The scene opens up in the apartment of Sean Parker. The apartment is adorned in Christmas decorations with a small tree, around four feet tall, in the corner of the living room. He’s rather
dapper in dark grey suited trousers, a white long-sleeved shirt, a matching dark grey waistcoat and a tartan tie. His cheeks and neck are coated in a five o’clock shadow and his dirty blonde hair is styled with some product.

(Sean): Michelle, babe? You nearly ready? We’ve to be at Uncle Butch’s in an hour and you know what the traffic is like.

In the bathroom nearly finished styling her hair, Michelle jumped hearing Sean shout out to her that the clock was ticking. She hurried with the last curl, put her holiday holly hair pin in her hair and rushed out of the bathroom. Christmas had always been a special time of year for her. So many wonderful childhood memories with her family, and last year was her first with Sean visiting her parents. She remembered how nervous they both were, especially with the very slow warming to Sean her father had taken. This year, she sparkled inside; this year she was an engaged woman, and she could honestly say that Sean was part of her family.

The same couldn’t exactly be said for feeling part of his. Up until recently his family was her bosses, and she hadn’t spent much of any personal time with them at all, it had always been business. Butch and Wisdom were always kind and friendly to her and she was sure she’d get to know them better as time went along. This evening would be the very first step in that process and she was so nervous she didn’t think she’d even be able to eat once she got there.

As Michelle made her way out of the bathroom, Sean turned to see her and he almost had to double-take at how beautiful his fiancée was. He had always counted himself lucky when it had come to Michelle. Her innocence, her beauty, her infallibility, everything.

(Sean): Wow, you look… wow!

He reached up, gently placing one hand on Michelle’s waist and another cupping her face, and gave her an equally gentle kiss.

(Sean): You look beautiful.

She blushed, returning his kiss then spun around in the white dress she had selected for the occasion. It was almost, but not quite form fitting, it brushed off her shoulders. She wore red flats and a red belt around her waist accented by red Christmas bulb ornament earrings and her festive hair clip, with her hair up in curls accentuating the roundness of her face.

(Michelle): It’s not too much is it?

It was one of the rarer times that she wore make-up, but even still it was very subtle.

(Michelle): It’s too much, I knew it. Give me 2-minutes…I’ll throw on my…

She turned away from Sean, but he grabbed her by the wrist shaking his head with a smile, almost a laugh at her cuteness. She’d never been to Butch and Wisdom’s home before and for her it was like being invited for dinner at the White House. She obsessed over what to wear, and what to say, what gift to bring, which perfume to spray on…her stomach was in knots and she knew Sean could see the anxiousness in her body language but she couldn’t help it. He pulled her into a hug, burying his head into her shoulder and neck, taking in her amazing scent.

(Sean): You look incredible, Chelle, you smell incredible. Remember, you’re practically a Parker, you’re part of the pride. And it’s just a dinner with my uncle, aunt, and my little cousins. You have nothing to be nervous about, I promise.

She gave him a pouty look.

(Michelle): Part of the pride? Funny you should say that…you do know how they give those looks? You’re auntie like she’s ready to go in for the kill if you cross her, and you’re uncle looking like he’s trying to decide if he wants to eat all of you now or save some for later.

Sean inclined his head, in an almost acknowledging nod before resting his forehead on Michelle’s.

(Sean): No one is going to be looking at you like that, sweetheart. And if they do, they’ll never do it again because I won’t stand for it. Parkers are…. very protective of their own. But look how long it took me to win over your dad. You haven’t had to go through that with my aunt and uncle because they know you. I promise you, you’re my girl and I don’t care if they’re my family, you’re all the family I’m ever going to need from this point onwards.

She pursed her lips together, a surrendering look on her face.

(Michelle): Okay, but if I need a life preserver the codeword is “Snickerdoodle.” Okay?

Sean smirked.

