Yet another Christmas Eve has come around; but this Christmas Eve, well, is planned to be a little more special.
The Grinch stands in the middle of his cave floor, examining everything around him. The table was set with a dinner that he worked very hard on for the past few hours, he even shoved a bit of the clutter off and out of sight in an attempt to 'clean the place up'.
This year, their Christmas Eve was going to be spent up on Mount Crumpit, which just happens to be the perfect place for a wonderful proposal.
Despite him being over cloud nine about finally proposing to Martha, this past week -okay, this whole month- has been worrying the poor What non-stop! Causing him nothing but anxiety over the whole ordeal.
He truly loved his Martha, and he wanted everything to be just right for her. Looking down in his hand to see his newly-completed engagement ring sitting comfortably in its black box, awaiting the right moment to be worn by someone special. He was pretty darn proud of the finished product too...he just hopes Martha feels the same way.
Sighing, he closes the box and stuffs it into his cloak pocket until the appropriate time. Max sat beside him and looked up at his master, being his moral support since the beginning.
Taking in a deep breath, he replies, "Yeah, Max...I'm ready."
A knock at the door sounds right after those words, and a warm smile suddenly spreads upon his lips. There she is.
The wooden door opens up, and his heart immediately thunders against his furry chest. Martha greeted him, standing there in a red long-sleeved dress with a beautiful white bow tied in the back. Grinch never knew it was possible for her to look so adorable on such a night.
"Aren't you a tall glass of water." He complements as he welcomes her in. Martha chuckles and embraces him, her sweet scent instantly wrapping itself around his muzzle, making him grin even more.
Max greeted her as well, trotting up to her and enjoying the little pets from her gentle hand. He loved this woman just as much as his master did.
"Did you make dinner?" She asked after smelling the aroma in the atmosphere, noticing the set dining table and the lit candles.
Grinch shrugged. "Eh, tried to. I wanted to make it a bit more romantic, hence the candles and the bottle of champagne."
Martha smiles and kisses his cheek. "It looks wonderful, Grinch. I'm very proud of you."
He couldn't help but blush at that action. And she's the only one who's allowed to make him blush. He takes her hand, kisses it, and leads her over towards the table.
They had a wonderful, candle-lit spaghetti dinner together, just enjoying each other's company. Martha even got a kick out of him smashing and munching on the empty champagne bottle, finding it charming the way he ate the glass.
Every time Martha laughed, he found himself growing warmer and warmer on the inside. It got the point where he wouldn't say anything at all and just watched with a smile on his lips as she enjoyed herself, never pulling himself away from those pretty eyes of hers.
He stood and approached her, taking her hand in his. A slight change in his plans. "I want to show you something."
Curious, she followed him to the trap door, and at the command of Grinch, Max pulled the rope and sent them sliding down the chute.
The two arrived down in Whoville. The streets were empty for it was late in the evening, snow powdered over the ground with snowflakes sprinkling the night sky.
Martha took his furry hand in hers again as they made their way downtown. It was just the two of them walking through the winter wonderland with the village being lit up with the multitude of Christmas lights scattered about.
It was silent, but it was comfortable silence. Grinch leaned over and placed a kiss on her head, just because. Causing her to laugh that same laugh that he loved to hear so much.
His eyes spot the empty Whoville memorial park. That looks like a great spot.
He takes her there, opening the gate for her like a gentleman. Even the park was decorated for the holidays with miniature Christmas trees here and there, lampposts spiraled with garland and red ribbon, and the fences aglow with white lights.
He smirks as he asks, "Does this place look familiar?"
She playfully nudged him, getting his joke. "Of course it does, my love."
Suddenly his focus became less about his surroundings and more on his lady. The lights casted a soft glow on her while feathery little snowflakes fell one by one into her hair. Heh, to the Grinch, it looked like something out of a fairytale.
His golden eyes couldn't seem to take themselves off of her, slightly amused at how enthralled she was by the beautiful scenery. His arm wrapped itself around her waist, holding her close. "Are you happy?" He asked lowly.
She met his gaze at the question, which slightly perplexed her. "Of course…why wouldn't I be?"
He sighed, relieved with her answer, yet the feelings stirring up inside of him made him nervous out of his mind, knowing what he had to do next.
A nervous smile crept up on his lips. "Good, because I'm happy." His shaking green hands took hers, properly turning her towards him. He strangely found it difficult to look her in her eyes. "Um…" he fumbled around. He can't back down now. Not while she's standing right in front of him awaiting a response. He had to tell her, to make this night -his life- complete.
"Look, I'm not the best with words, or feelings, but what I'm about to say is coming straight from my heart. Martha, I…I love you, and hearing that from someone like me says a lot," he lightly chuckled at himself. "Ever since we were children, you've always held a special place in my life. You're smart, you're funny, you're kind, caring, beautiful…you're so beautiful, Martha…"
He could see the tears already beginning to well in her eyes, taking his thumb to caress her cheek in order to soothe her.
"I may not be the richest man, the most sophisticated, or even the best dressed; but I'm gonna try my hardest to make sure you have everything that you need."
He continued, "I've spent the past couple decades alone, lonely, and bitter…and I don't ever want to feel that way again,"
Without too much hassle, Grinch kneeled himself onto the snowy ground, standing on one knee. Martha's hand was still held in his own but it was shaking. He glanced up to see her free hand covering over her mouth, tears leaking down her pretty face. His own eyes fogging as well, but he had to keep going.
"The day you said your heart belonged to me was one of the happiest days of my life; and I would be honored to experience that one more time,"
His hand reached into his cloak pocket, pulling out the small, black box. "Martha May Whovier…" He let go of her hand to open up the case, revealing a gorgeous, gold and emerald ring inside. "…Will you marry me?"
The sight of the ring and her love down on one knee overwhelmed her with emotion as she nodded her head, finally able to speak. "Yes, Grinch, yes!"
Those words rung throughout his ears, striking him right in the soul. He couldn't believe it was happening! Snapping back to reality, he tenderly took her hand again and carefully slipped the beautiful ring onto her finger.
He stood and the two embraced, kissing each other with passion. A single tear rolled down his cheek, loving the feel of his fiancé in his arms. It felt so good to finally say that!
Joy overtook him and he lifted her up in his strong arms, spinning her around a few times before he got a bit dizzy. His brazen nature soon returned as he shouted into the open air, "SHE SAID YES! SHE WANTS TO MARRY THE GRINCH!"
Martha laughed brightly at his behavior. Oh well, this is her love after all. She kissed him again. "I love you so much!"
Grinch placed her down. All that spinning and shouting has got him out of breath, but he couldn't be more happier…and neither could she.
He swooped her in his arms again and began peppering her cheek with his kisses. He's so in love. "I hope you realize what you're getting yourself into, love." He joked.
His fiancé laughed once more, looking him straight in his eyes. "I know what I agreed to, dear," She cupped his face, bringing him even closer towards her. "And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
He enclosed the space between him, their lips reuniting once more, ending this wonderful Christmas Eve night. Knowing that he'll never again be alone…
Not while he has her in his life.