One Long Flight 💙

Christmas

Aisling groaned, hearing noises downstairs as she woke up in bed alone. She sat up, seeing he had turned the fireplace on for her so she wouldn't wake up cold. She sighed, getting up to see what the ruckus was downstairs. She threw on some leggings and a sweater, pulling her hair back. She found Chris in the sitting room, setting up a Christmas tree next to the piano. "Morning. I thought you were a late sleeper."

He laughed, turning back to her, "I wanted to get the tree up before you woke up so we could decorate it before your parents get here later." He grabbed her waist, "I made hot cocoa in the kitchen." He saw her start to say something, "and coffee too."

She giggled, nodding, "good. I like to mix them." She pulled his lips to hers, distracted by Dodger whining to go outside.

Chris laughed, pulling away, "it's snowing. He wants to play in the snow."

"It's snowing?!" She opened the back patio door to let Dodger out to see it snowing. "It's beautiful!" She felt Chris wrap a blanket around her, before wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

He chuckled, "and cold. Come on, go get your coffee and I'll get the ornaments."

She nodded, following him inside as she went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and cocoa. She came back into the sitting room to find Chris going through ornaments.

He grabbed a small box, handing it to her.

She set her cup down, "what is this?"

He shrugged, "just open it love."

She nodded, opening the box to find a flat round ornament with a plane etched into it. The words 'Our First Christmas' engraved underneath it. "Aww. Chris. I love it!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him urgently before pulling away. She placed it near the center of the tree.

When they finished decorating, She stood on the stool next to the tree. She turned away from him, looking at the tree, "okay. Hand me the star. I want to put it on." She felt him place something in her hand, turning to face him to see a green ring box in her hand. "Chris. What is this?"

He grabbed her hand, pulling her down from the stool as he knelt in front of her, "Aisling. My sweet, stubborn love." He smiled at her laugh as he watched tears welling in her eyes. "I've been so thankful to have met you. I've been yours since you first annoyed me on the plane. I wanted so much to be annoyed with you, to not like you, but it just wasn't possible. You're beautiful and kind and strong-willed. I know we haven't been together that long, but I knew I wanted to be with you forever when I had to walk away from you when we landed in London. Now I want to spend the rest of our lives annoying each other."

She watched him take the ring box from her hand, opening it to display the ring she knew to be her grandmother's, making her heart ache as she knelt down in front of him.

"Marry me?"

She nodded, placing her hands on his cheeks, resting her forehead on his, "you're so kind and compassionate. And sexy." She smiled as he chuckled. "And there is no one I would rather spend my life with. I love you so much Chris. Of course I'll marry you."

He nodded, "I love you too Aisling." He wiped away a stray tear as he grabbed the ring from the box, placing it on her finger. "I considered buying you a new one, but I thought you would prefer this one."

She looked from the ring to him, "I do. How long have you had it?"

He smirked, "since your birthday. Your dad gave it to me."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, "take me back to bed Chris."

He nodded, "yes ma'am."

✈️

A few days later, it was Christmas Eve, and Chris's family had gathered for dinner. Aisling headed to the kitchen, hovering just out of sight in the doorway as she overheard Shanna talking to Carly. "Can you believe he proposed at Christmas? It's so cliché. And so soon? They haven't even known each other for a year yet."

Carly sighed, "Shanna, come on. He's happy. Isn't that good enough?"

Shanna scoffed, "she has some sort of weird hold over him. I just don't get it."

Aisling brought the empty glasses she was carrying into the kitchen, setting them down with more force than necessary. "The hold I have is called love. We love each other. Maybe you're just jealous because he's found someone and you haven't." She heard Chris entering the kitchen behind her as she slammed her hand on the counter. "I've been here for a while," she held up her left hand, "and it's obvious I'm not going anywhere. You need to learn to deal with it or you won't be allowed over here anymore."

"Aisling." Chris's voice was firm.

Shanna scoffed, "maybe if it was your house. But it isn't."

Before Aisling could say anything else, Chris stepped in between them.

"Aisling, you can't tell my sister that she isn't allowed in the house."

Aisling crossed her arms, catching a smug look on Shanna's face. "Chris, she was the rude one. She's always the rude one. I've been nothing but polite!"

He chuckled, "I'm sure."

She pushed his shoulder, now angry at him as well, "what the heck is that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, "I love you, but you aren't always the easiest person to deal with."

Feeling his hand on hers, Aisling pulled away, storming upstairs to their bedroom.

"Chris, Shanna was the one in the wrong. Not Aisling. She's right, she's been nothing but polite," Carly said, grabbing her brother's arm, while Shanna scoffed.

Chris groaned, feeling like an ass as he turned to face his sisters. "I don't understand what your problem is, Shanna. She's right, she isn't going anywhere." He sighed, looking at the ground with his hands on his hips, "she's also right, this is her house now too. And if you can't show her the respect she deserves, then you won't be welcome here anymore."

A knock on the bedroom door drew Aisling's attention as Chris entered, "leave me alone."

He groaned, kneeling in front of her as she sat on the edge of the bed, "I'm sorry, love." He reached out to her long hair, gently tilting her face to meet his gaze. "I didn't mean what I said."

She nodded, "yes, you did. I can be difficult to deal with."

He chuckled, "alright. Maybe you are. But I relish it. You know I do. I love you deeply. And you're right. I told her that she won't be welcomed here anymore if she continues to disrespect you and our relationship. You're going to be my wife and the mother of my children. Nothing will change that. Is that still what you want?"

Aisling smiled, nodding before resting her head on his, "absolutely. More than anything. And I love you too. Thank you for standing up for me. You know I can handle myself, but I need to know you've got my back."

He nodded, "I know. I'm sorry. I can't wait to fill the house with miniature Aislings."

She laughed, "shut up and kiss me."