A Parisian Christmas
Title: A Parisian Christmas
Universe: the Marvel Universe, specifically the Mutant Sue Virus branch
Pairing: Jehnna/Warren
Written For: sessys_fangirl
Prompt: mistletoe, dinner in front of the fire, a romantic Christmas song playing and a happy ending
Rating: adultish. some sexual overtones. no violence, language or nudity. mushy, sugary sweetness
Word Count: 2930
Disclaimer: i don't own Warren or anything recognizable from the world of the X-Men and Marvel. all of it is owned by Marvel and whoever the hell else owns it. i will put him back when i'm finished with him. promise. and i'm not making any money off any of this. all i'm getting is comments. please don't sue me. i don't own Jehnna, either. she belongs to sessys_fangirl . i'm just borrowing her for the moment.
She still couldn't believe it. Paris! Warren had taken her to Paris. For Christmas. It had seemed an extravagant gift when he'd suggested it, but he hadn't let her try and talk him out of it. What good is money if I can't spend it on the people closest to me? That was what he'd said to her when she'd tried to protest the trip. He'd even gone so far as to take her shopping for clothes to bring with on their trip as an early Christmas present. Then, after packing all of the gorgeous clothes he'd insisted she get into new luggage, they'd boarded a jet, taken seats in first class and flown all the way to Paris in luxury.
They'd arrived after dark and had decided to go straight to the hotel to get some sleep. The bed had been so big, she'd been afraid she'd lose Warren in it. But the mattress had been soft, as has the pillows, and she'd fallen into slumber even before she'd laid her head down.
After waking at a disgustingly late hour, they'd dined on a decadent brunch before dressing and going out to see Paris in the daylight. She'd wanted to go to the Louvre, but he'd insisted that they'd need an entire day to explore the museum and had promised that they would go tomorrow or the next day. Instead, they'd explored some of the shops and had a light snack at one of Paris' innumerable sidewalk cafes. After that, they'd decided to visit Notre Dame Cathedral.
Walking inside had instilled such a sense of peace on her that Jehnna had been left wondering if it was some kind of mystic happening that one experienced in a building of such age and grandeur or if it was simply her. Not that it had really mattered. She'd felt at home inside the towering stone church and had basked in the peace it brought. For a time, she'd been able to forget about the troubles that mutants faced every day. That the world faced every day. For a time, she'd simply been Jehnna.
Together, she and Warren had seen all there was to see at Notre Dame. They'd walked the grounds and smelled the roses in the gardens behind the cathedral. They'd studied the organ and its many pipes, gazed in silent awe at the glorious stained glass windows. They'd listened to the gentle, mellow, deeply resonating chimes of the great bourdon bell called Emmanuel as it had marked the passing of the hour. They'd spent so much time at Notre Dame that it was nearing dark by the time they finally left. That had meant a trip back to the hotel to clean up and change into more formal attire.
Which brought them to where they were now. Sitting on a thick carpet before a giant hearth, dining in the finest French food in the world. In a real castle. They were being waited on by liveried servants and a string quartet played softly from the corner of the grand room. The wine was chilled and crisp on her tongue and each drink made her feel just a little more light headed than the previous one. Any other time, it would have bothered her. Tonight... Tonight she didn't care.
"What brought all this on, Warren? There was no need to bring me to Paris and buy me all those clothes or anything. We could have gone back to the cabin to spend Christmas together. This wasn't necessary." Jehnna speared a stalk of asparagus and nibbled on it almost absently. She was too busy watching Warren eat, watching the way his jaw worked as he chewed his lamb chop.
"Does there need to be a reason?" he returned. She blinked at that. She hadn't really given it much thought. Not that she didn't like spontaneity, but it seemed rather an extravagant amount of money to spend for a simple Christmas gift.
"Well... I guess not. But it just seems a little much." She paused and speared one of the small potatoes that had been piled onto her plate. It was buttery and delicately seasoned with herbs she couldn't name. "My gift to you feels really cheap next to this."
