She smiled softly. Share. She assumed that he was talking about sharing her father and she had no problem with that. Lewis had grown up never knowing his and it had made her feel absolutely awful when she had learned this sobering fact. She had never had a strong relationship with her mother, not until the end, but just the fact that she had grown up with two parents that did love her in the own way was enough when she compared herself to Lewis' situation. She was sure his father would be very proud of the man he was growing into though. She knew she was. She knew her father was too.

Thinking about sharing families made her think about Lewis' mother. Kurumi had lost her mother before her seventh year and it had been the hardest thing she had ever experienced. She had been there in the woman's final moments, seen her take her last breath and it had made a hole in her heart. An empty void that she thought could never be filled. And then Mrs. Rasting came into her life and that hole started to fill just a little and slowly but surely she had a mother figure again.

Slowly but surely they were all becoming a proper family again and this brought yet another smile to her face.

Kurumi only remembered the telescope was still there when Lewis mentioned stargazing again and she glanced over at it briefly before her eyes were back on him. She was blushing even more now, if it were possible, and the pinkish hue of her hair was now undeniably noticeable as he continued speaking. She found herself struggling where to look now as he continued speaking. She wanted too focus on his lips as he formed words there, but also his eyes because there was so much more expressed there than words could convey. But then she was distracted by the way he was playing with her fingers and her gaze dropped to look at their hands.

Hands that just seemed to fit perfectly together. Hands that just seemed right for eachother.

And then the words came that made her lift her head quite suddenly to look at him. She wasn't sure at first that she had heard him properly and thought that maybe she had finished his thought in her head. But when she saw what was reflected in his eyes she knew. And suddenly it all made sense.

Her hair was most definitely his shade of pink now and her cheeks were matching. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Nothing at all. She did manage to move her fingers enough so that theirs were laced together once more and her thumb began tracing random patterns on the back of his hand as she just continued to look up at him completely awestruck as his words played over and over in her head.

Feels right. Forever. Marry me?

She should say something. She needed to say something. Tell him that she felt the same. Tell him that being with him not only felt right, but made her feel complete. Only words were still getting caught in her throat, however, as her violet eyes began to tear up slightly.

Finally, after what probably seemed like eternity but was really only the span of about ten seconds, she found her voice. "Yes," she whispered, a few tears falling from her eyes as she moved her body a bit to face him better. "Yes." And then her arms were around him and her lips on his as she kissed him softly.

Yes.

And then the words were out of his mouth. The words he'd been working towards for the last couple of minutes. The words for which he'd made a plan all those weeks ago. The words which would be the beginning of an official being-together-forever for them. All they needed now was for Kurumi to answer. In the affirmative. All they needed now was for Kurumi to say 'yes'.

Only she didn't say anything.

Instead she just kept on staring at him, only for him to stare right back at her. Why wasn't she saying anything? The smile on his lips sloooowly started to freeze on his face, the anxiety he had felt before she'd come home slooowly coming back with an intensity that made it hard to think straight. Why wasn't she saying anything? The look in her eyes was somewhat unreadable for Lewis right now, mainly because he was anticipating a verbal response. Because this was one of those times where words WERE in fact necessary. Crucial even.

Why wasn't she saying anything?

Had he asked her too soon? Should he have waited? Only everyone else had seemed to be so happy when he'd asked them. Charles had even HUGGED him when he'd asked during their Christmas celebrations. Hugged him. Charles. And he would know his own daughter best. He would have told him if it were too soon, right? He wasn't that mean. And Treyen. Treyen too. And his mom. She would have told him too, right? Only everyone else seemed to be all YES FINALLY I'M SO HAPPY GO AHEAD! And now Kurumi, the one person who TRULY mattered wasn't replying. Why wasn't she saying anything?

Lewis was so focused on her face, on her lips, that he didn't even notice that her hair completed the color transition to his color. He was however aware of the way she interlaced their fingers softly. Only he couldn't quite figure out if she was doing that because she was about to say 'no' or because she was about to say 'yes'. Only why would she say 'no'? They were happy right? And he didn't mean they had to get married tomorrow. Personally he didn't even NEED a wedding per se. It was more about the promise of being together forever that mattered to him. He didn't need a big fancy wedding with lots of people. This was more about the fact that he wanted them to promise to each other that they would stay together forever.

