*A/N: Happy Holidays! This chapter doesn't really move the plot forward, it's really just a cute fluffy chapter of the girls spending Christmas together. Enjoy the sugar overload that is this chapter :)
XIV - Christmas Tree Farm (Chloe's POV)
When winter break rolled around I practically beaming with excitement. This would be Red's first "real" Christmas since she told me they didn't really have the holiday in Wonderland. Any holiday that wasn't about the Queen of Hearts was outlawed. I was excited to show her how we celebrated holidays in Auradon, and to give her happy memories.
Red was spending the break from school with me in Cinderellasburg, and it was definitely a new experience for her. Sure I'd taken her to visit but never for an extended period of time like this—it was usually only a day or two.
Today we were in one of the sitting rooms, decorating the Christmas tree, and I could smell the faint hint of sugar and sweetness in the air from my mother baking cookies. Red and I sat on the floor, sifting through the boxes of ornaments to find the ones we wanted to put on the tree.
"I thought you guys only did fancy decorations, like the tree outside. These are all personal," Red said as she picked up an ornament that had a picture of me and Chad as little kids inside it.
"The fancy stuff is for display," I answered. "This tree is for us only and that's why it has all different ornaments."
"Oh," Red said, she picked up another ornament. This time it was one that I had made when I was in grade school—a small slipper painted blue like my mother's.
We go through the rest of the ornaments in easy silence. There were no bustling servants, no one to interrupt us. My mother sent them all home for the holidays. She didn't believe in keeping people stuck at their jobs when they had their own families and she could do it herself for the few days they were gone. She said it brought her back to her childhood, but knowing what I know about her childhood, I didn't know why she would want to go back to it.
"You know it's kinda different seeing your mom baking and stuff," Red said when we stood up to start putting the ornaments on the tree. "So how do I do this? Do I just put them somewhere on the tree?"
"Yeah, you just put the ornament where you think it looks good until you run out of them," I said as I fixed one of the branches and hung an ornament from it. "Why's it different?"
"I mean I'm not used to that stuff. My mom outlawed sugar for crying out loud. And she wouldn't be caught dead doing 'servant work,'" Red said, and I could tell she was overthinking from her facial expression. She stared at the tree, the ornament still in her hand.
"Here, let me help you," I said, smiling as I walked over to her side of the tree. I thought it was cute, the way she took this so seriously. I took the ornament from her hands, hanging it on the branch she was fiddling with. "It doesn't have to be perfect, love. The only thing that's perfect here is you." I plant a soft kiss on her cheek, and I see her face flush.
"God, Chloe, you're so cheesy," she said, fighting back a smile.
"What? You love it," I said as I bent down to pick up another ornament.
"Do I?" Red teased. "What if that ornament doesn't look good there when I put other ones around it?"
"It doesn't have to look good. Decorating the tree is something you do together for the fun of it, not the appearance," I said, handing her an ornament. "Try it. Don't think about where you put it, just go with the instant reaction of where it goes."
She takes the ornament from me, pinning it on one of the upper branches, and I see her face ease. "Oh," she said. "That was…easy."
"Exactly," I said as I continued taking ornaments and decorating the tree. "Just keep going until you run out."
We work in easy silence again, the faint sound of Christmas music playing on the radio in the kitchen filled the empty air. As we continue, Red relaxes more, placing more and more ornaments on the tree, and soon enough we've run out of space on the tree.
"Are we done now?" Red asked, but not in a way that made it seem like she wanted it to be over. She asked out of genuine curiosity from never having done this before.
"Not quite," I said, taking the star tree topper out of the last box. "This goes on top."
"You put a star on top of the Christmas tree?" she asked, her facial expression one of confusion.
"Not me, you," I said, grabbing the stepladder so she could reach the top. Granted she was taller than me, but she still would need a boost. I handed her the star, "Go on, love."
She climbs the stepladder, and almost puts the star on before she stops, nervous. "Right here?"