"Jehnna, you know that won't matter. After all, it is the thought that counts." Warren offered her a smile. Yeah. That was the old saying. But that didn't mean she felt a little guilty about not being able to give him something as amazing and wonderful as a trip to Paris.
"I know, Warren. But this... " She motioned to the stone walls around them with the hand that held her fork. "This is so extravagant. You shouldn't have spent the money."
He set his fork down and reached out to lay his hand against her face, his thumb stroking lightly over her cheek. "Jehnna, money doesn't mean anything if I can't do something with it or spend it on someone I care about. I wanted to do this for you. I know how demanding being an X-Man is, how demanding school is. I wanted to do something special for you, sweetheart. I thought maybe seeing a bit of the world would make up for all of the times we've been pulled apart by missions."
Jehnna sighed and glanced around the grand room they were in. Smooth, well aged stone peeked out from behind bright, beautiful tapestries and vivid paintings. There were portraits and landscapes framed by golden hued wood. Rich draperies covered the floor to ceiling windows. One corner held a tree that had to be ten feet tall. It was decorated with ornaments that sparkled and shone in the twinkling lights nestled amidst the branches. Garlands of cranberries and glittering tinsel wrapped around the tree time and again. An ornate angel wearing a velvet gown sat at the very top, watching over them as they ate. Plush furniture and dark wood tables and thick area rugs were scattered around the large room, creating private seating areas in more than one place.
"You don't have to make that up to me, Warren. I understand that it isn't your fault."
"But I want to make it up to you, Jehnna. Maybe your friends aren't as upset when plans are made and canceled, but I know it bothers you. You aren't like the rest of your team."
"I'm not?" She thought that a curious thing to say. She wondered if she should be offended.
"You're more sensitive than they are, sweetheart." Warren sighed and lifted his wine glass so he could sip at the excellent beverage. "Don't get me wrong. I like them. They're good friends and they'd do anything for you. I know they love you. But they each deal with things differently than you do. You react with your emotions."
"I thought that we all reacted with our emotions." Jehnna was confused now.
Warren sighed again. "You do, but... I'm not explaining this right. Never mind. Just know that I wanted to do this for you."
"I just wish I could give you something as amazing as this."
"Someday you will, Jehnna. I know it."
They fell silent as they finished up their meal. The food was superbly cooked, each bite melting on her tongue. The seasonings used were subtle and gentle, hardly overpowering at all. She thought of the days when Remy cooked for the school. His food was always excellent, but it had nothing on the meal she'd been served.
When her plate was empty, one of the servants came over and whisked it away without a word. They'd done the same with her salad plate and her soup bowl. The first time, it had been a little disconcerting, because it had happened so suddenly that she'd thought that they must have been reading her mind. Even now, after doing the same thing three times, it was still a touch confusing for her.
Dessert came after Warren's plate had been removed. She didn't know what it was, but it was light and fluffy and totally indulgent. There was chocolate in it, but that's about all she knew about it. When she asked the man who brought it to her what it was, his French was so fast that she couldn't catch a word of it. And when she asked Warren, he only smiled and fed her bites form the large portion that had arrived on a single plate. Realizing that he wasn't going to tell her, she fell silent and allowed him to spoon the luscious concoction into her mouth.
Upon finishing the dessert, Warren pushed the plate away and reached for her. Jehnna went without having to be asked, allowing him to pull her into his arms. Her hands stroked the silken softness of his hair while they stared into one another's eyes. She thought that he was going to kiss her, that he was going to lay her down on the rug before the fire and make love to her then and there. But he drew away from her and gained his feet. She was totally confused by his change, but she allowed him to bring her into a standing position, her hand sliding into his when he offered it. He wrapped an arm around her and started steering her toward the door.
