Lunch with Darren always felt like a soft exhale Sophie didn't realize she'd been holding all along. They chose a small restaurant just off the main road, the kind of place that was moderately fancy. A faint hum of conversation lingered in the background, filled by the clink of cutlery and the low murmur of music that felt more like ambiance than sound.
Sophie sat across from him,knee tucked under her chair, watching the way he stirred his coffee absentmindedly, as if he was already halfway lost in thought.
"You're smiling," he noted, glancing up.
"Am I not allowed to?" she teased.
"You usually only smile like that when you're about to do something," he said, narrowing his eyes playfully.
She laughed and reached into her bag. "Okay, fine. You caught me."
She pulled out a wrapped box and slid it across the table.
"For you."
Darren blinked. "Sophie."
"Open it."
"We agreed...."
"I know what we agreed," she cut in gently. "This isn't pressure. This is… me."
He hesitated for half a second before unwrapping it carefully, like he didn't want to rush whatever this moment was becoming.
Inside was a jacket, thick, structured, warm without being bulky. Darren lifted it slightly, eyebrows rising in genuine surprise.
"Soph....."
"Wait," she said quickly. "There's more."
He looked again, fingers brushing through the folds until he found the smaller item tucked inside,a leather key holder, dark brown, simple, elegant. His initials were embossed discreetly on the inside.
He went quiet.
"You're always cold," she said softly. "And you keep losing your keys. I figured… I could help with at least those things."
He looked up at her then, really looked at her, something tender settling in his eyes.
"You pay attention," he said.
"I care," she corrected.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Darian stood slightly, leaned over the table, and kissed her,slow, warm, familiar in a way that felt earned. When he pulled back, his forehead rested briefly against hers.
"Thank you," he said. "This means more than you know."
She smiled, heart full. "Your turn," he added.
She froze. "What?"
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, placing it gently in front of her.
Sophie stared. "You didn't have to...."
"Exactly what we agreed on but you boycotted me and got me something," he said simply as she smiled.
"I didn't think you'd get something at all" She said.
"Just open it" He added casually.
She did.
Inside lay a delicate gold bracelet, understated and beautiful. A tiny leaf charm rested against the velvet lining. She turned it over instinctively and felt her breath catch when she saw the engraving on the back, a date she recognized instantly. It was the day he asked her to be his girlfriend.
Her voice came out quiet. "You remembered."
"I remember what matters," he said. "You root people, Sophie. You make things feel lived in. I thought… this fit you."
Her eyes shone as she slipped it onto her wrist. "Thank you" She stood abruptly, leaning across the table to kiss him, laughter and emotion tangling together.
They sat back down eventually, food forgotten for a moment before hunger reminded them they were still human.
Conversation flowed easily after that.
"How's work been?" Darren asked, cutting into his meal.
"Busy," Sophie said, rolling her eyes affectionately. "Everyone's trying to wrap things up before the holidays. Shorter tempers, longer emails."
"Sounds familiar," he smiled. "We're basically running on coffee and goodwill."
"At least people are kinder this time of year," she said.
"Or better at pretending," he teased.
She laughed. "Fair."
They talked about schedules, about coworkers, about the strange in-between feeling December always brought, the sense that everything was ending and beginning at the same time.
Then Darren asked casually, "How's Amy?"
Sophie's expression softened instantly.
"She's okay," she said. "Actually… she's doing better."
"That's good," he nodded. "Where's she spending the holidays?"
"Virginia," Sophie replied. "At the Prescott's mansion. With Jace's family for christmas and New Year's."
Darren leaned back slightly, absorbing that. "That feels right."
"It does," Sophie agreed. "She needs quiet. And people who don't demand anything from her."
"And Jace?" he asked.
"He's being steady," Sophie said. "Present. Exactly what she needs right now."
Darren smiled faintly. "I'm glad she has that."
"So am I."
They finished lunch slowly, hands brushing when they reached for shared plates, no rush to leave, no need to linger forever either.
Outside, the city kept moving.
Inside, felt softer and warm.
And for Sophie, that felt like enough.️
.....
Christmas dinner at the Prescott mansion had always been ceremonial. The dining room glowed softly beneath the chandelier, its warm light reflecting off polished wood and fine china. The long table was dressed in deep reds and golds, the scent of roasted meat and spices hanging heavy in the air.
Everyone was seated.
