Chapter 62: 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

MERRY CHRISTMAS♡

(Note- this is just a side story for Christmas and takes place when Liam & Stella are dating for a year. They are not engaged yet and this happens before Potion of Love timeline. Enjoy reading!)

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

With the soft clicking of the door, Stella swings the door open and steps inside while I follow her. As she switches the lights on, we are met by the sight of our decorated Christmas tree set by the window.

The blinding lights set along the ornaments around the tree making it a centre of attraction. Stella spent a long time decorating this one especially when she finished it with the star on top

Her face lit up with joy giving me a sense of reality that always feels so beautiful

I set the bags aside and followed her in, the sound of her boot grabbed my buddy's attention and he jumped out of his bed to greet her with enthusiasm. While she showered him with affection, I put the gifts we received near the tree.

A bit different from the USA and UK, Australia witnessed a warm Christmas instead of a snowy one. Yet it's a delightful one with our family and friends.

I take a step near the floor-to-ceiling window and look below. Watching the cars pass by on the road, the streets busy and lively feeling still present in full.

Stella stands beside me with a smile as she looks down at the camera in her hand. Her soft hair fell down her shoulders covering the sides of her face. I gently tug a few strands behind her ear to keep my view clear

She glances at me when I do that, my fingers lingering a moment longer on her cheek before I pull back

Stella smiles softly, her eyes crinkling in the corner and lifting her freckles on her cheeks. I stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her back until she is snuggled against my chest.

A soft sigh of contentment escapes her lips as I embrace her. I could look at her reflection falling on the glass “Did you enjoy it today?” I ask in a low tone, my hand gently caressing her waist

Her smile widens as she nods, “Yes! Gosh, it was amazing! What about you?” She asks turning her head to the side to look at me

I sigh and nuzzle my face into the side of her hair inhaling her scent “It was pure torture” I mumble, my grip slightly tightening on her when she tries to move. Stella blinks in surprise and looks at me with an expression of confusion and worry “What? Why? Did something happen?” She asks, her concern evident

I give her an assuring smile “It was good, we were able to spend time with your brothers and my family too” I reply making her slightly relaxed “Then why did you say it was our torture?” She questions again, her blue eyes flickering at me.

Honestly, it was the best Christmas I could ever ask for.

In the morning we visited an orphanage to give gifts to the kids. It's a treat that NYX does every other month but this time I brought Stella along. She was over excited to meet the little kids and picked out the gifts for them. They all liked her more than the gifts and named her the ‘Christmas angel’ because of her blonde hair and the white dress she wore

Well they were not wrong in that

In the afternoon we had Christmas lunch with her brothers and a Christmas dinner with my- our family

But during the whole day, I was not able to be near her. First, the kids stole her, then her brothers and then my mom & aunt. The moment I tried to reach out for her, someone pulled her away or pulled me away. And then people dared to ask why was I looking so Grumpy. Like, get a clue!

I didn't even get to kiss her properly today

“I just needed to hold you” I mutter kissing the side of her neck until she relaxes in my arms again “So that's why you seemed so pouty,” she says with a slight hint of teasing

“I was not pouty!” I quickly say in a defensive tone to which she chuckles, shaking her head and pats my cheek “Aw it's okay my love”

I huff and turn away, but the way her soft finger touched my cheek made my defence crack. She keeps the camera aside and turns to face me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

It doesn't take me a second to slide my hands to her hips and pull her flush against me “Should I make up for it, darling?” she whispers in a sweet seductive tone while tracing small patterns on my chest.

My muscles tense slightly at her touch the way she is talking or the way she is looking at me with those innocent eyes with a lot of hidden mischief

“Don't call me that” I grumble, she usually doesn't use these nicknames unless she wanna tease me or get on my nerves but when she spells it out with the most dying sweetness it strings some chords in my heart

“Oh! May I know why, sweetheart?” she teases again, pressing her body against mine in the right place making me groan “Stella…”

She giggles while tangling her fingers into my hair at the back of my head and pulls me closer. My breath hitches at our proximity, I pull her closer until our lips are inches apart

She has no idea how much her presence affects me

I glance at her eyes to which she gives me a small nod. My hand goes to hold her nape in a gentle grip and press my lips against her. Tilting her head a bit so I could kiss her deeply.

I am at peace now

She pulls away slightly to catch her breath, her hand resting on my cheek. My thumb brushes against her lower lip, taking in the way her breath comes in small gasps. The flustered hue on her cheeks making her look adorable

“How about a movie and some cuddles?” she suggests. I take her hand and kiss her palm “Sounds good”

“Okay let me prepare some snacks. Till then look at my pictures” She hands me her camera and rushes into the kitchen. I sigh and collapse on the couch, grabbing a few of her favourite cushions and blanket.