"Merci, Pierre. C'est magnifique," Warren told the hovering man as they walked. The man said nothing, simply inclined his head in response. As they passed through the door, she heard a clapping of hands, then rapid fire French. Another liveried servant was waiting at the main entrance with their coats. Warren helped Jehnna into hers before putting his on. Then they were outside and heading for a waiting car. Jehnna wasn't sure what kind it was or anything, but she knew by the way the lines flowed into one another that it was old.
"The car is beautiful, Warren." Her voice held awe as he helped her into it. He climbed in after her, taking a seat beside her on the bench seat. The driver held the door for them both, shutting it wordlessly after they were both settled. "What kind is it?"
"A 1935 Rolls Royce."
"Wow." She ran her hand over the genuine leather seats. The car had a special feel to it, one she couldn't quite put her finger on. The driver took his place behind the wheel and started the engine without a word. The car slipped into gear, rolling into motion so smoothly that she wouldn't have known the engine was running if she hadn't watched the driver start it herself.
"Well, I wanted to fly you to our destination, but I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. So a luxury automobile it is. But this gives us a chance to snuggle without having to worry about birds and head winds." As soon as he finished speaking, he drew her closer to him, his arm wrapping around her shoulder so that he could fit her tight against his side.
"Where are we going?" she asked, eyes wide with excitement as she watched the darkened country side fly by the car's window.
"You'll see when we get there."
She wanted to ask more, but his tone suggested that he didn't plan on giving her anything more. So she contented herself with looking out the window. There was snow on the ground, and even though the heater was on in the car, she could feel the cool air as it glided against the car. The air was brisk and clear, the temperatures cold but not outrageously so. It was lovely weather for Christmas.
Soon enough, the lights of Paris came into view. She had no idea how far from the city's center they'd been. She only knew that the car ride hadn't really taken long. It had to be possible that there was more than one castle in Paris, but she would have thought that getting into them would be next to impossible. Just how had Warren gotten that one for their dinner?
They were traveling along the Seine. Jehnna could see the lights reflecting off the black surface of the water out the window. The city was blazing with light, people enjoying the night life it offered. She glanced around, trying to get her bearings, but she just didn't know enough about the city to do so. Then they were pulling to a halt and she saw the darkened shape of the Eiffel Tower out the front windshield. She turned and looked at Warren. He offered her a nod and a smile. Even before the driver could get out of the front of the vehicle, Jehnna had the door thrown open wide and was climbing from the car. Warren chuckled at her enthusiasm and followed after her, one hand waving at the driver to stay in the car and stay warm.
He caught up to her before she made it all the way to the structure and slipped his arm around her shoulder. "Oh, Warren. This is amazing! I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. But couldn't we come see it in the daylight?"
"I suppose we could. But then we'd miss this." Almost before he finished speaking, the tower blazed to life with light, almost bright enough to make it appear as if the sun was up. The lights glistened and glimmered off the snow.
"Oh my! Did you do this? Warren? What's going on?"
He walked her into the center of the area directly below the tower. She barely took note of a second quartet in the corner. As soon as they saw them, the group lifted their instruments and began playing. She recognized "Silent Night." She'd never thought before that that particular Christmas carol could be considered romantic, but standing in the snow under the Eiffel Tower with the man she loved made it seem that way. Especially since the song was being played on a group of string instruments. The music was soft and melodic. She just couldn't believe she was here.
Her head tipped back, staring at the iron girders in shock. She swore she could feel the age rolling off the tower. That knowledge filled her with a sense of amazement. He allowed her a few moments to simply look before he caught hold of her chin with one hand and gently brought her head down so that she was once more looking at him. "You know how you were telling me over dinner that you wished you could give me something as amazing as this trip to Paris?"
"Yes," she nodded and frowned.
"Well, there is something."
