The Runaway

Twenty-Three: Last Christmas

"Tell me, baby, do you recognise me?
Well, it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me.
Happy Christmas.
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I love you". I meant it.."

—

1988.

The Lake House.

December 20th.

Prince had been helping his fiancée decorate their new home for Christmas and was putting the finishing touches on the fireplace and around the ceiling in the early afternoon of December 20th.

Garland hung throughout the living room with battery operated lights that were motion activated while stockings hung neatly on the mantle above a simple nativity scene and snowmen.

The whole house was adorned in Christmas decor, giving it a cozy and warm feeling throughout. The only item that wasn't decorated was the Christmas tree that stood tall beside the living room window.

He wanted them to decorate it together so the box of ornaments sat on the ground until then, waiting for her to feel well enough to help him. Yet in the moment, Prince was alone with his thoughts. Thoughts he'd pushed away.

She'd been asleep for hours but had woken up here and there to watch her lover create an atmosphere that was meaningful. Heartfelt and something they would both remember. It broke her heart because through the soft tunes he sang to himself, he wiped his eyes in the same moment.

Stepping off the ladder and onto the ground, the legend bowed his head. She'd become more quiet. More clingy and hadn't spoken more than three words in two days.

Just as he was about to finish stringing the lights into the remaining Garland on the ceiling, Prince felt lips to his cheek and stopped, closing his eyes.

She hadn't been able to stand on her own since that morning and the sheer sensation of Prince touching her made her cry.

When the legend turned around, his expression changed almost instantly. She'd brought him a cherry popsicle, the only thing she could reach for without calling for him. She had a grape one in her mouth.

"Is this for me?" He asked, matching her happiness when she nodded and handed it to him. "Thank you baby."

He kissed her temple very slowly, testing whether or not it would hurt her like it did earlier.

The frozen treat was opened and Prince acknowledged his fiancée's expression as she looked around at the atmosphere he'd created for them. It was simple and the legend wasn't used to simple. He was used to five Christmas trees and a couple hundred feet of Garland. He was used to others decorating for him.

His decorations screamed Christmas in the most innocent form and it wasn't until their eyes met that he realized he was decorating for their last Christmas. His eyes watered, yet he smiled at how excited she got at all the ornaments he'd dug out of storage.

"What?" Princes said, finishing the last of his popsicle as he watched her kneel to the ground. The box in front of her. "What are you doing?"