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“Gimme a minute!” Alicent called out. She had been fumbling with a stubborn zipper in the back of her dress for about a minute now, and was using a mirror in the changing room to figure out what it had snagged itself into.
“No worries dear, take your time.” Laena replied. “The children are preoccupied with a rubber ball they got from a vending machine.”
Alicent smiled as she heard the pitter patter of little footsteps and soft thumps as the rubber ball bounced around outside. Alicent, Rhaenyra and Laena had always been close, having grown up together and gone to the same school ever since they were little. Laena was also the first to know about their relationship and was the maid of honor at their wedding. So it was a tragedy when they’d heard the news of Harwin Strong and his father Lyonel passing away due to a house fire, leaving Laena a widow and their four children without a father. Rhaenyra and Alicent offered to take them in while their house was being repaired, but the more time they spent together the less they wanted to part from each other. Laena had confided to them that she didn’t want to return to her previous home because she did not want to keep living in the place her husband and father-in-law had perished. She then asked if her family could keep living with them just for a few more weeks, to which Alicent and Rhaenyra eagerly replied yes. It had almost been a year since then, and Alicent couldn’t be happier. This was to be their first Christmas together as one big family, and she wanted to make sure everything was perfect.
Alicent finally managed to get the zipper all the way down and pulled the dress off of her. Only one outfit left, and it was the one she was most nervous about. She had wanted to surprise Rhaenyra with a special gift this year, it had been five years since Rhaenyra had taken over the family company as CEO and ten years since they had been married. They’d already had their anniversary celebration where they tearfully renewed their vows, but Alicent wanted to do something for Christmas as a little extra. When Alicent had asked Laena for what Rhaenyra would like most as a gift, she had responded “You!” They both laughed it off at the time but Alicent started seriously considering it. She looked up this store online and found that they had an exclusive holiday collection, complete with a variety of sexy santa outfits. Alicent had always been made to dress modestly due to her religious upbringing, and she still mostly dressed that way for comfort more than anything. But she felt a rush of thrill and excitement at the thought of Rhaenyra seeing her dressed in a provocative outfit. Her only worry was that her body was not as it used to be before, having gone through two pregnancies already. She tried not to lose confidence as she put on the outfit, first came the crop top and then the mini skirt. Lastly she put on the stockings and her santa hat and looked in the mirror. She looked… good. Great, even. The outfit fit her just right and enhanced her curves and dips. Alicent felt a little scandalous as she had never worn stockings with garter belts before, but she supposed there was a first time for everything. As she was turning around to get a good view of her sides, she heard a knock at the door.
“Mom, are you almost done?” Asked the voice from the other side.
“Yes, I’m going out soon.” Alicent replied, and started taking off her outfit. Once she was dressed, she took the clothes she wanted to buy and wrapped them around the sexy santa outfit so the children wouldn’t see it. Once she was finished shopping, they made their way back home where their golden retriever Syrax was waiting for them. Alicent quickly headed up to her and Rhaenyra’s bedroom and put all her clothes away in the closet. As she was done she heard Laena call for her, and she quickly made her way down the stairs.
“Laenor just texted me to let me know Baela and Rhaena are already at my mother’s house, I was thinking I could take the rest of the children there while you get ready.”
“That’s a wonderful idea! I’ll head over there with Rhaenyra as soon as we’re done.” Alicent replied, grateful to have the extra time to put her plan into action. She hugged the children as they headed out the door, she promised Aemond and Helaena that they would see each other again soon, and they perked up as soon as Jace and Luke offered to show them a new board game their grandpa Corlys got them. Once she was all alone in the house she put her plan in motion. Rhaenyra was still two hours away from home, so she decided to make the most out of her time. Since they were planning on staying the night with the Velaryons, she took the children’s Christmas gifts and loaded them into the car so they could open them first thing in the morning. She also carefully put the gingerbread house they had all decorated together inside a cake box so they could eat it later tonight. Lastly, she fed Syrax and gave her plenty of water to last until tomorrow. Once she was finished with everything, she made her way up to the bedroom and put on her outfit. Ten minutes until Rhaenyra came home. She fought the urge to pick at her fingernails as she had done when she was young, anxiety overwhelming her. What if Rhaenyra didn’t like the outfit? What if Rhaenyra didn’t think she looked attractive? What if-
Her thoughts were cut off as she heard the front door open. Shit. Rhaenyra had come earlier than she expected.
“I’m home!” Rhaenyra called out from the first floor. Alicent could hear her greeting Syrax and making baby noises at her. Alicent steeled her nerves.
“Is anybody home?” She heard Rhaenyra ask when nobody came to greet her. She heard her footsteps come up the stairs and Alicent held her breath. This was it. It was now or never. Alicent lied down on the bed and tried to look as seductive as possible.
“I’m in here.” She responded, trying to make her voice as alluring as possible.
She heard Rhaenyra’s footsteps coming closer and felt both excitement and dread. What would her wife’s reaction to her outfit be?
“Honey! I saw you put out the gingerbread house already and it smells-“ Rhaenyra stopped mid sentence as she opened the door. Time seemed to stop as the two women looked at one another, each holding their breath. “-delicious.”
