Christmas with Sophie

Ah Christmas… As the song says it's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a time for joy, love, friends and family. And everyone has that one Christmas memory they will always remember. And for these three people that memory is with one girl. Sophie Rose Goldsworthy.

First,

Clare Goldsworthy's memory:

It was the day before Christmas Eve. I was sitting in class and I don't think there was a student in there not watching the clock that seemed to be ticking slower by the second. The only sound was the tick of the clock and Alli tapping her pencil behind me. We had only been here a half a day but it seemed like forever. Then the moment we had all been waiting for came, the final bell. I went to my locker and got my books. Then I walked out the front door. Christmas break had begun. I usually had to go to my job at the local bookstore but I had the day off today so instead had to walk to Eli's parent's house where they were watching a 5 month old Sophie. From there I would walk, pushing Sophie in her stroller, another block to me and Eli's house. Eli had been working all day and wouldn't be home until late tonight. I would be lucky if I could catch him in between jobs. He always stopped at home before going to his second job just hoping we could get one kiss in. After a long walk and short chit chat with Eli's parents, I finally got home. By the time Sophie and I got there Eli was gone and when he got home I was already asleep.

It's Christmas Eve now. I'm holding Sophie in my arms watching the snow fall outside the window. The only light in the room is the faint light of our little Christmas tree. Although I knew this should be a happy time I couldn't shake the feeling of sadness. Not only was this Sophie's first Christmas eve, it was my first Christmas eve without my parents. I wondered what they were doing, and were they thinking of me? Had Darcy called yet? And where did my father end up this year? No matter how hard I tried to keep these questions from my mind they kept resurfacing. Sophie had just drifted off when the door opened loudly making her eyes open quickly and let out a loud cry.

"Oh Sophie…" I whispered rocking her gently. "It's alright."

Eli stepped into the room. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake her up." He said.

"It's alright." I replied.

Eli sat down next to me and I handed Sophie to him. As soon as she was in his arms her cries ceased. There was some kind of connection between them, ever since the day she was born they had something that I couldn't explain. I have to admit I was jealous.

Sophie quickly fell asleep.

"We'd better get her into her crib before she wakes up again." I said

Eli nodded. We both stood up and walked to Sophie's room.

Eli slowly laid Sophie down in her small crib and kissed the top of her head.

Then we walked back out to the living room and sat down in front of the Christmas tree.

"What's wrong?" Eli asked after a couple minutes of silence.

"Nothing." I replied looking down.

"Clare… something is wrong. Is it… is it about your parents."

I sighed. "Yes. It's just it's my first Christmas away from them. I know that my mom and Jake's dad are probably really happy and I have no idea where my dad is but I hope he's alright. And I just keep thinking about them and Darcy too. I've been trying to keep them out of my mind but… I can't." I looked up at Eli and he smirked at me.

"What? You find this funny?" I demanded.

"No. I just realized how much I love you." He said

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"So you don't get to be with your parents. I get why you're upset. But you get to be with me and Sophie. And I hope that's just as good because we will always be here for you. You, me, and Sophie." He smiled at me and pulled me close to him.

I breathed in his scent and took in his words.

"It's not good enough." I paused and Eli pulled away from me and gave me a "what the heck?" look. "It's better." I finished with a smirk of my own.

It was silent as we sat there looking into each other's eyes.

Then Eli stood up. "Alright Clare I wasn't going to do this until the perfect time, but I think now is the perfect time." He got down on one knee and I gasped in shock.

"I love you and I promise to always love you. You and Sophie mean the world to me. And I want us to be an official family. So Clare Diana Edward… Will you marry me?

A smile spread across my face. "Of course Eli, of course I will."

Eli slid the ring onto my finger. It was modest but beautiful. And I felt so happy. I jumped into Eli's arms and he swung me around. Then the clock struck midnight.

Still holding me in his arms Eli whispered "Merry Christmas Clare."

"Merry Christmas Eli." I said closing my eyes.

AN: I hope you liked it! Two more Chapters to come!