He was just about to open his mouth to say exactly that when Kurumi FINALLY opened her mouth to answer.

Yes.

YES.

The word resonated through him and he felt so relieved that he wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. He did neither of those things, however, but instead met her half-way when she leaned to throw her arms around him. When their lips met it was as if they were kissing for the first time and his hands went up to either side of her face, almost as if to hold her in place. Lewis felt so insanely happy right now that he didn't even think when he muttered "Thank you" against her lips. Thank you for replying. Thank you for saying yes.

Just thank you for existing.

You know that good news that she had wanted to tell him? Yeah, about that. By this point she had completely forgotten about it and even if he were to ask her what she had wanted to tell him it was a sure thing that she would not be able to remember. The only thing she could focus on right now, and probably the rest of the evening for that matter, was the way Lewis made her feel and about what had just happened meant for them.

Yes.

Despite her taking a while to actually speak, no answer had ever come easier.

Her arms wrapped around him tighter and she ended up smiling into the kiss when his hands went to either side of her face. This, the way he was holding her to the moment, was one of her favorite things he did. He could hold her like this for as long as he wanted. They had forever now, after all.

A few more tears trickled down her cheeks as she allowed herself to be wrapped up in all these emotions like a warm blanket. It sort of felt like falling in love all over again. Only better. Infinitely better. The nervous butterflies in her stomach were back, but the kaleidoscope had intensified tenfold. Forever was not only reflected in his eyes when she briefly met his gaze, but in the way his lips felt on hers. What had felt right before felt like home now. Her hands in his, his embrace, being next to him. Just him existing.

And she was going to get to feel this way all the time for the rest of her life and beyond.

She didn't pull back when he whispered a thank you against her lips, but her eyes did open and one of her hands moved to rest on his chest. Thank you? She should be thanking him. He was the one who had picked her and been with her through all their trials and tribulations. Not everyone would have been that patient and gentle with her. But he had. He had been everything she could ever want and more. "For what?" she ended up whispering back, her hand absently playing with the fabric of his shirt. A soft smile still tugged at her lips as she remained just as close to him as she had been before he had spoke.

He hadn't really been thinking when he'd thanked her. His brain wasn't functioning properly right now, he had been feeling downright euphoric for the last few seconds. Yes. That word just went round and round in his head, along with the implications of forever. Because that was what they had just promised each other. Or at least that was what they had just promised each other to promise each other. Same difference, though.

She had said yes.

Lewis was feeling so relieved that he actually grinning against her lips when she asked him what for. What for what? Slowly opening his eyes without moving anything else, he just stared happily at her, savoring the moment. What was she talking about? "Hmm...?" He muttered absently, pulling back just enough so he could run his fingers over her lips before tracing them over her nose and finally her entire face. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. The way her eyes glistened with unshed and her cheeks with shed tears was just mesmerizing. The way she was looking at him almost expectantly.

Oh wait. Right she had asked him something. Focus, Lewis!

This time actually willing his brain to work, Lewis tried to remember what it was he had said. Oh, right. Oops. "I..." He blushed slightly, suddenly thinking this to be a very silly thing to say in that situation. Though the more he thought about it, the more he did in fact deem it appropriate. "Well, I-" He started again, allowing one of his hands to travel down her arm to play with her fingers absently, his eyes following. "-thank you for agreeing to marry me." At this he glanced back up at Kurumi, a small smile playing around his lips. "And thank you for being you." Whatever that meant.

Right now he never wanted to ever let her go. Ever. Maybe they could just stay out here forever. Just like this. Reaching out with one hand, he brushed some of the tears off her cheeks while his other one interlaced his fingers with hers. Wait. He quickly glanced down at their interlaced hands before mentally slapping himself. Oh no! There WAS something he had forgot to do. Really, his plan was just the worst one ever. Or he was just the worst carrying it out. Either way, things were not entirely going to plan.

