Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Holiday

I hadn’t been this excited for Christmas since I was a kid and knew I was getting the exact toy I wanted because I’d snooped in the closet where my mom always hid the presents.

This was slightly different.

I woke up with a smile on my face and bounced downstairs, eager to get the morning started so I could get over to Danny’s house as soon as possible.

“Look at you, so bright and merry,” Mom said as I kissed her cheek. I’d put on the matching silky pajamas and had brushed my hair out so I looked cute for the numerous pictures she was going to take of everyone opening presents. Those would be uploaded to the family picture drive and I’d get copies made for another album.

“I wish Danny was here,” I said as Dad handed me a cup of coffee mixed with hot chocolate.

“You’ll see her soon enough,” Dad said, patting my shoulder.

Mom shoved us into the living room and started handing out presents. The three of us lost ourselves in the opening and exclaiming and thanking each other for what we’d gotten. Every year we made lists for each other, which made shopping much more efficient. It took out some of the surprise, but everyone got what they wanted, so did it really matter?

Mostly I’d asked for items for the apartment, including some baking tools, as well as several special edition books. I got everything I wanted and then some. I tried to stop checking the time, but I couldn’t help it as we made our traditional breakfast of candy cane-shaped pancakes with whipped cream, sausage, and mimosas. When I was a kid, they used to put ginger ale and orange juice in a glass for me, but now I was an adult, I got the real stuff.

Mom and Dad kept glancing at each other and smiling and I knew they were having one of those silent conversations that people who have been together a long time could have. It just reminded me of Danny and how much I wanted to be with her. She’d sent me a few messages already, including some pictures of her presents and I’d responded with enthusiasm. I’d thought about video calling her and just leaving the call open so we could “be” with each other, but that seemed a little bit excessive, so I didn’t.

“I’m sorry, I just miss her,” I said as I practically threw the plates into the dishwasher and caught my parents hiding laughter behind my back at my hurrying.

“We know,” Mom said, hugging me from behind. “You miss your girl and want to be with her. Go on, I’ll finish up.”

“Thank you,” I said, handing her a plate. “I love you, thank you for all the presents.”

I made sure to hug both of them again and ran upstairs to get cute for Danny.

I did remember to send her a message informing her that I was on my way instead of just showing up hours early for the party because I was considerate like that.

She must have been watching for my car by the window because I couldn’t even reach for the doorknob before the door flew open and she was yanking me into her arms and kissing the hell out of me.

Cheers and whistles sounded behind her from all the people watching, but I didn’t care. She tasted like she’d been eating a candy cane and I couldn’t get enough of her mouth. I’d stand here and kiss her until the earth exploded. I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the two of us.

“Merry Christmas,” she said, leaning back and smiling at me.

“Merry Christmas,” I managed to say. She’d kissed me so much that I could barely form the words.

“Close the door!” someone yelled, and Danny rolled her eyes as she yanked me inside. I kicked off my boots and waved to everyone in who was now staring at us.

“Hey,” I said, feeling my face go red.

Danny looked at me and then grabbed my hand. “We’ll be in my room.”

There was nothing to do but stumble along behind her as she dragged me down the hall to more cheering and whistling. Her family was relentless.

Danny shut the door with a laugh and then pushed me up against it, kissing me hard again.

“Wait, you’re going to crush your present,” I said, reaching to the pocket in my coat where I’d put it.

“We can’t have that,” she said, brushing my hair back. “I missed you so much. I almost bailed and drove to your place so many times.”

“Same,” I said, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the small box.

“Do you want me to open this?” she asked as I pressed it into her hand.

“Yes. Where’s my present?”

Danny laughed and gestured to her bed, which was made and had one wrapped present in the center with a bow on it. Years ago, we’d made a “one present” rule for most holidays, since we got each other presents all the time. We’d also gone through times when we were broke, so one present thoughtfully chosen was better than a bunch of crap we didn’t necessarily want or need.

“Open them at the same time?” I said as we sat on the bed together.

“Deal,” she agreed.

Paper rustled as we unwrapped our presents.

