Lanterns light up the walkway for their footsteps. Mint permeates their nostrils of the cooked meats that await them. Fathers lift their small children up on their shoulders to get a better view.

Numerous people are skating on the makeshift rink ahead of them. Some slip and fall, but they get back up to try again. Will's mouth drops in wonder from the many sights and activities he wants to do. But first things first, they head to Jaime's wine stand to check on him and his siblings.

Small vapors are pouring out from the heated red wine Jaime and Gash personally serve to the customers while Emilia, Javier, and Esmerelda hand out fresh lamb empanadas after purchase. Meanwhile, Hector and Jr stand outside to ensure no one is cutting the line. Business is running smoothly as customers of different species warm up from their beverages.

"Thanks for your business!" Jaime calls out. He nudges Gash to let him know their parents are here.

Will smiles proudly of their teamwork. "Need any help, son?"

"No need, papa. Have fun. We will be taking a break in an hour or so."

Gash hands them cups of heated red wine and food to enjoy. His brown eyes take in the red color and vapors before putting it to his lips for a sip. He swallows down the warm sweet flavor that helps him against the running cold wind.

"Que bueno!" He exclaims with pride.

"Jaime Bennett- Ramirez, estoy orgullosa de ti (I'm proud of you)," his mother speaks in Span.

His magenta eyes almost well up from hearing their words. He keeps his feelings inside and locks their words into his heart.

"Come back for-"

William pulls him in for a quick embrace that Melody joins. He fights himself not to cry as he planned to save those tears when they...

He feels their arms pushing him back.

"Take a break if you need to," his mother suggests.

"We will see you later!" Will tells them before getting a tug on his arm by Nerdeani.

"Let's skate, uncle!"

He lets her lead him away to where they can get skating shoes. After he and his wives put on their pairs, he almost loses his balance on walking on the thin blades. Bumva gives him support with one arm to catch him.

"Nice and easy," she advises with a laugh. Nerdeani expertly steps onto the edge of the frozen lake and waits for her uncle. Bumva lets go of him as his niece grabs his hands.

"Start with bending your knees and lean a little bit forward. Then do slow marches. Keep your eyes up and in the direction you want to go. Like walking, it's one step at a time," she instructs.

He listens while she holds onto his arms to keep him balanced. She takes steps backwards as he moves forward. She keeps giving him advice as she turns to his left side to lead him around.

"You're doing great, uncle!"

"T-Thanks!" He nervously says.

"Ready to do it on your own?"

"Sure," he second-guesses himself.

"Make it over to Tia Mel then."

His first wife is standing in place with perfect balance. She beckons him over with a waving hand. He keeps his eyes on her ruby ports as he makes his way. Another skater crosses his path which makes him throw his arms out--

"Ow!" He grunts from falling on his butt. Sindy and the others can't help but laugh.

"Come on, mi amor! I will give you a kiss if you make it," Melody encourages.

A fire burns inside of him for that reward. He gets up from a kneeling position and takes his time. He leans too much forward as he gets close, but Mel catches him in place without falling down herself.

He laughs to himself which makes her think. "What is it?"

"I fell for you," he jokes with emphasis. She lets out a snicker before French kissing him. She breaks the kiss before he pulls her in for another. They separate with softened eyes.

Before he can say another word, Bumva takes him away by the arm for her turn. Will is still smiling from the love he has for both of them. He feels more confident as he skates alongside her. As they turn around, they see Melody gaining speed and jumping through the air. She brings her legs in to spin in rotation before landing perfectly.

She hears clapping from her husband and the spectators.

"That's my wife!" She hears him yell out. 

"That's my mom!" Hector exclaims.

Those comments of pride have her smiling from ear to ear while she continues. Her children go on break and join their family in ice skating and other activities that include building a snowman that William enjoys the most from seeing what he and his family created.

Jaime slowly heads back to the stand when he checks the time. A lightly cloaked petite woman is at the stand who's clutching her torso with her arms. Her body trembles from the cold wind biting through her clothing. She hears his footsteps and goes to leave.

"How about some heated wine to warm up?"

The tone of that question stops her in her tracks. His kind voice makes her heart thud against her chest.

"I-I don't have any money," she tells him with an accent he recognized.

"Wo de mingzi shi Jamie Bennett-Ramirez (he introduces his name in Chin) The first drink is on me," he walks past to open the stand early.

"Y-You know some Chin?" She asks with a lowered head.

"I picked it up from my sister's teacher." He pours out some wine. "What's your name?"

She doesn't respond out of safety.......for him. He doesn't take offense as he hands her the drink.

She takes a sip with her hands on the cup. Her body gently shudders from the warm liquid going down her throat. Giving her a reason to continue. Jaime lets her drink while he gets out an empanada for her.

"Free of charge."

She quickly scarfs it down within seconds to his surprise. "Sorry. I forgot to eat a while ago."

She hears the shuffling of a napkin.

"Take another."

She waves her hands in refusal. "You have a business, I can't-"

"I can't let you leave on an empty stomach. Also, take these."

She sees him put his winter gloves and an extra jacket right next to the food.

"It gets really cold out here."

"Xiexie," she stammers a thank you before putting them on. Another cold wind blows by and she almost grins as the extra layers keep out the cold. She enjoys the food and wine until she hears some people muttering behind her.

"Are you open, Jaime?" A customer asks.

"I am now. Miss, would you like to get near the fire we have here? You can stay as long as you want to."

She senses nothing but genuine kindness to help her. She fights on her decision and decides to look up. Her light-golden irises get entranced by his magentas that remind her of a crimson flowerhead from her native country. And a handsome face that went with them.