"I got you something!" What a very romantic exclamation, Rasting. Well done. Blushing slightly he reached behind him for a little box which had until now been hidden by a disillusionment charm. Once he had turned back around, Lewis opened the box to reveal a simple engagement ring. And with that he just waited for Kurumi to say or do something while grinning at her like he was a dog presenting its owner with a retrieved toy waiting for a pat on the head. Good boy!

She pulled back a little when he opened his eyes, mostly so she could see his face fully and take his expression in its entirety, and smiled when she noticed the blush growing on his cheeks. Before she could stop herself, her fingers on her one hand were tracing over his cheek, feeling the warmth from his blush against her fingertips and giggled softly. He could always make her blush, even with the simplest of looks, so it was always nice to see that she could have the same effect on him.

Her gaze followed his hand, almost pouting, as it left her face and traveled down to her hand. Could he put that back where it was? It felt nice having him hold her face like that and her cheek was feeling cold and lonely without his touch. But then he spoke and she temporarily forgot about missing his hand on her cheek and her eyes were entirely focused on his face. "I..." she smiled, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. Was she supposed to say you're welcome here? "I...um....it was the easiest question I've ever been asked."

And she meant that in a good way, of course. A VERY good one. And this, plus more was reflected in her eyes.

She laced her fingers together with his when he whispered his next words, her bashful smile once again tugging at the corners of her lips. "I should be thanking you," she whispered before leaning forward to give him a soft kiss on the lips. She pulled back again, her eyes looking down at their hands for a moment. Really, he had picked her. Allowed her into his life and allowed her to stay there. Accepted her for who she was and all her failings. So she gave his hand a soft squeeze as if to say thank you. There was really nothing she could think of to say or do that could thank him enough. Although saying 'yes' just now was a good start.

She blinked a few times when he said he had something for her, her mind not exactly putting the pieces together until she saw a small black box in his hand. Only her eyes could not stay on the box for long when she saw the expression on his face and the excitement in his eyes. Biting down on her lip as another smile graced her pale features and both hands flew to her mouth when the box was open to reveal a ring and she gasped. Her hands were still on her mouth as she squeaked and slooooooooowly lifted her head so she was looking back into his eyes.

For the second (third?) time that night Kurumi found herself speechless. Her hands slowly lowered and moved towards the ring in the box, but instead of there she rested her hands on his and just continued to look into his eyes.

Lewis' blush only intensified slightly when Kurumi reached out to run her fingers across his cheek. Nonetheless, he still leaned into her touch slightly, the smile on his lips having become a permanent accessory since a moment ago. And her next words only caused his lips to curl up even more. The easiest question she'd ever been asked? "I..." Okay, what did you say in reply to that? How was he supposed to put all those feelings into words? "I love you." That was the closest he would get to explaining.

However, they were usually not big on words anyway. Non-verbal communication was more their thing.

His green eyes briefly dropped to their interlaced hands again before quickly snapping back up to meet her gaze again. What? Why should she be thanking him? Though now that he got to think about it, it was probably similar to the reason why he'd said it. Which only made him smile, clearly more than a little amused by the situation. "What for?" He echoed her question from before after she'd pulled back from the kiss.

It was actually the way she was focusing her gaze on their fingers, along with the way she was squeezing his hand that made him remember. The ring! Wasn't that THE thing about a proposal. At least that was the impression he got, though he couldn't quite see how that was the major part. Yes, the idea was nice, the symbolism of forming a bond, a physical reminder of the promise they'd given each other. He understood all that, and he really loved the concept. However, somehow that was not the most important part of a marriage proposal. At least not in his eyes.

Nonethless, now that he HAD remembered he was pretty excited about this part too. It completed the engagement in a way. It finalized it. It would be official then. Official. That word made his smile widen even more. Not because he wanted lots of other people to know or anything. No, but it would be official for them too then. The promise of forever would be official then.

All these thoughts made him feel just a little lightheaded as Lewis continued to just sit there, smiling happily at Kurumi and waiting for her reaction. And there it was. And it was so incredible that he wished he could have filmed it somehow so he could watch it again and again. The moment she met his gaze, Lewis blushed slightly, knowing that he - or something that he had done - was the cause of this reaction from her. When her hands moved to reach out, he was certain she was going to go for the ring...but instead she was suddenly covering his hands.

