Love In A Heartbeat: Mini Love Stories

Jun 06, 2024

A December to Begin Again is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Published by: CurtissLynn Publishing

Cover design: Shiver Shot Designs

No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, and articles.

This Christmas, love comes home...

Maddie thought she’d left her past—and her estranged husband—behind. Nearly a year after asking Theo to move out, she’s tried to rebuild her life, even signing the divorce papers that shattered her dreams of happily ever after. But when an unexpected encounter at the mall brings Theo back into her world, old wounds resurface alongside emotions she thought she’d buried for good.

Theo never stopped loving Maddie. He thought giving her space was the right thing to do, but every day without her has only proven how wrong he was. Now, he’s ready to fight for the life they planned, the love they shared, and the future he can’t imagine without her.

As snow blankets the world outside and Christmas approaches, Maddie and Theo face the heartache of a love they thought was lost. Together, they rediscover the dreams they once shared and find the courage to build the forever they never stopped hoping for.

The mall hummed with the chaotic energy of last-minute holiday shoppers, the air thick with the sound of jingling bells, festive music, and the occasional wail of an overtired child. Amelia Rivers adjusted the pointed green hat atop her head for the hundredth time, pulling it down in a futile attempt to cover her plastic pointed ears. The hat, along with her jingling red-and-white-striped tights and oversized shoes, completed her corporate-mandated holiday humiliation. She glanced at the line of parents and squirming kids waiting for their turn with Santa.

“I have an MBA,” she muttered under her breath, setting out another row of promotional calendars on the table. The banner behind her read, Brightway Consulting Wishes You a Merry Christmas! Nothing said “financial planning services” like a thirty-something woman dressed as an elf in the middle of a mall.

And then it happened.

A toddler in an oversized reindeer sweater waddled up to Santa, his face scrunched up with the unmistakable prelude to a meltdown. Before Santa could utter a hearty "Ho, ho, ho," the little boy erupted into a chorus of sobs, his face turning an alarming shade of red.

“Uh-oh,” she murmured, her attention snapping to the scene.

Santa, ever the professional, leaned forward to soothe the child. “What’s wrong, little guy? Tell Santa—”

Too late. The toddler gagged, his cheeks puffing out before he unleashed the contents of what could only be described as a holiday feast—mac and cheese, peppermint candy, and something orange—directly onto Santa’s plush red suit.

Maddie cringed, frozen for a split second, before springing into action. She grabbed the stack of napkins she’d been using at her promotional booth and darted toward the chaos. “I’ve got it!” she called, waving the napkins like a white flag of surrender.

Santa looked up at her, his face caught between horror and resignation, as she crouched next to him. “Here you go,” she said quickly, dabbing at his sleeve with a weak smile. “This wasn’t in the job description, huh?”

“Not exactly,” Santa muttered, holding his soiled glove as far away from himself as possible.

She worked quickly, cleaning up as best she could and trying not to gag. By the time the toddler’s frazzled mother scooped him up with a string of apologies, Maddie felt her holiday spirit had been sufficiently tested for the day.

Straightening, she brushed her hands against her apron and turned back toward her booth—only to come face-to-face with him.

“Excuse me,” a deep, familiar voice said, stopping her mid-step.

Her heart skipped. She turned slowly, her stomach flipping as her eyes landed on Theo—her estranged, almost ex-husband. The man she’d once planned to spend forever with, standing there in the middle of the mall like a ghost from a life she’d tried to leave behind.

Theo looked almost exactly as she remembered: tall, broad-shouldered, with the quiet confidence that had always drawn her to him. His dark hair was slightly longer than it used to be, and there was a shadow of stubble on his jaw that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him. But his eyes—steady and intent—were the same. They locked onto hers, and for a moment, it was like the months between them didn’t exist.

“Theo,” she said, her voice catching slightly. “What are you doing here?”

His lips curved—just the faintest hint of a smile. “Wasn’t expecting to see you, either. Nice hat, by the way.”

