Two years later.

Merry Christmas all (Sorry it's a little late)

Christmas Proposal

Max was laid on her and Chloe's bed in their childhood home in Arcadia Bay, surfing the internet on her laptop while she eagerly awaited the ringing of the doorbell. She took a moment to examine the room.

It had changed a considerable amount since she first moved in over a year ago; a fresh coat of white paint hid all the old graffiti, not that it had lasted long. Less than a day in and the punk had decided the walls needed brightening up with some 'artwork'. Between the two of them, they covered two of the larger walls with slogans, pictures and various designs. Somehow, the mismatched graffiti worked.

Ding dong.

The sound of the doorbell rang through the house up the stairs to where a brunette was. A grin formed on her lips as she shot up from the bed and bolted out the door down the stairs.

"I'll get it!" she shouted, flinging open the front door of the Price residence.

"Merry Christmas!" Kate and Dana squealed as Max launched herself at the two girls, throwing an arm around each of them.

"Merry Christmas, guys!" Max grinned as she helped the two girls inside with their stuff.

"Merry Christmas girls. How was the drive?" Joyce called out from the kitchen, where she and Vanessa were busy preparing the food they'd need over the festive holidays.

"It was good thanks, and the roads were surprisingly clear," Dana answered, dropping her case by the stairs, a multitude of different smells tempting her towards the kitchen. "Ooh, something smells good. Well, lot's of somethings."

"I told you so," Max chimed in smugly.

"Not all of us have your insights, Max." Kate grinned playfully as she caught sights of all the different foods lining the worktops.

"Nope, but you can't deny it's helpful." Dana admitted as she snuck her finger into the cake mix bowl Joyce was tending too, happily groaning as she licked her finger clean earning a mock scowl off Joyce before innocently asking "What?"

"It's not even cooked yet," Joyce chuckled.

"Why cook it? It's delish as it is," Dana replied, trying to dip her finger again only to get it swatted with the spatula causing cake mix to splat everywhere.

"And it will taste better when cooked." Vanessa smirked as she brought over the cake tin which Joyce began filling with mixture.

"I'm sure it will." Kate wiped a spot of cake mix off Dana's cheek, licking her finger clean. "Mmm, You've never tasted better, babe."

"Oh really? I'll have to remember that" Dana winked with a smirk, causing the blonde to blush slightly.

"Would you like this, Kate?" Joyce asked, offering the blonde the mixing bowl.

"Ooh, thank you, Joyce," Kate replied, taking the offering and swiping a large lump of mix out with her finger, eating it.

"Hey… why does she get it?" Dana pouted playfully.

"Because I don't try to pinch it beforehand," Kate teased, waving a mix covered finger in front of Dana teasingly before licking it clean.

With a playful humph, Dana attempted to re-dip her finger only to have Kate turn her back protectively cradling the bowl.

"Nope, it's mine. It's my precious," she said in her best Gollum impersonation, causing the older women to let out chuckles.

Max watched her friend stiffen and visibly gulp as Dana took a step closer. She slid an arm around Kate's waist, softly muttering 'bunbun' in her ear.

"Yes," Kate managed to squeak out.

Max raised an eyebrow, watching Kate turn a deep shade of pink as the other girl whispered something in her ear. As if in a trance, she handed the bowl over.

"Do I even wanna know?" Max asked, removing her hoodie and tossing it on the back of one of the dining chairs.

"Must be nice to have someone that can still have that kind of effect on you with just a few words", Joyce chimed in when Kate didn't respond right away.

"Oh, I dunno. Ryan can still have that effect on me from time to time."

"Lucky you, David… he tries but, well you know."

"Umm, mom, you know we're still here, right?" Max said incredulously as she gently started removing the bandage from her chest covering her new tattoo.

"Sorry, hun." Vanessa smiled apologetically. "It's just nice to see you guys still so in love."