Which left him sliiiiightly confused as to what he was supposed to do know. He COULDN'T really move his hands after all, unless he wanted to lose contact with hers. Which he didn't. So instead of moving anything, Lewis simply continued to gaze into her eyes with his head slightly cocked to the side. What are we doing now?

Kurumi had already been emotionally overwhelmed by the evening thus far, but there was something about the way he said those three words to her now that pushed her to the point of tears. Tears of joy, obviously, but tears nonetheless. It was almost as though he were saying them for the first time to her, causing her to smile and cup his face with her hands. She opened her mouth to say the words back to him, but no sound came out, so instead she just mouthed them to him.

She had forever to say them to him anyway and the feeling was clearly reflected in her eyes.

She actually had been counting on not having to speak anymore as she was too overwhelmed, but she really should have known that Lewis would want an answer from her as well. It was always nice to hear out loud what the other was thinking and feeling, even if it was already said though looks and body language. So, she removed her hands from his face to wipe her eyes with a small girlish laugh. "For...letting me into your life," she said, her hands on his. Her eyes lingered on the ring for a moment, the blush intensifying on her cheeks as her eyes became watery again. "For...for..." The words were catching in her throat as she lifted her violet gaze to meet his and leaned forward so that her forehead was now pressed against his. "For letting me stay in your life..."

She hadn't entirely realized that her hands were preventing him from moving. She mostly had her hands on his for balance because she was feeling a bit lightheaded with joy. Her fingers had started tracing random patterns over his skin now, her eyes lingering on his for a bit longer before they went back down to the ring.

The ring. It was often said that it was the most symbolic thing between a couple. Symbolic of love and devotion...but she felt that if a couple considered an inanimate object like this to be the representation of their relationship then there was something wrong with them. She didn't even really need a ring, not that she was not overjoyed that there was one. She knew they could be expensive and seeing as they were both recent university graduates and still young, she almost felt bad that he had spent so many galleons on her.

Slowly, she removed her hands from his and rested them in her lap. Her eyes stayed exactly where they were, on the ring, and she slowly regained her composure. Sort of. There were still tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips. She sat there for a few moments just looking at him and still not quite believing that this was happening.

"Can...can I put it on?"

Tears. And not just a few unshed ones in her eyes. No, now Kurumi was actually crying. Which was just a little...Lewis KNEW they weren't tears of sadness but...it was still slightly...well, to be honest, he just didn't really know how to react to those tears. Should he hug her? Smile? Ignore them? Wipe them away? Ask? Point it out to her? Wh-

All those thoughts and questions just disappeared from his mind when Kurumi suddenly reached out to cup his face with her hands. Right in that moment nothing else mattered apart from her and the way she was looking at him right now. Through her tears. Bowing his head to lean into her touch, Lewis just smiled at her affectionately when she mouthed the words back to him. Right now, right here, sitting here with Kurumi, he felt completely content with his life. There was absolutely nowhere he would rather be or nothing he would rather do right now.

The question had originally just been about pointing out the similarities between what they'd both said. And hence about just how similar they just were with certain things. Now, though, Lewis was genuinely curious about what her answer would be. No, there was no apparent need for her to thank him but it was quite nice to hear her trying to explain her reasoning. Watching her wipe the tears off her face with one of her cute laughs, he smiled at her, already missing the feeling of her hands on his skin. He really wouldn't have minded if she'd left them holding his face.

Though, what came next made him forget all about that in a matter of seconds.

For letting me stay in your life. Lewis' heart skipped a couple of beats at random as the meaning of the words sank in again. She was staying. They had just agreed to stay together forever. They were staying together. Forever. Of course he'd realized before what this whole getting engaged thing meant, what it entailed, but having her SAY it out loud was just...incredible. It made it so much more real. It felt like all his life he had been working towards exactly this moment. Right now everything was perfect.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lewis lifted his head slightly to be able to kiss her forehead. He didn't know what to say in reply to her words, so he hoped that comfortable silence along with a slight blush would suffice. When she leaned back and moved her hands from his to her lap, he just continued to sit there, his eyes on her face, with his ever-present smile on his lips. She was just so beautiful sitting there. With her eyes so full of excitement and emotion. The ring lay there inside the box, forgotten for the moment, for Lewis sole attention was on Kurumi's face.

