Even with the remnants of a beautiful, hazy dream threading through Neva's waking world, a smile curls on her lips, for today, today is Christmas Day!
Her smile widens. Oh, what a blessed morning to awaken with the imprint of euphoria woven through her whole body and soul!
So, she prays in gratitude to her dear Heavenly Father for all He has given her, and for His guidance and blessings before stepping into this morning.
She stretches slowly, her eyes blinking as they adjust to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains.
Rhett's side of the bed lies cold, yet she doesn't fret much.
He often rises before her to train in his old apartment which he has long since transformed into a mini gym, keeping that Greek-god physique of his in perfect form. Of course, she has tried following his workout routine alongside him, which only ends up with her gasping for life as she lies on the floor, drenched in sweat, while he worries for her through barely stifled laughter. So, she prefers Pilates better. And in wanting to spend as much time together as possible, they've made a home in each other's way of life, and now she's never been healthier and trimmer.
Yet, she lets out an exasperated huff as she slides her feet into her fluffy indoor slippers.
How dare he not awaken her, even if she would've whined a little about having to leave the bed early?
And how dare he be so unfairly perfect? And... how come she's the luckiest girl in the world to have him all to herself? Her lover.
She smiles at her rosy-cheeked reflection in the full-length mirror, stark against her fair skin, as
she twirls a curl around her finger, the rest spilling unbound in tousled waves along her back.
Perhaps she should just look around if he's still around, and if he's not, she'll change into her workout clothes and join him in the apartment next door.
What should they have for breakfast afterwards?
And what should she wear to the Christmas church service today?
With all these unanswered, utterly exciting queries stirring in her heart,
she reaches for the doorknob and pulls it open.
She freezes,
her heart lurching so hard against her ribs she could almost hear the thump as it settles back into place.
Her hands fly to her mouth.
Is this a dream?
....Is she still dreaming?
Because, because, all around the Christmas tree, glimmering with fairy lights and glass ornaments, amongst the furniture, garlands, and
candles, blooms a living garden... spilling over with roses... endless roses... and more roses...
It's a Christmas rose garden... their living room.
Neva's heart skips a beat at the sight of him.
Rhett, on the couch, his cheek resting against his hand as he watches her with a soft smile on his lips.
"Rhett..." she breathes.
He walks toward her through the sea of roses, unspeaking, and hazy, like an unreachable reverie.
Tears slip down her cheeks as he sinks to one knee before her, and opens a tiny square velvet box to reveal a shimmering, flower-shaped diamond ring.
"Angel..." he says when she cuts him off with a sob.
He only smiles at her. "The moment I laid eyes on you, Neva," he says gently. "I knew you were my wife." A chuckle slips through. "But you were looking everywhere except at me, and I'd never felt so lost, and so found... until I noticed your untied shoelaces and took advantage of the opportunity."
She chuckles through tears, only for her chin to tremble as more tears stream down her face.
"At one point, I thought you hated me," he says.
She shakes her head. "I never did."
His eyes soften. "I'm sorry for the way I acted before. It's all so new to me, too.
But all I knew was that I wanted to be with you, Angel, and I'd follow you anywhere. So, for as long as I live, can I love you as your husband, Angel?"
Unable to form a word, she sinks to her knees and buries her face in his shoulder, crying as overwhelming emotions crash over her.
"Angel," he murmurs, his hold tightening around her.
Oh, Father... how could she ever thank Him enough for blessing her with this man, whose perfect love fills her heart so completely that it only makes her want to be more patient, kind, trusting, loving, and forgiving.
"Will you marry me, Angel?" he asks so gently that his voice could be lost in the rhythm of their hearts.
"Yes," she whispers. "Yes... I'll marry you."
He lets out a shuddering breath.
"Say it again," he says, nuzzling his nose against her neck.
A soft laugh escapes her. "Yes... I'll marry you."
"I need to put the ring on you, Angel," he says, barely able to breathe at the rapture coursing through him.
Still tethered to him, she offers him her hand,
and he brushes a kiss across her knuckles before slipping the glistening ring onto her ring finger.
"It's so beautiful," she murmurs, tearing up again.
"I'm glad you like it," he says, pressing a kiss to her brow.
How could she not?
He remembers how she likes her jewellery, delicate and sparkly, and the ring reflects her taste perfectly.
"When did you do this?" she asks, plucking a stem of a red rose from the garden before lifting it to her nose.
"I borrowed a few hands," he says, resting his forehead against hers. "While you were sleeping."
"I thought you were working out," she mumbles.
"I wasn't." He presses a kiss to her knuckles, tranquil, safe, and
home in her arms, in her light, powdery floral scent.
"But how are we going to the kitchen?" she worries, for the narrow pathway, layered in rose petals, only leads to the doorway.
"And what am I to do with all these roses?"
In response, he lifts her chin and kisses her,
slow and unhurried, savouring the most beautiful miracle that belongs with him, to him.
"Whatever you want to do, Angel," he says.
"Do you want to unwrap your Christmas present?"
"You are my Christmas present, Angel. How do I unwrap you? Like this?" He tugs at her coquette pajamas along her shoulder.
"Don't you have any naughty ideas, Mr." She playfully pushes against his chest.
He leans in to kiss her again, and she naturally melts into him, for she knows he wouldn't go any further than the rules they've already established as lovers.
Although, occasionally, his hands would wander places they shouldn't belong yet.
But they have enough sway over self-denial, and before certain desires herald a tainting of something sacred that should only belong in the covenant of a marriage, they stop, lest regret burden them.
Truthfully, they shouldn't even be kissing so much, sharing a bed, or even living together, because sometimes, it only leaves them aching for more.
But they can't help it.
"Come with me," she says, taking his hand as she pulls him toward their room.
"I haven't got you any Christmas present, Angel," he says as she tugs open the nightstand drawer and grabs the blue box with a red bow.
"I'll get you whatever you want if we go shopping after church," he adds.
"Wasn't the proposal, the ring, and the flowers, present not enough already?" she teases.
"That's different."
"It isn't. Now, Open it."
He undoes the bow and opens the box to reveal a stainless steel Seiko bracelet watch with a chronograph design and a sophisticated blue dial.
"How is it?" Nervousness grips her. This is all she could afford with her savings.
A smile spreads across his lips as he takes it. "I love it."
A sigh of relief escapes her.
"Will you put this on me? I can wear this to church."
She chuckles but gladly obliges, fastening it around his wrist. It looks perfectly elegant on him.
"Thank you, Angel," he murmurs, pulling her close by the waist and kissing her.
"I'm sleepy." He lifts her in his arms, carrying her to the bed.
"How long have you been awake?"
"About four hours?" he replies, laying her on the bed.
"You woke up at three a.m.?" she asks, frowning.
"Otherwise, who else would've let the crew in?"
He pulls her into his embrace, burying his face in her nape as he breathes her in deeply.
A small smile feathers her lips. Looks like they won't be exercising today.
"When are we going to get married?"
"Whenever you want, Angel. As soon as possible is fine with me."
"Should we visit my aunt and uncle after the New year?"
He lets out a low hum in response, and she kindly reminds him. "You can only sleep for about an hour. The church service starts early today. At ten."
No response comes from him, just his steady breathings, and just like that, her fiancé's fallen asleep.
Her fiancé... Oh, how wonderful it sounds!
Thanking her dear Father once again for everything, for making the day more blessed than she could ever have wished for, she slowly drifts off to sleep as well.
Yet not before wishing her beloved Christ a very happy birthday, and praying that He wake them up in time for Church, also the thought echoing in her heart that she's going to marry the love of her life.
Marry him... Marry Rhett...