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“Yes, what about a tree? You said we could get one,” I reminded him, sitting up.
“Tomorrow after work, we can pick one up,” he promised.
“Can’t wait,” I said, grinning.
“As long as you have no problem cleaning up after it,” he teased.
“Oliver, it’s not a baby or a pet,” I laughed.
“They drop needles all over,” he argued.
“Not if you make sure there’s water in the stand. When I was a kid, we used to have a real tree all the time,” I countered.
“What was your favorite Christmas?” he asked, his tone softening.
“The last one my father was alive. He bought me a dollhouse and made some of the furniture in his workshop. I think it’s still in my parents' attic. What was yours?” I asked, curious.
Oliver thought for a moment, a smile playing on his lips.
"The year I got a ten-speed bike," Oliver said, a nostalgic smile on his face. "I was twelve. There was snow on the ground, but I insisted on going out. I was scared because I slipped on an ice patch and dinged a chunk of paint off the frame. I thought my parents would be upset, but they were just happy I didn’t hurt myself."
"What color was the bike?" I asked, intrigued by this glimpse into his childhood.
"Red. It was a Schwinn. I loved that bike. I gave it to my brother after my parents died," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
"What did he do with it?" I asked gently.
"Lost it in a card game. Even at sixteen, I couldn’t control him," Oliver said, shaking his head slightly.
"Are you asking Jonah to be in our wedding?" I inquired, curious about his plans.
"I’ve been thinking about it, but that little stunt he pulled did not put him in my good graces," Oliver admitted, his brow furrowing.
"He seemed to be on the straight and narrow when we saw him," I said, trying to sound hopeful.
"That’s because he was sick," Oliver replied, a touch of skepticism in his tone.
"He’s trying to change," I insisted.
"He could’ve created problems with the assault. I’m glad it didn’t make it into the system," Oliver said, his voice growing stern.
The flight attendant came back and told us to prepare for landing. Oliver put away his laptop and strapped his belt as we began to descend. I followed suit, my mind still lingering on our conversation about Jonah and the upcoming wedding.
As the plane descended, I turned to Oliver. "You know, maybe involving Jonah in the wedding could be the push he needs to stay on the right path."
Oliver looked thoughtful, then nodded slowly. I'll think about it. Now, let’s get ready to land and face the cold.”
I sighed, but his warmth and optimism made the prospect of returning to the freezing weather a bit more bearable.
Oliver's words echoed in my mind as I stared up at the ceiling, contemplating his insistence on going to work. It wasn't that I minded working, but the idea of spending a day at home, cocooned in warmth and comfort, was undeniably appealing.
"Can't we just go in on Monday?" I pleaded, rolling over to face him.
He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with amusement. "And do what? Bake cookies all day?"
I grinned. "That actually sounds pretty good."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "As much as I'd love to indulge in cookie-baking bliss with you, we have responsibilities. Plus, we're meeting with the Ryders tonight."
