Author's Note: Written for a tumblr prompt by VorchaGirl. I felt it should be shared here as well. Enjoy. - TLC

Close Your Eyes

The lights on the tree sparkled and made interesting shadows dance across the walls. The scent of heated cider and sugar cookies mixed with the pine tree and tickled his nose.

James loved this time of year; though, he had to admit celebrating the holidays on a space station always made him homesick for family, palmtrees, and the beach. Homesick, that is, until Aria walked into the room. Aria and he had been living together, in his apartment, for three years now. When he thought back on his life, he never would have dreamed this is where he would be, but he couldn't be happier.

Aria had retired shortly after moving in with him. It was about a year later when she accepted a position teaching for the Alliance. She loved teaching, and her students, and she loved coming home to James. Though, James knew it was difficult for her to come home to an empty apartment when he was on assignment. He was hopeful for another promotion that would allow him to spend more time stationside.

Over the last few years, they had manged to cultivate their own traditions. James and Hannah had even developed their own relationship. She treated him like she would treat a son, and James simply adored her. His only maternal influence had been his abuela growing up. Finally having a mother figure was nice, and it was something James had never realized he had missed.

One tradition that James loved, was at Christmastime. On Christmas Eve, Aria and he would turn off all the lights but the tree, and light candles all around the living room. The soft glow was warm and welcoming. He would play quiet music, and they would drink warm cider and eat cookies. They would snuggle up on the couch, Aria's back to James' chest and she would read to him. She read the same book every year: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Dickens was Aria's favorite author, and this was her favorite story. James had never read it before, and when he said as much to Aria she had been completely appalled. That had been their first Christmas in the apartment together.

Now, it was what he looked forward to every season. He was just finishing up lighting the last of the candles as Aria emerged from their bedroom. He turned towards her and couldn't help the smile that spread on his face as his heart fluttered in his chest. Her long, dark hair was braided over one shoulder. She wore thick, soft sweatpants with one of his hoodies. She was drowning in it. She wore heavy, woven socks on her tiny feet. She lifted her eyes, and they sparkled like emeralds when she smiled at him.

Aria felt the blush dance on her cheeks when she found James watching her. She always reacted to his eyes on her, it was something she hoped she never got used to. She smiled at him, and reached a hand out. "Ready?" she asked quietly. He nodded as his large, calloused hand engulfed hers. She led him to the couch and he sat, leaning up against the arm and stretching his legs out in front of him. She chewed her lip as she sat, and made herself comfortable between his legs. Her back and head resting against his chest. The soft flannel of his pants on either side and the warm fleece of his sweater against the back of her head.

She let out a contented sigh as he slipped his heavy, strong arms around her waist and held her close. This was her favorite place to be. Wrapped in his arms, warm, comfortable, safe, loved. He kissed the side of her head and she grinned as she moved to open her omni'tool and the book file. "Wait," he ordered softly. She sat forward and twisted to see him. "I've got a surprise for you. Close your eyes."

She obeyed, and felt it as he reached down behind the couch. He placed something heavy in her lap, and she opened her eyes. She looked down and found a perfectly wrapped gift, bow included. She quirked an eyebrow at him and he grinned and told her to open it. With hesitant hands she pulled at the ribbon, before tearing the red and green striped paper. "Did you wrap this?" she asked. He chuckled, and she felt it rumble in his chest before he said he did. She was impressed.

Then her eyes landed on the gift in her lap and tears blurred her vision. She had never owned a paper and ink book before. It was a frivolty she was never allowed on her mother's ships. Her hands moved over the cover. It looked ancient. It was leather bound, a deep brown, the title and author were engraved in gold and she gasped when she realized what the book was. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. She turned in her spot and faced him. "How did you find this?" Her voice trembled and he grinned, his hands coming up to cup her face and wipe her tears.

"Mi tío loves old books, and I asked him to keep an eye out for a copy. He messaged me about this and I knew you had to have it," he answered and she leaned over and captured his lips in a kiss. He chuckled against her mouth, and felt her smile. She pulled back and looked down at the book, her dainty hands caressing the leather. She lifted it to her face and inhaled deeply.

"It's perfect," she whispered as they shifted back into place, her hands careful as she opened the book. The spine creaking open like music. The pages were smooth beneath her hands, and she simply adored the feel of it, the weight in her lap. It gave a physical presence to the story that she had loved for so long. His arms wrapped around her waist again and she leaned back into him.

"Besides, this is much better than your glowing 'tool." His lips brushed her ear when he spoke and she chuckled warmly.

She turned her head to meet his eyes. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Lola." He kissed her, it was a long, slow, sensual kiss and she broke it before it escalated. He licked his lips, tasting her still, as she settled back against him.

She started to read, and James closed his eyes and listened.

"Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail."