Your eyes and lips turned upwards in a smile, taking in the beautiful location. A beautiful row of cabins lined the lake, covered with a heavy blanket of thick snow. The one you stood in front of was large and extravagant, with high windows and a beautifully landscaped yard that was noticeable even when obscured by snow.

"Wow!" you marveled, your eyes radiant with exhilaration. "This is definitely worth the long drive!" He chuckled, getting out to lift the suitcases from the trunk.

"Wait until you see the inside!" You opened the door to hop out of the car, your shoes sinking into the snow. Your boyfriend gestured to you from the porch, setting down the suitcases and backpacks. You stood up, nearly falling over in the loosely packed snow. He jogged over to you, laughter in his smile and eyes.

"Maybe I should have had you change when we stopped at your apartment." He lifted you up around the waist, holding you tightly. "But you do look beautiful." He carried you carefully over the snow, setting you down so you could walk up the stairs together. From out of his pocket he pulled a shiny key hanging from a brass tag engraved with the building number. He shifted it in the lock, opening the door to reveal the spacious house, cabin too small of a word for what was inside.

“What do you want to do first?” he asked. “We could make a fire in the fireplace? Or make dinner-”

“Dinner!” you cheered playfully.

“Or go ice skating, or…” Your eyes glittered at the mention of this option.

“Ice skating?!”

“Yeah!” he laughed. “That lake out back isn’t just for looking at! So which is it?” he asked with a laugh. “Dinner, or ice skating?” You bit your lip, trying to choose between the two.

“Dinner first?” He nodded, turning around to pick up his backpack.

“I brought some food for us.” He pulled a package of pasta from the bag, setting it on the countertop. He had bread, a bag of sauce, champagne, and dessert all packed in the pocket of his backpack. “I made a lot of it yesterday so we wouldn’t have to bring more stuff.” You offered him a thankful smile, taking a saucepan from the cupboard and bringing it to the sink for water.

“Wow! Cool!” you said. “This kitchen is amazing! It’s like something out of a TV show!” He laughed, opening the cupboards to find pots and pans for cooking noodles. You ran your hands along the shiny appliances and expensive cupboards, marveling at the luxury of every surface. He smiled, watching you admire the room with the excitement of a small child. Setting your hands on your hips, you gave it one more look. “It’s a far cry from the kitchen in my apartment!” Enclosing your waist in his arms, he rested his chin comfortably on your left shoulder.

“Someday you’ll have a kitchen like this. I’m sure of it!” You laughed, kissing his cheek with a smile. Cooking was peaceful, with just the two of you staying in the gigantic cabin. It wasn’t as overwhelming as you thought it would be, and it was nice to have time with him without interruptions from other people and life’s daily tasks. As you set the table you grew quickly distracted by the window outside.

“Look!” you said, pointing a finger toward the ice-etched glass. A doe wandered outside, it’s soft ears speckled with flakes of snow. It looked toward the cabin with its huge black eyes before returning to the thicket of trees. Birds had settled comfortably on the branches of bare trees, a few swooping down to the tufted white ground to peck for seeds and worms. You saw a squirrel scamper by, and heard the soft yells of children sledding on the hill across the lake. Your boyfriend’s hand rested over your shoulder, the other around your waist. He bent over slightly and kissed your cheek.

“It’s great here, isn’t it?” You smiled in agreement, still watching out the polished glass. Dinner was elegant and relaxed, the table a dark shining ebony that seemed to glow under the crystal chandelier. You clinked your glasses together in cheers before taking a sip, letting the sparkling drink wash over your taste buds. When you finished he helped carry the plates to the sink, drying his hands on a dishtowel.

“Ice skating now?” he asked. You grinned, accepting the ice skates he had been carrying in one of his suitcases.

“You have so much stuff in those! I thought you were terrible at packing.”

“I had help,” he replied sheepishly. He helped you outside, tightening your scarf around your neck.

The moon was high, the sky growing darker as night began to settle over the valley. You took his hands, wobbling on your feet as you grew acclimated to the icy surface.

"Are you sure it's safe?" you asked, a little nervousness settling in your stomach. He nodded, pulling you happily over the lake.

"It's perfectly fine. People skate here all the time. We're just alone because it's nighttime." You skated together slowly over the ice, taking in the serene surroundings as you circled the lake. Golden light seemed to emanate from every cabin through the tall windows, and you could see silhouettes of families and other couples in the curtains. The playing children had since gone to bed, leaving the sounds of your voice and the random coo of owls in distant trees.

