21. Gifts

Ruby was snuggled contently with Victor on the floor of their house, watching sleepily as fire crackled. It didn't take long for them to fill the house once it was ready, yet tonight they had decided to ignore the furniture and cuddle up on the rug. It was one of those things Ruby always read about in romance novels and had wanted to try for herself. The floor wasn't exactly comfortable even with the rug, but she did like how the fire's warmth felt on her skin. Almost as good as Victor's body heat.

She felt his lips on her neck and smiled, pushing her hair aside to give him more skin. Ruby hoped she would never get over how giddy his touch made her feel, or how the look in his eyes made her heart skip. Just as she hoped she would be able to keep making his eyes light up and his breath to catch in his lungs. It was still a struggle to tear away from each other for work, though lately she had a feeling that was much a reluctance to face the cold as it was to leave each other's side.

They were going to spend their first Christmas together. It wasn't really a holiday they celebrated in the Enchanted Forest, but it felt important to do so now. Not just because it was their first major holiday as a couple, but because of Victor's past experiences during the holidays. She knew it was going to be hard on him because of his brother. The snow brought up memories for her, too, of when she first learned she was a werewolf and what happened to Peter...

This season was going to be better for both of them.

Out in the town, a few people had gotten into the holiday spirit and decorated. Emma, Neal and August all assured Ruby that these were very subdued compared with what the rest of this land did. Neal and August also got together in setting up an ice skating area. Ruby was delighted that Victor took to the ice without any encouragement.

Victor was approaching the holiday with a brighter mood than even he expected. When he had a beautiful wife to warm up with and friends to laugh with, it all seemed a lot easier to handle. Henry even got him into building a snowman.

"There are stories where the snowman comes to life," the boy informed him. "So you have to make one." Victor could think of no argument for this logic.

"But does it really need a scarf?"

"No, but it would look better with one. And a hat."

"And a jacket too, I suppose," Victor commented wryly.

"If you want." Henry gave him a questioning look. "Haven't you ever built one of these before?"

"No. I can't really say I did much playing in the snow." Victor patted some snow into place. "I like it, though. And if this guy does come to life, he can't really do much damage without any feet and those twigs for arms."

"There are some horror movies that think they could do a lot of damage. Didn't you have any snow monsters in your world?"

"Some of my schoolmates talked about a ghost that caused avalanches," Victor admitted after some thought. "It was supposed to be an old man, I think."

"Really?" Henry abandoned the snowman, eagerly turning to hear the rest of the story. Victor knew that Emma wasn't going to thank him for this later, but he told Henry all that he remembered anyway. It was nice that someone other than Liza wanted to hear about his world of horrors.

He smiled thinking of Liza and her expression when she saw the gift he was making her. It was a slow process, since he could only work on it a little at a time, but the effort would be worthwhile. Just to make sure she didn't stumble on the gift earlier, Victor kept it with David and Mary Margaret until the night before the exchange.

It was anticipation rather than bad memories that kept Victor and Ruby awake that night, though of course they were not without ways of spending time. It had been a relief when Ruby discovered she liked Victor's smell as much as ever.

After breakfast, they went to get each other's gifts. Ruby's expression shifted to warmth when she tore past the wrapping. "A mixed CD?" Somehow she wasn't entirely surprised: she made no secret how much she loved it when Victor tapped into his artistic side. "I'm going to put it in right now." She hurried to the stereo, wanting to see his reaction to her gift.

Victor couldn't help smiling to herself watching his wife slide in the CD. The song started up and Liza froze, her head quickly whipping to him. It was a favorite song of hers, but done with Victor's own voice. It'd taken a while to record, since he also provided the piano and violin. He let her listen as he tore into his own gift.

Now he was the one freezing, staring at the pocket watch. It wasn't exactly like the one from his world, but it was very close. He turned it over in his hands, noting his initials were inscribed on the back. Victor turned it around again and flipped it open to set the time. Inside was a folded piece of paper. Curious, he took it out.

"A crossword puzzle?" He enjoyed puzzles and could tell right away this one was custom-made.

"Yeah. You should try solving it."

Victor was more delighted than ever. The watch would've been more than enough, but for Liza to make something that challenged him intellectually as well? How did he get so lucky to be with someone who understood him like this?

The CD he made for her had moved on to other songs. Most were instrumentals, reminiscent of his world or hers. He could hear her humming along when the music turned to something she recognized. Victor started filling in the crossword and slowly the answers started to form a certain picture. He swallowed, setting down his pencil.

"Liza... A-are you...?" He almost didn't want to say it out loud. His eyes flicked down to the crossword again. Expectant. Hopeful. Carry. Conception. "Pregnant?"

"Handsome and smart. I knew I married you for some reason."

Victor could find no words. He pulled Liza into his arms, fingers brushing where the new life was growing. Something they had created together. Their child.