Chapter 36 - A Good Night ♡︎

The Walter house came into view through the soft haze of falling snow, the porch light spilling golden warmth across the driveway. The car tires crunched slowly over the frozen ground as Cole pulled up beside the front steps, the hum of the heater fading as he turned off the ignition. For a few moments, no one moved, the quiet of the night filling the car—just the muffled sound of the wind outside and the faint tick of the cooling engine. The house looked cozy from the outside, a few lights still glowing in the windows, the faint shadow of the Christmas tree visible through the living room curtains.

Olive stepped down carefully, her boots crunching softly against the frosted gravel. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly at Jackie, who was talking to Alex near the front steps. But as Olive started toward the porch, her boot hit a slick patch of ice she hadn't seen. Her foot slipped out from under her, and she let out a small gasp — but before she could even fall, strong hands caught her around the waist.

Her world seemed to freeze. Cole's arms were steady and firm around her, his body close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off him despite the cold. His chest brushed hers with every breath, and for a moment, everything went still — just the sound of their breaths and the faint creak of the wind.

Olive's wide eyes met his, those unmistakable green eyes looking down at her with a flicker of surprise and something deeper she couldn't name. Her cheeks burned instantly. "I—I'm okay," she whispered, her voice so soft it nearly vanished into the night.

Cole didn't move right away. His grip lingered, gentle but sure, as if letting go might send her toppling after all. Then, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, he murmured, "You sure? 'Cause I'm starting to think you like falling for me, tiny."

That broke her. Her face turned scarlet, and she let out a squeaky noise — somewhere between a gasp and a protest — before wriggling out of his hold and rushing toward the door. "I'm fine!" she said too quickly, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. She yanked open the door and darted inside, her boots squeaking on the polished wood.

For a moment, the porch was silent. Cole stood there, exhaling a small laugh under his breath, shaking his head as if trying to play off his own flustered heartbeat.

Jackie turned toward Alex, raising an eyebrow. "What was that?"

Alex chuckled, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. "Olive's more jumpy than usual tonight."

Jackie gave him a look, her tone laced with amusement. "More like she's jumpy around your brother."

Cole groaned quietly. "Can we not—"

But Alex and Jackie were already laughing as they headed inside, leaving him standing there for a second longer, staring at the faint footprints Olive had left in the snow. Then, sighing, Cole followed them in.___

The warmth of the house wrapped around them the moment they stepped through the door, a comforting contrast to the icy air that still clung to their coats. The smell of pine needles, cinnamon, and freshly baked cookies drifted through the entryway, instantly making everything feel softer, calmer — the kind of warmth that only the Walter home could give.

Katherine appeared from the kitchen, her ever-gentle but watchful eyes landing on the group as they hung up their coats and stomped the snow off their boots.

"Well," she said, a smile tugging at her lips, "there you all are. How was the party?"

Jackie was the first to speak, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It was really fun, actually. Skylar had the whole place decorated — lights, music, everything. It felt like one of those Christmas movie parties."

Alex nodded beside her. "Yeah, there was a lot of food, too. Grace made way too many cupcakes."

Katherine chuckled, folding her arms lightly as she leaned against the doorframe. "That sounds about right for your group. I'm glad you all had a good time." Her eyes scanned over each of them with that mix of warmth and curiosity that every mother perfected. "But... where's Olive? I didn't hear her come in."

Cole, still brushing snowflakes off his shoulders, looked toward the stairs and cleared his throat. "She, uh, probably went up to her room already," he said casually, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "She was pretty tired."

Katherine nodded knowingly, but there was a flicker of amusement in her expression that didn't go unnoticed. "Mhm," she hummed, "I'm sure she was." Then, shaking her head softly, she stepped back toward the kitchen. "Well, I made some cookies earlier with Parker. They're still warm, so help yourselves if you'd like."

Parker's voice called faintly from the kitchen, "They're chocolate chip! And I didn't burn them this time!"

Jackie laughed as she kicked off her boots and lined them neatly by the door. "Progress," she teased.

Katherine pointed a finger toward the muddy snow on the rug with that gentle warning tone only a mother could master. "And don't you dare track snow through my house. Boots stay here, understand? I just mopped earlier."

