And so I'm offering this simple phrase

To kids from one to ninety-two

Although it's been said many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you

~ The Christmas Song ~

The thing about Christmas is, when you wake up in the morning there's nothing different or magical about the day you're waiting for almost the whole year. It's not like you can hear the sleigh bells ringing or anything. In layman's terms, there's nothing special.

But if you listen and feel closely, it's about the butterflies fluttering in your stomach when you realise it's Christmas morning, it's the delightful chill in the air that makes you wrap your arms around yourself and grin but most importantly it's about the excited family and children going door to door yelling..

“It's Christmas Uncle Nate and Aunt Stay! Wake up! Wake up!”

Last night, Mr. and Mrs. Williams insisted we stay overnight for Christmas morning and poor Nathan had to run home to get us a extra set of clothes for today.

Nathan turns on his stomach with a groan, wraps one arm around my waist and buries his face in my neck.

“Make them go away.”

Calming my racing heart, I wink at his favourite niece in encouragement and with a warrior yell she jumps right on top of Nathan.

His eyes fly open as his breath whooshes out of him.

“Fu—”

I place my hand on his mouth and shake my head.

“Children present.” I sing song.

“I know what you were going to say Uncle Nate. You were gonna say Fuck! Daddy says that all the time when I jump on his stomach.”

Nathan sleepily blinks and grins lazily at his niece as the other children run out screaming when I get out of bed, wriggling my fingers teasingly to tickle them.

“It's a bad word hon. You don't wanna be a naughty girl on Christmas morning if you want presents from your Uncle Nate.”

“I'm sorry Uncle.” She buries her face in his chest and his eyes lock on me when a contented sigh escapes me. How I long to have our own children and watch Nathan love and cherish them.

He gives me a sleepy grin. My face softens. He can be so adorable sometimes.

“Did she fall back asleep?” I whisper as Nathan urges me to join them back in bed.

He nods.

I crawl underneath the covers and curl up next to him. Keeping one arm around his niece, he wraps the other arm around my shoulders to pull me tight against him.

I feel him place a kiss on top of my head just as sleep claims me again.

Christmas is beautiful but spending it with someone special just adds on to the beauty a million more times.

🎄☃️🎁

Christmas with the Williams was a busy affair. The Williams had a sweet and benevolent tradition. Each year, every month all of them saved a portion of their money for this day. Then they all bought many presents and prepared a Christmas feast from the money pitched in, for the children in the orphanages and even for the homeless.

I was surprised by how thoughtful every gift was and how diligently they cooked. Nothing was done carelessly or with the thought that it was a favour to the less fortunate. It almost was like they were doing things for their close family.

I was so touched when Nathan explained this to me that tears welled up in my eyes and my heart burst with gratefulness for being a part of this loving family.

The children were all so wonderful and I loved playing and reading stories to them. After hearing this a million times but truly experiencing for the first time, I realised that the true spirit of Christmas can only really be felt by sharing and giving.

The better part of the evening was spent watching the lights display in the park and a huge Christmas tree where you could hang good wishes for your loved ones who you couldn't be near this Christmas. I wrote to my family and also my Grandpa that I had lost last year.

We heard beautiful carols and Nathan held me in his arms as he gently swayed us to the songs.

Never before had I experienced such a wonderful Christmas day. My heart was full, my cheeks ached from smiling and I kept sending small prayers of thankfulness for Nathan and his family.

We exchanged presents but Nathan and I wanted to share them when we were alone. I loved spending time with everyone but a small part of me wished to spend some alone time with my husband only, cause it was our first Christmas as a married couple.

After a hearty feast, I drag Nathan to the room we were sharing in his parents' house.

“Honey if you're wanting to have your way with me, you might want to wait until we're in the privacy of our own home.”

When I turn to glare at him with bright red spots on my cheeks, he greets me with a mischievous grin that has me forgetting all about presents.

“I want to give you your present before Christmas is over.”

I make him sit on the bed and place three small boxes before him. His brows raise in surprise.

“Oh wow. I only got you one present.”

He gives me a nervous grin. I roll my eyes.

“Open!” I exclaim with barely contained excitement.

He opens the present marked with ‘Open me first’ and gives me the driest look I've ever seen someone give.

“Haha.” he rolls his eyes and waves the small Grinch figurine next to his face.

“Sorry. I had to!” I giggle.

