a 19yo annalise jones, born and raised scouser and red for life moves to madrid to start her life away from her brothers fame working for the biggest football club in the world.
the streets were dusted with a light layer of snow, and fairy lights twinkled across every shop window. it felt like the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something magical to happen.
vini had been acting mysterious all morning. he kept disappearing into another room, coming back with a grin that made my stomach flip, and refusing to tell me what he was up to.
"you're acting suspicious," i said, brushing snow from my coat as we walked back from the little Christmas market.
"me? suspicious?" he asked innocently, though his eyes betrayed him. "never."
i rolled my eyes, but my heart was doing somersaults anyway.
when we got back to his apartment, he handed me a small cup of hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream and tiny candy cane pieces. "for you, abóbora," he said softly.
"thank you handsome" i said, taking a sip and feeling the warmth spread through me.
he smiled, and that was when i noticed the little trail of fairy lights leading from the door to the living room. he told me to follow it, so i did. heart hammering, and my breath caught.
there, in the center of the room, was a tiny Christmas tree, twinkling and decorated with ornaments we'd made together, surrounded by little candles and a scattering of false snow.
"vini..." i whispered, eyes wide.
he took my hands, brushing his thumbs over my knuckles. "lise... there's something i've been meaning to ask you."
my heart skipped.
"i've never... officially asked you," he said, voice low and nervous, "even though... i've loved you from the start, and we promised each other everything, but i wanted to ask you properly. i want you to be my girlfriend."
he grabbed my favourite flowers from the side, where he had previously placed them. before reaching into his pocket to pull out a small silver ring — delicate, simple, with a tiny engraved snowflake. "this is a promise ring," he said softly. "a promise that this, us, is real. and one day... one day, i will change this to a wedding ring. when that time comes, it'll be the same promise, just... forever."
tears pricked at my eyes. the warmth from the hot chocolate, the fairy lights, the soft music playing in the background, and the boy standing in front of me — all of it made my heart ache with happiness.
"vini..." i whispered, laughing through my tears, "of course i'll be your girlfriend. and i pinky promise... i'll keep this promise with you forever."
he smiled, sliding the ring onto my finger, handed me the flowers, then cupping my face as he leaned in and kissed me. slow, sweet, with the faint scent of winter air and chocolate lingering.
we spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch, sipping hot chocolate, making snowflake decorations, and stealing kisses. Every laugh, every touch, every whispered "i love you" wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
i pressed my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, thinking about our flight to liverpool tomorrow, being with my family and vini. maybe — just maybe — this Christmas was going to be the most magical one yet.
"merry early christmas, abóbora," he murmured, holding me close.
"merry early christmas, my love," i whispered back.
and for the first time, everything felt completely, utterly... ours.
__________
@vinijr & @annalisejones
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liked by @curtisjr, @rodrygo and 9.8m others
@curtis𝐣r: finally! see you soon guys❤️
@𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐲𝐠𝐨: the cutest.
@talulahowens: OMGOMG
@trentarnold𝟔𝟔: 👏🤍
@username43: i knew it!! been waiting for this one
