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Charlotte was kneeling on the floor, small bells in her hands. With precision, she set them up on the Christmas tree in Parker’s house. She was over because she volunteered—forcefully—to help Parker decorate his tree. She had actually shown up unannounced, which made Parker scramble to try and treat her. She was glad he accepted her help readily, because she wasn't going to be denied. She was in the festive spirit, and she was going to spend all the time she could with her boyfriend during the holiday season.
Parker was busy finishing the meal he made before Charlotte showed up, so that left the girl alone to do the finishing touches.
She let out a small but strong breath as she lined the last bell on the bottom layer of branches. The tree was set. She admired the tree’s shining ornaments with pride, then plugged in the lights so that they’d turn on. She giggled. Now, all that was left was to put the shining star on top of the tree.
“Parker!” She shouted.
There was a small pause before Parker shouted back, “Yeah?”
She grabbed the lone, gold star. “Come here, I need your help putting up the star!”
“Okay, give me a sec!”
After a few moments, Parker waltzed into the room with a smirk on his face. He looked down at her smugly. “Alright, shortstack, you need a lift, huh?”
She scoffed, turning her chest away from him sassily and crossing her arms. “I know it's not me you're talking to.”
He snickered, breaking into a light chuckle. “Oh, you know it is, babe.” He put a hand on his hip.
She hummed defiantly, closing her eyes and raising her brows briefly. “Well, first of all, I'm not that short.”
“Oh?” His sly grin remained. “Then I suppose you don't need my help putting the star on top of the tree, then.”
“Tch.” Charlotte frowned, looking away.
“Hm?” Parker moved closer to her, grabbing both of her shoulders, twisting his way behind her. “You look upset. What, you can't do it?” He teased.
He gently squeezed her shoulders in a brief massage. It felt nice. It made her soften up a bit, and she broke into an amused smile. “Just lift me up there, already.” She muttered.
He giggled. “Al-riight.” Conceding, he picked her up from her waist.
Both of them grunted, adjusting as Parker lifted her up. “Okay..-” Charlotte reached up. “A little higher, Parker.”
As he put in a little more effort, Parker studied the tree. Near the top of the tree, he spotted something. He stifled a laugh so that he wouldn't drop his girlfriend. “H-Hold on.” He chuckled lightly. “Where did you get that mistletoe from? I don't have one of those.”
Just before he had made his declaration, Charlotte latched the star to the top of the tree. She laughed at the surprise in his tone. “I gotcha..!” She got out through the pressure of his hands pushing against her torso. She giggled. “Now you have to kiss me.”
Parker’s face scrunched, amused but unimpressed. He rolled his eyes. “..Okay.” He grunted as he used all his strength to shift her in his arms, eventually spinning her around so that she was laying back in a bridal position in his arms. “Fuckin brat, you.”
Their lips connected momentarily. Parker took in a breath through his nose, gathering in her scent. Charlotte gently ran her fingers on his neck, making subtle contact with his nape. When they separated, both of them chuckled—with a slight flush—at how corny they were being.
After a few moments of this, the two stared at each other lovingly. Charlotte was the first to make a noise. “Hm.” She tilted her head slightly. “Now that we're done with the tree, wanna go outside?”
He snickered. “And do what?” He subtly shook his head.
“Make a snowman.”
“Like last year?”
Her eyes were half lidded. “Mhm. Last year we made the snowman look like me. This year we're going to make it look like you.”
He huffed lightly, setting her down. “Alright, fine, I suppose.”
She beamed at his affirmation. “That's what I like to hear.”
“Give me a second, though. I still have to finish my food.”
She shrugged. “Fine by me. I'll wait for you outside.”
He chuckled, feeling happy. “Alright.”
“You better come out in ten minutes..!” She jokingly threatened.
“I'll be as fast as I can!”
Parker separated back to the dining room, a wide smile on his face. He couldn't contain it. Every moment he spent with Charlotte, the thought in his mind would always grow larger: he loved her. More than anything. His best friend. His lover. He sighed through his nose to himself, gazing up, thankful.
Charlotte was feeling festive. The energy affected Parker, too. He thought about the Christmas present he had bought her. It was a gift he had prepared months in advance. And it was expensive.
