Hey! Wow. Really updating again this week, right! I'm proud of myself. I promise another chapter in the next few days. Thank you so much for the wonderful response! I love you all! I'm sorry I made you girls cry *hugs everyone*. Annika is really sweet, isn't she?

Big thanks go to Anne (Northwomn) for betaing this chappy while my dear Keri is busy. I love you both! xoxo

http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00&feature=BFp&list=PLF9712A4E8F8DE2C4 - updated the playlist and you'll find a link to the ring pic in my profile.

Heartbeats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more

Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath

Every hour has come to this

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more

One step closer

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I love you for a thousand more

(Christina Perri - A Thousand Years)

December 24th

SPOV

I woke with the feel of light fingers trailing on my ribs. A smile broke on my lips and I sighed in content. I was exactly where I wanted to be and I never wanted to be anywhere else. I opened my eyes slowly and marveled, once more, how I had managed to find the most perfect man in the world. More so, how had I managed to be blind for so long. Everything happened with a reason, though, and it seemed Fate wanted us to know each other inside out before we made the decision that we were, indeed, perfect for each other.

"Good morning, my love!" His fingers trailed my lips before his mouth touched mine softly.

"Morning, handsome!"

"Come now, we have somewhere to go." He was so excited; I couldn't help but smile. He looked like a kid on Christmas day, which was ironic, since we were a day away from it.

"And where is it that you wish to take me, you monster? It's freezing outside," I mocked.

"Hush , little princess. I know the way to happiness!" he declared, making me snort out a laugh.

"Cheesy much?"

"Extra topping, my dear," he laughed along and pecked my lips.

"Fine, I'll get dressed, but you better make it up to me later," I threatened, knowing full well that he would grant my every desire if it was in his power to do so.

We got dressed, poking each other, and generally acting like a pair of five year olds.

I picked out a pair of jeans and a warm sweater, my trusty boots and my coat, while making sure to wrap my scarf closely and pull my hat over my ears. Even though he still wouldn't say where he was taking me to, he at least mentioned it was outside.

The past few days had been beautiful. He showed me around town, dragging me from one place to another. He showed me the land where he used to play as a kid, the street his dad taught him how to drive when he was 14, the place he bought his first dog, which he was amazed was still open.

We got out and I smiled at the sun warming us. It was a perfect day. The sky had taken a surreal shade of blue and there was no trace of clouds anywhere in sight.

He grabbed my gloved hand and pulled me down the street. He was smiling excitedly and it was contagious.

"We're here," he said after a few blocks.

A small park lay there and, in the middle of it, a skating ring was filled with people of all ages.

"I… I've never done this, Eric. I can't." I stammered, silly I know, but I was scared.

"You've rollerbladed before, right? It's not much different. Come on, Lover. It's a perfect day for this. It can't get better than this weather," he insisted.

"Oh, why must you be so sexy? Fine, but if I hurt my ass you're massaging it for an hour."

"Fine with me," he said and pulled me to the booth where he ordered two pair of skates in our sizes.

I was nervous and excited at the same time. Sure, I had skated before, but not on an ice rink. How much different, can it be, right?"

He came and sat next to me on the bench and passed me my skates before he started taking his shoes off and getting his pair on. I did the same and soon we were wobbling to the mantle.

"You ready?" he asked, his face full of joy.

"Lead the way, happy feet!"

The first steps on the ice were terrifying, but then I remembered how to keep my footing and balance. We skated along the sides, making sure to stay out of traffic until I felt bold enough to join the circling crowd. Music was blaring through the speakers and it made everything that much nicer.

I took Eric's hand and dragged him closer to the center of the ring and started moving with the rest of the kids and teenagers and the grandparents. Yep, even they were skating better than I was. Eric smiled and moved in front of me before turning abruptly and skating backwards, still holding my hands.

"Showoff! How the heck can you skate so well when you're that tall? Aren't you scared you'll fall and make a crater?"

He laughed and shook his head before pulling at my arms until my body was flat against his.

"I love you," he declared and kissed me. I could hear people around us mumbling. My guess is they were bothered by us stopping dead in the middle. I didn't care. His lips on mine were magical and I felt all the worries go away.

