Epilogue-A Christmas to Remember

It was December 25th-Christmas Day and Arthur Kirkland was complaining.

The bushy-browed Brit wound his scarf tightly around his neck as he waited in the doorway for his American boyfriend. "I just don't see why we have to go to Francis' house on Christmas Day." He moaned, raising his voice so that Alfred could hear him from the apartment. "He'll only spend the day mocking me because apparently his cooking is 'Oh, so much better than anything I call edible.' The arrogant git." Arthur buttoned his coat up as Alfred began pulling on his shoes.

"I think you're forgetting," Alfred began, tying up his left shoe as he spoke. "That Francis' food is better than anything you call edible." He flashed Arthur a cocky grin as he pulled on his coat. "Also, Francis is your best friend; you know that you want to go really."

Arthur rolled his eyes, he scoffed. "More like worst enemy. He's the Moriarty to my Sherlock, the Dalek to my Doctor. That's how bad he is." Alfred chuckled at Arthur's dramatics; his messy dirty blonde hair fell into his face as he shook his head. "Love, can we please not go? We could just stay here instead. Please?" This caused Alfred to roll his eyes as he stood and gently kissed Arthur on the forehead.

"You are such a drama queen! I don't care if he's the Voldemort to your Harry Potter; we're going for dinner at Francis' house! Michelle's going to be there and Mattie and Gil! It'll be nice." Alfred alleged, opening their apartment door for Arthur. An "after you" gesture forced Arthur out of his warm confines of their lush, shared apartment and onto the bitter cold streets of London.

Arthur crossed his arms. "Typical stupid British weather, it's so damn cold." He mumbled, his teeth chattering form the harsh cold wind that swept throughout London. He began to feel warmer though, once Alfred had grabbed hold of one of his arms, linking the couple together.

"Cheer up Artie, will you?" Alfred asked and his grin was so bright and genuine that Arthur couldn't help but smile a little in return. "It's Christmas!" Alfred laughed, and the sound echoed down the street as they headed to the Frenchman's house for Christmas dinner.

The crackers were pulled; the alcohol was drunk, the turkey was eaten. The little Christmas affair had actually turned out to be quite nice, Alfred summarised. He was currently curled up on one of Francis' sofas, resting his head on his British boyfriend's shoulders. They should really be heading home, but it was cold and Alfred was too tired. He glanced across the room at Matthew and Gilbert who were both asleep on the opposite sofa; Matthew's head was rested on Gilbert's lap, who had an arm wrapped around the Canadian's torso. Alfred found it to be simply adorable.

Arthur tilted his head to kiss Alfred on the cheek; Alfred tightened his grip round the Brit's waist and smiled softly in response. Relaxing, Alfred was just about to close his eyes and drift off to sleep when he felt someone poke his side.
"Hey," Arthur whispered, "You can't go to sleep now or you'll miss something really important."

Curiosity instantly piqued, Alfred sat up and propped himself up on his elbows. "What? What is it?"

Arthur bit his lip and glanced at the clock. His voice sounded shakier than usual. "I guess that I can do it now. Now's as good a time as any, after all."

"For what?" The American asked, puzzled. What is he up to? He seems nervous…

"Come on." Alfred yelped as he was pulled from his seat and led out to Francis' back garden.

Arthur shut the patio door and pulled Alfred down the sloping pathway to the grassy area by the fountain that Francis had recently installed. "Okay, I've already spoke to Francis and Michelle about this so they won't bother us."

Alfred cocked an eyebrow, "Bother us? Oh God, please don't tell me that you're into that. I mean, if you are then it's cool but it's really cold right now." He protested.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Alfred F. Jones, what on Earth is wrong with you? Did I even mention sex?" He chuckled, his smile turning into a smirk. "Anyway, I did not bring you out here for a quick fuck; it's something much more important than that."

Again, Alfred rolled his eyes. "Well, will you quit being so dramatic and just tell me- wait, what are you doing?" In the midst of Alfred's speech, Arthur had gotten down on the floor and was knelt on one knee in front of the American. Alfred watched in stunned silence as the Brit fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small, black box.

