Coco by the Fireplace

Finally got clarity and comfort form the heat
To the point where there's no place
that I would rather be
Then by the fireplace yeah

Coco and Zilla, a couple from very different worlds, are celebrating their first Christmas together.

Zilla

Coco

The soft crackle of the fire was the only sound that filled the cozy living room, the flames dancing and casting a warm glow on the walls. The Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, its lights twinkling like stars in the night sky. Ornaments—some hand-made, some passed down through generations—decorated the tree, each one carrying its own story. The living room was alive with the soft scent of pine and cinnamon, the faint smell of a freshly baked dessert still lingering in the air.

Coco and Zilla had spent the afternoon together, carefully arranging ornaments on the tree and adding the final touches to the room. The effort had been collaborative, filled with laughter, a little playful bickering, and an overwhelming sense of contentment.

Now, as evening fell and the Christmas lights cast their glow, they sat together by the fireplace, each with a mug in hand. Coco had made them both Lumumba—hot chocolate spiked with rum, a drink that felt indulgent and comforting, perfect for a chilly Christmas Eve. The fire crackled in the hearth, and the warmth from the flames seemed to match the warmth that filled Coco's heart.

It had been a year since she and Zilla had met in New York, and in that time, they had come to know each other in ways neither had ever expected. Their relationship had started under the most unlikely of circumstances. Coco had been in New York for a business trip, walking through the streets of the city when she found herself in a precarious situation. A pair of muggers had cornered her in a dark alley, demanding her purse. Just as the situation seemed to turn dire, Zilla had appeared, almost out of nowhere, saving her from harm with a strength that left her breathless.

In the aftermath, shaken but grateful, Coco had insisted on taking Zilla to dinner as a way of thanking him. That dinner turned into a deep conversation, one where Coco learned that Zilla wasn't just any man. He was a professional wrestler from Texas, hailing from the legendary Samoan Dynasty, a family that had built its legacy in the ring. Coco had been fascinated by his stories, his humble nature despite the fame that surrounded his family, and the way he spoke of his career with such passion.

After returning to her hotel, Coco couldn't help herself; she found herself Googling Zilla and the Anoa'i Fatu family. What she discovered only deepened her admiration for him. His family's influence in the wrestling world was undeniable, and yet, Zilla seemed so grounded, so unaffected by the glitz and glamour of the wrestling business.

Their relationship had grown naturally from there. They had quickly become inseparable, navigating the ups and downs of life together. Two months in, Zilla discovered something about Coco that left him stunned—she was an heiress, the daughter of a wealthy oil and gas mogul. She had inherited a vast fortune, something that Coco had always taken for granted but had never defined her. Zilla had been uncertain at first, unsure of how to process this new information. He wasn't from wealth, and he wasn't sure how he felt about dating someone with so much money. But Coco had proven time and time again that money didn't define her. She was down-to-earth, unpretentious, and deeply loving. As he spent more time with her, Zilla quickly realized that the money didn't matter. What mattered was the woman sitting beside him, the one who made him feel whole.

Now, on their first Christmas together, Coco couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Their love had come so naturally, so unexpectedly, and she was determined to make this Christmas one to remember. The living room felt like a reflection of their relationship—warm, joyful, and full of love.

"I got you an early Christmas present," Coco said, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she handed Zilla a small, wrapped box.

Zilla raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile. "Baby, I thought we agreed to wait until Christmas morning," he said, his voice light but tinged with affection.

Coco shrugged playfully. "I know, but I couldn't wait. I've been thinking about this for a while."

Zilla chuckled softly, taking the box from her. He carefully peeled away the wrapping paper, revealing a silver chain with a dog tag pendant. As he turned the tag over, his breath caught in his throat.

The pendant featured a stunning, intricate engraving of Zilla's late father, Eddie Fatu. His father's face, captured in stunning detail, looked up at him from the pendant. The edges of the tag were encrusted with diamonds, catching the firelight in a way that made it sparkle. It was a beautiful tribute, a piece of his father he could carry with him always.

Zilla's heart swelled in his chest. "Thank you, baby. I love it," he said, his voice thick with emotion. He kissed her lips gently, his hands trembling slightly as he held her close.

Coco smiled, feeling a surge of love for him. "You're welcome, baby," she whispered.

For a moment, Zilla simply held the pendant in his hands, his thoughts swirling. It was as if this gift had brought him closer to his father, a connection he could feel in his heart, and yet it was also a symbol of his future with Coco.

Zilla took a deep breath, his mind shifting to the next part of his plan. He reached for the smallest present under the tree, a box wrapped in gold paper.

"This is for you," Zilla said, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.

Coco furrowed her brow as she took the box from him. She unwrapped it, her eyes widening in surprise as she pulled out a small velvet box. She opened it, and her breath caught in her throat.

Inside was a marquise-shaped diamond, set on a platinum band with pavé shoulders. The diamond glimmered in the firelight, its beauty breathtaking.

Zilla, who had been watching her closely, dropped to one knee in front of her, the room seeming to fall away.

"The moment I first laid eyes on you," he began, his voice rich with emotion, "I knew in my heart that my life was about to change. And it has, in the best way possible. Through all the good times and hardships, one thing remains the same—you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I can't imagine life without you. So, will you marry me?"

Tears welled up in Coco's eyes as she stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a moment she had dreamed about but never truly expected. She had found love in the most unexpected way, and here, before her, was the man who had changed everything. The man she wanted to spend forever with.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.

Zilla's face lit up with the kind of happiness that only comes from a deep, unconditional love. He slid the ring onto her finger, and they kissed, sealing the promise that would shape the rest of their lives.

After a long moment, they broke the kiss, both of them smiling as they sat back down by the fire. Zilla picked up his mug of Lumumba, raising it in a toast.

"Here's to spending Christmas together for the rest of our lives," he said, his voice full of hope and love.

Coco clinked her glass against his, her heart full. "To forever," she agreed, her voice soft but certain.

As they sat there in the quiet, sipping their drinks and watching the fire burn low, everything felt right. The world outside seemed to fade away, and in that moment, all that mattered was the warmth they shared, the love that had brought them together, and the future they would build side by side.

The next morning, Christmas Day, Coco awoke to a soft, golden light streaming through the window. Zilla was already awake, sitting next to her with a sleepy grin on his face. He pulled her into his arms, and for a while, they simply lay there, basking in the peace of the morning.

After a leisurely breakfast, Coco pulled out her phone and posted a picture of her hand, the engagement ring sparkling in the soft Christmas light, along with a simple caption: Forever and always, with the love of my life. #ChristmasEngagement #ForeverAndAlways #SoBlessed #FutureMrs #Fatu

Almost immediately, her phone buzzed with messages. Her family and friends, many of whom had been following her relationship with Zilla from afar, had all seen the post. They called to congratulate her, their voices filled with warmth and joy.

Zilla was already on the phone with his own family, telling them the news. The excitement in his voice was contagious, and Coco couldn't help but smile as she listened to him chat with his relatives. It felt like everything was falling into place, as though this moment, this day, was the culmination of everything they had been working toward.

The rest of the day was spent in a haze of happiness. Coco and Zilla took calls, shared laughs, and made plans for the future. And as they sat together that evening, watching the fire flicker softly, Coco couldn't help but feel like the luckiest woman in the world. She had found her person. And as they looked forward to the many Christmases ahead, she knew they would be filled with love, laughter, and countless memories—together.