It had been two years since Max's adventure through time. She, Kate, Dana had graduated from Blackwell. While Dana pursued a career in acting with some success, the other two had gone onto college. As for Chloe, she found work at a local tattoo parlor after designing Max's tattoo around the already existing butterfly just above her right breast.

Chloe had been the only one of the four to recently find work at a local tattoo parlor after designing Max's tattoo around the already existing butterfly just above her right breast.

Snapping out of her trance, Kate bounded over trying to peek at the tattoo. "Ooh, come on, show me. Show me!"

"Must be a coincidence that the bandages come off today, huh?" Max smirked, batting her eager hands away gently.

"Max. If I've learned one thing over the past two years, there are no coincidences when you're involved. You know, I'm still not convinced you didn't cheat at monopoly last month." Dana offered a skeptical look as she placed the now clean bowl on the side and joined the others.

Max shook her head, checking out the vibrant tattoo adorning her shoulder. "You HONESTLY think Chloe would let me cheat and win?"

"Not likely," Kate chuckled, gasping when the full design was visible. "Oh wow…"

An elegant royal blue butterfly rested on an old fashioned pocket watch. Some of the gears showing through the clock face, surrounded by intricate green vines. Several blue and red roses were dotted throughout. Vibrant, almost alive, just like the butterfly.

"Ooh, that IS nice." Dana gently ran a finger around the pink outlines of the design.

"Thanks. You wouldn't believe how many tattoo artists turned it down."

Kate frowned. "Why would they turn it down?"

"They didn't think they were good enough to match the butterfly."

"I can see why. Not many tattoo artists that can match something made by an ethereal being," Dana chuckled.

Max nodded. "That might've had something to do with it."

"So, bun bun," Dana said softly gently bumping the shorter blonde. "When're you getting one?"

"Me?" Kate squeaked in alarm.

"Yeah, you. I'm sure Chloe could design you something nice."

"I… I don't know what I'd want."

Picturing Kate with a tattoo was a very strange mental image. Then again, Max felt the same about herself before she got it. "When you've figured it out, I'm sure Chloe would love to help."

"Not that you should feel forced into having one," Vanessa interrupted, going into full-on mom mode.

"Oh, of course not." Dana wrapped her arms protectively around the shorter blonde.

"I really just don't know what I want," Kate reassured. "Maybe I could talk to Chloe about it."

"Hope you like skulls," Joyce chuckled. "Speaking of, any idea when she'll be home?"

"Not much longer, she's on the short shift," Max explained.

"Ah yes, the 'short shift'," Vanessa said passing a smirk towards Joyce.

"Mom, what do you mean by that?" Max asked accusingly, before turning to the other woman. "Joyce."

Quick to change the subject, Kate turned to her. "Need help with anything, Joyce?"

"I've got everything under control, but thanks for asking."

"Okay, you guys KNOW something," Max accused, not ready to drop this.

Dana smiled mischievously, enjoying the torment. "Even if we did, we're sworn to secrecy."

"And before you even think about it, no cheating," Kate stated firmly. "It'll be worth the wait, trust me."

"This is so not fair…"

"You're almost as impatient as Chloe these days." Joyce shook her head with playful disapproval. "I guess that's what happens when you can wrap time around your little finger."

With everyone in agreement, Max crossed her arms. "I am not. And don't even think about bringing up my birthday to prove me wrong. I already told you, I found the receipt in Chloe's pocket when washing. Who else would she buy a digital Polaroid for?"

"Would we?" Vanessa teased.

"I don't need time powers to know you would, Besides, Chloe would just rewind with me, so she would always know"

Deciding she'd been playfully mocked enough, Joyce cut in. "Max, why don't you help Kate and Dana move their stuff upstairs while the boys are still playing in the garage?"

Relieved for the way out, Max nodded and helped them take their stuff up to Chloe's room - which was considerably tidier and more organized thanks to her. Joyce had volunteered her house for Christmas Eve festivities. The garage had been converted to a spare room, where Ryan and Vanessa would sleep, while Dana and Kate would take the lounge.