Maddie bristled, her hands going to the jingling brim of her elf hat. “It’s for work,” she said, her tone defensive. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

His eyes flicked over her costume, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “I could ask you the same thing. Didn’t peg you for a mall elf.”

She crossed her arms, regretting it immediately as the jingling bells on her apron betrayed her irritation. “Some of us have jobs that require a little creativity around the holidays.”

“And here I thought you were allergic to tinsel,” he teased.

Her jaw tightened. “What do you want, Theo?”

He raised his hands, palms out, as if surrendering. “Relax, I’m just here to do some shopping. I didn’t expect to run into you.”

She gave him a skeptical look, her gaze drifting to the pink, glossy department store bag hanging from his hand. The delicate, unmistakable logo of a high-end boutique caught her eye, and a pang of something—jealousy? Curiosity?—stabbed her. It was the kind of place you went to when you were shopping for a woman. A special woman.

“For her, I assume,” she said, unable to keep the bite out of her voice.

He frowned. “Her who?”

“Oh, come on, Theo,” she said, her words spilling out faster than she could stop them. “Your girlfriend. Or whoever you’re buying that for.” She nodded toward the bag.

His brows knit together, and for a moment, he just looked... confused. Then realization dawned, and he let out a low chuckle.

“You think I’m—” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “Maddie, it’s not like that.”

“Right,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Because shopping for jewelry in the middle of the holiday season isn’t classic boyfriend behavior.”

“It’s not what you think,” he insisted, but there was a softness in his voice now.

She huffed, not wanting to read into it. “I’m not interested in your explanations, Theo. You’ve moved on, and so have I. End of story.”

“Is that what you tell yourself?”

His words stopped her short, her heart thudding in her chest. She forced herself to meet his gaze, the warmth there undoing her carefully built walls.

“I should get back to work,” she said, looking away.

He nodded slowly, but there was something in his expression—an unspoken question, a lingering thought—that told her this wasn’t over.

“You should head home soon,” he said, his tone gentler now. “The snow’s picking up out there.”

Maddie blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “I’m used to driving in snow,” she said with a shrug, aiming for nonchalance.

Theo’s brow furrowed, his concern unmistakable. “Still, it’s getting bad. You shouldn’t take chances. Not tonight.”

She didn’t have the heart to tell him that going home wasn’t the comfort it used to be. The house she’d once loved felt like an empty shell now, haunted by the absence of his laughter, his warmth. She’d volunteered to work this Christmas Eve event not out of holiday spirit, but because the idea of spending the night alone in that house—their house—was too much to bear.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, forcing a tight smile. “I’ve got this covered.”

He searched her face for a moment, as if weighing whether to press the issue. Finally, he nodded, though the crease between his brows didn’t smooth out. “See you around, Maddie,” he said, his tone more serious now.

Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the holiday crowd, his broad shoulders blending into the sea of shoppers. She stood there, rooted in place, as a hollow ache she’d tried so hard to ignore made itself known again.

The bells on her elf hat jingled as she shifted, their cheerful sound mocking her. She brushed the dampness from her eyes, her fingers trembling slightly.

The truth hit her like the cold wind that had been swirling outside all day. She wasn’t over him. Not even close.

Theo stood at the edge of the food court, his gaze fixed on the fading bustle of the mall as closing time crept closer. The line at the Santa display had vanished, leaving only Maddie packing up the remnants of her booth. She moved with practiced efficiency, her head bowed, her hands methodically tucking promotional calendars into a tote bag. She wasn’t smiling, and it struck him how much he missed the way she used to light up a room with just her presence.

He hadn’t felt whole since the day he’d moved out. His life had become a series of empty routines: work, his small, impersonal apartment, nights out with buddies that felt hollow, television shows he couldn’t enjoy because she wasn’t there to narrate them with her endless movie trivia and enthusiastic commentary.

