Dominic came downstairs, looking for his wife, Bernadette and found her standing out on the balcony of their hotel room. Picking up his leather jacket over the railing, he went to the door and stepped outside.

“It’s cold out here, honey,” he said draping his jacket over his wife’s shoulders, then wrapping his arms around her.

“I know honey,” Bernadette said, leaning back against Dominic. “But it is so lovely out here. The view is amazing.”

“Yes, it is,” Dominic said, kissing Bernadette as they watched as the sunset painted the snow-capped peaks. “We have a few hours before Christmas. What should we do?”

“I’d love to go for a walk with my prince charming,” Bernadette said, pointing down below to the back of the hotel where there was an ice-skating rink with a few couples hanging out.

“Your wish is my command, love,” Dominic said, kissing Bernadette’s cheek.

“Let’s get dressed.”

“Ok, sweetheart.”

After a half-hour, the couple and their escort, Bill left the hotel onto the snow and followed the winding path finally ending up at the rink. They watched the skaters for a few minutes and then Dominic said, “Would a noblewoman of your grace like to go ice skating?”

“I’d love to with you, my prince.”

Dominic lifted Bernadette’s mitten to his lips. “I’ll go and get the skates,” he said, brushing kissing her hand.

“Hey Bill, do you skate?” Bernadette said to her long-time personal bodyguard. Bernadette was a celebrity fashion designer.

“I do. For four years on my high school’s hockey team.”

“Three pairs then. What sizes?” Dominic said.

“I already know. Ladies-Nine and for you, Bill?”

“A ten, Dominic. Thanks.”

“No problem, bud.

Dominic headed to the rental booth and minutes later, he and Bernadette were gliding hand in hand, melding in with the other skaters. Bill followed them, watchful of any suspicious activity.

Dominic spun his wife around, skating backward as he pulled her along. “Have you seen the women trying to get Bill to skate with them?”

“I have, poor Bill.”

“I see they’ve stopped trying now. They must think he’s gay,” Dominic said and Bernadette giggled.

“Maybe, it’s always the good-looking ones getting picked on.”

They skated for about an hour and then left. They returned down the winding path until coming upon a lighted area where some clearing had been set up with wooden chairs and barrels. A fire was burning and people were sitting around it.

“Oh, Dominic, look it’s a live nativity,” Bernadette said, taking in the outdoor scene of a manger with live sheep and goats. “Can we stay for a bit?”

“Of course we can, my love.” Dominic leaned down to kiss his wife’s nose. There was a notice that the next show was in about ten minutes. The trio moved to find seats as close to the front as possible.

The lights lining the seating area went out, leaving only one bright one directly above the manger. Some music came on and the performance began.

Dominic missed most of what was going on; he was too busy watching Bernadette. Her face was lit in childish wonder as a retelling of the special birth was played out.

When the performance came to an end and the light above the set went out, a hush fell over the crowd – the moment was a special one.

“Oh, that was beautiful,” Bernadette kept saying as they made their way back to the hotel, her head leaning on Dominic’s shoulder.

“Yes, it was,” Dominic said.

“I’ll tell our niece, Louisa. I know she would love it. It would be lovely to have something like that in our back yard, don’t you think?”

“It would,” Dominic said just as they reached the back of the hotel. “Before we go inside there is something I have to do. I promised Louisa. It was a part of this Christmas getaway she planned for us,” Dominic said grinning.

“And what’s that?” Bernadette said, turning.

“This.” Dominic bent down and took some snow. Seeing what Dominic was about to do, Bernadette held up her hands.

“Don’t you dare, Mr. Collins.”

Dominic formed a snowball and slowly went to Bernadette. “Why not honey?” he said, tossing the snowball back and forth in his hands.

“Because… Dominic…,” Bernadette said backing away.

“Well, you have to give me a reason,” he said, lobbing the ball from hand to hand.

“Because I’ll kill you.”

Dominic stayed silent for a moment and then said, “I’ll sacrifice my life over it.” He threw the snowball, deliberately missing Bernadette.

“Bill? Help!” Bernadette said.

“Sorry, Ma’am. You’re on your own. I’m staying out of this one.”

