Riele's POV-
After an hour long nap, Jace and I got up and changed our clothes.
Jace went across the hall.
I gor dressed and opted for a pair of light blue high waisted jeans, a tucked in white long sleeved turtle neck that hugged my torso like a good friend, and a pair of brown suede ankle boots.
Then Jace came back into my room, just as I was touching up my make up.
"You ready yet?"
He asked me.
"Almost."
Jace looked at his phone impatiently.
"Riele, how much mascara do you need? You're eyes are already pretty."
I smiled, putting my Bare Minerals press powder compact back into my purse.
"You say that because I have mascara on."
I retorted.
Jace rolled his eyes, and gave me an annoyed look.
"Yes, I'm only saying that because you have thick black gunk on your already perfect eyelashes."
He told me facetiously.
"Well, there's no need to be rude about it."
I put my Dooney and Bourke cross body over my shoulder and walked past him.
"Just being real."
He shrugged.
" 'Real' can be real rude Mr."
I td him, seriously.
"Rie, you know I'm right You're beautiful without make up."
Jace picked the lint off of his navy blue sweater, and got into his jacket.
"Thank you, but sometimes it makes me feel extra beautiful."
I argued, putting on my cream colored petticoat. Jace helped me.
"That's my job."
He buttoned the buttons and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You're failing."
I teased.
"I'm sorry... Okay?"
Jace kissed my lips, and pressed his forehead against mine.
"You make up for it nicely."
I said softly.
"Thanks, I think I've had enough practice."
Jace gave a lopsided grin and then we left my room again and headed down to the lobby.
It was still as cold as ever outside but a little easier to get a cab.
Jace and I had a quick lunch at a restaurant called Gramercy Tavern, before going to the ice rink in Central Park.
Ella texted me that she, Cooper, and Sean were having fun and that they were about to leave to get something to eat.
Jace and I held hands while circling the rink and so many memories came flooding back to me.
I used to go ice skating all the time with Tyler, it was one of our favorite things to do together during the Christmas season.
Jace pulled me closer to his side.
"This is really fun."
He said, spinning me from one arm to the other, I giggled.
"Yeah, you're already acting like a professional."
He twirled me around until I became dizzy, and begged for him to stop, laughing so hard I thought my sides would split.
"What do you do in the summer?"
Hr asked.
I shrugged.
"Same thing."
Jace's eyes got wide.
"For real?"
"Yep."
"Doesn't the ice melt or something?"
I shook my head and grabbed onto his arm, after nearly tripping over my own feet.
"They keep it frozen with some sort of machine I think."
"That's pretty cool."
He said.
"Yeah, New York is like that."
Enjoy ;)
A slower song came on and Jace gave me a warm smile.
"Welp. Time to go back to the hotel."
He joked.
I laughed.
"That's awful."
I said.
Jace took both of my hands in his grinning.
"Cane we go around a few more times?"
I asked, like an an eager little girl.
"Sure."
Jace held onto my hand as we began circling the rink.
We soared along the ice in perfect synch with the music and lapped around the rink a few times before slowing down and just being in each other's arms.
Jace's POV-
Riele leaned her head against my shoulder smiling faintly.
I could tell she was having a really good time and I was too.
I was holding the most amazing girlfriend I could ever ask for.
I loved the way she smelled, the way she talked, the way she carried herself.
It made me happy to be alive, and to be experiencing this moment right now with her.
"Hey, do you want to know something?"
I asked.
"What?"
Riele looked up into my eyes, and I got warm and nervous.
"I'm glad you chose me to be with."
I said. I know it may sound cliche and corny but it eas how I was feeling.
And I wanted to let her know that.
She cocked her head at me.
"There's never been anybody else to make me feel this way Jace, I'm glad I chose you too."
She said softly.
"Riele, promise me you won't fall in love with anyone else?"
I stroked her cheek with my thumb. My heart was beating so loudly.
"I promise."
Riele slid her arms around my neck and hugged me.
