Skipping ahead to Christmas Day here!

Chapter 26

December 25th, 1981

"Pssst."

Eric grumbled.

"Pssst. Eric, wake up."

He groaned and batted at something that was tickling his face.

"Eric!" came a severe whisper, "Wake up or no Christmas sex for you!"

"I'm up!" Eric yelped, sitting up straight. He squinted in the dark, "Jackie. What time is it? It's still dark."

"I know. It's five o' clock. I can't sleep."

"Excited for Santa Claus?" Eric asked, pulling Jackie to him and settling back down against the pillows.

Jackie laughed, "You could say that. I'm always excited for Christmas."

"All those shiny presents to be opened."

"Is that a hint?" Jackie asked excitedly.

"Maybe."

"Ooooh, now I'm really excited!"

"I thought you would be."

"Don't you still get excited about Christmas morning?" Jackie asked

"Hmmm, not like I used too when I was a kid, but yeah, it still holds a certain amount of delight."

"Yeah, kids and Christmas just go hand in hand, don't they? …Do you think about kids?"

"Kids?" Eric asked.

"Yeah, kids," Jackie said.

Eric was beginning to feel a little apprehensive, "Uh, in what sense?"

"In a personal sense, Eric."

"You mean, do I ever think about having kids?" he clarified, his apprehension growing.

"Yes."

Eric could not see Jackie's face but he could hear the hopefulness and longing in her voice.

"I- well, I guess I hadn't really thought about it."

"And now that I have you thinking about it?"

Eric was speechless. Yes, he'd thought about kids. But when he did he had been with Donna. When he and Jackie began this relationship he knew it would likely be a subject brought up at some point just not so soon or so unexpectedly.

"Jackie, are you asking because of your conversation with Hyde?"

Jackie had related the entire conversation she had had with Hyde to Eric right after it happened.

She was quiet.

"Jackie?"

Silence still.

Looking down, Eric was surprised to discover that Jackie had fallen back asleep.

Great, now I can't sleep, he thought.

Eric held the peacefully sleeping Jackie, his mind now trained on what she had said. There was really no doubt, he did want to have kids with Jackie. Before they left Chicago he had a plan for her for Christmas Day but after all the emotional upheaval this trip seemed to cause for them he changed his pan and had planned on waiting until they got back. But now…

Careful not to disturb her, Eric climbed out of bed and walked quietly to the closet where he had stowed his suitcase. As quietly as he could he pulled it out. The case was empty but Eric pulled at the lining to reveal a small false bottom area. He used to use it to stash an 'film' that required hiding when they had all been in high school but now it held a small, black velvet box.

He looked back over his shoulder to make sure Jackie was still asleep. He flipped open the lid to reveal a beautiful, clear, emerald cut diamond in an antique-look platinum band. He had bought it the night before they left.

He initially had a hard time shaking her off when they were at Macys shopping for her clothes and Christmas presents to bring on the trip, but he had feigned needing a restroom break while she was browsing through raincoats. Knowing he had only minutes before he was discovered, Eric had raced to the jewelry counter.

He got the idea of proposing to Jackie on Christmas earlier that week. Any one who did not know anything about either Eric or Jackie would think that this was all rather sudden but Eric wasn't worried. Neither of them had yet confessed their love for each other but he felt it was only a matter of time and he had no doubt that he wanted her to be his wife. He also decided she would like the romanticism of a holiday proposal.

When he saw the ring, he knew it was the one. It was unique from any other engagement ring he had ever seen and he had no trouble imagining it on Jackie's finger.

So, now on Christmas Day, after the conversation they just had he knew his plan could not wait. The time was right.

He climbed back into bed with Jackie, bringing the black, velvet box with him.

"Jackie," he whispered, "Jackie, wake up."

She stirred a little.

"Jackie, Santa left something for you."

"Hmmm?"

"It's shiny."

Jackie's eyes popped open, "What?"

Eric smiled as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. He took a second to admire her. She was beautiful there was no doubt about it, even when she was sleep tousled. Especially when she was sleep tousled in Eric's opinion. She wore no make up and still her face was perfect, smooth, porcelain skin. Her brunette waves fell softly around her face. Of course, her eyes were his favourite, slightly unfocused with sleep but bright and beautiful.

"Did you say 'shiny'?" she asked with a grin.

Eric nodded and chuckled, "I did."

Jackie's eyes fell on the black box in Eric's hand, he watched with delight as her eyes widened slightly and she looked up at him.

"Go on," he said, "Open it."

Jackie reached out a slightly trembling hand and took the box from him. It seemed like time stretched on forever for Jackie as she opened the box. Her heart was beating fast and she was faintly aware that she was holding her breath.

With the lid pulled back and the contents of the box revealed to her, Jackie gasped and put a hand to her mouth. Her eyes wide as ever.

She gazed at he beautiful ring, a ring she had dreamed about since she was a little girl. It winked back at her in the dim light of the room and Jackie felt tears spring to her eyes. She felt Eric's hands clasp hers. She looked up at him, teary eyed but with a broad smile on her face.

"Jackie. You and I both have always known what we wanted. We just never knew that we would find that in each other… until now. From that first week back with you, I knew, I knew that I wanted you to be my wife."

Tears fell from Jackie's eyes and she took a shuddering breath.

"I knew it too, Eric," she whispered.

He smiled and felt his heart rate increase, "So, what I am asking now is will you, Jackie? Will you marry me?"

Jackie let out a giggle through her tears and threw her arms around Eric.

"Yes! Yes, Eric! Yes, I'll marry you!"

Eric caught her lips with his and put all the love and emotion he had for her into it and she responded in kind.

"I love you, Jackie, so much."

Jackie held onto him tightly, "I love you too, with all of my heart," she emphasized 'all' and nothing could make Eric happier.

"May I?" Eric asked, gesturing to the ring.

Jackie nodded and handed the box back to him. Eric took the ring out and took Jackie's left hand. She was trembling still as he placed it on her outstretched finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Oh, Eric, it's so beautiful," she whispered.

"Just like you."

Jackie smiled and pulled him in for another kiss.

"Thank you, Eric," she said, "This is so romantic. I could not have imagined anything more perfect."

He buried his face in her sweet-smelling hair, "I'm going to make you so happy, Jackie. I promise."

Jackie pulled back and looked him straight in the eye, "You already did." She kissed him again and the pair fell back against the pillows to celebrate their engagement.