Perfection

I nestled further into her chest, locking her warmth in and the biting winter air out. This would be perfect, had I been able to feel my legs. Glistening lights of all colors, shapes and sizes were draped from street lamps like aerialists cavorting from their rich silks. I nearly laughed at the study of stark contrasts, the beautiful bulbs loftily bathing the streets in their glory against the intensity of the gothic ambiance the lamps projected. It seemed a warning of sorts, all good in this world came with a darkness. A price. Some more than a person could pay in a lifetime. Almost like this. I was all too thrilled to spend Christmas in the city with my beloved, but I feared if I didn't warm up soon, I'd lose my limbs to frostbite's spindly fingers.

    "B-Beryl, can we g-go ins-side?" I requested, through chattering teeth. She looked my person up and down, seemingly noticing my violent shivering for the first time.

    "Of course, Aadhira," she started. She helped me to stand until I began to feel anything from my hips down. "Why didn't you ask before?" 

    A large swoop of my arm gestured toward the beauty of this city. "I-it's gorgeous. I d-didn't want to l-leave it." The smile she offered in return thawed any chill left rattling my bones. Cold snow seeped in through the sneakers I'd foolishly chosen to wear. I should've selected my boots. We continued to hobble our way to the tea shoppe we'd found not far from the large Christmas tree city people flocked to by the hundreds. Father Christmas released a breath in our direction. A gust of arctic air filed with bits of snow wound It's serpentine body around me, finding It's way under my clothing and eliciting a hard turbulence to ring through my body.

    We finally made it into the cozy shoppe. The walls were decorated in marvels of brown, yellow and light orange, swirling like the fire raging in the mantel by the glass case of sweets divined from the heavens. I reserved us a table closest to the fire. After ordering, a small tea service was brought to our table, along with a delectable looking slice of chocolate cake with raspberry ganache and espresso icing. I brought a forkful of guilty pleasure to my mouth and savored the taste of it. Jasmine and bergamot wafted from our cups, igniting my senses and warming my heart. Beryl reached over and grasped my hand in hers.

This was perfect.