Merry Everything & A Happy Always

In My Life - The Beatles "Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life, I love you more"

Josh POV

   Quinn and I start the morning out in the same way that we start most mornings: At the kitchen table, sharing coffee in contented silence as we both look through the morning news.

   I look up from my phone, "What do you have planned today, Bug?"

   "I was hoping to spend the day with you, Starlight." A light blush makes its way to the top of their cheeks.

   "I actually had another idea." I flash a bright smile and brandish the envelope I've had lying in my lap since we first sat down.

   Quinn rolls their eyes and lets out a halfhearted groan

   "A bit early this year, isn't it?"

   "Mmm, I think not. We have a dinner to attend on Christmas Day, and this is the only day we both have off between now and then. It only makes sense to do it today."

   They nod along with me.

   "I suppose you're right. Give it here."

   I hand them the envelope, leaving the side with the handwritten Clue One facing up.

   "Babe, you've been practicing your calligraphy!"

   "Only for you." I reply with a shy smile.

   "No! This is really good, I'm not going to let you discount your hard work."

   "Okay, okay. Just open it."

   They very carefully used their fingernail to pop the wax seal I'd added to the back side of the envelope. They look back at me with a quirked eyebrow.

   "You're getting fancy with these scavenger hunts, Josh. Does this mean I should really look forward to whatever is at the end of this one?"

   Shit. Shitshitshit. I should have thought this through better.

   I let out a small laugh and shrugged, "Guess you'll just have to find out."

   They pulled out the card inside, and I gave them my full attention as they read over the clue that alluded to the craft store we had met at all those years ago.

   "This clue is very carefully handcrafted with all the love and attention that we have shown each other throughout the years."

   They look up at me, eyes clouded in confusion.

   "This might be the most cryptic one yet."

   "You have the biggest and most beautiful brain of anyone I know. You can figure it out." I can't keep the absolute adoration I feel for them out of my voice, even as I tease them.

   "You are the absolute worst, Joshua."

   "Well, there are four more clues, so why don't you just try to finish the scavenger hunt before you start calling me names?"

   Quinn lets out an exasperated sigh before standing up from the table and making their way toward the door.

   I quietly pad along behind them and grab their coat from the hook next to our front door. I help them get one arm and then the other into the sleeves. I slowly spin them around to face me and grab a scarf from another hook.