Friendsgivingmas

The party was winding down as the clock struck midnight. Adam and Jen leaned into each other swaying slightly off beat with their last song. Their voices rasped out the final stanza, completely missing the high notes as they reminded everyone how cold it was outside.

Mandy shook her head, laughing as they stumbled off the impromptu stage. She continued clearing the table, setting aside carefully wrapped plates of left-overs for her friends to take home. Another successful Friendsgivingmas for the memory book, she only wished Mark could have made it back in time. They’d delayed their annual celebration two weeks later than normal so he could make it home on leave, but a mechanical issue in Denver meant he missed it anyway.

“Mandy?” Adam croaked. “Where did you put our jackets?”

She laughed as she headed to the bedroom. “Man, you did a number on your voice! Hope you and Jen planned to rest tomorrow.” She found their coats in the pile remaining on her bed and gave him a hug before handing them over. “I think your karaoke gets more entertaining every time. Can’t wait to see how you top it next year!”

She headed back to the banquet table as Adam chuckled. Next to the evergreen centerpiece, lay a small box with her name tied onto it. She turned over the tag to see who it was from and saw “open me” instead. She glanced around, but everyone was busy cleaning up and not paying her any attention. She carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a typewritten note that read, “Look in the garage”.

“What’cha got there?” Jen asked, buttoning her coat.

“Did you see who put this box on the table?” Mandy asked, handing her the note. “It just showed up when I stepped away.”

“No,” Jen replied. “I was busy saying goodbye to Alyssa. Why would someone leave you a present that sends you to the garage?”

Mandy chewed her lip. “I don’t know. Want to come with me to see what’s up?”

“Sure.” Jen held up a finger to Adam to let him know she’d be a minute before following Mandy to the door leading to the garage.
The two friends exchanged glances before Mandy took a deep breath and turned the knob. On the other side of the door was Mark, handsome in his dress blues, holding a ring and down on one knee. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pressed shaking fingers to her mouth.

“Mandy, I hope you know how much I adore you. I love you more than I can say, and the only thing I wished for this Christmas was to make you mine. Would you marry me?”

She whispered out a “yes” before throwing herself into his arms as their friends cheered. Best Friendsgivingmas EVER!

Written for Sadje’s What Do You See #166 prompt, Ragtag Daily Prompt “Adore”, and Lady Jabberwocky’s prompt of the week with a party as a setting.

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