"Let's kiss on it."
I whispered against her ear.
"I'd like that."
She pulled back and connected her lips with mine.
Passion has got nothing on Riele Downs.
I could have spent forever with her on that ice rink, but as luck would have it all good things must come to an end.
"Jace! Oh my god, what a coincidence seeing you here!"
Isabela had finally made her appearance.
But wait it gets worse... Guess who's skating with her?
"Tyler?!"
Riele looked as if she wanted to laugh and be mad at the same time.
"Riele?!"
Her old 'friend' Tyler looked just as surprised Isabela was holding his hand and smirking at me.
I did not see this coming.
Riele's POV-
It was weird seeing that very odd couple in the park.
But to avoid drama Jace and I quickly said our goodbyes and went for our walk.
I didn't want any distractions or anything. Just Jace and I in beautiful looking park.
The sun was setting and the snow was still glistening from the day's warmth.
Jace held my hand, and I led him through my favorite paths that I took many times as a kid.
"I'm kinda shocked about seeing Tyler with Isabela."
Jace shook his head and blew into the air.
"I am too, they just don't seem like a likely couple."
I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it either.
"How did they even meet?"
Jace's face scrunched up.
"I have no idea, but I'd love to hear that story."
I said, shaking my head.
"Yeah, it's probably something totally barfy."
Jace agreed.
"You think love stories are barfy? What about us."
I nudged him, smiling.
"We're different... We actually love each other."
Jace said.
"You don't think they love each other?"
"I know Isabela and what I saw was not love."
I frowned and leaned my head against Jace's shoulder.
"Poor Ty."
"Yep... Hey, do you wanna split a pretzel?"
So much for kindness and compassion.
"Sure."
We stopped at a hot pretzel cart and Jace got us a pretzel that we shared while still walking through the park.
I could smell the popcorn and peppermint candy from the Christmas fair that was still going on.
It was getting late and I was getting sleepy.
Today had been a pretty incredible day.
"You ready to go?"
Jace stopped walking, to wrap me up in his arms.
"Yeah, it's getting really cold out here."
I said.
"I had an awesome time."
Jace replied.
"Me too."
There was a moment of pausing.
"What about dinner?"
Jace pressed his cold cheek against mine.
I yawned, to be honest I was way too tired to do anything but stand up.
"Room service, babe."
Jace's POV-
Riele looked like cute a little kitten, rubbing at her eyes and looking up at me drowsily.
I chuckled and let go of her.
"Okay."
It started to snow again, snow flakes drizzled down from the sky and clung to her hair.
"Better get moving or we'll freeze to death."
I said.
"When we get to the hotel I want hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane."
Riele said, dreamily.
We left the park, got into our fifth cab that day, and headed back to the Baltimore Cheratin.
Riele nearly fell asleep on me twice.
When we finally reached the hotel she went to her room to change into her pajama's, and then spent the night in my room.
We ordered room service, and I got her the hot chocolate she wanted.
"Thank you for today, I loved every minute of it."
She told me while licking the marshmellow fluff off of her candy cane.
We were snuggled up in my bed, with a mountain of blakets, watching A Christmas Carol.
I kissed her nose, and rested my cheek against her hair.
"You're welcome, I loved it too. New York is amazing."
Riele put her hot chocolate on the night stand, and burrowed under the blankets closer to me, sighing contentedly.
"You're amazing."
She said softly.
My heart warmed and I looked down at her.
She was fast asleep.
I kissed her forehead then turned off the lamp and hugged her tight against me.
I didn't need a lot of presents and fancy things for Christmas.
A holiday spent with the beautiful girl in my arms was enough.
Time skip-
Riele's POV-
Christmas eve flew by quickly.
The day was spent prepping for Christmas, and getting everything ready.
All my gifts were wrapped and under the tree.
Christmas morning was being spent in my room, and then we were all going to dinner.
I slept in Jace's room again, to keep from being tempted by all of the gifts.
"Ugh, I can't sleep I'm too excited."
