“Odd, eh, I guess. But it’s alright. We’ve already exchanged Christmas presents, so I guess it’s okay.” He shrugged, twirling the ring on his finger as he blinked his eyes open. “.. You’d let me stay?”

“Insist. Being alone — it’s not a good time to be alone, so we’ll spend it together.” She grinned down at him. “I’ll even let you share my bed, kick the cats out of it. We can sit up til all hours with a fire and carols and eggnog and fairy lights. Mickey’s Christmas Carol, family tradition.”