Elena wakes up and sees Neil. He is still staring at her, smiling.
"Merry Christmas." he said, kissing her quite passionately, cupping her face.
"Merry Christmas." she whispered, catching her breath. She puts her hands on his shoulders. She clears her throat. "Woah."
He smiles.
"Were you sleeping next to me?"
He nods. "I wanted to go to my room, but I fell asleep."
She smiled.
"How long were you awake?" she asked.
"About ten minutes."
She raised her eyebrows.
"So you were looking at me. This whole time?"
He nods. "I was admiring you. I told you. You're cute when you're asleep."
She smiles and gives him a quick peck.
"I think we need to get ready." she said.
He nods and gets up.

She showered first and got changed into sweats. She remembers that she still has Neil's sweats from a few months ago in her bag. She takes it out, along with a hairdryer and curling iron.

She goes into Neil's room, assuming that he is in lounge. She sees Neil, with his shirt off.
She closes her eyes.
"Sorry. I thought you were in the lounge."
He laughs.
"I was, but I am going to shower."
She nods.
"Your sweats. Thanks again."
He nods.
"Thanks. And you're welcome."
She struggles to find his hand and touches his chest. She freezes and he takes the sweats from her, smirking and puts it on the desk.
"I am going to go eat." she said, eyes still closed.
He nods. "Okay."
She turns around and opens her eyes and walks out.

She is in the hallway and feels her heart beating faster and faster. She tries to catch her breath.

Elena heads to kitchen and see that Neil made huevos rancheros. She starts to eat and shortly after, Neil joins her in his sweats.
She starts to blush.
"Why were you so shy to see me shirtless?"
"I... Don't know."
He laughs.

They finish eating and she started to dry her hair in her room.

Neil enters. She doesn't notice him coming in.
She feels his hand touch hers as she is drying her hair. She stops.
"May I?" he asked.
She is surprised.
He laughs. "Why are you surprised? I have a sister."
She smiles and shakes her head.
"I just am. I never imagined you as a hairdresser."
He laughs. "A hairdresser? Really?"
She smiles and hands him the hairdryer.
She sits as he does her hair.

"Done. I think I did a good job." he said, proudly.
She looks in the mirror.
"Better than I usually do it. Thanks."
He nods and kisses her on her cheek.
"I am going to get changed for lunch."
She nods and he leaves again.

She curls her hair by herself, leaves it loose and once she is done, turns off the switch and she puts on a beautiful long sleeved blue dress with black stockings and black shoes, which have a bit of a heel. She struggles to zip up her dress, but gets it eventually.

She puts on her coat and takes the gifts.
She heads to the lounge. She sees Neil.
He is wearing a blue blazer, white shirt, similarly to one he wears to work, and blue pants with shoes and a black coat. He is wearing a blue tie as well.

He exhales. "You look absolutely beautiful."
She smiles, blushing. "You look very, very handsome."

He smiles and she walks towards him. He leans in to kiss her. She straightens his tie.
He laughs.
"That's what you wanted to do?"
She smiles. "We'll be late."
He opens a box and puts a bracelet around her wrist. "Merry Christmas."
She gasps. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
He nods.
She gives him a peck and they leave and visit Gabi.

"Merry Christmas, Elena!" said Gabi as they walked in.
"Merry Christmas, Gabi!" said Elena hugging her.
"Merry Christmas, kid." said Neil, hugging Gabi.
"You look very pretty." said Neil to her.
She smiles. "Thanks."
"Are you ready to go?" he asked her.
She nodded.
Elena is confused.
"Gabi, are you having lunch with us?"
She nods.
"Ahh! I am so excited." Elena said.
"So am I." said Gabi.

Elena walks out with her and Neil smiles as he watches and then follows.
Elena sits at the back while Gabi sits with Neil in front.
"Neil didn't tell you, did he?" said Gabi.
"No, but it's the best surprise!" said Elena.
She smiled.
"Don't worry. Your grandparents said I could bring her."
She nods.

They got to the house and Elena walks in first with Gabi.
"Hi, Mom. Hi Dad. Merry Christmas!" Elena said.
"Merry Christmas!" they hugged.
"You must be Gabi. We are so glad to finally meet you."
"Hi. It's nice to meet you."
"I am Nicole, this is David. And that is Elena's grandparents, Kristina and John."
She nods and walks to Elena's grandmother as she calls Gabi.
"Hi, Gabi." said Kristina, hugging her. "So lovely to meet you."
Neil enters and greets everyone.
Elena moves to hug her grandparents and wish them Merry Christmas.

After an hour of opening gifts, they eat lunch. This time, Neil secretly made dessert.
"This tastes so good." said Elena.
"Thanks." said Neil.
"You made this?" said Gabi and Elena.
He laughs.
"Yeah. I made it before you woke up amd dropped it off earlier."
Elena smiles and shakes her head.
"So you weren't awake for ten minutes then?" she said.
He nods and smiles while Nicole gives Kristina a look.

Later, everyone sits in the lounge, talking while Neil and David do the dishes.
They talk in between. Elena notices that the conversation looks serious.

Neil makes his way to the lounge.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
He nods and sits next to her.

After a while, Elena and Neil head outside on the porch. The porch is decorated with fairy lights of different colours. Pink, blue and white. Elena gives Neil his gift.
"Here. I forgot about it earlier."
He smiles as they sit down.
It is a picture of the two of them.

