I was startled awake by the sound of creaking footsteps, my hand instantly grabbing my handgun hidden beneath my pillow. The only explanation I could think of was that it was an intruder, making me cranky from both being startled awake and the fact that it was Christmas Eve.

"Really? It's friggin Christmas," I whispered to myself. I carefully crept to my door and snuck it open, looked around the hallway and saw no one, then slipped out.

There was a sudden crash in the kitchen and I jumped slightly, quickly and quietly making my way to that area of the house. I hid away from the arch that led into the kitchen for a second, adjusting the grip on my gun before jumping into view of whatever was here, gun raised and ready to fire. The creature turned around, revealing a full, pale face with a big white beard. He wore clothing that only one person would wear.

"Santa?" I asked, then noticed the red substance covering his hands, and freaked out. It had to be blood.

"Ho Ho H-OLY SHIT" I had fired my weapon before he could finish his laughing, watching as he stumbled back. It appeared like he would fall but he didn't, instead looking disappointedly at the wound.

There was only one thing that this creature could be.

"Christmas demon..." I murmured, reaching for my knife but then remembering I was in my pjs. I backed up, trying to put as much space between this Christmas demon and me. He quickly help up his hand in a stop gesture, but I was already dashing down the hall for my knife.

I burst in my room, frantically searching for my knife when I spotted the Angel blade that Gabe had given me for moments just like this. I snatched it up, spinning around and coming face to face with the Christmas demon. He jumped back at the sight of my blade, and suddenly I was holding a giant candy cane.

Why is it a candy cane?! I thought.

"Well that Angel blade can kill me, so I switched it for a candy cane," The demon said. He stepped forward but I held him away with the candy cane in a defensive position.

"What are you doing here?!" I shouted, shaking the sweet threateningly. The demon chuckled.

"Well I think I'd be allowed to be here, seeing as I do kinda live here," He said, his face changing into Gabe's, the big clothes now hanging limply on his body. I yelped, relieved but still weary of the red substance that could only be blood on his hands. He followed my gaze, then laughed.

"What?" I asked.

"It's just jelly. I was making myself a sandwich after I put the presents away because I got hungry. Then the jar broke and got all over my shoes. Come to think of it, trying to wipe it off with my hands probably wasn't the best idea..." He said, taking one lick and then the jelly was gone. I sighed, setting the extra large candy down on my bed and then moving to peck Gabe on the cheek.

"Don't ever do that again," I said. Gabe pouted, giving me a proper kiss.

"Why not?" He complained, receiving an incredulous look from me.

"Because you nearly gave me a friggin heart attack!" I replied.

Gabe pouted even more, but suddenly brightened as he remembered something.

"What if I told you I have a special Christmas present for you right now? Would you forgive me then?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't presents supposed to be exchanged in the morning?" I replied. Gabe shrugged and dragged me to the little tree that stood on the kitchen counter in the bunker, then handed me a small present. 

"We can skip that for this one time, right? I mean, I'm a little excited to get you this one," Gabe said, urging me to unwrap it. I smiled but did as he wanted, unwrapping the paper filled with snowmen and sliding out a little box. I felt my heart rate spike. This could be what I thought it was- could it? I slowly opened the box, feeling tears prick my eyes at what I saw lay inside. 

Inside of the little box sat a beautiful diamond ring, perched upon a velvet cushion. I looked up at Gabe, who had knelt on one knee on the tiled floor and held my hand. he looked at me with both a mixture of hope and fear in his eyes, pulling out a slip of paper and opening it. 

From it, he read, "My Dearest, we have seen each other through thick and thin, through hell and back. I have never seen a woman as strong or beautiful as you-" I never gave him the chance to finish however, because I was already saying yes.

"Yes Gabriel, yes I will..." I said, leaning down to give him a kiss. When we broke apart he wiped stray tears from my cheeks.

"Merry Christmas," He said with a chuckle. I smiled in return, kissing him once more.

"And a Happy New Year."