A positive anxiety was suddenly present within himself. He wanted to give it to her now. He wanted to show his appreciation and thanks for her. That positive anxiety demanded to be given attention.
Now.
As he sat down, he considered the thought. He slowly twirled his utensil through the small portion of food he had left, before murmuring to himself, “Well..” Charlotte had shown up unexpectedly to his house. Maybe he could repay the favor by gifting her her Christmas present early this year.
Yeah.. he was going to do it.
Quickly swallowing down the rest of his food, he prepared himself in his winter coat, hat, and gloves. Then, he went on a detour to his room, grabbing the present and stuffing it in his coat pocket. Finally, he zipped up the pocket to make sure it stayed in there, secure.
…
When Parker finally got out there, Charlotte had already made a base for the snowman. She confidently smirked at him when he made his way to her. “Took you long enough, slowpoke.”
“Tch.” He put his hands on his hips, looking away. “Sorry that I like to enjoy my food.”
She giggled at his jest. “Whatever. Come help me out here.”
So he did. The two began work together on the Parker-snowman. An hour passed. They got sidetracked here and there, tossing snow at each other, tackling each other. But the time of completion passed, and the snowman stood proudly.
Charlotte laughed tiredly. “It looks exactly like you!” She joked.
Parker's face scrunched, and he looked at her with an unconvinced grin. “Yeah?”
“Come on, stand in front of it; I wanna take a picture.” She pulled out her phone, removing her gloves.
He obeyed, and Charlotte took a bunch of silly pictures. Parker could feel it was almost time to surprise her with his gift.
“Okay, you stand by it now. It's my turn to take some pictures.” The two swapped places, Charlotte leaning on the side of the snowman. Parker removed his gloves and took a picture. “Okay, now give it a kiss.”
She audibly laughed at that, before putting her lips on the side of its face.
Parker snickered quietly to himself. He shook his head. “Okay, now give it an actual kiss on the lips.”
Charlotte tried her best to stifle her guffaw, but she was unsuccessful. “Haha-! What the fuck is wrong with you..?!” She teased.
He laughed along with her. “C'mon! It'll be funny!”
She slowed her laughing to a chuckle. “Okay, fine!” She moved to face the front of the snowman, facing opposite of Parker.
It was time.
He pulled out the small box in his coat pocket, and opened it up so that the content would face her. He knelt down in the snow, unbothered by the cold temperature. He stared up at her slightly arched back with anticipation, a nervous smile forcing itself onto his face.
Anxious, he opened his mouth to call for her. “Okay, come here and look at the pictures.”
Charlotte spun herself around, carefree. But when she processed what she was seeing, she took a step back, her eyes widening. “H- Wha..?!”
His nervous grin widened. “Charlotte, will you marry me?” He quickly blurted.
The girl was stunned. Shocked stammers escaped her as she struggled to find what to say. “You- wh-..” She finally took a step forward, towards the ring inside the box. She leaned forward to get a better look.
He chuckled nervously. “I decided to give you your Christmas present early this year.”
Charlotte seemed mesmerized by the ring, eyes sparkling. “G-Get the fuck outta here..!” She whispered in disbelief. She gently reached her hand out to it. She glanced at Parker for permission to grab it. His face flushed in embarrassment—and cold—he nodded in affirmation. Charlotte breathed tensely, taking the ring out and placing it on her finger.
“..What do you think..?”
“What do I think..?” She repeated in a mutter. “What do I think? I think it's absolutely gorgeous..!” She looked down at him, agape. “I- of course I love it! A-And I love you!”
Parker scrambled to his feet, excitement buzzing through his skin. “S-So that's a yes?” He asked for confirmation.
“O-Of course it's a yes!” Charlotte laughed. “I- I was expecting this for a while, and- I always told myself I'd say yes, but- This just came out of nowhere and I-” She chuckled, looking down at the ring again. “I-I wasn't prepared-” She chuckled again, shakily. “-for-.. this.”
He laughed gently. “I-.. I’m just so glad you said yes.” He admitted.
She looked up at him. They made eye contact. And soon enough, they threw themselves at each other, lips interlocking. Both of them held each other’s arms. And they soaked in the euphoric moment.
They were now engaged.
Even after their tender kiss ended, the two hugged each other from their spot in the snow. And they gently whispered into each other's ears.
About all the things they loved about each other.