He sees her eyes and time almost freezes in place. His heart races from seeing strands of her silky black hair blowing across her gentle face. Her eyes lovely yet filled with pain. She gets the same feeling from his eyes.

"Jaime. Jaime," Gash pats him on the back to bring him back to reality.

He turns to him. "Sorry. I was just talking with-"

The beautiful woman he's talking with is no longer there.

He scans around for her. "Did anyone else see her?"

"She was just here. I don't know how she left," Emilia ponders.

"Did you fall in love with her?" Gash jests.

"I-I-" He second guesses himself because he never met a woman who left him that tongue-tied.

"Maybe you will see her again," Esmie hopes while her husband kisses her cheek.

"Maybe. Let's get back to work! Next in line!"

While he's back at work, the woman from Chin hides behind a wall. She can't take her eyes off the presents he gave her. Her mind replays the moment she met him.

"Jaime," she mutters before looking down in shame. "We can't be together. It's safer for you that way."

She tries to walk away, but her heart begs her to stay. A sound from the area startles her.

"Nivis!"

Magical snowflakes produce over the festival and lightly fall down with sparkling colors. Her heart settles down from the display.

Maybe things will change this time. I....I want to see him again. Just need to keep my distance.

----

Business runs smoothly for the stand until closing time. Jaime and his family collect his funds and pack everything up to go. William comes over with Melody and Bumva in hand.

"How did it go?"

"Perfect," Jaime happily sighs.

His parents and loved ones pick up on that.

"Who's the lucky mujer?" His mother asks.

"I didn't get her name, but she's from Chin. So beautiful and nice. But she left before we could talk more."

Luis' eyebrows shoot up. "Is my brother actually in love?"

"I closed my heart to love for so long, but..."

"Don't be ashamed, mijo. You deserve to be happy too in other areas of your life. She made you smile, so that's a good thing," his father tells him.

Jaime fights himself from crying as he knows what's coming next. The others feel the same way.

"We have an hour left. Let's head home," Will strums his mandolin.

"Magical cosmos, bring us and our items back to my home.
Let us not roam."

His magic teleports him and his loved ones back to the mansion. The golden irises are astounded. She takes a whiff and follows it down with a hurried pace as if running on four legs. She hides behind a large tree near with eyes settled on the group entering the mansion. Sensing a blanket of sadness upon them, her heart sinks with unwanted validation.

Her ears pick up musical notes from inside the place. A lively tune as if to lift their spirits. The cold doesn't bother her as she seeks to know the answer to her troubling thoughts. The door opens and the whole group returns outside with two chairs. A man and an orc woman sit down in them while holding hands.

Her eyes make out their wedding rings from a distance. The orc woman's face is flowing with tears and her heart almost breaks. Is she crying because of me?

The couple holds hands for a while until the man stands up.

"Thank you being the ballast in my life," before kissing her softly. He lets his fingers walk off her face slowly before turning to another woman. He pulls out thin wires of silver and hands it to her.

"Emilia, I know this will keep you safe while we're away."

Her lips quiver before burying her head into his chest. Her body trembles until he slowly let go of her.

His whole family and friends embrace him and Melody in silence. They said everything they could to them.

"Gulak, this is for you," he hands him his engraved mandolin. His son's hands tremble upon taking his final gift.

"I-I will take care of it for you," he swallows the lump in his throat.

"Will you, Tiffany, and Claude play the song we had at the wedding?"

"I know that one," Claude utters. Cara wraps her wrists around him to give him strength. 

William walks over to Melody with an outstretched hand.

"Baile conmigo," he whispers. She takes his hand which leads her to the middle of the front yard.

Claude, Tiffany, and Gulak gather their courage and play the song together. Will dances with Melody while looking into her eyes. Snow kicks up from the movements as they dance faster and faster to the rhythm. The song then slows down.

They lean into each other with their hearts overlaying each other. Their eyes meet as she looks up at him.

"Mi amor, I have a final question."

He nods for her to continue.

"If I picked the first choice to rest with my people then and there, would it have been delivered with a kiss?"

"Absolutely. You deserved to know romantic love either way. Something sweet before you went."

Her body shudders from the rolling winter breeze. A feeling she hasn't felt in a long time. He pulls her in closer by the small of her back to keep her warm. He peppers her face with kisses. She returns the favor before locking lips with him. Their legs buckle from underneath, breaking the hearts of their loved ones.

Their breaths begin to get short and shallow. Her warm breath is visible for the first time in a while. Her magenta irises dull from the remaining time left.

He forces his hand up to trace something on her forehead that she remembers. The mind-reading ritual but with genuine love behind it. He presses his forehead against hers.

"I love you, my ruby port Reina."

"Te amo, my lovely bard."

"You will be with me---up----there."

"I'm--glad--we met."

Chiming from the large clock tower.

Their bodies slump with him landing on top of her. They give each other a smile as they breathe as one. Taking in their final moments as husband and wife. Their lives flash from all the times they spent together. The unlikely romance between the skeleton queen and a bard led them to this moment. They wrap their arms around each other with their remaining strength.

On the twelfth stoke, their final breaths climb up to the heavens. The strumming of music stops. Bumva sinks to the snow and lets out a painful roar of agony. Not a dry eye is in sight from what they witnessed.

"Mom? Dad?" Jaime utters in shock.

The woman from Chin covers her mouth in horror. Guilt washes over as a mental reminder why she can't be around others. Running tears drip on the white blanket of snow.