He doesn't know how they got here, but luckily they did. James sat there thinking about their whole journey as a love-team together, thinking about everything they've been through together. And that, finally, after all the trials and tribulations they've faced, they were happy. He sat there taking in how beautiful she looked falling asleep in his arms, how her body curved perfectly to fit to his, how her face was just the right size to hold in his hands. They sat there on the couch surrounded by wrapping paper, ribbons, and piles of finely wrapped gifts. He moved a bit to adjust to Nadine, trying not to disturb her.
"Mmmm" she groaned.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up", he replied.
"Okay lang yan", she murmured. "Actually, dapat na ako umuwi. Kailangan mong gumising maaga, diba? You haven't even finished packing yet"
"No no no... I mean yeah, I need to wake up early and pack and stuff, but... You can stay. I want you to stay", he said quietly.
"No, I'm only going to distract you", she said while getting up to stretch. Although, she didn't want to leave, she knew that he wouldn't get anything done with her around. "If you don't finish packing, you'll end up staying late trying to finish, which will only result in-"
"-Stop worrying so much and just sit back down with me" He interrupted her as he tugged on her arm, "Just a few more minutes of you in my arms...please?"
She stood there for a minute, raising an eyebrow while he sat there, gesturing her to sit back down. She sighed while surrendering to his open arms.
They sat there, cuddled up, lights dimmed, with quiet Christmas music playing in the background. Nadine nestled up into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, James with his arm around her shoulder.
"I'm gonna miss you" he said.
"OA 'to...five days lang yan" she chuckled.
"Oh, hindi mo mag-mimiss ako?" He mocked, making her roll her eyes.
She looked up at him, "Syempre, I'll miss you", she said, returning back to her original position, "You know, I wish you were staying here for Christmas. I'm glad that you're celebrating with your family and all but-"
"-But you wish I was celebrating it with you?"
She nodded while digging her cheek more into his chest.
"Oh, who's being OA now?" He said jokingly. Nadine tilted her head up to glare at him.
"Joke lang... I wish I was celebrating Christmas with you, too" James said softly then kissed her head that lay below his chin.
"It's our first Christmas that we're, you know, 'together', and we're gonna be in different countries" she replied as she starting playing with his free hand.
"Hey, no it's okay though, I'll be back before you know it. I promise..." She nodded as he assured her.
They sat there in silence, just enjoying each other's company.
"You know, while you were sleeping in my arms earlier, I was thinking" he said, breaking the silence. "I was thinking about our whole journey together, as a love-team and everything. And that although, we've had our fair share of arguments, I'm glad it was you who was with me throughout all of it. I'm glad that we've come so far, and that we've ended up here, happy... happy together." He paused for a second and heard a sniffle.
"Hey no, no, don't cry" he took her face into his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs.
She pressed her eyes closed and let out a sigh.
"I love you, James. I really do. I know I was hesitant about it before, but I know now... Mahal kita. Mahal na mahal kita" she tried to fight back the tears.
He smiled at her with his adoring eyes, speechless. The confident, put-together, James Reid sat there...speechless.
She laughed at his reaction through her 'happy, emotional, whatever you would call what she was feeling right now' tears.
"Well, are you gonna say something, James?" She giggled.
He chuckled, "I love you too, so much" then let out an exasperated smile.
He pulled her into kiss. A kiss that said 'thank you for everything'.
They pulled apart and Nadine laid her head back onto his chest, wrapping her arms around him again. They felt content, just being with each other.
He knew then that he doesn't wish for anything this Christmas because he had all he needed right there in his arms.
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Hey, I know it's already Christmas but I just needed to write a Christmas themed one-shot! Inspired by catharticreads !