Ohmygod, no freaking way… Alfred could already feel the tears coming. If this is what I think it is…

Arthur wasn't looking at the American as he spoke, his eyes were fixed on the ground and he was trembling. "A-Alfred F. Jones, it's been about two years since we started dating and those two years have been the best... and the most stressful two years of my entire life." He raised his eyes to meet Alfred's and Alfred could feel pools of water forming in the corners of his eyes. Arthur had previously told Alfred about the other proposal and Alfred had wondered what it had felt like then. Well, now he knew. It was the most wonderful feeling ever.

"When you first met me I was the moodiest, grumpiest, rudest, most insufferable git anyone would have the misfortune to meet. Heck, I probably still am." Alfred chuckled at that bit- it was true. "But, I don't care about that anymore, Alfred. Since I met you, you made me realise that there's more to life than negativity, money and work. You gave me hope, Alfred. You taught me how to live." Arthur's voice cracked and Alfred thought that he probably wasn't the only one trying not to cry. "As the song that you love so much goes, you are my only sunshine, Alfred. My sunshine and my hero and-to quote another song- I need a hero, Alfred. I need you." Arthur paused and Alfred could now visibly see that he, too, was struggling to keep the tears at bay.

"I know that technically we've already done this, but I wanted to do it again because Alfred, your accident made me realise how much you mean to me. Alfred, I love you. I love you so, so much and without you I could never be happy. I would be nothing. I really would." Arthur grinned shakily and opened the box to reveal a small, beautiful silver ring that had a gemstone in the middle. It was a sapphire ring to match Alfred's eyes. "Alfred F. Jones, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Immediately, a grin broke out on the American's face and he rushed forward, lifted the Brit up by his torso and repeatedly swung him around and around. "Yes! Ohmygosh, a thousand times yes! Yes, yes, yes! Ohmygod, Artie! Yes."

"Put me down, Alfred!" Arthur squealed, lightly hitting the American on the back. "I'm getting dizzy!"

"Sorry!" Alfred giggled, placing Arthur gently on the ground. "Can I put the ring on?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Well, that is the whole point of a ring."

Alfred giggled again, taking the ring out of its box and placing it on his engagement finger. "It's such a beautiful colour!" He admired.

"Yes, like your eyes." The Brit pointed out, bashfully.

Alfred grinned, and grabbed the Brit in a tight hug. "I really do love you, Arthur Kirkland."

Arthur stood on tiptoes and kissed Alfred's forehead. "And I you, Alfred F. Jones."

Stepping back, Alfred grasped Arthur's face in his hands and looked deeply into those beautiful forest-green eyes. "I really, really mean it."

Arthur chuckled, "So do I."

Alfred smiled at that. "I know." He kissed Arthur on the lips. It was a short, sweet kiss that was all smiles and joy and promised a happy future for the two of them.

"Now," Arthur scowled slightly, looking at the patio door. "I think I promised Francis that we would go and join them for a game of charades."

Alfred chuckled, grasping hold of the Brit's hand. "Well, we wouldn't want to disappoint would we? Team Kirkland-Jones will beat them anyway."

"Kirkland-Jones," Arthur mused. "It has a nice ring to it."

Alfred grinned, swinging their joined hands in the air as he walked.

"No Artie, it has a wonderful ring to it."

*~*~*~*FIN*~*~*~*

A/N: Well, that's my very first completed fic! And I have to admit it, I'm quite sad now. I absolutely loved this fic, I didn't want to finish it! But, all good things must come to an end, I suppose. I must've been super attached to this fic because I teared up a little from Iggy's proposal.

I just want to thank everyone for the follows, favourites and reviews that I received throughout this fic, you guys are all awesome! :3

Thanks again and I hope you guys check out my other USUK fics that I am, and will, be writing.

(( Oh, I just noticed that I kinda ended this fic on a pun; ring to it. Wow, I make myself laugh. ))

~BooksAreLikeChocolateButBetter

GUEST REVIEW RESPONSE:

Himeji~ Ohmygoodness, thank you so much! I am so glad that I made you feel like that, I mean, that was the aim. But, I seriously appreciate your review so much; it makes me think that this has been totally worth it! I hope that you liked this chapter. :3