Cosima didn’t know where either of them found the strength to stagger to the bathroom, where Tristan carefully and patiently lathered her skin, placing gentle kisses against her shoulders until he was satisfied that she was clean.

She snuggled into one of his shirts after the shower, not bothering with her panties because Cosima fancied herself a practical woman at heart.

They worked together to finish preparing their Christmas lunch — even though it was damn near dinner time — with the synchronized precision of people who’d prepared a meal together many times before.

She couldn’t stop the warmth that spread in her chest as they sat at the dining room table, talking about everything and nothing as they ate their meal.

Cosima had imagined how her Christmas would look many times, but she hadn’t imagined this. She couldn’t have imagined this. Not even in her deepest fantasies, yet the Universe had led her straight to this man who was humming Christmas carols as they cleaned the kitchen together.

Tristan prepared hot chocolate for them while she got the movies set up, and she smiled when she tasted the hint of whiskey. Cosima knew she’d never be able to drink hot chocolate as she had before.

She allowed Tristan to snuggle her into him, resisting the urge to stick her hand down the fresh pair of sweatpants he’d put on, but it wasn’t long before she felt his fingertips brush against her under the shirt.

“I thought you had things to tell me about Die Hard,” she teased as he helped her pull the shirt over her head. His lips found her nipples, and he sucked on them for a while before responding, “I’ll agree that Home Alone is a better Christmas movie if it means you’ll let me hit it.”

She laughed. “And I’ll agree that Home Alone is a better Christmas movie if you let me hit it.”

Tristan nuzzled her neck. “You strike a hard bargain, but I’m powerless to refuse.”

His kisses were soft and gentle as he slid a hand along Cosima’s legs. She opened them for him while he busied himself undressing and rolling on a condom. Tristan pressed his forehead against hers as he slid into her, inch by agonizing inch, capturing Cosima’s lips in his as he began thrusting. She moaned against his lips, rocking her hips to meet each thrust. This was nothing like their frenzied coupling the first time they came together. Their lovemaking was soft and sweet and slow, and Cosima felt like her heart was expanding too large to fit in her chest as she held his gaze while Tristan made her feel so good she could barely contain the sobs in her throat.

They came together with each other’s names on their lips, and Cosima was sure she’d never had a more beautiful experience.