#shadow posts stuff

“That sounds more right,” I laughed. From the corner of my eye, I could see Steve looking at me. The smallest smile on his lips as he offered me his hand. I looked down at it, the small golden shine of his wedding band catching my eye. I smiled, staying still for a moment before resting my hand in his. “Mrs. Wheeler sure knows how to throw a party.”

“Well, she didn’t a few years back,” Steve laughed as his attention was fully back on the snowy and icy roads ahead of us. Rainbows of lights whizzed by us as he picked up speed a bit. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“Well, back when Nancy and I were…” He paused and glanced at me, testing the waters before he continued, “Dating, Mrs. Wheeler was sort of against… Any kind of party.”

“House parties are different. Especially when most of the guests are adults now,” I laughed as I turned to face him a bit more. He glanced at me and nodded.

“Either way, still a great party,” I mused as I leaned closer to him. He smiled before pulling my hand closer to his lips to kiss. The rest of our ride home was filled with random conversations and soft Christmas music. 

Once we were home, Steve quickly went to the kitchen while I found myself wandering to the living room. The couch was soft when I sat on it, the various throw pillows falling against me. I leaned forward to unbuckle my shoes, kicking them off and as far away from me as possible. Now if only I could rip the stupid pantyhose off me without ruining them. Who am I kidding, they were ruined the moment I pulled them on.

A certain warmth grew in the room, causing me to look up. Steve was standing by the fireplace, moving a few logs before crippling up some old newspapers. I smiled when he lit a match and tossed it into the fireplace. Then he stood and approached me.

“C’mere,” Steve whispered as he stood in front of me. The lights of our tree illuminated his face, making his skin turn different hues of purples, pinks, and blues. I stared at him, watching him extend his hand out to me. A soft smile grew across his lips as he nodded to his extended hand. I looked back at him through my eyelashes before resting the tips of my fingers on the palm of his hand. 

A second later, Steve pulled me off the couch and into his chest. His free hand rested on my hip while he held me close. I looked up at him as I rested my hand on his chest. 

“Whatcha doin’, Steve?” I asked as he slowly started swaying to the beat of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas. The hem of my skirt flowed smoothly with each movement we had made, almost as if it was waterlike. 

“Slow-dancing with the love of my life,” he whispered as he pulled me even closer. Each of his words hit the shell of my ear and quickly made their way to my heart. I took a shaky breath and moved back slightly to look at his face. 

Though his face was still illuminated by the various colored lights, I could see the faintest blush grow across his face. The corner of his lip twitched upwards into a cheeky smirk. Even though his smile was a little sly, the expression in his eyes told me everything he was to embarrassed to say. 

“I appreciate you waiting till I took those ridiculously uncomfortable shoes off. Pretty sure my feet haven’t been this swollen since high school band,” I exasperated. Steve laughed before pressing his lips to my forehead.

“Nothing like slow dancing barefooted in the living room lit by the Christmas tree,” he mused. I hummed happily as I rested my head on his shoulder. With each light beat of his heart, I could feel myself growing more and more drowsy. The warmth of the house only added to the sleepiness. 

“It was smart starting a fire,” I softly whispered as more warmth (in both feeling and sight) appeared in the living room. Steve chuckled softly and nodded before turning to show me the fireplace with a lit fire.

“Figured you’d be cold,” he spoke with such gentleness. I looked up at him and smiled. My chin resting on the middle of his chest. A strand of hair fell in front of his eyes as he looked down at me. 

“I guess you figured correctly,” I giggled. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispered before pressing his lips to mine. But the sweet moment was ruined the moment Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree started playing over the radio. With a gasp, I moved away from him. My eyes, like the christmas tree, lit up with excitement. 

“I LOVE THIS SONG!” I shouted as I quickly changed our slow dancing to a fast-paced jitterbug. Steve laughed as he stood stalk where he stood. Once the song was in full swing did he finally humor me and start the crazier dancing with me. 

“It was a tender moment for, well, a moment,” Steve laughed as he spun me out. I laughed again as he pulled me back into his body. With both of his arms wrapped, he held me close to him. My head craned a bit to look at him. Ignoring the music that played over us, I went up to kiss him again. 

“You’re my favorite present, you know that,” I whispered. He smiled before shrugging slightly.

“I figured as much,” he retorted before kissing me again. “Good thing you’re my favorite present. Look’it you, all wrapped up,” he said as he snuggled closer to me. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

{***}{***}{***}