James Prescott sat at the head of the table, posture straight, presence commanding in that quiet, unmistakable way he carried himself. Elizabeth sat to his right, composed but watchful. Jace sat a little farther down, Amy beside him, her hand resting lightly on his thigh beneath the table. Across from them sat Rebecca and her husband Nick, close and comfortable, while Cousin Ryan occupied the seat near James's left relaxed, confident, dressed like someone who knew this room belonged to him too.
For a moment, only the sound of cutlery filled the space.
Then James cleared his throat.
"It's good," he said, voice calm but deliberate, "to see everyone back at this table again."
His gaze shifted slowly, landing on Amy.
"It's been a while since we've all been here together," he continued. "And I'll admit… the last time wasn't easy. I'm hoping tonight will be different. Less tension. More family."
Silence followed. Heavy. Expectant.
Rebecca, sensing it immediately, set her fork down with a bright smile. "Well," she said lightly, "if anyone plans on throwing mashed potatoes this year, please warn me first. I wore white."
A few soft chuckles followed, Nick laughed openly, Elizabeth smiled faintly, and even Amy let out a small breath of relief.
Jace remained quiet.
As dinner progressed, conversation moved carefully, like stepping stones over water.
James turned his attention back to Amy. "How's work been?" he asked. "bookstore right?, still keeping you busy?"
Amy nodded politely. "It is. Busy, but good. I enjoy it."
"And your writing?" he added. "Your book?"
She hesitated only a second. "It's coming along well. I think… I might be close to finishing one soon."
"That's good," James said, nodding once. "Very good."
Ryan leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine lazily, watching the exchange with quiet interest.
They ate for a few more minutes before James spoke again, this time, with intent.
"I've made a decision," he said evenly.
"It's a big one and I wanted everyone to be present as I announce it."
Every fork paused.
"I intend to step back from the company, actually I'm retired just need to tie up few ends" he paused. "And I want Jace to take over."
The room froze.
Ryan's chair scraped slightly as he leaned forward. "Excuse me?" he said sharply. "You're handing over the company just like that?"
James didn't look at him. "I'm giving it to my son. He can do with it whatever he wants. I trust his judgment."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "This isn't something you decide alone. I've been running operations. Making key decisions. You didn't discuss this with me."
Rebecca turned to Ryan, her husband, her patience clearly gone.
"Ryan," she said sharply, "shut it. This is our father's company. He gets to decide."
James turned to him then, voice firm. "The company is mine, Ryan. I'll give it to whoever I see fit. Your position can remain if the new owner agrees."
All eyes shifted to Jace.
"I don't want it," Jace said flatly.
Ryan scoffed. "Of course you don't, you don't know anything"
"I don't want your company," Jace continued paying no attention to Ryan and looking directly at his father. "I don't want your business. Not now. Not ever."
James frowned. "Why?"
Jace exhaled slowly. "Because I'm happy where I am. Because giving me a company doesn't suddenly make everything better. And because I don't want my life dictated by something I never asked for."
James leaned forward. "I want to retire. I'm ready to retire. I want to be present. I thought maybe if you took over, you'd come back to Virginia. Be closer to the family."
"I'm already close to my family," Jace said quietly. "The company isn't what keeps me away."
James swallowed. "I know you haven't forgiven me… about Emma.....i'm...."
"Don't," Jace cut in sharply. "Don't bring her into this."
The table went still again.
"I'm not trying to excuse anything," James said carefully. "I just...."
"I don't want the company," Jace repeated. "That won't change what happened."
Ryan laughed dryly. "Honestly, James, let it go. He doesn't want it. And frankly, even if he did, he wouldn't know where to start. I've been running this company day in, day out. I've put in the work."
"That's enough," James snapped.
Ryan shrugged. "I'm just saying. If anyone's earned it....then it's definitely me"
"Stop," James said, voice cutting through the room.
Elizabeth finally spoke, her voice calm but resolute. "James," she said, "he's said no. Let it rest. Forcing this won't fix anything."
James looked around the table.....at Ryan, frustrated; at Rebecca and Nick, quiet and tense; at Amy, whose hand tightened around Jace's; and finally at his son, unmoving.
He nodded once.
"Enjoy the rest of your meal," he said curtly, setting his napkin down. "Excuse me."
He stood and walked away from the table, footsteps echoing faintly as the room fell into a stunned silence.
No one followed him.
No one said a word. Food grew cold. There was silence until Ryan took his leave too without saying a word to anyone.