Cozy Living ‐CHAENNIE‐

Cozy Christmas, Part 3 -End-

Jennie watched over Rosé fondly on Christmas morning as the younger girl slept. The tiny black box sat on Rosé's chest for the seventh day in a row, the sight of which caused Jennie's heart to dip and soar with a spectrum of emotions.

Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest the moment that Rosé started to wake up. Time slowed in that instant and all Jennie could hear was the faint rustle of sheets as Rosé stirred, the soft breath of amusement as Rosé's hands instinctively closed around the tiny black box, and the deafening sound of her own heart beating furiously within her chest.

"Merry Christmas, Jennie," Rosé murmured, turning to give Jennie a sleepy smile that was radiant enough to melt the snow that covered Seoul. Her gentle voice was laced with softness, affection, and the raspiness of sleep.

With a tender smile, Jennie leaned over and nudged her nose against Rosé's, silently asking for a morning kiss and receiving permission instantly. She basked in the warmth of Rosé's lips for a moment before returning the festive greeting. "Merry Christmas to you too, Rosie."

Today was a slow morning, one of Jennie's favorite things in the world. She loved waking up with Rosé and simply enjoying her girlfriend's presence, cuddling with Rosé, kissing Rosé, and letting time slip away from them as though they didn't have a care in the world. Slow mornings were always cozy and relaxing--except for today because Jennie was acutely aware of the little black box clutched within Rosé's hand.

The younger girl let out a sigh of contentment as she settled back against her pillow, turning to gaze into Jennie's eyes with an affectionate smile on her lips. "So this box," Rosé wondered out loud, directing her attention to the box that Jennie had placed on her chest for the seventh day straight without fail, "is there something special in here today, or is it another coupon?"

Rosé gave the box a light shake that rattled Jennie's heart more than it rattled the box's contents, and Jennie could only hold her breath and try to keep up her usual air of mischievousness, acting as though there was nothing special about today even though today had the potential to become a major turning point in their relationship.

"I told you in the beginning that there would be seven days of coupons," Jennie replied as Rosé began to open the box. "So it's just another coupon for today..."

And really, it was just another coupon inside the box for today. But really, it wasn't just another coupon inside the box for today. Rosé picked up the piece of paper carefully with both hands before reading it out loud.

[Eternally be in love with Rosé. No expiration date.]

"Why no expiration date?" Rosé wondered with a curious smile as she looked up from the paper in her hands. "Every other coupon expired within a day. How come this one is different?"

"Because... if you're not ready to use this coupon today, I-I wanted you to be able to hold on to it until you were ready," Jennie explained, her voice trembling a bit. She smiled at her girlfriend while feeling shaky and unsteadied, nervous about what was to come.

Rosé's eyes softened impossibly as she gazed at Jennie, sensing Jennie's anxiety and wanting to ease it. "And if I did want to use this coupon today, would YOU be ready for me to use it?"

Jennie swallowed deeply, her answer tremulous but sincere. "I think I've been ready for this since the moment I first kissed you."

From the twinkle in Rosé's eyes, there was no doubt in Jennie's mind that Rosé understood what was being implied with today's coupon. Rosé was expecting to see an engagement ring when she redeemed her coupon, and she was right to expect it. After all, how could Rosé expect anything less when seven days' worth of Christmas coupons had been delivered to her inside an engagement ring box.