Christmas Eve
Note: This is an A.U. story, which means the characters are gonna
be out of character. This is also a Christmas gift for my friend
Maureen, who has been very good this year XP
Fuu was seventeen, she was often described as pretty, but plain.
With her shoulder length curly blonde hair, and her green eyes,
usually framed with glasses. When she wasn't in school uniform
she usually wore a grey hoody and a pair of flared jeans.
This year at Christmas time, she was volunteering at a children's
hospital. She and her friend Hikaru, a bubbly short red head,
were just finishing with the decorations.
"Fuu-chan?" Hikaru asked softly.
"Yes?" Fuu replied as she continued to dig through a
cord board box.
"Do you think that this party will help the children to
forget that they're dying?" Hikaru asked.
Fuu looked from Hikaru's big red eyes to the sliver tinsel in her
hands, and then back to Hikaru. "Maybe," she paused.
"At least I hope so."
Hikaru sighed as Fuu hung the last of the tinsel up on the tree
and then stepped back to admire her work. The big white play room
looked cheery, but in an chilly sort of way, as it was still very
much a hospital looking room. Big white snow flakes hung from the
ceiling, there was a tree although it was artificial, and there
were plenty of silver, green, and red.
Hikaru pulled the ladder over to the door way and then hung up
the mistletoe. She climbed back down and pulled up the sleeves on
her green sweater. "Perfecto!" She said with a clap.
A few moments later they were joined by the director of the
children's charity. "You guys just about ready to get in
costume? Cause we sure need those elves!"
Fuu nodded. Being an elf sounded like fun, and a whole bunch of
other people who were part of the organization were also dressing
up. The director handed Fuu a box of stuff and then she and
Hikaru went to the ladies room to change.
"Awesome!" Hikaru exclaimed as she took out the green
hat with a bell on it. "This is soooo adorable!"
Fuu got out her costume and started to change. She pulled on her
red and white stripped tights, white shirt, green tunic, white
shirts, green elf shoes, and her own elf hat with a bell.
On her way out of the bathroom door, she bumped into a green
haired boy who was wearing a santa hat. The bells on her costume
jingled, but nothing like what her heart was doing!
"I am so very sorry," Fuu said as she bowed and then
stole a glance at his big golden eyes.
"Hey no prob, it was my fault really, I get into the
Christmas spirit and forget where I am and where I'm going."
The boy replied.
Fuu looked up at him again, realizing that he was wearing a nice
brown sweater and a pair of *very* tight jeans... And he had this
impish grin about him that made *her* want to smile... But as
quickly as he bumped into her, he was soon gone, hurrying off
down the hall with his box in hand.
Fuu realized that she knew him from a few other community service
projects they had both participated in. Now if only she had the
guts to actually talk to him....
Hikaru skipped over. "C'mon Fuu-chan!" She said as she
grinned. "Let's make some kiddies happy!"
Fuu laughed and fallowed Hikaru into the play room. Hikaru
bounded over to a group of little kids in their pajamas sitting
at a table.
Fuu paused in the door way, the whole party was a sort of bitter
sweet thing. Seeing the children so happy was wonderful, but
there was this nagging sorrow that they might only live for a few
days after even...
"Mistletoe," said a young man's voice, interrupting her
train of thought.
"Mistletoe?" Fuu said sounding confused.
Fuu then looked up at the young man, who turned out to be Ferio,
and then up at the mistletoe that hung above them. "Oh
no," Fuu said as she tried to duck out of the door way.
But Ferio caught her arm and swung her back into the door way,
and then he planted a big kiss square on her lips.
*****************************************************************
Snow was falling gently on the ground, like angel dust from
heaven.
Fuu wore a parka style coat, white gloves and blue jeans. Her
hand was clasped tightly in Ferio's. A dreamy grin was on her
face. She and Ferio had been together for a year now. She had
just asked him to take her for a walk in the snow.
"Isn't this romantic?" Fuu asked as she looked up at
Ferio.