"Name it, Warren. Anything I can do. Its yours." She watched him as he went down on one knee. One of his hands disappeared into his coat pocket, only to reappear with a blue velvet box. Jehnna's eyes went wide and her heart started pounding in her chest. He wasn't going to... Was he? A flick of his hand opened the box to show her the white gold band that was nestled inside, a large diamond sticking up from it. Her heart stopped and her lungs froze. Nothing more than a whisper passed her lips. "Oh God."
"Marry me."
"Warren?"
"We've been together for a long time, Jehnna. And I love you with all my heart. I want you to marry me. Say yes and it'll be the most amazing gift you can give me."
She blinked at him, mouth working as she tried to grasp what he was asking her. He'd brought her to Paris to propose? It was the most amazing thing, the most amazing gift in the world. "Yes, Warren! Yes! Yes I'll marry you!" She threw herself into his arms and hugged him close.
"Look up, sweetheart." His words were whispered in her ear. Again, she tipped her head back and looked up. This time, there was a single spotlight aimed at the center of the tower's underside. Hanging from the girders was a large bunch of mistletoe, its white berries showing brightly in the spotlight. She didn't know how far down it hung, but she thought it had to be far because she could see it clearly. There was a deep, bloody red ribbon tied around it. "Looks like we're standing under mistletoe. You know all about the rules."
"The kissing rules?" She lowered her face so she could look at him and found that he'd stood up.
"Yes." He gave a solemn nod. "The rule says that any couple standing under the mistletoe has to kiss."
"You know I don't like to break the rules." She pressed closer to him.
"Neither do I." Their lips met in a fiery kiss that curled her toes in her socks. Jehnna wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. Her mouth opened to his tongue, allowing it entrance. They stood there like that, lost in one another as they kissed and tasted and once more mapped each others lips and mouth. When she pulled back, nearly gasping for breath, Warren slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I'll never be able to top this," she whispered, staring at the diamond.
"Well, maybe if you gave me a family..." he began. Jehnna glanced up at him and smiled.
"A family, huh? I suppose you want one for Christmas next year?"
"I'd love that." Warren grinned.
"Well, then. I think we need to go back to the hotel and get started on that family right away." And that was exactly what they did.
Universe: the Marvel Universe, specifically the Mutant Sue Virus branch
Pairing: Jehnna/Warren
Written For: sessys_fangirl
Prompt: mistletoe, dinner in front of the fire, a romantic Christmas song playing and a happy ending
Rating: adultish. some sexual overtones. no violence, language or nudity. mushy, sugary sweetness
Word Count: 2930
Disclaimer: i don't own Warren or anything recognizable from the world of the X-Men and Marvel. all of it is owned by Marvel and whoever the hell else owns it. i will put him back when i'm finished with him. promise. and i'm not making any money off any of this. all i'm getting is comments. please don't sue me. i don't own Jehnna, either. she belongs to sessys_fangirl . i'm just borrowing her for the moment.
She still couldn't believe it. Paris! Warren had taken her to Paris. For Christmas. It had seemed an extravagant gift when he'd suggested it, but he hadn't let her try and talk him out of it. What good is money if I can't spend it on the people closest to me? That was what he'd said to her when she'd tried to protest the trip. He'd even gone so far as to take her shopping for clothes to bring with on their trip as an early Christmas present. Then, after packing all of the gorgeous clothes he'd insisted she get into new luggage, they'd boarded a jet, taken seats in first class and flown all the way to Paris in luxury.
They'd arrived after dark and had decided to go straight to the hotel to get some sleep. The bed had been so big, she'd been afraid she'd lose Warren in it. But the mattress had been soft, as has the pillows, and she'd fallen into slumber even before she'd laid her head down.
After waking at a disgustingly late hour, they'd dined on a decadent brunch before dressing and going out to see Paris in the daylight. She'd wanted to go to the Louvre, but he'd insisted that they'd need an entire day to explore the museum and had promised that they would go tomorrow or the next day. Instead, they'd explored some of the shops and had a light snack at one of Paris' innumerable sidewalk cafes. After that, they'd decided to visit Notre Dame Cathedral.
