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shelivesinhermind · 2 years ago

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Hearth for Canute and Emma, if you’re up to it!

Thank you for the prompt, friend! And look! I did a modern au for this one. But we still have Canute warming his hands by the fire ;) I hope you enjoy!

A Christmas Fire

With only one week till Christmas, Emma was determined to decorate the house for her boys.

Since her husband’s passing, life had been hectic. Years past, Emma always tried to make a big deal of Christmas for Edward and Alfred. Becoming a single mother had put a damper on her usual plans. Not that much had changed from when she was married, even when her husband was alive, they seemed to argue more than anything. Her time had already been consumed by her boys for many years. Yet, she still had to stand on her own in a new way with her husband gone, which explained why she was last-minute putting up Christmas decorations.

Richard, her brother, and his wife had shown up that morning to take the boys for some “holiday cheer” they called it. Emma did not know exactly what they were doing, but she had a good idea it included hot chocolate, a light show, and a trip to see Santa at the mall. It did not matter, what did matter was she now had all day to decorate the house and surprise her sons when they returned.

First, she needed to get all the boxes full of Christmas décor down from the attic. One box at a time she slowly filled their living room with Christmas. Only taking breaks to drink her coffee, Emma soon had the house stacked with every Christmas décor item she would need. Each box labeled to their specific location in the house, she first began with the tree.

Of course, no day decorating for the holiday season was complete without classic Christmas music. Prepping her turntable, she pulled out a vinyl of Nat King Cole “The Christmas Song” and let it play.

With the house to herself, coffee, and music, Emma was ready to relax and enjoy the day. She let herself get giddy while assembling the Christmas tree. Snow fell gently outside the window as she arranged the tree in front of it. Once she had the lights lite, tinsel of green and red was wrapped around the large tree. She would wait to decorate the tree with ornaments, knowing Edward and Alfred would want to help.

Emma descended from the step-ladder she stood on to reach the top of the tree, then realized she had not lite a fire.

In the center of their living room sat a large hearth with plenty of room for stockings, garland, and all other decorations. She loved to have a fire lite while making the mantel festive.

The hearth now crackling with the warmth of a fire, she grabbed the boxes with all the décor she would need. With care she hung each of their stockings, hesitant with what to do when it came to her late husband’s stocking. The memory and pain, not only of his death, but of the mess their relationship had become, left her grieving for things she never thought she wanted. Her heart ached at the thought of the Christmases her sons heard them arguing instead of being a happy family.

Determined to change things this year, she moved on with her plans to surprise her sons. She hung her late husband’s stocking so the boys still had a way to remember their father. Emma wanted this Christmas to be so much better for everyone, including herself. Grieving had taken so much joy from them this year.

The mantel glittered with garland, lights, nutcrackers, and candles. Each stocking hung cozy in front of the fire. Emma had made good progress, and she was so happy with all she had accomplished before lunch time.

With that thought, her stomach rumbled to remind her it was lunch, and she had not eaten.

While she ate, she brought the boxes of her Christmas dishes to be unpacked and placed in her cabinets. In the kitchen, she placed her bright red tablecloth on the table, and a large candelabra in the center.

The afternoon still ahead of her, Emma now was left with the outside decorations. Hanging the wreaths would be easy, but she had never put up the lights around the house herself. Usually, her and her husband would both help each other, after days of coxing on Emma’s part, and have the lights hung in no time. Yet, this year it was only her. She could wait for her brother to return; he would most definitely help. She was determined, however, to have the house in tip-top shape by the time they returned.

Putting her puffy jacket on, snow boots, and gloves, she made her way to the garage.

Getting the wreaths out and hung would take some time, as their large house had many windows. But Emma had done this many times and felt secure enough on the ladder to reach the intended windows.

One by one she went around the house and hung the wreaths, stopping only to fluff them to perfection. Red bows decorated the bottoms, standing out against the white backdrop of their home.

Seeing the afternoon was soon coming to a close, she knew she had to get the lights up.