His mind drifted to the first time he saw Maddie. She’d been standing outside a corner bakery, holding a steaming cup of coffee and laughing with a friend. Her brown eyes, warm and sparkling, had caught his, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. When her gaze met his, there was a flicker of surprise mingled with something else—something that had sent his pulse racing. Desire, maybe, but it had been more than that.

Then she’d smiled, bright as the sun, her laughter carrying across the street. She’d been wearing a yellow sundress, and he remembered thinking she looked like pure sunshine, radiating warmth and light. That was Maddie. She could brighten the darkest corner of any room, and without her, his world had dimmed to gray.

She’d brightened his life in ways he hadn’t even realized until it was too late. Moving out was supposed to give her the space she’d asked for, but instead, it had left him feeling like a shell of himself. He’d left his heart with her, and every day since had been a reminder of what he’d lost.

Now, seeing her again, standing just feet away, that same heart beat painfully in his chest. She hadn’t been happy to see him earlier—her gaze had been guarded, her tone sharp—but there had been something else, too. Something that flickered to life when she thought he was shopping for another woman.

The way her eyes had narrowed, the slight tremor in her voice when she’d assumed he had a girlfriend… Could it mean she still cared? Did she still love him?

Theo rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze never leaving her. She moved with a purpose, but there was a stiffness to her movements, a sign of her unease. His Maddie had always been an open book, her emotions written across her face in bold, beautiful strokes. Now, she was guarded, her walls firmly in place, and he knew he was the one who’d put them there.

He shifted on his feet, debating whether to approach her or let her be. But the pull toward her was too strong, like gravity. He couldn’t just walk away.

This wasn’t over. Not yet.

He should have gone home hours ago. When he’d told her “see you around,” he’d meant it as an exit. Instead, he’d wandered the mall aimlessly, weaving through crowds and sidestepping stressed parents and wailing toddlers. The glossy department store bag in his hand felt heavier than it should, a reminder of everything he hadn’t said.

Maddie had asked him to leave almost a year ago. Her voice had been calm, measured, and heartbreakingly distant. I think we need space, Theo. Maybe it’s time for you to move out.

At the time, he’d told himself it was temporary. That she’d just needed a little room to breathe, to sort through whatever frustrations she was feeling. But deep down, he’d known the truth. The space she’d needed wasn’t because of her, but because of him—his inability to communicate, to share the thoughts and emotions that churned inside him.

He’d loved her with every fiber of his being, but when it came to showing it, he’d fallen short. Maddie had always been so open, so fearless in her vulnerability. She’d told him her darkest secrets, shared her biggest fears, and trusted him to hold all of it without judgment.

But he couldn’t do the same.

Every time she’d pressed him, asked him what he was feeling or what he wanted, he’d deflected. Not because he didn’t feel, but because the depth of his emotions scared him. He hadn’t grown up in a family that talked about love or pain, and the idea of putting those things into words felt foreign, impossible. He’d been so afraid of getting it wrong that he hadn’t tried at all.

Looking back, he saw how much of a fool he’d been. How many chances he’d wasted to let her in, to show her that she wasn’t the only one carrying the load of what went wrong in their relationship. Maddie had fought for them, over and over, until she finally stopped.

When she’d asked him to leave, she hadn’t yelled or cried. She’d simply stated it, her voice calm in a way that broke him more than anger ever could. It wasn’t until he’d packed his things and closed the door behind him that he realized what he’d done.

He’d failed her.

Theo had thought it was temporary. Something that would pass after a few weeks or months. He hadn’t fought her on it—part of him had believed it was what she needed, a breather to clear her head and find her way back to him. But then the divorce papers had arrived in the mail, neat and clinical, as if their marriage had been nothing more than a contract to dissolve.

He let out a heavy sigh and glanced at the walled windows near the mall doors. The snow outside swirled heavier now, clinging to the glass doors in thick flurries. Theo tucked the plastic bag into his pocket and started toward her booth.

Maddie glanced up as he approached, her expression shifting from surprise to something guarded. “Theo? What are you still doing here?”

He shrugged, trying for nonchalant. “Forgot I needed another gift for a coworker. Thought I’d stop back in.”

