The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

Something comparable

"So what are we watching next?"

Jen had the TV remote in one hand, and an empty tub of cookie dough ice-cream in the other hand, and she had her legs stretched out with her bare feet resting on his knee.

They'd set this little room up as a lounging-around-in-your-pyjamas-to-watch-TV-and-eat-ice-cream-room especially for the purpose of watching Christmas films together, and he thought it was his favourite room yet. It was something they hadn't really got into the routine of doing so far because they'd only moved in about six weeks ago, and other evening pursuits had always seemed more pressing, but hey, there was no reason to assume they couldn't multitask from now on. Netflix and chill!

"Well, you know me so well, you've already chosen all my favourite Christmas films..."

"I don't think anyone would have to know you that well to guess that Elf would be your favourite Christmas film..." she sniggered. "I mean, you and Buddy are practically clones of each other."

"Yeah, but Muppet Christmas Carol was a little less obvious..."

She giggled, shuffling up so she was closer to him, which was never a problem. "Let's have a flick through. Hmm. How about The Grinch?"

He pulled a face. "Are we talking Jim Carrey?"

"Nope. New cartoony one."

"Oh god no. Next."

She moved on. "A Christmas Prince?"

They looked at each other, and both started to laugh.

"Nah, I didn't think so either. I'd much rather have a Daily Duke."

He had to grin. "Good to know."

"Ooh. How about Love Actually."

"Not seen that one..."

She sat up and looked at him in shock. "Ohmygod Maxwell. We need to correct this oversight immediately. You will love this one."

"What's it about?" He knew really.

She shook her head, and grinned back at him. "Love, actually."

"Oh. Sounds like I could dig it if I was watching it with you." He snuggled into her, breathing her in. She was his miracle.

"That's settled then." She hit the play button. "It's about lots of couples falling in love. At Christmas."

"Oh, it's a romcom! Drake's favourite movie genre!"

"Yeah, I'm sure Drake will be secretly all over this one. But I reckon you'll like it too."

"What's not to like about hanging with you in my pyjamas watching Christmas films? It's perfect."

She lay back against him. "Ahhh. You know the only thing that could make this moment better? If I had a bag of Hershey's miniatures to munch my way through. Damn, I miss those things."

His moment had come. "Hold that thought. Maybe I can get you something comparable?"

"You can try, babe.."

He stood up and dashed out of the room for a moment, along the corridor to his writing room, and quickly went through the desk drawers. Bingo.

He headed back into the room, holding his bounty behind his back. Her eyes flickered away from the screen. "So what have I got?"

"Something... comparable."

She paused the film. "Bring it."

He paced over to her, slowly. "You have to ask nicely."

She stood up, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tasty kiss. But then, just too late, he realised that it was a ruse to feel what he had in his hands behind his back...

"A-ha!" She pulled away, although her hands were still behind his back. "You.. how did you... how did you know?" She was unwrapping the bag already. "Oh, you are such a clever, clever husband.."

"You told me they were your favourites when we were in New York. You said you liked eating them at Christmas in front of Christmas movies. But you didn't buy any. How could I possibly not sneak back to the store when you were snoozing the next morning and buy a stockpile?"

"I have never loved you more than I love you right now, Maxwell Percival Beaumont." She removed one of her hands from behind his back, having obtained a chocolate, which she now placed in her mouth. Probably not intentionally seductively, but this was Jen we were talking about.