APOV

"Merry Christmas baby" I heard whispered in my ear, before kisses were trailed down my naked back.

"Merry Christmas Christian."

I lifted my head up, not wanting to really move as I loved his lips on my body. Our pyjamas had been removed during the night, when I didn't know but it was nice to feel his body against mine.

"Turn over."

I did as he asked, turning to face the man I love.

"How are you feeling."

"I'm fine Christian, really."

I was still taking my medication to ward off any infection that I might have gotten from the intense cold. They were working as so far I hadn't even a sniffle, although they make me tired at times.

At the moment I was wide awake and I had something to ask my boyfriend.

I brought my hands up to cradle his cheeks, bringing his lips to mine. Swiping my tongue across his lips, Christian's mouth opened to me. This was the way I wanted to spend Christmas morning, the two of us together.

"Do you still have those condoms" I whispered against his lips.

He pulled back from me, looking over to the bedside table.

"They're there Ana."

"Make love to me."

"Ana, If you're not ready" I could see the worry on his face, if this was too fast.

I wanted him. Only Christian had ever given me the love I wanted, the love I deserved.

"I want this, I want you to make love to me on our first Christmas together."

"You have to promise. If it hurts, you will stop me."

"I promise."

He reached over to my bedside table, taking a condom from the packet before handing it to me.

"Me."

"We do this at your pace Ana. Please be gentle though, I don't want to cum in your hand, I want to be inside you."

I giggled, trying not to get him too aroused but I just had to have at least one or two strokes of his cock.

"Ready" he asked, moving into position. My legs wrapped around his waist, making sure he couldn't move away.

"I'm ready, I have you now" I smiled.

"You always have me Ana."

With that, he slowly pushed inside me.

At a slow pace, we made love. If our lips weren't joined, they were attached to earlobes, necks, anywhere we could reach so our connection was never broken.

"My favourite place" he groaned in my ear "Is inside you Ana."

"I love having you inside me Christian."

Christian pulled back, circling his hips before pushing back inside me once more. I was trying to be quiet but Christian was not making it easy as he continued his slow thrusts. This was an old house, with creaky floorboards. Too much movement and everyone downstairs would know exactly what we were doing.

He moved his hands down my body, rubbing my clit.

"Christian" I groaned.

"I can feel you getting closer Ana, cum for me."

I couldn't hold on any longer, his words pushing me over the edge to which he quickly followed.

"Love you" he said before kissing my lips. "love you love you."

I was giggling as he continued kissing my face in-between his loves you.

"I love you Christian, so much."

I brushed the hair from his forehead, smiling up to my boyfriend. Considering how the last couple of days had gone. In this moment with Christian, I had never been happier.

We stayed in bed as long as possible knowing the house was waking up around us. His fingers were gently moving up and down my spine, making me so comfortable that I didn't want to move.

A knock on the door had Christian sitting up.

"Don't rush, there is a tea and coffee on the table outside" Grace told us.

"Thanks mum, I will get it in a second."

I watched Christian put his boxers on before going to retrieve our drinks. I pulled his discarded t shirt over my head, that he had worn before putting his onesie on yesterday evening. I didn't want to flash anyone if they decide to come in while I sat up in bed. I don't think any of the Grey's would just walk in but Kate has been known to do it from time to time when she wanted something.

"How long do you think we will really get before they come back" Christian asked me.

"Out of Kate or my Dad, it will probably be my Dad who shouts us first. He is worse than a kid at Christmas but I think he enjoys watching me open my presents more than opening his own. It would be hard for him to imagine his present as anything else, other than the fishing rods we have gotten him though."

"How ever long we get, I'm going to enjoy it" he said, kissing my lips before he pulled me down on the bed, our drinks forgotten.

We didn't make love again, we just lay face to face talking as he stroked my hair.

"Did you ever believe in love at first sight" he smiled.

"I had lost my belief in everything to do with love until you crashed into my life."

"And now."

"Yes I do, I also believe in us more than anything."

His smile was beautiful as he brought his lips back to mine.

"Are you sleeping in there" Kate's voice came through the door. I was wrong it wasn't my Dad, unless he was the one who had sent her up.

"If we weren't, we're now awake. Thank you for waking us up."

"Shut up you" she laughed. "It's Christmas, you can't stay in bed all day."

"Watch us" Christian called to her.

"No thanks, I'm not into watching other couples in bed."

I laughed, Christian joining me. We were only able to get rid of Kate by telling her we would be out in five minutes.

We joined our family in the living room, the tree was all lit and the fire ablaze.

"About time, it's Christmas. No lie-ins aloud" Elliot told us, getting ready to dive into the pile of presents.

"If I want a lie in, I will" I told him.

"You're allowed to do anything. My brother on the other hand, should know what it's like on Christmas morning."

"Yes. Elliot turns back into a kid."

Before taking a seat on the couch, I took my stocking from the mantel. I kissed my Dads cheek before taking a seat next to Christian.