Her brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t challenge the excuse. Instead, she zipped her tote closed and straightened. “Well, I’m done here. Heading home.”

Theo gestured toward the doors. “I’ll walk you to your car. It’s still coming down pretty hard out there.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, already slinging the bag over her shoulder. “I can handle a little snow.”

“I know you can,” he said, falling into step beside her anyway. “But I’d rather not risk it.”

She didn’t argue, though he caught her sidelong glance as they made their way through the quieting mall. The tension between them was palpable, thick with the weight of words unsaid.

As they stepped outside, the cold hit them like a sharp gust, the wind carrying snowflakes that swirled and danced in the dim light of the parking lot. Maddie pulled her hood over her head, her gloved hands fumbling with the edges as more snow fell, quickly clinging to her coat.

The world around them was blanketed in white, the normally bustling parking lot now muffled and still. Cars were buried under inches of snow, their shapes softened and blurred by the storm. The streetlights cast a soft glow, their beams refracted by the falling flakes, making it almost impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.

They moved cautiously through the lot, their boots crunching against the snow as the wind whistled around them. The silence between them mirrored the quiet of the night, broken only by the occasional scrape of a snowplow in the distance.

When they reached her car, she unlocked the door and slid inside, and slammed the door in his face, only for the engine to groan in protest when she turned the key.

“Great,” he heard her mutter from inside the car, her forehead resting briefly against the steering wheel.

Theo leaned down, rapping his knuckles lightly on the window. “Battery’s dead,” he called through the glass. “Cold weather drains them fast.”

She opened the door, stepping out into the snow with an air of resignation. “I’ll call someone.”

“No need,” he said, pulling his keys from his pocket. “I’ll give you a ride.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Theo—”

“Come on, Maddie,” he interrupted gently. “I’m already here. Unless you’ve got a better option?”

Theo watched her huff in frustration, brushing a strand of snow-damp hair out of her face.

“Fine,” she muttered, pulling her coat tighter around her. “But I’m not doing this because I want to.”

“I didn’t think you were,” he replied, suppressing a smile as he gestured toward the far side of the lot. “My truck’s over there. It’ll take a minute to warm up.”

The snow was relentless, falling thick and fast, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. The wind howled, driving the flakes sideways and stinging his face as they trudged toward his truck. He glanced over at her, her hood pulled low over her head, her shoulders hunched against the cold.

“You still drive the same truck?” she asked, her voice raised just enough to carry over the wind.

“Yeah,” he said simply. “Gets me where I need to go.”

When they reached his truck, a snow-covered pickup that had seen better days but was as reliable as ever, he unlocked the doors and moved to the passenger side, pulling it open for her.

“Go ahead,” he said, stepping back slightly to give her room.

She hesitated for a beat, her eyes narrowing as if daring him to say something smug. But he didn’t. He stood there, steady and without saying anything, waiting until she climbed in before closing the door behind her.

The cold air bit at his face as he walked back around to the driver’s side, the wind tugging at his coat. He climbed in quickly, slamming the door shut and shaking snow from his hair before turning the key. The truck rumbled to life, the vents groaning as they began to blow cold air that would eventually warm.

He glanced over at Maddie, who was rubbing her gloved hands together, her breath fogging up the space in front of her. “Seat warmer still works,” he said, flipping the switch for her side.

She muttered something he couldn’t quite make out—something grudgingly appreciative, if he had to guess—as she leaned back against the seat.

Theo said nothing as he eased the truck out of the lot, the tires crunching over the snow-packed pavement. The stillness between them wasn’t unfamiliar, but tonight it carried a different charge. He stole a quick glance at her, her profile softly outlined by the faint glow of the dashboard lights.

She was here, sitting next to him again, and for a moment, he allowed himself the smallest flicker of hope.

The drive was slow, the snow creating a muted cocoon around them. Theo tried to make small talk, asking how she’d been, but her answers were clipped and cautious, as if she were afraid of giving him too much.