“This is great,” he said. You smiled, skating in a circle around him as he held onto your gloved hand.

“It’s amazing! Seriously, how did you even find out about this place?” He smiled, puling you closer to him.

“I just looked around for a cabin nearby. I know how much you love places like this and I thought it might be a nice way to spend our holiday.”

“It’s perfect.” You leaned close, lowering your scaft to place a light kiss on his cold lips. "You're freezing!" you frowned. He shook his head.

"I'm fine. You're the one who's freezing! Your cheeks are bright red." You skated together for a few more minutes before deciding to return inside.

"Oh my god! This bathroom is amazing!" Your eyes were greeted by another contemporary room, lined with stainless steel and the feeling of sheer elegance.

"Look at the size of this bathtub!" He raised his eyebrows, slightly taken aback by your overwhelming excitement. "It's insane! You could fit like three people!" You took notice of his expression, rolling your eyes. "You don't understand! I've been deprived of fancy bathtubs. This is a luxury." Laughing, he turned the faucets to send hot water pouring into the tub's basin.

"So why don't you use it?" he asked. You clapped your hands, reaching above your head for the bottle of bubble soap you had noticed sitting in a corner.

"I intend to!"

When you finished warming up, he reached across to grab towels from a nearby linen closet. You dried yourselves, and you walked out of the bathroom to change into your favorite pajamas, one of his old shirts and a pair of loose fitting flannel shorts.

“You copied me!” he accused jokingly, as he returned from the bathroom in flannel pants that matched your shorts.

“No,” you argued. “I’m wearing shorts. And a shirt!” He grinned.

“We can fix that…” You laughed, darting away from his outstretched hands.

“Hold on mister.” He chased you around the hallway table. “You have to sing for me first.” He sighed, knowing that you found any opportunity to hear his voice. He reached for you, sitting on the couch and guiding your head to rest on his chest. He sang softly, his voice bringing a relaxed heaviness to your eyelids. You felt yourself growing tired, and he finished his song with his voice barely above a soothing whisper. Chuckling softly, he brushed his lips against your ear.

“You still awake?” You nodded, opening your eyes that you didn’t realize had closed. He lead you up the stairs, revealing the bedroom you had forgotten to take a look at when you had walked in.

You pulled back the heavy covers, patting one of the pillows next to you and urging him to join. He smiled, leaning over you with starry twinkles in his dark eyes. His hands supported his weight on either side of your head, and he leaned forward to bring his lips over yours.

You woke up, streaks of sunlight peeking through the blinds over the window. The thick white covers were crisp and warm over your body, and you could smell a fresh scent of detergent in the fluffy pillow. Rolling to your side, you touched a single finger to the cheek of your boyfriend sleeping next to you. He looked content, the ghost of a smile on his lips as his chest rose and fell with the slow rhythm of slumber. You poked his cheek lightly again and saw his eyes move beneath closed lids.

“I know you’re awake, you whispered, your face an inch from his. He flashed a bright grin, and his arms shot forward to pull you close to him.

“Merry Christmas,” he mumbled in a voice still heavy from a night of sleep. You forced him to sit up, slapping him lightly on his bare chest.

“You jerk! In the hurry to pack yesterday I completely forgot to bring your Christmas present! And it was a great one too.” Laughing, he rolled over onto his side and supported his head with his hand and elbow.

“That’s alright,” he chuckled. “I’m just glad you could come.” He sat up, stretching his arms above his head before standing up to pick up his boxers. You did the same, pulling his oversize T-shirt back over your head and wandering to the bathroom.

He decided to make breakfast, having gone so far as to bringing plastic bags of ingredients in one of the suitcases. You smiled, watching him make pancakes with organized precision, trying to pour every scoop of batter in a perfect circle.

You ate breakfast comfortably at the table, snow falling in a fresh blanket outside, a fantastic view in every window.

“I almost forgot,” he mentioned, standing up to go to his suitcase. “You need to open your present! It’s kind of cheesy but I hope you’ll still like it.” He walked back to the table, holding the wrapped gift in his hands.

What does it look like? Go to the specified chapter to finish your story.

Gift #1: For this gift, go to Chapter 7

Gift #2: For this gift, go to Chapter 8