Page 149 of Under the Mistletoe with You

‘That’s a lot to ask of one person,’ Christopher whispers, still taking all this in.

‘OK, well how about we be each other’s world?We build a world.Us, and the puppy and Karma—’

‘Paddington.’

‘To be discussed.’

‘They’re my cat.’

‘Our cat.The point is, I want to spend the rest of our lives telling you all the good things, in between the bickering.’

The life that he dared to wish for on Christmas Eve is coming true, somehow.It’s impossible magic.Together, under the stars and crouched on their bed, he had wished for a world where their life together kept going.It can’t be this simple, can it?

The whole room is silent, hanging on his next words.

He looks to Haf and Kit, cuddled up together.It was simple for them, wasn’t it, in the end?They knew they were each other’s person.Is that how it is?Does he just need to be brave enough to say yes to this man, this incredible man, who has flown halfway across the world just to tell him that he loves him?This man, who wants to love him.

‘Nash, I’m not sure I can bear you leaving again.’

‘If you’ll have me, Christopher, I’ll never leave like that again.’

‘Then, stay.Stay with us.With me.’

‘I will.’

‘Just kiss him already!’shrieks Ambrose, causing all the other townies and his friends to cheer in agreement.

‘Christopher, look up!’cries Haf, when everyone falls silent.

And there, above them, in the doorway, is a sprig of mistletoe.

That ridiculous custom that started everything, that shook up his entire life, and brought him to places he could never have imagined, is right above him now, at what feels like another turning point in his life.

This time, it feels like the most obvious choice.The right choice not made out of silliness or fear or loneliness, but out of hope for a future together.Christopher looks at Nash, at the man he loves who is begging to stay, and he kisses him.There are cheers and the sound of glasses clinking and the music being turned up, but all that is drowned out by their kiss.

It’s more than just a kiss.It’s a promise, and his wish come true.

‘I love you too,’ he says, when they break apart, still clutching onto each other.‘I’m terrified of what all this means and there’s so much to sort out, but I want to try.For us.’

‘Even though I’m half quitting acting?’

‘Yeah, but I don’t need you on my screen if I have you in my heart.’

‘Christopher, that might be the dorkiest thing you’ve ever said.’Nash sweeps him into another kiss, and while this one doesn’t come with cheers – presumably everyone else has moved on with their lives and evenings – it still feels like the start of something.‘Also, are you wearing glitter?’

‘Yeah ...and now you are too.Sorry about that.’

‘No sorries needed.It suits you, C-3PO.’

‘Oh good, more nicknames.’He rests his forehead on Nash’s, and tries for the life of him to catch his breath.

‘Ahem.Are you going to introduce us?’says Ambrose.

Kit elbows her way forward.‘Excuse me, I’m his sister.I’m arguably the most important.’

‘I’m his fake ex, though,’ says Haf.

‘And I’m his real ex,’ swoons Laurel, who has somehow got another glass of Thelma’s terrifyingly strong liquor.

Nash looks at him and smiles.‘And I’m his boyfriend, I think?’

‘Yes, you are.’

‘Cool.I’m Nash Nadeau.The boyfriend.’

They all shake hands and gush excitedly, and this is the moment where Christopher finally sees it.His future, his past, all the people he loves together, celebrating another turning of the year.