First Christmas Together

Posted on Mon Jan 1st, 2024 @ 9:41pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Zac & Emily’s Quarters
2005 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

It was Zac and Emily’s first Christmas together as a couple, something that made it all the more special for Emily with having young Leana as well. It was going to be hard for all the orphans, but she was going to make sure Leana had the best Christmas ever!

Emily stood beside the bare Christmas tree, she still hadn’t managed to find time to unpack all her things yet. Now she was wondering where she’d left the things they needed.

“Zac, have you seen where I put the Christmas decorations?”

"Ummm." Zac replied from the closet he was currently searching through. He stepped out of the closet and looked back at Emily. "I think you put it in with the rest of your belongings in our bedroom closet. It may be tucked away in the back behind your clothes." He offered.

Emily nodded. “I should have made sure to empty those boxes! I’ll get around to it I promise!” She headed for the bedroom to go and check the boxes, a little bit of rummaging later she returned carrying two stacked boxes barely able to see where she was going. “I Found them!”

Zac turned in time to see Emily carrying the stacked boxes. "Geeses Emily!" He exclaimed as he rushed to her side to take the boxes. " You could have fallen and hurt yourself. Let me take those." He said as he took the boxes from her and carried them over to the Christmas tree. "Let's do this." He said happily as he placed the boxes on the floor.

Emily grinned. “I’d like that. There should be some tree lights in the bottom of the one box, I put them underneath the baubles and tree decorations to keep them safe.”

Zac opened the box and carefully removed the bulbs and other ornaments before he brought out the lights. "I'm guessing you want to put the lights on first Emily?"

Emily nodded. “Yes, please. I generally wrap them around the tree then decorate on top of that, unless you have a better way of doing it?”

Zac shook his head, "Nope. I think that is the best way to do Emily." He replied. "Do you walk your bulbs around the tree? You know to keep them from getting tangled."

Emily nodded. “Normally, it drives me insane just getting them on the tree!” She grinned. “Feel free to do them if you like.”

Zac chuckled at Emily's statement and the face she made. "Well, I don't want my girlfriend going crazy, so I will do the lights. How is that Emily?"

Emily grinned. “That sounds wonderful to me! I’ll sort the tree decorations for when you’re done.”

Zac nodded and began to slowly walk around the tree, keeping the line straight as he worked the line up the tree. It several minutes but he got the job finished without any tangles or losing his temper.

“Now that’s what I call an excellent job!” Emily grinned as she kissed Zac on the cheek. “Now let’s get the tinsel and tree decorations on.” She rattled the box playfully.

"You are too kind Emily, but I thank you. Years of practice now finally paying off." He teased. "Bring on the tinsel and decorations. They have met their match in us." He joked.

“You bet they have!” Emily laughed as she brought the box of decorations closer. “I’m going to really enjoy this year having you here with me. Let’s get what we can done before Leana finishes nursery.”

Zac chuckled at Emily's exuberance. "There is nowhere else I would rather be then here with you Emily. Our first Christmas. Let's make it memorable." He finished as he picked some ornaments.

“This is my first Christmas with a family of my own, that makes it all the more special” Emily smiled as she picked up some tinsel and started decorating the tree.

"I agree it is special. One that you should always remember and when you do it brings a smile to your face." Zac commented as he began placing ornaments on the tree.

“I’m hoping Christmas will be fun for Leana, after everything she’s lost at such a young age, I just want her to feel as special as you make me feel.” Emily smiled warmly.

"I'm sure Leana is going to love Christmas, Emily. She already feels special. Your love is what she needs the most right now. I hope I can always make you feel special Emily. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." Zac replied as he hung some more ornaments.

“Zac, you’ve made my life so much happier since I met you! Look at us, living a real family life with a daughter!” Emily grinned as she practically danced around. “I’m so happy I could shout it from the rooftops!”

Zac smiled broadly at Emily. Her happiness was contagious. "Emily, I never want what we have to end. I want our lives to continue together with Leana as a family. He smile as he said his next. "If you want to shout, shout and I'll join you."

Emily grinned. “I would but our neighbours will think we’re crazy!” She rattled through the box of decorations picking out some to go on the tree.

"Do you care what they think Emily? After all it is Christmas." Zac pointed out as he put some ornaments on the tree.

“True I guess” Emily nodded. “I guess I’ve always been pretty reserved, worrying about what others think of me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Should I worry, or shouldn’t I?”

Zac stopped placing ornaments on the tree. "Emily, I think we all care what others think of us which is good as we all want to be liked and well thought of. However, in the end, you have to do what is best for you, You shouldn't be inhibited in expressing yourself because you are worried what others may think."