"Sure it is." Ferio replied, although he sounded like
he was cold. "My fingers are sort of going numb
though."
"Well we'll be at my aunt's house soon enough." Fuu
replied.
The two of them were also on their way to Fuu's aunt's house for
a Christmas Eve party. It was family event, so it was a big deal
that she had invited Ferio to join her. Ferio was sort of glad
they had walked, gave him some time to relax and prepare for all
the relatives who would make comments, pinch cheeks, and say just
be like family.
Fuu's heart had no doubts that this was gonna be the brightest
and best Christmas of her life. Something had her extremely
excited, she wasn't sure *what* it was.... Just that *something*
was going to happen.
They passed different houses, all with white fences and lights
strung up in the yard. She gave Ferio's had a squeeze, she was
dreaming of the day when they would have a house of their own in
a neighborhood like this.
"This year is going to be the best because I have you here
with me." Fuu said as she looked up into Ferio's eyes.
Ferio kissed her forehead, "baby, I can't *wait* to spend
this time of year with someone who makes me feel the special way
*you* do."
Fuu let out a dreamy yet content sigh. "Mm-hm."
The were silent for a while as the soft snow fell on them as they
passed all the sparkling lights. It was so magical, there were no
words needed.... Yet another thing that made her feel this was
such a special time.
Before they even had time to knock on the door or ring the door
bell, the door swung open, Fuu's aunt Rose had answered the door.
"Look! Fuu and Ferio have finally decided to grace us with
their presence!"
Fuu blushed as she realized they were all smiling at her and
Ferio. Ferio seemed un phased though, considering he knew pretty
much no one in the house. He helped her off with her coat,
revealing her white bell sleeved shirt.
Fuu walked into the living room, trying to squeeze past a very
plump aunt of hers dressed in a purple dress, kind of making her
look like a jolly jiggly plum... Ferio grasped Fuu's hand and
pulled her back to the door way, right under the mistletoe. And
then, just has he had a year ago at the party, he kissed her.
This time though, he ran his fingers through her beautiful blonde
hair.
"Man I love mistletoe." Ferio said as he grinned.
Fuu smiled, it was obvious that everyone in the room had seen,
but she also knew they all could see that they were madly in
love. And Fuu loved it. It felt like everyone could feel their
happiness.
Fuu poked Ferio in the ribs. "You," she cooed,
"make the season bright."
Ferio circled his arms around Fuu's waist, "is that
so?"
"Yes, with the way the light reflects in your eyes."
Fuu said with a grin.
"Well let's meet some of the relatives of yours," Ferio
suggested with a slight sigh.
Fuu nodded and led Ferio into the living room, where the big 7
foot tree stood in the middle of the room. It was so big around
that Fuu couldn't put her arms around it.
"Aww, I suppose I won't be able to hug the tree," Fuu
said as she laughed.
"Well, why would you want to hug that ol' tree when you
could be hugging me?" Ferio asked.
"She once wanted to climb the tree," said an old woman.
"Oh no..." Fuu said as she blushed. "Please
Grandmother, do not tell *that* story..."
Her grandma laughed, causing the fringe on her white shall
to shiver over her green dress. "Our little Fuu-chan decided
that it would be fun to be on top of the tree, since she had on
the angel wings and the pretty white dress... She ended up taking
the whole tree down! And she flooded the room when she spilled
the tree water."
Fuu bowed her head and shook it. Ferio laughed, put a finger
under her chin, and turned her head up towards him. "Don't
worry, I broke my arm jumping off the roof in my super man
underwear and a bath towel as a cape."
Fuu laughed and pinched his cheek.
"Fuu-chan!" Kuu squealed. "How are you two *love*
birds?!"
Fuu tried to duck behind the tree, unfortunately she still had
her arm around Ferio, and *he* wasn't trying to hide.
"Do we *look* like birds to you?" Ferio asked as slide
his arm around Fuu's waist again.
