Not entirely happy with the way this chapter turned out, but I didn't want to wait so long without updating. Enjoy!
December 24: 2003
1 day until Christmas…
"…yes, I still need to unpack a few more boxes." Hermione Spellotaped gift wrap on a large box as someone on the other end of the phone said something. "Oh, no, you go ahead without me. I'm busy all day, all week actually. Okay. Yeah, listen, I'll talk to you later, I have so much stuff to do. Alright, bye."
"Funny things, those Muggle fellytones," Ron said, coming into the living room of their brand new flat chewing a cookie. He shuffled through the sea of boxes littering the apartment.
"Telephone," Hermione corrected automatically. "And yes they are. More dignified than Floo powder, anyway." She flipped through a small notebook stuffed with sticky notes and receipts, mumbling to herself. "Decorate tree. Take Teddy and Victoire to go see department store Santa. Cook Christmas cake for Burrow family reunion."
Her mouth fell open. "The Christmas cake! Ron, what time is it?"
"Quarter past five, why?"
"I still need to make the cake!" She moaned. "And it has to be done by seven! I still need to unpack all these boxes," she gestured around her wildly, "and the paperwork for the Elf Labor Act is due tomorrow and-"
"Hermione," Ron said.
"-they're completely out of green ribbon and Harry and Ginny are coming over this afternoon and-"
"Hermione!"
"Don't snap at me, Ronald," she snarled. "I've been working harder than a house elf all day. Not even half my list is done and I'm already burnt out and I-" She burst into tears.
"Hey, don't cry," Ron whispered into her hair as he kneeled and pulled her close to him.
She buried her face in his shirt and sobbed, "I wanted it to be perfect. Our first Christmas together."
"Things don't have to be 'perfect' to be perfect," Ron assured her, his hand stroking her cheek. "And this is perfect enough for me."
She rubbed her sleeve across her red rimmed eyes. "Really?"
"Really," he confirmed. "Now go get dressed. We have a family reunion to go to."
"The cake…"
"…is in the kitchen. I bought one at the bakery on the corner. Figured you wouldn't have time to make one."
A watery smile graced her lips. "You know, sometimes I'm really glad I married you."
"Only sometimes?" he teased.
"I'm always really glad I married you."
"Me, too."