He shakes his head with amusement as he open the second present.

“Wow..” he murmurs as he touches the diamond cufflinks I got him.

I shyly smile at him.

“I hope that everytime you wear them, you remember me and when I'm not with you that you look at them and never forget that you have someone waiting for you at home.”

His throat bobs with emotion as he squeezed my hand in his tightly. He clears his throat.

“I won't ever forget. Thank you.”

I bite my lip anxiously when he slowly opens the third and the last present. It's the one that had me the most nervous and I truly hope he likes it.

He raises his eyes at me when he opens the velvet box to reveal the matching sets of silver promise rings with the simple engraving of ‘Till Death Do Us Part’

I nervously rush to explain.

“I know we're already married but I wanted us to wear these rings. Of course you don't have if you don't like them.”

He interrupts me. “Why?”

I swallow and meet his gaze with determination.

“Because I want you to always know that I promised my life to you, to always cherish you, to take care of you, to be faithful in all situations and most importantly to—to love you.” I whisper the last part.

I pluck the ring out of the box and take his hand in mine to slide the ring on top of his gold wedding ring.

Wordlessly, he gently takes my hand and looking deeply into my eyes, places the ring on my finger on top of the wedding ring. He brings my hand to his mouth to kiss the rings and whispers,

“Till death to us part.”

🎄☃️🎁

I'm gazing at the garden adorned with Christmas lights when I feel Nathan's presence behind me.

He rubs my arms as if already knowing I needed warmth.

I shiver when he places his lips right next to my ear.

“You have yet to receive your present from me.”

I beam at him when he turns me in his strong arms. I didn't want to be disappointed but I was when Nathan didn't give me my present in our room. I thought he didn't get me one or he forgot it at home.

“Aren't you a sight for sore eyes.” His eyes appraise me when they slowly move appreciatively to every inch of my body clad in a simple red dress. I glow with his compliment and my cheeks redden with a blush. He grins.

He places a long velvet box in my hands and I'm pretty sure his cheeks turn red when he nervously rubs the back of his neck.

“I'm horrible with the wrappings so you'll have to bear with me.”

I brush off his worry with an understanding smile and my hands shake with excitement and anticipation as I slowly open the box.

My eyes widen as I gently remove the dainty necklace and bring it closer to my face to inspect it.

It's—It's a mistletoe!

The mistletoe pendant was adorned with tiny green and white diamonds and my eyes fill with tears when I look up at a nervous Nathan.

“It's so beautiful Nathan.” My voice is filled with emotion.

He places the box aside and clasps the necklace around my neck. I touch it with awe.

“I wanted to give you something to remind you of this Christmas. It's very special to me and I never want you to forget it too.”

He gazes at the garden thoughtfully before looking into my eyes again.

“You've made it special. Every moment that I spent with you was pure magic. You've given me the most precious gift to me this Christmas and it's you.”

A tear slips down my cheek and he catches it with his thumb. He grips my waist and pulls me in his warm embrace, keeping his arms wrapped around me.

Lowering his mouth to my lips, there's hardly any space left between us.

“My heart and soul now both belong to you. I love you Mrs. Stacy Williams. I am in love with you.” he whispers with a small smile.

My lips part as my breathing turns shallow. Suddenly everything feels complete. My voice comes out breathless as I whisper.

“I love you Nathan. I am so in love with you.”

I catch his smile and glittering brown eyes as he lowers his lips to press against mine. My arms go around his neck to pull him closer and his hands pull me impossibly tight against his body.

With his lips moving firmly against my own, I felt as if I bursted into a thousand tiny, floating shimmering pieces. Nothing and everything existed in that moment. I was aware of none but him.

I could feel his love, want and devotion in that kiss and I desperately wished he felt mine too. God knows I yearned for this moment for a long time and finally feeling it in my arms felt simply surreal.

My husband loved me.

We both pull back short of breath and grin at each other. His knuckles caress my cheek lovingly as he kisses my forehead, whispering a soft I love you.

Suddenly he raises his eyes on top of our heads and laughs breathlessly.

“It seems we've got ourselves under a mistletoe, darling wife.” He murmured.

I follow his gaze and chuckle. Our eyes meet in amusement.

“Well it's not good to break tradition now, is it?”

“I suppose you're right.”

And with that he pressed his lips to mine once again.

“Merry Christmas husband.”

“Merry Christmas my sweet wife.”