Beneath The Twinkling Lights...

Julia took a massive deep breath. Anxious, nervous, and anticipating the moment her beautiful girlfriend would walk into the door. She brushed her long, blonde hair as she gazed into the full length mirror. The green, cashmere sweater that she had decided on highlighted her features perfectly. Her black leggings hugged her petite body as she looked herself over, one last time. She had prepared for this night for weeks, now that it was here she was terrified. Her mind raced with a million what ifs. Carefully she touched up her makeup before making her way downstairs. 1

All day long she had been at home, cooking, cleaning, and making everything look incredible. Julia smiled when she smelled the aroma of the various foods that filled the air. The turkey was nearly finished. Homemade pies lined the festive counter top. A bottle of the most expensive champagne was chilling in the refrigerator. She had even made her girlfriend's favorite cookies; oatmeal and raisin. A little too much food for two people, but she wanted things to be special, so what, if she went a little over the top. 2

The oval shaped table was decked out in festive colors. She had placed a beautiful, dark blue table cloth over it, adorned with white snowflakes. Green and red candles were situated on both ends. An exquisite Christmas tree stood in the corner, stretching almost to the ceiling. A twinkling star sat high atop the glittering tree. Various ornaments hung from every branch, and silver garland wrapped completely around. Flashing lights covered the massive tree, from top, to bottom. Boxes of delicately wrapped packages sat beneath it.3

Julia carried the food out to the table, and arranged the place settings. She used colorful holiday plates that were decorated with paintings of candy canes on every corner. She nervously bit her lower lip as she glanced around the room. Everything was as it should be. Now, all she had to do was wait. Wait on Serita to walk through that door so that she could take her into her arms, and never let go. Julia had met Serita in her darkest hour. She had been disowned by her parents when she came out as a lesbian. Even her friends turned their back on her. 4

A chance meeting with Serita had forever changed her life. At the time, they thought it was pure accident that the two had taken seats directly beside of each other in the crowded theatre. Now, they book viewed it as their destiny. A destiny that had brought the two together and forever bound their hearts. At first, they had taken their relationship slowly. Serita wanted to make sure Julia was ready. The day they finally gave into their complete passion, was the day they knew they would always love one another. 5

When the lights from Serita's car flashed into the window, Julia quickly stood up. The moment Serita opened the door she wrapped her arms around her, cradling her lover with every once of passion in her body. Pulling back, she gazed over Serita's incredible figure. Serita was a true beauty. Her short, red dress clung tight to her curvaceous body. Long, shapely legs and a well toned stomach accentuated her even more. And those eyes... those eyes had always made Julia swoon. Serita had the biggest, boldest, brown eyes. Julia smiled, her finger traced Serita's neckline as she leaned in and deeply kissed her soft lips. 6

Serita smiled. Her eyes lingered over her girlfriends features, focusing on her baby blue eyes. "You look so amazing tonight baby." Serita ran her fingers through Julia's silky, blonde hair. "And this place... wow... have you been at this all day?!" She grinned even broader as her eyes wandered over the table, filled with food. "Are we having company, or were you just awfully hungry tonight?" Laughing she pulled Julia close to her.7

"I... ok... so I went a little overboard. It's our first Christmas together though and..." Julia sighed; her eyes dancing under the sparkling Christmas lights. "Oh honey, I just want it to be special. I love you so very much." She smiled as the cd changer flipped to the Mariah Carey song; "All I Want For Christmas." is you. Extending her hand out, she grinned at her lovely girlfriend. "Would you do me the honor of sharing a dance before we eat?"8

"I most certainly would." Serita took Julia's hand and softly kissed it. She pulled her lover close as they danced beside of the festive tree. "I love this song. It fits the way I feel about you." She grinned as she began to sing the words to Julia, letting her fingers trace up and down Julia's back. "I don't want a lot for Christmas; there is just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you." Serita purred out the words as she twirled her girlfriend around on the rug.9

Julia's eyes seemed to light up even brighter each time Serita sung another note. Serita's hot breath, against her skin, made her weak in the knees. She leaned into her arms, loving the feel of the warm body against her. As the song ended Julia smiled up into to Serita's eyes, touching her cheek lightly with her left hand. "And baby, all I want for Christmas is you too." She pressed her body into Serita's as the two locked in a passionate kiss. The heat between them radiated like a hot summer day. 10

"Serita, I... I have something I... I want to ask you. I had planned to wait until after dinner but... I can't wait any longer." She took Serita's hand, and lead her to a chair that sat directly by the Christmas tree. "Please... sit..." Her voice quivered as she took a deep breath. Serita looked at her with an inquisitive expression as she sat down on the seat. "Thank you..."11

"Sweetie, what is it? You are shaking like you’re scared to death of something." Serita reached out and stroked Julia's face. "Is everything ok? You're really scaring me here I..." Serita gasped when Julia kneeled down on to one knee. At that moment, she knew. Tears glistened in her eyes when Julia pulled out a velvet box. "Oh my god..."12

Julia took another breath and opened the small gift box, revealing a large diamond ring. The diamond was in the shape of a heart. It sparkled and glowed as the lights from the tree flickered off and on. "Serita, the day I met you was the day my life changed. I was all alone, and I had no one. No friends. No family. None of that mattered though, not once I found you. You have shown me things that I never dreamed could be possible. I never knew that I could feel truly loved, but when I am with you, I do. I feel like I am the luckiest woman there is, and I never want to loose you. I never want us to be apart. Baby, I want to be your wife. I want us to start a family together and... Will you marry me?? Will you take this ring and become my wife?" Julia's hand shook as she held the box towards Serita.13

"Oh my god... I... I... Oh Julia... Julia this is... Oh honey... I love you so much." Serita's tears streaked down her face as she reached down and brushed a tear from Julia's eyes. "Yes!! Yes I will marry you. I want nothing more than to be your wife, start a family, and spend every day loving you."14

Julia slipped the ring on to Serita's long finger and smiled. Her tears flowed freely as she quickly stood and wrapped her arms around Serita's neck. "Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Oh baby, I promise to make you the happiest woman on the face of this earth!!!"15

Serita giggled. She stood up, lifting her smaller framed fiancée into her arms, and spinning her around the room. "I can't wait to be your wife!!! And love, you have already made me the happiest woman on the face of this earth." She caressed Julia's face, her eyes filled with joy. "You're my little rain drop. My beautiful, beautiful rain drop and nothing could make me happier than waking up every morning in your arms." She covered Julia's soft face in delicate kisses as she repeated the word "I love you" over and over against her skin.16

Julia giggled when Serita finally put her down. "I think my head is spinning now, and I love it!" She glanced over at all of the food on the table and flashed Serita a seductive grin. "What do you say we save that dinner, over there, for later and have a little dessert first?" Her finger trailed down Serita's nose as she grinned.17

"Mmm, now that is an idea that I love. You went to so much trouble though to fix all of that and..." Serita glanced over at the food and then back to Julia. "Oh hell, dinner can wait." Serita giggled as she pulled Julia down on to the floor, in front of the Christmas tree. Christmas tunes continued to play over the stereo system. The fireplace crackled, and the tree twinkled even brighter. The lights sparkling down over the two lovers as they celebrated their engagement beneath the Christmas tree....