Chapter 25

Christmas was finally here. Just two weeks away. The town was fully decorated, and Christmas songs echoed through the streets as everyone rushed around getting the last presents on their lists. Callum and Faith were also doing their last gift shopping, as well as having a nice day off for just the two of them. While drinking some warm cinnamon and gingerbread lattes, they walked through the streets feeling like they were two characters in a cliché Christmas movie that ends with happily ever after.

"Hey Rapunzel, look. There's an adoption event at the pet store."

"No, I don't want to look." Faith let go of Callum's hand and covered her eyes.

"Why not?"

"It's depressing. I'm going to feel sorry for all the puppies. It's heartbreaking. I can't."

"Okay. That's fine. We don't have to go there." He chuckled and placed a soft kiss on her head. "But what if we were to adopt one?"

"What?"

"What if we look at the dogs while thinking about getting one? We don't have to get one. Let's just meet them."

"Are you sure?"

"I did say we could coparent a dog, didn't I?"

Faith bit her lower lip and glanced back and forth between Callum and the pet store. "Fine. Let's meet them and think about it."

The pet store had a Christmas tree decorated with pet toys and treats. There were lights everywhere and even some of the dogs and Santa hats and reindeer antlers on. There were both cats and dogs up for adoption, puppies and kittens as well as older animals. The event was just for people to meet the animals that were in the local shelter, see how humans and pets interacted with each other, and if anyone was interested in a pet, they would have to fill out a very detailed form so that they could be analysed and approved for responsible adoption. If the adoption was approved, pet food and other supplies would have to be purchased at the store and part of the amount of the purchase would be donated to the shelter. Faith and Callum walked through the store and petted different cats and dogs, and although almost everyone that was inside the store was delighted with the puppies and the kittens, there was an adult dog that struck a chord in Faith's heart.

"Her name is Daisy," one of the employees introduced. "She a golden retriever mix. Her owner was an old man that died recently. Sadly, his daughter doesn't have the means to keep her, so she asked us to find her a good home as fast as possible."

"Hi Daisy," Callum said, leaning forward and petting her.

Faith took a deep breath, trying to hold her tears after hearing Daisy's story.

"When does the adoption event end?" Callum asked still petting Daisy that seemed to have liked him too.

"End of this week. But the forms are only going to be approved after Christmas. We want to make sure that all these animals are going to good homes. Often during Christmas, people get pets as gifts only to abandon them right after. We want to avoid that."

"So, it's okay if we take some days to think about it?"

"Of course. I'll be here all week. And I doubt Daisy's going anywhere. People tend to prefer the younger ones."

"We'll think about it. Thank you."

As soon as they walked out of the door, Faith started to cry.

"Are you okay, princess?"

"I told you it would be too depressing," she sniffled.

"Come here. It's okay." Callum pulled her closer and she leaner her forehead against his chest as he held her tightly.

Behind them, they heard someone clear their throat. "Hello there, love birds. Just a while ago you were denying it and now here you are embracing on the street. I should've written about it in the gossip section. Although it wouldn't have been news to anyone."

"Josh," Faith grumbled as she pulled herself together.

"Fay."

"You have indeed been awfully quiet in the gossip section. Should I be worried? Are you getting ready to release a big scoop?"

"You haven't given me anything as of late. Nothing worth mentioning after your fall at the festival. But why? Do you happen to have anything for me? Perhaps something that's happening in the high society of our small town?" Josh raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"The opening of that new hotel this weekend. My dad is friends with the owner. You there?"

"No. Are you going to get me in?"

"Only if you promise to write about someone else and not me."

"Promise. Now give me a scoop. I've been dying of boredom for weeks now."

"At Mira's wedding, Ronnie was with a new date, and I've seen him around at some other events with her after that."

"Oh, really? Tell me more..."

"Lawyer. Britanny something. She's not from around here. And I know for sure Ronnie will be at the opening, too. Maybe he'll take her to that too."

