Christmas night (open) - Darius and Crew

She smiled.

"I remembered that first conversation at dinner. I hadn't seen these around the house. These are yours, to mark up as you wish. And I found my problems, and marked them with tabs."

His brow arched.

"That was very thoughtful of you, Elizabeth."

He meant it. It really was... and would help so much.

She beamed up at him.

"I try."

He smiled and kissed her forehead gently.

"You do a wonderful job."

That was the best Christmas present of the night. If she'd been a cat, she would have been purring.

He smiled and reached for more presents -- handing one to her.

"There are many more under there for you."

She chuckled and opened her present. She was more sedate, but she was still ripping paper. She really liked being right where she was.

Inside was a jewelry box for her.

She gasped and pulled it out of the wrapping, touching it with hands that shook.

"It's beautiful."

He smiled at her.

"I thought you might like it."

She nodded.

"I don't have this much stuff, though."

He smiled.

"You have more presents. And a lifetime for me to fill it."

She beamed up at him.

"I will keep you from dying."

He smiled.

"I hope you can, Elizabeth."

She clung to him, tightly.

"I will. I couldn't stand to lose you."

He smiled, his hand moving to her back to caress her gently. Petting her.

"I know, love. I do know. I'll be careful and you will protect me."

She nodded and sighed heavily. And shakily.

"I have no more presents for you."

He smiled.

"I have a few more for you. But they can wait."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, urging her to lay her head against his shoulder.

"Have you had a good Christmas?"

She did as he silently requested, relaxing into his hold and resting her head against his shoulder.

"Yes. You spoil me."

He laughed softly, his arms around her holding her safely in place.

"My sweet girl. I will always spoil you."

She sighed happily.

"I will try to deserve it."

He laughed softly.

"You do deserve it. Tell me something, love. Have you been spoiled often?"

She shook her head.

"Only in the past decades have I known love. Before...not at all."

He smiled a bit.

"Being spoiled is not the same as having someone love you."

Perfect example: Darius.

She shook her head.

"No, I have not often been spoiled."