"You sure we have everything?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"What about-"
"Madeline! Stop panicking! Everything is going to be alright, and tonight is going to be lovely. The turkey is almost done, I have the potatoes mashed...relax," Alfred emphasized by moving his open hands in a downward movement. Madeline just glared at him over her shoulder as she prepared the salad.
When they finished setting the table, Madeline stepped back from Alfred, holding out her arms. "So, is this okay?"
Madeline's hair fell in soft waves, the stray hair around her face pinned back with a small brooch. She wore a black skirt down to her knees with a burgundy blouse tucked into her skirt, while Alfred wore a crisp, dark green shirt underneath a black vest, with black pants.
"You look great, Maddie."
She looked him up and down with a soft blush on her face. "As do you."
They held hands as they walked into the living room that they'd finished decorating the other day. Choosing a fake tree, Alfred set it up while Madeline set out the decorations they bought together, which were a red and silver theme.
Putting up the garland over the cabinet almost ended in a concussion when Madeline misjudged how close Alfred was beneath her. Then the wreath was almost destroyed when they tried to remove it from the box, but other than the two hiccups, "operation decoration"- as Alfred put it- went by swimmingly.
Their fathers were to appear any time now, and they stood near the front door, waiting. After about five minutes passed, a car pulled up that Madeline instantly recognized as her car.
"Papa!"
She opened the door as he got out of the car, and he walked into the house quickly, carting a bag with him.
"Hello you two! Oh, my little Madeline, how gorgeous you look tonight. And Alfred, you clean up well. Quite a strapping young man."
Alfred helped him remove his winter clothes, hanging them up as Madeline took his bag. He pulled her into a close hug before doing the same to Alfred.
"Merry Christmas to you both. I brought gifts and wine! I hope you like it, Alfred."
He nodded his head to the man and smiled. "Thank you, sir, I'm sure it's wonderful."
Madeline set the bottle of wine on the table before taking out a few glasses and pouring a bit in each. Alfred removed the gifts in his bag and set them under the tree to the side before sitting on the couch in wait for his father.
Francis joined his daughter, the two joking and talking in French as they commented on the table, decorations, and the like. Alfred didn't mind, he was far off in an adjoining room with his focus on the door.
Time ticked by, and the three people grew impatient- wanting to just eat already. Instead they took the time to open the gifts- Madeline received a large gardening kit and book, along with the white teddy bear that she left at home. Alfred was given a rich set of clothes and accessories, with an apology from Francis stating that he was unsure on what to get him. Alfred didn't mind and felt appreciative of his gesture, finding the clothes extremely luxurious.
After they had set aside their gifts, finally a car pulled up in front of the house. Alfred immediately straightened and walked to the door, holding open wide for Arthur to walk inside.
"Merry Christmas-"
"Yes yes, Happy Christmas, son. Easy now, I can't quite get around. Fell off your diet did you?"
Madeline looked to her father with a sad face and hid behind him slightly, waiting for Arthur to walk further into the house. Francis looked to his daughter in slight confusion, but looked back to the newcomer with a watchful eye.
Arthur looked up to the other family and gave them a small, pinched smile. "Hello...Madeline. And this is...?"
Francis stepped forward and extended his hand out to the man. "My name is Francis Bonnefoy. And you?"
Suddenly Arthur's face dropped from hearing the man's accented voice. "Mm, Bonnefoy is it? French?"
"Yes it is..." Francis answered with a hint of confusion in his voice.
It was obvious that Arthur took his hand reluctantly. "I see...Well I'm Arthur Kirkland."
The men had a bit of a non-verbal standoff as they shook hands, until Alfred cleared his throat.
"Well, supper has been ready for a little while now...and I'm starving so, let's all sit down, alright?"
The fathers broke apart a little violently and walked to the table, Alfred and Madeline sitting beside each other with their fathers beside them.
"Oh, Madeline, Alfred, this looks wonderful!"
"Mm, yes it's quite nice."
Madeline and Alfred thanked them, somewhat surprised over Arthur's admission. Everyone sat down and began to eat, falling into a casual conversation- that is until Arthur started. First he made a few digs about Alfred's eating- how he resembled a pig in a trough, then about the bland food- to which caused a bit of a sparring match on cooking between him and Alfred. From there it escalated from Alfred criticizing Arthur's cooking in return, to somehow Arthur claiming all of Alfred's decisions had been a mistake.
Alfred was soon becoming red faced, and Madeline held her father's hand under the table. She had never seen him like this before, nor did she like it.
Francis cleared his throat, trying to talk over Arthur's yelling. "Now, now, it's Christmas eve after all-"
"Keep out of this you stupid frog, what do you know of our problems?"
Madeline glared over to the man and in an eerily calm voice, she told him, "don't talk to my father that way."
Arthur just looked to her with a bored look on his face. "Who are you again?"
Alfred rose to his feet instantly, looking his father down and Madeline could see that he was ready to explode. It took a wave of the hand from Francis to stop Alfred, drawing all attention to him.
With a look of distain, Francis stood up as well, but put his hands down on the table, as he stared Arthur down. "Tu es écoeurant et tu mérite un coup de pied dans le cul."
He looked over to Alfred with a remorseful expression. "I'm sorry, Alfred, but I find myself unable to remain here. I will speak with you later. Merry Christmas." He left the table and began to walk to the front door. Madeline stood up quickly to follow close behind him.
"What the hell was that? What did he say to me?" Arthur demanded, staring over at his son.