"What did Santa bring you" Christian asked me.

I pulled my orange out first, which I would eat later. Opening the small presents, they contained some bath-salts, a pen set and a gift card for books. The present at the bottom was walking socks.

"Thanks Dad, anyone for a candy cane" I said handing them around.

My Dad has never changed in his stocking fillers since I was a child and I wouldn't want him to. Most people would want expensive things but mine are perfect for me. The socks are essential with my love of walking around this mountain and relaxing in the bath after, is the perfect end of the day. The pens will look very nice on my desk at work and the gift-card will come in handy when I want to read for pleasure and not for work.

Soon my floor was slowly disappearing under the shredded wrappings. We should have gotten bags for the paper first but we were having too much fun finding out what Santa had brought us.

"Baby I love this" Christian's smile lighting up the room as he opened his helicopter.

"I know you have the one on your Christmas tree but this one you can have fun with all year round."

"It's amazing Ana, and I cannot wait until we have a bit of sun so I can try it out."

"Only snow on the menu today" Dad told him as it had snowed heavily during the night and was now piling up against the glass doors.

"Ana what do you use when you run out of logs" Mia asked as she pointed to the dwindling supply.

"I have a log store outside on the deck but I keep an emergency supply in the utility room for snow storms like this. Don't worry, I haven't ran out of them yet."

Christian's present to me was a beautiful platinum charm bracelet, each charm unique to us. From the helicopter, to a little house and a fir tree. They were my favourties amongst many, all beautifully made with exquisite detail.

"Thank you, they will hear me coming when I wear it to work" I told him, kissing his lips.

Dad loved his fishing rods and was talking to Elliot about how to ice fish. Definitely thermals are needed and a lot of weather proof clothing, he told him as the weather here can change so quickly.

"Another present" I said to Christian as I handed over the watch I had gotten him.

"Ana" he said, gently taking it from the box and removing his own. I had seen his grandfathers watch but it didn't come out of the safe much as it meant to much to him and he was afraid of breaking it.

"Thank you baby, I will wear it everyday."

We finally got around to clearing the paper away and I could finally see the floor. It had been bagged up all ready to go into the fire at some point tonight. No point in wasting it.

I had a pile of presents beside me from everyone, but my favourites made me cry. First edition copies of four of Jane Austen's novels. I had lost count of how many times I had read them over the years as they were what got me into my love of books. I had no idea how Christian had got them but I loved them.

"Tired Ana" Christian asked when I tried to stifle a yawn, although I wanted to read.

"I'm fine, I don't want to fall asleep today."

"Ana you won't miss anything if you want to sleep for a bit" Dad told me.

As usual they were a united front against my stubbornness. Dad and Christian had bonded together a lot over the past couple of days, they had always gotten on but had gotten closer since his birthday.

Mia had put a DVD on and I was watching with her but opening my eyes and the credits rolling I had obviously fallen asleep.

The smells coming out of the kitchen, made my mouth water. Even though we had it for thanksgiving, I was looking forward to the turkey that I could smell as well as the ham.

"Feel better baby" Christian asked as he came in from the kitchen, holding a glass of water for me.

"Yes I do, smells amazing."

"It does and Kate hasn't burnt anything yet."

"I heard that. You can have the leftovers when I have plated everyone else's up, even Boomers."

"I will share mine" I said kissing his cheek.

I drank the water down, still having a dry mouth when I woke. Problem with drinking water, I automatically need the bathroom.

I got up, passing my Dad who was sat in his armchair, engrossed in a fishing book that Carrick and Grace had given him. I used the toilet, making sure my hands were clean before I made my way back out into the living room. It was empty at the moment, everyone being called to help out in the kitchen.

I was going to help myself when I looked at the tree. I thought one of the bulbs had blown because the spot was dark but walking forward I realised it hadn't. Something had been placed in front of it, a new Christmas bauble.

It was beautiful as I took it into my hand. Glass, which had a pattern around the middle. The ribbon that held it to the tree had mistletoe weaved around it. Looking closer I realised, it wasn't just a continued pattern but words. As I read what it said, my breath faltered.

Moving it around in my hand, I could read the words Will you marry me. I let the bauble go as it swung from the tree, turning around to see Christian on one knee with a beautiful smile on his face and an incredible ring in his hand.

"Ana from the day I crashed into your life, you became my angel. I fell in love with you long before I realised myself what I was feeling and that love has only grown stronger every day. You're my whole world, my best friend and I don't want to ever spend a day apart from you. Will you do me the extraordinary honour of becoming my wife."

"Yes" I whispered before saying it more loudly through my tears. "Yes I will marry you."

Christian placed the ring onto my finger before he was on his feet and I was in his arms. His lips crashed to mine in a passionate kiss as happy cheers went up around us.

"I love you so much Ana. You have made me an incredibly happy man" My smile met his as our lips met again.

