"How I wish we could spend a couple of Christmas days together, for instance — I would also dearly like to have you in my studio once more.

I, too, have been toiling quite hard recently, precisely because I was full of the Christmas feeling, and feeling isn't enough, one must bring it into one's work.

So I'm now occupied with two large heads of an orphan man, with his white beard and old-fashioned, old top hat.

This chap has the sort of old, lively face that one would wish for beside a cosy Christmas fire."

- Vincent Van Gogh

>>>·<<<

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

>>> Trillium's P.O.V. <<<
>>> Christmas Day <<<

I take a deep breath in through my noise, closing my eyes as the snowflakes flutter down onto my eyelashes. My mouth pulls into a smile as I shout, "It's Christmas! Finally!"

Julian chuckles beside me, and I open my eyes in time to see him shaking his head. "You get way too excited about snow."

It's been two days since we got Persephone, Abigail, and Teddy back, and I haven't been more relieved in my entire life. It's been two days full of doctor visits, police visits, and plenty of company from Team Flash. Barry has barely left Aspen and Seph's sides.

Julian hasn't left mine, either. He helped me come to terms with the fact that I'll probably never walk right again. The doctor at the hospital, after I came wobbling back in with a half-assed explanation,  told me that my broken leg will heal but never the way it was before. Add on top of that a wheelchair that I'm stuck in for the next two weeks.

I never thought I'd be disabled, but then again, who does? But Julian reminds me every other hour that I'm more than my disability. "You're not limited by anything physical, Tril," he whispered to me, last night, on our way from the hospital to my apartment. "You never let anything stop you before. This doesn't change a bloody thing."

So now, on a very white Christmas Day, Julian surprised me by waking me up early to take me out for hot chocolate in the park before heading to Main Street for the annual Central City Christmas Parade. It's something I do every year, usually with Aspen and Seph, but this year they're spending the morning helping people through Aspen's non-profit. This year, Julian decided to take me, even putting up with my wheelchair in the six inches of snow.

"It's not just the snow!" I shout, waving my hands in false distress. "It's the smell of hot chocolate, the snow freezing my nose off, and the sound of jingle bells! It's the Christmas spirit, damn it."

Julian laughs, and we turn to watch the end of the parade start. A float designed to look like Santa's sleigh pulls around the block. The jolly man sitting on the sleigh--Central City's second favorite man in a red suit--waves to the crowds on the sides of the road as carolers sing "Santa's Coming To Town" all around us.

I take another sip of my hot chocolate, sighing contently. The parade ends, after nearly an hour of floats, performers, and bands from all around the city. Julian rests a hand on my shoulder. I look up at him as he asks, "I'm famished. Want to grab a bite before we head to the Wests'?"

I smile and nod. Julian pushes me back to the car, and we make our way, carefully, over salted roads to a small Mexican restaurant on the North side of the city. I give Julian a knowing grin as he pulls onto the familiar street, parallel parking on the opposite side of the corner eatery. "This is where we had our first date!"

Julian gives a wide grin, winking a blue eye as he gets out of the car, helping me back into my wheelchair. "I thought we could use another first date," he says.

I reach my right hand over my left shoulder, placing my gloved hand over his as we enter the building and find the booth in the back corner where we sat on our first date. "I never told you that I live and breath for Mexican food," I chuckle, getting situated in the brightly colored booth. I remove my gloves, hat, and scarf, placing them on the seat beside me.

Julian takes the seat across from me, after folding my wheelchair and placing it against the back wall. He reaches across the table, taking my chilled hands in his. "That's because I went to your sister and begged her to tell me what kind of food you liked."

I laugh, exclaiming, "No way!"

He rubs the back of his neck with one of his hands, looking a little red in the face. "Yes, way. I...wanted to impress you. I wanted to give you a good time."

I stare at him with adoration in my eyes. "I'm really, really glad I went to the precinct a few days ago."

"Has it really only been a few days? Feels like it's been bloody ages."

I nod in agreement, giving a small chuckle. "I know."

"How's Persephone?" he asks.

"Surprisingly...okay. I swear, my sister raised a saint. All she's talked about it how she wasn't scared because she wanted to help Benji." I shake my head, laughing. "If she were my kid, I think she would've fought her way out."

"I think you're kinder and bravery than you give yourself credit for," Julian replies, catching me off-guard. He lowers his gaze to the table, to our hands. "And I should've been the boyfriend you needed when you told me about your powers and identity. You're the Łizhin. I should've been more supportive. I never should've accused you of trying to manipulate or lie to me. That was so wrong."

I nod. "I know, and it's not okay, but I've forgiven you. It's Christmas, Julian. It's time to let go of the past. We have our entire lives to get into worse arguments."

To that, Julian laughs, and we order our favorite dishes. After the waiter leaves, Julian turns back to me with a hopeful look on his face. "So...does that mean we're...us again?"

I shuffle in my seat, trying to hide a smile. "Yeah, I guess it does...if you want there to be an us."

"What about taking it slow?"

I raise my eyebrows in an expression that says, are you serious? "What we've been through the past couple days, I think that was enough. Who cares about taking it slow. That was the longest 48 hours of my life. Might as well have been 48 years."

The Brit laughs. He leans over the small table, and our lips meet. He pulls away after a few seconds, both of us grinning like teenagers sharing their first kiss. "I have missed you, love."

I reply, "I've missed you, too, honey bunches."

Our food arrives, and we dig in. The rest of the afternoon is spent munching on chips and salsa verde, talking about various topics from work to family to us as a couple. Every few minutes, we steal more kisses, and barely let go of each other's hands long enough to take a bite of the Mexican food.

And I can honestly say that I haven't felt this happy since the last time we did this.

On our way out, our tummies and hearts full, Julian inquires, "Is Aspen going to meet us at the Wests', or should we pick her up?"

I move into the passenger's seat of the car, and Julian gets in the driver's. "I think Barry's been with them today, actually. I think he's taking them to the West house."

Julian turns to me, surprised. "Aspen and Allen? Honestly?"

I push him playfully by the arm. "Behave, Albert. She deserves this. Barry's a great guy, and they've both been through more than most. After Barry's mom and all this with Wells, and Iris getting engaged to someone else, I didn't think he would be interested in anyone. And after Aspen's husband, Vlad, and Glory...I didn't think she'd end up with anyone else."

"No, no, I completely understand. I'm just...surprised. I'm happy for them."

I smile, taking his non-driving hand. "Me, too. They both deserve the best."

Julian pecks my cheek and turns on the oldies Christmas music. "Merry Christmas, love."

"Merry Christmas, Julian."

END CHAPTER EIGHTEEN