AN: I think I've failed to mention this before, but each holiday won't take place within the same year. Just an FYI before people get confused that they're married this chapter when they've only been engaged previously. Enjoy!

"Honestly, Rick, where are you taking me?" Kate grumbles from behind her blindfold as her husband leads her to some unknown location in the city. The chill from the wind goes right through her and she wishes she could pull the stupid blindfold down just to cover her nose for warmth.

"I've already told you," he starts, tugging on her arm. "To see one of your Christmas presents."

She shouldn't be surprised, she knows that. She knows he goes all out for the holidays and that Christmas is his absolute favorite. But why can't he keep his surprises inside in December like a normal person?

"What'd you do, buy me a building? Commemorate a statue after me?"

She just knows that stupid, adorable grin of his is splitting across his face right now. She doesn't need her vision to know that

"You'll see when we get there," Rick teases, tugging her around a corner.

"See now that doesn't bode well for me."

"It bodes excellently for you. I don't know what you're talking about."

She huffs, tightening her grip on his arm when her boot hits a slippery spot on the sidewalk.

"If you're not going to let me see where we're going, you could at least check the ground for ice for me so I don't break something before we get there."

And he doesn't need to see her eyes to know that statement was accompanied by an eye roll.

"Ah come on, Kate. All those years going ice skating with your mom; you'd think you'd be more coordinated on the ice than that."

"Yeah, when I can see where I'm going. Are people looking at us like we're crazy? Do they think you're abducting me and just doing nothing about it? I bet the police are on their way."

"You are the police."

Kate huffs. "Yeah, but they don't know that."

"The police don't know that you're the police? Amazing how they just keep letting you into crime scenes then."

"I'm going to hurt you when I can see again," she mutters, squeezing his arm again for good measure.

"You'll change your mind once you see what I have cooked up for you."

"You cooked me something? The world's largest pizza? A record setting milkshake?"

"You're never going to guess what it is so stop trying. You're also just failing miserably."

"You know what? I'm just going to take all of your presents back. Say goodbye to your new laser tag gear. Apologize to Alexis for me. Explain how it was all your fault."

He chuckles, slipping his arm through hers and pulling them to a stop. A crosswalk perhaps? Or are they actually there?

"You still hate surprises as much as you did when you were 10."

"Is this about that stupid haunted house you dragged me to where you kept making fun of me for hating people jumping out at me?" Kate accuses.

"We were 13 and no. It was just a general statement." He gives her a little nudge and pulls her forward again. "You've chosen an interesting profession for someone who hates sneak attacks."

"I've gotten over it."

"Have you now? I may have to test this out later."

"That's it, I want a divorce."

"Relax," he says, bringing them to a stop again. "We're here."

He moves from her side and she instinctively tenses up without her tether. But then she feels him behind her, untying the knot of the blindfold. Soon the fabric falls away and she has to blink a couple of times for her eyes to readjust. She looks around at her surroundings, trying to figure out what exactly her present is supposed to be.

"You got me an ice skating rink?" Kate asks jokingly.

"Good work, Detective."

She blanches, turning wide eyes to look at him. "Wait, seriously?"

He nods, a grin spreading across his face. "I built it myself. A guy in the Parks Department owed me a favor so he let me set it up here since we don't actually have a yard to put it in. We have to let other people use it after today, but for today it's all ours."

"You got me an ice skating rink," she repeats, still dumbfounded.

Rick laughs, nudging her toward the bench where two pairs of skates are resting next to some burly man who looks like a security guard.

"Afternoon, Thomas," he says, nodding to the man. He really did hire security. She honestly shouldn't be surprised. How else would they keep people away from their private rink?

"You couldn't just buy out a premade rink for the day?" she asks, sitting down to change into the skates.

"Now where's the romance in that?" Rick asks with a wink. "Still want that divorce?"

"I didn't sign a pre-nup, so I get half of everything, right?"

He narrows his eyes at her. "You know, we can leave."