We were soon pulled into the arms of our family's, all congratulating us on our engagement. I heard a cork pop behind us, making me jump as I hugged my Dad. Elliot eager to open the Champagne.

The glasses were all handed round to each of us before Elliot spoke.

"As Ana cannot drink, my brother asked poor Taylor to drive into Seattle to pick this up. To Christian and Ana, you two really are perfect together and I couldn't be more happy for you both."

I don't think I had ever seen him so serious before but that didn't last long when he pretended to cry, asking him mother for a hankie.

Having had this drink before, I clinked my glass to Christian's before taking a sip. His arm was around my waist as we celebrated our engagement.

"Happy" he whispered in my ear before kissing it.

"Never been happier."

..

Once Christmas dinner was ready, we all sat around the table. I never knew why my grandparents had such a large table before but it was definitely needed today.

"I would like to say grace please" my Dad said, receiving a nod from us all.

I took Christian's hand and Mia's who was sat on the other side of me.

"Dear lord, Thank you for this lovely feast before us and bringing us together on this special Christmas day. I thank you for the safe return of my daughter and making her as strong as she is" I felt Christian's lips on my head as he agreed with my Dad.

"We hope you will guide us through the years to come and bring me some grand babies now my daughter is getting married. Amen."

Everyone was laughing around the table apart from Christian and myself who were too shocked to speak. I looked to him smiling as I shrugged my shoulders, feeling his lips come to mine.

"I cannot wait" he whispered in my ear before kissing my lips again.

"Me too.

Having not eaten a lot over the past few days, today I was making up for it. My plate which was once filled, was quickly emptying. Boomer having eaten his own dinner was making the rounds under the table. Dad can get him on the treadmill in the new year, although with what I have eaten, I think I might join him.

"Where did you get the bauble from" I asked Christian as we were once again in front of the fire.

Apart from Grace, everyone else was outside.

"There is a company in Seattle that makes custom made Christmas ornaments so I had them make yours."

"We will have to make sure we put it up every year. It really is beautiful."

Our attention for a moment was taken outside. Dad had taken Boomer for a walk to my tree, showing the others around but by the sound of it, someone had just received snow down their back. Despite loving to be outside, at the moment I was happier to be in Christian's arms in front of the fire.

"When can I marry you" Christian asked, his fingers playing with my ring.

"How long does it take to get a wedding together."

"With my mothers connections, probably next weekend" he smiled, making me laugh. "What do you want Ana."

"I would like to get married here on the mountain, hopefully when the snow has gone and it's a bit warmer."

"Sounds perfect Ana, what are the best months."

"Summer is best. Spring the snow turns to showers but July or august are usually warm."

"Ok it will give us a while to organise the wedding. Do you want a big wedding."

"I would rather have just our friends and family here. I don't want a big society wedding especially with having everyone here."

"Me neither Ana. I have people from work who I would like to invite but I class them as friends also. Besides I think if we have too many people outside, we will run out of room and they would end up at the bottom of the hill."

"That might be fun but I don't want grass stains on my wedding gown. It's flatter at the side of the house where the crane was parked so that might be better if we are having a marquee or something outside. The back is flat to a certain point but go to far and you start going down hill."

"Oh my god what is he doing" Grace said, getting our attention.

Christian and I got up to go to the back doors, seeing Elliot in the snow making angels.

"You're an angel Ana, Elliot is definitely not" he told me.

"Were you two planning your wedding" Grace asked as we nodded.

"Yes, how does a summer wedding here on the mountain sound Mum. Do you think you could help us plan it."

"Please Grace."

"It sounds perfect and I would be honoured to help you" She said, sounding choked up. "I will get on it as soon as we get back to Seattle. I'm so happy for you two."

She kissed our cheeks before wrapping her coat up tighter and went to join the fun outside.

Christian and I stood at the door, his arms wrapped around my waist. We laughed as Elliot got a face full of snow off my Dad, revenge for throwing snow at Boomer.

I love being here. Today has been filled with so much love and laughter. Who knows what the future will hold, whether we have those babies that my Dads wants. I do know we will do it together and this mountain will never be far away from our lives.

As the light starts the fade and the twinkling lights become more pronounced, Christian's thumb moves over the diamond in my ring before he turns me around to face him.

He uses the remote for the stereo and soon the music starts to play as we dance around the room. We were soon joined by our family as they came in from the cold.

In Christian's arms, with his lips on mine, we moved across the floor. There wasn't as much room here as there was at Escala but we didn't need a lot, we just moved closer together.

"Love you" he whispered kissing my nose and lips.

"Love you more."

He laughed, swinging me around, telling me that was hard to believe.

Believe. Is a perfect word for Christmas, it's a perfect word for us. I never thought that I would ever get to this point again, to be this happy. But with Christian by my side, I could truly believe in love once more.

Thank you for reading.

Until tomorrow

take care

Caroline