Emily nodded. “That’s true, after what happened to me it took a long time to recover. If it hadn’t been for George I wouldn’t have recovered. He was there for me, took care of me, brought me back from the edge of the abyss that I was teetering on. Now I’m here with you, and I feel like the luckiest woman alive!”

Zac was silent as Emily spoke of the dark period in her life. When she finished, he moved silently to her and hugged her tightly. "I will always be here for you Emily. I will always take care of you. You will never be alone. You and Leana will always be able to count on me. I promise you."

Emily hugged Zac, it felt good to be able to trust in him. “Thank you Zac. There was a time when I thought I’d never be able to trust any man. You’ve shown me that I can, and I love you very much!”

Zac chuckled and kissed her again. "I'm glad to hear that, Emily. Means I won't have to take your Christmas gifts back." He teased.

“Likewise for yours!” Emily grinned playfully. “Besides I have what I always wanted a man to love & a child to raise. Though I’d still like a child of my own later on down the line.”

"Oh you!" Zac laughed and hugged Emily. It felt good to laugh and be with someone that loved you as much as you loved them. "I think you having a child of your own is a wonderful idea Emily. Got your eyes on any suitable men?" He teased.

“Ohh I have my eyes on one right now” Emily grinned. “But I think my brother would insist on a wedding first.” She grinned a wry grin.

"Oh? Is that a fact? That is good to know you've got the lucky fellow picked out. I can't argue with your brother. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with the family. In fact, I was saving this for later but now seems perfect." As Zac dropped to his knee and fished out a small velvet box, opening it to reveal a solitaire cut diamond ring. "Emily, you make me complete and happy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I want those good times to continue as we continue our journey." He paused, "Emily, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Emily gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth as she looked at Zac like a deer into headlights. For a moment she couldn’t say anything, before she finally nodded. “I...Yes, Yes & Yes!!.” She Still couldn’t believe what was happening as she held out her hand for him to put the ring on.

Zac slid the ring onto Emily's finger and then rose to kiss her passionately on the lips. "I hope I make you as happy as you make me Emily. I love you so very much."

Returning the kiss Emily could barely believe this was real, it was like a fairytale from a book. “I love you Zac, and that’s never going to change!”

Zac smiled brilliantly at her. "You've made me the happiest man in the galaxy Emily and I plan on keeping you happy."

Emily smiled. “This is just the start of a dream, a dream we’ll live together as a family. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you Zac.”

"I couldn't agree more Emily. Do you think Leana will be okay with this?" The apprehension in his voice obvious.

“I think so” Emily nodded. “She’s settled in here with the two of us just fine, we need to sit down with her and explain. She just needs a stable family environment and she’ll get that here with us.”

Zac nodded, "I hope so Emily. I'm not trying to tear down what we have, I'm trying to strengthen it, make it even more stable."

“I know you are Zac” Emily smiled as she looked at the ring that now adorned her finger. “This is the most amazing Christmas present ever!”

Zac nodded and grinned, "And Christmas hasn't even officially gotten here. I wonder what else Santa brought for you?" He teased.

“I’ve no idea!” Emily grinned. “But I can’t wait to find out.”

"Guess you will just have to be patient and wait and see." Zac teased playfully.

“I guess I will won’t I?” Emily grinned hoping to find out sooner, rather than later.

"I would say that is a safe bet, Emily." Zac bantered back, wondering what if anything Emily was going to do next.

“I can be patient” Emily grinned. “I don’t like to ruin surprises. I’ll wait and see, unless you want me to know of course?”

"Welllllllll......" Zac drawled I could be persuaded to tell you at least one for the right price." He teased.

"Ohh I wonder..." Emily grinned as she moved over to Zac, giving him a loving and romantic kiss. "Is that good enough?"

Zac slid his hands to her slender waist. "More than good enough Emily. I made us reservations at Das Alpine Haus."

"Really!?" Emily smiled. "I've heard of it but I've never actually been there. I can't wait!"

"I haven't been there either Emily but like you i heard it was fantastic. So, I'm eager for us to try it and see for ourselves." Zac replied with a grin.

"Excellent!" Emily smiled excitedly. "I can't wait for that!"

"Me neither! So, let's get going so we can enjoy this meal." Zac replied.

"First things first, to organise a babysitter" Emily grinned. "Then I can have you all to myself for a few hours."

"Well yeah." Zac replied, "First things first after all."

Emily grinned at that response. She couldn't wait to enjoy an evening out with Zac.

{Tbc}

 

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