What it do, homies.

I know there's been a serious lack of artwork recently, but art block really sucks and nothing I draw has looked even remotely good enough to show you🙃👍🏼

So for now, enjoy the various types of music I like.

This song specifically I like to think of as the "theme" to this story. Like if this story and these chapters were episodes of a show, this is the song that would play during the end credits.

I really recommend listening to this one, especially the lyrics. Look them up if you have to, I know it might be a bit hard to hear. This song means a lot to me.

Alastor's POV

The soft sound of birds singing their morning songs is what woke me up Christmas morning.

A soft groan passed my lips as I stretched, my arms going above my head before I lazily lowered one towards the opposite side of the bed.

My eyes then shot open when it was empty.

I sat up like someone had pressed a branding iron to my back.

"Fawn?" My rough, tired voice called out for her as I looked around the slightly lightened room.

The sun is up?

Did I sleep in?

Worry began to eat at my chest, and I threw the covers off of me to get up and go look for my fiancée.

Quietly, I made my way down the hallway. She's never up before me, and she's pregnant...so, you can see why my concern is spiking.

She may have the hormone imbalance, but I swear this pregnancy has done something to me, too. All I can think about is wanting to protect her, feed her, keep her warm, keep her happy...and of course I wanted to do all those things previously, but now it's almost like a religion.

Having her out of my sight is stressing me out, to put it plainly.

However, the closer I came to the steps, the more that worry unwound. I could hear the sound of the radio playing, accompanied by the soft voice of my lover.

She doesn't sing often...when she does, it's never for me, I always have to sneak up and be very quiet, or she'll stop.

There was a soft smile on my lips as I made my way to the kitchen. I could smell many pleasant scents, and hummed out a sigh before leaning against the doorframe.

The woman standing at my stove squeaked in surprise, tensing up at the shoulders before turning to face me with a look on her face like I'd caught her being bad.

Smirking at her, I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"And what are you up to on this lovely morning," I teased, the pieces having already connected in my head.

She smiled sheepishly, and moved the pan she'd been focusing on to a burner that wasn't on before turning off the stove.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she greeted me, "and here I was hoping you'd sleep in a little later than this," she chuckled.

I pushed off the doorframe, making my way towards her, "oh, darling, you know I'm usually up before the sun. Honestly, I'm surprised I slept as long as I did, and even more impressed that you managed to get out of bed without waking me."

She huffed, and I watched her cross her arms, "oh, trust me, it wasn't easy," she muttered, then a wide smile broke out on her face, "but you're more or less just in time...I wanted to wake you up, but I guess since you're already down here..."

After hopping to the side, she revealed the culmination of foods she'd prepared, "tada! Merry Christmas, baby. I know I don't do much, cooking wise, so I figured I'd scrape together some skills and give you a break," she announced excitedly.

My eyes widened slightly at the sight of all she'd made. It looked like she prepared some sausage patties, biscuits, gravy, and a stack of pancakes along with the eggs that were freshly scrambled on the stove.

"Goodness...Fawn, darling, you didn't have to do all this for me..." I said, my voice mellowing to a softer tone as I approached the food to see it better.

She watched me in anticipation, "I know, but I wanted to...I hope you like it, I tried to keep the foods more savory since you don't like sweet stuff...and I fixed a fresh brew of coffee for you! The smell doesn't gross me out so much anymore, but I don't think I can have any because caffeine isn't good for the baby..." she rambled, obviously worrying I wouldn't like this.

"Like it?" I chuckled, and turned to her, "my love...this is one of the most thoughtful surprises I've received in years."

Her features brightened immediately, and she smiled.

Genuinely, I can't remember the last time I've had something like this done for me. My mother, of course, would cook for us...but we were never well off in the aspect of money, so meals such as this one were rare.

Walking over to her, I reached up and cupped her cheeks, bringing her forward so I could kiss her forehead.

"Thank you, my darling...truly, this is a wonderful start to what will be a wonderful day," I said, and she hummed happily, leaning up to capture my lips with her own.

After a short kiss, I smiled widely and turned back towards the food, "now, how about you and I dig in to this delicious meal you've prepared!"

She and I began to eat, sitting together at the table to discuss whatever we could think of. To see her smiling and laughing was probably the only Christmas present I could've asked for.

