Juliet awoke to find the beach quiet; everyone was sitting down to their regular breakfast of burnt oatmeal and cereal. She walked slowly and unenthusiastically towards the breakfast area from her tent... Jack and her had spent the entire last day questioning Charlotte and Daniel, and all the action and angst was taking a severe toll on her sleep.
No sooner had she sat down though, when she heard a voice from behind her.
"Juliet," someone called softly.
Juliet turned to find Jack, standing at the edge of the breakfast area, beckoning for her to come. What had the freighter people done now?
"Hey," she said, approaching Jack. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Jack replied with a smile. "I just figured.... Maybe we could go for a walk?"
"Uh... Sure," Juliet said, confused, yet pleased.
Jack and Juliet walked in silence for a long time down the beach, away from everyone else, their hands brushing occasionally. Eventually they reached a large rock positioned perfectly on the edge of the water, and Jack climbed up it, helping Juliet up behind him.
"It's gorgeous," Juliet said, looking out at the water, which reflected the soft glow of the recently-risen Sun. But no amount of beauty could completely distract her from her curiosity. "Why did you bring me out here, Jack?"
She expected Jack's expression of happiness to change to one of guilt, or nervousness, but instead his smile merely broadened. "It's Christmas."
"Oh," Juliet said sadly, staring down at her feet.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked nervously... Had he done something wrong?
Juliet took a deep breath in... She couldn't believe it. "It's my fourth Christmas here... On the island. I just can't believe that I've spent 4 Christmases without my sister. She used to make the most amazing turkey, and we'd take it down to the water's edge to eat it... Very unconventional, I know, but it was our tradition," the tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Juliet... I didn't know," Jack was very sorry that he had reminded her.
"You couldn't have known," she said, trying to brighten his mood. She didn't want Jack to feel guilty for making such a kind gesture, so she wrapped her arm around him, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for bringing me out here Jack."
Jack smiled, and wrapped his arm around Juliet's waist, softly kissing the top of her head. "I'm going to get you off of this island, Juliet. I promise."
Juliet looked up at him, admiring his eyes that gazed so intensely down at her. "You don't always have to put so much burden on yourself, Jack."
"It's not a burden... You deserve to get off this island, and I want to make it happen," seeing that her facial expression had not changed, he added, "consider it my Christmas gift to you," with a smile.
Juliet smiled broadly and slightly turned in his arm, bringing her free hand up to his cheek. "Thank you, Jack," she said, and she slowly brought his face down until their lips touched.
It was unlike their previous 2 kisses, it lasted a lot longer, and it meant a lot more to both of them. Jack brought his hands up to Juliet's face, moving them back gradually to entwine his fingers in her hair, and Juliet brought her other hand up to Jack's cheek. Their lips moved softly, passionately, and both of them knew that their relationship was meant to grow, meant to last, meant to be.
Juliet slowly pulled back, staring into Jack's eyes. "I love you, Juliet," Jack said all of a sudden. They were words that Juliet had only ever dreamed of hearing Jack say to her, and yet here he was, standing before her.
"I love you too, Jack." She said, and she was sure that she had probably never looked happier in front of him. "I always have."
Jack smiled. "Merry Christmas, Juliet."
"Merry Christmas."