Holiday cuties
Sophie Gordon ♀

13
The cold breeze nipped at your face as you and Sophie stood side by side on the pier, her gloved hand nestled tightly in yours. The distant hum of excited voices mixed with the gentle lapping of waves against the wooden posts, but in your little world, it was peaceful. Wrapped in her embrace, her head tucked against your shoulder, you both watched as the crowd gathered, anticipation building for the New Year’s fireworks.
The past few months had been a whirlwind. Work deadlines colliding with wedding plans had turned what was meant to be a joyful journey into a juggling act. Nights spent agonizing over seating charts, heated debates over floral arrangements, and endless checklists had drained you both. This rare moment of stillness, surrounded by the ocean’s expanse and the quiet excitement of the evening, felt like a gift.
Sophie sighed, her breath misting in the chilly air. “I’m so glad we did this,” she murmured. “I needed a break.”
You nodded, brushing a kiss against the top of her head. “Me too.” For the first time in weeks, you felt the tension in your shoulders ease. The horizon ahead sparkled faintly, where boats drifted lazily, their lights twinkling like stars.
As the countdown to midnight inched closer, you found your mind wandering. You glanced down at Sophie, her cheeks rosy from the cold, her eyes sparkling with a contentment you hadn’t seen in a while. In that moment, the thought struck you—so clear and simple that it took your breath away.
“Why don’t we just elope?” you said softly into her ear, the words spilling out before you could stop them. “Right now.”