Right until she asked about it.

That was when Lewis pulled himself out of his trance-like state to allow his gaze to drop to the ring in his hands. Could she... "Of course!" He blushed, mentally slapping himself for what felt like the hundreth time this evening for not suggesting that himself. Or you know, doing it. Because wasn't he supposed to put it on her? Blushing properly this time, his eyes flicked back and forth between the ring and Kurumi a couple of times. "D-do you want me to...?" He finally asked, still not actually moving, his teeth absently chewing on his lower lip.

Kurumi smile and laughed softly when Lewis kissed her forehead, her fingers drawing random patterns over his hands for a few moments. The weight of what she had just said to him hadn't entirely sunk in. Well, it had, but it hadn't. It just felt like the natural thing to say to him. It felt right.

Right. That word had never felt so incredible until this moment. Now things would be right forever. Or longer than forever. Was there really a limitation to this sort of thing? She wanted to believe there wasn't because whenever she was with Lewis anything seemed possible. So she just sat there too, her hands now on her lap, and her eyes gazing into his. Eyes that she would never grow tired of looking into. It was so hard not to just lean forward again and kiss him, the smile there on his lips so inviting and warm, but she also just wanted to look at him. Take in everything about this moment. Everything about him.

He was just so....incredible...

Biting down on her lower lip, she giggled and scooted herself closer to him. Her eyes glanced back and forth between his face and the ring, anticipation bubbling up inside her while her hands began to tug on the hem of her shirt. It was only now, looking at the ring, that things really sunk in and she suddenly felt nervous. Not a bad nervous, because nothing about what was happening right now was bad, but nervous nonetheless. They had already promised each other forever as students, so this was more of an adult renewal of their schooldays, but it felt like so much more than that and there were no words to convey the feelings coursing through her right now. They would have to invent new words. Together. And they could do that now. Together.

"Yes...please," she whispered, her eyes still glistening with tears of disbelief and pure joy. Her hands didn't move from her lap, however, since she had temporarily forgotten how to move it seemed. She was just so overwhelmed, in a good way, and moving just felt as though it would break the perfection of this moment. She eventually did move though, but just enough to wipe her cheeks dry from the tears that were trickling down her face once again. With that same hand she reached forward and touch his cheek with the tips of her fingers.

That had probably been a very stupid question. That was what people did right? That was what made it final in a way. Though he wasn't entirely sure why it was customary to do it like this. Maybe he should have read up on these things beforehand. Not that anyone was going to ASK him or anything but now he had started to wonder and...he wanted to know. Now was probably not the time to ask Kurumi though. And he doubted she was better prepared for this than he was. Okay, maybe she actually was.

Because somehow he started to feel like he hadn't prepared at all for this.

Not that any of that mattered anymore when Kurumi finally replied in the affirmative. Yes she wanted him to put the ring on her. Which meant he should probably move. Yes. Only he didn't. Not right away anyway. Instead Lewis just watched her for a few seconds longer. The way her years had filled with tears again. Somehow that didn't bother him anymore right now. It was just a very emotional moment and Lewis could feel his chest just swelling with feeling too. And Kurumi was just a little more obvious with these things sometimes.

Her movement was almost like a sign of him to do the same. Move that is. Which was what he did. Reaching for the hand that was currently touching his cheek, Lewis smiled. A little nervously. This was it then. They were making this official. Completely. With his other hand he took the ring, holding her hand up softly by the wrist, and after he'd made sure he wouldn't miss he slowly slipped it on her finger, his eyes on hers. This was it. They really were engaged to be married now. "I love you." Because there was nothing else he wanted to say right now.

There really WAS nothing else to say.

