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It all started in October when Caro and Marta were lying in bed together after their third game of the season. Marta had fallen asleep almost instantly in Caro’s arms while the Norwegian stayed awake. It was still a long way until Christmas but for some reason Caro’s sleepy mind began to think of the topic. What would they do? She would obviously be returning to Norway and she was certain that Marta would also be going to be with her family. Her thoughts then drifted to the engagement ring stored safely at Frido’s house and wondered if maybe, somehow, the couple could spend Christmas together.
The winger didn’t bring the topic up with Marta until two weeks later while they were eating dinner.
“Marta?” She asked, having finished her mouthful of spaghetti bolognese. “Do you want to spend Christmas with me in Norway?” Marta seemed a bit startled by the question but then replied:
“I would love that, although I would need to speak to my parents and see what the plans are. I’d love to come but I definitely need to make sure I have enough warm clothes!” Marta had been to Norway with Caro before although it had been in the summer when it was not as freezing cold.
“I’d get to introduce you to my whole family.” Caro smiled as she said this, excited at the prospect of her girlfriend being able to meet the people that she cared about the most.
“I’ll definitely have to practice my Norwegian” the pair laughed at the thought of Marta trying to hold a conversation in Norwegian. Although they’d been together for around 3 years, Marta still struggled with her girlfriend’s language and this mean they usually spoke either Spanish or English at home.
Marta then went on to speak to her family, explaining that she was going to be in Norway for Christmas Day. They seemed a little disheartened but they then agreed to have another gathering on the 27th December so that they could see both Marta and Caro.
The rest of the year flew by; a whirlwind of training and matches. They had booked their flights from Barcelona to Olso for the 23rd and the couple became excited at the thought of their first Christmas they would spend together. Caro’s proposal in mid December also made the pair even more excited as Caro would not only be introducing her girlfriend to her extended family, but her fiancée as well.
Marta had been brushing up on some last minute Norwegian lessons, her Duolingo streak going well alongside some tutoring from Caro and Ingrid. It still made her very nervous, the thought of having to speak Norwegian consistently for a few days with her girlfriend, no fiancées, family.
The day of the 23rd soon arrived and the couple had managed to pack up all of their stuff and were en route to the airport. Despite only going for a few days, they had a lot of stuff with them that they needed for the extreme weather at this time of year. Thankfully it wasn’t too long of a drive from their apartment to the airport and they made it there with plenty of time.
As they were just clearing security, a group of teenage boys approached them.
“Oh my god are you Caroline Graham Hansen? I love your FC24 card. You’ve honestly changed my life.” They were being completely serious. Caro knew that there was a reason why she had rapidly gained followers and had then discovered that the new FIFA or EAFC had made her arguably the best card in the game. So apparently, she was now a household name with teenage boys.
“Thanks! I’m glad you’re having fun and I hope that my card in game continues to be good for you.” Caro smiled and posed for a picture with them before they walked off, seemingly bounding with excitement. Marta laughed “Wow, you’re popular with teenage boys now, hopefully they don’t steal you off of me!”
“I love you Marta and I don’t think a teenager is going to change that but it is still pretty cool and weird at the same time that all of a sudden everyone seems to know me.”
They very easily cleared the airport after that, stopping for a quick coffee (of course) and then boarded their flight. It wasn’t a particularly long journey, only about 3 and a half hours but it was still long enough to feel far away. Caro had done this flight many times and Marta too had travelled this route with her so they knew there would be no problems.
3 hours later, the icy landscape was revealed as they approached Oslo. Caro was going home, and Marta was coming with her. A few last minute Norwegian recaps later and they exited the plane, heading towards where Caro’s mother was waiting.
They caught sight of her and ran, Caro hugging her mum who she hasn’t seen for months and months. Marta stood there awkwardly for a little while as they reunited before Caro’s mum pulled her in for a hug too.
“It’s so great to see you again Marta!” Caro’s mum smiled, thankfully speaking in English.
“It’s very nice to see you too Mrs Hansen.”
“Oh please, call me Bettina.”
Caro smiled at seeing her fiancée and mum get along so well.
“Now, I believe there has been a development since I last saw you two?” Caro blushed and showed Marta’s hand, the ring obvious.
