All I Wish for Christmas

Total Words: 4,000

Enneagram #2 (Helper/Nurturer): Empathic, sincere, warmhearted, friendly, self-sacrificing, and generous. Can be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasers.

“Evening, Mr. Christmas!”

“Hi, Robin!”

“Did you hear Caitlyn’s getting a tooth in, Glint? Miss Tooth will be making regular visits before long!”

Trevor heard Tilly, the tiny ballerina Christmas angel, making her way down from her perch in the Christmas tree as he waited on the mantle.

She probably spends more time coming down from the tree than anyone, the ceramic snowman smiled, knowing she’d feel guilty if she didn’t bid everyone a hello or help those needing assistance in getting down. But he had no problem waiting, for that was one of the many things he loved about her.

“Daddy,” Trevor’s son, Sammy, called from behind the pine swag, “is she coming?”

Trevor nodded, waving Sammy back, “Yes, she’ll be here any minute now. Go hide with Oliver, just like we planned, okay? And tie your scarf, it’s coming undone.” His nerves were getting the better of him. Tilly was finally fluttering on her tiny golden wings up to the mantle, and he reminded himself to breathe.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Tilly smiled at her boyfriend of three years, landing softly next to him, smoothing out her soft pink feathered tutu and adjusting her matching cap.

“Hi there,” he managed, giving her a quick peck.

“Are you ready to-,” she started, but Trevor interrupted.

“Tilly, hold up,” he took her ceramic hands in his wire ones, then took another deep breath, gazing into her eyes, all his love for her welling up in his heart.

She could always sense his emotions and regarded him seriously. “What is it, honey? Is everything okay?”

“Tilly, we’ve known each other for a while now, and you’ve been such a big part of me and Sammy’s lives. And you know we both love you. You’re so wonderful, always there for us. You took Sammy in as your own that first year when I was lost in storage.” He was beginning to get emotional, his thoughts getting off track, so he paused, taking a deep breath. Watching Tilly’s sentimental, but somewhat confused smile, he continued, “Tilly, I speak on both my own and Sammy’s behalf when I ask you this. Will you marry me?”

Tilly’s painted eyes went big, then began to water as she squeezed his hands, her cap bobbing furiously as she nodded. “Oh, Trevor! Yes, oh yes! I would love to marry you!”

“Hurray!” Sammy bounced out from behind the swag, “We’re gonna be a real family! Yippee!”

Suddenly, the entire room was filled with cheers and merriment, as all their friends had secretly waited for her to accept the proposal. Tilly laughed and cried as Trevor scooped her up in his arms, the pair sharing a joyous kiss.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Trevor set her back down and reached into his scarf, pulling out a tiny golden ring.

“It’s gorgeous, Trevor! Oh, I love it! I love you!” she gushed as she allowed him to put it on her finger, then kissed him again. Then turning to Sammy, she opened her arms, bringing him into the embrace with Trevor. “Oh, you boys have made me the happiest angel in the world. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to become a part of your family.”

“Tilly, Mommy,” Sammy smiled at his new name for her, “we have always been family. I love you so much!”

“So, when are we putting on this shindig?” Olivia broke up the party with a smile of her own. “I’m volunteering as Wedding Planner, so I need all the details. Date, color scheme, guests, you know.”

Trevor let go of his now-fiancé, “That’s all on you, sweetheart, though the guest list will be easy. Just put down everyone. Do you want to do it this year, or do you need more time to plan?”

“Oh, if I could, I’d marry you right now. But, it should really be a special occasion. Why don’t we plan for one week before Christmas Eve. It’s too hectic the week of Christmas, and that’ll give us a little time to spend together afterwards.”

“That gives us exactly two weeks to put everything together. That’s plenty of time,” Olivia reassured them. “Let’s go, Til, we gotta get started!”