Jace was watching a football game on the TV.
"Count sheep."
He suggested.
"Don't you mean reindeer?"
Jace shrugged.
"Whatever."
I tossed and turned.
I felt like an anxious little kid just waiting for Christmas to already be here.
"What if I just took one little peek to make sure they are all there?"
Jace laughed, and flipped through the channels after the New England Patriots won.
"Rie, they can't just stand up and walk out. I'm sure everything is still under the tree."
I stared at my pillow, huffing.
"If they aren't... It's gonna be all your fault."
I said. Jace turned the Tv off and then positioned himself in front of me.
"Hey, I know what'll take your mind off those gifts."
Jace pulled his shirt over his head, and I forgot what I had just been thinking about.
He smirked.
"What was- I could have sworn I was- Ooh, you're good."
"I know."
He said, cockily.
"Shut-up."
"You shut-up."
"I'm not shuti-"
Jace cut me off by leaning down and kissing me.
He lifted up my frosty the snow man tank top and pulled it off.
I smiled, and wrapped my arms around his neck.
After that we made love until I finally fell asleep.
When I wake up again it'll be Christmas!
Jace's POV-
The next morning I woke up early, showered, then got ready for the day we had lots of Christmas festivities planned and it all began with unwrapping our gifts.
I went across the hall to Riele's room to make sure my present for her was still there.
When I came back, she was already in the shower.
"Merry Christmas my little ginger snap!"
I said, as Riele emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam.
"Good morning, It's Christmas finally."
She was beaming, as she got dressed.
"Are the others up?"
She asked me, wrapping a towel around her damp curls.
"I don't know... Let me see."
I left the bedroom and text Cooper
Me: U up?
Cooper Baryard🐓🐄🐷: Hell yeah! I'll be over in a second.
After that was Sean.
Me: You up?
Sean Ryan Foxer🐾: Yep, I'm still in my pj's though so don't judge me 😏
I smiled. That was such a Sean thing.
Ella was last but not least.
Me: You up?
Elly El🎀💫🎀: Yeah, tell Rie I'll be over in 5 minutes it's Christmas!! 🙌
So everybody was up and on there way over to Riele's room.
"What's up?"
Riele came into the living area dressed so perfectly and smelling so good.
"Their coming right now."
I pulled her under the mistletoe, and squeezed her waist until she laughed.
"Merry Christmas, babe."
"And Merry Christmas to you too Daddy Prince."
She kissed me, and we lingered on each others lips until Riele pulled back.
"We better get over there it's present time!"
"Okay, okay."
I let her drag me across the hall for the best part of Christmas.
Riele's POV-
"Dan couldn't make it because he had a date but at least we're all here at least... Right?"
It was a bummer that Dan couldn't be with us but hey, you win some you lose some.
"Okay, we'll all go in a circle Riele you're first. What did you get?"
Cooper seemed to be dictating how this joyous event, and that was okay just as long as I got to my gifts.
I pulled one of my presents from under the tree, Ella held up her phone, she was in charge of taking all the pictures and recording all the videos.
My first present was from Jace.
It was in a small slender velvet box and he was watching my face very carefully.
I tore off the paper excitedly and popped the box open.
"Oh. My. God."
I placed my hand over my mouth.
"What is it?"
Sean asked, nibbling on a ginger bread man cookie.
I was nearly speechless as I lifted a delicate silver necklace out of the box, it had a diamond studded J on it.
"Jace I can't believe you did this! Thank you so much I love it!"
I hopped up to give him a big kiss and a hug.
Jace smiled and he helped me put it on.
He was clearly happy to see I loved his gift.
"You're welcome, babe."
Jace was blushing as Cooper fist bumped him with a grin.
"Damn girl, that looks like 19 karats. I need a man."
Ella sighed, as she took pictures of my necklace.
"What you need is to stay away from men."
Sean teased.
"Shut it, chip munk boy."
Ella shot back referring to Sean's Alvin and the Chipmunks onsie pajama's.