We broke away just in time to realize there was a voice on speakers instead of music. They were calling for a break so they could clear the ice again, Eric translated. We took two more laps and then went to get our shoes from where we left them. He changed into our boots and it was the weirdest feeling. It was like I couldn't walk straight.

By the time Eric had returned after leaving the skates at the booth, I had once again learned how to walk. I was giggling.

"What?"

"I can finally walk again," I snorted and he laughed along.

"I know. It's weird, isn't it?"

"Yep. So... Where to now?"

"Oh, we're actually only now going to where I was dragging you earlier. I just couldn't resist taking you to the skating rink. We're a block or two away," he admitted.

"Great," I replied. I was already accustomed to the temperature so we might as well enjoy the day.

We continued our way down the street and took a right turn after the second block. Nestled on a vacant spot was a fir tree fair.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

He looked at me like I had sprouted another head.

"Buying a tree, of course."

"A real one? Wow. I never had a real one. Only that plastic thing Gran had in the attic. They were always so expensive. I didn't realize we were gonna put up a tree," I told him, really surprised he'd thought of it.

"Well, we are. Come on. Let's pick one."

He tugged on my arm and I followed him. We entered the fair and the smell of real fir trees enveloped me. Gran never could afford getting a real one because they were so expensive in our area. She never considered it a justified investment since it would only be up a few days.

"Everything smells so nice," I said, getting more excited by the second.

"Yep. Now tell me how the perfect tree looks in your mind."

He moved in front of me, his eyes staring into mine.

"Ehm. Tall, about your height. Stuffy on the bottom. Thick."

"Then that's what we'll get," he said and turned around smiling. We were on a hunt and he was going to bring home the biggest prey.

Half hour later we were on our way back home. I was practically skipping and he was carrying the tree like it weighted nothing. He had slung it over his shoulder and he looked darn sexy carrying it like that.

After struggling with getting it in the elevator and struggling with pulling it out, we finally got it in the house. Since we were bunking on the second floor we had to struggle with it on the winding narrow stairs as well. Eric set it down and went to the closet, searched for something and then returned. He was carrying two boxes.

He set them down and took out a tree stand and I helped him put it in. After we were sure it wasn't going to fall over he cut the cord that was wrapped around it. The branches spread beautifully, making a whooshing sound as they extended.

We smiled like little kids and he hurried to the other box. He took out a tangled string of lights that took forever to clear. We mumbled in annoyance, but not because we were working on this, but because it was robbing us of decorating our tree. When we finally got it straight, Eric tied a knot at the top of the tree and then started circling it, making sure to set the twinkles on all the layers. We then started hanging on beautiful globes, globes from when he was a child. Sure, they needed to be dusted before they got on the tree, but it was worth the effort.

The tinsel went on the tree last. Eric fired up the fireplace, plugged in the lights and we took a step back to admire our work. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours and it looked wonderful. We plopped down on the sofa and spent the next 15 minutes staring at our first Christmas tree. Neither of us said anything, but we both knew it was only the first of many.

Evening

"Come on, sweetie, hurry up! We're gonna be late," I called out, fairly annoyed and amused that I was the one waiting out on him.

"I just don't know what tie to wear!" he said and I rolled my eyes, entering the bedroom for the millionth time.

"Whichever you want is good. Don't stress yourself. I'm sure they'll like you no matter what," I told him, kissing his cheek and picking out the red tie from his hands.

He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head and smiling at me. Eric grabbed the tie from me and silently asked me to tie his knot.

"There, it looks perfect."

He turned us to look in the mirror and we smiled at our matching outfits. I had picked out a red dress and a green sash, looking quite festive, while Eric had chosen a black suit. His red tie and green hankerchief matched me perfectly.

"Just like you look - perfect," he said and pressed a kiss to my neck.

"Come now, mister.!"

He held my hand, supporting me on the narrow stairs. These boots looked awesome, but the heels could be a real deathtrap if I didn't pay attention. He helped me into my coat and I bundled up before grabbing the bag with gifts for Bjorn's little girl and the flowers for his wife. Eric grabbed the wine and we were finally out of the house.

