The last couple months of the year had flown past quicker than you could believe.

The end of November was when the festivities began and the decoration were soon up in your flat. Christmas films were on basically every night, the fireplace warmed up the cold house. Christmas was by far the best time of year, in your opinion anyway. The atmosphere was just lovely, you got to see your large extended family and, most importantly, your boyfriend was home from tour for an entire month. There was no chance of interruption - no last minute calls into the studio, no random gigs booked in a place thousands of miles from you. He was home for sure, for four entire weeks.

It was Wednesday. 7 sleeps til Christmas Day. 1 sleep til Ross came home.

The house was tidy and ready for him to occupy. The excitement was bubbling inside of you, the last 2 months not seeing him had gone slower than the previous, the build-up to Christmas not helping at all. Their last show of the year was in Los Angeles, a 15 hour flight from your little home in the UK.

'A journey I would make every week to be with you.' Ross had said.

Finally his statement could be acted upon as their last show had concluded last night and they were free to come home. The last you'd heard was from Matty, informing you and the girls by text that they were getting the last of their things jammed into suitcases ready for the airport.

It was late, you were ready to get into bed, excited for Ross' arrival in the morning. You were going to surprise him at the airport, it wasn't too far from your house and you didn't want him to have to get a taxi home. Almost dying of anticipation, you climb into bed and go to plug in your phone when it vibrates manically.

Ross was calling, the years old picture of you two on your first date illuminating the screen. Without hesitation you answer the phone and don't give him a chance to speak.

'Hey! You okay? Are you at the airport? Everything okay?' You ask eagerly.

'Yeah, I'm here.' He begins.

'Okay cool I was just panicking that-'

'Our flight's been cancelled. As has everyone else's going to anywhere in the UK.' He states.

'What? Right okay thats fine, theres still time to find a way home.' You reply.

A gutting feeling hits your stomach as you don't receive a response back.

'Ross?'

'I don't know if I'm going to be home in time for Christmas. Other flights are packed, everyones trying to get back.'

This must be a joke. He must be kidding. You knew Ross' humour, he was probably stood outside the door and was pranking you just before Christmas. So you laugh, trying so hard to not believe what he was telling you.

'What's so funny Y/N?'

'This is a joke, right? You are joking..'

The line went dead as the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach worsened, the reality began to sink in - Ross wasn't going to be here for Christmas Day most likely, and you'd just managed to piss him off by laughing about it.

The next couple of days were not how you had expected them to be at all. You had anticipated waking up early and driving to the airport, buying Christmas gifts, setting up the tree as that was the one thing you had held off as you knew how much Ross loved doing it. Christmas music, getting drunk, enjoying each others company after such a long time.

But no. The days were spent in the dark. You knew it was Christmas but you had never felt so depressed in your life. You had some hope left that he could get another flight or find an alternate route home, but to no avail. There had been minimal contact, too. It was unlike Ross to be so consistently angry but you had clearly really upset him. His situation, being stuck in America without you or his family was probably the main cause of his offish-ness, but your reaction to his news probably didn't help. All you knew was that all four of them had been spending every waking minute finding a way to get home but there was nothing coming up.

Christmas Eve. You had decided to head to your parents' for Christmas Day so you wouldn't be alone, which helped a lot. Your younger cousins allowed you to forget about your shitty situation and instead focus on their excitement. It didn't hide the fact that you weren't with Ross, however. It was later in the day and you felt ready to go to sleep.

'I'm going to bed.' You stated to your mum as she sat in the living room with some of your extended family.

'It's 7pm on Christmas Eve, don't go to sleep, I know you're upset but you're with family.' She replied.

'I know, mum. I'm sorry. It just feels wrong without Ross.' You mumble before heading up to your old bedroom.

It's a sad night. You feel selfish for being so sad but it was your favourite time of the year and the love of your life wasn't here to spend it with you. It felt worse as you hadn't really been in contact much, except from a few informative texts here and there.

The clock hit midnight. Christmas Day.

You texted Ross before shutting your phone down and falling slowly asleep.

The morning came quickly and the first thing on your mind was Ross. There was no reply to your message, you had no idea on his whereabouts. You felt completely disconnected. It was early, so you decided to fall back asleep.

You jerked back awake, the clock reading 9:58am. Your 10am alarm hadn't sounded yet but something loud had awoken you from your sleep. A loud bang had sounded through your house and you weren't quite sure why.

Wiping the sleep out of your eyes, you collect all the presents to bring downstairs to distribute between your family. It was like carrying a massive load of washing, one wrong step and everything would drop out of your hands. You carefully make your way downstairs and push the living room door open with your leg.

A series of events then took place which you only were able to piece together after you were given a chance to recollect yourself.

You heard a clutter of presents hit the floor as your arms gave way underneath them, but you did nothing to stop them. They could've all broken for all you'd care. Your arms instead threw themselves around the neck of your rugged, tired-looking, unshaven boyfriend, who was stood in your living room with three suitcases alongside your parents and auntie.

Your eyes began to stream tears, and through gasps of breath you managed to get some words out.

'H.. how are.. how are you here?' You whisper.

'About four different planes, a thousand buses and a taxi ride... from your dad.' He replies whilst sending a thankful nod towards your father, who was stood embracing your mother as they watched your reunion proudly.

You noticed quickly that your family had left the room, leaving Ross and yourself alone in the living room of the house you grew up in.

Words weren't necessary, your bodies did the talking. You hadn't felt the softness of his lips in months, the warmth of his body, the tenderness of his touch as you simply embraced each other.

'I've missed you so much.' You whispered quietly.

'I've missed you too. I'm sorry for being offish, I didn't know if I'd be home and I felt that speaking to you loads would've made it harder to realise that I'd be stuck in a shitty airport til god knows when.' He replied soothingly.

'It doesn't matter, it just matters that you're home.' You reassure him as you stroke his hair. 'You need to shave though, I'm going to be able to plait your beard soon.'

He laughs before going a dark shade of red and scratching his head nervously.

'Whats up?' You ask.

'You're right, I do need to shave my beard.' He begins before standing up. 'but there's something else I need to do first.'

You don't register what's happening until it's happened - Ross lowers his body until he's down on his knees, no - on one knee. A deep red box is presented in front of you.

'Y/N, I've been wanting to do this for ages but couldn't find the right time. Thinking that I was going to be away from you this time of year or for any longer than I already had been made me realise that it didn't matter where I did it, just that I did it the next time I saw you. So, will you marry me?'

You can hardly let him finish before you say yes a million times and jump on him, wrapping your legs around him so tight and never wanting to let him go. Through more tears you kiss him deeply.

'Ross I love you so much, I can't even put into words how happy I am right now.'

He laughs as he wipes his tears away.

'I love you too.'

The rest of the day was better than you had ever expected. Eating your body weight in food, singing Christmas songs loudly with your fiancé, telling your family of your exciting news, getting tipsy on mulled wine and gifting everyone the presents you were proud of.

The night came to a close as you snuggled up with Ross in your old bedroom, his large body engulfing you in a bear hug, his heart beating loudly next to your cheek.

His breaths grew deeper, signalling him falling asleep. Wanting to catch him before he properly fell asleep, you kiss his shoulder tenderly as he opens his eyes slowly.

'Hmm?' He questions.

'I just wanted to say thank you. For making the effort, for the ring, for asking me and for loving me. I love you.' You say quietly.

'It was my pleasure. Thank you for saying yes, I love you more than you know, Y/N. Merry Christmas.'

You snuggle back into his warm body as you feel yourself drift into a deep sleep.

Best Christmas ever.