A Belt For Christmas.

A day to Christmas eve, the snow falls gently outside, covering the ground in a blanket of white. James goes behind his wife, Ava, kisses her on the neck, and whispers, "The air is crisp and the trees are bare. The ground is hard and the winds do blow, but you see there's still beauty to be found everywhere"

Ava chuckles, "You always find a way to make me see good in bad situations and that is why I love you".

"I love you more. I will go get some more wood for the heater." James replies

"Alright dear, I will prepare the coffee before you get back".

A few moments later, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, inviting anyone awake to come and enjoy a cup. Mary thought of how James won the heavyweight champion belt three years ago and now he has to defend his title on Christmas eve. Deep within herself, she would have been happy if James didn't accept the challenge but Erik, a ruthless man, who would do whatever it takes to get James' title brings her fear. Every Erik's opponent has either ended up with a fatal injury or is incapacitated for life. It would break her if James ended up like that.

Sitting down with a steaming mug of coffee, James walks into the room. "Ahh, nothing beats the taste of a good cup of coffee on a cold winter's day," he says while pouring himself a cup of coffee with a slate of chocolate. Together, they sit by the fireplace and watch the snow fall, chatting about their plans for the holidays and having quality time.

"James, I fear for your life, our life because I don't know what I would do if Erik wins. He has never lost a match before." Ava said

"Hey, I can do this. I am not about to back down now when the world has been waiting for this fight for a long time. Put your mind at rest, I will come out of this whole, I promise" James said.

Ava upset, "Don't make promises you can't keep because it's like you don't want your ego to get hurt but your life is more important, especially to me!". She said as tears gathered around her eyes.

James holds her and said, "This promise, I will keep because I will take Erik's belt as a Christmas gift for you. Have faith in me Ava, please." And then he kisses her on the lip.

Christmas Eve

The stadium where the fight of two legendary heavyweight champions was to take place, is packed up with a crowd as expected. James stands with his back to his opponent looking at his wife sitting amidst the crowd. She blew him a kiss and that was what James needed to start the match. Erik, a towering beast of a man, 6.5 ft tall and weighs 230 pounds, while James, a Southpaw fighter, a muscular man, 6.4ft tall and weighs 220 pounds, but with lean muscles and with quick footwork and lightning-fast fists.

They both stand in the center of the ring, staring each other down as the referee gives them their final instructions. The crowd roars as the bell rings, signaling the start of the match. Erik lands James a flurry of jabs and hooks but he absorbs the punches and counters with powerful shots of his own. Exchanging blows, each trying to land the knockout punch. The crowd cheers and jeers as they battle it out, sweat and blood flying through the air. Ava stood up and couldn't sit as the match became intense after seeing blood trickle from James' temple.

Ava was nervous as to why James wasn't fighting back, but then she realized that he was taking all Erik's punches to wear him out so he would have the upper hand. As the rounds wear on, Erik's speed and strength deplete. Dodging a punch from Erik, James lands him multiple punches putting Erik in a corner of the ring. James takes control, landing a series of devastating uppercuts that send his opponent losing balance and vision. Erik sways and taking the opportunity of his imbalance, James lands him a fatal uppercut knocking him out, blood spitting out of his mouth as he falls flat on the floor. The referee begins to count to 10, as the crowd cheers intensely. The referee counts to 10 successfully and James becomes the winner. James takes Erik's belt, kisses it, and raises it as the crowd continues to cheer for him.

As the crowd celebrates, Ava enters the boxing ring and hugs James. "You did it!" Ava said as she looked into his battered face. He smiles, "Yes baby, we did it and this is for you." He handed over the belt to her. They both smile at each other, enjoying their moment together. "merry Christmas and do I get a coffee cake when we get home?" Ava laughs, "Why not, you're the man of the hour" and kisses him passionately

This is my entry to Spill The Beans Contest, Prompt 23.