We settled into the car and he drove to our destination as I enjoyed the snowflakes falling. It was such a lovely night outside and I was jealous that Eric had grown up with this. Sure, it was cold, but it was also wonderful. There really was nothing like a white Christmas.

In a few minutes, Eric parked in front of a beautiful house, which stood right across from a white park. We got out, gathered our little things and then walked up the alley towards the door. He kissed me softly before ringing the doorbell.

A tiny woman opened the door and her face lit up.

"Welcome!" she said and made room for us to step in.

Her hair was dark, but her eyes were the same blue color I had seen so often in the past few days. She smiled with every pore of her being.

Bjorn joined her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Thank god, you're here. I'm starving!" he said and we all laughed.

"Sookie, Eric, this is my wife, Andreea," he introduced us.

"It's so nice to meet you, your house is lovely," I said graciously, the manners Gran had taught me running deep.

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you too; I've heard so much about you," she said, in perfect English.

"It's nice to meet the woman who managed to bewitch old Bjorn here," Eric joked.

"Oh, bewitching has nothing to do with it," she smirked before calling out for Anna.

A blonde little girl came running down the stairs. Her eyes matched her parents' and she was dressed in the cutest little dress. I hunched down to her height and said hi. Anna smiled shyly and replied a meek 'hi'. I took the little packet from the bag and handed it to her, with a "Merry Christmas". Her face lit up as her mother's had and she took the gift before running to the living room.

"Thank you for having us," Eric said graciously and handed Andreea the flowers we brought. She did a little curtsy before motioning for me to join her in the kitchen where the put the bouquet in a vase, while the boys followed Anna.

"Please, take your coat off," she said. "I'm so excited to have you two here that I forgot my manners, I'm sorry. Leif has told us so much about you in the past years, but he said you two were just friends."

I could sense her curiosity. I knew from Eric that Bjorn and Leif were friends and I was certain that in his travels he had stepped inside this very house a number of times.

"Yes, we were. We are. We just discovered how good we can be together," I replied, having no problems in sharing our little love story.

"That is so lovely. Friendship is so important in a long term relationship. Are you two engaged?"

"No, but I don't need a piece of paper to know he'll always be there for me, just as I don't need a ring to represent that promise. He's mine and I am his," I said smiling, meaning every word.

"Have you thought of children?" she asked and I felt a stab of pain.

"We have. We're actually trying to conceive, but I'm not sure it's gonna work. I have this syndrome no one knows about."

"Oh, what syndrome? I work as a nurse; I'm sure I've heard of it."

"Polycystic Ovaries."

"Not only have I heard of it, I have it. How odd is that? I can see that you worry, but don't. There are ways around it. Look at my little angel. She's here although doctors told me it was impossible," she smiled and I felt my heart warming up at her words.

"Would it be weird if I hugged you right now?" I asked.

"Not at all, dear," she said and enveloped me in her arms.

"Well, you two are certainly bonding," I heard Bjorn chuckling from the kitchen door.

"We are. Now come help me set the table," Andreea instructed as she let go of me.

"I can help you with that," I piped in, but she just dismissed me, telling me to join Eric in the living room.

He was seated at the table, making small talk with Anna. He was speaking Swedish and it was sexy as hell. Andreea and Bjorn set the table and refused any offers of our help. An array of sausages, pork, ham, potatoes and a few other things were set in front of us. My eyes went big and I wondered if they actually expected the food would be eaten by the four and a half people around the table.

My question was answered when Eric started eating like he hadn't seen food in years. Of course, it was probably accurate since he hadn't had traditional Swedish food in the last ten years. He and Bjorn ate and ate and ate and I just quit counting at one point. I just went ahead and tasted a little bit of everything and found that I enjoyed it quite much, even if everything wasn't deep fried.

We smiled and joked for a couple of hours until we felt we'd be able to walk again. We said goodbye and promised we'd be seeing each other again before we left for the States.

"Care for a walk? I don't think I can go home just yet. I'm still too full. Maybe a breath of fresh air would help with my stomach," he said and I turned to watch him in worry.

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah, just my stomach," he said and averted his eyes.

