Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.

Posy was telling him a story when he realized it.

Gale had his younger sister on his lap as she was recounting the events of her day and staring longingly at the presents under the tree that she wouldn't be able to open until tomorrow morning, and his eyes were out the window at the snow that was starting to fall. He's pretty sure it's nothing that Posy said, nothing anyone said, just a realization that struck him suddenly.

"Posy," he grabbed her in his arms and lowered her to the ground. "I've got to go. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She frowned at him, "Where are you going? It's Christmas Eve, Gale!" He was already pulling on his jacket, heading straight to his truck that was parked in the driveway. "Gale!" Posy called again.

"I'll be back!" he yelled to her.

The snow that was falling was large and fluffy. It wasn't sticking to the roads yet but it was settling on the grass, beginning to build up just a little bit. He wasn't fearful of the weather but his heart was racing in his chest, his hands slippery against the steering wheel. Gale turned the windshield wipers on to keep his vision clear but his body was practically humming with nerves and excitement. Why is he doing this? When did he decide to do this?

After about a fifteen minute drive his truck pulled to a stop outside the Undersee's home, a large brightly lit house with white Christmas lights hanging around the trim neatly. He threw the truck into break and then dove into his glove box, fiddling around until he found what he was looking for.

The snow was picking up now, it stung his face as he raced to the front door. Every breath he took puffed out in front of him and the closer he got to the door the faster his heart raced.

He and Madge had been dating for almost three years. After graduating separate colleges they both moved back home and ran into each other at a coffee shop and ended up sitting down to catch us. Over the course of his college career he had matured a lot, many of his prejudices gone after lots of studying and reflecting. Talking to her made him feel lighter and he couldn't believe he had been so rude to her back in high school. She was sweet and determined and made him smile. They could talk and discuss and debate and before he knew it he was head over heels in love with her.

Gale's knuckles rapped against the cool door and he rocked backwards on his heels, hoping she hadn't gone to bed yet or wasn't out. It was Christmas Eve after all, maybe they went caroling or looking at Christmas lights.

Soon enough the door swung open and Madge was on the other side. She had her hair tied up into a poorly done bun, loose strands framing her face and hanging down her neck, and was wearing an apron that was covered in flour. She immediately stood tall, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

"Gale," she blurted. "I, hi, I didn't know you were coming." She looked down at herself. "I'm just, my aunt and I are baking cookies. I thought you said you wanted to spend Christmas Eve with your family?" Madge looked back up at him with curious eyes. "Do you want to come in?"

"No," Gale shook his head. "I want to marry you," he said. His voice was surprisingly calm for the way his entire body was shaking. Madge blinked a few times as he lowered himself to one knee, his pant leg suddenly cold and wet from touching the cement. "I can't wait anymore, Madge, I want to marry you." He pulled out the ring box he had kept stashed in his glove box and popped it open. "Will you marry me?"

Madge was still blinking, her eyes stuck on the simple diamond ring he was displaying to her. "Gale—"

"I'm in love with you," he said. "I want to spend every Christmas from here on out with you and I want to wake up with you in my arms and I want to marry you." Gale took a deep breath. "So will you marry me?"

"Yes," she croaked. "Yes! Of course!" Gale pulled the ring from the box and grabbed her hand, sliding the silver onto her finger. "Oh my God you're shaking," she laughed, studying the ring before throwing her arms around his neck. "Oh my God," she gasped into his throat as he stood, wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her. "Oh my God!"

"I love you," he murmured into her hair. He lowered her and the moment her feet touched the ground Madge pulled away just enough to grab his face. She kissed him fiercely and they stumbled backwards just a bit.

"I love you," she whispered against his lips. Gale grinned, pinning his forehead to hers. "Oh my God, I can't believe this." His grin widened as he stole a few more kisses. "I love you so much."

"Madgey?" a voice rang from inside. Gale and Madge both turned to look, finding her Aunt May striding toward them while dusting off her hands on her own apron. "Everything okay?"

"Yes!" Madge cheered. Gale's hands slipped around her waist as Madge waved her hand in her aunt's direction. "He asked me to marry him!"

"Way to go, Gale," Aunt May frowned, "you just knocked my Christmas present out of the water!" Her fake scowl morphed into a smile as she got closer, and then she held her arms out to pull them both into a tight hug. "Congratulations, you two."

After taking off her apron and fixing her hair Gale got her to come to his house with her. "I'll have you back by midnight," he promised. He wanted to tell his family as soon as possible and he wanted her there too. She held his hand the entire ride, speaking quickly and loudly about all of the things they would need to do and all of the people they would need to tell. The diamond glistened and Gale caught Madge staring at it more than once with her bottom lip between her teeth as she tried biting back a smile.

"Why tonight?" she asked as they pulled into Gale's driveway.

He turned to look at her and smiled, causing her to blush. "You remember that time you were over and Posy begged us to take her to the ice rink?" he asked. Madge dipped her head and his smile widened. "And you hated it but you tried as hard as you could because Posy wanted you to?"

"I remember," Madge nodded. "And then it started to snow so we had to leave before the roads got too bad."

Gale's eyes drifted behind her to look out the window where the light snow was still steadily falling before looking back to her. "I knew, then, that I loved you. And when I looked outside and noticed it was snowing, I knew I couldn't wait any longer."

Madge leaned forward across the cup holders and kissed him sweetly. "I love you," she whispered. His smile was now a grin, he looked down at her hand. "That was like, two years ago."

"Mm-hm," he nodded. Gale pushed open his door and climbed outside, Madge following. "I'm just going to say it," Gale said. "When we get inside. Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded, her eyes bright. Gale opened the front door and he and Madge shook off the snow that had gathered on them. "I'm back!" Gale yelled.

Posy marched into the foyer and frowned at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Hi Madge," she grumbled. "Where've you been?" Posy asked, redirecting her focus to Gale. "We've been waiting! Ma said we could all open one present when you got back and you took so long!"

"Everyone's in the living room?" Gale asked. His hand laced with Madge's and he nudged Posy in the right direction, following behind her closely. He looked over his shoulder at Madge who was nodding enthusiastically. "Family," Gale announced. Posy sped over to her spot on the couch while Madge and Gale stood in the doorway.

Everyone turned to look at them. "Madge!" Hazelle cheered. "Oh, if I had known you were coming I could've put a pot of coffee on!"

"It's alright," Madge smiled.

"Guys," Gale started again. "I've asked Madge to marry me." Vick's eyebrows shot to his forehead as Madge held out her ring. "She said yes!" Hazelle was on her feet immediately, nearly running in their direction to throw her arms around them. Cheers radiated from the room, Vick and Posy and Rory all clapping while Gale's father sat back with a content smile on his face. "I know, I know," Gale laughed, pulling Madge closer to his side. "Sorry I ran out."

"Don't you apologize for that, Gale Hawthorne," his mother scolded him. "Oh, I've got to get the camera! Wait here!"

Madge grinned, looking up at Gale with wide eyes as they stood there. The house smelled like pine from the tree, the air was warm, and Gale had never been happier in his entire life.

"Hey," Rory said suddenly. They both turned to look at the boy who was smirking. He lifted his eyes slightly. "Mistletoe."

Madge looked up to make sure but Gale was already bending down to press his lips to hers. "Wait!" Hazelle was calling from a backroom. "Not yet! I have to get new batteries!" Madge giggled into the kiss and Gale pulled her closer.

"Talk about a merry Christmas," Vick teased. A merry Christmas indeed.