“You noticed that?” she asks, voice muffled by my shirt.
“I notice a lot of things.” I squeeze her neck, massaging away the tightness. “Let’s get you some skates, Michelle Kwan.”
“Rude, but I’ll allow it since you’re taking me skating.” Stepping away, she tugs on my hand, urging me toward the small rink they erect yearly in the center of town.
Her bright smile is a beacon in the night, and I can’t do anything but bask in her radiance. It’s been months since I’ve seen her like this. Shelving the previous conversation, I allow her to lead.
The cardboard cutouts of theIce Castleare just as cheesy as ever but lovingly up kept. The king and his family evoke nostalgia as they smile up at us from their winter wonderland background.
The King’s royal outfit is a rich purple. While his wife’s a deep blue. The princess is wearing a bright red dress with fur cuffs.
“This has always reminded me of a game board come to life,” Dec says as we take our place in the back of the line for skate rentals.
“I remember. You used to make me play princess with you.”
“I let you be a prince.”
“More like forced me. I wanted to be a knight.”
She laughs. “I wanted us to match, so everyone understood we belonged together.”
The words feel profound in lieu of our situation. “Possessive, even at that young age?” I tug one of her curls, and she grins.
“No. Just smart enough to know I had something worth protecting.”
“You couldn’t lose me if you tried, December. You know that, right?”
“I never wanted to find out.” Opening my arms, I welcome her in. She rests her head on my chest, and I pull her close.
“You won’t.”
“Did I screw everything up for us?” She whispers.
“Why would you ask me that?”
She bites her bottom lip.
“Do you think you did?”
“I’m not sure. Things aren’t the same.” She lifts her head up. “You feel it too, right?”
“Does that have to be a bad thing? People grow, relationships evolve, and bonds deepen.”
“Is that what this is?”
“It could be—”
“Daddy, her’s a princess!” A tiny blonde dressed like one of the Disney characters approaches us. “Just like on the sign.”
“Cammie, don’t bother those nice people.” The dad whispers.
“But Daddy, look. Hers got a cape, and she’s so pretty.” The blonde—Cammie points, leaning her head back to stare at December. I grin down and wave. I can’t blame her for being taken by my girl dressed in caroling flare.
The flustered dad smiles bashfully. “I’m sorry about this.”
Grinning, Dec kneels. “I’m December. Who are you?”
“I’m Cammie. Are you a princess from the Ice Castle?” the little girl asks.