“I’m so happy! My baby girl is all grown up and now I’m going to have another daughter.” Marta smiled at this as the trio walked towards Bettina’s car. Caro and Bettina began speaking in Norwegian and Marta attempted to follow their conversation, preparing for a long few days of attempting to understand what was going on. It gave her so much appreciation for Caro who spoke so many languages and how difficult it must have been to move to a country where she did not speak the language at all.
They arrived at Caro’s childhood home and Marta could see how much it meant to Caro. The sheer look of joy on her face at the sight of the snow and ice definitely made up for the fact that Marta felt as though someone had locked her in a freezer naked. The Norwegian weather was most certainly something could never get used to.
They walked in, taking off the coats, snow boats and many layers required just to be okay in the freezing weather. The house was incredibly cosy, a fire lit and a tree decorated. Caro was home. Her dad and brother were waiting for them as they arrived, bringing both Caro and Marta into a big hug. “It’s so nice to see you two again! I’ve missed you so much. I also believe I should be offering my congratulations?” Caro’s dad said, staring at Marta’s ring.
“I’m so glad to be home.” Caro breathed, meaning every word. Marta could see the way that the Norwegian relaxed as they cuddled on the sofa watched Home Alone that evening. The fiancées lay in Caro’s old bed, looking up at the ice on the windows and grinned at each other, so happy to be together in this moment.
The main event of Christmas happens on the 24th in Norway to Marta’s surprise as the whole Graham Hansen family arrived for the occasion. She felt eyes on her as members of Caro’s extended family walked in. They walked up to greet them as Caro smiled and welcomed them in Norwegian before turning to Marta. “This is Marta, my fiancé.” Marta had experienced happiness many, many times but the pure joy of being described as Caro’s fiancé was enough to make the Spaniard grin from ear to ear. Somehow she remembered her Norwegian lessons as she welcomed Caro’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
They were all sat down at the dinner table when the question was asked, “how long have you two been engaged?” They were expecting it and honestly surprised it took so long to be asked. “About two weeks, it’s been a pretty recent development.” Caro answered honestly.
“Oh wow, so very recently then.” Was what Caro’s cousin had to say. Soon after, the pair had a huge gathering around them, inspecting Marta’s ring and interrogating them about their relationship.
The presents were opened after dinner as is traditional and they both enjoyed seeing the excited expressions on Caro’s family member’s faces. Caro herself received a lovely warm jumper from her parents and a new pair of shin pads from her brother.
“Ah, Caroline I think this one is for you although it’s written in Spanish so I’m not quite sure.”
“Well I know who that is from.” Caro laughed and began opening the present, looking at her fiancé with love. Inside the box was a beautiful silver necklace, on it a ring matching Marta’s.
“Kjære, I love it. When did you buy it?”
“Soon after you proposed, I was passing the jewellers and I saw them offering ring necklaces and I knew instantly that it was right.”
“It’s amazing.” Caro slipped the necklace on as Marta discovered the present that Caro had bought for her. It was a card that contained a slip of paper explaining that they were going to try one of the Michelin star restaurants that had opened in Barcelona. Marta grinned as she hugged her fiancée as they continued to watch others open their gifts.
The 24th ended with the whole family wrapped up in blankets watching Love Actually before they eventually left, leaving just Caro, Marta, her parents and her brother.
The next morning was a bit of a recovery from the day before as they all lied in, attempting to subdue the hangover. The plan for the afternoon, Marta discovered was sledding. She had confessed to Caro that she’d never been sledding before and her fiancée had vowed to make sure that she did it at some point. The family got fully wrapped up, sleds in hand as they stood at the top of the hill. Fredrik went first to show Marta how it’s done and be ready to film. Surprisingly, she was quite good at it and discovered just why Caro loved it so much. They spent around an hour going back and forth up and down the hill until they got so cold they had to go back in.
The family sat around drinking hot chocolate before settling in for the evening, watching shitty Christmas tv and enjoying all being together as a family. Everyone went to bed except from Caro and Marta as they went to go and grab some water from the kitchen. On their way back to the living room, they discovered that they were underneath some mistletoe. They laughed and connected their lips together, their first Christmas together and potentially their last before they became wives. And so the Spaniard and the Norwegian stood under the mistletoe with no one around and just their love for each other as company.
“Jeg elsker deg.”
“Yo te quiero.”