A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

All That Matters To Me

Again, I'm not really lying to her. James was busy with his holiday earlier when he called to let me know everything was official. I heard his kids playing and singing Jingle Bells in the background so we kept our conversation to a minimum and he cut right to the news. 

My conversation with James early got my head spinning around the thought that having your home full of love and laughter and the excited giggles of your children has to be one of the best sounds at Christmas time. —One day, I hope that's us.

"I know! I'm sorry!" She groans, covering her eyes with her free hand. "Uhg! And i'm sorry about that too!" She exclaims, jerking her own hand away from her face instinctively which makes us both laugh.

I pull her hand to my lips and kiss the back of it before resting it in my lap.

She sighs contentedly as she leans back in her seat and the only sound you hear is that of Christmas music softly playing in the background.

"I'm really excited about all of this." She says sincerely, turning her head against the headrest to look across the car at me. "We're starting our Christmas traditions together. And next year we'll be doing it all in a house of our own." She smiles at me from the passenger seat and it's all I can do to keep my eyes on the road instead leaning over to kiss her.

Focus, Horan! There will be plenty of kisses at the final destination you just have to get her there first.

"The first of many many Christmas's to be had with you, Ms. Michaels." I whisper as I pull the car to a stop at a stop sign and lean over to kiss her. I just couldn't help myself.

"I hope so." She replies in a whisper with her palm on my cheek. She's biting her lip as she looks up at me and the way the Christmas lights twinkle off of her eyes is extra magical to me.

I take in the view of her for a second longer before resuming my driving duties when I remember where our end destination is. My heart rate is up again just at the thought.

Our house and it's property stands on it's own with a gate for security, but there is a neighborhood on either side of it and much to my gratitude they are completely lit up for the holiday.

Evie's eyes are completely transfixed on the light displays in front of us and I love hearing her point out her favorite parts of each house. I think this really is her favorite thing about Christmas.

I love watching her when she's this excited about something. All of the stress and nerves that usually cloud her mind fall away and pure excitement courses through her. Seeing her happy is my favorite thing.

It's a hard balance for me to drive slow enough for her to enjoy the lights and for me to take in her excitement, while also wanting to get through this neighborhood as quickly as possible so that I can show her the grand finale.

We come to a gap in the neighborhood where the decorations are not quite as flamboyant as the rest and I hope this can be my escape card.

"There's only a couple houses lit up ahead. Want to just turn around and head to the next spot?" I ask her.

"Well if we've come this far we might as well see the last few. It's not very fair for those houses not to be seen just because these aren't lit."

Of course. I chuckle to myself at her consideration of the feelings of the remaining houses on the street, as I agree and drive forward.

And finally we reach the dead end of the street and I'm sure I pushed the speed limit on the way back out of the neighborhood.

"You in a hurry?" Evie giggles at me. "The lights on this side of the street were a blur on the way out."

"Oh sorry, thought you had seen them already." I apologize as I turn back onto the main road that will take us to our house. "Figured you'd want to see the next place."

"It's alright. I did see them on our first pass, I was just joking." She smiles and I relax a bit knowing she's not upset, she was just making a joke about my driving. 

It will all make sense to her in a matter of seconds. I wonder if she can hear how loud my heart is hammering against my chest.

She lets out a sigh as we turn the corner that will reveal the house that she's fallen so in love with. I know her sigh is because she's still worried about whether or not it's ours. And this is the moment she'll find out.

"Niall..." She says quietly as soon as the twinkling lights aglow on the front of our house catch her eyes.

Her voice is shaky and suddenly it hits me that she doesn't get it yet...she thinks someone else has gotten the house.

"Like I said...I figured you'd want to see the next place." I smile over at her as I turn into the driveway and click a button in the car that makes the gate open up.

And her jaw drops.

"What?!" She breathes and when I glance over at her again her eyes are pooling with tears.

I can't stop the wide grin that is on my face, and while she's still in shock I pick her hand up and kiss it repeatedly. I stop directly in front of the house and put the car in park before looking at her.

"It's ours?" She squeaks, looking at me in total disbelief.

I nod and smile proudly as I lean over and kiss her just below her ear and utter the words I've been dreaming about for days.

"Welcome home, darling."

Evie lets out a mix of a laugh and a cry before practically jumping across the arm rest of the car and into my arms, which welcome her without reservation. I kiss her deeply, savoring this moment with her —the first of many to be savored with her on this property.

"I—I don't understand. H—How? When?" She asks, giggling through her tears.

"Our offer was accepted right away, I've been sneaking off to sign paper work and things the last few days. I came to set all of this up today while you and Mum were out." I explain.

"I—" She pauses, shaking her head at a loss for words. "I don't know what to say. Or do! I'm so happy, Niall!" She says sincerely, tearing her eyes away from the house and back to me as she leans in to kiss me again.

"That's all that matters to me." I say, smiling at her as I reach up to tuck her hair behind her ear, wiping a tear from her cheek in the process.