Twenty Four

As soon as the doors opened, the talking started.

Just murmurs here and there but Kara could hear what they were saying.

"Is that Lena Luthor?"

"She's with the one from Catco?"

"What's Lena doing with a reporter? I thought Luthors only dated the rich."

"Maybe she's got a trust fund."

"I didn't know Lena was gay, did you?"

Kara tried to ignore it all but then she wondered how that was possible when she would have to sit and eat in the same place as these judgemental people. With all their comments buzzing in her ears and their inquisitive stares all the time.

Lena kept her grip on Kara's hand as they walked through all the tables then passed the serving quarters and into the kitchen.

Kara's eyes widened as Lena wound her way through the chefs and waiters who were busy loading plates and collecting trays.

"Lena, we can't be back here! Can we...?"

Lena threw a grin at Kara over her shoulder as she pushed open a door that lead out to the back.

"Ok, we're here." Lena announced.

The kitchen it turned out, lead out to a small flight of stairs but after that was a grassy hill and a huge oak tree sat just on the top of that.

Kara looked up, the branches of the oak tree were covered in fairy lights, casting a warm glow all around the tree and under it, and below the tree was a picnic blanket complete with a basket full of Kara's favourite foods, a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

Kara couldn't believe her eyes.

Lena watched Kara's expression as she came to stand beside her.

"Do you like it?" Lena asked a little nervously.

"Like it? Lena I-I love it!"

Kara threw her arms around Lena and held her close.

When she pulled away, Lena grabbed her hand and led her over to the blanket.

"I thought you'd hate being around all those people. I heard them talking when we walked in, why wouldn't they? I mean, look at you, you're gorgeous... but um, I thought you'd much prefer this." She said quickly to save herself from gushing over Kara anymore than she already was.

Kara nodded, biting back a grin. Lena was cute when she was flustered or embarrassed.

"You're right. Lena it's perfect."

Lena smiled brightly.

"I'm glad you like it."

Then they both sat down on the blanket and Kara looked down at her cocktail dress.

"I feel a little over-dressed now though." She chuckled lightly.

"Nonsense! You look amazing."

Kara smiled as Lena poured out two glasses of champagne and handed one to Kara.

"What shall we toast to?"

Kara thought about it and then smiled.

"To us."

Lena nodded.

"To us."

They clinked glasses and each took a sip before setting the glasses back down.

Lena tapped her clutch purse and took a breath, now she was the one who was nervous.

"Kara, that day in the med bay...I said I wanted to ask you something."

Kara nodded.

"You did."

Lena licked her lips and opened the clutch purse discreetly by her side, pulling out the ring box.

"Well, what I wanted to ask you was...um, this is difficult for me."

"It's okay, just take your time."

Lena frowned, she just couldn't find the right words to express what she truly felt for Kara but dammit she was going to try.

"For most of my life I've never felt a part of anything. I've always been...alone, sort of and then you came into my life. I admit when you did, I didn't want it. I was scared. It was safer being on my own but you...you just- you wouldn't let me be alone and I'm so glad you did."

Lena's eyes softened as she looked into Kara's.

"Kara, I love you. I love you so much. I didn't think I ever would love anyone like I love you. It's so intense but at the same time I feel so grounded and calm. I feel safe, secure and loved beyond reason. It's...it's an amazing feeling and I never ever want you to feel unsure of me." Lena paused as she kept feeling the weight of the velvet box in her hand.

"I gave you my trust. I gave you my heart but...it doesn't feel like it's enough-"

"Lena, it is enough-" Kara interrupted, leaning forward.

Lena smiled a little and hid the ring further behind her back so Kara couldn't see that she was holding something.

"Please, Kara just let me finish." She said softly, chuckling as she did.

Kara nodded but a small frown played on her face.

Lena looked up into her eyes again.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to make a promise to you, Kara. I promise to always be there for you in every way that I can be. I promise to love you, protect you-although we both know you don't need protecting- I'll do it anyway. I promise to love your family like they were my own and your friends, to treat them as I would mine...well I guess they are mine too but you know what I mean."

Kara nodded and gave her a warm smile.

Lena was also cute when she rambled even if she didn't do it as much as Kara.

Lena took a breath and then held out the box, opening it and revealing the ring inside with Lena's initial engraved on it.

Kara's eyes widened.

"It's not an engagement ring I know but it's a promise ring. I have one too and Kara, I'm hoping you'll wear mine."

Kara took the box from her, staring down at the ring inside.

Lena looked worried as Kara hadn't said anything yet.

"It's a promise ring so it's sort of the same thing but Kara I want us to be everything to each other. I want...I want to belong to you...and I-I want you to belong to me."

Kara looked up at Lena with tears of happiness in her eyes.

"Lena, even without this beautiful ring, I am your's. Always have been."

Lena lent forward and kissed Kara deeply. Kara responded, wrapping her warms around Lena's neck as she held the box.

When they pulled apart, Lena took the ring from the box and slipped it onto Kara's wedding finger.

Kara looked at it, admiring the italic L in the centre.

Lena showed Kara her own and handed it to Kara.

"Do you mind?" Lena asked shyly.

Kara smiled as she slipped Lena's one onto her wedding finger.

"A promise ring solidifies our bond even without marriage but that doesn't mean to say that we don't need to get married. If you want to further down the line then that's also an option."

Kara looked at Lena.

"Are you sure?"

Lena raised an eyebrow.

"I've never been so sure about anything in my entire life, Kara. You're the one. There is no one else for me."

Kara smiled brightly at Lena and looked at both their rings as they intertwined their fingers.

Neither Kara nor Lena knew how much time had passed as they ate, talked, kissed and made promises to one another but when the fireworks went off in front of them lighting up the park below, they knew the reason.

It was Christmas day.

Lena turned to look at Kara.

"Happy Christmas, Kara."

"Happy Christmas, Lena."

Author's Note: Obviously I won't be uploading this on Christmas day but thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for sticking with it.

I love reading all your comments and they motivate me to keep going when I feel like I could lose interest in what I'm writing. It happens more often than I care to admit but you guys help me to realise when I've got something good going, so a massive thank you to you all!

And lastly, Happy Christmas wherever you are in the World! :)

Enjoy it and I'll be back with more stories in the New Year!

Have a good one! X

- Hidden Heart 92