When they finally pulled into the driveway of the house they once shared, Theo killed the engine but didn’t make a move to get out. Instead, he glanced toward her, his heart pounding. “Mind if I come in? Just to warm up before I head back to my place.”

She hesitated, her hand resting on the door handle. “It’s still your house too,” she said finally, her voice softer than he expected.

He followed her inside, the familiar warmth of the house wrapping around him like an old sweater. Everything looked the same—her neat arrangements, the faint scent of pine and vanilla, even the throw blanket on the back of the couch that she’d always loved.

But it wasn’t the same. He’d moved out. She’d asked him to. And no matter how much he’d hoped she’d change her mind, she hadn’t.

Not yet, at least.

If this was his last chance, he couldn’t waste it.

The warmth of the house wrapped around Maddie as she pushed the door open, stepping inside with Theo following close behind. She shucked off her coat, hanging it on the rack by the door, and kicked off her snow-dusted boots. Theo mirrored her movements, like he always did when they came home together. That brought a sharp stab to her heart—a stark reminder of how natural it had once been to share a space, a life, with him.

His presence filled the entryway in a way that was both familiar and jarring. Maddie kept her eyes on her boots as she tucked them neatly to the side, unwilling to let him see the flicker of emotion crossing her face. That was the thing about Theo. He always felt at home, even when she wasn’t sure he still belonged there. More than that, he was her home—the place she felt safest, the person who had once made her believe in forever. He was where love flourished, where whispered vows and shared dreams were nurtured into something tangible, something strong enough to withstand the storms life threw their way.

Or so she’d thought.

The significance of his presence now was a poignant reminder of all they’d built together and all they’d lost. This house had been more than just walls and a roof; it had been a sanctuary for the life they had envisioned. The cozy nights by the fire, the lazy Sunday mornings tangled up in each other, the future they’d imagined—one filled with laughter and love—had all been rooted in these rooms.

She’d never felt safer than she had with Theo by her side. He’d been her rock, the steady anchor she could always count on. And now, standing there with him again, the familiar ache in her chest told her that no matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise, she hadn’t stopped seeing him as her home.

But home had also become a place of pain—a reminder of broken promises, unmet expectations, and the walls they’d both built that ultimately drove them apart. She wasn’t sure if the warmth she felt now was comfort or something closer to longing.

“I’m going to change,” she said, keeping her voice steady, avoiding his gaze.

“I’ll build a fire,” he replied, shrugging off his coat and moving toward the living room without hesitation, as if he’d never left.

She hurried up the stairs. In the bedroom, she let out a shaky breath, leaning against the closed door. The space felt suffocating, the quiet pressing down on her. It had been nearly a year since Theo left—no, since she’d asked him to leave—and yet here he was, standing in her entryway, lighting fires in her living room.

She changed into sweatpants and an old sweatshirt, combed her hair, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were tired, a little red around the edges, but still sharp. Still resolute.

I need answers.

Squaring her shoulders, she made her way back downstairs. The scent of woodsmoke greeted her before she even reached the bottom step. Theo crouched by the fireplace, coaxing the flames to life, his broad shoulders silhouetted by the glow.

“I haven’t had time to eat,” she said. “I’m going to make a sandwich.”

Theo stood, brushing his hands on his jeans. “I can cook something.”

Maddie hesitated, her stomach twisting at the thought of sitting down to a meal with him. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to,” he said simply. “Besides, you always liked my pasta.”

She couldn’t argue with that. Theo was a great cook, and though she hated to admit it, she’d missed his meals. Missed the way he used to hum under his breath while chopping vegetables, the way the kitchen came alive when he was in it.

“Fine,” she said, crossing her arms. “But I’m not waiting around forever. I’m starving.”

His mouth curved in a subtle, knowing smile, rolling up his sleeves like it was the most natural thing in the world. Theo had always been the patient one, steady and deliberate in everything he did—a quality that used to drive Maddie crazy when she wanted things done now. She caught herself tapping her fingers on the countertop, and he glanced over, the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Still as impatient as ever,” he said, the teasing warmth in his tone making her cheeks flush.