"Sure then, let's take a walk. Would this park across the street be safe at this hour?" I asked, wanting to be sure.

"Yes. You're with me, Lover. No need to worry," he said and gathered me under his arm.

I felt at ease at once and we started walking on the white alleys. The trees looked beautiful, heavy layers of snow hunching the branches over. Some of them were covered in beautiful twinkling lights and that made the park look festive and surreal.

We walked in silence, hand in hand, breathing in the brisk night air. It was truly a wonderful night, just as it had been a wonderful morning. The sky was clear and the stars shone bright above us.

"Hey, Lover," he said as we passed a small bridge.

"Mmm?" I asked, not wanting to break the silence just yet.

"You said you wanted to play in the snow, right?" he asked. I turned towards him and saw that he had produced a snow ball. I had no idea when he'd done it, but there it was, in his hand…

"Sure," I said. My heart was racing and my eyes were darting all over the place.

Suddenly I bent, grabbed as much snow as I could and threw it in his face before running away and hiding behind the closest tree. Lights were hanging from the branches.

"Ow, Lover, you're gonna get it!" he sang and I ducked just before a snowball whooshed by my shoulder.

I made a hasty snow ball and threw it around the tree, not really aiming.

"That was a poor excuse for a fight!" he said, close by.

I laughed and launched another snowball at him, landing straight in his chest.

He came after me and we were soon digging snow and throwing it in each other's face. He suddenly launched at me and pulled me to the ground, kissing me.

"You like playing in the snow?" he asked and I laughed.

"It's fun. I never got to do it. I'm sure I'm gonna get a cold, but I can't be bothered to care," I said, picking out some snow from his hair.

"Funny place you picked, Lover," he said and I looked at him with a question on my face.

"What place?"

"The tree you hid around. See that carving on the bark?"

He moved off me so I could see what he was talking about. There, under the lights, there was a heart with two letters in them. "A&L"

I looked at him in confusion.

"See, Lover, this exact place, behind this tree, 30 years ago my father proposed to my mother. That's theirs. Dad made it when she said yes," he explained.

My eyes welled up at the thought of how romantic that was. Eric seemed nervous though.

"What? Is it your stomach again?" I asked, afraid he'd be getting sick.

"Yes, but it's not the food, Sookie."

He moved to sit on his ass and pulled my hands to help me sit in the same position. His right hand kept holding mine and his left went in the inside of his pocket and he pulled something from it, setting it on the snow between us.

"You see, Sookie, I'm just nervous… I've been going over and over this in my mind, looking it from all the angles, and I can't seem to find a reason not to do it. I love you with all my heart and I can't imagine myself with anyone else for as long as I live. I'm certain you're the one for me and I want to make it right by you and by me. By us. I want to make this right," he said and his eyes were burning into mine. My heart was hammering in my chest. I glanced at the object on the snow. A penknife.

"So, I guess it's only another sign I don't have to wait anymore, that we're in this place right now, where my parents got engaged. Sookie, I will always love you, I will always protect you and I will forever be yours if you'll agree to be mine. Lover, will you allow me tonight to carve a message of our own on the same tree that attests to the love between my parents? Will you marry me?"

His eyes bore into mine and I looked at him, mouth open, as he dug into his pocket again and took out something. His palm opened and there was a beautiful butterfly diamond ring.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Oh God, Eric, yes! I'll marry you a thousand times. I'd have married you yesterday," I half yelled and jumped into his arms. His eyes shone and he pulled me in for a kiss. His lips seemed to sear into mine and his breath made me feel lightheaded.

He pulled my glove off my left hand and put the ring on my finger.

"That's my mother's ring. She wanted you to have it. It was in the box she left for you," Eric said. I could feel, in that instant, all the jewelry I was wearing, all that had come from that very box he was mentioning. The fact his mother had left her engagement ring for me, had me in tears again.

"I love you so much," I declared and kissed him again.

"I love you, too," he replied.

All I wanted in that moment was to get home. However, the next half hour was spent carving a heart and our initials in the bark of the tree.

"S&E"

Please review! It'll make me update faster!

xoxo

Gaby