Christmas night (open) - Darius and Crew

She beamed.

"I'll learn to use it. To help you."

He laughed softly.

"You can learn to use it for anything you might want or need it for, Elizabeth."

She nibbled on her lower lip.

"But I want to help you more."

He smiled.

"I'm not saying that you can't. I'm saying to use it for whatever makes you happy."

She smiled.

"I will."

He smiled at her.

"Good. I have one more for you, but it's more private."

She nodded.

"What is it?"

He smiled and rose to his feet.

"Come with me."

He started to head toward his bedroom, just trusting that she would follow him.

She stood and followed, abandoning all the presents under the tree for now.

Once inside his bedroom, he held another small box in his hands. This one, he didn't hand to her.

"This one is a very special gift, Elizabeth. But before I give it to you, I need to know that you want it."

She looked into his eyes, trust and love showing through.

"Whatever it is, I want it."

He took out a small box, about six inches square, and held it out to her.

Inside, she would find one more piece of jewelry.

Her eyes widened, and then they brightened with tears. But she was smiling, a bright smile as she looked up at him from the collar.

"Will you put it on me?"

He smiled at her.

"Of course I will, Elizabeth."

She took it into her hands and held it out to him, tossing the box lightly to the side. She was bright and smiling.

He took the collar from her hands. With a smile, he spoke softly.

"Pull your hair up, Elizabeth, so that I don't pull it when I put it on you."

She bunched her hair up in her hands and held it up off her neck. She couldn't stop smiling.

"Yes, Master."

Smiling at her again, he used gentle hands to fasten the collar into place.

"And with this, I vow to always protect you, cherish you, keep you safe and happy for so long as you wish to wear it."

Her eyes bright, she responded softly, and reverently.

"I vow to serve you, protect you, and do all in my power to advance your goals, so long as you never break your promise to me."

He smiled and reached up to caress her cheek.

"Come here and seal it with a kiss."

She stepped forward and leaned her head up, arms moving around his waist. Then her lips touched his, and she was so soft and gentle.

He was gentle with her, too. For once. This was something different. A gift. A promise. His lips touched hers and he caressed her gently, like one would caress a cherished pet.

She was soft and sweet, full of promise. But she broke the kiss after just a moment, and looked up at him.

"Best present this year."

He smiled.

"Uh-oh. That sounds like you're challenging me to do better next year."

She giggled.

"I don't know how you could."