Note - Thanks for all your lovely reviews. Xx

Nightmares had been a common occurrence for Elizabeth since her parents fatal car smash. In the months following their death, she had to reset her brain every morning, reliving it again and again where she'd convinced herself that the horrible things in her head weren't real. It had made sleep something of an enemy, and as time passed and the nightmares lessened, Elizabeth had trained herself to manage on very little rest, usually getting by on maybe 2-3 hours max each night. Yet, as she glanced over at the clock by the bed, she had the wonderful realisation that she had just managed to sleep for 8 hours straight and it felt incredible.

As she pushed her head further down into the fluffy pillow and stretched out her legs to get more comfortable, she felt Henry's arms tighten around her and she couldn't stop the smile spreading rapidly across her face. An inner warmth radiated through her entire body and her feelings were suddenly very overwhelming.

She had known love in her life. She loved her parents with her whole being, and although their relationship was strained, she loved Will too. But she had never felt this way before. It was all consuming and forceful, terrifying yet captivating and she had no idea what to do with it all.

How could she possibly be in love? That wasn't part of the plan at all. Sure, she'd found him instantly attractive and he was a lovely guy, but it was meant to be a bit of fun to keep them both occupied during the holidays. It was meant to be about the sex, not stupid feelings getting involved and throwing everything into confusion - What the hell Elizabeth… What the hell!

She could feel the warm puffs of air against her neck and the day old stubble rubbing her bare shoulder as Henry nestled his head against her. For a split second, she considered extricating herself from his embrace, but quickly realised there was nowhere else in the world she'd rather be. She felt safe, for the first time since the loss of her parents and if she'd been offered the chance to freeze time right then, she would have grabbed it with both hands.

As Elizabeth closed her eyes once more and relaxed back against Henry's body, she felt him press against her in all his morning glory.

"Oh my…. Someone's an early riser." She said it under her breath, pretty certain Henry was still asleep, so flinched a little when his deep tones rumbled against her skin.

"I'm so sorry Elizabeth. I honestly can't help it. It seems to be a permanent feature when I'm around you and right now, your leg is hooked over mine… It's so sexy."

She squirmed her body out of his arms and turned to face him, seeing the deep blush in his cheeks. He was clearly embarrassed by his body's reaction to her and she found it adorable.

"You don't need to apologise for finding me sexy Henry, it's a big compliment. I'm just not really in the mood this morning. We've been so active in that department and I was thinking we could maybe go and get some breakfast and take a walk?" Her expression was somewhat pensive. She didn't want to push him away, but she felt the need to explore another area of their relationship.

Henry's huge grin instantly dispelled her concern. "That sounds like the perfect Christmas Eve morning to me. I can't think of anything nicer than breakfast with my gorgeous girl."

Elizabeth's brow furrowed as she thought about his words.

"What's that look? Did I say the wrong thing again?" Henry moved back a little to study her.

"No, what you just said was very right Henry. I'm yours and you're mine and I like it. I really like it." Tears were pricking at her eyes and she truly had no idea why. She wasn't upset or angry… She was… In love.

Henry pulled her closer and planted a strong kiss against her lips "You're my forever Elizabeth. Finding someone worth waking up to is far better than just finding someone to sleep with." He smirked a little "But that's fun too."

Breakfast consisted of take away coffee and apple danish so that Henry could take Elizabeth to see the big Christmas tree in town. It was a nice walk, if not a little bracing, but it gave them a chance to spend some quality time together. As they walked, their fingers tangled together, Elizabeth rested her head against Henry's shoulder. He looked down at her and smiled. He knew he was taking a risk and she may not be overly responsive, but he also knew that if he didn't say how he was feeling, he'd seriously regret it.

They stood gazing up at the huge Christmas tree, taking in the magic that seemed to surround it and the smile on Elizabeth's face was bewitching. Henry had seen many emotions flash in those gorgeous eyes of hers since he first met her. There had been a few moments of happiness, but there was always an underlying air of sorrow and loneliness. But right at that moment, as she gazed up at the light and decorations adorning the fabulous pine, Henry saw joy. Real, pure joy and he seized his moment.

"Elizabeth…"

She looked across at him, her smile still lighting up her features "Yes Henry?"

He took a breath and ploughed ahead "I know you don't want me to say this, but I'm sorry… I can't help myself. I'm completely, unequivocally, desperately in love with you. You have turned my world upside down and inside out, and I never want it to end. If you run from me now because of it, at least you got to hear it."

Henry closed his eyes and braced himself. He was fully expecting her to freak out and run away like she always seemed to do. He was pretty certain she didn't feel deserving of love and couldn't accept it. But the feelings had gotten too strong for him not to voice them.

He tentatively opened one eye, followed quickly by the other and Elizabeth was looking at him, her eyes fixed on his, with the biggest smile on her face. "Where do you think I would run to Henry?"

"I don't know." He looked unsure.

"I only want to be where you are. Yes, what you said scares me for so many reasons, but I'm not going anywhere. I let you in and I'm not about to push you away now. I'm sorry I can't reciprocate right now, I need time…. Do you understand that Henry?"

Henry scooped her into his arms and slid his tongue into her mouth, sucking on hers gently as they moved together. He had so many emotions that he couldn't work out how to articulate them, so a kiss seemed the obvious choice.

As they finally parted, Elizabeth giggled "I guess you do understand then."

"Can I say it again? It's been swirling around in me desperate to break out and now that it has, I just want to keep telling you." He looked so cute standing there all excited.

She shyly shrugged her shoulders and smirked "Ok."

"I LOVE YOU ELIZABETH! I love you, I love you… I fucking love you." He was shouting it at her, wanting everyone to hear.

"Shut up Henry…. People are looking." She was cringing at the attention they were now getting but couldn't hold back her laughter at his silliness. "Stop it."

"What? I'm in love with the most incredible, beautiful, intelligent and crazy girl ever to have graced this planet of ours and I'm damned if I'm going to keep quiet about it." His goofy grin was making her heart beat clean out of her chest. If only she could allow herself to say those words to him. But she just couldn't. Not yet, anyway.

"Hey baby, there's a wishing box. Do you want to write your Christmas wish and post it in the box?" Henry grabbed her hand and pulled her towards it.

"I don't know, I've never heard of it. What are you supposed to write?"

"Anything you like. It's your private wish. You don't have to but I'm going to do it." Henry started frantically writing is wish on the card as Elizabeth pondered.

Did she believe in wishes anymore? She'd spent a long time wishing for things to be different, wishing for her parents to come back to her, wishing for just one friend who would really be there for her, wishing she could disappear. What would be the point in writing a wish down when she knew it meant nothing. But then she saw Henry's excitement, the way he was so animated and she knew why she wanted to do it. For him, because he was hers and she was his and they were… Everything!