"In the touch of a friend, in the breath of a child, in the eyes of a soldier coming home to his mother's grateful smile. In the sight of falling snow, and the memories it brings. In the season when you find some peace, in the simple tender things. Open your heart and look around, listen... listen..." Mom's soft voice sang quietly as she hung ornaments on the tree in her New York apartment. Finn had his arms wrapped around my waist and we were swaying to the music as he helped me hang ornaments. Beth was fast asleep in her room already.
"Hear the song within a silence. See the beauty when there's nothing there, sing a song within a silence that hope and love are everywhere, and when the quiet night is falling, watch an angel dancing in the air. To the song, the song within the silence; a December Prayer, a December Prayer." We all sang together on the chorus in an amazingly natural three part harmony.
"In the strength of your hand as it holds unto mine, and the promise that we're not alone. In this place and time, in the gifts that you give, I am humbled and amazed. Far beyond this day and time of year. We are in a state of grace. Open your heart and look around, listen... listen..." Finn had dropped out to let mom and I carry the second verse. I loved singing with mom, and decorating her New York apartment for the holidays while singing with Finn holding me close just made it that much better.
"Hear the song within a silence. See the beauty when there's nothing there, sing a song within a silence that hope and love are everywhere, and when the quiet night is falling, watch an angel dancing in the air. To the song, the song within the silence; a December Prayer, a December Prayer." Finn joined us again on the chorus and he lifted me up to place the star on the top as the last notes of the song slipped out of our lips. He eased me back down once the star was in place and I turned around to kiss him gently on the lips.
"Merry Christmas babe." Finn whispered as we pulled away. Mom cleared her throat.
"Do you two need a room?" She asked. I pulled back and glanced at her. She had her arms crossed over her chest and she looked pretty pissed.
"Mom, I promise, we aren't going to do anything more than kiss." I swore. Mom relaxed a little and uncrossed her arms.
"I trust you, but I can see how much you two love each other, and sometimes it can be hard to stop when you really love someone." Shelby warned. Finn nodded.
"She's right Rach." Finn told me. I sighed and leaned my head against his chest. Mom really was right and I didn't want to do anything besides kiss until I was married to Finn. We really needed to start being more careful.
"Alright kids. Go get some sleep. I'm going to run to the store and pick up the ham for Christmas. I'll be back soon." Shelby told us and grabbed her coat off the rack by the door. She pulled open the door and walked into the hallway of the apartment building. Finn took my hand and led me into the bedroom we were sharing. Mom wasn't very into the idea of us sharing a room, but this was only a three bedroom apartment. Once we were in the bed we both faced opposite directions and put a few pillows in between us. We woke up the next morning as far away from each other as possible. I sat up slowly in bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Today was Christmas Eve, my first one with mom, and my first one without my dads. I glanced over and saw that Finn wasn't on the other side of the pillow wall anymore. I frowned and climbed out of bed. I wandered into the living room and found Finn and Shelby sprawled out on the couch in the living room talking. Finn smiled up at me when I walked into the room. He patted the seat next to him.
"Come sit down Rach." Finn offered. I smiled and sat down next to him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my forehead.
"Is Beth still sleeping?" I asked mom. She nodded and sipped her coffee.
"That would be why I'm relaxing while I can." She answered. I nodded.
"Shelby would it be alright if me and Rachel went for a walk?" Finn asked. Shelby sipped her coffee and eyed us thoughtfully. Finally she nodded.
"Fine, but be back by one." She decided. I glanced at the clock. That gave us at least five hours. Finn and I got ready in record time and we made our way hand in hand toward Central Park. I'd always dreamed of walking hand in hand through Central Park with Finn, but somehow I didn't picture being bundled up in tons of layers. It was freezing in the park this particular morning.
"I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams." Finn sang quietly to me as we walked through the park. We wandered up onto the main bridge. Suddenly Finn was down on one knee in front of me.
"Finn what are you doing?" I asked. Finn smiled and fished a small black box out of his coat pocket. "Finn?" I asked again. Finn smiled.
"Rachel Barbara Berry, I love you more than life itself and I want to spend every Christmas coming home to you. Will you marry me?" Finn asked. I nodded quickly.
"Absolutely. Oh my God yes!" I answered. Finn smiled and pulled my glove off to gently slip the ring on my finger. I smiled and he picked me up and spun me around before he kissed me. When he pulled away I pulled my glove back on and then linked my fingers with his.
"I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams. I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams." We sang together as we continued our walk through the park.
Songs in this chapter:
December Prayer- Idina Menzel
I'll be Home for Christmas- Bing Crosby