While Tommy tore through the gifts beneath the Christmas tree, Clara excused herself to change out of her nightgown. She loathed to leave Eric's side, for fear that she would come back to the parlor to find him gone, a cruel whisper of an unraveling dream. But when she returned from her room, wearing a simple powder blue dress, she was relieved to find Eric still there. He stood beside Elizabeth, watching with amusement as Tommy excitedly unwrapped his various new toys. Elizabeth leaned over and whispered something in Eric's ear, prompting a soft chuckle from the young man. Warmth eased through Clara as she watched the interaction; she was grateful that Eric had not been left alone with her grandfather, who continued to scrutinize the newcomer with vague disapproval.
Clara's shoes clicked gently on the parlor's floorboards, immediately catching Eric's attention. His eyes lit up as he caught sight of her, the joy in them so raw Clara wondered how her grandfather could not realize that she and Eric were so much more than newly introduced acquaintances. She smiled at Eric's rather pathetic efforts to appear casual as he made his way to her side, his hands nearly twitching as he forced himself to not reach for her.
"You look beautiful," he mouthed, careful to keep his back to Clara's grandfather as he breathed the hushed words.
Clara thought Eric looked extremely handsome himself. But as she was facing her grandfather, who was eyeing them closely, she refrained from saying so.
"I'm terribly regretful that I had slept so late into the morning," Clara commented, keeping her tone light. "Your walk sounded like a lovely idea, Aunt Elizabeth." She glanced at her grandfather innocently. "If you don't mind, Grandfather, I would love to show Eric Mulberry Park. With the new snowfall, I imagine it's a breathtaking picture."
Her grandfather looked like he would rather she had asked permission to set the Christmas tree on fire. "That is out of the question."
"I agree," said Eric. "It would hardly be appropriate if we went unchaperoned."
Clara's grandfather seemed surprised by that. Fresh respect flickered across his expression, and he gave a nod in Eric's direction. Clara forced herself to hold back a sigh of relief; she wasn't sure how courting was done in Parthenia, but she was grateful that Eric at least had some idea of what her grandfather would deem acceptable.
"I would be glad to accompany them," Elizabeth said, her eyes twinkling with humor. "Another stroll sounds wonderful. After all, exercise is a great stimulate for the mind."
Clara's grandfather pressed his lips together, suspicious at this sudden turn of events. But as there were no reasonable objections left to be stated, he heaved a sigh and waved his hand impatiently. "Very well. But make it quick."
"Of course," Clara said. Eric held out his arm to her, and she looped her hand around it, resting her palm on his forearm. She gave a light squeeze, and the corner of Eric's mouth twitched upwards.
"Come along, dears," chimed Elizabeth. "And Tommy, love, do try to avoid provoking your grandfather's temper while we're gone. We all have to sit with him at Christmas dinner, and I'd rather not have him glaring at the turkey the entire time." Ignoring Tommy's offended outburst, she ushered Eric and Clara out of the parlor and towards the front door.
/
Mulberry Park was not nearly as deserted as it had been when Eric had first arrived earlier that morning. However, there was still a low enough number of people that Eric and Clara were able to walk without being disturbed. A few couples strolled ahead of them in the distance, the women's brightly colored skirts vibrant against the glistening snow, and their footprints leaving a thin trail to follow.
Upon entering the park, Elizabeth had taken a sudden interest in one of the statues guarding the archway to the walking paths. "Ah, Pytor Llyich Tchaikovsky! A talented composer. How interesting that he should have a statue dedicated in this particular park." She gave a wink. "Why don't you two go on? I should like to read the plaque here, and I would hate to keep you waiting."
Eric and Clara exchanged a smile. Together, they turned away and began down the snow-dusted pathway. They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, content with each other's presence as they listened to the snow crunching beneath their feet and the faint tinkling of passing carriage bells. Then Eric's arm gave a tremble, and Clara looked up at him in concern.
"Are you alright?"
Eric glanced at Clara sheepishly. "Yes."
Clara frowned. Her gaze dropped to Eric's clothes, and exasperated comprehension dawned on her face. "You're cold."
There was an embarrassed pause. "A little."
Tightening her grip on Eric so that they drew closer, Clara shook her head. "Why didn't you say anything? We can go back to the house, if you'd like."
