(Surprise😉 )

(Alternative music for this chapter: "Happy Xmas (War is Over)", by John Lennon)

"Jingle Bell Rock", by Kurt Hugo Schneider, sounds all through the Okonma's household, and Ivy desperately tries to decorate her Christmas cookies accordingly.

"Oh, would you look at that, more mistletoe!" Richie chimes, holding a measly leaf above his girlfriend's head.

Ivy turns away from her decorating and gives him a skeptical look. A laugh leaves her lips at the sight of the leaf, and she can't help but maintain her grin when she sees Richie's amused smile.

"Richie, you've been kissing me all day, and I'm really busy right now! I don't want the icing to melt. Also, that isn't even mistletoe; it's just a leaf," she explains, turning back to the cookies.

Richie gives a pout.

"C'mon babe, please? You've been going at these damn cookies for an hour, and Santa Claus is probably fatter than Eddie's mom, he can stand to lose a few pounds—"

"Richie!" Ivy laughs, rolling her eyes.

He sighs, "you're right. Eddie's mom is definitely fatter."

"Richie, shut up," Ivy laughs. "Did you call the boys like I said?"

Richie nods his head. "Yeah yeah, they should be here soon. Could I at least have one of the cookies? Wait, did you ever think that maybe Santa Claus is actually just Mrs. Kaspbrak dressed in red breaking into peoples houses to steal their food—"

Before Ivy even has a chance to yell at him the doorbell rings, causing Rivy— their beloved, shared dog— to run towards the front door barking loudly.

Her parents would be gone for Christmas break, so they all decided they would celebrate the holiday at Ivy's house. Together. Even Stan!  (Ivy was very pleased to hear he would be joining the losers for their mindless gift exchange).

"I'll get it," Richie smiles, swiftly leaning forward and kissing Ivy before rushing to answer the door.

Ivy smiles lightly from the kitchen, listening as Richie answers the door. Familiar voices echo throughout the house, and Ivy feels a sense of happiness chime through her bones. At first, she was a little disappointed about her parents not being with her for Christmas— but now...now she feels happier about it than any other Christmas she celebrated.

After about an hour, everyone has arrived, and she has finally finished decorating her cookies.

"Your cookies look really good," Eddie compliments, admiring the girl's work. Ivy gives him a hug and large smile.

"Thanks, Ed. I heard you got yourself a girlfriend? What's that all about?" She grins.

"Oh? Ally? Haha...yeah..." he blushes. "I'll have to introduce her sometime soon. You'd get along with her. Plus, her friends would love you."

"Definitely," Ivy agrees. "What's their names."

"Katie, and Allie— but with an 'ie'," he explains.

"Cool. Merry Christmas, by the—"

"BABE," Richie hollers from the living room causing Ivy to roll her eyes. She makes her way towards the living room with a small smile, and immediately greets everyone with a small wave.

"Can we open presents yet?" Her impatient boyfriend whines.

"Yeah, I agree with him for once, actually," Stan chimes with a smile. "I'm actually kind of excited for the gift exchange, I mean, my family doesn't usually do gifts...for obvious reasons."

Ivy smiles, "okay, I guess we could open gifts now."

"Wow, so you listen to Stan, but you won't listen to your own boyfriend?" Richie says, feigning offense.

"Get over yourself, Richie," Bev laughs, sitting comfortably by Ben. "If I wasn't already with the sweetest boy in town, I'd snatch Ivy right up from you."

Richie rolls his eyes, "Ivy would never leave me. I'm too fucking hilarious."

"Alright alright, can we exchange gifts now?" Mike cuts in, excitement taking his features. He holds Rivy on his lap, petting the top of his head gently.

Ivy laughs, "yeah. Let's do this."

Present after present is opened, and laughter fills the air more than ever before. Anyone could look through the window into the house and see how much pure happiness the teens are sharing.

"Hey, Ivy," Richie calls lightly, catching her attention while everyone else is distracted.

Ivy turns to him with a smile that makes his stomach stir, and his knees feel weak. He knew in that moment, that the present he picked out for her was truly the right one.

"Oh my fucking god, I'm in love with you," he blurts accidentally, earning a bright blush from Ivy.

"I love you, too," she replies.

"I have a present for you, but I wanna give it to you away from everyone else. Do you think we could...uh...maybe...g-go outside really fast?"

Why is he so nervous suddenly? He has no idea. He's Richie trash mouth Tozier! He shouldn't be this nervous over a girl. Yet, he continuously reminds himself that Ivy Lee Okonma is not just a girl.

"Yeah, sure," she smiles sweetly. "You really didn't have to get me anything. All I got you was a big care package."

"Yeah, full of everything I need to survive," he snorts. "Plus, let's not forget about that other gift you gave me earlier—"

Ivy's cheeks grow even brighter as she pulls him outside. "Yeah yeah, shut up, Richard."

He laughs loudly in response, covering up his immense amount of nerves.

"Okay, Ivy..." Richie takes a deep breath, "I have never met someone I was more in love with than you. I never will. When we were defeating Pennywise, and I thought you were dead....I've never felt that scared in my entire life. I know I'm not good enough for you— god, I know that— but I can't help how I'm love with you I am. In this crappy town, I can't believe how lucky I was to find you. I know I'm an annoying asshole sometimes, but god I love you so much. I know we're kids, b-but...I was really hoping...hoping that...you'd accept this....promise ring."

Ivy is at a complete loss of words. Firstly, because she can't believe how attractive Richie looks right now. Secondly, because the ring is beautiful. Thirdly, because of how those words touched her so deeply.

"Richie..." she trails, tears watering her eyes, "is this real? This isn't a joke right?"

Richie smiles widely, "it's not a joke, I swear."

Ivy can't do anything but lean in and kiss the boy passionately. His glasses push against his face at the mere pressure of the kiss. Richie kisses back immediately, slipping the ring onto one of the girl's fingers at the same time.

"That was pretty cute," Stan laughs, opening the front door quickly.

The two teens jump apart, blushing deeply.

"Jesus, Stan! Ever heard of this thing called respect?"

"Richie, one time when you found out I was Jewish, you invited me to a pool party that turned out to be a baptism."

"Well, excuse me for trying to sneak you into heaven!"

Ivy laughs, and steps into the house with Richie. The door closes behind them, and the losers crowd around Ivy immediately.

"Okay, but really, I wasn't expecting to hear Richie so serious," Ben comments. "Show is the ring!"

Ivy holds up her hand to show off the beautiful ring (which she'd have to inquire about how he retrieved it later). Bev squeals and Mike nods his head in approval. Bill smiles at the two, and Eddie is in awe at the sparkly jewelry.

"Wow, so I guess you guys are pretty serious now, right?" Stan asks.

"We've always been serious, Stan the man," Richie answers. "Just more serious now."

Ivy smiles and nods in agreement.

"Can we eat the cookies now?" Eddie asks. "I've been eyeing them all night."

"Yes," Ivy laughs.

And as everyone rushes to the kitchen, Ivy stays behind with Richie, turning to him. He wraps his arms loosely around her waist, and she does the same, but around his neck.

"So...you really like the ring?" He questions softly.

"I love it," she hums. "And would you look at that? Real mistletoe."

Richie smirks, leaning down and kissing the girl softly. Ivy kisses back, and she thinks about the words engraved on the ring— it makes her happy because she knows that it's true.

'till the very end'.