She huffed, crossing her arms as she perched on one of the stools at the island. “And you’re still slow as molasses.”

He chuckled softly, his movements unhurried as he worked. Boiling water, chopping garlic, and opening a bottle of wine he’d found in the pantry, Theo moved with the practiced ease of someone who knew his way around a kitchen—and knew how to get under her skin.

Maddie watched him, trying not to get caught up in the rhythm of his actions. There was something calming about the way he worked, each step intentional, his focus entirely on the task at hand. For a moment, it felt like old times, when dinner together was a nightly ritual rather than a distant memory.

She’d thought space would give them clarity, that the impact of her words would finally make him realize what she needed from him. When they’d married, she’d believed things would change. That once they shared a life, he’d open up, let her in. But the walls he’d built around himself had only grown taller. Every attempt to chip away at them had been met with deflection, silence, or that maddening, stoic calm he always wore like armor.

And now he was here, cooking pasta in her kitchen, as if the chasm between them didn’t exist.

“Don’t worry,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “You won’t starve. Just give me a few minutes.”

She felt the taunt lines of her face relax. Theo might be infuriatingly patient, but he always followed through. Always. And no matter how much she tried to tell herself she was over him, the truth was that seeing him like this—calm, confident, and undeniably familiar—made it harder to keep her guard up.

Soon, the rich aroma of tomatoes and herbs filled the air, mingling with the steady crackle of the fire Theo had built. The house, which had felt so cold and empty for months, seemed to come alive again, as if it were responding to his presence.

Maddie leaned against the counter, watching him move around the kitchen with the same quiet confidence she remembered so well. His sleeves were still rolled up, his focus entirely on the pasta simmering on the stove.

The kitchen, which had been a reminder of all the meals they never shared after he moved out, now felt warm and alive. The sound of the wooden spoon scraping the pot, the faint clink of the wine bottle against the counter, and the rhythmic hum of the fire blended into a familiar song she hadn’t realized she’d been missing.

She inhaled deeply, the rich scent of garlic and tomatoes grounding her in the moment. She hadn’t wanted him to stay, hadn’t wanted to let him back into the place she’d struggled to reclaim as her own. But now, standing here with him, it felt like the walls she’d built to keep him out were starting to crumble.

Because in the span of a half an hour, Theo hadn’t just filled her kitchen with the smell of home. He’d filled her heart with a flicker of something she thought she’d lost forever.

When he slid a steaming plate of pasta in front of her, along with a glass of wine, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia.

“This… looks delicious,” she said, her voice low. “Thank you.”

Theo sat down across from her, his chair scraping softly against the floor. He gave her a quick wink, his reassuring way of brushing past the tension, and muttered, “You’re welcome,” before digging into his pasta.

They ate without saying anything for a while, the only sounds the occasional clink of silverware and the faint crackle of the fire in the other room. The quiet wasn’t new; it had followed them for months, but this time it felt heavier, weighed down by unspoken words. Maddie kept her gaze firmly on her plate, picking at her pasta even as she felt his eyes drift toward her every so often.

Theo glanced up, his attention drifting toward the living room. His brow furrowed as his gaze landed on the empty corner where the Christmas tree had always stood. It had been their tradition to decorate it together, laughing over mismatched ornaments and debating whether white or colored lights were better.

“No tree this year?” he asked softly, his voice almost tentative.

Maddie didn’t look up, her fork idly moving food around on her plate. “I didn’t see the point,” she said after a moment. “And I’ve been busy with work.”

His jaw tightened, his expression grim as he studied her. “Christmas was always your favorite holiday, Maddie. You should—”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said quickly, cutting him off.

Her tone left little room for argument, but his frown deepened. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but she interrupted again by setting her fork down with a loud clink.

“Why did you come back to the mall this afternoon, Theo?”