Kurumi had imagined this moment for a long time now. What little girl didn't imagine her own engagement and wedding day? She often had down by the stream near her home with dolls her grandmother had made for her. Back then she had dreamed of someone who could take her away from everything. Away from the isolation she felt. Away from all the pain.

This was infinitely better than anything she imagined.

Time slowed down as Lewis took her hand and she could feel her eyes filling up with tears once again. She didn't fight them, however, because everything she was feeling right now was welcoming and warm. Lewis wasn't taking her away from anything like she had imagined as a child. Take wasn't the right word for any of this. Creating. Lewis was creating a life where she didn't need to feel those things. Creating a life. Together.

As the ring slid on to her finger, the tears that had been forming fell down her cheeks and she managed a small laugh as she glanced down at it on her finger. Her violet eyes were back on his just as those three words she could never grow tired of hearing left his lips. "I love you," she whispered back and, because she couldn't stand not to anymore, she leaned forward to kiss him again.

It was official. They had officially promised each other forever and she was the happiest she had ever been.

"So..." she said as she pulled back just a little, her lips still brushing against his every now and then as she spoke. "What....should we do now?" Should they tell their parents right away? Actually eat that dessert she had brought home? Start planning NOW? Just stay out here together and enjoy the stars? But then another questions formed. "When...when do you want to...get married?"

Grabbing the duvet from the bedroom, Kurumi dragged it out into the living room and flopped down on the couch beside Lewis while wrapping them both up in its warmth. Even after all these years living in England she still wasn't used to the winter chill that came with the season. A chill very different from the one that she had grown up experiencing in Niigata and she snuggled up closer to Lewis so she could rest her head on his shoulder.

"The tree smells nice," she smiled as she relaxed against him and closed her eyes briefly to take in the scent more. There were a few small gifts under the tree, but nothing too lavish. Mostly things that had been sent from her father - which meant that Kurumi was slightly terrified to open them because he had the knack for sending embarrassing things - and a few others from friends and other family members. But there was one present in particular that she was especially anxious about and she didn't even realize that her fingers were sort of tugging and pinching at Lewis' arm as her eyes unfocused while looking at the twinkling lights upon their humble Christmas tree.

It had been a quiet and peaceful evening so far. Just as he liked it. They'd had dinner, just the two of them and he was extremely glad that they had decided against inviting either of their families. So it was just them. Now sitting on the couch, watching the christmas lights on their tree.

Smiling at Kurumi when she sat down next to him, Lewis put an arm around her, allowing her to snuggle into him some more. "Mhm." He hummed in reply, his eyes staying on his wife (!) even when she looked back to the tree. Her hands on his arm didn't go unnoticed but Lewis didn't quite know what to make of it.

He just pulled her a little closer still.

Relaxing against Lewis as he pulled her closer, Kurumi bit down on her lower lip and continued to stare at the Christmas tree and its memorizing lights. She could physically feel his eyes looking at her and it caused the color to rise in her cheeks, but she didn't dare look at him just yet.

She was...too nervous.

Now she sort of understood how he had been feeling in anticipation of proposing. She just had to hope that nothing awkward would occur and - dare she even say it? - things would go according to plan.

Breathing in deeply, she finally tore her eyes away from the tree and peeked up at her husband through her long eyelashes and smiled before kissing his chin. "Tea or hot chocolate?" she asked while her fingers continued to trace random patterns over his arm. "I'll make it and then we can open one present each."

Which meant she was going to have to move, something she really did not want to do, but was very necessary for things to happen.

Tea or hot chocolate?

Lewis hadn't really known what to expect but it certainly wasn't this question. Kurumi had seemed a bit...well, almost nervous, so a question about hot beverage had come as quite a surprise. He didn't voice any of his thoughts, however, but just leaned down to kiss the top of her head softly.

"Hot chocolate." Christmas was hot chocolate time. It had been ever since he was a little child and it would always be hot chocolate time. For him anyway. He simply smiled and nodded at Kurumi's other suggestion about opening presents. Lewis quickly glanced back over to the tree.

There weren't that many but it didn't really matter to him.

Biting her lip, Kurumi began to play with her own fingers while she began to calculate the next step. Really though, she just needed to accept that any plan they made to surprise the other was never going to turn out the way they wanted to.