Walking inside had instilled such a sense of peace on her that Jehnna had been left wondering if it was some kind of mystic happening that one experienced in a building of such age and grandeur or if it was simply her. Not that it had really mattered. She'd felt at home inside the towering stone church and had basked in the peace it brought. For a time, she'd been able to forget about the troubles that mutants faced every day. That the world faced every day. For a time, she'd simply been Jehnna.
Together, she and Warren had seen all there was to see at Notre Dame. They'd walked the grounds and smelled the roses in the gardens behind the cathedral. They'd studied the organ and its many pipes, gazed in silent awe at the glorious stained glass windows. They'd listened to the gentle, mellow, deeply resonating chimes of the great bourdon bell called Emmanuel as it had marked the passing of the hour. They'd spent so much time at Notre Dame that it was nearing dark by the time they finally left. That had meant a trip back to the hotel to clean up and change into more formal attire.
Which brought them to where they were now. Sitting on a thick carpet before a giant hearth, dining in the finest French food in the world. In a real castle. They were being waited on by liveried servants and a string quartet played softly from the corner of the grand room. The wine was chilled and crisp on her tongue and each drink made her feel just a little more light headed than the previous one. Any other time, it would have bothered her. Tonight... Tonight she didn't care.
"What brought all this on, Warren? There was no need to bring me to Paris and buy me all those clothes or anything. We could have gone back to the cabin to spend Christmas together. This wasn't necessary." Jehnna speared a stalk of asparagus and nibbled on it almost absently. She was too busy watching Warren eat, watching the way his jaw worked as he chewed his lamb chop.
"Does there need to be a reason?" he returned. She blinked at that. She hadn't really given it much thought. Not that she didn't like spontaneity, but it seemed rather an extravagant amount of money to spend for a simple Christmas gift.
"Well... I guess not. But it just seems a little much." She paused and speared one of the small potatoes that had been piled onto her plate. It was buttery and delicately seasoned with herbs she couldn't name. "My gift to you feels really cheap next to this."
"Jehnna, you know that won't matter. After all, it is the thought that counts." Warren offered her a smile. Yeah. That was the old saying. But that didn't mean she felt a little guilty about not being able to give him something as amazing and wonderful as a trip to Paris.
"I know, Warren. But this... " She motioned to the stone walls around them with the hand that held her fork. "This is so extravagant. You shouldn't have spent the money."
He set his fork down and reached out to lay his hand against her face, his thumb stroking lightly over her cheek. "Jehnna, money doesn't mean anything if I can't do something with it or spend it on someone I care about. I wanted to do this for you. I know how demanding being an X-Man is, how demanding school is. I wanted to do something special for you, sweetheart. I thought maybe seeing a bit of the world would make up for all of the times we've been pulled apart by missions."
Jehnna sighed and glanced around the grand room they were in. Smooth, well aged stone peeked out from behind bright, beautiful tapestries and vivid paintings. There were portraits and landscapes framed by golden hued wood. Rich draperies covered the floor to ceiling windows. One corner held a tree that had to be ten feet tall. It was decorated with ornaments that sparkled and shone in the twinkling lights nestled amidst the branches. Garlands of cranberries and glittering tinsel wrapped around the tree time and again. An ornate angel wearing a velvet gown sat at the very top, watching over them as they ate. Plush furniture and dark wood tables and thick area rugs were scattered around the large room, creating private seating areas in more than one place.
"You don't have to make that up to me, Warren. I understand that it isn't your fault."
"But I want to make it up to you, Jehnna. Maybe your friends aren't as upset when plans are made and canceled, but I know it bothers you. You aren't like the rest of your team."
"I'm not?" She thought that a curious thing to say. She wondered if she should be offended.
"You're more sensitive than they are, sweetheart." Warren sighed and lifted his wine glass so he could sip at the excellent beverage. "Don't get me wrong. I like them. They're good friends and they'd do anything for you. I know they love you. But they each deal with things differently than you do. You react with your emotions."