“Oh, H,” she said, revealing the necklace that I’d gotten her. It was a delicate silver chain with a compass rose pendant that had four tiny opals for each direction. Her birthstone. “It’s so beautiful.” She stroked the pendant while I was trying to find the words for what she’d given me.

It was the brand-new ereader that I’d been coveting for ages. The one I had was old and janky and barely held a charge, but I hadn’t been able to justify getting a new one.

Danny’s present was definitely over the budget limit we’d set for each other, and I was speechless.

“I wanted you to have it,” she said, as if she’d anticipated my argument. “I got it on sale.”

“You did not.” I knew she hadn’t because I’d had an alert set to let me know when the company was having sales and there hadn’t been any that significant to make the present affordable. She’d even got it in my favorite shade of pink.

“Fine, I didn’t. But I’m not sending it back.”

“Fine,” I acquiesced.

Danny let out a bark of laughter as she fumbled with the clasp on her necklace. “That was fast. I knew you couldn’t resist it.”

“Let me help,” I said, holding my hand out for the necklace. Danny gave it to me, turning around so I could drape it around her neck and fasten the clasp.

“How does it look?” she asked, facing me. The chain was long so the necklace rested just above her breasts, exactly as I hoped it would.

“Perfect,” I said, diving forward and kissing her, pushing her back on the bed.

“Holiday,” Danny scolded as I kicked the wrapping paper off the bed and shoved my present to the side.

“Now it’s time for your second present,” I told her with a grin.

She raised one of her eyebrows. “Second present?”

“Yup. I just need to unwrap you first.” My fingers went to the tie on her pants and she let out a breathy little moan that turned me on so much that I almost came right then and there.

“I think I’m going to love this present,” she said, her voice already dazed with lust. I couldn’t wait to absolutely wreck her while she wore the necklace I gave her and nothing else.

“I’m just getting started,” I said, pushing at the hem of her shirt.

Eventually we made it out to the party, but not until Danny had put on a different outfit and we’d both cleaned up in the bathroom. She held my hand as I walked on wobbly legs out to join everyone else and eat too many cookies. Both of us tried to ignore the knowing looks and comments, but honestly, they weren’t so bad. Danny wouldn’t stop looking at me and I knew because I couldn’t stop looking back at her.

“You two are sickening,” Michael said, but he was literally sitting in his husband James’s lap while Raquel and Kevin played with Nicholas on the floor. No doubt there would soon be two grandchildren in the family if Carol had anything to say about it.

“I’m just so happy to have all my children happy,” Carol said, wiping her eyes again. She’d cried so many tears of joy today that I was almost worried about her.

“Hey,” Danny said, nudging me and pointing to the window. “You got your wish.”

It was snowing.

Jumping to my feet, I grabbed Danny’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go for a walk.” I needed to move after eating so many cookies. Not too many. There was no such thing, not in my experience.

Danny laughed at my haste as we shoved our feet into our boots and put on our coats and hats and gloves.

“It’s beautiful,” I said when we stepped outside. “Come on.”

I didn’t have to tell her where we were going. She knew.

We walked, gloved hand-in-hand, to the elementary school where we’d met so many years ago.

“Want a push?” she asked as we strolled around the playground, stopping by the swings. I couldn’t count how many hours of recess we’d spent on these swings. They’d been replaced, of course, but they were still in the same place.

“Swing with me,” I told her, sitting down.

Without letting go of my hand, she sat on the swing next to me.

I let out a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” she asked as we swayed back and forth, fingers still joined.

“That everyone knew we were in love before we did. We’re literally the last to know. Should we feel bad about that or something?”

Danny threw back her head and looked up at the falling snow, letting it gather on her eyelashes. She looked back at me and shrugged.

“The only point is that we got here. And that I love you.”

“I love you,” I said. I couldn’t stop saying it. “I love you!” I yelled.

“I love you!” she yelled back, and we dissolved into giggles. Everything was wonderful.

“This is basically the best Christmas ever,” I said.

“Agreed. We’ll have to try and top it next year.”

She leaned closer, a wicked smile on her face. “I’m already planning.”