"Hot chocolate it is then," she smiled, reaching up to give him another kiss on his chin before pushing herself up off the sofa. She was practically holding her breath as she made he way towards the kitchen and finally remembered to breathe when she opened up one of the cabinets and fumbled around for a while grabbed two white mugs off the shelf.

She peeked out to look a Lewis, her heart skipping several beats as she did, and began feeling a bit light headed. She was able to quickly compose herself, however, and finished filling the mugs with hot water with no more problems. Even added the hot chocolate mixture just fine.

Slowly making her way back towards the sofa, her violet eyes watched the floor and when she was on a non-carpeted section she did something somewhat uncharacteristic (Selina and Vivi would beg to differ). She dropped one of the mugs to the floor. Hitting the ground with a dull CLANK, Kurumi squeaked and jumped back as the handle broke off and several bits about the rim shattered and scattered about.

"It's alright! I-I'll....clean it up! It's alright!"

Once Kurumi had got up from the couch, Lewis turned his head slightly to watch her walk into the kitchen. Hearing her preparing the drinks, he then leaned back against again, staring at the christmas tree and reflecting on how nice it was that it was just the two of them tonight.

.........!!!!!!!

He was quite suddenly interrupted from his thoughts when something hit the floor with a rather loud (or comparatively loud) sound. Immediately hurrying off the couch and towards Kurumi, he gave her a concerned look. "What happened?" And yes, he could see that the mug was broken. That wasn't really the answer he was looking for. Had something scared her?

Reaching out to give her arm a soft squeeze, Lewis quick pulled out his wand to get rid of the mess the dropped mug had made. Now..."Are you...okay?"

See? NOT going according to plan at ALL.

Biting down on her lower lip, this time mostly to stop herself from crying with disappointment, she picked up the handle to the mug and clutched it in her hand as Lewis dealt with the rest of the mess. "I-I...I just lost my grip," she mumbled, swallowing hard as she slowly stood up and tried not to look at the other mug in her hand. "Here, you should have this one," she said while offering him the other mug.

Especially since she suddenly didn't feel like having any hot chocolate right now and the more its sweet aroma entered her nose, the less she wanted it.

"I...yes. I'm okay. Help me back over to the sofa?" Please?

Yes, he could see that.

Lewis just stood there for a moment, wand still pointed at the now-clean floor. "It's...fine." Really, it could happen to anyone. Kurumi seemed genuinely upset by the whole incident, though. It both confused and worried him. It was just a cup of hot chocolate. And the mess was already gone. So really, what was happening?

He almost automatically took the second mug from her, if only to stop it hitting the floor too. "Sure." Help her how? Not quite certain what it was she was expecting him to do, Lewis simply took her hand and started leading her back to the couch.

"We can...share it." The hot chocolate that is.

Nodding slowly, she timidly laced her fingers with his and followed Lewis back to the couch. She was disappointed. She had taken the time to study and practice latte art and adapting it to suit hot chocolate means - she wasn't sure what she would have done had Lewis elected tea. Probably given him a kiss and asked him if he was suuuuuuuure he wanted tea or something - and now the message had been spilled and banished.

The timing of this...progression could not have come at a worse time. Really.

Sitting down slowly, her violet eyes looked to Lewis and the mug in his hand. "No, it's okay," she replied with forced smile. "You enjoy it. I don't need anything right now. But...um...could you maybe...um...drink that before you um....sit down?"

Her fingers knotted themselves around the hem of her shirt and she tucked her legs under one another as she got a little more comfortable on the couch.

Wait.....what?

Lewis just stared at Kurumi for a long while, an utterly confused look on his face. She wanted him to drink the hot chocolate. By himself. Standing up. While she was on the couch already. "Why?" He dragged out the word, reaching up to grab the mug with both hands, still just looking at his wife.

What was happening?

At least she was smiling. That was an improvement to earlier. Slowly, very slowly, without taking his eyes off her, Lewis finally raised the mug to his lips. Was he supposed to drink all of it? At once? That seemed like a waste. Actually he didn't even want it anymore, not before Kurumi told him what was going on. So he just lowered the mug again, eying her with his head slightly cocked to the side.