"Yep, just put it on the very top branch," I said, and she follows my directions before climbing back down the small steps. I plug in the lights on the tree—thankfully our tradition was that Chad and my dad put the lights on the tree while my mom and I decorated it, but this year my mom wanted me and Red to do it.
The combination of the multicolor lights and ornaments from my childhood invokes nostalgia in me. I pull Red close to me, wrapping my arms tightly around her. "It's perfect, baby," I said, kissing her cheek again. If this was what all my holidays with Red would look like, I could never get used to it. Even something so simple felt intimate with her.
"So this is a Christmas tree, huh?" she asked, marveling at the decorated plant in front of her. "It's so beautiful."
"Just like you," I said, not even thinking about the words coming out of my mouth. She rolls her eyes, but a smile cracks on her face.
"God, you're so cheesy, today," she said, taking my face in her hands and kissing my lips. She tasted sweet, she always did, and I always wanted more of her, and today was no exception. "It's like you're…what's the word I'm looking for?" she said when we broke apart, feigning thought. "You're so charming."
"She's just like her father," I hear a soothing voice say from behind us. We both turn to see who it is, although just by her voice alone we know it's my mom. "The tree looks beautiful, girls." She's carrying a tray with a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and two cups of hot chocolate.
"Thanks, Mom," I said, taking the tray she handed me, setting it on the coffee table.
"We really appreciate you being here, Red. It must be hard being away from your mother for the holidays," Mom said, but I knew if there was anywhere Red wanted to be, it was here with me. She didn't know enough of her kind, loving mom yet—she was still used to the cruel, manipulative woman she grew up with.
"Thank you, Ella," Red said, almost too formally. "You've been so kind to let me stay with your family, and you've been so hospitable."
My mother just smiles at her, "Red, you are my family, just as much as Chloe and Chad are. Even before you girls started dating, you were like another daughter to me." I tried not to flinch at her words. She didn't know any better. She didn't know that Red and I never grew up together, that her mother was ever relentlessly heartless. My mom pulls Red into a soft hug, and to my surprise, Red accepts it, not doing so much as stiffening at another person's touch. It had taken her so long to even get accustomed to my touch, let alone anyone else's.
"What movie are you girls going to watch later," Mom asked. I hadn't put any thought into the rest of the day. I knew we were going to decorate the tree, but Christmas movies were a new thing to her, too.
"Home Alone might be a good one," I said. I didn't want something that would be too much for her to handle. Sometimes movies were hard for her if they were loud or had lots of flashy scenes, which was ironic because she loved horror movies. My mom just smiles at me, and I can't decipher what she 's thinking.
"Okay, girls. I'll leave you two to it then," Mom said before walking out of the room.
"What's Home Alone?" Red asked.
"It's a Christmas movie. We watch them around the holidays to get in the Christmas spirit," I explained as I went over to the TV stand and opened the cabinets, searching for the DVD.
"Oh," Red said, thinking about the idea and moving to sit on the couch and covering up with a blanket. I pop the DVD in the player and grab the remote before sitting on the couch with Red, and she snuggles in close to me. I wrap my arms around her, holding her as the movie starts. Soon enough we're eating my mom's homemade cookies and sipping on hot chocolate.
I can't focus on the movie—all my attention is directed at her. She watches the movie like a little kid, and seeing her laugh fills me an indescribable amount of joy. To be able to see her at ease this way, it makes me feel warm inside. I knew how hard her childhood was for her, in actuality she never really got to have a childhood. Part of me reveled in the fact that I got to show her all these new things, give her happy memories, but at the same time I ached for her. I shouldn't be the one giving her her first introduction to Christmas, it should've happened a long time ago when she was small. I stared at her lovingly, filled with adoration for her. She laughs at one of the scenes again, glancing over at me.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Nothing, baby. Just watching you be happy," I said, and she sighs, leaning back into me.
