...

A bulgy present sits under the tree, the label is clear, it's for Jackson, but who it's from, and what it is Jackson has no idea. They still have another twenty minutes before they head to Mere's for Christmas brunch, which will continue on until it becomes Christmas dinner, and give them all an excuse to drink as much as they want, since they are staying at Mere's for the night, taking over George's bed while he shares Alex's room.

Jackson doesn't say anything as his fingers wrap around the present and he feels it with his fingers before turning it over, looking for clues. It mysteriously appeared beneath the Christmas tree about two days ago, and Jackson isn't entirely where it came from. Cristina is watching him, an odd expression on her face as she straightens up a little. He wants to ask, but instead he rips the wrapping paper off and examines the gift inside.

"Look I know it's not that great." Cristina says hurriedly as soon as Jackson's eyes land on the teal scarf , he drops the wrapping paper on the floor and brings the scarf up as he inspects it, unable to help the growing look of fascination or the smile that appear on his face.

"No I-" Jackson starts, but is immediately cut off.

"It's my second attempt at a scarf, hence why it sucks." Cristina looks more nervous than Jackson has ever seen her as he glances up from the scarf and his gaze falls on her, she is chewing on the corner of her mouth, and despite how many surgeries he is been in with her, despite how many ER fiascos they worked through, she has never looked as anxious as she does now.

"I lo-" Jackson starts again, trying to tell her that he loves the scarf. He's never knitted himself, but he knows this is a damn good job for a second attempt.

Cristina sighs, and cuts over Jackson as she says, "You should've seen my first attempt it was awful." She is still chewing at the corner of her mouth and she pauses for a moment, still looking nervous, and Jackson knows why, she is good at surgery, she is amazing at it and so she isn't nervous, there is no room to be, but this, being a girlfriend, buying gifts, making gifts, she's never really cared for it in the past, never being good at it, which makes her nervous now.

"This is-" Jackson starts, not knowing why he even bothers speaking, knowing he will be immediately cut off.

"Izzie taught me, god who knew she was so impatient, and I-" Cristina starts, talking over Jackson as her gaze flits everywhere around the room, landing on Jackson for a few seconds before moving on.

"Cris-"

Cristina is still chewing on the corner of her mouth as she runs her fingers through her hair and cuts Jackson off as she starts, "It's shit I know bu-"

"Cristina!" Jackson exclaims. The scarf still in one hand as he grabs Cristina's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers as he pulls her gaze to his eyes and he grins before he adds, "It doesn't suck, it's not shit, I love it, it's perfect."

"Jac-"

Something suddenly occurs to Jackson and he asks, "Was this what you were muttering about when I called you a few days ago?" Cristina nods, still looking nervous, but not nearly as much as only seconds ago.

"Just another thing your fingers are good at doing." Jackson smirks, dropping the scarf on the floor beside him as he leans forward, capturing Cristina's lips as she chuckles against him.

"We're going to be late for Mere's." Cristina says breathlessly a few seconds later, the look in Jackson's eyes and the way he feels against her hip, she can barely keep her lips off his for long enough to say it.

"So we'll be late." Jackson answers, his lips finding Cristina's again, tugging and caressing at them, kissing hungrily as he pushes Cristina against the carpet and thanks the God he never believed in for letting them live alone.

...

AN: Merry Christmas guys :) Still another chapter to go...