“Spencer, how did you… how could you… Spence…” She muttered somewhat coherently when the sobs had subsided.

            “I’d been saving up for a while.” I said quietly. “I couldn’t let you lose it.” I said finally.

            “Spencer, I… Thank you.” She pulled away and looked me in the eyes. I brushed a stray hair out of her face before she turned to lay the guitar down. When she turned back around her mouth was open, words seemingly on her tongue. She paused.

“Spencer?”

            “Yeah?”

            “I missed you.” And with that, she took a step and leapt into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. I staggered backward but regained my balance, finally allowing my lips to move with hers in a way that was so familiar but seemingly so long absent.

            “I missed you too.” I exhaled in a moment where our mouths were not connected. “Want to go back to bed?” I asked, panting a bit.

            “Wait” She pulled herself away this time, her full weight still hanging in my arms.

            “My God, what now?” I asked, not even trying to hide the aggravation from my voice.

“What about breakfast?” Both of our eyes flicked back to the table where our plates sat, nearly untouched.

“I don’t care” We kissed again for a few moments before she pulled herself away again.

“Spencer?” She panted.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” She said suddenly. Sincerity rang in her words like the chiming of a bell.

“I love you too, Ash.” I replied hastily, desperate to make our way to the bedroom.

“Spencer?” God I loved this girl, but she needed to stop talking.

“Yeah?”

“Merry Christmas.”

“You too, Ash.”   

I somehow made it to the bedroom, stumbling with Ashley in my arms and we fell onto the bed blissfully. Nothing was going to stop us now. My old Ashley had made her return, and though it happened quickly, I could tell she was here to stay. I said a silent thank you to whatever God or higher divine power exists – my prayer was answered. I let myself sink further and further into this Christmas miracle, inhaling the aroma of magnolia mixed with pine needles. It no longer filled me with nostalgia. I felt that crazy, inexplicable, potent type love. All of our negative circumstances just dissipated into the winter air as we reveled in the company of one another.