"Yes, ma'am," Alex said quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Cole chuckled, bending down to tug off his boots. "You know, one day you're going to relax about the floors, Mom."

She arched a brow at him, the corner of her mouth lifting in that patient, knowing smile. "And one day, Cole Walter, you're going to stop leaving your things lying all over my kitchen counter. But I'm not holding my breath."

Jackie giggled, whispering under her breath to Alex, "She's got him there."

Cole rolled his eyes but smiled anyway, setting his boots neatly beside the others. The warmth from the fireplace in the living room flickered down the hall, and for a moment, the scene felt peaceful — everyone safe, home, and surrounded by that comforting hum of family.

Katherine gave them all one last motherly glance before heading back toward the kitchen, her voice trailing softly behind her. "Cookies are on the counter. And remember — no snow in the house!"

As the others laughed and moved toward the kitchen, Cole lingered for just a moment, glancing up the stairs where he knew Olive had gone. A small, tender smile touched his lips before he followed the others in, the sound of laughter and clinking plates already filling the cozy warmth of the home.___

The house had quieted into that soft, late-night calm that only the Walter home seemed to have — the kind that hummed faintly with leftover laughter and the smell of cookies still warm in the kitchen. The chaos of the evening had faded, replaced by low voices and the occasional sound of someone moving about upstairs. Cole sat at the counter, elbows resting on the edge, watching as the plate of cookies slowly disappeared between Alex, Jackie, and Parker. Katherine and George had already gone to bed, their door closed down the hall, leaving just the younger ones finishing off what was left of the night.

Cole reached for a couple of cookies, sliding them onto a napkin. His movements were casual, but his eyes kept flicking toward the staircase — the same direction Olive had gone hours earlier. She'd disappeared not long after they came home, probably tired from all the excitement, but Cole couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she'd nearly slipped outside, how small her gasp had sounded when he caught her, and the way her cheeks flushed before she'd bolted inside. It made him grin now, remembering how adorably flustered she got around him.

Parker caught him quietly packing up the cookies and raised an eyebrow. "Those are for Olive, aren't they?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

Cole didn't bother denying it. "She probably hasn't eaten since dinner," he said, his tone steady but softer than usual. "I'll take them up to her."

Jackie smiled knowingly from where she sat beside Alex, sipping a cup of cocoa. "That's sweet of you, Cole," she said, trying to hide her amusement behind the rim of her mug.

But Alex couldn't help himself. He leaned in closer to Jackie, lowering his voice but still loud enough for Cole to hear. "You mean go make out with her," he whispered with a grin.

Jackie gasped softly, smacking his shoulder. "Alex!" she hissed, half-laughing and half-scolding.

Cole paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder at the two of them, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and annoyance. "You're real funny, Alex," he said dryly, shaking his head. "Maybe try not to die laughing when I dump snow down your shirt tomorrow morning."

Alex snickered, raising his hands defensively. "Hey, just calling it like I see it."

"Yeah, yeah," Cole muttered, rolling his eyes as he balanced the cookies carefully in his hand. But there was a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, the kind that betrayed the affection underneath the irritation.

Jackie giggled again as she leaned into Alex. "You should stop teasing him," she whispered, still smiling. "He's actually being sweet for once."

"Sweet," Alex echoed with a grin, "and lovesick."

Cole pretended not to hear that one. Instead, he walked toward the staircase, the soft glow of the kitchen lights fading behind him. His boots were off, his steps quiet against the wood floor as he climbed upward. Every step felt a little slower, a little heavier, not from exhaustion but from the quiet anticipation building in his chest.

When he reached the landing, the hum of the house fell away entirely. It was just him and the soft sound of the wind outside against the windows. The hallway was dim, only a small light from Parker's room casting a faint glow onto the carpet. Cole stopped outside Olive's door, balancing the cookies in one hand.

For a second, he just stood there, looking at the small crack of light under her door. He could imagine her inside — probably in her pastel pajamas again, hair loose and soft, maybe already half-asleep under a pile of blankets. The thought made his chest tighten in that familiar way, a feeling that was both tender and consuming.

He smiled quietly to himself, then lifted a hand and knocked softly, the kind of knock meant more for her than anyone else. "Hey, tiny" he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. "It's me. Brought you some cookies."