Each car that drove by and waved hello had Emma silently praying no one would witness her demise if her attempt to light the house went badly.

The ladder she had to use for the lights was much bigger than the one to hang the wreaths. She had to be able to reach the top of the shingles to secure the hooks for the lights. She knew she should have someone spot her from below and hold the ladder as she ascended, but there was nothing else to be done, she would have to make due.

Taking the small box of hooks with her, she slowly ascended the ladder. Once she had the desired hook in place, she would have to descend and move the ladder to the next location. After the entire front of the house had hooks for the lights, Emma was silently pleased it was going better than she thought.

Now came the even harder task—she had to string the lights. She took a coil of lights and once again made her way back up the ladder. Securing the strand in place, she still had the other portion to string up. Lights in hand, she made her way back down the ladder.

One down, many more to go.

Moving the ladder again, she began the process over. Emma was getting weary with having to move and place everything herself, along with the caked snow on her boots, her trips on the ladder became more taxing.

Toward the end of the strand, with only a little more to go, she felt her foot slip as she climbed down the ladder. Not able to get purchase with her slick boots, she fell backwards. Just as she fell, she felt strong, firm hands grab her waist, and she fell into a body instead of the cold snow.

Laying there for only a second to gain her breath, she jolted up to see who she had fallen on.

“Oh my god!”

She instantly began searching the man who had undoubtedly cushioned her fall for injury. She felt his wide, thick chest, hoping there was no cracked ribs. It was then she realized she was openly groping a man, then she stopped, her eyes flicking to his—piercing blue eyes met hers, framed in a stern face with a dark beard.

“I am so sorry. Are you alright?”

He stared for a moment, as if he was dazed. Panic seized her as she thought instantly of his head and that he may have a concussion.

“Oh god! I am calling an ambulance”

She started to make for the house, but his hand jolted out to grab her arm.

“No, I’m fine. Just give me a moment.”, he grunted.

She stopped hesitantly, not fully believing if he was ok. As he sat up, she found her eyes once again roaming over him for injury. It was then she noticed his dark hair, shaved at the sides, and the short trim at the top slicked back. And was that tattoos on his hands? She had never really interacted with a man like him. All the men she knew, including her husband and brother, had been very sleek, professional, with business suits and Ralph Lauren attire. This man who had tried to prevent her fall was entirely different.

Fully sat up, he ran his hand over his head as if clearing it. Emma was still worried he had a concussion, but instead of asking about him again, she stopped as his eyes instantly went to her with worry.

“Are you hurt? That was quite the distance to fall.”

With the snow on her jeans now melted and seeping into her skin, she shivered. His eyes did not miss a thing, he was instantly standing, and came toward her. “What where you doing up there by yourself?”

Stunned for a moment, she stammered. “I…I was trying to get my home ready for my children. Are you sure you don’t need to go to the emergency room? I mean…I literally fell on top of you.”

Something twinkled in his eyes that she could not make out, but he answered, “I promise, I am fine. I’ve had worse.”

Scanning the neighborhood for anyone out and about, every house was quiet, no one even out walking.

“Where did you come from?”

He let out a deep breathe, the air turning to smoke in the cold, winter day. “I just moved here from out of town not long ago. I was walking my trash to the dump when I noticed you hanging the decorations. On my way back was when I noticed you almost fall.”

Almost was an understatement, if not for him, she could have most definitely injured herself.

“I…Thank you. You definitely saved my evening from being ruined with my children. It would not have not been the happy time I planned if I was injured.”

He gave a bashful smile, and Emma was smiling just at the thought this giant man was the least bit shy with her. “I’m Canute, by the way.”

“Emma.”

“Well, Emma, it seems you have done a hell of a job at it, even by yourself. I could not have done better without help.”

She only gave him a nod of thanks, it was then she noticed the sun starting to slowly set, she needed to finish before her family came back home.

Noticing the change in her face, Canute offered, “Do you need some help? I could take to the ladder this time and you hand me the strands of lights.”

She knew it would take her much longer to finish the lights around the house, so she agreed. Canute gladly climbed the ladder so she could stay safely on the ground.