Kuu rolled her eyes, "you two are sickeningly sweet. But
happy anniversary anyway."
Kuu thrusted a small rapped present into Fuu's arms.
"Oh!' Fuu gasped. "Thank you!"
Fuu tore open the gift, inside was a painted glass Christmas tree
ornament, it was a one year anniversary glass ball.
Kuu grinned, "I knew it would be the perfect Christmas
gift."
Fuu hugged her sister, "Thank you!"
Ferio grinned, because what he was going to give her tonight was
even more enchanting than the glass ball. He couldn't wait to see
her face.
Fuu's eyes drifted to where her own parents stood saying their
good-byes. Fuu looked at her watch, two hours had gone by!
"That's right! We're going to he candle light service at the
church."
"I'll get our coats," Ferio said as he gently kissed
her cheek.
Fuu watched as he wove through the maze of guests. She smiled to
herself. She felt so luck to have found him. He seemed to make
everything more special, even after she thought things couldn't
get any better. At this point, she couldn't seem to even imagine
life without him.
Ferio returned and helped her put her coat on. Then she found her
parents again, and they all piled into the Hououji family van.
Fuu hugged Ferio's arm as she shivered. Ferio stroked her head,
but that only sent more shivers down her spine...
The church wasn't far from Fuu's aunt's house, and they were
there before Ferio had too much time to think. The church looked
beautiful, and there was always something humbling about the
manger scene set up inside the sanctuary.
Fuu's eyes lit up as she looked around the church and Ferio
couldn't help but smile. She looked so beautiful when here eyes
were so wide in wonder. Fuu's mother and father slide into the
third pew from the back, fallowed by Kuu, then Fuu, and last
Ferio.
Once they were seated Ferio contemplated putting his arm around
Fuu's shoulder. It always felt sort of, *wrong* to be doing
anything affectionate in church... But then again, there was also
something really amazing about being in a church, and how much it
made you treasure what you have all the time. And right now he
was really treasuring his girl.
As they bowed their heads in prayer, Fuu said a prayers for
herself and Ferio. *Please, let this year be a good year, and let
all our dreams come true...*
Before Ferio knew it, they were already passing around the unlit
candles for the final hymns before the closing of the service.
Fuu loved this part. There was something terribly romantic about
it all. She snuggled up close to Ferio, as close as she could
since they were standing up and passing a flaming from one person
to the next.
Fuu looked up at Ferio's eyes, something had him even more
gleeful than usual. She decided to chalk it up to the season, and
the fact that they had been together a year. She watched him as
they sang the last Christmas hymn.
After the final song, the Reverend gave the benediction. Everyone
blew out their candles, but before the lights were turned back
up, Ferio pulled Fuu out into the center isle. Then he dropped
down on one knee.
"What are you doing?!" Fuu said, sounding rather
alarmed.
"Fuu Hououji, I love you." He reached into his pocket
and pulled out a ring box. "Will you do me the honor of
becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"
Fuu stood there, just blinking. For a good ten seconds.
"Yes!" She yelped finally as she put her arms around
Ferio's neck.
"Thank God! I was so afraid you'd say no or something!"
Ferio right before he kissed Fuu.
Fuu kept hugging Ferio. Everyone started clapping, Fuu blushed
slightly realizing that *everyone* had heard.
"So, is this anything like what you asked Santa for this
year?" Ferio asked.
"Look into my eyes, I'm gonna tell you truthfully, I don't
need any Santa Claus to hear my Christmas wish. I've got you in
my arms and what could be a better gift?"
Ferio smiled. "Thank you for coming into my life."
Ferio smiled softly and stroked her hair. "I love you
baby."
"I love you too Ferio," Fuu said with a big grin.
"So, how about a Christmas Eve wedding next year?"
"I was just about to suggest that." Fuu said as she
nuzzled Ferio. "Thank you. Thank you for making this the
best Christmas Eve ever."
"Sure thing baby, sure thing."