Audrey pulled the faux fur shawl tight around her shoulders. The soft white fur matched the rest of the Belrose estate's gardens. She loathed the biting cold, but Daddy was pretty strict about smoking in the house. The noise of the party going on behind her was muffled by the wretched winter wonderland she was pouting in, while the morning had been just her and her parents, a tradition Daddy firmly stuck too, the evening was a grand ball for their whole extended family.

Audrey barely knew half of the people who'd turned up, and the ones she did know she knew to avoid. While they weren't exactly trying to get in her pants like Daddy's usual guests, they weren't any less slimy, trying to get an elusive endorsement or good word from the head of the family's daughter. She'd have relished the peace and quiet of the gardens if it hadn't been so bloody cold, her ball gown wasn't exactly the warmest thing she owned, even with the nylon stockings and fluffy shoulder covering.

She flicked the butt of her cigarette to the ground, causing a slight hiss as it melted the frosty grass. What she wouldn't give to be back in their apartment, snuggling on the sofa, watching a shity movie with a bottle of vodka, wrapped tight in his arms. She closed her eyes for a second as the thought made her heart flutter.

As if waiting for his cue, her peace was rudely interrupted.

"So this is where you wandered off to Princess."

Craig beamed at her as he approached, offering one of the champagne flutes in his hands, a strawberry bobbing inside. She snatched it up eagerly, she was far too sober to mingle with her family.

"Yeah, auntie Brooke's been riding my ass all night, needed to escape."

"I'll have to have a word with her then, taking my job like that."

They both giggled in the snow. Audrey took her boyfriend's arm, feeling a bit better, and a bit warmer, as she rested her head against him. He always seemed to be able to cheer her up, she couldn't believe she used to think he was a pain in the ass. Well, he was still kind of a pain in her ass, but she enjoyed that sometimes.

"So, do you want your present now, or do you want to wait till we get home?"

Her eyes lit up. She'd thought he was just gonna eat her out when he said she'd get her present later. It wouldn't have been much of a gift, he did it regularly anyway. She put on her best puppy dog eyes.

"A present? For me? I'm flattered."

"You know you're still a bad actress. Besides, that shit only works on your dad."

She smirked up at him.

"Whatever, fork it over."

He tussled her hair gently as he handed over a box about the size of her fist. She was a little disappointed it was too big for a ring, but only for a moment before she ripped the lid off anyway.

Audrey gasped at the trinket inside. A small black rose, made out of delicate silk and studded with tiny glittering gems. She lifted it out carefully, letting the long ribbons unfurl out straight. The hair clip was lovely.

"Merry Christmas Audrey."

He planted a small kiss on the top of her head.

"Um, yeah, wow, thanks."

"Do my ears deceive me? Was that a thank you from Audrey Belrose?"

She bumped her hips against him, a softer punishment than her usual kick to the shins. Audrey had to keep her face down as she nuzzled into his chest, lest he see the grinning blush spread across it. She held her new accessory out for him.

"Well, are you gonna put it on me?"

Audrey's cheeks burned as his hands brushed through her hair, only cooled by the tiny snowflakes peppering her face. She pulled a compact mirror out of her purse as he finished. The rose was so light that she couldn't even feel it on her, she turned her head as she inspected herself from all angles.

"How does it look?"

He gave her a soft smile.

"Do you ever look anything less than gorgeous?"

She felt slightly guilty about only getting him a hoodie now, but he'd been delighted with it. She reached up and hooked a finger around Craig's red bow tie, standing on her tiptoes as she pulled him down into kissing range. She felt a warm wave surge through her as their lips made contact, despite the slowly increasing snowfall. She was grinning like a loon when they separated.

"God I love you Audrey."

"Course you do. C'mon, let's get back inside, it's fucking freezing out here."

The noise from the great hall was starting to feel more welcoming, the soft hum of the brass band was layered with singing, laughter, and the general buzz of conversation. It was probably time for dessert to be served as well, if the tempting smell of spiced apple pie coming from the door was any indication. Audrey took Craig's hand as they walked, lacing her fingers into his. Maybe it was a merry Christmas after all.