The snow sprinkled down from a dark,cloudless sky, smothering the streets below in a beautiful blanket of white. The streetlights were hazy, emanating a soft yellow glow and the moon held a whimsical charm all of its own.
Elizabeth stood in the window of their small Charlottesville apartment, one hand wrapped around a rapidly cooling mug of tea and the other resting atop her almost eight month pregnant bump. The air was cool against her skin yet she didn't mind. Everything was so peaceful and still and to her, it felt like time was frozen altogether.
A small Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, the multi coloured fairy lights twinkling in the dark, sending beautiful flashes of blues, reds and greens against the wall. A small handful of perfectly wrapped gifts placed underneath, taunting Elizabeth each time she looked at them.
She had been living with Henry for a little over two months and although there had been some initial teething problems, things had settled down and they were finding a way to coexist happily, or as happily as anyone ever could when they'd been thrust together under rather unique circumstances.
Henry was meticulous in his cleanliness. Everything had its place and clutter made him crazy. Elizabeth had placed much of her own stuff in storage when she made the move but the things she couldn't live without filled every last nook of their cosy home.
She missed having her own space. Being able to throw her shoes down wherever she chose. Pile her books up in the order she wanted to read them. Hang her clothes on the chair by the bed because she would wear them eventually. Her whole existence as she knew it had changed and it was taking her a while to adapt.
That's not to say she wasn't happy — Because she was! Waking up with Henry every morning was beyond anything she could have wished for. She felt blessed to be living a life she could only have dreamt of and with the baby only a few months away, she was finally within touching distance of the family she had longed for.
To start with, Elizabeth had enjoyed having her days free to do as she pleased while Henry was teaching, but that had grown tedious very quickly. She had been going at full throttle since high school and to suddenly find herself idle was more than she could cope with. She needed metal stimulation — And that came in the form of study!
It wasn't the best time to consider going for her doctorate — But then Elizabeth always did manage to push the boundaries of what was normal. She figured if she could get to grips with what was involved before the baby came along, it would pave the way for her to pick it back up as soon as she was able.
Henry had been incredibly attentive and held fast to his promise of fulfilling her every desire. And boy oh boy did Elizabeth have an extremely healthy level of desire. Not that he was complaining, but there were days he was grateful to be at work so he could get a little rest.
The apartment wasn't massive, but they had worked together to decorate the nursery exactly how Elizabeth had pictured it when they'd first viewed it. Henry had put his skills to the test by building the beautiful crib they had chosen together and it sat proudly waiting for their little girl. Elizabeth hadn't wanted to get too carried away as she didn't want to jinx anything — But Henry's excitement had started rubbing off on her and they were beginning to get themselves ready for parenthood.
Elizabeth stepped away from the misted window and curled herself into the corner of the couch. Clicking the small table lamp on, she placed her cup onto the table and lifted a rather tatty, rectangular solid wooden box onto the cushion beside her.
Her fingers traced the filigree pattern carved into the lid and she smiled to herself. Memories of her childhood filling her thoughts. The box had belonged to her mother who had always kept it sitting atop the dresser in the kitchen. As a young girl, Elizabeth had convinced herself that it's where the garden fairies slept when the snow covered the ground, so they were safe and warm. A winter hideout just for them. A notion her mother had actively encouraged.
Now though, it held something far more magical. Childhood photographs from a time before everything was lost. Baby pictures of her and Will. Her parents faded wedding photo. Captured memories of family holidays when life was happy and carefree. The only presence of her parents other than the images held in her mind.
She had dealt with their death by shutting down. By refusing to allow herself to acknowledge it or confront it. It was easier to lock it away in the deepest recess of her mind because if it remained there, it couldn't hurt her. But that was just the thing — It was hurting her! It was subconsciously holding her back in a way she'd never truly understood before. But impending motherhood was forcing her to see things in a very different light.
As her fingers sifted through the photographs, she pulled one free of the others and her eyes glassed over at the beautiful image. Her mother was sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of their family home, her pregnant belly as big as Elizabeth's own and a look of pure love enriching her features. Her father's handwriting adorned the back of the small photo — Suzanne and baby Lizzie Bee.
Elizabeth had seen the picture many times before, but never had it held as much significance and emotion as it did right at that moment. Her mother looked so full of hope and wonderment for a future of happiness and love. A future that was cut short so cruelly.
But Elizabeth wasn't filled with sorrow or grief as her eyes traced every last inch of the image. She felt a sense of peace, as if her parents were passing on a legacy she was only just discovering. A mother's bequest to her daughter as she made her own transition into parenthood.
She wiped a tear away from her cheek and smiled. She knew exactly what she had to do and with Christmas only two days away, there was no time like the present.
The frozen ground crunched under foot as their boots left footprints in the freshly fallen snow. Henry's arms were wrapped protectively around his heavily pregnant girlfriend as they made their way through the eerily silent graveyard.
