(Y/N POV)

I'd felt pity for Charles to be alone at this time of year. So, I begged that I go into the town and buy him a gift. I'd found a large sketchbook, accompanied by five drawing pencils. It was the least I could do for him.

I knocked at the door covered in Christmas decorations. Mrs Taylor opened it, gasping in delight. "Sophie, my dear!" -She hugged me- "Merry Christmas!"
I giggled. "Merry Christmas."
She took me inside by my shoulder. "The school children are at home with their families, but the orphans are enjoying themselves here." she clarified, "Though I think we all know who you're looking for."

"Do you know where he is?" I asked.
She pointed towards the living room. "Just in there."
"Not in that bedroom for once?"
"No. He was willing to spend time with his sister for the day."

I poked my head around the doorway, catching the attention of the orphans. "Sophie!!" they chanted at once, lunging at me. Charles was sat on the couch with Valentino, helping her to unwrap a present. He gazed up at the call of my name, smiling tenderly towards me. "Merry Christmas, Sophie!" A boy called Elijah exclaimed.
"Merry Christmas to you, too." 

Charles tread over, chuckling at the orphan's sudden formation around me. "Alright, that's enough!" I giggled, beckoning them away from me. I scrambled to Charles before they could attack me again, leading into the hallway. I looked down to the floor nervously, clutching the sketchbook at my side.

"So..." He leaned his shoulder against the wall. "Feliz Navidad."
"Feliz Navidad." I tried to copy in his accent.
He peered downwards. "What have you got there?"
"Oh! Well, I thought, while I was downtown, I should buy you a gift." I presented the sketchbook to him, taking the pencils into my other hand. "It's much bigger than your other one, so you can... y'know."

"Y/N..." Charles sighed, gently taking it from me. "Thank you, but... you really didn't have to. I haven't... I haven't bought anything in return..."
"It's okay. It wasn't a big deal, I just thought you could use something to take your mind off of things."
"N- No, I need to return the favour, somehow..."
"Charles, I've got enough as it is today, don't worry!"

"...You have?" he questioned with uncertainty.
"General Schuyler and his family raised money for a new house." I informed him.
"Where?"
"Not much further from here, so I'll still be able to visit."
"...Good."

"In any case, it's good to see you spending time with-"
"The others?" Charles finished. "No. I'm only doing it for Valentino."
"Oh, what's so bad about children?" I teased.
"Says you, the one who can't bare with them. How do you expect to start a family someday?"

I knew he was only joking, but I looked away from him. "S- Sorry, I..."
"No, it's okay." I smiled to reassure him. "I don't... plan on having children, anyway. It's hard for me to explain it, but I just... can't."
"Are you... unable to...?"
"It's not that. I could, but if I did... Everything would be put to risk.

So what about you?" I asked to make things fair.
"Me?"
"Yes. Would you start a family?"
"Well... uh... if my wife wanted to, then..."
"No, I'm asking for your personal opinion. Forget everyone else: if you could start a family at any given moment, would you?"

"...Then yes."

"I'd love to."

~

(Emily POV)

"Doesn't it look adorable on her though?" Sally was perched next to my feet, staring out into the river.
"It does." While out walking Sally, I'd stumbled across John, wandering across the streets. He was aloof, and uncertain where to turn to. Therefore, I offered him some time down the river, where we'd once skated together.

I fiddled with Sally's Santa hat, for she'd given up on trying to take it off. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything," I apologised, "It just flew right over my head."
"It's alright. I wouldn't expect anything from you." John grinned, slouching back on the grass. "All we need is each other's company."

I leaned back, resting upon the grass and gazing at the sky above us. Sally turned around, laying herself down beside me. "She sure does love you." John admitted.
"Uh, I know. It's worrying if I'm honest."
He sniggered. "Then I must be terrifying to you."

John eased himself next to me, looking up to the sky as I so did.

"Gentle Love, this hour befriend me,
To my eyes resign thy dart;
Notes of melting music lend me,
To dislove a frozen heart." he suddenly began to sing.

"Chill, as mountain snow, her bosom;
Though I tender language use,
'Tis by cold indifference frozen,
To my arms, and to my muse.

See, my dying eyes are pleading,
Where a breaking heart appears;
For thy pity interceding,
With the eloquence of tears.

While the lamp of life is fading,
And beneath they coldness dies,
Death my ebbing pulse invading,
Take my soul into thy eyes."

Sally jumped up protectively as John kissed my hand. I stroked her to calm her nerves, and she drew herself back down. "I didn't know you could sing." I flattered.
"Everyone has that hidden talent, I suppose." He quickly kissed my cheek, his face flustered.
"How did you learn?"
"Well, my mother would sing us to sleep each night. I'd take all of her qualities, and convert them into my own.

Can you remember your mother?" he wondered. Of course... When I came here, Alexander claimed that I couldn't remember anything; I'd lost my memory completely. That way, people couldn't question me about my origins. But if I told John... What would he think?
"...No, I can't." I lied. "I wish I could, but... She's out there, somewhere."
"Wouldn't you like to find her?"
"No, I wouldn't."

"Why not?" He was surprised by my answer.
"I've got all I could ever want here, haven't I?"
"...I'm willing to give you more."

I raised my eyebrows.
"Emily, I've... I mean, there's something that ah... There's... something I've been waiting to ask you for a few weeks now, and..." John stuck his hand into his pocket. "I... think it's time."

He pulled out a ring.

"Will you do me the honours of being my wife?"

The ring.

This could be my chance.

I did have everything I could ever want here, but what about my old life? I'd just... left it behind. Left everything behind. My friends, family... And now that a ring was presented right before me, I could earn all of that back. I could tell my mum how much I loved her, and that we were safe.

This was my chance.

"Yes, yes, yes!!" I squealed, hugging John. "Now put the ring on, quickly!!"
"I will, I-!"
"QUICKLY!!" I held my hand out for John. I loved him more than anything. But if this was an opportunity, no way was I going to let it slide.

He gently slipped the ring onto my finger.

I closed my eyes and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

...

...

I reopened.

John was looking back at me.

"M- Maybe it was on the wrong finger, I..." I tried to remove the ring, but John stopped me.
"I assure you, that's the correct finger!" he joked.

But this wasn't a joke.

"It can't be, this has to work!!" I tried removing it again, but again he stopped me. He started to sense something was wrong, as tears uncontrollably whelmed up in my eyes. "It has to work!!" John restrained my arms at my side and I attempted to struggle away from him. Nevertheless, he forced me into his arms, shielding the back of my head with his hand.

"Shh, it's okay." John soothed. I balled my hand into a fist, brushing my thumb over the ring. "It's okay. I'm here." I freed my arms from him, wrapping them around his shoulders. "I'll always be here. I love you more than anything." 

I wanted to only tell him how I felt the same, but as soon as I tried to speak, sobs blurted out. I hugged him tighter, for my words would be no use.

We really were going to be here forever, weren't we?

~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, so a massive shoutout to Hamlizas_Child, who has decided to create a one shot book of this fanfic. I can't thank them enough for it. So please go and check it out if you're interested, along with their other works!!