Her question hung in the air, cutting through the quiet like a blade. For the first time, she looked up, meeting his gaze head-on. There was no avoiding it now—no easy distraction or polite excuse to hide behind.

He exhaled slowly, his hand curling around his glass of wine. “Maddie…” he began, his voice softer now, but she didn’t let him off the hook with a glance or a word.

“Just tell me the truth,” she pressed, her eyes searching his. “Why now? Why today?”

The room felt smaller somehow, the fire’s glow casting flickering shadows on the walls as the gravity of her question hung between them. Maddie gripped the edge of the counter, her pulse quickening as she watched Theo struggle with his response. He shifted slightly in his chair, his hand tightening around the base of his wineglass, but he didn’t immediately answer.

The quite deepened, and with every passing second, her chest tightened. She wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say—or maybe she was. Maybe she needed to hear the truth, no matter how much it might hurt.

Why now? Why today? She repeated the question in her mind, willing him to look at her, to say something that might untangle the mess of feelings twisting inside her.

The flickering light from the fire danced across his face, softening the edges of his expression, but it couldn’t hide the tension in his jaw or the way his eyes avoided hers. Maddie clenched her hands, willing herself to stay calm, even as her heart thundered in her chest.

He took a breath, the sound loud in the stillness of the room. “Maddie,” he began, his voice quieter than she expected.

It wasn’t enough. Not yet. She needed more than just her name on his lips—she needed the truth, laid bare, without hesitation or excuses. “Just say it, Theo,” she said, her voice steady but laced with the kind of exhaustion that only heartbreak could bring.

The fire popped softly in the living room, the sound of distant horns on the highway a few blocks away echoed softly outside. Still, he hesitated, and for the first time, Maddie felt the faintest glimmer of hope. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be hesitating. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be here at all.

“I told you,” he said, quietly. “I needed to grab something for a coworker.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he might deflect again. But then he exhaled, setting down his fork with deliberate care.

“I waited because of you,” he said finally, his voice quiet.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, but she kept her expression neutral. “Why?”

Theo leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “Because I couldn’t leave things like that. Because... I needed to see you.”

Her throat tightened. “Why now, Theo? It’s been nearly a year. Why come back into my life, cook pasta in our kitchen, and act like nothing’s happened?”

His shoulders sagged, and for the first time, she saw something raw in his eyes. Regret. Vulnerability. “Because I’ve been a coward, Maddie. I thought moving out would fix things. That giving you space would make everything better. But all it did was show me how wrong I’ve been—about us, about what you needed from me.”

She stared at him, her pulse quickening. “What do you think I needed?”

“You needed me to try,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “To talk to you. To stop shutting you out. You deserved a husband who wasn’t afraid to let you see all the messy, complicated parts of him. And instead, I made you feel like you weren’t worth the effort.”

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let him off the hook so easily. “You didn’t just shut me out, Theo. You made me feel like I was the problem. Like asking for your heart was asking too much.”

He flinched, her words hitting their mark. “I know,” he said hoarsely. “And I hate that I made you feel that way. But I didn’t leave because I didn’t love you, Maddie. I left because I didn’t know how to be the man you needed. And it was easier to walk away than to face that.”

The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackle of the fire. Maddie swallowed hard, her emotions warring inside her.

“I’m not saying it fixes anything,” Theo continued, his eyes meeting hers. “But I’m here now. And I’m ready to fight for us, if you’ll let me.”

She looked at him, the man she’d loved and lost and still couldn’t quite let go of. And for the first time in months, she felt the faint stirrings of something other than anger. It was tentative, fragile, like the first snowflakes of winter, but it was there.

Her tears slowed as she studied him, standing before her with his heart wide open for the first time. Theo, who had always been so strong, so steady—and so frustratingly guarded—was finally showing her the man she’d always believed was there beneath the surface.

“I don’t know if we can get back what we had,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “But I do know that I still love you, Theo. I never stopped.”