Elizabeth hadn't set foot there since the day of her parents' funeral. It was a glaring symbol of everything her and Will had lost and it was just too painful to confront — until now!
When they reached the final resting place of Benjamin and Suzanne Adams, their headstones set under a beautifully sprawling, snow covered willow tree, Elizabeth extricated herself from Henry's arms, leaving him with a rather concerned expression etched across his face.
"Elizabeth sweetheart — Please be careful. The ground is rather treacherous and you have a habit of dragging your feet." His arms were held out in front of his body on high alert, waiting to catch her.
Elizabeth looked at Henry and smiled "Don't panic, I'm perfectly safe — and I do not drag my feet." She constantly chastised him for being too overprotective, but she secretly loved how much he cared and wouldn't change him for the world.
She turned her attention back to the headstones and let out a deep sigh "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get here. It was just too hard — I never meant to let you down."
Her mitten covered hands rested against her bump, nestled warmly beneath her coat as Henry stood close by. Giving her the space she needed but keeping a very close eye on her.
A comfortable silence settled as Elizabeth got lost in her thoughts. She wasn't even overly sure why she was standing there at all, but now that she was —she finally felt a sense of comfort.
He looked over her shoulder at Henry with a pained expression "I don't know what to say to them Henry — They've missed so much already."
Henry moved closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders — Allowing her to lean against his chest. "Sometimes words aren't needed baby! Just being here is enough."
"I'm scared Henry." She turned in his arms to face him "Really scared."
Henry studied her expression and could see it in her eyes "What are you scared of my love? How can I help?"
"I was 15 when they died! I can barely remember what kind of parents they were so how am I supposed to be a good one myself? I have no experience to draw from — No advice on how to be a mother." She looked deep into his eyes and chewed on her lip, just enough to regain her composure "What if I get it wrong?"
Henry pressed his lips against hers, a kiss so soft and gentle yet so full of love and compassion "I'm scared too Elizabeth! I do not want to be the kind of father I grew up with! We are going to make mistakes because that's part of being human —" He smiled and adjusted her bobble hat to sit more firmly on her head "But I know one thing for sure! You have the biggest heart I've ever known and this little girl will be so loved! We are in this together."
Her eyes were so big and blue against the wintery backdrop surrounding them and held a fear that he'd never seen there before. The fear of a child desperately missing her parents and in need of their advice.
"I don't think I'm ready Henry." Her words were quiet yet spoke volumes. "I need more time."
Henry laughed "I don't think you have any say in the matter honey." When she failed to find him amusing, his tone became more serious "I've got you and you've got me Elizabeth — And this little girl has both of us. We will be just fine, I promise you."
"You swear it?"
"I swear it with all that I am. Trust me my love, we are going to be great at this and your parents and my mom will be looking down on us with immense pride."
Elizabeth's lips quirked into a smile "Do you really think so?"
"I know so — And I am the oracle on such things, remember?!"
"Oh right — The religion professor with a poetic heart. You are quite the catch Dr McCord."
Henry looked at her "Well lucky for you my hoards of adoring fans are nothing compared to my beautiful little spy." He leaned in closer and lowered his voice "You know I'm talking about you, right?"
"I think I worked it out — Even with my addled pregnancy brain! Score one Elizabeth." She chuckled and then shivered "I think it's time to go Henry."
Henry nodded and Stepped back just enough so that Elizabeth could take a moment.
She turned back to face the headstones and looked down at her concealed bump. "I haven't met this little girl yet, but I know she's going to have the best traits from both of you. I love you both so much and I miss you every single day. Keep looking down on us." She sniggered and then added "Unless we're in the bedroom — Don't watch that, okay?"
She turned back to Henry and scuffed her feet through the snow with a devious smile.
"Stop dragging your feet! What do I keep telling you, woman." The roll of his eyes only made Elizabeth kick up the snow more.
"I can't see my feet right now Henry so I can't be held responsible for what they're doing. But you're extremely cute when you're annoyed."
"Come on — Let's get you home before you drive me completely crazy."
Elizabeth tilted her head and looked up at Henry "You know I'll never stop driving you crazy — But that's why you love me, right?"
Henry leaned in and kissed her again, this time with a bit more fervour "One of the many, many reasons."
Christmas Day was perfect. They had made the decision to spend it in Charlottesville, just the two of them. It was their first Christmas together and Elizabeth really didn't want to travel being so far along in her pregnancy. Henry was rather relieved not to have to endure another family holiday in Pittsburg, but Elizabeth had made him promise to take her and their little bubba as soon as they could, reiterating that they were still his family, and their child's too.
Henry had prepared a veritable feast for Christmas dinner, they'd exchanged gifts and even ventured out in the snow for a post dinner amble around town. It brought back good memories for Elizabeth of holidays with Will and her parents. Memories that had been too painful to revisit for so long now providing comfort and hope.