Leaning against the couch, I start looking through the photos clicked on the camera. A few pictures of Stella, the decorations and food. With our family and friends together on the dinner.

As I continue to click the pictures, I come across a few which were taken when I was meeting the head of the orphanage and she was playing with the children.

A huge warm smile on her face as she holds a few kids together for the picture who are laughing while holding their gifts.

She looks so carefree and happy

Hope all her Christmas are spent with the same smile on her face

I click on the button to switch to the next picture and continue until I come across a few candid ones. Stella doesn't seem to notice the camera as she plays with a little girl. My expression flatters to a thoughtful one for a moment while I look at them

My fingers linger above the screen of them. A small smile tugged on the corner of my lip at the scenario.

“Hot chocolate with marshmallows or without?” Stella's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I blink in surprise and quickly shut the camera and put it aside “With marshmallows please!” I reply, my heart still pounding in my chest

What was I thinking

I run my hand through my hair and look up at the ceiling. I wanna marry her, there's no doubt about that. I just need to give her time, wait till her graduation and not push her-

Stella walks out of the kitchen holding a tray with cookies and cups of hot chocolate. She keeps them on the coffee table but as she is about to sit Buddy tugs on her dress making her stop

“Does my baby need some treats too?” She asks, scratching the back of his ear. He barks in response, waggling his tail with full energy. “Okay, give me a minute,” she says and disappears into the kitchen

I scoff, crossing my arms, my eyes narrowing on the fur ball “Baby huh, aren't you getting too spoilt?” I say looking at him. The way Stella's baby buddy seriously makes me flare with jealousy. Sometimes.

Stella comes back with his dog treats and feeds him properly. I wait patiently until he is full and walks back to his bed. She grabs the remote and settles beside me, I pull the blanket over her lap while she browsers through the movies

“How about Harry Potter?” She asks and I nod in response “Yeah it's been a while since we watched it” I agree. The whole December, whenever we got time we watched all the Christmas movies from our childhood. Fulfilling our hearts and enjoying each other's taste

She hums and puts on a movie from the series, I do not glance at it much. She takes the hot chocolate and sips it while cuddling against my chest while watching the movie

I smile, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and holding her close, kissing the top of her head. I love how perfect she feels with me, how she has become a part of my life without any problem.

We watch the movie in silence, just enjoying each other's presence. But mostly my gaze flickers at her reaction - each of her soft laughter or tense reactions due to the movie scenes

In between this, something catches my eye.  My eyes narrow at her reaction and she notices it “What?” She asks

I lean back to get a better look “You still like Draco?” I ask in disbelief, I remember when she binge-watched the whole series because she got to know I liked it. I didn't think of it much when she found that Slytherin interesting

“Liam, you know I like every character that's blonde” she replies nonchalantly. Well, I know that better than anyone. There's Draco, Aaron, Jacks and the list continues

I huff and look away, removing my arm from her. Why is there so much competition? Stella catches on to my behaviour and shakes her head “You are sulking over fictional characters again” she pokes my cheek gently

Okay that's it

Without a word, I grab my phone and scroll through my contacts. She peeks into my screen and looks at me confused, “Who are you calling so late at night?”

“My assistant, booking a hair appointment to dye my hair blonde” As these words escape my mouth, Stella's jaw drops in pure horror and looks at me with wide eyes “Y-you what- No! W-wait!” She stampers and takes my phone, setting it aside

She holds my face and turns my head to face her “The only man I find attractive is a 6 feet guy with dark hair, grey eyes and looks cute when jealous” she says pecking my lips but I stay unaffected and try not to smile

Despite having the urge to kiss her until she forgets all about those ink-on-paper figures

Seeing my facade, she suddenly climbs onto my lap and straddles me. My hands automatically snake to her waist “I love you” she whispers pecking my lips again

“I love you too” I whisper back “But those inks sometimes annoy me” I mutter, my irritation visible. She just grins at me, this is not that serious. A small banter that keeps us entertained especially her because she loves it when I get jealous over her book characters

At Least those help me take some notes on pleasing her

“I know and I love you more for it” she replies and showers my face with kisses. Her soft lips graze at my skin gently making my heart flutter. Her hands holding my shoulders for support as she continues

I hold her waist and flip her down, making her squeak in surprise. I pin her wrists above her head using my left hand while I use my right one to reach for the strings of her dress “My turn”

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Author's Note

Hope y'all liked the small Christmas special chapter. Sorry i couldn't do much but I will try to do a New year special for pol as I can't do both together. I don't celebrate it but everyone deserves a gift 🎁

To everyone, I wish you, your family and friends a very happy and healthy Christmas and holidays 🫶🏻

It's been a while but I hope y'all are taking care of yourself, it's winter in many parts so stay warm and if it's summer for you then remember to stay hydrated. Eat well and rest too. Spend time with your loved onces 💌

-have a good day/night