The Callian Christmas Collection

The Christmas Question

2015 #2

Gillian Foster was getting ready to leave for the night. It was Christmas Eve and the office would closed tomorrow. She was spending Christmas at Cal's, just like she always did. But this year was different. This year it wasn't just best friends spending the day together so they wouldn't be lonely. No, this year was their first Christmas together as a couple. After they both finally agreed the line could go to hell.
She picked up her purse and headed to Cal's office. He was sitting at desk staring at something in his hand.
"I'm leaving."
Cal jumped at the sound of her voice and whatever was in his hand was quickly shoved into his desk drawer.
"Okay. I'll be home before long."
"Okay. What were you looking at?"
"Nothing." Cal said quickly.
"You're lying."
""It was nothing, Gill. Don't worry about it."
"You'll tell me eventually."
"If only she knew how right she was." Cal thought.
Gillian left and Cal pulled the object out of his desk drawer and shoved it in his pocket before closing his laptop and turning out the lights.
He locked up on his way out and headed home where he knew Gillian would be waiting. She moved in after one month of making their relationship official. That was eight months ago.
He pulled into the driveway behind her car and headed inside. He found her in the kitchen, making what looked like lasagna.
"It smells good in here, love.  And you can't have been home more than ten minutes."
She'd already changed out of the formal clothes she always wore to working into a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt of Cal's that was way too big for her petite frame.
"Call me Rachel Ray. 30 minute meals are what I do." She said with a grin, making Cal roll his eyes.
Sure enough though, they were sitting at the table twenty minutes later.
"So, are you going to tell me what you were looking at when I walked into your office?"
"No."
Cal might be the facial expression expert but Gillian could see that he was nervous. Whatever it was, he really didn't want her to know. She decided to drop the subject for now. She bring back up tomorrow.

Christmas Day passed pretty much like it always had. They goofed around and opened the presents they'd gotten each other and drank wine and ate Gillian's traditional Christmas dinner then watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas. For some reason Cal couldn't figure out, Gillian loved that bloody movie. He didn't see what was so enjoyable about an ugly green thing trying to stop Christmas. But it made Gillian happy and that was something he did find enjoyable. The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. The way her peals of laughter sounded like jingle bells. He rarely ever focused his attention on the TV screen. It was always on her.
Finally, Cal got the nerve to go through with his plan. He paused the movie, which made Gillian turn and give him a funny look.
"Why did you do that?"
"I've...uh...got one more present for you."
A confused look appeared on her face as she waited for Cal to continue.
"I've been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you when I walked into your office at the Pentagon. I know I tend to screw up a lot and you alway have to fix my mistakes. But I'm trying to work on that, love, I really am. You've been my partner and best friend since we met but would you please become my wife?" Cal asked without stopping for breath.
"What?" Gillian asked, not sure she'd heard him right.
Cal got off the couch and got down on one knee in front of Gillian. He pulled the little velvet box out of his pocket and opened it up, revealing the most beautiful diamond ring Gillian had ever seen inside. And then she knew what he had been looking at yesterday in his office.
"Gillian Rose Foster, will you marry me?"
She was crying now.
"Yes. Yes, I will marry you." She said, trying and failing to keep her voice steady.
Cal slid the ring onto her finger and got back onto the couch.
"Merry Christmas, Gill. I love you."
Gillian snuggled beside Cal and wiped her eyes.
"I love you too, Cal."