It was the evening of Christmas Eve. A beautifully decorated tree sparkled in the corner of the room. The scent of mulled wine drifted in the air. Everything was quiet, soft, almost suspended in time.

Tomorrow, there would be no slow holiday morning. It was your last night together before he had to leave for base, and he couldn’t give you any guarantee if he would be back to celebrate New Year’s with you. He simply couldn’t know, that was the nature of his job. You’ve accepted it long ago, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less.

“I know it’s tradition to do this on Christmas moning… but I won’t be here tomorrow.” Johnny murmured. “I’m leaving early. And I can’t leave without knowing if you like your present. Can we open it tonight?”

Under the tree, a box with your name on it waited. And it was huge. Suspiciously so. You had no idea what this might be, but Johnny seemed very eager to see your reaction.

Curiously, you tore the wrapping paper, and opened the box, only to reveal… another, slightly smaller box inside. Classic joke. You laughed, pulling the other box out, and unwrapping that one too. And… there was yet another, smaller box inside that one. You kept unwrapping, each time revealing a smaller box, then another, and another… each layer was wrapped differently, and with each layer you teased Johnny more and more about this.

But he just sat there, watching you closely, hands twitching nervously with each layer of the gift.

And finally, among the mass of boxes, crinkled wrapping paper, and tangled ribbons, you uncovered the very last box. A small one. A velvet one. Your hand trembled a little as you took it, your face suddenly turning serious. You knew what this was going to be, but you almost couldn’t believe it, not until you opened the box, and saw the ring inside.

And when you looked up, Johnny was on one knee in front of you, eyes shimmering and nervous, voice cracking just slightly.

“I… didn’t want to leave without askin’. Didn’t want you waitin’ without knowin’.” He swallowed, reaching over to gently hold your hand in his. “I know me being away often is not easy on you. But… I’ll always come back. And I want to come back to you. Life is uncertain. Love should not be.”

A pause. The ring caught the shimmering glow of Christmas lights. His hand was shaking against yours.

“Let me come home to you.”