Monthly Bonus Content #2: 'Mistletoe Moments' (Becca Version) (Patreon)

[Alternate Text: A header image of a lush sprig of mistletoe hanging by a red ribbon above a doorway. The title is 'Mistletoe Moments' in a whimsical font that's white with a 3D text effect.]

The tantalizingly sweet scent of caramelized sugar has added to the cacophony of smells inside of Turn the Page's closed-off kitchen. It's reminding you more of a bake shop than a bookstore cafe. Alina and Becca are to blame for the delightful transformation, baking up a storm for a special holiday event. You dutifully dust some cookies with powdered sugar; it's far easier.

While gently tapping the sifter, you survey the treats you're blanketing in a dusting of sugar; it perfectly matches the gentle snowfall outside.

You still need to build a snowman with—

"Ow, ow—okay, damn, ouch—sorry!"

Becca's cursing instantly draws your attention away, sugar forgotten as you move to where she's by the gas stove top. Her face is screwed up in pain, twisting further while she holds her right hand close to her middle. A paper towel is sticking to it…? You can't tell what's exactly wrong.

"Put it under cold water," Alina quickly instructs her. "It'll help."

"But my caramel is—"

"Your hand is more important," you interrupt her, flicking the burner off without a second glance at the weakly bubbling golden-brown liquid. She relents when you guide her to the sink, though you hesitate before carefully removing the paper towel that's adhered to the molten sugar.

"…I thought I could just wipe it off."

The paper comes off in sections, revealing the smarting skin and how a spider-like splatter of caramel is glued to the back of Becca's hand, continually burning it. You thrust her hand under the cold, running water to begin pulling it away; it's still warm. Her wince bothers you, but you need both hands to help her instead of resting one on the small of her back to soothe. "One second," you promise Becca. "Almost got it all."

While the caramel is gone, it's left a reddened section of skin behind that looks pretty painful.

"It's kinda like a special snowflake?"

"I don't think we can make it festive, Bee," you point out, holding her hand a moment longer before wrapping it in a damp towel. Her fingers still remain locked with yours. "There may be cooling first aid spray and bandages upstairs."

"Oh, I have cute reindeer stickers!" Alina enthusiastically adds. "It can be festive."

The two of them share an excited look, while you coax Becca away from her baked goods and into the main part of Turn the Page. Her hand is securely grasped in yours, but the warmth seeping through the damp towel is worrying. She gives you a weak half-smile that lengthens when the two of you pass by your other 'guests' in the shop. "Verner, what are you doing with my dog?" you ask him.

Waffles happily peeks up at you, except her tail wagging is accented by the faint noise of  tinkling bells from a collar you didn't buy. The chime reminds you of sleigh bells whereas the collar itself is a supple brown leather with red accents. It even has her name stitched into it.

"Babysitting," Reese off-handedly replies. "The Detective refused my help with the pretty, string lights on the roof, so… Here we are." He doesn't bother to glance your way, holding up two hats to Waffles before deciding on a set of soft, reindeer antlers. The dog tilts her head back, slotting the headband perfectly into place. "Do tell me if you hear [Redacted] skulking somewhere. He grew envious."

"Your cat got jealous…?" Becca clarifies.

Reese seems satisfied with decorating Waffles, settling back on the couch, though his gaze soon lowers to your joined hands. The start of a sly smile is modulated by consideration. "What happened?" he poses his own question. "A baking incident? I was banned from there too."

You can understand why both Corvins made Reese stay within the shop, away from a tall ladder or from sweet treats meant for other people. "You could watch, just not taste," you retort.

"I was cast out during the holidays of all times," Reese dramatically counters.

"I burned my hand on some caramel."

"We're hoping there's some cooling spray upstairs," you explain with a purposeful step in the direction of the stairs. Your concern for Becca is at the forefront of your mind. Reese might sense your polite dismissal because he nods, encouragingly gesturing to the back of the shop. Did his smile broaden? You move past him after quickly petting Waffles between her floppy ears.

Becca and you continue onwards.

