time eternal.

christmas.

[ set before children ]

August had experienced Christmas before. She loved the holiday simply because there was always a certain excitement that lingered in the air. It was the time of year when everyone could be happy.

She stood at the window of her bedroom. The snow was falling already, and the sunlight barely showed through the grey clouds. She didn't mind the weather.

"Oh, good morning."

August jumped at the voice, but it was only Charles. He was already dressed and ready for the day, whereas August was still in a nightgown and robe with her hair a mess.

Charles walked further into the room, closing the door softly. He held a small package in his hand, which quickly got August's attention.

"I didn't think you would be up so early," he said, walking over to where August stood next to the window.

"It's Christmas, Charlie," August smiled. "Of course I'm up early."

"It's Christmas? Already?" Charles joked, a teasing smile on his face. August bumped his shoulders with hers, a blush on her cheeks as she averted her eyes to the floor.

Charles unveiled the package that was under his arm, holding it out in front of August. "Merry Christmas, my love."

August glanced between the present and Charles, a beaming grin on her lips. Her hands were quick to rip the paper off the gift, all the while a smile on both their faces.

Once the paper was gone, August held a single book in her hands.

"It's not the main gift I got you, just the first. I wanted to give this one to you in person," Charles said quietly, hoping that she'll like it.

Charles Dickens. Her mother read his books to her. He was her mother's favorite author.

"My mother read his books to me," August said, but the smile on her face did not falter. She was happy.

"I made a promise to you that I would get you your own library considering mine is full of books on science and mutations," Charles told her quietly.

August pulled Charles into a hug, her arm squeezing his torso as hard as it could (which really wasn't much at all).

She pulled away slightly, setting her chin against his chest with her arm still wrapped around him. "What's the rest of my present?"

Charles chuckled, tucking August's bangs behind her ear. "That is something you'll have to wait for."

August huffed, but still smiled nonetheless. "Lead the way then, sir."

Charles took her free hand, leading her out of the bedroom and down the long corridors that led to the backyard. August shivered from the cold, but Charles kept a steady pace towards the garden. August hugged the book to her chest, a laugh escaping her lips as Charles began to skip the rest of the way to the garden.

The scenery was different from all the other times she and Charles had been. There were patches of snow on the ground, and the trees were dead, but the energy of the environment remained the same. August could still feel the same warmth that she once felt when Charles kissed her. It was as if all the emotion she ever felt in the garden stayed there, and it all rushed back to her.

"I know this is an unspoken establishment, but we both know that this garden has played a significant part in both our lives," Charles said, finally stopping in the middle of the garden and facing August. He took her hand that wasn't holding the book, gently stroking her knuckles in a loving manner. "We shared our first kiss together in this same exact spot, and you came back to me after your father took you. I'd say this place is special, and it only makes sense for me to add another lovely memory with you."

Despite the cold wetness that surrounded them, Charles got down on one knee in front of August. She immediately realized what he was going to do as he pulled a golden ring from his pocket.

"Is this the rest of my present?"

"If you'll accept me, then yes, it is," Charles replied, a sheepish smile on his face. "Will you marry me, August Moran?"

August crouched down in front of Charles, holding her left hand out for him to put the ring on. Charles said nothing as he slipped the ring onto her finger. August examined the ring. It was a gold band with small diamonds wrapped all around the outside of the band. It was beautiful.

August looked back up to Charles, a sweet smile on her lips. "I suppose August Xavier doesn't sound too bad."

Charles reached out and set his hand on her cheek, "I suppose it doesn't."

August leaned forward and kissed Charles, feeling his warmth inside her. It was the best Christmas present she had ever received, and although it was rather cliché, all August really cared about was the fact that she was kissing her future husband.

No present could top that.

—

Merry Christmas to all my readers! Hope you enjoyed my present to you, and that you enjoy the presents you get from your loved ones.

Thank you for reading,
mikayla x.