“𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝒉𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢.
𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝐶𝒉𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑙𝑒,
𝑚𝑦 𝒉𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑗𝑜𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒.”

• • •

Snowflakes swirled gently from the heavens, glittering like the stars that had blanketed the night before the storm rolled in. The air was alive with the crisp, pine-scented promise of Christmas. On the quiet edge of the base, where the forest whispered against the line of civilization, Commander James Cross leaned casually against a battered army jeep, his breath puffing clouds into the frigid air.

"You're late," he called, his tone warm with amusement, though his eyes danced with a teasing spark.

Dr. Evelyn Grant emerged from the shadows of the lab, bundled in a scarf so large it almost swallowed her neck, her oversized glasses fogged from the contrasting warmth inside. Her arms precariously balanced a stack of binders, loose papers fluttering, and a thermos wedged in the crook of her elbow. She huffed as she quickened her pace, her boots crunching on the snow.

"I wasn’t aware the military synchronized watches with scientists," she retorted, adjusting her grip as the binders slid. "Mind giving me a hand, Commander?"

Jamie’s grin widened as he strode forward, effortlessly scooping the precarious load from her arms. "Still solving the mysteries of the universe one binder at a time, I see," he said, placing the binders in the backseat with care. He paused to glance at her, his voice softening. "And still glowing, even in the middle of a snowstorm."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, though a faint flush bloomed on her cheeks. "It’s frostbite, Cross. Don’t get poetic."

Chuckling, he opened the passenger door with a gallant flourish. "Your chariot awaits, Doctor."

She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "I agreed to a drive, not a secret mission. Where are you taking me?"

Jamie’s expression was all mischief, his scarf shifting as he gestured to the dimly lit road. "It’s Christmas Eve. Trust me."

Evelyn sighed but climbed into the jeep, muttering, "If this involves another half-baked plan to find reindeer tracks, I’m leaving you in the snow."

The door creaked as Jamie closed it behind her, a grin tugging at his lips. He slid into the driver’s seat, the engine roaring to life with a growl that echoed in the stillness. As they pulled away, the base lights faded into a glowing backdrop, replaced by the quiet magic of snow-laden trees lining the road.

"You’ll love this," Jamie said, flicking the radio dial. The familiar, haunting melody of Frank Ocean's "Ivy" filled the space between them. Evelyn’s brow arched, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.

"Still your soundtrack?"

"Always," he said, glancing her way. "Reminds me of summer nights and your stubborn refusal to wear sunscreen."

She snorted, her breath fogging the glass as she leaned against the window. "You’d think someone trained in strategy could come up with a better insult."

"It’s not an insult," Jamie said, his tone softening. "Just a memory. One of my favorites."

Evelyn’s smile faltered, her gaze drifting to the passing trees. Their memories often surfaced in moments like this—fleeting and unspoken, tied to late-night conversations and stolen laughter. She tightened the scarf around her neck, grounding herself in the present.

"You’re awfully quiet," Jamie said, casting her a sideways glance.

"Just thinking," she murmured. "About how you always drag me away from work at the worst times."

"And yet," he countered, his grin returning, "you always say yes. Why is that?"

Evelyn hesitated, her voice soft. "Because you make the world feel… manageable. Like it can wait."

Jamie’s grip on the wheel tightened, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Her words hung between them, heavy and fragile, as the song on the radio faded into silence. When the jeep finally rolled to a stop, the landscape had transformed. A frozen lake stretched before them, its surface shimmering under the moon’s golden light.

Jamie stepped out first, rounding the vehicle to open her door with a flourish. "Welcome to my humble winter wonderland."

Evelyn stepped out cautiously, her breath catching at the sight. "Jamie, this is…"

He interrupted, holding up a thermos and two mismatched mugs he’d retrieved from the backseat. "Hold that thought. Cocoa first."

They made their way to the lake’s edge, their boots crunching against the snow. Jamie poured steaming cocoa into the mugs, handing one to Evelyn, who cradled it between her gloved hands. The warmth seeped into her fingers, chasing away the lingering chill.

"You’ve outdone yourself," she said, taking a sip. The peppermint-laced chocolate made her hum in approval. "A true Renaissance man."

"I try," he said with a mock bow, though his gaze lingered on her, the moonlight catching in her hair. "But even this doesn’t compare to you."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. "You’re laying it on thick tonight, Commander."

"Just being honest," he said, his voice quieter now. He set his mug down and took hers, placing it carefully in the snow. His hands found hers, warm and steady. "Evelyn… there’s something I’ve been meaning to say."

Her brows knit together, the playfulness in her demeanor replaced by quiet curiosity. "What is it?"

Jamie exhaled, the mist of his breath hanging in the air. "You’ve always been my anchor. The one person who makes everything else fade away. I don’t know how else to say this, but… I don’t want to face another day without knowing you’ll be by my side."

Evelyn’s eyes widened, her heart pounding. "Jamie, are you—"

He knelt, his scarf slipping as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a simple silver band. The snow seemed to hush around them, the world holding its breath.

"Evelyn Grant," he said, his voice steady despite the nervous edge in his smile, "will you marry me?"

For a moment, she could only stare, her mind racing with a thousand memories, fears, and hopes. And then, slowly, she nodded, her lips breaking into a smile that felt like sunlight. "Yes. Yes, I will."

Jamie rose, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace. Their laughter mingled with the night, echoing across the frozen lake.

As the golden light of the moon bathed them, they stood together—two souls bound by love, laughter, and the promise of forever. And in that moment, the world felt infinite.

Written by Amarachi Anunwa.