Along with that ring on her finger that would catch the light just right...

What a wonderful woman to have as my soon-to-be Mrs.

"So, when do you think we should tell Tom and Niff about the baby?" Fawn asked suddenly before taking a bite out of her pancake.

My fingers drummed against my coffee mug as I pondered her question, a low hum exiting my throat. I then sighed, shrugging slightly.

"I suppose whenever you feel comfortable, my love. It could be whenever we go back to work and see them, or a couple of months from now...but there will definitely be questions as the little fella starts to grow a bit more," I said.

"Hey, you don't know," she chided lightly, touching her stomach, "it could be a little gal."

I blinked, and then rolled my eyes playfully before sitting forward and pointing my mug at her, "with my otherworldly masculine genes? You'd be sorely mistaken, my dear," I joked, to which she giggled.

Then she sighed and sat back in her chair slightly, "but...yea. I think I'll just let them know after New Years, give it enough time so hopefully it seems we did the deed after you proposed and maybe it won't hurt your image so bad..."

When she said this I saw her brow furrow with what looked like a bit of guilt, her shoulders sinking in slightly.

Oh, well that just won't do.

"Fawn..." I began softly, and she looked up at me, "darling...I don't give two shits what anyone in this god forsaken city has to say about you, or my relations with you. You are to be my bride, and you are mothering my child...my image is the least of my worries," I said, and reached forward to hold my hand out for her.

She looked at it, and the slightly melancholy look in her eyes lifted before she smiled, reaching forward to grasp my hand.

There was a silent moment between us with soft eye contact, and I was about to continue when the phone began to ring.

My eyelids lowered as a short huff of a sigh left my lungs, and I stood up to go answer the call.

Once in the sitting room, I grabbed the phone off the receiver and put it up to my ear, ready to bite whoever it was in half for disturbing our morning.

"Merry Christmas!" Came a mixture of two voices on the other end of the line, followed by giggling and laughter.

My annoyance lifted slightly, and I smiled a bit when I recognized the voices to be that of Tom and Niffty.

"Good morning you two, it's lovely to hear your voices. A very merry Christmas to you all as well," I said, and Niffty was next to speak.

"Good morning! So, did Fawn like her ring? When's the wedding? Oooo, I can help her with the dress, oh this'll be so fun, I can't wait—!"

"Niffty, gumdrop, slow down," came Tom's voice, sounding a bit further away.

Niffty drew in a deep breath and released it.

"Sorry. Anyway, how are you guys?"

I chuckled, glancing towards the kitchen where Fawn was now standing in the doorway, looking at me curiously.

"We're alright, I've just woken up not too long ago, but Fawn is here as well if you'd like to speak with her?" I offered, to which Niffty gasped.

"Of course!"

I motioned Fawn over, and she approached with a smile on her face, holding her hand out before tilting her head, "who is it?" She whispered.

'Niffty and Tom' I mouthed back to her, and she nodded, holding the phone to her ear with a smile as if they could see her.

"Hi guys!" She greeted, and I could hear them speaking on the other end, but didn't quite catch what was said.

After a friendly exchange, Fawn finally said goodbye, and hung up the phone.

Then she sighed, "well, I'm ready to just crash on the couch and relax for the rest of today, how about it?" She offered to me, holding a hand out for me to take.

I accepted that offer happily, and we went over to the sofa to cuddle up together and continue talking about everything and nothing all the same.

**

As the night began to wind down, Fawn and I were seated on the couch next to each other.

I think this is the first day she and I have spent fully relaxing, not doing anything at all. She's been napping on and off, and I read a couple of books.

It's been nice.

There was a cozy fire crackling a few feet away from us. It's rare that I get to use that old fireplace, seeing as Louisiana is a naturally warmer state, but the night became rather chilly.

My eyes lazily panned across the page of my third novel of the day, a soft and relaxed smile resting on my lips.

Fawn's head lay in my lap, and I could feel her idly playing with my free hand. Her soft fingers spread mine apart and traced around my palm and the top of my hand.

The evening was quiet and perfect.

Until Fawn suddenly shot up from my lap with a sharp gasp as if she'd just been resurrected, subsequently causing me to jolt and nearly throw my book.

