Christmas came by like a breeze. The transition into the holiday spirit took over Dortmund from the very first day of December. The lights, the gigantic Christmas tree, it was all so amazing.
And thankfully, Hanne had gone outside enough times to fully embrace the spirit. Her eyes were always so in awe of the Christmas traditions here, the cold, snowy weather around her making her shiver each time she stood out on the streets of Dortmund. Even though she couldn't celebrate the holiday in her own hometown on the actual day, she would go there a few days after, which she deemed was close enough.
It wasn't long since she had last left her city of Nijmegen and the country of the Netherlands to go back to Dortmund, the place her love resides in.
Things ever since have been going a bit more smoothly. She no longer cried alone in bed, mysteriously disappeared from plain sight, or had sleepless nights. She still sometimes feels bad for herself, but this was a work in progress.
And so it goes.
Erik never really changed at all, he was still the loving boyfriend Hanne's ever had. Supportive, encouraging, enthusiastic.
Now with the weather getting colder and the holiday season, the Borussia Dortmund team would be on break. Not playing or training until early January, where Hanne would also go back to her job as their photographer.
The couple has also been staying indoors a lot lately as well. With the exceptions of going out to buy Christmas presents, they've been cooped up inside the warmth of their homes for most of the time. Eating comfort food, watching movies, and sleeping. The ideal way of spending the holidays.
But it was actually Christmas day, and they were at Erik's house after spending the night. They had fallen asleep together in bed wearing really ugly Christmas sweaters as suggested by Hanne.
She was still sleeping by the time the clock struck noon. Laid out in Erik's bed, the covers giving her warmth throughout her sleep.
However, Erik had already been up for a couple of hours. He was sitting on the couch in the living room, scrolling through whatever in his social media, patiently waiting for his girlfriend to awake from her sleep and come out, so they could open up Christmas presents.
The Christmas tree—Erik's Christmas tree—was particularly large. Standing tall in his living room where the ceiling seemed to have no end. It even towered Erik himself, and he was considered tall. Little ornaments hung on the branches, ones that they put on themselves. Together.
It wasn't too much, or too flashy, but it was just right.
Just like the time right now.
Hanne was feeling close to amazing, Erik was having the time of his life at Borussia Dortmund, they were having the most extravagant time together as a couple. Despite only being together for merely a few months, it was like they had knows each other for years and already got married.
But that wasn't too say that they weren't going to get married.
Erik had plans of it. Well, if things work out for them in the future.
Hanne was definitely the girl he's want to spend his entire life with, there's no doubt to that. The idea of marrying her would only be in Erik's dream somewhere in the not-too-distant future. Obviously it wasn't official just yet, but it was only an idea he'd only hope would be granted in his favor.
A stupid smile played on his lips as he scrolled through his Instagram feed. Loads of Christmas photos from his fellow teammates and family members. He was currently looking at a picture that Marco posted of him and his Russian girlfriend posing all cute and happy next to a Christmas tree. Lukasz, of course, posted a photo of himself wearing a Santa hat in the name of the holiday spirit, and Auba was somehow in Thailand for the holiday.
He really wasn't jealous of the plans of any of his teammates. They went to vacation in places like Italy, Thailand, Greece, and here Erik was in Dortmund. Not even back home in Pirmasens with his family, just Dortmund.
What really made this Christmas a million times better was the fact that he now had Hanne. She wasn't a girl who would mindlessly follow him like a lost puppy, or automatically become a housewife the minute they start dating. She was someone he would never find in his entire life. Making him so incredibly happy all the time, even when she isn't physically with him. The effect she had on Erik was so amazing, he swore she must have used magic on him.
The moment he started hearing footstep coming down the hallway, Erik started to get excited. It's Hanne. It's most definitely is Hanne. No one, other than her, mumbles fuck this shit after waking up.
And it was.
Appearing from the hallway was Hanne, clad in her ugly Christmas sweater and grey sweatpants. She looked gorgeous.
"Hi, liebe," he greeted her, and she automatically fell into his lap, placing a kiss on his lips.
"Merry Christmas, Erik. May all of your dreams come true. Good night."
He chuckled as she curled up against him, resting her head on his chest as her eyes began to close once again. "Come on, I've been here waiting just for you. And don't say why, because you probably know why anyways."
"Is this a new way of treating me, or are you just that eager to open up your presents?" The way how Erik treated her was enough, really. It was like she was princess, some kind of girl different apart from others—in a good way. Despite all the reasons she could think of for him not treat her better than he does to himself, he does anyway. "Just to let you know, I got you a lot of—"
"I got you more."
Hanne giggled, her laughs sounding whole heartedly and full, her palms hitting his chest lightly. God, he was so in love with her. "I swear, if you even try to propose to me as a Christmas gift, I'm going to scream."
"Well, I mean, it could happen. But what are you waiting for? Go pick out a gift."
"But it makes me feel bad knowing that probably got me something that cost fortune, and all I gave were things I could afford with my own money that hasn't gone to pay for my rent."
He chuckled, smiling at her like she had said the most cheesy, cliché romantic thing ever as she laid her head to rest on his chest. "Meeting you was the greatest things that had happened to me."
She removed from hands from her eyes, only to be greeted by a kiss. Erik's hand caressed her cheek like it was the most delicate thing ever, and everything he's ever laid his finger one was coarse, never as fine as Hanne herself. "And for you to just be you is one of the greatest gifts you have given me," he said as she moved over to his lap, facing him with eyes shiny and watery.
It was weird for her to think that she had almost deliberately ruined their relationship because of the effects of what other people have done to her. But it was also weird for her to think that out of all the people she knew and trusted in her entire lifetime, Erik would be the one to save her from drowning. Normally, she would think of the role to be portrayed by her own mother because... well, it's her mother.
But you know, she didn't mind at all.
And it was okay.
Because she felt safe lying on Erik's lap, his embrace acting as some blanket on her. And one thing was for sure—
She wasn't going to be capsizing this boat anytime soon.
fin.
