Page 102 of The Ghost of Ellwood

“I’m tired of being afraid.” He grabbed my hand, and I found comfort in the coldness of his fingers. “I want you to know what happened.”

“Okay.” I could barely say the word.

“However, I don’t want to tell you. I want to show you. So, I’ve been writing about it. When it’s finished, I’ll let you read it.”

The knot released in my gut, and I held him against me, kissing his hair. I wished we could stay like this forever. Together, in love, and happy.

***

Christmas morning came with another snowstorm. The snow from the previous one hadn’t fully melted before this one hit, weighing down the branches in the trees and coating all the rooftops. The grass couldn’t be seen under the foot and a half of snow.

Though it was cold outside, the manor was nothing but warm. Which surprised me, as it had often been so cold when I first moved in. Now, there was life within the walls and burning wood in the various fireplaces, chasing away the cold.

“Can I look now?” Theo asked, being overly dramatic with his sighs.

We were sitting on the couch in the living room. The colored lights blinked on the Christmas tree, and the window behind it showed the heavy snow still falling. As Bing Crosby sang of wanting a white Christmas, Theo and I were right in the middle of one.

“Just a second,” I said, hopping off the couch and heading toward the closet under the stairs. I grabbed the box and returned beside him, placing it on his lap. “Okay, open your eyes.”

Theo observed the carefully wrapped box, tilting his head. At first, he just stared at it, the silver glow from outside shining on his handsome face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing’s wrong.” His watery eyes moved to me. “It’s the first Christmas I’ve had in a hundred years. Thank you, Ben.”

“You haven’t even opened it,” I said, feeling my throat tighten with emotion.

“Whatever it is, I know I’ll adore it. Because it came from you.”

“Go on.” I nudged his side. “Open it.”

His long, pale fingers slid under the tape and slowly undid the wrapping. Once the paper was off, his eyes locked onto the black case and he smoothed his hand across it. “Is this what I think it is?”

“I don’t know. Better open it and find out.”

Theo shyly smiled before clicking the latches and opening the lid. He gasped as he looked at theCecilioviolin nestled inside. It was made from solid maple wood with a spruce top, was hand-carved, and came with a bow made from Mongolian horsehair.

“Ben…I…it’s…” Theo rested a hand on the neck of the violin. “I’m speechless.”

“Do you like it?”

“Oh, yes, darling.” He carefully moved the violin to the coffee table before throwing his arms around my shoulders and kissing me.

I smiled at his enthusiasm and returned the kiss. The frustration of finding the gift had been worth it. His reaction was everything to me.

“Will you play for me?” I asked, holding onto his sides.

“It’s been ages,” he said, chewing the corner of his lip. “I’m not sure I remember how.”

But then he took a deep breath and grabbed the violin, removing it from the case. I watched as he prepared it, rosining the bow before tuning the instrument.

And when he finally started to play, I could scarcely breathe.

I wasn’t familiar with the song, but it was played slow and had such a melancholy melody. Theo closed his eyes after a while, his expression tender as he moved the bow along the strings. I’d never seen anything more stunning than him as he played. When the song ended, I could only stare at him.

He was truly remarkable in every way.

“You’re crying,” Theo said, dabbing his finger under my eye.