"I need to get a picture with us and Waffles—the collar matches our sweaters," she happily notes. "I wonder if that was just a coincidence."

"Maybe we can get her to pose after we build a snowman? It would be a nice background."

The light-hearted conversation about a future winter photo opportunity eases your nerves about venturing up to the apartment. It isn't ready yet! You were supposed to do this reveal after the holiday event, but you know for a fact that there's a deluxe first aid kit complete with sutures, butterfly bandages, curved needles, and more up here. Your grandfather was very prepared.

You hesitate in front of the door, pulling out a single key instead of the massive keyring that she's likely expecting. "…The other one was way too heavy to carry," you tell her a half-truth. It's easier to unlock the door than to check if she believed you or not. Becca knows you well.

The darkness that should be shrouding your grandfather's apartment is broken up by the merry lights you left on for a future grand reveal.

"Wow," she exhales. "When did you—? Why did you decorate it? I could've totally helped."

Becca's awestruck expression further chases away your nervousness about the timing, even if your plan was a solid one. "I decorated it for us," you explain, aware of how much the ideals of the holidays mean to her. She is making up for lost ones as a child, and you've always been supportive. "Let's get you bandaged up then I'll explain later, okay? I don't want you hurting."

She stops admiring an icy blue snow globe after you say that, softening further and letting you take the lead through the apartment. There is a certainty to your steps that wasn't always there when navigating this place. It took you time to accept the past memories along with viewing it as a place to create new ones. Reese and Sofia were vital to helping you decorate it. You pull out the first aid kit, guiding Becca over to a couch that has a mini version of the fantastical North Pole placed before it on the large coffee table.

It's an extremely detailed model town.

Some of the decorations were brought from the B&B, others were found within the attic of the apartment.

Becca's curiosity about the decor works in your favor as you peel the towel back without any wincing. She trusts you. Her hand lightly rests on your leg while her eyes rove over all of the  figurines, storefronts, evergreens, polar bears with hats, and everything else you painstakingly set out. "Sorry," you apologize right before you spray the burn, feeling how her fingers dig into your thigh from the stinging sensation. Your care mostly outweighs how your heart skipped when her hand slipped higher by accident. "Better?"

That came out more hushed than you intended.

"Yeah, thanks," she murmurs, watching you closely. "Do I just let it dry here"—Becca flexes her fingers for added emphasis, gently kneading into your skin—"or do I shake it?"

"…You can leave it there," you manage to reply, assuming she isn't realizing her effect on you until her other hand finds your cheek. "Bee?"

Her eyes flick upwards to the mistletoe that is hanging from a floating bookshelf, perfectly positioned to be over whomever might take a seat on the couch. The bundle of berries is tied with a red ribbon, lush green sprigs and white berries exemplifying festive colors. Who would put one over a couch? Your eyebrows knit for a second before Reese's slyness comes to mind.

"Wait, you didn't—?"

You cover Becca's hand before she can fully lower it from your cheek, pressing it back into its proper place. "I didn't," you confirm, shifting closer to her so your legs brush together. "But I'm glad someone did." With that, you lean in to meet her halfway, sharing a moment beneath the mistletoe in a beloved apartment that could become both of yours. At first, the kiss is oh-so-tender; you can feel a hint of her soft smile before she seeks another one from you. It's only when her fingers again slide higher along your thigh that you wrap an arm around her, pulling her closer to stop the sweet teasing.

She knew what she was doing from the start.

Eventually, Becca breaks the kiss to laugh softly at your reaction, welcoming the snug hold and loosely draping her arms around your neck.

"That was rather naughty," you assert.

"I can't be nice all of the time, [Nickname]." She watches you fondly, letting you feel the key she expertly fished out of your pocket as its metal tip gingerly grazes the back of your neck. "We should test that the lock works…" Becca trails off with a thoughtful pause. "For safety."

"For safety," you echo her reasoning, surprised at the turn this is taking and deciding that Reese shouldn't be banned from anywhere in Turn the Page. You will make that effective immediately after you spend some more time alone with Becca. She kisses you softly in gratitude before you leave to lock the apartment door.