Sean's ears turned pink and we all laughed.
After that the reactions were piceless as Ella caught them all on her phone.
I saw what everybody else got and Jace was exstatic about that watch I bought him.
He wore it right out the box.
My heart was full, when I saw his face light up after ripping off the paper. It made my whole Christmas, and the fun wasn't over yet.
After everyone had opened their gifts we played games and stuffed ourselves with cookies and Christmas tree shaped pancakes.
A little while later, Jace and I cuddled up on the couch. Sean laid on the floor prohraming his new iphone.
Cooper and Ella shared the love seat, and we binge watched Christmas shows until it was time to go to dinner.
Then we separated then to get ready.
"Riele, I need to barrow shoes!"
Ella came back into my room without knocking.
"What happened to the hundred thousand pairs of shoes you bought?"
I asked her.
"They don't go with this outfit."
Ella was wearing a tight emerald green dress.
I was wearing the black tank top Jace bought me and fitted black skirt.
My necklace gleamws against my neck ans it looked so beautiful.
"Okay, but I think all I packed was boots.
Ella went hunting through my closet, she came up with a pair of simple nude pumps.
"Rie, you can't go to dinner at Maurice's in boots, duh."
She said.
I rolled my eyes.
"Fyi, I'm not wearing boots, see?"
I lifted my foot to show her the dark navy colored stilettos I had on.
"You look great."
Ella said with a smile.
"Thanks so do you."
I replied, finishing my make up
"I think Jace has one more present he's gonna unwrap tonight."
Ella teased raising an eyebrow.
I blushed as we left my room to meet up with the guys in the lobby.
"El, please stop."
"What? I'm just stating truth."
She giggled.
"Yeah, but do you have to say it? Why can't you just be normal and think it?"
Ella shrugged.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of Riele, you're in love and I'm happy for you."
She hugged me, and I was touched by her words.
"Thanks El, I'm sure there's some special somone out there for you too."
I said.
"I can't wait until we find each other."
Ella sighed dreamily.
The elevator opened, and we walked out into the lobby of the hotel.
I saw Jace looking a million degrees hotter than he usually does in a casual white button down, navy blazer and black slacks.
"Hey, you look incredible."
Jace kissed my cheek and took my hand in his.
"Thanks, I was just thinking the same about you, you're so cute in a tie."
I smiled at him.
"Let's get going, our reservations are only being held until 9:00 O'clock."
Cooper led the way out the rotating doors that he and Jace held open for me and Ella.
We all piled into a cab and went to dinner.
It was the perfect end to a perfect Christmas.
The next day....
Jace's POV-
The New years eve party in Times Square was off the hook, literally, the ball was about to drop.
It was 11:57 pm and Riele squeezed my hand excitedly.
"It's almost here! It's coming! I can't wait!"
"Rie, calm down, you're squeezing the life out of my hand."
Riele distractedly brought my fingers to her lips and kissed them.
"Yeah, okay, sorry babe."
She said quickly, her eyes were glued to Beyoncé's live performance on stage.
She loved her some Beyoncé. But who doesn't?
I was so caught up watching the show that I hadn't even realized the count down had begun.
"TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX, FIVE, FOUR,THREE, TWO, ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Ella Cooper and Sean blew on their noise makers, and the sky erupted in bright pink and blue confetti.
New York was all aglow with lights, and filled with noise and laughter.
I grabbed Riele by her waist and kissed her with all my might.
People all around us were kissing and Ella even gave Sean a kiss on his cheek too.
"Happy New Year, Babe!"
"Happy New Year!"
Riele laughed and hugged me.
After that Pit bul and Christina Aguilera burst onto the stage and did the honors of closing out the night with a high energy song.
The crowd was hopping and we hopped along with them.
I never let go of Riele's hand, and I had a feeling I wouldn't let go for the rest of my life.
🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆
I hoped you all liked this book! I had a great time writing it! Thanks so much for reading. Please leave a comment and vote!!