After unpacking, the three girls headed back downstairs, met with the smell of warm nutmeg and other spices.

"Hey girls," Ryan greeted from the sofa holding a steaming cup of spiced hot chocolate.

"Hey, Mr. Caulfield," Kate replied cheerily.

"Kate. How many times do I have to tell you that just Ryan is fine?" he asked in a mock stern tone.

Dana sighed melodramatically. "I do keep telling her this."

"I know. It's just habit, I guess."

Max took a moment to breathe in the rich aromas permeating the air. "Food smells good, Joyce."

"Looks good, too. As always," Dana added.

Joyce smiled at the compliment. "Well, aren't you the sweet talker."

"I do my best. Just ask Kate."

"I think I've worked up quite the appetite," Vanessa announced. "Just need to wait for your other half Max and we can get started."

Kate looked at the feast spread out in the kitchen. "Not sure you've made enough, Joyce. I mean, have you met Chloe?"

"I reckon we should start now. At least that way, we all get something before Chloe eats it all." David chuckled as he exited the garage.

Joyce looked at him with a scowl, putting her hand on her hips. "You do that, and I'll let her know not to bother with the beer on the way home."

He held up his hands, surrendering. "I was joking. She wouldn't let me hear the end of it."

"You know it."

The second Max heard the familiar sound of an aging truck pull up outside, she rushed to the door.

Ryan shook his head and smiled at her eagerness. "Here comes trouble."

"And I wouldn't have her any other way."

She stopped for a second to glare at him before racing out. Practically pinning Chloe to the side of the truck the second she stepped out, a satisfied moan emanating from the young time traveler as their lips locked.

"Damn, Max. I've only been gone a few hours."

"So that means I'm not allowed to miss you?" Max asked trying to peek around her girlfriend into the truck, looking for something.

Untangling herself, Chloe took out the case of beer from the back of her truck. "You won't find it."

"Find what?" Max smiled innocently, following her to the house.

"Right, like you don't know." Chloe entered through the front door, greeting everyone as she passed.

Vanessa crossed her arms. "She's trying to cheat again."

"I do not cheat, mom," Max defended weakly, closing the door behind them.

"We've only got your word on that." David spotted the crate of beer, gesturing for Chloe to toss him one. "Ah, Christmas comes early."

"Ho, ho, ho," she replied sarcastically as she lobbed a can at him.

Her throw went wide, earning her a scolding "Chloe" from Joyce and Vanessa, as Max slammed the breaks on reality stopping the can inches from the TV mid air. Max sighed, snatching the floating drink before letting time resume and turning to her girlfriend with an unamused expression.

"What? It slipped."

"Sure, just like it did the last two times." Max handed a mildly shocked David his beer.

"Still not used to that," he muttered, cracking the can open and taking a sip.

Joyce looked at her daughter then Max. "You're not the only one."

"Seems like Max has to correct a lot of accidents recently," Kate added playfully, now sat on Dana's lap at the dining table.

"And how would you know?" Chloe asked accusingly.

Dana scoffed. "Like Max doesn't tell us everything."

Chloe's eyebrow raised. "Everything, huh?"

"Not… everything." The brunette defended.

"Ha, close enough. Like last Wednesday, when you went night swimming at Blackwell."

"Traitor…" Max mumbled, blushing.

"You don't even go to Blackwell anymore. I was on duty then…" He paused, finally understanding. "Oh, right. Your time voodoo."

"Max," Vanessa sighed, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Ryan passed a questioning look towards his wife. "You can't talk missy. Only difference is, we got caught," he smirked.

"Oh REALLY?" Max smirked at her now blushing mother.

Vanessa turned her back making herself look busy at the kitchen counter, mumbling "Traitor" under her breath.

"Well, now we're all here, I guess we can eat." Joyce gestured towards the kitchen as everyone made their way to get their food.

