Work Text:
Carmen sighed as she wandered around San Diego, desperate to find the perfect gift for the love of her life. Carmen had been searching for weeks for something to get Ivy, but to no avail. Now it was Christmas Eve and if Carmen couldn’t find something for her today…. She didn’t know what she’d do. She shook that thought from her head, refusing to entertain it, and continued to browse the storefronts, hoping something would catch her eye.
Carmen and Ivy had been together for about six years now, and the brunette had never felt so loved. Ivy constantly made her feel like a queen and would move mountains for Carmen if needed. She never doubted the redhead’s love, it radiated off of her and warmed Carmen up just by being near Ivy. The brunette often worried that she herself wasn’t showing enough affection towards her girlfriend, and fretted that Ivy felt as though she was being neglected or unloved. These fears contributed to Carmen’s goal of getting the perfect gift, one that would blow Ivy away and make her understand just how important she was to the brunette.
Carmen found herself collapsed on a bench, staring up at the partially cloudy sky. The sunset’s brilliant oranges and purples painting the clouds above her. While the sight was beautiful, it reminded Carmen that her time was quickly running out. She sighed softly, tearing her eyes from the sky as she felt her heart drop. She was unsure if there was any chance she’d be able to find something perfect in time to give to the love of her life.
She shook her head as she pulled herself off the bench, stretching softly before she saw it. In a shop’s window display, she spotted it, the perfect gift. She stepped closer to the window, gazing at the item before her. Just one look and she knew exactly what she was going to give Ivy for Christmas. It’d take a bit of work to prepare it but she knew it’d be worth it. Carmen rushed inside the shop and quickly purchased the item, a smile curling on her lips as she thought about how Ivy would react to receiving her gift.
After catching a cab Carmen quietly slunk into the house, relieved to find it empty. She made her way to Ivy’s workbench and sat down. The brunette popped open the paints she had bought and had begun to paint the item, meticulously painting all the details she had remembered Ivy described as well as referring to a picture the redhead had on her desk.
Hours went by as Carmen painted away, hoping to make the item in question look perfect. She wanted Ivy to be able to look at it and see that Carmen didn’t just buy it, but personalized it. Carmen dipped the brush into more paint and smiled softly as she poured her love into this gift. She painted the final detail onto the item and leaned back, surprised at how accurate the markings looked. She turned on the fan in the room, allowing the paint to dry.
It was maybe another hour before she heard the front door swing open, quiet bickering echoing through the house as the siblings stepped in. Carmen checked the paint, relieved to see it somehow managed to dry in time for her to wrap the present. She quietly exited the room, giggling as she listened to Zack insisting that the true dessert of Christmas was fruit cake, whether they liked it or not.
“Bro you’re trippin’, peppermint bark is clearly more Christmassy than some alien’s definition of cake,” Ivy argued as she slipped a present under the tree.
“You’re only sayin’ that cause peppermint bark usually has some sort of chocolate in it,” Zack groaned as he flopped on the couch.
"Well, chocolate makes everythin’ better,” Ivy shot back with a smirk before her eyes met Carmen’s. The redhead’s mood shifted instantly as she gave the taller woman the warmest, brightest smile the brunette had ever seen. Zack followed her gaze grinned mischievously as he turned to Carmen.
“Carm can settle this for us,” the redheaded boy stated.
“Oh c’mon Zack,” Ivy groaned playfully.
“Carm, which is more Christmassy? Fruit cake or peppermint bark,” Zack asked with a smile.
“Well most films do feature fruit cake,” Carmen thought aloud, earning a loud ‘ha’ from the younger sibling.
“But,” Ivy inquired, knowing the brunette had more to say.
“But, I’d say peppermint is a more Christmassy flavor,” Carmen finished with a nod. The younger sibling groaned as he sank in his chair.
“Next time I’m askin’ Player,” he concluded in a defeated tone.
“Sorry bro, ya should know Carm tends to pick the right side,” Ivy boasted as Carmen walked over to her, the redheaded woman instinctually wrapped her arm around the taller woman’s waist. The three of them chuckled softly, Carmen finding herself leaning into Ivy’s side, instantly feeling warm. She glanced at the ground before showing the freckled woman the gift that she had been hiding behind her back.
“I got this for you,” the brunette said with a smile. “I know we’re usually supposed to wait till tomorrow but if you’d like you can open it now.”
“Carm,” Ivy asked tenderly, grabbing Carmen’s attention. “Would ya like me ta open it now?” The brunette was silent as she stared at Ivy, feeling her heart race as she gazed into her calm green eyes. Carmen looked at the ground before nodding softly, she honestly just couldn’t wait for tomorrow but she didn’t want to admit that.
Ivy smiled and nodded before tearing open the wrapping paper, and delicately opening the box. Carmen watched as the redhead’s expression shifted, her smile quickly turning to shock as she slowly pulled out the model car Carmen had bought and painted to look almost exactly like Lydia. Ivy stared at the car with an unreadable expression for a moment before a smile curled on her lips, tears collecting in her eyes.
“D-did ya paint this Carm,” Ivy asked while noticing the paint on Carmen’s hands. The brunette nodded softly as she smiled.
“I tried to make it look as close to Lydia as I could,” Carmen said with love.
“Whoa, there’s even the small scrape next to the tail light,” Zack pointed out, now studying the car along with his sister. “Wicked awesome job Carm!”
“Well I’m glad you like it,” the brunette said happily before Ivy pulled her into a tight, loving hug.
“I love it, Carmen,” Ivy whispered while trying to calm herself. She broke the hug to give Carmen a deep, loving kiss. “Thank you for such an amazin’ gift.”
“Of course Ivy,” Carmen stuttered with a smile as she blushed. “I love you and I wanted you to know that.”
“Of course, I know Carm, I love ya too,” the redhead sighed lovingly. “I uh, hope ya don’t mind me askin’ ya to put this on the shelf over there.”
“I don’t mind at all Ivy,” Carmen stated as she carefully took the car and placed it on the shelf next to her nesting dolls. She felt warmth bubbling up inside her as she gazed at the shelf before her. Carmen turned around and her expression quickly shifted to shock as she saw Ivy kneeling before her, nervously clearing her throat.
“So Carm, g-guess it’s my turn to give you my gift to you,” the redhead stuttered, before pulling out a small red box. The brunette covered her mouth with her hands as Ivy spoke, “Carmen SanDiego will you, the greatest thief in the world, do me the honor and marry me?” The redhead opened the ring case to reveal a handmade ring. Small red metal roses had been placed around the band, and on top sat a beautiful ruby.
Carmen stared at Ivy, tears forming in her grey eyes as she nodded, “yes Ivy!” She finally managed to say as she leaped into the shorter woman’s arms, kissing her passionately. Zack clapped behind them before deciding to give them some privacy, grabbing the tin of Christmas popcorn they had bought earlier in the day before making his way to his room.
After they had calmed down a bit Carmen slipped on the ring and found it to be a perfect fit. After that, the two decided to snuggle on the couch, cheesy Christmas movies playing in the background as they fell asleep in each other’s arms.