Shawn had been going through the motions for the past few weeks. When she’d left Morgan’s, she grabbed a hotel room, not wanting to drive back to Tahoe late that night through the pouring rain on icy roads. She’d grabbed a small bottle of Scotch from a liquor store close to her hotel and drowned her sorrows in the amber liquid. She’d woke up hung over but sober, so she made the lonely trek home, listening to sad love songs that left her feeling hollower the farther she drove from Sacramento. The rain continued to fall, and the slapping of the wipers added to her headache. She’d picked up Jameson from Marcy’s and spent the next couple of days in bed, heavy snowflakes falling from the gray sky, Shawn not wanting to face anyone. Not wanting to face the truth that she’d lost Morgan. She’d lost Morgan to fucking Jess, that smug bitch.
It was the day before Christmas Eve, and after they’d closed the diner, the crew had their own Christmas party. The diner had been festively decorated by Kerrie, Gina, and a few of her holiday staff that were home from college for the holidays, wanting to pick up a few extra shifts while they were home. Steve, Sophie, and Kaitlyn had worked for her over the summer, and they’d expressed their wishes to work when they were home. They were good kids and hard workers, so Shawn had no reservations hiring them back for the holidays. They’d all exchanged presents, feasted on ham, potatoes au gratin, salad, rolls, and pies. Once the kids left the party, Shawn handed envelopes to Kerrie, Melvin, Shorty, and Gina, her other full-time server and prep cook. They all ripped them open at the same time to find five hundred dollars in each one as their holiday bonus.
“Whoa, boss. This is way too much.” Kerrie’s eyes were wide
as she pulled the five one-hundred-dollar bills out and fanned her
face.
“Nonsense. This diner is as successful as it is because of you guys. It’s just a small token of my appreciation for doing such a fantastic job and putting up with my grumpy ass for the past six weeks. I can’t begin to tell you how much you all mean to me.” Shawn looked at her employees, her friends, and didn’t know how she’d been so blessed to have such a fine bunch working with her.
“Shorty, are you crying? You better not be crying, big guy.”
Shorty wiped his eyes. “No, boss. My eyes are just sweating.”
They all laughed and hugged each other. “Okay, enjoy the next couple of days, and we’ll all be back here on December twenty-sixth ready to show off everything Santa brought us. Stay safe, my friends.”
Shawn was the last one to leave, turning off the lights and locking up the diner for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Typically, most restaurants were open those days to cater to those who didn’t feel like cooking a big meal, but Shawn felt it was important for her staff to have the time with their families. The tourists and people of this town had plenty of other options to dine from the next two days.
By the time Shawn arrived home, it was almost dark. The only things she didn’t like about winter was having to shovel the snow out of her driveway and that it was dark by five o’clock. Her house was dark, and for the third time this week, she’d reminded herself to reset the timer for her lamp in the living room to come on at four thirty. She opened the door to find Jameson wagging his tail and a rolled-up piece of paper in his mouth.
“What’s this, doggo?” Shawn turned on the light just inside the door. She unrolled the paper and read the note.
My dear beloved hooman,
Please don’t be mad. I called Morgan. I miss her. And she says she misses us too. Me more than you. But it still counts. Right? Can you please forgive her for leaving us? She said if you do, she’ll never leave us again. She told me she loves you. And hopefully you can forgive her. Please, hooman mom. Forgive her.
The tears filling Shawn’s eyes made it difficult for her to read the last few words.
“Morgan?” Shawn whispered reverently. Was she dreaming? She looked up from the note to find Morgan standing at the entrance of the kitchen.
“Are you really here?”
“I’m really here.” Morgan took a step closer, uncertain if Shawn would accept her back in her life.
“How’d you get in?”
Morgan smiled. Shawn didn’t sound upset which gave her the courage to take another step forward.
“You never lock your door, silly.”
The laughter came through Shawn’s tears. “I have so much to say to you. I can’t believe you’re actually here.” Shawn swiped the tears away and Morgan yearned to go to her.
