WINTER WONDERLAND
SEASON 5 AU
FOLLOW UP TO 4 CARATS

Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland

-Winter Wonderland (classic Christmas song)

"Champagne?"

Kate looks from her perch on the floor and grins, pulls the blanket tighter around her body. "Please."

Rick hands her a flute, sets the bottle and his own glass on the floor before he joins her. He leans back against the bed and pours himself a generous portion of champagne. "To you," he says, lifting his glass in her direction, his blue eyes sparkling. "You are the love of my life, and I'm the happiest man on the face of the earth."

Her cheeks flush, and she taps her glass against his. "To us, and making me the happiest woman," she whispers, sealing her mouth over his, sweeping her tongue against his after they each take a sip.

He moans and takes her glass, breaks the kiss long enough to move the champagne out of the way before crashing his mouth to hers.

She grunts when he nudges her, wraps her arms around his waist, holds on as he lowers her to her back and settles between her legs.

"This is perfect," she whispers later, her fingers playing with the hair on his nape, the other hand tangled with his at her side.

He chuckles, his breath wafting across her bare chest, then shifts to prop himself on his elbow and hover over her. "Sex in front of the fireplace?" he teases, tracing his thumb over her ring. "Or this?"

She grins when he lifts her hand to his mouth and brushes his lips across the ring. "Both." She rolls to her side and mirrors his position. "Is it weird that I don't really want to plan our wedding?"

Rick's brows furrow. "We've only been engaged for a couple hours. We don't have to plan anything yet."

"No, I know. What I mean is, I don't want to take the time to plan, to find a venue, flowers, cake, any of it." She sits up and tugs at Rick's hand to get him to follow. "I don't want to wait, Rick," she clarifies. "I want to marry you now."

His lips turn up in a slow smile. "Now?" he echoes. "You know I'd move mountains for you, would call in every favor and then some to make this happen at-" He glances at his watch. "Four on Sunday afternoon. If I had it my way, we would've done this years ago. But let's at least get wedding rings."

Kate reaches forward and presses her palm against his cheek. "Okay," she agrees with a nod. "When we're back in the city?"

He leans forward and catches her mouth with his, cradles her jaw with his hand. "The moment we can."