December 24th, 1892 - Potts Family Christmas
@"dahlia potts"

Why he felt any kind of nervous at the moment was beyond him. Quin thought he had been rather plain in his affections for Miss Dahlia, especially after the bee incident, and through their letters. Truthfully, the conversation with Mr. Potts should have given him more pause, as that was an important step, but also, he thought Dahlia's input was more important.

So he let her lead them to a smaller sitting room in which yet another Potts sister was chatting with quietly with who he assumed was her husband. They all had quick a fairly-like quality to their faces that marked them as siblings, Quin realized. He passed the couple a small smile before turning his attention back to Dahlia. He had thought to get her a Christmas present, but it was sort of unconventional and bulky and so had left it at the shop for another time. Her own set of baking utensils and the best bundt pan on the market were uniquely something only the two of them would find appropriate for a gift.

Gently he gave their joined hands a squeeze, holding onto it as he peered down at her. He could feel the thrumming of his heart against his chest and tried to remember how he'd thought to phrase this on the walk over, but all of the words he'd practiced to say sort of flew out of his head the moment he looked into those big chocolate brown eyes of hers.

"I had rehearsed this better, but I have never been particularly good with words," He admitted with a sheepish smile. "So I suppose I should just be straightforward with it. I was a wee bit late because I caught your father on my way in, with an official request to court you, if you're amenable." There, just get it out and wait for her reaction. Maybe it had been a little out of the blue, but the whole bee fiasco had put some things in perspective for Quin.

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Stepping away from the window, her hand in Quin's, she led him toward the side parlor. She was determined to only think this request a good thing and so she made sure to smile and tried her hardest not to focus on the fact that several family members were staring at her. It wasn't until she saw Amaryllis sitting on the settee that the warmth bloomed into Dahlia's cheeks. Thankfully her older sister had the tact to not comment and allowed Dahlia to lead him toward a corner of the room they could call their own for a moment. Hopefully the rest of her family would understand to leave her alone too. Perhaps Zinnia might play interference, mama likely would, and if mama had told Ama well then perhaps Ama would make a good gate keeper from any other family.

If Dahlia had not already made up her mind that this moment was for good news, the gentle squeeze of his hand would have. She squeezed it back gently as he turned to look at her. The center of her chest felt as if it were attempting to float into her throat, her stomach quivering as she wondered what this was all about. Her eyes met his and she smiled.

He.... he what?? Her eyes widened in surprise as she took in what he said. She had pictured several different things once he had asked to speak to her alone, but this had not been one of them. She fancied Quin, and she quite liked to think he fancied her, and she had wished that he might want to court her, but she had not.... well she had not exactly expected it.

And then she beamed, wide and bright and full of joy. "Yes!" It was practically a squeal and she might have bounced a bit on her toes but looking back she could never quite remember the specifics of that moment. "Yes! Of course!" He not only fancied her - he was serious about her!

Her mind began to spin with what this might mean. With the possibility of a future with Quin, baking, and a life away from the store. His arms warm and reassuring around her. Their banter floating through the air. Perhaps it was too early to think such things, but it was all so clear, so perfect, so beautiful that Dahlia couldn't help it.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

The breath rushed from his lungs in a relieved laugh at her enthusiastic reply. Quin had learned his lesson last time; wasting time was pointless when you had strong feelings for someone. He cared a great deal for Dahlia and she returned his affection, what more could they need? She enjoyed baking, he had a whole professional kitchen for her to do with as she liked. They generally got along well and they rarely ran out of things to discuss, even in letters. This time would be different, certainly.

"Wonderful," He grinned, unable to help himself. Gently he pressed a kiss to her hand afraid that was all he could get away with for the moment. Not that he was going to push any limits any time soon. He was well-aware of just how young Dahlia was. But she was also a bit of an old soul and he was a kid at heart, it was of no consequence. "I must admit I did not bring your Christmas present with me, as I wasn't sure it was appropriate, but hopefully this will suffice." It was good news after all. He just hoped some big announcement wouldn't be made; he wasn't sure he was ready for that.

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The warmth of his lips through her gloves seemed to shoot through her arm, tingling and leaping in a sensation that reminded her all too easily of his sheltering arms, the warmth of his chest. Memories of his care for her easily coming to mind in just that one action. She had been right to think he had genuinely been concerned for her that afternoon. Instictively her fingers curled around his hand in response.

He had also gotten her a gift? Suddenly Dahlia was quite certain she had never had a more perfect Christmas than this one and it was all because of Quin. Her nerves disabated and before Dahlia could think it through she found herself teasing him, "Hmm. I suppose it will suffice - this time." But then she beamed ruining any seriousness he might have read in to those words.

"In the meantime you shall just have to pretend to like my gift." She added, because right now seemed like a good time - probably the only time she'd get once they found their way back in to the main room.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Quin chuckled at her teasing quietly. "I can always stop by tomorrow afternoon with it if you like." Certainly once the news was out it would be far less odd for him to drop by for a visit. It was Christmas though, and even if he was unable to head home to see his family, he would hate to intrude here on their time.