They stared at each other and Alicent slowly stood up, making her way towards Rhaenyra.
She slowly put her hand against the blonde’s face, gently caressing her cheek, as she leaned forward.
“Do you like it?” She whispered in Rhaenyra’s ear. “I wanted to surprise you since you’ve been working so hard lately and I wanted to give you an extra anniversary present.”
She waited a few seconds and when she didn’t get a response she started to become anxious. Why wasn’t Rhaenyra saying anything? When she pulled away and got a good look at her wife, she noticed the blonde’s face was flushed red and she was looking Alicent up and down unabashedly.
“Do I like it?” Rhaenyra asked. “No.”
Alicent felt her heart stop. She should’ve known it was a bad idea, she should’ve stopped when she had the chance. She felt herself instinctively move to pick at her fingernails but she was stopped when Rhaenyra held her hands in hers and gave her the biggest grin she had ever seen.
“I love it!” Rhaenyra exclaimed. “Alicent you look so sexy and gorgeous it’s taking all my willpower not to pin you down on the bed and kiss every inch of your beautiful body.”
Alicent internally sighed in relief at her wife’s admission, and couldn’t contain her smile at her wife’s clear adoration of her.
“I’m so happy you like it. Truthfully, I was a bit worried since this is the first time I’ve done something like this.”
“Oh Alicent…” Rhaenyra replied as she brought up one of Alicent’s hands and kissed it. “I do not think I could ask for a better present than my beautiful wife wearing a sexy outfit.”
Alicent felt her face heat up.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Rhaenyra continued. “I don’t know how I ever managed to convince someone as gorgeous as you to marry me.”
“Oh stop it, you’re making me blush.” Alicent said, her words full of warmth.
“I mean it you know, I think you’re the most beautiful woman on Earth.”
“That’s where I have to disagree.” Alicent replied, pressing a soft kiss to Rhaenyra’s cheek. “I think you are the most beautiful woman on Earth.”
“We’ll just have to agree to disagree then.” Rhaenyra said as she hugged Alicent and held her close.
Alicent felt silly for thinking Rhaenyra wouldn’t find her attractive. This was her wife she was talking about, who complimented her every day and practically turned into a puppy when she wore a fancy outfit for their dates. Suddenly, Rhaenyra dropped them both onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” Alicent asked with a teasing tone.
“Opening my present.” Rhaenyra replied with a smirk, as she slowly started kissing Alicent’s neck.
~
Alicent and Rhaenyra left the house after saying goodbye to Syrax, with a gingerbread house and a pile of gifts in tow. They made it to the Velaryon’s home just in time for dinner. After they were finished eating, Alicent brought out the gingerbread house and everyone ate and listened on as the children explained which parts they had decorated. Afterwards they all got together to watch a Christmas movie and Rhaenys had made hot chocolate with marshmallows for everyone to enjoy. As soon as the movie ended they took the kids to the guest bedrooms and put them to sleep, each of them sharing a bed due to the full household. When the kids were asleep the adults got to work, carefully putting each present under the tree and trying not to make any noise so as to not disturb the children sleeping. Alicent and Rhaenyra were the last ones in the living room, cuddling in front of the fireplace as they rested from their eventful day.
“It’s already 2 AM, we should be going to bed already.” Alicent said with a yawn.
“Eh, the kiddos are gonna wake us up in about four hours anyways, might as well wait here for them.” Rhaenyra replied as she cuddled closer.
“Hm.” Alicent hummed as she leaned into Rhaenyra’s warmth. “I’m glad we’re all spending the holidays together like this.”
“Me too. I don’t think there’s been a dull moment in our lives since Laena started living with us.”
“Agreed. Laena seems to be healing well and the children love spending time with each other.”
“Alicent.” Rhaenyra said, and looked at her directly. “Have you thought about Laena living with us permanently?”
Alicent paused at that. She had thought about it before but she had never brought it up with Laena. She thought it was still too soon and didn’t want to put any pressure onto her, but she sincerely hoped Laena would want to continue living with them as well. There was also the fact that Laena could prefer to live independently, and if she got into a relationship with someone else she might want to live with them too.
“I have thought about it but I haven’t brought it up with her yet.” Alicent responded. “Why?”
“It’s just that this past year has been so good for our family. I finally reconnected with Laena after being apart for so long after high school, and I really enjoy her staying with us.” Rhaenyra explained. “Not to mention I love seeing my nieces and nephews every day. I know the children cannot share their beds forever but maybe we can expand our house or even get a bigger home so we can all live comfortably?”
“I would like that.” Alicent answered. Laena was her best friend besides Rhaenyra and she loved her with all her heart. If there was a way they could all live together as a family she would do anything to make it work. “But we must ask Laena what she would like to do first. And we also must take the children into account. Though from what I’ve seen I don’t think they would be opposed to living together.”
“I’m relieved to hear you say that.” Rhaenyra said as she kissed Alicent gently. She pulled away and smiled. “We’ll make it work. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Alicent replied. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Merry Christmas.”