"Merry Christmas, Max," the blonde-haired teen held out a present to her boyfriend.
The two were on a very casual date in the gargantuan backyard of her home. They were currently standing at the fountain in the center of a very large hedge maze where they could receive tons of privacy.
"Cecelia, you shouldn't have!" he beamed as he took the gift from her.
"Of course I did," she smiled gently while placing her hands behind her back innocently.
"But it's only the sixteenth. Why are you giving me my gift so early?" the male cocked his head to the side.
"Because I know how much you're going to love it, and I can't wait any longer!"
"Oh," the smile on the boy's face grew. "Well, if you insist."
Maximillion Pegasus eagerly tore into the elegantly wrapped package in his hands. His girlfriend watched with amusement, even letting out a chuckle. He was still so child-like and innocent, even though he was sixteen now. He wasn't child-like in an immature way or anything. His eyes were always full of wonder just like that of a small child's would be, and he was always excited and eager to take on anything that came his way. That was one of the many things she loved about him.
"Oh, wow!" Max cried as he hungrily eyed his new video. "An autographed VHS of Funny Bunny!"
"Yes," Cecelia nodded.
"Where did you get this? This is great!" he grinned.
"Well, do you remember when I went on that business trip with my parents a few months ago?"
"You found this way back then?"
"Found an autographed tape? No. I found a regular tape, then I found the creator of Funny Bunny."
"What! You actually met him!" Max gawked. "That's…that's…Cecelia, I think I may actually be jealous!"
The female walked over and planted a peck onto her boyfriend's lips.
"I thought you might be, which was why I took the liberty of arranging a Christmas luncheon where I invited him to come out, so you could meet him face to face."
Max's eyes bulged in disbelief as his jaw dropped nearly to the ground.
"You're…you're serious?" he blinked.
"Mhm," she nodded.
"This is…this is the best present ever!" he hugged her tightly.
"See? I knew you'd love it," she nuzzled into him.
"I didn't realize I'd been such a good boy this year. What did I do to possibly deserve a gift as grand as this?"
Cecelia chuckled as she pulled away, batting her eyelashes coyly.
"I can't believe you'd go through all that trouble just for me," Max swooned while hugging the tape to his chest.
"It wasn't any trouble at all, silly. I would do anything for you," Cecelia lightly brushed her fingers against his cheek. "Anything to make you happy."
Max smiled as he pulled her into another hug and rested his chin on top of her soft, golden tresses.
"I want to stay like this forever," Cecelia murmured.
"So do I," the male admitted.
"Maximillion, I think that when we get married one day that we should have a Christmas wedding," Cecelia looked up at the light snowfall that had started.
"You think so?"
"I do," she pulled away to look him in the eyes. "It's our favorite time of year, after all. Why not give us even more reason to love it?"
This was it. This was the moment. It was perfect. Her eyes were sparkling, her smile was dazzling, and the atmosphere was just begging for him to make his move. Without anymore hesitation, he cleared his throat.
"Cecelia, I have a confession to make," she looked at him curiously. "I have something for you as well."
"You do?" she blinked in surprise.
"Yes. I bought it some time ago, and I was planning on doing this on Christmas Eve, but after what just happened tonight, I feel you've left me with no choice but to present it to you now."
"Ooh, I'm excited now," Cecelia clapped, causing her boyfriend to smile warmly as he set his gift down onto the stone bench behind him so that he could pull out a small box from his pocket.
The female gasped when she saw the tiny, black velvet box, and her hands flew up over her mouth as Max got down on one knee and opened it.
"Cecelia Louise, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"
"Oh, Max! Do you really mean it?"
"Of course. We plan on getting married after we finish school anyway, right? So why not just make our engagement official right now?"
"Oh! Yes! Yes, Maximillion! Of course I'll marry you!" the female squealed in delight.
Her beau grinned from ear to ear as he took the enormous ring from its box and placed it on her delicate finger.
"Oh," she breathed as she examined it. "It's so beautiful."
"I had it custom made just for you," Max stood. "I designed it myself."
"I can't believe it. We're engaged. Officially engaged to be married. I wonder what our parents will think about that?"
"Oh, I'm sure they'll mention how two sixteen-year-olds have no right to get or be engaged. You know how parents are. It's like they forgot what it was like to be in love," Max shrugged. "Regardless of how they'll react, they'll just have to deal with it, won't they? I know what we have is real, and I know that this is the right decision."
"I know how you feel. I just know my parents will disapprove of us being engaged so young. They'll probably forbid me from wearing this ring. But even if they do, I will still tell everyone that you're my fiancé. Try as they might, they won't be able to keep me silent about it."
Max smiled.
"I may just make enemies out of your parents yet, Cecelia," he joked.
"Unfortunately I think that might be true."
"I thought your parents love me!" Max's face fell.
Cecelia cupped his face in her hands.
"Yes, but perhaps not after they find out that you proposed to me. I mean, we are only sixteen."
"But I know in my heart that we will be together until the end of time. If I have to prove that to them, then I will."
"This seals it. Christmas is more my favorite time of year than it already was," Cecelia embraced her love once more.
"Mine too," the boy smiled as he hugged her close.
"Never leave me, Max."
"Never, Cecelia. Never in a million years. I promise. I love you."
"I love you, too. Merry Christmas."
The male didn't have time to reciprocate her holiday sentiments as her soft lips crashed gently into his.