(Sean): Snickerdoodle, got it. Oh, I almost forgot…

Sean turned away and went to the Christmas tree, pulling out a small parcel from under it and handing it to Michelle.

(Sean): I know we said no early presents, but I couldn’t resist.

She gasped in surprise, then gave him a gently slap on the shoulder.

(Michelle): Sean!

She exhaled taking the gift in her hands and looking at him.

(Michelle): You cheated…that’s not fair. Well, I’ll just have to open this on Christmas.

She put the package behind her back as if playing keep-away with Sean. Her grin was broad as she backed away from him knowing he wanted her to open it now.

(Sean): Well, it’s technically not a Christmas present, more like an engagement anniversary present. So, you kinda have to open it now.

(Michelle): It's wrapped in Christmas paper and it was under the tree!

She gives him a "nice try" look and Sean tries his best pouty look, tilting his head, like a sad puppy.

(Sean): That was just so you wouldn’t go snooping! Please, Chelle. I want you to open it. Just this one thing. And I won’t force it again. Everything else can wait until Christmas.

Her surrender face came on again as he worked his boyish charm.

(Michelle): Ohhhhh….alright!

She pulled the present in front of her and began to open it. Carefully untying the bow and unwrapping the paper from the edges. Her mother and grandmother always saved paper and bows that could be used again if properly undone. “Waste not, want not” she could hear her mother say. She opened the box and her eyes scanned the contents going from wide, to teary. Her chin began to tremble as she finally looked up at Sean stunned.

It wasn’t a ring, or anything that glittered. Resting on a bed of cream tissue paper was a simple wooden frame, smaller than she’d expected. Inside it was a delicate illustration - clean lines, hand-drawn - of a quiet stretch of land beneath an open sky. A thin red outline traced the boundaries of the plot. In the corner, in neat lettering, were coordinates… and one word written beneath them.

Home

Tucked behind the frame was a folded sheet of heavy paper. Michelle’s hands trembled as she lifted it out and opened it. At the top, in formal type, were words she recognized - Deed of Ownership. Beneath that, the legal language blurred, her eyes catching only fragments. Parcel of land. Held in trust. Intended for residential construction. She looked up at Sean again, her breath caught somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

(Michelle): Is this…

She grinned and nodded knowing what she was going to ask. Just over a year ago they had visited Pacific Palisades, they both fell in love with the area. It reminded Sean of his Uncle and Aunt’s place in Santa Barbara with its coastal community, large hillside homes with gorgeous views and Michelle had adored it immensely. She looked at him, eyes glazed over with tears.

(Michelle): Sean…

Words she wished to express were lost somewhere inside her, she simply couldn’t summon them to the surface in her state of shock. He stepped closer to her, taking her face in his hands and kissed her lips gently.

(Sean): This is for, for us, for our future.

Still in a state of disbelief she looked back at the framed image.

(Michelle): …but how?

(Sean): Unfortunately, after the fires last year a lot of people can’t afford to rebuild there. The opportunity and deal were there so I took it. It’s going to take some time obviously, they’re still cleaning things up around there, but it gives us equal time to design and build our own dream home.

(Michelle): It’s more than a dream, it’s…it’s…

She rushed into his arms hugging him around the neck then quickly pulled away.

(Michelle): Oh no…I’m going to get make-up on your collar.

(Sean): I don’t care!

He pulled her back in and they stood there in an embrace simply holding one another, essences entwined in joy. He had that it wasn’t a Christmas present, but in his arms as she looked over at the Christmas tree lights twinkling, she couldn’t help but feel filled with the holiday spirit and his love. She pulled back from him just enough to look up into his face. He wiped a tear from her eyes smiling at her and she gave a little nervous laugh.

(Michelle): I’ll never be able to top that.

(Sean): You don’t have to; I already have my gift. Because there’s nothing in this world that tops you.

They kiss again and before long after a quick refresh they were out the door for the drive up the coast to dinner and held hands in the car the entire drive as the scene fades to black.