Huh?

Tugging and stretching the hem of her shirt, Kurumi's eyes danced between looking into Lewis' eyes and at the gifts under the tree - never the mug of hot chocolate though. Nope. Going to try her best to pretend that it wasn't here so that she wouldn't feel like the evening was a complete failure.

"Because..." she began, her eyes not resting anywhere in particular at the moment. "...because...I don't find the smell appealing...right now..."

And now she was looking back at the tree. The lights had a calming effect and she took a few deep breaths before her gaze returned to her husband. Who wasn't drinking his hot chocolate that she knew was sort of an integral part of his Christmas Eve. Well, more so than tea anyway. Reaching for her wand, she summoned a small box with gold wrapping paper adorned with white snowflakes and topped with a red ribbon with more gold around the edged and held it in her hands for a moment.

She had had a whole speech prepared for this moment, but instead of being an one of THOSE moments it was merely going to serve as an explanation....and despite her disappointment she found herself smiling at the anticipation of him opening it and seeing what was inside. "If you....if you open this...things will make more sense..." she explained as she held the box out towards him.

Wow. This was getting even more confusing by the second.

Lewis stared at Kurumi for a few seconds, trying to sort through his thoughts. No, but even after a moment of contemplation it still made no sense to him. Nonetheless, he raised the mug to his lips again, drinking some of the hot chocolate. Still, he wasn't going to down the whole thing in one go. So he moved a little closer and leaned against the side of the sofa to be a liiiittle closer to his wife after all.

He even held the mug in his right hand which was furthest away from where she was sitting.

Watching her closely, Lewis followed the movement of the small box from the christmas tree to Kurumi's hands. Oh, so they were unwrapping presents now. Despite the fact that he was still awkwardly leaning against the couch instead of sitting on it. Okay then. After a moment of hesitation, Lewis reached for the box and leaned over to set down his mug of hot chocolate in order to have both hands for the unwrapping.

His eyes rested on Kurumi a little longer before he lowered them to the box and started unwrapping. What could possibly be so important that Kurumi was in such a hurry for him to see it?

She felt....terrible. And not just because of feeling slightly nauseous from the smell of the hot chocolate. But this...this wasn't how this was supposed to go. So it was with a faint smile that she handed over the box and folded her legs one under the other on the couch as she watched and waited for her husband to open it.

But in the moment that her hands were free of the box, her heart began pounding in her chest. A good sort of pounding. The sort that reminded you that you were alive and there were exciting things ahead. Really exciting things. Which was why she was in such a hurry to hand him the gift.

Her hands returned to her lap and began tugging on the hem of her shirt once again. "I'm sorry I broke your mug," she said after a few moments, just to break the silence. Her hands moved from the hem of her shirt to her hair and she began tugging gently on it while she waited. There was no card, but she had felt at the time she had wrapped it that the contents spoke for itself.

It was a gift that was more than just what was inside the box. A gift that just kept giving, as her father would say.

"I...hope you like it," she whispered, her cheeks flushing as she smiled at him with eager eyes.

Lewis had gotten rid of the wrapping paper, placing it on the couch for now. A box. Okay. Before he got the chance to open it, though, Kurumi spoke up again. Once again apologizing for the incident with the mug. His eyes flicking up to meet hers, he shook his head softly. "Don't worry about it." It was just a mug. Really.

Now, back to the box though.

He reached over to take another sip of hot chocolate before setting it down again and focusing on the gift again. Finally he opened the lid of the box to take out...a mug. Well, that was a coincidence wasn't it? Seeing as Kurumi had just broken one of theirs and-

"...."

Oh.

"...."

Lewis stared down at the new mug in his hands while slowly dropping down onto the couch again. Sitting on the wrapping paper he'd put there earlier. Not that he cared. Or was aware of it. No, his sole focus was on the mug and what it said and what it implied and-

"You..." Words weren't really happening right now so instead Lewis just lifted his gaze to look at Kurumi, his eyes a little wider than usual and full of awe. Was this-? Did this-? Really?????