He quirked an eyebrow at her as she mentioned having something for him as well. "Pretend," He chided softly. "You could give me a dozen burnt cookies and I would still love them." Not that anything Dahlia had ever made him was bad, quite the contrary in fact, but really she shouldn't have. Still, he appreciated the sentiment behind whatever it was she had thought to do for him.

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"I would love that." Dahlia admitted honestly. She loved her family but seeing Quin on Christmas day, having a break from her sisters, it seemed wonderful.

"Are you implying, Mr. Honeyduke," Dahlia started mock sternly her spare hand fisting and being put on her hip, "That you have been lying to me this whole time about my baking?"

"Come on, I'll show you." She gently tugged his hand and led him through the dining room and in to the kitchen. It was empty in the room save for cook who Dahlia smiled at as she led Quin to the table.

"Merry Christmas." She told him gesturing to the basket on the table which held a variety of cookies, several containers of different jams, and two loaves of bread. Nestled in the middle was a neatly wrapped small parcel. Dahlia had spent her afternoons in the shop embroidering the handcheif, a duck in the middle, wands with swirling Charms framing it in one corner. His monogram just above it. She'd also sewed "Mr. Honeyduck" into the other corner in white thread and hid it with a charm. A charm which would only appear when exposed to sugar. It was as close to Charming it to changing when he experimented with candy that she could get it. Hopefully he'd see the humor in it. Now that the moment was here Dahlia wanted to bounce on her toes in anticipation, eager to see if she had done the right thing, if indeed he would like it.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Oh well, she would love that. "I would too," He barely added before she went on to him.

"I would never," He replied, aghast at the very thought. But she was already leading him down the hallway to the kitchen and he could hardly keep up. Quin always enjoyed seeing other people's kitchens. His was so large and so busy it wasn't reminiscent of what a home kitchen was anymore, so he liked to see what it was others did in theirs.

Clearly Dahlia had been busy baking and there was something else in the center. "Looks tasty. What's this?" He pulled the small parcel from the middle gently and quirked an eyebrow at her curiously. He pulled the paper off slowly, trying to make sure he didn't damage anything, but as the handkerchief came into view, he couldn't help but to chuckle. He rubbed one hand along his chin in disbelief.

"A duck, how clever." The embroidery was very intricate, she must have spent a long time and the awe showed on his face. "I love it." He assured her with a sentimental grin. Quin could laugh about the duck fiasco now, so he may as well have it alongside his monogram. Quin looked quickly to see where the cook was, but she had ducked into the pantry for a moment and so Quin dared to quickly press a soft kiss to Dahlia's cheek before straightening up. "Thank you."

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"Not tasty." Dahlia quipped as he grabbed the small package from amid the baked goods. Her bright eyes darted between his face and the package, taking in his reaction each small movement at a time, her own hands clasped before her in anticipation.

The chuckle was all it took to set her to bouncing on her toes and beaming in delight. He liked it! She bit her lip to try and contain her grin but it only grew instead at his own smile.

"I'm so glad you like it." Dahlia was saying when suddenly he was leaning down, his face near her's closing in. Was he going to kiss her? Her stomach leapt at the thought just as his warm lips grazed her cheek. Disappointed and excitement warred within her as he stepped back.

"Your welcome." She meant it. Every stitch had been worth it just to hear that chuckle and see his smile.

Then, mildly embarrassed, she directed her attention at the rest of the basket. "Don't worry, I shallnt make you eat it in front of me." She teased. Was it surprising how easy it was to tease him? It almost felt as easy as it did with her sisters.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3

Pleased with how the evening was going so far, Quin finally felt a little of the tension ease from his chest. He hadn't exactly been worried about how it would go, though he hadn't any idea how to anticipate the conversation with Mr. Potts, it was all said and done now. Merlin he just hoped there wasn't some big announcement, that might be a little awkward. The whole family plus some people. He still had to figure out why Elias was here. Quin would be quite content to let Dahlia take care of the news.

"I would hate to spoil my dinner," Quin teased right back, enjoying the familiarity of it. "But I look forward to trying everything." This whole family gathering thing on Christmas eve wasn't something he was used to. Sure he went home to visit his own family around the holidays, but it was just the four of them, real quiet. This was loud and boisterous, cozy and warm, it was fun, and quite possibly what Christmas eves would like like from here on out, he realized.

Unsure of what to do next, Quin wavered on joining everyone else once more. It wasn't like they could enjoy some actual along time tonight, so he supposed he may as well meet the rest of the family. "I believe you have some sisters to introduce me to?" He knew Miss Daffodil through business, but the rest, he wasn't quite so sure.

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Dahlia beamed at him, her entire soul soared with happiness making her feel light and bright as if magic of the very best nature surrounded him. Impulsively she reached forward and kissed his cheek.

His words reminded her, however, that he was not her's alone this evening no matter how much she might wish it. "Yes, brace yourself, there are quite a few." But the warning was rather lessened by the broad grin on her face.

  

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Pretties by Bee <3