They had also taken a stroll around campus as Henry had something urgent he needed to pick up from his office. Elizabeth had pointed out several times that it was, in fact, Christmas Day and there was nothing in the world that could possibly warrant going into work. But Henry had brushed her comments aside, offering no real explanation, even making her wait in the hallway while he crashed about in his office.
As they walked back to the car, Elizabeth had snuggled into Henry and told him the story of how her parents had met there. She had never opened up to anyone about her life the way she did with Henry and it felt so easy. They had actually been at UVA at the same time and Elizabeth had blushed profusely when explaining to Henry how she wished she'd got to know him intimately during their time there. Especially as he was a marine in training.
When the light had begun to fade and Elizabeth was yawning, they had made their way home to their apartment to enjoy the rest of their first Christmas Day together — A day that Henry hoped would still bring a little more magic their way.
Henry was sitting in the corner of the couch, catching up on some reading with Elizabeth fast asleep across his lap. The only light in the room came from the twinkling of the fairy lights and Henry honestly thought his heart would burst. She had that rosy glow in her cheeks from walking outside and her hair was splayed across the cushions so perfectly. The night he met her in Calico's, he had never seen anyone more stunning, but as she lay against him, fast asleep with their growing child nestled under her hand, he saw a whole new level of beauty. She was breathtaking and he couldn't stop himself leaning over to kiss her.
Elizabeth stirred and rubbed her nose with the back of her hand "Hmmmm
wha timeizzzit?"
"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep." He smoothed her hair and turned his attention back to the book in his hand.
"Noooo — It's our first Christmas together and I don't want to waste it." She snuggled further into him and pulled his hand across to rest on her bump "We miss you when we're sleeping."
Henry felt a tiny foot pressing against his palm and he smiled widely "I don't think the little one is asleep anymore."
"It's because she can hear your voice. I'm definitely going to have competition for your affections once this little one arrives."
Henry planted an upside down kiss on her lips and gave her a little nip just for good measure "You'll always be my number one."
"Yeah yeah — Until this little one is in your arms! You'll be putty in her hands, I can just see it now."
"If she's anywhere near as perfect as you, then I will happily allow that to happen."
He glanced down and Elizabeth looked so radiant and content, he couldn't avert his gaze.
He took hold of her hand and in a rather fumbled, clumsy attempt to do it without her being any the wiser, he slipped a ring onto her finger.
"Henry — What are you doing?" She tried to sit up but her bump was too big which only frustrated her. "A little help here please."
Henry helped her to sit up and they both looked down at her hand "That seemed so romantic in my head —"
"Henry — "
He took hold of her hand once more and rubbed his thumb across the newly placed ring "I love you Elizabeth. I have always loved you and we're about to become a family — I know I asked you before and my timing was off and things all went horribly wrong and —"
"Henry — Take a breath! You're rambling." Her smile soothed him instantly and he calmed his thoughts.
"Elizabeth — You are my forever! You are every star in my sky and every beat of my heart — Please will you marry me?" His expression was that of concerned anticipation.
Her fingers tangled with his and she lifted his hand to her lips, placing the softest kiss against his palm "Yes Henry McCord — Of course it's a yes! If there's one thing I'm certain of it's that there could never be anyone but you."
Henry's hand cupped her face and pulled her in for a deep and rather sensual kiss. He knew she loved him but they'd had so many false starts with their relationship that he wasn't overly convinced she'd say yes.
When they broke apart, Elizabeth grinned at him "You took me all the way to campus to get this from your office — Didn't you?"
Henry nodded "There was no way I could have it in the apartment — I know you can't help yourself. You're way too inquisitive for your own good. I wanted to ask you while we were in New York, I had the ring with me and everything — But that kinda went a bit wrong."
"Oh god — That's my fault! I'm so sorry! That would have been so romantic too."
Henry frowned "A lot more romantic than this I guess."
Elizabeth smiled "As nice as New York would have been Henry — This is just perfect! We're in our own home on Christmas Day and it's everything I've ever wanted. YOU are everything I've ever wanted."
He pushed the hair back from her face "You do like the ring, don't you? Because we can go and change it if you want?"
She held her hand up and took in its beauty "It is beautiful! I love it Henry — And I love you. This is the first Christmas that I've actually enjoyed since I lost my parents. And I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I promise I'll always do my very best to make you happy."
Henry pulled her close and splayed his hand across her tummy "You don't have to try Elizabeth — You make me happy just by being you."
Elizabeth pushed herself up and stood over him, wiggling her fingers "Come on - There are two things left for us to do to make this the perfect Christmas."
Henry took her hand and eased himself up "And what would they be exactly?"
Her grin was devilish "Well — There's the obvious one — We clearly need to have dessert."
"And the other one?"
She pulled him down and whispered in his ear, her words making his cheeks flushed.
"I do believe you're blushing Henry — So what do you say?"
Henry clasped her hand and led her towards the bedroom "Oh god yes — The dessert can wait — This really is a very merry christmas."