"I thought that we all reacted with our emotions." Jehnna was confused now.
Warren sighed again. "You do, but... I'm not explaining this right. Never mind. Just know that I wanted to do this for you."
"I just wish I could give you something as amazing as this."
"Someday you will, Jehnna. I know it."
They fell silent as they finished up their meal. The food was superbly cooked, each bite melting on her tongue. The seasonings used were subtle and gentle, hardly overpowering at all. She thought of the days when Remy cooked for the school. His food was always excellent, but it had nothing on the meal she'd been served.
When her plate was empty, one of the servants came over and whisked it away without a word. They'd done the same with her salad plate and her soup bowl. The first time, it had been a little disconcerting, because it had happened so suddenly that she'd thought that they must have been reading her mind. Even now, after doing the same thing three times, it was still a touch confusing for her.
Dessert came after Warren's plate had been removed. She didn't know what it was, but it was light and fluffy and totally indulgent. There was chocolate in it, but that's about all she knew about it. When she asked the man who brought it to her what it was, his French was so fast that she couldn't catch a word of it. And when she asked Warren, he only smiled and fed her bites form the large portion that had arrived on a single plate. Realizing that he wasn't going to tell her, she fell silent and allowed him to spoon the luscious concoction into her mouth.
Upon finishing the dessert, Warren pushed the plate away and reached for her. Jehnna went without having to be asked, allowing him to pull her into his arms. Her hands stroked the silken softness of his hair while they stared into one another's eyes. She thought that he was going to kiss her, that he was going to lay her down on the rug before the fire and make love to her then and there. But he drew away from her and gained his feet. She was totally confused by his change, but she allowed him to bring her into a standing position, her hand sliding into his when he offered it. He wrapped an arm around her and started steering her toward the door.
"Merci, Pierre. C'est magnifique," Warren told the hovering man as they walked. The man said nothing, simply inclined his head in response. As they passed through the door, she heard a clapping of hands, then rapid fire French. Another liveried servant was waiting at the main entrance with their coats. Warren helped Jehnna into hers before putting his on. Then they were outside and heading for a waiting car. Jehnna wasn't sure what kind it was or anything, but she knew by the way the lines flowed into one another that it was old.
"The car is beautiful, Warren." Her voice held awe as he helped her into it. He climbed in after her, taking a seat beside her on the bench seat. The driver held the door for them both, shutting it wordlessly after they were both settled. "What kind is it?"
"A 1935 Rolls Royce."
"Wow." She ran her hand over the genuine leather seats. The car had a special feel to it, one she couldn't quite put her finger on. The driver took his place behind the wheel and started the engine without a word. The car slipped into gear, rolling into motion so smoothly that she wouldn't have known the engine was running if she hadn't watched the driver start it herself.
"Well, I wanted to fly you to our destination, but I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. So a luxury automobile it is. But this gives us a chance to snuggle without having to worry about birds and head winds." As soon as he finished speaking, he drew her closer to him, his arm wrapping around her shoulder so that he could fit her tight against his side.
"Where are we going?" she asked, eyes wide with excitement as she watched the darkened country side fly by the car's window.
"You'll see when we get there."
She wanted to ask more, but his tone suggested that he didn't plan on giving her anything more. So she contented herself with looking out the window. There was snow on the ground, and even though the heater was on in the car, she could feel the cool air as it glided against the car. The air was brisk and clear, the temperatures cold but not outrageously so. It was lovely weather for Christmas.
Soon enough, the lights of Paris came into view. She had no idea how far from the city's center they'd been. She only knew that the car ride hadn't really taken long. It had to be possible that there was more than one castle in Paris, but she would have thought that getting into them would be next to impossible. Just how had Warren gotten that one for their dinner?
