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BY THE TIME WE GET home, I feel so exhausted that I practically fall into bed with my clothes on. I lay there, fighting to stay awake, but as soon as my head hits the pillow, I close my eyes. As I slumber soundly, I dream of watching Joseph and Greg in a duel while I stand there in a long, bright red velvet gown with the most beautiful long raven hair, clear down to my knees.
They are head-to-head in a match to the death with sword in hand. Greg looks as if he is a handsome king or at least a studly prince with muscles of steel. Especially when he deals the fatal blow so masterfully and then claims me as his by putting me over his shoulder. Afterwards, he carries me back to his tent and then makes love to me over and over again on a soft bed made of furs. I look like a beautiful fair maiden as I blink my long eyelashes at him while flirting and waiting for him to make up his mind which way, he will take me now. This goes on for hours.
When the sun starts to come up, I hear a gentle knock at the door. Then I hear his voice as he asks thoughtfully, “Can I come in?”
I clear my throat before I reply, “Yes, of course.”
Now, if he would just take me and not ask, I would love him even more for it.
“Good.” He states happily as he opens the door with a smile on his face.
He brings me a present on a plate made up of a piece of white toast, covered with a thick layer of strawberry jam and a cup of coffee. It all smells so good, especially when he deposits it right before me on my lap. What feels the best is the fact that he leans down and kisses me softly on the lips, so soft that it feels like a breath across my skin.
I smile at him before he asks, “Do you like it?”
I look up at him and ask playfully, “Which one? The Kiss? Or the food?”
He laughs and then leans down to kiss me again softly before he answers, “Well, the food of course, but you taste so good I could eat you.”
While he leans down and kisses me one more time, he makes a “mm” sound and then he sits down next to me, so our knees touch and he watches me eat in silence. When I devour the last bite and lick my fingers off, he finishes it with a quick kiss before he stands up and states excitedly, “This morning we will get a beautiful tree. One that we can remember for years to come.”
Hoping that it means that he is thinking of our future together, but knowing the truth of the matter, I swallow hard and feel the pit in my belly grow.
“I am sure it will be wonderful if it is anything like everything else around here.” I say softly while staring at the expensive paintings on the walls.
“Yes. About that.” He says hesitantly while drawing out the s at the end, then he adds quickly, “After we go out for a tree, I have a bit of shopping to do of my own. So, I will leave you to your own devices when we get to the mall. Then we can meet back up and get some lunch. Does that sound good?” He pauses and waits for me, but when I don’t say anything right away, he continues, “Of course, I should ask you if you are going to need some money for your own things. Will you?”
While watching for any indications either way, he stares at me intently in anticipation. I say slowly, “Alright. Well, I did have an idea, but I do have a little money still. Although, I don’t know if it will be enough.”
“No problem. Just tell me how much you think you might need, and I will withdraw it from the bank on the way to get the Christmas tree.” He states excitedly while looking around the room for something.
When his eyes stop on my shoes, he asks me thoughtfully, “What size do you wear? We are going out to a very fancy restaurant tonight, so I think you may need something else to wear.”
Realizing that he is right, I swallow my pride and agree, “Yes, very true.” Even if I don’t want to accept presents from him, I may have no choice in this case.
He looks down at me and cups my chin before saying softly, “You do know that it is alright sometimes to accept help when you need it. Right? Besides, I have an appointment for you before we go out tonight. It is for a manicure, a hair styling, and the works. You probably won’t even recognize yourself when Chenille is through with you though. Matter of fact, I would bet on it. Besides, my brother will be there, and he won’t believe his eyes when he sees you either. See, it is a family tradition we do every year on Christmas Eve. My dad started it when my mother was alive, and we just kept doing it every year to keep the memory of her in our hearts.”
Not knowing why in the slightest that it surprises me, I gaze at him a little too long when I realize that I will get to meet his father. Meeting the rest of his family means a step in the right direction, I would say. Especially, at a time that means so much to them as a family.
“I’m sorry. I am getting sappy and that is the last thing I want on Christmas Eve.” He says with sadness in his eyes.
I reach up and caress his face gently before I pull him down to my level so I can kiss him and make it all better. But what I don’t expect is just how much I would feel for this man when I stare into his eyes. I can’t help but to wonder if he feels the same way when he looks at me sometimes, or the gentle way he kisses me. Joseph had never kissed me this way, and to know that a man is capable of such gentleness, makes me ache.