Christmas had always been Elizabeth's favourite holiday. Her parents had made it so magical from a very young age and when they died, Christmas for Elizabeth had died with them. The magic had gone and it had become something to dread rather than enjoy. It was a family holiday and her family had gone. She was alone and that was that. And then her tatty old converse had caught that tiny patch of ice and her whole life had slipped with her.
Returning from their walk, Henry had banished Elizabeth to the couch to read while he prepared their Christmas lunch. But reading was the very last thing on her mind. Her focus was firmly on the man who had given her Christmas back. Who had given her love back. Who had found a way to get her heart to open up when she thought it would never happen. She was watching her Henry.
Everything about him had her enraptured. The physical attraction had been instant, that much had been obvious when they'd ended up in bed together within a few hours of meeting. But as she peered over her book to watch him, she noticed things she'd never really seen before. Like the way a small piece of hair always fell over his eyes when he was concentrating, or the way his slight stubble enhanced his jawline and his eyes were as gorgeous as ever. Every now and again, a smile would creep across his face out of nowhere. He was obviously thinking of something that made him happy, and she was desperately hoping it was her. His smile made his whole face light up and the more she saw it, the deeper she fell.
She could see his ripped muscles moving under the tight t-shirt he was wearing and where it had always aroused her before, as she sat watching him, she was filled with a sense of comfort. She knew without any doubt that he would always protect her, whether she wanted him to or not and for the first time since the day her parents left her, Elizabeth felt safe.
She allowed her eyes to slip shut and her head rest back against the couch. Her mind usually wandered backwards to memories that brought pain with them, but this time her thoughts took her forwards. She saw a future she could only have dreamed of. A wedding band on her finger, a child in her arms that looked just like Henry, a home that they'd built together, a world filled with happiness because he loved her beyond all possibility. She saw everything she wanted.
"Your smile is truly the most beautiful sight in the world, you know that?" Henry's dulcet tones brought her back to the present and she slowly opened her eyes.
"I wasn't aware I was smiling. Have you got nothing better to do than stare at me Henry McCord?" She didn't even attempt to mask her joy. "It can be a little creepy, you know."
"If I could spend all day, every day staring at you… I would. You are stunning in every way and if that makes me creepy, I truly don't care. I'm not even sorry." The way he said it was so matter of fact, Elizabeth couldn't help but giggle.
"Do you think you can avert your gaze for long enough to feed me? I'm starving and everything smells so good. You're quite the catch Henry."
"Well, I'm glad you think so because you're stuck with me now. I'm so far down the rabbit hole with you I don't think I'll ever see daylight again." His sneakily stealth like movements had landed him on top of her as he eased her back against the couch.
"You're so weird Henry." Their lips were tantalising close to touching as their eyes met.
"Yet you really want to kiss me, don't you?" Henry's fingers tangled with hers as she let her arms relax above her head, the feel of his body pressing her down into the soft cushions making her lose herself rapidly.
She managed a slight nod of her head and a gentle "Uh-huh." As her lips parted and her breath quickened. At that moment, there was nothing she wanted more in the world than his lips against hers.
Henry's lips twitched into a wry smile before he dipped his head and took her bottom lip between his, gently sucking as his tongue traced the soft skin. It was languid and tender, yet conveyed so much passion, Elizabeth couldn't help the breathy moan that escaped, much to Henry's amusement.
"You alright there gorgeous?" His whispered words against her lips made her huff in frustration at the broken kiss.
"I was perfectly fine until you stopped. Resume please." Her body arched upwards to try and capture Henry's mouth but he pushed himself up and smiled down at her.
"You look all hot and bothered baby. What a delectable sight."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed "What is with all the teasing Henry? I was just getting into that so why the hell are you up there?"
"Because I need to feed you. And by the looks of you right now, dessert is going to be delicious."
Rising off the couch, Elizabeth ran her hand up Henry's chest and pressed her lips against his ear "Oh baby… You have noooo idea."
Having suitably stuffed themselves with Christmas dinner, both Elizabeth and Henry were dozing on the couch. All thoughts of any kind of dessert had been forgotten as lethargy took over. Elizabeth was curled tightly against Henry's side and the warmth of his body was lulling her to sleep. She was finally relaxing completely and just as slumber was about to pull her under, Henry startled her.
"Gifts! I want to give you your Christmas present." As he jumped up, Elizabeth face planted into the cushions, having been dislodged from the comfort of his body.
"And this couldn't have waited? I was just falling asleep Henry. You really need to work on your timing babe."
"Nope, can't wait. I want to make today perfect for you."
