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“Happy Christmas Eve, Sam,” Pansy said with a yawn, stretching her arms over her head as she stepped into the kitchen. The soft glow of the fairy lights reflected off the polished wooden floorboards, giving the room a warm, cosy feel despite the early morning hour.
Sam, already dressed in a festive sweater, looked up from the stove and smiled at her. “Merry Christmas Eve to you, too, love,” he said with a smile. “I’ve made us some coffee.” He gestured to the two steaming mugs on the counter, the aroma of freshly ground beans wafting through the air.
Pansy took one, wrapping her hands around the warm porcelain. Breathing in the telltale smell that could only be coffee, she smiled. Pansy didn’t drink it often, but when she did, it had to be made by Sam. He made it in such a way that she didn’t taste any of the bitterness that she didn’t like.
“Thank you,” she murmured, taking a sip. The rich, creamy taste helped chase away the last remnants of sleep.
She looked around the room, taking in the tasteful decorations she had painstakingly chosen and placed around the house. They were a blend of Sam’s and her own decorations from before they met, and she definitely included what they had bought and made together.
The tree in the corner of the living room stood tall and proud, adorned with twinkling lights and delicate ornaments. Stockings hung from the mantle above the crackling fireplace; they were empty now, but that emptiness was filled with the promise of gifts from Santa. The quietness of the moment was a stark contrast to the usual bustle of the holiday season. As with every Christmas since Sam talked her into ditching Tony’s annual gala, she felt a sense of peace on Christmas Eve.
This was a time that was just for the two of them, and she was thankful that their friends and families understood that. Even if Tony liked to give her a hard time for missing his gala for another year.
They had decided to spend their first Christmas Eve as a married couple at their quaint little cottage in the countryside, away from the noise of the city and the prying eyes of their families and their fellow Avengers. The snowfall outside added to the serenity; it muffled all sounds and painted the world in a soft white hush. It was just the two of them, a bottle or two of their favourite wine, and a fridge full of festive treats.
As Sam finished making their breakfast, Pansy returned to their bedroom and dressed for the day. She pulled on her favourite cardigan, the one Sam had given her last year and padded back towards the kitchen. She was sidetracked by the scene outside. Pausing by the window, she stared out. The snowflakes danced in the air, each one a delicate, frozen star. As she watched them fall, she felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Pansy turned to her husband with a smile. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
Sam’s eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled. “Just what the doctor ordered: peace and quiet,” he said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “We’ve earned it after the wedding chaos.”
They had indeed had a whirlwind of a year, their romance blossoming amidst the craziness of work and social commitments. The wedding had been beautiful but exhausting, and they were both looking forward to this moment of tranquillity.
Pansy leaned into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. “It’s perfect,” she whispered as they stood watching the snow continue to fall for a few moments before he guided her towards the kitchen and the delicious aromas wafting through the cottage.
The day unfolded lazily, a tapestry of quiet moments and shared laughter. They watched movies, exchanged gifts because who would know that they didn’t wait until Christmas Day, and took a long walk in the crisp winter air during a lull in the storms, their breaths misting in the cold. As night fell, they curled up on the sofa, the crackling fire casting shadows across their contented faces.
The only interruptions to their idyllic day were the occasional texts from friends and family, checking in and sending well-wishes. They responded with cheerful messages, but mostly, they enjoyed the solitude.
The snowstorm made a resurgence as they prepared dinner together. The kitchen was filled with the aromas of roasting turkey, bubbling potatoes, steaming vegetables, and a pie baking for dessert. They worked in comfortable silence, the only sound being a symphony of clanging pots and pans.
The evening grew late, and the house grew cosier as they restarted the fire in the fireplace. They shared a pot of hot tea, laced with a splash of brandy and whispered sweet nothings as the snow continued to fall outside.
As they settled into bed, the room illuminated solely by the soft glow of the small Christmas tree they had placed on one of the dressers, they realized this was only the start of their life together. A life brimming with love, warmth, and the occasional peaceful Christmas Eve.