By the time they reached Fictional Escapes, Amy's fingers were numb despite her gloves, the cardboard tray of hot cocoa balanced carefully in her arms. Steam curled up into the night air, carrying the sweet smell of chocolate. Sophie walked beside her, juggling a paper bag stuffed with cookies, some coated with powdered sugar, others studded with colorful sprinkles.
"If we spill this," Sophie said solemnly, "I will blame the sidewalk. Or gravity. Or capitalism oh and definitely the government."
Amy laughed, nudging the door open with her shoulder.
The bell chimed. The familiar bookstore glow wrapping around Amy like a hug she didn't know she needed. Fairy lights blinked softly along the shelves, and the children's corner was alive with quiet excitement.
Candace sat on the small reading chair, book open in her lap, her voice animated as she read. The kids were sprawled on the rug, some cross-legged, some flat on their stomachs, one upside down for reasons known only to children.
"And the snowman said..."
"Amy!"Penny's voice cut through the room like a firecracker.
Her head snapped up, eyes widening, and then she was on her feet before Candace could finish the sentence.
"MISS AMY!" The word echoed, and suddenly it was chaos.
The other kids followed Penny's gaze, recognition sparking like wildfire. Chairs scraped. A small stampede rushed toward the door.
Amy barely had time to hand the cocoa tray to Sophie before Penny wrapped her arms around her waist, followed by two more kids clinging to her coat.
"Careful!" Sophie laughed, lifting the cocoa tray higher. "There is hot chocolate involved! Festive injuries will not be tolerated!"
The kids giggled, pulling back just enough to stare at the cups and the cookie bag with awe.
Candace closed her book, smiling. "Well," she said, standing, "I see the main character has arrived."
Mrs. Thompson emerged from behind the counter, surprise lighting her face. "Amy?"
Amy straightened, cheeks warm. "Hi....mrs Thompson."
"What on earth....."
"Emergency cocoa delivery," Sophie announced proudly. "Very serious business."
Amy smiled. "I saw a sign at the café about cocoa for kids, and I thought… since it's the last reading before Christmas, and I'm leaving for Virginia tomorrow…"
Mrs. Thompson's expression softened instantly. "You're leaving tomorrow?"
Amy nodded. "Yeah. Jace's family. Christmas."
"Well," Mrs. Thompson said gently, "we'll miss you. But this....." she gestured at the kids, the cocoa, the cookies "...this is very lovely."
Candace folded her arms, amused. "You do realize you've officially ruined storytime expectations forever."
Amy laughed. "I'm okay with that."
Sophie clapped her hands. "Alright, tiny humans! We're going to need a straight line. A festive, orderly line. Think… polite penguins."
The kids scrambled into something vaguely resembling a line, Penny proudly taking the lead.
"One at a time," Amy said softly, handing out cups and cookies. "Careful, it's warm."
"Thank you!" Penny chirped, holding her cup with both hands like it was treasure.
Soon the room was filled with happy sounds.... slurps, giggles, crumbs falling onto the rug. Cocoa moustaches appeared almost immediately.
Candace leaned toward Sophie. "You know," she murmured, "this is incredibly sweet."
"I know," Sophie said. "She's unbelievable."
Amy caught that and rolled her eyes, laughing.
When everything was handed out and the kids settled again, this time buzzing with sugar and joy. Amy stepped back, watching them. Penny looked up at her, smiling, cocoa smudged on her lip.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Amy."
Amy's chest tightened in the best way. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."
Mrs. Thompson touched Amy's arm gently. "Thank you. Truly."
Amy smiled. "It means a lot to be here."
When it was time to leave, coats were pulled on, hugs were given, and goodbyes echoed warmly through the shop.
Penny rushed to Amy tugging at her coat.
"Amy....when do I get to see you again?" She asked pouting.
"Soon, I'll be back before you know it" Amy replied crouching in front of her as she pulled her into a warm hug.
"Merry Christmas!" the kids chorused.
"Merry Christmas," Amy and Sophie replied together.
Outside, the cold greeted them again, but Amy felt lighter as they walked away, laughter still ringing in her ears.
For now, that was enough.
...
The door of Fictional Escapes closed behind them with a soft chime, sealing in the laughter, the cocoa-sweet warmth, the echoes of small voices wishing them Merry Christmas like it was the most important promise in the world. Amy pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, breath blooming white in the air.
Sophie walked beside her, hands shoved into her coat pockets, unusually quiet for a full three steps.
"Well," she said finally. "If you ever get tired of books, you could absolutely run a cult of emotionally attached children."
Amy laughed softly. "They're just sweet."
"They are," Sophie agreed. "But they adore you. That's different."
They walked in comfortable silence for a bit, boots crunching lightly against the snow. A car passed, tires hissing, someone's laughter drifting from across the street. Christmas lights blinked in apartment windows, trees glowing,glimpses of families moving inside warm rooms.
Amy felt… full. Not the heavy kind. The good kind. Like something had settled into place.
"I'm really glad we did that," she said quietly.
Sophie nodded. "Me too. It felt… right. Like a soft landing before you go."
Amy smiled at that. "Yeah."
They reached the corner where they'd eventually split. Sophie toward her apartment, Amy toward Jace's. Neither of them stopped immediately. The moment stretched, unhurried.
"So," Sophie said, rocking back on her heels. "Virginia tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Amy echoed.
"You nervous?"
Amy considered it. The family dinner. Jace's father. The unspoken things that still lingered from the last time.
"A little," she admitted. "But I think it's the good kind."
Sophie nodded approvingly. "Growth. Look at you."
Amy bumped her shoulder. "Don't make it weird."
Sophie grinned, then softened. "I'm proud of you, you know. For going. For staying open. For being… you."
Amy's throat tightened just a bit. "I couldn't do half of it without you."
"Correct," Sophie said immediately. "I am the backbone of your emotional stability."
They laughed, the sound drifting upward into the cold air.
Sophie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Amy, squeezing tight. "Merry Christmas, Virginia girl."
Amy hugged her back just as tightly. "Merry Christmas, dramatic menace."
When they pulled apart, Sophie pointed a finger at her. "Text me when you land. Text me when you eat. Text me if Jace breathes incorrectly."
"I will not....."
"I mean it."
Amy smiled. "I know."
They hugged and waved goodbye as Sophie turned down her street, her figure shrinking beneath the lights until she disappeared around the corner.
Amy stood there for a moment longer, hands tucked into her pockets, listening to the quiet hum of the city. Then she turned and walked home.
The apartment greeted her with familiar stillness. She kicked off her boots, hung her coat, and padded inside. The Christmas lights she'd strung along the window glowed softly, reflecting against the glass. Jace wasn't around and outside, snow continued to fall, slow and patient.
Amy set her bag down and wandered into the bedroom where her suitcase lay open on the side of the bed, half-packed. Sweaters folded neatly. A scarf draped over the edge. Her book tucked safely into one corner.
She went around picking other important things she needed for travelling. Tomorrow, time zones would change and a part of her couldn't wait.