A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have wanted so badly every year to have this completed for Christmas, so I am ecstatic to post this right now. My mind is all over the place, with Christmas, and that I just got engaged!- I know there are things I left hanging a little bit, so if there's anything you'd like to see in an epilogue or one-shot or something, please let me know. :-)

I'm still without a computer, so thank you to keacdragon (you rock) and everyone else who's been reading and/or added Fae Touched or me to your alerts or favorites. It always gives me the warm and fuzzies!

I hope you enjoy, and again MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chapter XXI

Charlie was so adamant about watching over his girlfriend that by the time Christmas break rolled around, she was desperate. When he asked her about going back to the North Pole for the holiday, she happily agreed. The second day they were there, Carol pulled her away from his side, claiming that they needed some bonding time. Charlie scoffed, but Fia sent her an immensely grateful look.

"He's driving you crazy, huh?" the older woman asked, grinning, when they were out of earshot.

"Oh good grief. I haven't had a night alone since that night. I love him, but..."

"I know what you mean. Sometimes you need some space. You know, Scott's asking him to help deliver the presents."

"Really? He'll love that!"

"We hoped so. So you'll have Christmas Eve to yourself- or you're very welcome to join your mother and me for some girl time."

Fia smiled. "Thanks, Carol. You don't know what that means to me."

"Fi!"

She rolled her eyes at Carol, and then turned to see Charlie hurrying over, a broad smile on his face. Despite herself, she grinned back and gave him a kiss.

"What's up, Charlie?"

"Would you mind... I mean, I don't want to leave you alone, so I won't if-"

"Charlie. What is it?"

"He asked me to go with him-"

"On Christmas Eve?"

He nodded excitedly, and she laughed.

"You should go, Charlie."

"Really?"

Carol stifled a snicker, and Fia fought a sigh.

"Please, Charlie. I know it means a lot to you, and I'll be fine. I promise."

...

On Christmas Eve, at about one o'clock in the morning, Fia stomped into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, scowling, and spoke to the two women already seated.

"How long can delivering presents take? They've be gone for hours!"

Mab raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"It's not been that long. They have to travel all over world, Fionna, really. What did you expect?"

Fia walked over to the table to join them. "I expected to sleep through it."

"Yeah, I thought that my first year, too," Carol said, smiling. "Didn't sleep a wink, and I never have any Christmas since."

"So it doesn't get better?"

"When your husband goes out all night in his flying sleigh over oceans, and wars, and- and- New York? No, honey, it does not get any better. But we can wait it out together."

...

They had been quiet for so long that, several hours later, when Charlie put his hand on Fia's shoulder, she was so startled she nearly punched him in the nose. She let out a relieved sigh and hugged him tightly.

"I'm so glad you're back."

"Me too," he said, smiling. "There is still one present left to give-"

"What? You're not done yet? Charlie-"

Chuckling, he put up one hand to shush her. Then he brought his other hand out from behind his back. Her eyes widened.

"Merry Christmas, Fi." As soon as she (suspiciously) took the small box from his hand, he took a knee. "Marry me?"

She stared at him a moment, then at the ring inside the box. Then she looked at him again. He was starting to get anxious. She smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, Charlie."

...

Later, as they settled in for a few hours' sleep, Fia looked over at Charlie and smiled.

"I hope you don't mind being Fae Touched. You are going to be awfully sparkly for a very long time."

Charlie sent her a sleepy grin.

"I don't mind, Fi. As long as it means you still love me."

"Always."