Normal POV:
Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters
December 19th
Inside Xavier's mansion, the hallways were adorned with greens, shimmering decorations, and lights twinkling like stars in the dimly lit hallways. You had always loved the holiday season, but this year was even more important than all the other years. It was your first time celebrating Christmas with your boyfriend of a few months, Remy, and you had become determined to make it unforgettable for him.
Through your short time together Remy had been very surprisingly transparent about his life prior to the X-men, especially his early childhood which had been vastly different from your own. It hadn’t been one filled with warmth and safety and predictable holiday traditions but one with loneliness and challenges that would have certainly crushed others. And while you admired the resilience that made him into the man he was today, you still felt the desire to give him a special experience.
“I already have so many possibilities planned for us….” You can remember excitedly saying to Remy months ago when the topic of the holidays had first come up. “You deserve a special holiday like no other. We could go ice skating, decorate our own tree, maybe even make beignets together!”
But just days before Christmas, while on a mission with the X-Men, a minor disaster struck. You had been caught off guard by one of Magneto’s Acolytes, and though you recovered quickly enough that you weren't injured any further you were still left with a broken leg that would require surgery in a few weeks and until then was confined to the Academy’s infirmary.
Though instead of being angry over your injury or being fearful of your upcoming surgery you felt more guilty over the promises you would have to break to Remy for their first Christmas together. You couldn’t do anything that you had planned for the two of you while confined to the infirmary and bed.
When Remy had been finally able to come visit you in the infirmary, you had attempted to put on a brave smile, but it faltered as soon as he stepped close and you could see the worry etched into his handsome features.
“Annie, ma belle, how are you feelin?”
“I-I’m fine. Hank has been doing good about making sure I’m comfortable and not in pain.”
“Den why you look so sad?” His Cajun timbre wrapped around you like a warm embrace.
“W-we won’t be able to do any of the things I had planned for us for Christmas.” You finally admitted your anguish bubbling out. “I really wanted to make things feel special for us.”
Remy spoke your name, taking your hand gently. “You think I care ‘bout all dat? I just want you happy, cher. You bein’ here is all I need.”
You sighed, frustration gripping her heart. You understood, but in her mind, that the holidays were about the people you spend them with, and that Remy would not be disappointed in your inability to deliver to him your promised holiday celebration, especially under these circumstances. But you were disappointed in yourself
“I want to see you happy too, Remy. You deserve a Christmas where someone thinks about you and makes you feel good.”
Remy leaned closer, his red on black eyes tender. “Christmas ain’t about what’s done, it’s ‘bout who you’re with. We’ll still have a good holiday, Je promets (I promise).”
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Normal POV:
Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters
December 25th
Despite all the ways which Remy had attempted to comfort his girlfriend and keep her spirits up the heaviness of her disappointment had weighed heavily in the air anytime Christmas was mentioned. And while Remy really really could care less about the holidays he saw how much it meant to you and at some point he had become determined to give you the Christmas which you had been dreaming of creating for them.
So on Christmas morning, Remy had awoken earlier than the sun with a well thought out plan in mind. Making his way to the kitchen in the most Christmas-y pair of pajamas he owned (a plain red shirt and plaid red and green pajama bottoms) he gathered all the necessary supplies; ingredients for snacks, cookies, brownies, hot chocolate, a portable DVD player, lights and a mini Christmas Tree which he had appropriated from Jubilee’s room- he made his way down to the infirmary and to your side.
The infirmary was a sterile and bland place, even during the holidays because of Hank’s desire to limit contamination as much as possible, but Remy had been hoping to bring come color and warmth during his girlfriend’s stay.
“Bon matin, chérie!” Remy called softly after he had finished working his own brand of Christmas magic.
You had been asleep with your injured leg casted and resting atop a stack of pillows, blinked awake, your sleepy eyes widening in astonishment as you took in the scene before you— fairy lights strung around the room, a small tree adorned with makeshift decorations, charcuterie board, and a tray piled high with treats. “Remy! You… you did all this?”
“Bien Sûr (Of course)!” He grinned, his eyes sparkling when he took in your shock “It’s Christmas, non? And we’re makin’ it special, oui?”
As you looked around, disbelief etched upon her features, Remy set down his tray and reached for her hands, lifting them to his lips. “I know it ain’ anywhere near what you had wanted to do, but I couldn’ stand da thought of you bein’ so sad on a day you love so much.
So I did what I could.”
You could feel yourself becoming teary eyed at all the emotions that were stirring up inside of you. “You really did all this for me.”
“I would have done more if I had da time, an’ knew Hank wouldn’ make a fuss.”
“You’re amazing.” You whipped away your tears and leaned up to give Remy a kiss which he happily returned. Even though you had wanted to be the one to do something special for him, the fact that he did this for you reinforced exactly why you had been madly falling in love with this man.
The morning was spent with you and Remy curled up on your hospital bed sipping hot chocolate and munching on sweets and snacks. They watched ‘Home Alone’ and ‘White Christmas’ which had been classics from your childhood, and later decided to pull out paper and markers, and together create silly Christmas cards decorated with drawings that made them both giggle.
“I know we’re not out there skating or making a feast for everyone, but this is special too,” Remy said at some point past noon, his voice sincere. “You’re here, and I can’t imagine a better place to be.”
“Thank you for making this day special, Remy.” You whispered, leaning against him.
“Thank you for bein’ you, chérie.” He replied softly. “You a gift I’ll cherish always.”
With the room lit softly by their little tree and the laughter still echoing from their shared joy, you realized that sometimes the simplest moments crafted with love could outshine the grandest plans. And in that infirmary, beneath the twinkling glow of handmade decorations, you realized just how priceless and special your growing love with Remy was.