"Jesus Christ, I almost forgot!" She exclaimed, and then promptly scrambled up away from me before I had a single chance to question her odd behavior.

Forgot? Forgot what?

Her soft steps retreated up the stairs, a few fumbles here and there that made my heart leap with worry watching her carelessly stumble.

Then I heard her sprint across the top floor in short thumps, which then quickly turned and began to return as quickly as she'd gone.

As soon as I saw her figure coming back down the stairs, I opened my mouth.

"Fawn, what in the blazes—"

My words stopped when I saw the huge smile on her face, along with a little black bag in her hand as she bounded over to me.

The confused grin on my face fell, and I sat up a bit straighter.

I had completely forgotten she got me a gift, and part of me was expecting nothing at all. Not that I would've been disappointed, I'm very used to spending Christmas alone and receiving nothing.

Actually...I believe I forbade receiving gifts, even from Edith and Niffty. To receive is to then be indebted to the giver, in my mind.

My look of shock never shifted, and Fawn stood before me and plopped the little bag into my lap.

I looked down at it.

"Fawn...baby, you didn't...I..." my voice was failing me, "I didn't realize you'd actually gotten me anything, my love—"

"Huuuush and just open it!" She whined cutely, still wearing that smile as she sat next to me.

The childish nature she exhibited made me chuckle softly, and I relented, beginning to open the present.

I pulled out a slender box, neatly wrapped in thin white paper that I easily slipped away from the package.

My eyes widened when I saw "Gentleman's Den" written in elegant gold calligraphy across the lid of this box.

Holy hell, what did this woman spend on me.

Slowly, I opened it up. My movements were careful, and when the contents were finally revealed to me, my breath caught.

Sitting there, surrounded by plush black velvet, was a beautiful monocle. The glass was tinted red, and held by a dainty gold rim. Attached to that was a slender, elegant gold chain.

All I could do was stare at it. Not only was it beyond thoughtful of her to buy me something so gorgeous, but this is also the exact monocle I had wanted when I went to seek one out.

The plain ones never could catch my interest, but this one I'd seen in an ad around a year ago...when I went to buy it, the clerk told me they'd all sold out and that only 5 had been made.

"Fawn, my love, where on earth...how did you get this?" I breathed, picking it up gently to exam it. Part of me wanted to make sure the poor girl wasn't scammed, but the stylish piece of eyewear was legit.

"I just went to some fancy gentleman's store, and I found that. The guy that rang it up said that it was the fifth of only five ever made, so I had to get it for you," she said, bouncing excitedly next to me, "do you like it?" She asked hopefully.

A smile spread across my lips, and I couldn't hold back the chuckle that reverberated through me.

"Darling...yes. I love it. Thank you so much, I don't even want to know how much this cost you...please, let me—"

"Try it on!" She interrupted me, and I looked at her quickly.

The way she was looking at me, eyes softened and smiling...she just wants me to accept it.

Anyone else, and I'd have forced them to let me repay them.

But for her alone, my pride comes second.

My shoulders relaxed slightly, and before I could, she reached forward and plucked my glasses off my face. She handled them very gently, knowing how much they mean to me.

I put the monocle on the correct eye, and blinked in surprise when it was the proper prescription. Despite the red tint of the glass, it didn't distort the color of my sight.

My chest swelled with appreciation, and I gently removed it and placed it back into the box. Then I turned to Fawn, pulling the glasses from her hands and placing them on the coffee table.

She watched me, and before she had a chance to speak I grabbed her and kissed her.

It was the only way I knew how to express how grateful I was.

She melted against me, lifting her arms around my neck to embrace the kiss. After a second, I pulled back and tested my forehead on hers.

"Thank you so much, my love. This is very thoughtful of you..." I said softly, and she played with my hair.

"I'd do anything for you. I'm glad you like it," she said back, just as softly, "merry Christmas, baby."

I smiled wider at that, and dipped her back into the couch, "merry Christmas~" I growled playfully, then began kissing her neck.

She may not let me repay her with anything material...but I know something carnal that she craves.

Which was confirmed at the sounds of her moaning out through soft breaths.

I marked up her skin with my love, positioning myself between her legs as she pulled them around my waist.

Clothes began to fall to the floor, accompanied by whispers and giggles between breathless kisses and sighs.

This truly has been a merry Christmas.