Christmas Eve, One Year Later

"I am stuffed." Henry declared from his spot in the armchair.

I glanced up from my book in time to see him pulling my favourite cosy blanket up over him. He had been reluctant to wear tartan pyjamas that matched my own at first, but no one could deny; he made them look good!

"That's what happens when you insist on doing a practice Christmas dinner the day before Christmas." I laughed, tucking my bookmark in the page and placing it on the arm of the sofa.

We had sprawled here after seconds of Christmas pudding over an hour ago and still not dared to move. Henry groaned. "I have no idea how we are going to eat all that again tomorrow."

"Where there's a festive will, there's a way!" I replied, shifting into a more comfortable position.

"I'm sure you'd have Christmas dinner for every meal if you could."

"That's an option?" I asked innocently.

Henry rolled his eyes, and a smile split my face. My cheeks ached from smiling so much.

Today had been perfect. Beyond perfect, really.

Now I was sitting opposite a mesmerising log burning fire, Christmas lights twinkling all around me, and completely full of the most delicious meal, cooked by the man I loved.

"What time is everyone going to start arriving tomorrow?" Henry asked, changing the subject as he pulled out his phone to check his notes for the hundredth time today.

It was so typical of him to want to plan every moment to within an inch of its life. I was so surprised when he suggested we host Christmas this year. Although our home was more than big enough to accommodate everyone, I knew Christmas held a lot of memories and difficulties for him.

"My parents are arriving at 9:30am. Your parents and the rest of my family are coming at about 10." I reminded him patiently.

"And you're sure 1:30 isn't too late to serve lunch?" He frowned down at the notes where he had meticulously planned the timings for cooking everything.

"Positive." I promised, getting to my feet and crossing the couple of steps to his side.

Dropping to my knees alongside him, I took the phone from his hands and placed it on the coffee table. Returning my attention to him, I reached out to massage the creases from his forehead.

"You're overthinking again." I said softly. "Everything is going to go amazingly tomorrow. It will be as perfect as today has been. It's Christmas. Relax!"

An odd look crossed his face and he sat forward, blanket falling off him as he caught my face in his hands.

I smiled uncertainly. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"I'm just wondering what I did to deserve you." He ducked forward and claimed my lips before I could ask what he meant.

As we kissed, he guided me to my feet and back towards the door. My heart pounded in anticipation wondering what he was doing.

We broke apart and he pressed his forehead to mine. "You're perfect Susie. You are what makes Christmas perfect."

I laughed. "Where has all the soppiness come from?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "I was going to do this tomorrow, but damn, I can't wait another minute to ask you."

"Ask me what?" I frowned as he drew back and moved to the bookshelf.

I couldn't see exactly what he was fiddling with, and took a step towards him in an attempt to see what was going on.

Then he turned, his face pinched with nerves and dropped to one knee.

All at once I realised what was happening and what the small blue velvet box in his hands meant. My eyes bulged as I looked down at him.

"Susie Miller," He said quietly, taking one of my hands in his. "You've changed my home and my life. I cannot put into words what you mean to me, or imagine a life without you in it. You gave me back Christmas and helped me connect with my own family and discover a new one in yours. What I am trying to say is I love you more than I can say. Will you marry me?"

The box popped open and revealed the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I blinked down at him, unable to hide my shock.

If there was ever an awful time to be lost for words, this was it. I opened and closed my mouth twice before swallowing hard as the crackling of the fire broke the silence.

"Is this real?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He chuckled, rubbing a thumb across the back of my hands. "Very real, and very nerve wracking, so if you could possibly give me an answer sometime soon that would be amazing."

I felt the smile spreading slowly across my face and the warmth of love filled my heart.

"Yes. Yes! A thousand times yes!" I squealed, throwing my arms around him and effectively tackling him to the ground.

Henry laughed as he broke our fall and I began showering kisses down on his face.

"Have you even looked at the ring? I spent ages picking it!" He asked when I paused for breath.

I glanced down at the box in his hands and gasped.

Henry looked smug, "You like it?"

I shook my head slightly and his face fell. "No, no, I'm sure I'll love it. It's just... where is it?"

Henry turned the box back to face himself and for a moment just stared at the empty box. I scrambled back to search the floor to find where it had fallen and jumped when he started to laugh.

"Only you, Susie Miller," He chuckled, "-could lose an engagement ring before I've even got it on your finger."

"Oh stop it!" I laughed, pushing his shoulder, "Help me look for it then!"

It only took a few minutes of searching to track it down where it had somehow bounced into the open quality streets tin.

On our knees, by the Christmas tree we had decorated together, and our appalling misshapen handmade decorations, he finally slid it onto my finger.

"Merry Christmas Susie. Thank you for being the only gift I'll ever need." Henry proclaimed, before claiming my lips once more.

- The End -