This Love

36

As I get back into my workload before Christmas Daniel goes back to training, going from London to France to Monaco. Between game nights and marketing packages needing to be sent out weekly I'm worn out when the week before the holidays rolls around. I drag myself into the house after a particularly long day, but a smile still comes to my face remembering that it's one of mine and Dan's virtual date nights, which we try to have on a monthly basis. Lexi passes by me in the hallway towards our rooms, "date night tonight, right?" I nod, "yeah, thanks for being okay with it, I know me taking over the living space can be annoying" she shrugs, "no biggie Cal, I know it's hard without him here" I smile at her and step into my room to change into something dressier.

A few minutes later I walk out of my room wearing a multicoloured sequin dress, holding my laptop as I go to the kitchen to set everything up. I place the computer on the counter, putting on my favourite date night Spotify playlist before taking out the pots and pans necessary to make some dinner. The apron i slide on over my dress prevents a mess that would be hard to clean, as I get into cooking mode for the next hour.

——

When the FaceTime ringtone sounds from my laptop I quickly throw off my apron and grab the plate of food I made getting to the right side of the counter. My finger moves along the mousepad accepting the call before I turn down the music slightly. I take my seat smiling at Dan who is also dressed to the nines in a suit, "wow you're beautiful" he tells me, I blush looking away from him, "you're looking like a snack too Dan" he laughs and I giggle. My hand latches onto the wine glass that is behind the laptop, I bring it in front of me, I watch the Australian do the same, "here's to us" he says while holding up his glass, I grin doing the same, "cheers" I exclaim before taking a sip of the dark wine.

We talk for a few hours as if we aren't in two different countries separated by an ocean. I'm smiling as Dan tells me about his training and what he has been doing since last seeing me. I tell him about my long hours at and away from the rink leading up to Christmas break. My hand holds up my head as I swirl the remaining wine in my glass a smile on my face, "Cal?" I look up at my boyfriend straightening my posture, "yeah?" He bites his lip nervously running his fingers through his hair. My mind doesn't know how to process his nervous expression so I interlace my fingers once I've moved my glass aside, "do you want to come to Perth with me for Christmas?" My eyes widen in surprise, "you want me to go home with you?" he nods a smile appearing on his face, "I want you to meet my family, they've been looking forward to meeting my Canadian girlfriend" my expression changes at the thought of talking to the people who raised Daniel, "I would really like that" I say after a few seconds. The race car driver's smile widens at my response, "but I have to be back by New Years Day, the Colts have an afternoon game that I can't miss" he nods in understanding making me smile, "you're going to love it in Perth Cal" I let my head rest on my palm again as I listen to Dan tell me about his hometown with a spark in his eye.

The clock on the stove tells me it's eleven so I lean towards the screen, "I should probably go Danny, it's late here" I say sadly. He smiles at me, "okay beautiful, I love you so much, I'll send you the information about Christmas" I nod letting out a yawn placing a hand over my mouth, "love you hotshot, goodnight sleep tight" he blows me a kiss making me smile before I hang up the call. I sigh as I stand up to wash the dishes I left on the counters followed by taking my laptop and dragging my butt to my room to go to bed, my thoughts revolving around the trip to Australia I agreed to minutes earlier.

——

The next morning I wake up to various text messages from Daniel with information regarding our trip to Perth in a few days. My eyes catch that he already paid for my tickets there and back. I shake my head knowing that he never would have let me buy my own tickets so I don't bother pleading my case of being able to afford them. I save all of the information to my phone and open the email that includes my boarding pass taking a screenshot of it not knowing what could happen.

When I have organized the information I quickly call my mom to tell her about my updated plans for the holidays. "To what do I owe this early morning phone call?" My mom asks when she picks up, "I know this is last minute and you might hate me for it, but Daniel invited me to spend Christmas with him in Australia" I reply before biting my lip, anxiously waiting for her reaction.

"Oh honey that's wonderful" my eyebrows raise at her unexpected reaction, "you're not mad?" She laughs, "of course not Cal, sure it means waiting a little longer to see you but Daniel wants to spend this time of year with you which is a big step for the both of you" I smile looking down at my lap, "it is a big step, but I wouldn't want to take it with anyone else" she lets out an aw making me chuckle, "I'm so happy for you sweetheart, you've obviously found a keeper" I nod even if she can't see me, "yeah, thank you for understanding, I'll make sure to call you when I'm there" I say, "I love you darling, have a good day at work" I smile, "love you" I tell her before hanging up. I get ready for another day of work the smile never leaving my face as I think about Christmas with the man that I love, making sure to book the few days off before leaving work at the end of the day.

A/N Omg soooo there's only SIX chapters left of this fic...at least that's the plan, you guys are superstars thanks for reading, much love xoxo ❤️