When the movie ends I get up, taking the empty tray and mugs back to the kitchen. Red follows me, and she leans in the doorway as I wash the dishes up. It doesn't take long, and I look at the small bunch of mistletoe hanging from the top of the doorframe. Red catches me glancing up at it, a look of confusion crossing her face.
"Why do you have a plant hanging from the ceiling?" she asked.
"That," I started, walking over to her, "is mistletoe. And if two people are standing under it they have to kiss." I feel my lips turn up into a smirk. "Pucker up, princess."
Her back is on the doorframe, and I'm standing incredibly close to her, so close I can feel her breath hitch at my words, but instead she rolls her eyes.
"That can't be true," she said, crossing her arms.
"It is!" I exclaimed. "Just shut up and kiss me." I grab her hips, pulling her into me, and she wraps her arms around my neck. Our lips collide, our teeth crashing into each other. I slide my tongue across her lower lip, and she opens her mouth, allowing me to—
Retching interrupts our kiss, and when we break apart I find its source, none other than my brother Chad, coming bounding into the kitchen for more cookies.
"Gross. You guys are sickeningly sweet. If you wanna swap spit, get a room," he teased me, eliciting a massive eye roll.
"You're just jealous that my girlfriend's hotter than yours," I bit back.
"Chloe!" Red hisses, playfully slapping my arm.
"What? It's true," I tell her quietly. "And besides, you're complaining we're too sweet when you're literally scarfing down a dozen cookies as we speak?"
"That's different, and I hate to break it to you, sis, but your girlfriend's hot, but I like mine more. I mean no offense," Chad said, earning another eye roll.
"Yeah, whatever. Keep being wrong," I said, grabbing Red's wrist and pulling her back to our sitting room.
It was starting to get dark outside, which means my parents would soon be coming to get us to open our Christmas Eve presents, but there was one thing I wanted to give Red in private before then. My heart started beating wildly in my chest, though I didn't know why. She lays on me, content with everything right now. The only sound in the room comes from the occasional snaps and pops of the fire in the fireplace. I stir in my spot on the couch, opening the drawer in the end table beside me.
"Why'd you move?" Red pouts at her pillow suddenly moving.
"I just…I got you a little something," I said, holding out to her a small, square-shaped box wrapped in red paper.
"Chloe," she pouts, her face falling. "You didn't have to get me anything. All I want is you."
"I know," I said, swallowing back my nervousness. "Just open it."
She begrudgingly takes it from my hand, tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal a small jewelry box. She pops the box open, and I can see her breath catch.
"Chloe, what is this?" Red asked. I find myself smiling at her nervousness.
"It's a promise ring, baby," I said. "You give them to people you love when you're serious about the relationship. It's as close to an engagement ring as you can get without actually being engaged. I know we haven't technically been together for long, but I want you to know I'm serious about us. It's a symbol of my commitment to you and our relationship, that we're serious, that we're real. If you accept it, you're accepting me. So, this is me giving everything to you, every part of me, it's yours."
"Chloe," she breathes out quietly, and I watch as a tear slides down her cheek.
"What'll it be, princess?" I asked. "Will you accept me?"
"Yes," she whispers so quietly I could hardly hear her myself. I hadn't realized how physically close we'd gotten, I could feel her breathe. I cup her cheek in my left hand, kissing her lips light as a feather. When we break apart she holds out the box to me, "Put it on me?" she asked.
I smile as I take the ring out of the box, grabbing her left hand and sliding it on her ring finger. I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her fingertips. Her cheeks flush at the simple act, but I don't stop there. The ring—a small round sapphire set in a silver band—fits perfectly.
"You're perfect, and you're all mine," I breathed out.
"I was always yours, and I always will be," she said. "But Chloe, why did you get a silver and blue ring? Those are your colors."
"Exactly. Because now you'll always have a piece of me with you, even if we're apart—we won't be, but if it does happen, I'll still be there. And besides, this is what my ring looks like." I hold out my hand to show her an almost perfect replica of her ring on my left ring finger, the only difference being the coloring. Hers was silver and blue so she'd always have me whereas mine was a small round ruby set in a gold band so I'd always have her.