“All I need you to say is that you forgive me for ever doubting you. I was pigheaded. I blame that on being a Taurus, actually. I guess I still have a lot of work to do on myself, but I think with your help, I can be a better woman. A woman who is worthy of you and your love.” Jameson barked and they both jumped. “I’m hoping I can be worthy of Jameson too.”
Shawn laughed, and it was the sweetest sound to Morgan’s ears. Shawn shook her head, quickly moved to Morgan, wrapping her arms around her and turning her in circles.
“I love you, Morgan. Please believe me that I love you so damn much. I don’t want to be with anyone but you.”
Morgan released her tears of joy, anxiety, and love. “I do believe you, Shawn. I love you so damn much too.”
Shawn lowered Morgan so her feet were planted solidly on the ground although she was flying high at that moment.
“I came to your house, but Jess answered the door and she told me that you two were back together. Please tell me she was lying.”
Morgan cupped Shawn’s cheek with her hand. “She was. I want nothing to do with her, my love. You’re the only one I want.”
Jameson barked again, making them laugh with his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth, giving a big doggy smile. “And Jameson. I assume you’re a package deal.” Jameson barked again.
“If I’m dreaming, I don’t ever want to wake up.”
Morgan grabbed Shawn’s face with both hands and kissed her like a sailor coming home after many years away. Their lips parted, Morgan’s tongue wrestled with Shawn’s, and when she broke the kiss, she pinched Shawn’s ass.
“Ow!”
“That’s how you know you’re not dreaming.”
Shawn laughed. “Please pinch me again. You know, just to be sure.”
Morgan lowered her hands and squeezed Shawn’s ass, filling her palms with Shawn’s hard muscles, causing her to moan. That sound that had haunted Morgan’s dreams for the past six weeks was reality now, and it made her clit hard and her sex wet.
“Shawn, please make love to me. I need to feel you. All of you.”
Shawn said nothing but picked up Morgan and carried her to her room. Morgan wrapped her arms around Shawn’s neck, finding comfort in Shawn’s strong arms holding her tight, her scent of woods and diner bringing Morgan even more comfort.
Shawn set Morgan on her bed and slowly undressed her. When she pulled the last of Morgan’s clothing away, Morgan scooted back on the bed while Shawn undressed herself. When she was completely naked, she crawled onto the bed, settling herself between Morgan’s legs. At first touch of skin on skin, both of them moaned. Shawn propped herself up on straight arms and slowly moved her pelvis against Morgan’s. Morgan wrapped her legs behind Shawn’s and used her heels to pull Shawn deeper into her. The fire and intensity of Shawn’s eyes as she thrust into her made Morgan hold on tighter.
“I’ve missed being under you, driving me crazy until I can’t think straight.” Morgan’s words came out breathy. “I want you in me, baby. Fill me up with your fingers.”
Shawn slid two fingers into Morgan’s wet center, setting a deep and slow rhythm that was driving Morgan crazy and causing her hips to move, to take all of Shawn in. Shawn continued to look into Morgan’s eyes, never breaking their connection.
“I love you so much, Shawn.”
Shawn sped up her motion, going deeper, faster, hitting Morgan’s clit with her palm with each stroke.
“You’re going to make me come, baby.”
“You’re mine, love. Now, always, forever. Come for me. Let go, baby.”
Morgan screamed out as she came. Shawn followed close behind, stroking her clit against the back of her hand that was buried deep in Morgan.
Shawn collapsed her entire weight onto Morgan, and she wrapped her arms around Shawn’s waist, holding her close. Once they caught their breath, Shawn rolled off Morgan but kept her arm securely around her. Morgan turned on her side and ran her fingers through Shawn’s damp hair. The lazy grin on Shawn’s face lit a fire in Morgan. She crawled onto Shawn’s back, kissing every inch of her from her neck to the small of her back. When Shawn raised her hips, Morgan slid two fingers into her from behind, continuing to nibble and bite her skin as she moved in and out of Shawn. Morgan loved how versatile Shawn was in bed. Every now and then, Morgan liked to take control, and she was very pleased that Shawn allowed her.
