A/N: Comment & Vote
I did wait up.
Because Scott's bed was bigger than mine his absence was a lot more noticeable. I rolled over and pulled the tablet off the table. I thought about texting him but he was with his friend.
He didn't want to be bothered.
And space was important.
I looked through the TV channels for a while. To my surprise and amusement I found the Shark vacuum infomercial. It was both nostalgic and horrifying to see how something so painfully boring and simple had caught my attention.
The bed shifted and jolted awake. I hadn't even realized I'd dozed off. "Shit. I didn't mean to wake you up..."
"It's okay. I missed you." I crawled under the covers and curled up beside him. He pulled me close. "Did you have fun."
"I missed you." He replied. "That's all that matters."
His breathing evened out as he fell asleep and I was glad to drift off beside him.
***
Christmas morning came quickly.
I woke up far earlier than Scott and ran down the stairs to find the tree packed with gifts. A childish excitement made me want to wake up Scott.
Then again, a look at the clock proved it was only four am.
Why was I even up? I got a bottle of water and crept up the steps. "Where'd you go?"
"Drink." I slipped beside.
He rolled over with a sleepy smile. "Drink? Or peeking at presents?"
"Mmm...both."
"Get over here." He kissed my forehead. "Pass me the bottle."
I did so and he sat up taking a drink. "What time is it?" He picked up his phone and groaned. "Charlie."
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't realize what time it was and then I tried to be quiet--"
"Hush up and give me a Christmas kiss."
I let the worry fade away and I smiled. Our lips connected three times briefly. I drew back and looked at him. His hand came around to tangle in my hair and he pulled me in for a deep, passionate kiss.
My palms fell against his chest as I slid onto him, straddling his hips. "Wait, wait." Scott sat up and leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. "I love you Charlie."
"I love you too." I leaned to catch his mouth again. He turned his face however and kissed my neck. "What's wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing." He said between his kisses.
I squealed as he rolled over suddenly, pinning my body beneath his. I hiked my legs up higher on his hips, wiggling against his erection. "You little minx." He lowered his face to catch mine. Our mouths moved against each other. "You're so beautiful. I love you so much."
I whimpered as he began to nip at my neck, sucking delicately. "You're going to leave a mark!" I whined trying to hide my smile behind a scowl.
"Good. Then everyone will know you're mine."
"Everyone already knows I'm yours." I reminded him. "When I remember to put on my collar of course."
"Forget your collar. How about a ring?"
"What?"
Scott sat up and presented me with a tiny black box. "Oh my God--Scott!"
"I want to make you mine. Officially. Forever." He snapped it open and a dazzling band caught the morning light beginning to stream through the window. "Will you marry me Charlie?"
***
Containing my excitement when we downstairs proved harder than expected.
Scott went to get Kingsley up and dressed while I made coffee in the kitchen. Leah had beat me there and was making scrambled eggs. "Marry Christmas Charlie." She smiled. "Did you hear Kingsley awake when you came down?"
"Scott went to get him." A smile broke out across my face as soon as I said Scott's name. "Did you make my oatmeal?"
"I thought you ate real food now?"
"I like to cheat sometimes." I smiled. I made a point to wave my hand a bit, hoping the ring would catch her eye.
I just had to tell someone.
"What's that on your hand?"
"An engagement ring! Scott asked me to marry him!" I gasped excitedly.
"Oh my God." Leah hugged me tightly. "That's so great. Congratulations. Really. Eggs... That won't do. Does Scott like French toast? Of course he does! Everyone does! Can you tell I'm freaking out?"
"A little but it's okay--I am too!"
"Charlie?"
I bit back a squeal and tried to compose myself before I went into the den. Scott had Kingsley sitting on his knee. "There you are. Did you make coffee?"
"It's brewing." I stood awkwardly for a second. I wanted to kiss his face forever but he was holding that a baby. "I'll go check on it."
"Okay." He looked down at Kingsley and smiled at him, bouncing a bit. Kingsley giggled.
Leah had put the cooked eggs aside and had started on the French toast. I poured him his cup and added the milk. I carried it to him. He took it from me with a smile. "Is Leah in there cooking?"
"Yeah."
He sighed and went in. Leah turned around with a big smile. I followed at his heels. "I see he told you."
"Uh yeah. Scott this is huge! I'm so excited for you!"
"Thank you. You don't need to cook Leah. It's Christmas."
"I love cooking. You guys kind of feel like family."
"You're family to us too." Scott assured her. "And thank you. I appreciate it."
"Give me Mr. Kingsley and go spend some time with your fiancé."
"Thank you."
I quickly scurried to the den and sat on the couch trying to seem surprised when he came out empty handed. "Where's the baby?"
He smiled. "You're not so good at lying. And one of these days I'm going to punish you for it."
"Is that a promise?" I smiled coyly.
He growled a bit and kissed me. "God it's killing me not to take you right here."
"If only we had our own space." I replied frankly.
He smiled. "Getting a little sarcastic are we?"
"Maybe." I bit his earlobe. "Are you going to let me talk to you like that."
I gasped as he laid me out on the couch. He loomed over me. "Careful Charlie--you're playing with fire here. I'd hate to see you get burned."
"I wouldn't."
"Hey--sorry to interrupt."
"No you're fine." Scott said quickly. "What's up?"
"Breakfast is ready."
"Already?"
"I wanted eggs and Charlie requested something easy."
"It better not be oatmeal."
I huffed and sat up. "It's Christmas!" I argued. "Please."
"Alright," he sighed. "Let's go sit down."
At the table we were all different parts of a whole. Scott had his coffee and French toast, Leah had a plate of eggs and orange juice, Kingsley was in his high chair while Leah fed him pea baby food, and I had my bowl."
"This is delicious Leah. Thank you."
"It's not problem. Once we're finished eating we'll start presents." Scott decided. "If that works for you Leah?"
"Oh I'll make myself scarce."
"Don't. You have gifts to open too."
Leah put down her fork. "You are seriously too nice for your own good Scott."
He smiled. "I'm going to take that as a compliment."
Leah just smiled.
QOTC: Thoughts?