"Thank you. I love it."
She smiles. "I'm glad."

They sit together and they look up at the clear sky. She leans on his shoulder and he wraps his arms around her.

After a while, Neil stands up and holds her hands.
"Before we go inside."
She stops and looks at him.
"Elena, these last few months with you have been amazing. You make me feel different.
Happier and alive. I know we have only been together for a short time, but it feels like I have known you for a lifetime."
She exhales and he tears up.
"I nearly lost you. And I can't imagine not being with you. I love you, Elena."
She smiles and wipes his tears.
"I love you too." she said.
He gets on one knee and unbeknownst to her, everyone inside is watching. Elena's eyes widened.
"I know it may seem quick. But I also know that you're the one I want to be with for the rest of my life. Elena, will you marry me?"
She exhales and smiles.
"Of course, I'll marry you."
He puts the ring on her finger and he kisses her. He then gives her a little spin and they head inside.

They walk back in and hear a champagne bottle popping open. Elena is surprised and and Neil smiles.
"Congratulations!" said Nicole, John and Gabi.
Gabu hugs Elena and then Neil.
"Thank you."
"You see, this all happened because of me." said Kristina.
Elena looks at Neil and he looks at her and smiles.
"I guess it did." said Neil, holding Elena's hand.
She smiles. "I guess I'd have to say thanks, then Grams. For all the pestering."
Neil laughs.
"Well, it was a pleasure." said Kristina, smiling.

Elena sees her dad, smiling.
"Congratulations." he said, hugging her.
Elena tears up.
"Thanks, Dad. Are you okay?"
He nods. He wipes her tears and she smiles.
"I noticed that you guys were very serious with each other earlier and last week, at the hospital. That's why I asked."
He nods.
"Last week, he asked me for mine and Mom's permission to marry you. I knew Mom would agree immediately without even asking her. As for me, I was hesitant at first. I thought maybe he was rushing it, but I saw how worried he was about you. How he nearly broke down in tears when he examined you. Then I saw how you lit up whenever he came into the room. And I knew. So I said yes."
She hugs David.
"Oh, Dad! Thank you."
He pulls away.
"Now, wipe those tears. Go to Neil."
She laughs and nods.

Neil is chatting to Gabi, John, Kristina and Nicole.
"Hey, Elena." said Gabi.
"Hey, Gabi." She then turns to Neil.
"You got my entire family in on this? And I had no idea?"
They all laughed.
"Even Gabi knew. Remember that one time when she whispered to me?"
Elena nods.
"She asked if I was going to ask you to marry me that day."
Elena gasps.
"Gabi! And you kept this a secret?"
She laughs. "Sorry. I just really wanted a sister. And now I have one!"
"Aww. Gabi!" said Elena hugging Gabi.

After a few minutes, Kristina asks if anyone wants more dessert.
"Definitely." Elena said.

"Especially since my fiancé made it."
She winks at Neil and he raised one eyebrow, laughing while tilting his head.
"I think I will have some more as well." said Nicole.
"Me too." said Gabi.

After more dessert, Neil and Elena decide to call it a night, especially since Gabi is tired.

"Well, thank you for everything. I really appreciate it." said Neil.
"It was our pleasure. I guess now you are part of the family." said Nicole.
"Both you and Gabi." said Kristina.
Gabi smiles. "Thanks. I had a lovely time."
They all hug each other and David and Neil talk to each other, ending the conversation in a hand shake and a little hug. She smiles.

"Bye." said Elena.

They head into the car and drive off. Gabi sits at the back, falling asleep immediately.
"She had fun today." said Neil.
Elena nods. She holds Neil's hand as they drive.
"I can't believe I am getting married. And that my Grams is getting tons of credit for this."
Neil chuckles.
"Well, she gave us a push."
"More like a shove."
He laughs. "Okay, a shove. But we took the next step from there. So the credit is actually ours."
She smiles at him.

They stop and drop Gabi off. Elena gently wakes up Gabi. She whispers.
"Gabi, we're here."
Gabi wakes up.
"Thanks. For today. I enjoyed it."
They nod.
"Thanks for being there." said Neil.
She smiles and gives Elena and Neil a hug and heads inside.
They waved goodbye and drove off to Neil's place.

They pulled the driveway and Elena walked first into the house.
Neil followed behind her.
"I had a great day today. It was the best Christmas." she said.
He smiled. "So did I. It was... Still is the best Christmas." He moved closer to her and leaned in for a kiss. They kiss and his hand accidentally touched Elena's wound.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay? " he asked, concerned.
She laughed. "I'm kidding."
He gives a look and she gives him a quick peck.
"Good night." she said, extremely tired.
"Good night." he said.

She accidentally walked into Neil's room and crept into the covers. Neil never saw as he headed to the kitchen. He poured himself some water and then took off his shirt. He felt flustered and really warm. He headed to his room. It was dark, but he knew his way around his house.

He crept into the covers and saw Elena.
He raised his eyebrows and she grabbed his arms, wrapping herself around him, her face nuzzled into his chest. He exhaled and shook his head.
"You're shirtless." she mumbled against his chest.
"Yeah. Never expected you to be here. I'll go grab a shirt quick."
She shook her head.
"It's fine. I'm fine. And nice and warm."
He smiled. She placed a kiss on his chest. A shiver ran through his body. He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her forehead and then whispered "I love you." before falling asleep.