Soon they both were laughing as they worked together to put the lights up. Emma marveled at how easy conversation with him was, and was pleased to find he had two boys of his own, currently with their mother until next week. It was nice to talk with someone who understood being a parent by themselves. She figured that being a divorced parent came with its own hardships.

When the lights were finally all assembled, there was nothing else left to do but light it up. They found the extension cords to connect all the outlets, and Emma sighed with happiness when the house sparkled.

Her boys would be so happy when they pulled up and saw their home lite for Christmas.

Noticing how late it had gotten, Emma needed to get inside.

“Would you like to come in?”, she asked Canute.

“Oh no, I won’t take up more of your time. I know you want to see your boys.”

She was so taken back by his insinuating he took up her time. Plus, her sons would not be home for a little while.

“You take up my time? I am the one who fell on top of you, and you so kindly turned around and offered to help me. Please, at least let me make you a hot drink or something.”

“Alright, if you insist.”

Making her way to the house, Canute slowly followed behind her.

They both shivered as they entered her home, the fire in the hearth still warm. Emma went to stoke the flames and get it blazing again. Taking off her jacket, she motioned to the coat rack.

“Please make yourself at home, I am going to go change.”

Canute’s only response was a nod as she made her way to her room.

Her jeans were soaked through from falling in the snow. Changing instead into black leggings and a soft off-white sweater, she added soft socks and instantly felt warmer.

Back in the living room, Canute stood in front of the hearth, his hands seeking the warmth of the fire.

“What can I get you to drink”, she asked him.

“Coffee would be nice, if you have any. Black.”

She was instantly in the kitchen getting the coffee pot ready.

With two steaming cups of coffee in hand, she returned to the living room, passing him the black coffee.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“This is perfect. Thank you.”

Snow started falling outside again, illuminated by the sparkling lights. It was nearly dark, and she was so thrilled she had gotten everything accomplished that she wanted to.

“I honestly cannot thank you enough for your help.”

Canute smiled. “Think nothing of it. You were practically done anyways.”

Both of them casually sipping their coffee, Emma asked. “So why did you move to our little-neck-of-the -woods?”

“A Fire Station Chief position opened up downtown. After years of working the long hours on the fire squad, I figured it was time for a change.”

Emma smiled to herself, he definitely was a man use to climbing ladders and saving people.

“What I would like to know is what kind of husband leaves his wife to climb the ladder by herself to hang lights?”

She was hesitant to answer and curious at the same time—he did not ask out of thinking her incapable, he asked out of clear annoyance she was alone to do it.

“My husband passed away. I just wanted to surprise my sons when they came back.”

As Canute went to take another sip, she noticed his eyes had an understanding glint to them, as if he understood. As a single father himself, she could see the solidarity he shared with her statement. A warm feeling came over her that she was not entirely sure had to do with the crackling fire she stood in front of.

“Well”, he said as his handed her his empty mug, “I should be getting back”

Following him to the door, Emma leaned on the doorframe as he grabbed his coat and made his way back out into the still falling snow. He turned once he made it to the side walk.

“If you ever need help in the future, I am more than happy to be of assistance. Number 17 is my place.”

Emma couldn’t wipe the constant grin form her face, still giddy at the Christmas lights that now shone on the white snow, and the man who had helped her make it possible for her children.

“I will.”

As she watched Canute make his way up the drive and onto the walk back to his house, her brothers van pulled up. Soon two little boys came dashing out, wonder and awe on their faces as they saw the outside of the house.

If the massive hug her boys gave her were any indicator, she was certain she had done the right thing.

Richard was naturally curious as to how she managed the lights, but she would not worry them with her fall, she only told them she had help.

All she wanted was to enjoy this winter night with her sons, decorate the tree with them, and create memories they would remember forever. And maybe let her thoughts drift to the feel of Canute’s hands on her sides, and the way her body had warmed at his gaze.

#canute x emma #emma of normandy #king canute #vikings:valhalla #vikings fanfic

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