I'm sure she will!" Mae leaned in and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Sugar cookie assurance for your nervous heart."

Sam couldn't help but grin. He paid for the cookies and turned toward the door, Mae's laughter trailing behind him. Outside, the snow fell harder. Hurried travelers ducked their heads and pulled their coats tighter, but the weather didn't bother Sam. He felt buoyant, full of hopeful anticipation. The bakery's warmth and the heady scents of the season seemed to linger around him like an aura.

He and Rachel had been dating for almost two months. They'd gone to concerts, museums, movies, long ambling walks through the city and candlelit dinners. He loved how her nose crinkled when she laughed and the way one stubborn lock of chestnut hair constantly tumbled over her forehead. She was brilliant, kind and beautiful. Tonight, if all went well, he was going to tell her he loved her. Hence, the sugar cookie assurance.

Sam rounded a corner onto Rachel's tree-lined street. Twinkle lights framed doors and windows, their colors blurred by the steadily falling snow. His heartbeat quickened as he walked up the steps of Rachel's building. He shook the snowflakes from his hair and straightened his red scarf before ringing the bell.

A moment later, Rachel was there. "Sam! Come in." She brushed a kiss across his cheek that made his skin tingle despite the cold.

He held out the bakery box with a hopeful smile. "Happy Christmas, Rach."

"Sugar cookies!" she exclaimed. "My favorite. How sweet of you." She took his hand and led him inside.

The living room glowed golden. A Christmas tree twinkled merrily in the corner and cinnamon and cloves scented the air. His nerves settled. Everything about this moment felt right.

Rachel put Nat King Cole's Christmas album on the record player as they curled up together on the couch. Love filled Sam's chest, expanding until he thought his heart might burst straight out of his sweater.

As he gazed into Rachel's eyes, the words he'd hoped to say rose effortlessly to his lips. "Rachel, I - "

She stopped him, one finger pressed gently over his mouth. "Wait," she whispered. Reaching behind a pillow, she pulled out a small wrapped box. "Open this first."

Hands trembling, Sam tore away the paper and opened the hinged black velvet box. Nestled inside was a silver watch, its face etched with tiny snowflakes. He looked up at Rachel, speechless.

She took his hand in both of hers. "It reminded me of the night we met, when the first snow fell. That was the moment I knew you were someone special. Someone I wanted to spend more time with." She squeezed his hand gently. "Many more moments with you, Sam."

"Rachel..." Sam shook his head in wonder, then cradled her lovely face in his hands. "I love you," he said softly. "This amazing, beautiful life can only get better if you're there to share it with me."

Her eyes shone. "I love you too." She kissed him then, and Sam was certain he could taste the sweetness of the snowflakes dancing between them.