Alfred just stood there, his fists clenching as they rested at his sides. Taking a deep breath he looked to the side, not meeting Arthur's eyes as he said hoarsely, "leave."
"What?"
"I said...leave. Don't make me ask a third time, father."
Arthur threw his chair back and stormed from the room, exiting it with the slam of the front door. Alfred watched him leave; walking to the window to make sure he got into his car and drove off. Madeline was standing on the lawn with her father, seemingly talking to him a mile a minute with tears rolling down her eyes. Francis was trying to console her, hugging her to him, and rubbing her back. Alfred watched as he drew away, assumedly telling her he had to go, which he did. Madeline stood there and watched him drive off a while after Arthur had, until he was out of sight.
Alfred was waiting for her in the hallway when she came back in, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Maddie..."
He opened his arms to her when she ran towards him, crying against his chest in heart-wrenching sobs. "I-I just wanted tonight to go well...for our families to get along...but they hate each other, Al. What-"
"Don't worry about it. We like each other, and your dad likes me- I hope- so that's all that matters. My father...he doesn't need to be part of the family. I couldn't care less if he approved or not."
Madeline knew that he was just talking, that he did care about his father deep down, but the hurt was too strong to try and talk compassionately.
"Now...let's not let this ruin our night. We are going to snack on some of our baking- no, I don't care that it's for tomorrow- and we are going to watch a movie. Then bed. Any objections? No? Okay cool- I'm going to go clean off the table. You pick a movie."
Alfred didn't let Madeline have a moment to speak, instead talking quickly, wiping her tears away and giving her a quick kiss before walking out. Madeline smiled softly and walked to the bedroom to choose a movie to watch on the television in there.
Madeline had changed into her nightgown and curled up under the covers, holding the controller, waiting for Alfred as the Grinch was on pause. Alfred appeared holding, somewhat precariously, a tray of snacks, and two glasses of milk. On the tray were gingerbread cookies, peanut butter balls, and shortbread cookies.
"The feast has arrived! What movie did you pick? The Grinch? Oh yes, good job."
He placed the drinks down on the bedside table as Madeline took the tray. Alfred slid in beside her, kissing her on the cheek before gorging himself on a shortbread cookie. Madeline just rolled her eyes and watched the movie.
They chose not to talk about what happened that night, leaving it for another day, and trying to salvage the rest of their night together.
As the movie progressed, Madeline felt herself slowly nod off. Alfred noticed this and moved the tray off of the bed after eating one more cookie, turned off the movie along with the lights. Madeline laid back against the pillows on her side, making it irresistible for Alfred to cuddle up behind her.
Madeline awoke to a soft prodding on her shoulder. "Maddie...Maddie! Wake up!"
She moaned and tried to hide her face in the pillows, which made Alfred lean over and rip the covers off of her.
"Hey-!"
"It's Christmas!"
"What are you, four?"
"Oh come on, sleepy head! I'll even make you coffee."
"...fine."
Madeline rolled out of bed ungracefully, grabbing a blanket to wrap around her. Alfred just chuckled and ran from the room, brushed his teeth while making the coffee so they could open their gifts. He had woken up in the middle of the night to ensure his gift was ready.
And it was, resting in an ornate glass vase on the dining table.
Alfred waited for Madeline to finish brushing her teeth and come into the room, his arms folded and his back against the kitchen counter so he could watch her reaction.
Sure enough, she walked into the room and completely missed it, her eyes closed as she yawned into the blanket. She walked straight to the cupboard, grabbed a glass, and poured herself some water.
After downing the entire glass, she looked to the side when she felt Alfred staring at her. "...Thirsty," was all she said as she set the glass back down.
Alfred shook his head and grinned, looking at her expectantly.
"What?" Madeline looked from him to the counter, around the kitchen, until finally her eyes fell upon the dining table.
Not only was there a new, gorgeous milk glass vase on his table, but two roses. One lavender rose, and a red rose. Madeline's heart stopped, she was sure of it. Trying to steady her breathing, she walked over to the display with Alfred following behind her. She felt his hands snake around her waist, pulling her back against him as he kissed the back of her neck.
"I do believe almost everyone knows what a red rose means. I didn't even have to look that one up. Aren't you proud?" Alfred chuckled, his warm skin brushing against her skin. Without giving her a change to speak, he continued, whispering against her ear.
"And I do, Maddie. Madeline, I love you so much, and I think I have since the moment I met you. You are everything I've ever wanted and more, and I only hope you feel the same way...but if you don't that's-"
Madeline turned quickly in his arms, and to his surprise there were tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't be an idiot! Of course I love you, you..." Madeline's voice broke so she settled with leaning forward and kissing him with everything she had.
Alfred pulled away after a few moments, giving her a few quick pecks before laughing softly. "I'm glad. I'd want to continue this, but that's not all I have for you..."
Madeline groaned slightly, smiling. "My presents are going to pale in comparison to yours now..."
He just smiled over his shoulder before leading her to the tree. In the tree sat a small box, nestled nearby a cluster of red ornaments. He took the box out and held it out to her.
"For you!"
"...what's this?"
"You'll see."
Madeline looked up at him under her lashes for a moment before opening the box slowly.
Inside sat a pristine silver key attached to a key chain with red and white beads. She looked up at Alfred, who was blushing slightly and scratching the back of his head.
"Madeline...would you want to move in with me?"
The box snapped shut and bounced slightly on the nearby couch before the two fell to the ground from the force of Madeline's tackle.
A/N: Red: "I love you"
Lavender: Love at first sight, enchantment