“Coward,” she said quickly diving to make a snowball.

Snowballs were sailing and the couple played until Bernadette said enough.

The telephone woke Dominic. He groaned as he rolled over Bernadette, to answer it.

“Hello.”

“Merry Christmas, Uncle Dominic.” It was Louisa. Dominic winced a little at the volume in her voice and said, “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” He got out of bed, the long cord on the phone followed him to the window. He began speaking softly not to wake Bernadette.

“Yes—yes—well. She’s still sleeping… I’ll have her call you when she gets up.”

“I am up, Bill,” Bernadette said. When Dominic turned around, she said, “Looks like I’m not the only one.”

“Who’s that?”

“Hey, sexy. Behave yourself,” Dominic whispered as he brought the phone over. “Your niece might hear something.” As Bernadette spoke to Louisa, Dominic put on some tight candy-cane boxers Bernadette got him the night before.

Bernadette put her hands over her mouth watching Dominic’s crotch erect. She stuck out her tongue as Dominic walked to the bathroom. When he came out, Bernadette was still on the phone. Dominic then went downstairs to make some coffee.

Dominic was on the sofa, drinking and munching on fruitcake when Bernadette came down.

“I’m so sorry, darling,” she said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You know Louisa. Our niece is a talker.”

“I do,” Dominic said. “I made you some tea.”

“What time is it?”

“About six.”

“Hmm, I knew there was a reason why I married you.” Bernadette kissed Dominic and laid beside him.

“Santa’s in town—” Dominic gestured downward.

“I see,” she said picking up her teacup.

After they ate breakfast, Dominic put on a Santa hat. Bernadette giggled while passing out the gifts from under the tree. She waited to open hers until they were all piled on the coffee table; hers in front of her and Dominic’s in front of him.

“Wishful thinking, Mr. Collins?” she said laughing as she opened the first gift – pulling out green silky cami, matching bra and g-string.

“Can’t blame a man for trying,” Dominic said chuckling as he opened his first gift; a watch.

“There’s something written in the back,” Bernadette said as she set the box of lingerie aside and picked up the next present from him. Dominic pulled the watch out and turned it over. “For all time,” he read, “All my love, Bernadette.”

“Wow, this is perfect, sweetheart,” Dominic said drawing Bernadette’s mouth to his to kiss. “Thank you, my love.”

“You’re welcome,” she said unwrapping another gift in her lap. She pulled the top off the square-shaped jeweler’s box and gasped, “Oh, Dominic.”

“I wanted you to have something to remember our time here.”

“Oh, baby. It’s gorgeous.” Bernadette exhaled pulling the necklace out; at its end was a diamond-studded snowflake. She bent over and Dominic slipped it around her neck then gently kissed her forehead.

“I knew it was for you the moment I saw it.”

Bernadette squeezed his hand as she turned to open several more. The last gift had a card attached to it reading: “You hold the key to my heart.” She opened it and inside was another necklace but the pendant on this one was a key – made from white gold covered in sapphires and diamonds.

“Dominic, oh my God!”

“You like it, huh?”

“Hell yeah!” Bernadette kissed Dominic nonstop. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, my love.”

One last gift, which was the largest, was hanging off the table for Dominic. He opened the card seeing his wife’s hand in salutation.

“The music of my life began with you,” It read. Dominic looked surprised as he began removing the wrapping paper.

“All you talked about was getting another guitar,” Bernadette said as Dominic pulled the guitar out of the box. “I found an artisan in town—he makes them by hand in his shop. I knew when I saw them, it would be the perfect gift.”

Dominic put the guitar against the table and reached out, pulling Bernadette until she was in his arms. “Thank you, my love,” he said before kissing her.

Bernadette tucked her head up licking his ear feeling the warmness of her husband’s torso against her.

“Well, since you’re already dressed for a performance, won’t you do one for me?”

“My pleasure.”

Dominic played some of Bruce Springsteen’s hits next to the fireplace. Bernadette was curled up in one of the armchairs while Dominic sat in another playing for his wife long into the morning.

It was noon when they headed upstairs to shower. Friends and family texted Bernadette during Dominic’s mini-guitar performance saying they would like to get together for Christmas dinner.