A few hours later and everyone was sat in the lounge, stuffed. Dana and Kate took the small armchair, Max and Chloe mirroring them in the opposite chair while their parents occupied the couch. A Christmas Carol played in the background, adding to the mood… which was swiftly broken when the punk released a loud belch.

"Chloeee," Max groaned, shoving her. "That was right in my ear."

"Sharing is caring" Chloe giggled, clamping her arms around the brunette to stop her getting away as she fished for a kiss.

"Eeew, no… stahp."

"Aww, don't you love me, baby?"

"You know I do, but not belch breath." Her nose wrinkled as she managed to pry herself free.

Kate watched them, smiling. "Glad I don't have to worry about that sort of thing."

"Nope, I just have to deal with a wriggle butt." Dana gently poked her shoulder.

"I don't hear you complaining."

"Because you're usually asleep, and stealing all the blankets, forcing me even closer if I wanna stay warm."

"Sounds just like Chloe." Max smirked.

"Who says I'm asleep?" Kate giggled, earning a mock scowl of the taller blonde.

"Chloe's definitely asleep when she does it."

"Prove it, hippie."

"Nope, I've been embarrassed enough for one year thank you very much." Looking for an escape, she headed for the kitchen. "I need a drink."

Chloe and Dana started whispering as she left, worrying. When she returned, her girlfriend was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Chloe?"

Dana pointed through the glass double doors. "Smoke break."

Nodding, Max headed into the backyard. She almost went back for her hoodie when she felt the crisp night air, pausing when she spotted Chloe. Forgetting the chill, she snuck up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist and burying her head into Chloe's back.

"I wish you would wake up, would be more fun."

"Maybe I will next time," Chloe replied, a smirk clearly on her voice.

They stayed like that for some time, just enjoying the quiet night. A snicker caught Max's attention, letting Chloe go and turning just in time to see a head of blonde hair duck behind a curtain.

"Uh… Maxine Caulfield."

She cringed at her full name, still trying to see who was spying on them. "Chloe, you know I hate it when you do that."

"And I promise I'll only ever use it one more time."

Max frowned, turning back to her. "Oh? When would that-?"

Her words got caught in her throat when she saw Chloe down on one knee, holding a small open box. In it was a shiny gold band with a single sparkling stone.

"The day you say I do, of course."

Max could see her lips move, reciting a speech she must've been thinking about for so long. None of it registered. The second she saw that box, her mind shut down. She knew her answer, that much was obvious, but it was almost impossible to say it when her heart was beating this fast.

"Max?"

She shook herself back to reality, trying to focus on Chloe and not what she was holding. "Huh… sorry, I just… what did you say?"

"You could try listening, you know, like you always tell me to do."

"Sorry." Max winced slightly. She could tell Chloe was nervous, even if she was trying to act tough and make jokes.

"Just listen to the short version and we're even. Will you marry me?"

"Uh, yes. Of course. A thousand times yes!" Max replied excitedly, bouncing on her heels.

Taking the ring from the box, Chloe placed the gold hoop on the brunette's extended finger and got to her feet. "And I meant it by the way. I only plan on using your full name one more time."

Instead of replying with words, the brunette simply kissed her now fiancee. She couldn't even begin to describe how she felt now. Overwhelmed, in the best way. Sure, she'd thought about this day, more than once, but it always seemed so far away.

If her power had taught them both one thing, it was to not waste time.

Their kiss was interrupted by a high pitched wolf whistle. Max turned to see everyone in the doorway, grinning like fools.

"You guys knew!" Max shot accusingly, feeling flustered.

Kate offered an uncharacteristically mischievous smile. "Of course we knew, Max."

"Well, don't just stand out there in the cold. Come show us," Vanessa encouraged, beckoning them closer.

With a dorky grin, Max took Chloe's hand as they headed back inside.

This Christmas was going to be one to remember.

Just a quick one.

Hope you enjoyed it, There is one more to come, Expect it either new years eve or New years day. (Depending on where you live)

It's not what you expect :P