She shifted in her sleep, murmuring slightly. She hadn’t woken just yet. *** Christmas morning, she would hear a knock on her door.
He wrapped his arms around her, sighing. *** She was adding the finishing touches on her gift as she looked up, going to the door with her gift and opening it.
She cried out in surprise, pushing back and trying to pull away. “No!” *** He was standing there, snow in his hair. “Merry Christmas!”
He let go in surprise, sitting up with wide eyes. *** A bright grin crossed her face as she stepped aside to let him in. "Merry Christmas! I'm so excited. I've set everything up!"
She pulled away from him, looking over at him before realizing it was him. Her shoulders relaxed instantly and she moved over to him. "It's you. I'm sorry. Where have you been?" * * * "Everything?" he asked, setting down a large bag.
He rubbed his chest. "At home." *** She nodded, closing the door. "I made snacks and drinks and the fire is set."
She frowned, coming over to him. "I'm sorry. I thought you were..." She hesitated, rubbing his chest gently. "Someone else. I missed you." * * * "Great," he said cheerfully. "I made cinnamon rolls."
He nodded, kissing her cheek as he relaxed, hugging her. "I missed you too." *** She grinned, going into the living room and setting her gift down by the fireplace. "I love those. I'm excited."
She held him tightly, seeming very intent on holding him closely. "I thought you weren't going to be back." * * * "I'm glad," he said cheerfully. Logan flopped down in front of the fireplace and Burke shrugged off his cloak.
He looked down at her in surprise. "What? Why?" *** She got up and went to the kitchen, returning with some food and drinks. She sat down again, leaning back.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I just... I didn’t know whether or not you were going to come back.” *** He was sitting on the couch, opening a large bag he had brought with him. “I have a couple gifts for you,” he mused. “Which one first?”
He laughed softly. "Of course I would. I love you." *** "I have two for you," she said, picking up one of her gifts. "You pick for me."
Her lips brushed his and she smiled, cupping his jaw. “I love you too.” *** He pointed at the one in her left hand. That one.”
He gave her a kiss before lying back. "Sorry for startling you." *** She offered him a small box with a hint of hesitance. It was decorated nicely. "It's fragile."
“I thought you were him,” she said quietly. “I wouldn’t have kicked you.” *** He raised an eyebrow before opening it.
He kissed her forehead. "I know. It's okay." *** She was holding a pillow to her chest, as if afraid of watching. Inside the box was her heart. It had been cleaned up a bit from the last time he saw it, and it rested delicately inside the box.
She buried her face in his neck, exhaling slowly. “I’m so glad you’re back. Tristan said you had run away.” *** He blinked in surprise, picking up the heart gently and looking at it before starting to laugh lightly, his voice low and warm.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course he said that." *** She looked embarrassed and a bit nervous. "Why are you laughing?"
“He’s just protective... he’s not a bad guy.” *** He reached into the bag and pulled out a gift, offering it to her. “Open it.”