"No, no, no," she says in a rush, tugging on his arm and pulling him down to the bench with her. "I love it, Babe, I really do. It's like we're including my mom in our festivities and I really appreciate that."

Rick places a kiss to the top of her head. "I know this time of year is always rough for you. I just wanted to help make it a little brighter."

"You make everything brighter, Rick. That's what I love about you."

He loves watching her out on the ice. She looks so free gliding around the small rink, it makes his heart soar. And she's a natural at it, a regular Michelle Kwan - okay perhaps that's taking it too far, but she is skating circles around him. Literally.

"You just gonna stand there all day and watch, Rick? Or are you actually going to join me?" Kate taunts.

"Hey, I'm out on the ice. This is me joining you."

She skates up to his side and stops with such ease. He'd probably skate right off the rink if he tried to stop. Which is exactly why he hasn't started.

"Come on, I'll hold your hand," she offers, extending her gloved hand out to him.

"But -" he starts to protest.

"I'm not going to let you fall."

He still hesitates, watching as that gentle smile of hers blossoms across her face.

"You know you can trust me," she tries again.

That much he does know, so he takes her hand and let's her pull him slowly across the ice. He stumbles through his first couple of steps, but she stays true to her word and doesn't let him fall. She offers to let go when he starts to get the hang of it.

"Don't you dare," Rick tells her, squeezing her hand even tighter.

She laughs, skating around in front of him and cupping his face in her hands.

"I'm not letting you lead me around by my face."

Kate laughs again and leans in to kiss him. Her cold nose bumps against his, but her warm fuzzy gloves feel quite nice on his freezing cheeks. He attempts to pull her closer, seeking her body heat to warm him up even more. But he catches her off guard and she slips, pushing into him and taking them both tumbling onto the ice.

She bursts out laughing and he swears it's his most favorite sound. Her hair tumbles in front of her face, spilling out from underneath her hat. And he's so very tempted to keep her down here and resume that kiss she started. That is until he starts to feel the biting cold of the ice through his jeans.

"How are you laughing at a time like this?" he asks, rubbing at his hip. "I'm in pain."

She keeps laughing as she pushes herself to her feet and brushes off her jeans before extending a hand to help him up.

"Come on, Grandpa."

"Watch it, we're the same age," he grumbles, letting her help him. "Grandpa also implies that Alexis had a child and I do not like that one bit."

She brushes ice from his shoulders and straightens his scarf the same way she normally does when he wears a tie. "What if I was the one having the child?"

"Well then I'd be a father, but I already am one so - wait." He grows very still, trying to get her to make eye contact with him instead of his scarf. "Kate?"

Her eyes lift to meet his, that smile of hers tugging at the corners of her lips. "I was going to tell you tomorrow, on Christmas. I had it all planned out and everything, but as long as we're giving gifts on Christmas Eve -"

"You're pregnant?"

She nods as her smile breaks and Rick wraps her up in a hug that nearly knocks them back down to the ice.

"And here I thought this ice skating rink was the best present ever," he laughs. "But I was so wrong. This is the best present ever. You most certainly have me beat this year, Kate."

"You know, I think I'm actually starting to like this time of year again," she says, going back to fidgeting with his scarf. "And I have you to thank."

"Me and the baby," he corrects, placing a kiss to the top of her head. "The baby. Our baby. I can't believe it. Can you believe it?"

She shakes her head. "Remember that lecture Martha gave us when she caught us in various states of undress? And how she thought it was necessary to bring the issue up with my mother? Look at us proving them all wrong and you not knocking me up until after we're married."

"So proud of us," he laughs, high fiving her. "But that lecture is not something I need to be reminded of. Ever."

Kate smirks, nudging him with her elbow. "I think it went something like 'I know you and Katherine are very infatuated with each other, but -'"

"Please stop before I tackle you back down to the ice."

"I'm carrying your child, you will do no such thing."

"Fine, I'll aim for the snow bank then. Softer landing."

She pulls on his scarf, guiding his mouth back down to hers. "Merry Christmas Eve, Rick," she mumbles against his lips. "Thank you again for finding your way back into my life."