Chapter Text
Renee woke up to the sight of Michelle peacefully asleep next to her. She took a moment to appreciate just how lucky she was to have her in her life. It had been almost a year since she’d woken up in Witness Protection and thought her life was over for good. But now…things couldn’t be better. They were living together, taking every opportunity to make memories because they knew that the fact that they were both here, both alive, that despite the odds, they’d found each other, was a gift. Renee couldn’t imagine living life without her now. However, she also acknowledged that being alone had been Michelle's reality for a long time. She had spent several years on her own, had had to heal from much more severe injuries, and had been at real risk of the wrong people hunting her down. So Renee was determined to appreciate every moment and bring as much joy into Michelle’s life as she had to her because she deserved nothing more than to be happy.
And what better time to do that than the holidays?
She quickly shut the door behind her and exhaled sharply at the cold wind.
“God, it’s freezing.” Renee said, taking off her coat. “I swear it was just the other day we had that nice time at the beach, and now I’m debating buying a coat to put on top of this one. Before we know it, it’ll be Christmas.”
Michelle stopped for a moment before letting out a breath. Renee tentatively put a hand on her shoulder.
“Sorry…you don’t celebrate?”
To her surprise, she sniffled but didn’t appear too upset when she turned around to face her. “I do. It’s just…I haven’t had anybody to celebrate with, besides the dog, for…” She furrowed her brow. “God, for eight years.”
Renee felt her heartstrings pull. She could picture it so easily. Michelle trying her hardest to keep a cheery face at work. Michelle trying to decorate the house a little to lift her spirits. Michelle trying to watch a festive movie before realising that each and every one of them revolves around celebrating with loved ones and having to stop. But this year…this year, she wouldn’t have to do any of that. This year Michelle would have her, and Renee vowed to herself at that moment that she would make it so special, it would compensate for all those lonely years.
She brushed Michelle’s wrists with her thumbs. “Well…this year you won’t be alone. Which means I’m going to do everything I can to make this your best Christmas yet.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” Michelle said warmly.
“Well…let me get you out of all those layers and you can show me.” Renee quipped, leaning in to nuzzle her nose.
Shuffling over, she kissed Michelle’s temple softly before quietly stepping out of bed and heading to the shower.
Renee couldn’t recall the last time Christmas had been this cheerful and carefree. Certainly not in her adult life. Working at the FBI had meant no rest days or off-peak periods. In fact, the holidays were usually much busier than usual and much more likely to lead to danger, making it a tense time of the year for her. But the office work she and Michelle did now was simple, easy, and not life-threatening or crucial to the safety of society. So why not surrender to the infectiousness of the season?
They’d decorated every room of the house, spent all day yesterday baking, and watched possibly every Christmas movie in existence. Renee lived for the smile on Michelle’s face she'd seen when they'd shopped together. They’d bought a tree, a big one, a real one, not the small, plastic one Michelle had had for herself all these years. They’d bought tiny trinkets and tacky sweaters and all the other things that seemed ridiculous at any other time of year except this one. What she was most excited about, however, was to give Michelle the presents she’d bought. But she’d let her sleep in a little first. Besides, it gave her the chance to cook breakfast for the two of them.
When Michelle quietly padded into the kitchen a little while later, Renee was distractedly humming something to herself. She jumped when Michelle tapped her shoulders. But as soon as she turned around, she felt all her excitement rise to the surface.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” She said, grinning from ear to ear, resting her hands on her waist.
“Merry Christmas to you too.” Michelle said, beaming back at her.
Renee quickly turned around to flip the omelette and let it finish cooking before taking their breakfast and sitting down. Michelle slowly took a sip of her coffee, wrapping her fingers around the mug to warm herself up. She looked around at all the decorations, at all the little touches that they had carefully thought out. But then she furrowed her brow upon seeing two small Santa hats on the floor.
“Where are the dogs?”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I tried all morning to get them to wear the hats. And after about half a bag of treats later, I gave up, and then they bolted outside to play in the snow. But I did manage to get one picture. Of each.”
Michelle giggled as Renee got out her phone and showed her the rather blurry photos in question.
They finished eating and cleaned their breakfast dishes before sitting next to the tree. Renee already had a feeling about what Michelle’s present for her was, judging by the large, canvas-shaped, wrapped object she’d leant against the wall. But nevertheless, she was excited. Michelle’s paintings were something so mesmerising and beautiful to her. She couldn’t wait to see what she’d done this time. Renee had to shuffle back a little so the present could fit between them, and she watched Michelle bite her lip nervously. Tearing the paper, she found herself looking at a portrait of her and Stitch together. It was a photo she loved, one they’d taken a while ago, but seeing it in this way, with Michelle’s interpretations added, was so special.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course, honey. I always do.”
Awkwardly leaning over the width of the canvas, their lips managed to meet halfway. Renee felt Michelle run a hand through her hair and cover it with her own. Pulling back, she carefully lifted the painting and rested it on the table so the dogs wouldn’t be able to reach it. That being said, they were generally well-behaved, so they weren’t too worried. But they could decide on a place to hang it later.
“Now you.” She said, sitting back down and passing Michelle the boxes, one smaller than the other.
Michelle opted for the larger one first and couldn’t contain her smile when she saw the set of new paintbrushes. They were from an expensive brand she’d pined over but had never thought to spend that money on herself. She went to open her mouth in protest, but Renee spoke first.
“Don’t say a word about how much they are. We didn’t work overtime these last few months for nothing. You deserve them.”
She smiled shyly, opening the other box and finding a delicate garnet necklace.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Renee said, moving towards her. She pushed Michelle’s hair to the side so she could put it on her, not without kissing her neck gently in the process.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Renee’s attempt at cooking the smallest turkey she could find went well. They had fun icing and eating the cookies they’d baked. And now they were cuddled under a blanket together, watching TV, with the dogs at their feet. Michelle had her head on Renee’s shoulder, her arm wrapped around her waist.
“You know…if somebody had told me a year ago that there’d come a day where I’d be able to spend Christmas with someone I love again, I would have thought they were crazy.” She said, voice heavy with emotion.
Renee tilted her head to look down at her, thumbing at her cheek and kissing her forehead. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
The episode finished, and neither of them felt like moving. But Renee still had one more surprise left.
“Come to bed.” She murmured under the lobe of her ear.
Michelle gave her a knowing look as she slowly got off the couch and moved to their ensuite to change into the Santa-themed lingerie she’d bought. The hat felt like a slightly ridiculous addition, but she was sure Michelle wasn’t going to be looking at her head anyway. Shutting the lights off, she walked out to find Michelle sitting against the headboard of their bed. When she got a good look at her, she couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, clasping a hand over her mouth.
“Well…red is certainly your colour.”
She grinned, moving forward to kneel on the bed and feeling Michelle’s hands run up her sides as she sat closer, toying with the fur trim and taking the hat off her head to put it on her own.
Michelle smirked. “So have I been naughty or nice this year?”
Renee straddled her, taking her wrists and pinning them above her head as she pushed her down.
“You’re about to find out.” She whispered huskily.