CPOV A few days later, Christmas Day
The sun has just begun to rise over the horizon, as we are getting ready to land at the airport. Ana still has no idea where I'm taking her, but I'm sure she'll love it just the same. After we packed and said goodbye to Gail, Sophie, and Jason, we boarded my personal plane, and took off. For a morning to fly, it has been one of the greatest. Ana is still sleeping soundly beside me as I prepare for landing. After we land, I un-strap her and then myself before I get out and open her door.
"Ana baby it's time to wake up and get into the car," I say as I shake her gently to stir her.
"Mmkay…five more minutes," she sleepily tells me. Maybe we shouldn't have left at five in the morning to get here? I chuckle as I lift her easily and place her into the waiting car. The driver shuts the door and begins to our destination. I look out the car window while she snuggles into my chest. Her hometown is beautiful, almost picturesque. She stirs and begins to wake more.
"So Christian, where are we going?"
"Can't tell, it's a secret, but we'll be there in ten minutes so can you put this on?" I hold out the tie I used to blindfold her during one of our games recently. She blushes, bites her lip and nods her head in agreement. I place it over her eyes and tie it not too tightly. She holds my hand for the rest of the ride as I begin to think about the second part of my plan that happens tomorrow. I hope to God everything will be perfect. The snow is falling harder here so it makes the picture perfect white Christmas. Within a few minutes I see the house in sight and begin to get antsy. We park and I leap out of the car to help Ana out.
"So now can you tell me the surprise?"
"Sure can baby. Merry Christmas." I remove her blindfold and she opens her eyes, only to scream and head straight into the arms of her parents.
"Hi sweetie, glad you and Christian could make it," Carla says while squeezing her daughter to death. Ray smiles at me and gives me a nod.
"I have the best boyfriend on Earth." We chuckle as Carla leads her into the house and I shake hands with Brian and Ray. We step into the warm home and hear "I'll be home for Christmas" playing on the stereo system. I step into the parlor and see the beautiful Christmas tree decorated with ornaments, garland, and presents spread underneath.
"Everything ready for tomorrow night Christian," Ray asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Yes sir. Unless the temperature drops significantly or we have a blizzard tonight, everything should be fine."
"Good man." Ana, Carla, and Brian come out from the kitchen with cookies and hot chocolate.
"Your home is very beautiful."
"Thank you, now it's time to open presents," Carla states. I grab four presents out of our bags and hand them to the designated receivers. I'm surprised with a new dark blue vest and a beautiful photo frame with a picture of Ana and I inside. Ana also gifts me a new pair of cufflinks that are silver circles with blue C's engraved in them. With Ana's help, we got Carla a new mixer after Ana told me hers was breaking, Brian a set of tickets to the Seahawks games for next year's season, and for Ray, a new fishing pole and tackle. For Ana, I got her snowflake earrings with a sapphire in the middle of the design surrounded by diamonds. They're nearly identical to the necklace I gave her not too long ago.
"Oh Christian they're gorgeous!" She puts them in and gives me a hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome baby." Ray hands Ana a tiny package.
"This is from all three of us kiddo." She takes off the wrapping and opens the lid and gasp. Inside the box lays a car key. She leaps up from the floor and grabs me by the hand so we can see the present. Outside we find a tarp on top of a car. We quickly fling it off and reveal a blue Dodge Charger underneath.
"You bought me a car?!"
"Wanda had to go honey," Brian says with a smile spread across his face.
"I LOVE IT!" She runs around me and slams into her parents once more, causing everyone to burst into laughter. "Thank you so much, although I think you spent a little too much on me."
"Nothing is too much for our sweet little girl," Ray states as he kisses her forehead. After taking her car for a drive around the block, we come in and have a wonderful meal. We then sit around the fire and pop popcorn and have another round of hot chocolate. Just when Brian turns on the Christmas lights we hear something coming from outside.
"We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy new year."
Ana bolts to the window and throws the curtain back before running to grab my hand, although I already know whom it is. She opens the door and standing before us is our other family members caroling to us: Mom and Dad, Kate and Elliot, and Mia and Luke. I discussed my plan with Carla, Brian and Ray a month ago and they were more than willing to participate.
"What are you guys doing here," Ana asks before running into everyone's open arms.
"We came to celebrate Christmas with our other family dear," Mom explains before hugging Ana. Ana looks to me and I see a happy tear run down her cheek as she comes back up onto the porch to hug me.
"This is what I truly wanted for Christmas Christian." I kiss her passionately as everyone comes into the warm home. We help make and serve dinner before we once again gather around the fireplace and tell stories of Christmas pasts and traditions everyone has. Of course we get a good look at Kate's engagement ring and we talk about the upcoming wedding. By the time it's one in the morning we decide it's time for bed. Mom and Dad get Ana's old bedroom that is now the guest room while Ray sleeps on the couch in the other room. I look around and see my friends all huddled together and I couldn't be happier. Elliot and Kate are asleep under some blankets near the tree. Luke and Mia are happily dozing on a chair while Ana is already asleep under our blankets while we're near the fireplace. I gaze at her beautiful face before I check once more that the ring box is in my pocket.