"I'd rather keep my distance from your grandfather as long as possible," joked Eric. "He terrifies me."
"More than the Mouse King?"
"Definitely."
Clara laughed. "Well, I'm not surprised you're cold. You're hardly properly dressed for the weather. Where did you get those clothes, anyway? They're not exactly Parthenian fashion."
"They were my father's." Seeing Clara's confused expression, Eric elaborated. "He had visited your world multiple times in his youth. Which is how he had come to be such good friends with your aunt. He had quite the fascination with this world, and liked to collect various trinkets from it. Naturally, he needed clothes that fit the style, and he had acquired quite the impressive wardrobe by the time he died." Eric chuckled. "Unfortunately, I had forgotten to account for the fact that here, snow is cold."
"Yes, I see that," grinned Clara.
"And wet. Wet snow, Clara. How do you stand it?"
"It is a trial, I must admit," Clara said with mock exhaustion. "But we manage somehow."
Eric laughed. He flexed his fingers, trying to cease their shivering.
Clara moved to cover Eric's hands with her own. "No gloves either?" she chided gently. "What am I going to do with you?"
Emboldened by the playfulness of their conversation, the response tumbled out before he could stop it. "Kiss me?"
Worry crept up within him that he was pushing Clara too far. The amount of interaction they had had since he had been restored to his human form was still so very little, and he wanted to be sure Clara was comfortable around him. Never mind that Clara was of a more reserved nature, so asking such a question didn't feel appropriate in such a public setting, in comparison to the privacy of her parlor. For reasons he didn't understand, her world seemed stricter about those types of things than Parthenia.
But Clara didn't seem bothered by the request. Keeping her hands clamped over Eric's, she raised herself on her toes and pressed her lips against his. Eric smiled against her mouth, his breath mingling with hers as he returned the kiss. Clara moved closer, bringing their entwined hands against her chest as she ran her thumb over Eric's knuckles, the soft fabric of her gloves a comfort against the winter chill.
With a satisfied exhale, Clara's eyes flickered open. "Feel warmer?"
Eric nudged her nose with his own. "Somewhat." He straightened and fell quiet, his eyes searching Clara's face as his brow furrowed.
She frowned. "What is it?"
Eric bit his lip, hesitant to answer. "Clara, after you saved me, and righted all of the wrongs the Mouse King had done, I had asked you to stay with me. Maybe it was too soon to ask, and even though you had given me an answer –" He paused, a mixture of desperate hope and violent longing stirring in his eyes. "An answer that made me that happiest I had ever been in my entire life, I don't want you to feel obligated to stand by what you had said. If, now that you are back home, you wish to stay here…do so. Do whatever makes you happy." He sucked in a nervous breath. "But know that my feelings have not changed; my deepest desire is for you to be with me, as my queen. I love you."
Clara's head was swimming from the euphoria swelling inside her. Everything felt so right, Eric felt so right to her – how could she possibly reject him? Her mouth widened into a bright smile. "Of course my answer is still yes." She gave his hands a squeeze. "I love you too."
Blinding happiness broke through Eric's expression. With an elated shout, he wrapped his arms around Clara's waist, lifting her up and spinning her around before bringing her close for another kiss. Clara just laughed, running her hands through Eric's hair and down his neck, hardly daring to believe that all of this had happened – that he had come for her, and that he truly loved her.
When they had composed themselves, they caught sight of Elizabeth in the distance, casually making her way towards them.
"Your family can come to Parthenia too, of course," said Eric. He took Clara's arm once again.
Clara smirked. "Even Grandfather?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, he'll be good company for Major Mint."
Amused at the thought, Clara tried to picture the two men sharing a friendly conversation. "I fear that Grandfather is too serious even for Major Mint."
"I think they would be good for each other."
"I think you overestimate my Grandfather's patience."
Eric merely smiled. "We'll have to see. I won't worry though – not as long as you're there."
Clara pursed her lips, once again lacing her fingers through Eric's. "That sounds like a lot of pressure for me."
"Don't worry, I know plenty of secret passages that lead out of the castle. We can slip away whenever we like."
"Eric."
He laughed, and Clara couldn't help but join in.
"Merry Christmas, Eric."
"Merry Christmas, love."