"Lovely. Thank you, my dear. Always a pleasure doing business with you."

"Do you want to take Kyle with you to the hotel opening? I haven't seen him in a while, and I can put you both at our table."

"That would be great. Thanks Fay."

"No problem. I'll send you the invite tomorrow."

"And Fay, could you talk with your dad about a donation for the school? We went over budget this year for the school. As a matter of fact, there was nearly any budget at all."

"Of course. That bad this year?"

"We had some help, but it wasn't enough and there's only two weeks to get it done. I helped with the writing and my friend, the writer, you know him, he's helping too. But we still need to get some more props and costumes. The art teacher needs more money to be able to finish those, and she has already poured some of hers into it."

"No problem. I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks. We were hoping we could make it a big production this year, but it doesn't seem like it's happening at all. At least the kids are talented and hardworking, and the story did come out nicely. Even if the stage won't look perfect."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure I have a check for the school at the hotel opening and I'll give it to you."

"Thank you so much, Fay." Josh walked away as he waved them goodbye.

Faith waved back and smiled as she saw him disappear into the crowd of people walking around carrying bags and presents wrapped in glittery paper and huge bows.

"I thought you hated the guy because he keeps writing about you."

"I don't hate Josh. What he writes does annoy me, more often than not. But it's not like word wouldn't get out if he didn't write about it. It's a small town. No secrets. Everyone knows everything. Even if Josh didn't write it. At least, thanks to him, we can all laugh about each other."

"You two actually seem like good friends."

"What?" she squealed while raising both her eyebrows. "You think so?"

"Definitely. Have you two always been like that?"

"We've been bickering since high school. Same type of bickering between siblings, I suppose."

"So, you do like him."

"Please don't tell him," she begged, holding Callum's hands as if she was praying.

"I won't. I promise." Callum chuckled. "Josh was the one that started the town princess thing, right? That's why you try to convince yourself that you don't like him, isn't it?"

"How do you know?" She narrowed her eyes while glaring at him.

"I might've asked around."

"You didn't! Who did you ask?"

"First my uncle. But he didn't give me much. He just said you didn't like that name."

"Thanks Mr Grant! So, who told you?"

"Then I asked Lydia. Who also didn't give me much."

"Who told you? I need to know. I'm going to kill them."

"Your parents."

"No! Really? How could they do this to me? Betrayed by my own parents. When was this?"

"That dinner at your place, a while ago, when we were all together."

"It's so embarrassing. How could they have done this to me?"

"It's not that bad."

"How can you say that? Please tell me they didn't show you the picture."

"They did."

"My life is over..."

"What was the title? The town's princess tried to dethrone the Prom queen?"

"That's exactly right. The only time people actually picked up the school newspaper. Josh has always had a dramatic flair when it comes to his headlines. I only tripped and fell, taking the prom queen down with me. I didn't try to steel her crown or the spotlight. In fact, I'm the type of person that much rather be away from the spotlight. As far away as I can."

"That may be a little difficult for you, Faith."

"Why? Because I'm too clumsy and end up drawing attention to myself because of it?"

"No. Because you're too beautiful to go by unnoticed."

Faith felt herself turn red from head to toe, and even though she opened her mouth to talk, no sound came out. For a moment, she even forgot to breathe. She even forgot about how angry she was at Josh, and at her parents, for revealing her dark past. Callum smiled while looking at her. He would never get tired of all the adorable expressions she made when she was flustered.

"Let's go home," he whispered in her ear, making her even more flustered. Faith simply nodded, and Callum interlaced his fingers in hers and pulled her closer.

As they walked side by side, neither of them could believe that this was real, that they had found each other and that they were this in love with one another. Snow started to fall. The streets smelled like the wood burning in the fireplaces mixed with cinnamon and sugar and ginger. Life had suddenly turned into a dream and Faith felt like she was living inside one of her favourite books.