His breath hitched, his eyes glistening as he stepped closer, closing the space between them. “Maddie,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “I love you too. More than anything. More than I’ve ever been able to show you. But I swear to you, I’ll never hold back again. You’re my everything.”

Theo meant every word of it. He was ready—ready to try, ready to fight for their marriage, their future, and the love he’d almost lost. But as he watched Maddie’s face, he could see the hesitation in her eyes. She was undecided, torn between the hurt of the past and the flicker of hope he desperately wanted to reignite.

She stood abruptly and moved to the living room. Standing by the fire, she stared into the flames, her arms crossed as though bracing herself.

“Do you remember our honeymoon?” she asked quietly, her voice thick with emotion.

He followed her, leaning against the doorway. “At the ski lodge in Aspen?” he said. “That’s not something a man forgets.”

She gave a faint, wistful smile but didn’t look at him. “We sat in front of the fireplace after making love, talking about all our plans for the future. Do you remember?”

“I remember every word,” he said softly, stepping closer.

Her voice trembled as she continued, her gaze locked on the dancing flames. “We dreamed about the life we’d build together. The dream house, the kids we’d have once we were secure in our careers. We talked about watching them grow up, starting families of their own. How we’d grow old together, watching our grandchildren play in the yard. A life people only dream of having.”

“I remember,” Theo said, his throat tightening. “Every second of that night.”

Finally, she turned to face him, and the sight broke him. Tears streamed down her face, glistening in the firelight. She didn’t bother to wipe them away, letting them fall freely as she met his gaze.

“When I signed those divorce papers,” she said, her voice cracking, “I said goodbye to all those dreams, Theo. Every single one. So don’t tell me you’re ready for this, for us, unless you really mean it. Because my heart can’t live through that again.”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, the pain in her eyes cutting deeper than anything he’d ever felt. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small bag, the one he’d been carrying all day.

“I need you to believe me,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. He reached into the bag, pulled out the box with the bracelet inside and held it out to her. “I wasn’t in the mall buying a gift for another woman, Maddie. I was buying one for you. I just had to work up the courage to give it to you”

She frowned slightly, reluctant, but she took it. She slid the ribbon off, unwrapped the gift, and opened the box. Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Oh,” she said, her voice trembling. “It’s beautiful.”

He stepped closer, his heart pounding. “Each charm is you,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “The book, because you’ve always been the smartest, most curious person I’ve ever met. The snowflake, because you love winter more than anyone I know. The pig... because you always said we’d get one someday if we had the space.” He smiled faintly, his voice growing thick. “And the baby for when we’re both ready.”

“Theo…” she whispered.

“I remember everything, Maddie,” he said, leaning into to gently kiss her forehead. “Everything that matters to you.”

Her fingers trembled as she traced the charms, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

“I swear to you, on my life, I’ll do better,” he said, his voice raw. “What we lost last December...” His words trailed off, the depth of his emotions making it hard to continue. He stepped closer, cupping her face gently in his hands. “We’ll never lose again. I’ll be the man you need, the man you want, the man you love. The man you married, Maddie. I swear to you. I love you. Please... give me another chance.”

Her sobs broke free, and she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice muffled but filled with conviction. “Yes, Theo.”

Relief flooded him, so powerful it nearly knocked him off balance. He held her tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, his voice steady and full of conviction. “Merry Christmas, honey.”

She tilted her head back, her eyes shining with hope and love. “Merry Christmas, Theo.”

This wasn’t just the start of something new. It was the beginning of everything they were always meant to be. Together. This was their December to begin again.

As they stood by the fire, the snow falling softly outside, the warmth of the moment wrapped around them like a long-lost embrace. It wasn’t just the season that felt special—it was the promise of a love rediscovered, a future reclaimed, and the quiet, unshakable joy of knowing that, against all odds, they had found their way back to each other.

THE END

Love In A Heartbeat: Mini Love Stories

Love In A Heartbeat is a collection of sweet, bite-sized romances, with stories ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 words. Each one explores the many facets of love in a way that’s heartfelt and engaging, no matter the length.