"Henry! I don't need gifts to make today perfect. It already is. Being here with you is all I need."
Henry missed the last part of her sentence as he disappeared into the bedroom to unearth the gift he'd been hiding. He was feeling a little apprehensive as he was now unsure whether he'd chosen the right gift. When he'd first seen it, he had been certain that it was perfect for Elizabeth. But now the time had come to give it to her, doubt was creeping in along with the realisation that he didn't know her nearly as well as he wanted to.
Elizabeth leaned over the arm of the couch and shuffled around in her bag, pulling out a small, beautifully wrapped box. Gifts had always been such an exciting aspect of her family Christmases, but recent years had been lacking in every respect. So having a gift to give someone special was a really big deal for her and the butterflies in her stomach were raging.
They sat together on the couch, silently waiting for the other to go first. Neither one of them wanted to be the instigator. Elizabeth's fingers were tracing the shape of the bow on top of the box in her hands and Henry was entranced by it. The way her fingertips moved across the silk of the bow, absentmindedly shifting back and forth while her gaze focussed on the floor.
She felt Henry's fingers brush against her cheek and turned her head slightly, unable to hide the smile crossing her face.
Henry took hold of her hand, turned it over and gently dropped a key into her slightly sweaty palm.
"We won't be forgetting each other or failing to spend time together Elizabeth. I want you to see this place as your home… With me. If you don't want to actually move in, I get that. Probably way too soon for such a huge step. But I want you to be here as often as you can." Henry tried to get a read on her reaction, and was incredibly relieved when a huge grin appeared.
"You gave me a key to your apartment? I finally have somewhere that feels like home. This is the best gift ever! Thank you so much Henry." Her arms wrapped around his neck and she squeezed tight, giving her emotions a chance to settle.
"That's not actually your gift babe. I just wanted you to have that as it was important to me." Henry reached behind him and handed her the proper present.
Elizabeth excitedly unwrapped it and gasped at the beauty of what was in her hands. It was the most beautiful, leather bound, limited edition copy of Lewis Carol's 'Alice in Wonderland'.
"Oh Henry! This is incredible. How did you know?" She flicked through the pages and willed her tears not to fall.
"How did I know what baby? I wasn't sure if you'd like it but I just felt compelled to get it for you."
"My mom used to read this with me almost every night. She used to say I reminded her of Alice because of my blonde hair and the fact I was always so headstrong. I haven't been able to read it since. But I love it Henry. It's perfect. Thank you."
As their lips met, Elizabeth poured her heart into that kiss. Henry had made her day so perfect and given her a gift that she would not only cherish forever, but had given her a piece of her childhood back along with memories of her mother.
"Ok, it's your turn. But I'm feeling a little bit silly about this now. I can take it back and get you something else, I won't be offended. In fact, don't open it. We'll go out and get you something far better." Elizabeth's anxious ramblings were making Henry smile. Placing his hand over hers, his voice was soft and calming.
"I will love absolutely anything you give me, because it's from you. Meeting you has been the best thing that's ever happened to me Elizabeth, so please stop worrying and give me my gift."
She handed over the box and recoiled a little as he tore the paper off. Opening up the somewhat tatty wooden box to reveal an antique compass. It was gold with stunning ornamental filigree on the lid, that when clicked open, revealed the compass in all its glory.
Elizabeth looked up sheepishly, feeling the need to explain her rather strange choice of gift.
"You have given me somewhere to belong Henry, and I wanted to make sure you can always find your way back to me. But we've only been together for a short while and it now seems rather ridiculous."
"It's perfect. I will keep this with me endlessly and I will always find my way back to you. I'm actually quite stunned by how amazing this is. Thank you so much, you beautiful girl."
Pulling Elizabeth onto his lap, Henry couldn't contain his feelings. Love, lust, longing, contentment were all there in abundance, filling him with a warmth that was new and exciting.
"You want your dessert yet?" With a cocked brow and a cheeky smile, Elizabeth lifted her shirt over her head, dropping it to the floor beside the couch "Because I'm feeling a little peckish."
Henry tried to touch her, but she swatted his hands away and climbed off his lap, heading into the kitchen, emerging a few moments later armed with the whipped cream and chocolate sauce, and a devilish smile.
"Oh my god! I was only joking earlier. Are you really going to let me cover you with that?" Henry looked like he'd just won the lotto and met Father Christmas all at once.
"Oh you're not just going to cover me with it Henry, you're going to lick it off. Every last bit of it, wherever it touches." Her eyes flashed with a sinful spark of cobalt as she headed for the bedroom. "And then… It's my turn to feast."