They were traveling along the Seine. Jehnna could see the lights reflecting off the black surface of the water out the window. The city was blazing with light, people enjoying the night life it offered. She glanced around, trying to get her bearings, but she just didn't know enough about the city to do so. Then they were pulling to a halt and she saw the darkened shape of the Eiffel Tower out the front windshield. She turned and looked at Warren. He offered her a nod and a smile. Even before the driver could get out of the front of the vehicle, Jehnna had the door thrown open wide and was climbing from the car. Warren chuckled at her enthusiasm and followed after her, one hand waving at the driver to stay in the car and stay warm.
He caught up to her before she made it all the way to the structure and slipped his arm around her shoulder. "Oh, Warren. This is amazing! I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. But couldn't we come see it in the daylight?"
"I suppose we could. But then we'd miss this." Almost before he finished speaking, the tower blazed to life with light, almost bright enough to make it appear as if the sun was up. The lights glistened and glimmered off the snow.
"Oh my! Did you do this? Warren? What's going on?"
He walked her into the center of the area directly below the tower. She barely took note of a second quartet in the corner. As soon as they saw them, the group lifted their instruments and began playing. She recognized "Silent Night." She'd never thought before that that particular Christmas carol could be considered romantic, but standing in the snow under the Eiffel Tower with the man she loved made it seem that way. Especially since the song was being played on a group of string instruments. The music was soft and melodic. She just couldn't believe she was here.
Her head tipped back, staring at the iron girders in shock. She swore she could feel the age rolling off the tower. That knowledge filled her with a sense of amazement. He allowed her a few moments to simply look before he caught hold of her chin with one hand and gently brought her head down so that she was once more looking at him. "You know how you were telling me over dinner that you wished you could give me something as amazing as this trip to Paris?"
"Yes," she nodded and frowned.
"Well, there is something."
"Name it, Warren. Anything I can do. Its yours." She watched him as he went down on one knee. One of his hands disappeared into his coat pocket, only to reappear with a blue velvet box. Jehnna's eyes went wide and her heart started pounding in her chest. He wasn't going to... Was he? A flick of his hand opened the box to show her the white gold band that was nestled inside, a large diamond sticking up from it. Her heart stopped and her lungs froze. Nothing more than a whisper passed her lips. "Oh God."
"Marry me."
"Warren?"
"We've been together for a long time, Jehnna. And I love you with all my heart. I want you to marry me. Say yes and it'll be the most amazing gift you can give me."
She blinked at him, mouth working as she tried to grasp what he was asking her. He'd brought her to Paris to propose? It was the most amazing thing, the most amazing gift in the world. "Yes, Warren! Yes! Yes I'll marry you!" She threw herself into his arms and hugged him close.
"Look up, sweetheart." His words were whispered in her ear. Again, she tipped her head back and looked up. This time, there was a single spotlight aimed at the center of the tower's underside. Hanging from the girders was a large bunch of mistletoe, its white berries showing brightly in the spotlight. She didn't know how far down it hung, but she thought it had to be far because she could see it clearly. There was a deep, bloody red ribbon tied around it. "Looks like we're standing under mistletoe. You know all about the rules."
"The kissing rules?" She lowered her face so she could look at him and found that he'd stood up.
"Yes." He gave a solemn nod. "The rule says that any couple standing under the mistletoe has to kiss."
"You know I don't like to break the rules." She pressed closer to him.
"Neither do I." Their lips met in a fiery kiss that curled her toes in her socks. Jehnna wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. Her mouth opened to his tongue, allowing it entrance. They stood there like that, lost in one another as they kissed and tasted and once more mapped each others lips and mouth. When she pulled back, nearly gasping for breath, Warren slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I'll never be able to top this," she whispered, staring at the diamond.
"Well, maybe if you gave me a family..." he began. Jehnna glanced up at him and smiled.
"A family, huh? I suppose you want one for Christmas next year?"
"I'd love that." Warren grinned.
"Well, then. I think we need to go back to the hotel and get started on that family right away." And that was exactly what they did.