"Oh my God," Red breathed. "Chloe how did you…when did you? How did I get so lucky to have you?"
"You didn't have to get lucky, I'm just here for you and only you," I said.
She lets out a quiet laugh, "You really are charming, you know that?"
It was my turn to laugh now, "I got it from my dad." She throws her arms around me, squeezing tighter than I anticipated. I hold her there for as long as possible until I hear my brother retching in the doorway again. We break apart, and I'm irritated that he keeps interrupting my moments with Red.
"Yes, Chad, how can I help you?" I said, trying to hide the irritation in my voice.
"Mom and Dad are ready to do our presents," he said, glancing between Red and me, cocking an eyebrow. I already know he's asking about the rings, so I grab Red's hand, holding it up for him to see.
"Congratulations, you're engaged to be engaged," he said, and I gave him a dirty look.
"Would you shut up," I said as I got up, grabbing Red's hand and taking her with me to where my parents were.
"What? Everyone knows that's what it means," he said.
"Well it went well, so it's fine," Red said beside me. When all three of us enter the other sitting room, my parents give me the same questioning look Chad did and I give them the same answer, showing them the ring on Red's hand.
"Congratulations girls," my mom said proudly. "I know this is a big step for you two."
"I'm just happy she said yes, otherwise Chloe would be moping around the rest of her life," Chad said, and I shot daggers at him with my facial expression. Red giggles at this statement, and even I know he's not wrong.
"So…what are we doing?" Red asked as we all sat down on the floor together.
"On Christmas Eve all the kids open one present and then Santa comes overnight and we open the rest of them in the morning," I explained. Red hummed in agreement, and my parents gave each of us a box wrapped in silver wrapping paper. I watched as Red unwrapped hers first. My parents had asked me earlier what sort of things she liked. I gave them a list of ideas, but they never wound up telling me what they picked out for her.
"Oh my God," Red sighed. In her hands were the most expensive oil paints in all of Auradon. I had told them she liked art, but I didn't imagine they would go this far. "Thank you, this…this is so much…"
"It's just something small," My mom said, smiling. "Chloe said you liked art."
I opened my box next. Inside I found a new hip holster for my sword. It was heavy and made of silver, glinting blue in the right light. Ornate carvings decorated the metal.
"Your parents and I coordinated," Red said, the corners of her lips turning up.
"What?" I asked, confusion crossing my face.
"You have one more present to open tonight," Red said. "It's not as special as the one you gave to me, but I hope you'll like it." She hands me a long, white box. I gently take off the lid and inside I'm faced with the most beautiful sword I've ever seen.
"Red, how did you…?" I breathe out in awe. The blade is long and sharp enough to draw blood at even the lightest of touches. The grip was a deep royal blue with the pommel and guard a shiny gold.
"It's a carbon-steel sword—I read that it was the strongest metal online. Do you like it?" Red asked, an expression of hope on my face.
"Do I like it? Yes, God, Red, of course! This must've cost you a fortune…" I said, trailing off into thought.
"Only the best for you, princess," she said as she leaned back on her arms.
"Gross, true love," Chad said. "You too are too adorable for your own good."
That night I held Red as she slept, staring down at my ring on her hand. I couldn't wait until I could replace it with a wedding band, but for now this would have to do. She accepted me for who I was without hesitation when I asked her to be mine. Even though we were dating and exclusive, this made it feel all that more real. That was what we needed—real, and I was at my realest with her. She had gotten me to realize who I was, and I helped her learn that love was it, and that she didn't have to be afraid of caring about someone. She was everything I ever needed all in one person, and I didn't think I could ever get used to that. The beautiful girl by my side would be mine from now until the end of time, and even then, even once our bones turned to dust, she'd still be mine, and I would be hers.