Back in the Saddle

Epilogue: A Holly Jolly Christmas

Karl's POV:

I look myself over in the mirror, analyzing my outfit to be sure that I look my best for tonight. I'm wearing a brown sweater, beige checkered pants, and a black belt with a dark topcoat over it. I accessorized with gold jewelry and black doc martens, as well as fake, gold-rimmed glasses that I don't actually need. I deem myself ready and go into the living room to wait for Nick to get home.

After my first year at school was done and I didn't have to stay in the dorms anymore, the two of us bought a house using Nick's housing allowance and some money that I'd stashed away. It's fairly new and really nice, and it's quite cozy, though it's modern style.

This living situation is so much healthier than any of my previous ones aside from Phil and Kristen, and even when I was in the dorm I was happy because I got to see Nick pretty much every weekend. Even if it was just dropping by to give me food while I was cramming in study hours, he was sure to come check up on me. He would stay the night a lot on breaks and cooked me food a lot. More times than I'm proud of, he found me asleep at my desk from all the studying I was doing and would move me to my bed before cuddling me so I slept alright.

God, I love him.

Suddenly, I hear the garage door opening, and I hurry to the door, opening it and peeking out. He smiles as he gets out of the car, hurrying inside to escape the cold and to reach me quicker. He immediately envelops me in a hug, which I gladly return, and just holds me for a second.

"You look so beautiful, love," he says when we separate. "You're gonna have to give me about an hour if you want me to even come close to looking as good as you."

"Oh be quiet, you already look amazing and you're just in your uniform. But anyway, don't take too long 'cuz our reservation is at six thirty and I don't think they'll hesitate to give it to someone else if we're late, seeing as it's Christmas Eve."

"Aye aye, captain," he says, giving me a little salute before heading to our bedroom.

I shake my head, laughing quietly to myself, and go to sit on the couch while waiting for him.

===

We hurry through the parking lot, shivering from the cold of the Minnesota winter as the snow falls from the sky, coating the ground in another layer of white fluff. Lights decorate the streets and entwine bushes and trees, signifying the holidays. The sign of the restaurant is illuminated in neon lights, shining brightly against the black sky.

All across downtown, there are decorations lining outside of every shop and Christmas music playing out of the speakers. Families walk around, laughing and talking while they observe the lights and enjoy the happy spirit that always accompanies Christmas.

The restaurant is packed, but it's the type of busy that I like. No one is in a sour mood as they laugh and drink with their friends, smiles on their faces while they enjoy their night. It's not too loud, and holiday movies are playing on the TV with soft music in the background. It smells like warm food and hot chocolate, and no server has an unfriendly face.

"How can I help you tonight, gentlemen?" the pretty hostess asks us.

"We have a reservation at six thirty under Jacobs," I reply, offering a wide smile which she eagerly returns as she looks at the tablet, searching for our information.

"Ah yes, here we are. Follow me!"

She leads us through the tables and to a two person table off to the side, out of the main thoroughfare. It's a cozy corner with a crackling fire and not a lot of people. She seats us and takes our drink and appetizer orders before heading off to the kitchen to deposit them.

"I love Christmas. Everyone's always so happy," I say.

"Agreed. It's sort of hard to be in a bad mood in the holiday season. Even though it's so commercialized, somehow people have found a way to keep it less material and more about the family aspect. Personally, I think gifts are part of the fun, because you get to show the person you're getting a gift for just how much you care about them."

"That is very true. Of course an excess of gifts is stupid, but that one perfect present can truly make someone's day."

As it usually goes, we get our food and continue to talk about every random thing we can think of all evening. Even by eight pm, the restaurant has yet to empty, which worries me just a little about what I want to do later, but I'm not going to back out now.

Finally, the bill is paid, and we both gather our things so we can leave. We agree to go home and get cozy by a fire with some popcorn and hot chocolate, watching stupid Hallmark movies until we get tired and fall asleep. To me, it sounds like the best evening imaginable, but there's one thing I have to do first.

"Alright, you ready?" Nick asks, standing up.

"Oh, yeah. Just one thing."

I stand up too and swallow my nerves. I reach into my pocket, grasping the small velvet box that's felt like a thousand pounds all night, and slowly pull it out. Nick watches me do this, and his eyes become saucers when he lays eyes on the black box in my hand. As I get down on one knee, I hear the gasps of all the other people in the restaurant and their conversation slowly dies out to a quiet whisper while they all watch us intently.

"Nick, I love you more than I've loved anyone in my whole life. This past year with you has been the best I've ever had, and I can't imagine a world without you in it. Your moms and Phil and Kristen will probably call us silly for doing this so early, but I feel confident in saying that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, will you do me the immense honor of marrying me?"

He stares, starstruck, for a moment, before sighing. "You have got to be kidding me," he whispers.

"What?" I ask quietly, unable to raise my voice any more. My smile fades quickly, my heart stopping and the dread beginning to set in.

But, it's gone in a minute as he pulls a box out of his own pocket. He opens it, revealing a silver ring with little swirls engraved on it. I hear more gasps from the crowd, and a little laugh escapes my lips. Of course we did the cliche proposing to each other at the same time.

"So I assume your answer is yes, then?" I ask.

"Yes, of course it is, sunshine."

We put the rings on each other's fingers and embrace in a hug, laughing internally at the cheers from the happy people in the restaurant. I don't think there will ever be a Christmas that will top this, but there might be because everyday I spend with Nick is even better than the last, and I hope that it continues on like that until the day I die.

Word Count- 1227

a/n- last update!! thanks so much for reading this story, it truly does mean the world to me because i put a lot of time and effort into these stories. currently, im trying to finish a karlnap tangled story, so stay tuned for that if it sounds like something you might be interested in :) i love you all. were almost at 400 reads! i know it doesnt sound like a lot, but when you try to imagine 400 people in one room, its unfathomable, so im proud of it nonetheless.