Yoko steps out of the car into the cold, stretching her neck to relieve the tension she's been holding.
She takes a deep breath, feeling more relaxed at the familiar smells of Jericho.
Snow falls around her, landing on the ground under the darkening sky.
She walks down the street, past shops displaying signs in shades of pink and red, to the Weathervane.
The café is filled with couples, laughing and smiling, staring deeply into each other's eyes over cakes and coffee.
She and Divina would probably be here now if it weren't for her family. She'd had to cancel her valentine’s plans with her girlfriend last minute because her family needed her.
Ignoring the guilty feeling she orders and leaves as quickly as she can, surrounded by the scent of chocolate and cinnamon.
As she wanders toward Nevermore she watches the people hurrying along, desperate to get tucked out of the cold.
Yoko thinks about how lucky she is to not feel the cold. She can stand in the snow and revel in the way that it wraps over everything, leaving a blank white canvas, suffocating the colour and sound out of the world. She finds it beautiful.
She decides to take the long way back to her room, opting to walk past the lake, its surface flat and smooth, frozen by the frigid cold.
Getting an idea Yoko runs to her room, grabbing supplies while texting Divina to meet her at the lakes edge.
Knowing it will take Divina significantly longer than her to get ready and arrive she quickly sets up a tent, throwing down a thick blanket to cover the bottom. Setting out the supplies she had gathered before waiting for Divina to show up. By the time she does, less snow falls from the dark sky.
Yoko can see the thermals underneath Divina’s other clothes. She has her puffer jacket on along with a thick pair of gloves and a beanie. Yoko smiles at how adorable she looks.
“What are we doing here Yoko! It’s so cold!”
Yoko laughs at her girlfriend complaining. She pulls her into a cuddle, whispering in her ear.
“I’m sorry I got here so late, I thought I’d make it up to you with a few activities?”
Divina narrows her eyes, trying not to let her curiosity show.
“What activities?”
Yoko leans in and gives her a kiss on the nose, knowing that she’s already won.
“First you have to agree to be my valentine.”
Divina’s lips break into a smile, and she leans into Yoko, planting a kiss on her lips.
“Okay, I agree.”
She steps back, picking up one of the drinks and passing it to Divina, who brings it to her face and inhales deeply.
“Cinnamon hot chocolate?”
She takes a sip, moaning at the taste.
“I love you.”
Yoko smiles at her, winking as she speaks.
“Me or the drink?”
They laugh together, Divina returning her wink with her reply.
“Two things can be true!”
Yoko pulls her close, softly speaking in her ear.
“Have I mentioned today, how lucky I am, to be in love with you?”
She can feel Divina's smile as she pulls her into a kiss.
After they finish their drinks, Yoko pulls out two sets of ice-skates, passing one to her gleeful girlfriend.
The girls skate on the lake until Divina gets too cold to continue, shivering constantly while the snow falls more heavily.
They go back to the tent, filled with the scent of cinnamon, and lie down, pulling over a thick blanket.
Yoko pulls out a laptop, setting up Divina’s favourite musical, who sings along to every song, and both girls feel so very lucky to have each other.
As they fall asleep, wrapped in each other's arms, three memories stay with them.
Snow falling.
The smell of cinnamon.
How lucky they feel.