Hello! I probably won't be on till New Years, so I posted this other chapter. Please give feedback! Thank you, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

-Mercy

I ran to the window, rubbing away the frost with my deep red sleeve.

"They're coming!" I shouted, racing back to the kitchen, my skirts flying around me.

"Already? Bring me the cranberries. Set them next to the potatoes. Yes, here. Can you get another napkin? This spot is missing one. Oh! Stir the fudge for me. I think it is ready to come off!" Mama hurried over to the stove, pulling the chocolatey treat off of the fire and pouring it into a pan. She thrust the delicious smelling tray into my outstretched arms and began untying her apron.

"Set that outside, and hurry back in. They are coming up the walk now," Mama's cheeks were a rosy red, and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows. She was smoothing down her long fur as I scampered out the back door. Within seconds, Mama, Papa, and I were standing stiffly at the front door, trying to pretend all of life was serene. When the knock came, we were ready.

Mama opened the door, her pink face shining. "Come in, Mr. Pacer. Oh, how good to see all of you! Come in and sit down. We are just ready to eat."

Eric flitted his proud grey eyes across the room, and then met mine. I gazed at him for a moment, and then ducked my head, trying to push away the silly grin that forced itself to my lips.

"Nice to see you," I half whispered as we sat opposite each other at the festively spread table.

"Indeed. We have both been quite busy these past few weeks," Eric replied, glancing me over with a hint of a smile, "That is a pleasing dress. It is new, I suppose?"

"Yes. New. Mama gave it to me as an early Christmas gift, so that I could wear it today," I felt that had grown between us closing with this rare compliment. Perhaps he felt the same way I did - that he had not been around enough - and he was trying to make up for it.

Our parents seemed to stretch the meal out forever. Long after I had finished everything I could eat, everyone else was still talking, laughing, and nibbling. I stared longingly toward the kitchen, wishing desert would come sooner, but I knew I would have hours to wait before then. I sighed. I wasn't sure I could eat any more anyhow.

I stretched out in my chair, looking over to Eric. To my surprise, he smiled, then leaned across the table. I stopped with my arms extended in midair.

"Would you like to take a walk?" Eric suggested.

"Of course! Thank you for taking notice of my near deathly boredom!"

Eric laughed.

I quickly cleared our spots at the table, and Eric slipped his quiver over his shoulder, then fastened my cloak at my neck. As we left, I heard, "He's been gone so much. The king doesn't even know..."

Eric shut the door behind me, a troubled look spreading across his face.

We walked quietly for some time, before Eric spoke, "Do you possibly recall the time we met?"

"How could I forget? Meredith's party four years ago. Your mom introduced you to my Papa, making me the envy of all the does," I smirked, trying to decipher his face.

"Do you remember what I said about you then?" Eric asked, and I blinked, even more confused.

"Noo..."

"You were impossible to forget. And you said I would forget in a moment. Have I?"

"No."

"And I won't. And you didn't either. We have grown up, but we haven't forgotten. We have our own work now, and our own lives, but I would love to join those lives," Eric clasped my freezing hands in his warm ones. His usually proud eyes held tenderness, "Will you marry me, Ansley?"

I gasped, stepping back for a moment, and then threw my arms around him, "Of course!"

Tears coursed down my cheeks, warming my face, and I heard him whisper softly, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

I thought that love would be the end of all trouble, but I was very wrong....