“I love you, and I want us to be together. Now and always.”
“Always, baby.” Shawn grunted as Morgan continued to fill her up. “I’m so close.” Shawn cried out as the walls of her sex continued to spasm around Morgan’s fingers. Morgan kissed the back of Shawn’s shoulder then kissed her neck, sucking on the skin and marking her territory. Shawn yelped and Morgan laughed.
“I branded you, Evans. You are now the sole property of one Ms. Morgan Campbell.”
“Consider me yours, love.
* * *
Shawn woke Christmas Eve morning to an empty bed. She reached out and felt the cold sheets beneath her fingers. “No, please don’t tell me that was a dream.”
The door to her bedroom opened and Morgan walked in carrying a tray with two cups of coffee and homemade biscuits. The smell of hot dough and melted butter along with freshly brewed coffee made Shawn’s stomach growl.
“Good morning, my love. I have breakfast, and Jameson has been fed and let outside.”
“You’re really here.” Shawn felt like she could breathe again, realizing that Morgan was really there and not a mirage.
“I really am. For a few days at least, if you can stand me for that long.”
Shawn sat up and accepted the steaming mug of coffee along with a kiss from Morgan’s sweet lips. She could still taste herself on Morgan’s mouth from when she went down on Shawn in the middle of the night. Last night’s sleep consisted of short naps between bouts of making love, and Shawn’s sore muscles were proof.
“I love that you’re here, especially for Christmas. This will be the best holiday I’ve had in a long time.”
“Ditto, baby. I know it’s Christmas Eve, but I have something for you. Be right back.”
Morgan returned with a thin box wrapped in red, gold, and green wrapping paper with a large silver bow.
“What is this?”
“Something I wanted to get you back in November, but never got around to. I figure better late than never.”
Shawn unwrapped the box and pulled out an oil painting of a sunset from Sand Harbor.
“I saw this in Marcy’s shop, and I thought it looked pretty similar to the sunset you took me to see. That was the night I started to fall for you.”
Shawn wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed. “You kissed me for the first time that night. That was when I knew I’d love you forever.” Shawn pulled Morgan into her arms and held her tight. “I love it, and I love you.”
* * *
Shawn frowned and Morgan traced her lips with her thumb. “Why the long face, love?”
Shawn looked away and Morgan grabbed her chin so she could see Shawn’s face.
“I didn’t get you anything. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Oh, Shawn. Don’t you know that you’ve given me the best present I could ask for? It can’t be wrapped and placed under the tree. You gave me the gift of forgiveness and your love. Nothing you could ever buy me could be better than that.”
“I want to give you the world, Morgan.”
Morgan placed her hand over Shawn’s heart. “You have.”
❖
“Are you sure I look okay? I should’ve packed something dressier.”
Shawn kissed Morgan’s forehead. “You look beautiful. You could be wearing a potato sack, and you’d still look gorgeous.”
They stepped out of Shawn’s car and the cold air hit Morgan like a slap in the face. Despite the heavy coat, Morgan shivered, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the chilly temperature or the nerves she held in seeing Jack again. It had snowed all day, off and on, and this would be Morgan’s first white Christmas.
Shawn knocked on the door and Jack answered, his surprise from seeing Morgan quickly broadened into a bright smile.
“Well, well, look who’s here.” Jack hugged Shawn then pushed her out of the way to welcome Morgan with a hug of her own. “I’m so happy to see you again, sweetheart. Welcome to our home.” Jack introduced Morgan to his wife, Jeannie, who gave Morgan a warm hug, the kind of hug a grandparent gives their grandchild. Morgan handed her a gift from Shawn that she kindly signed Morgan’s name to.
“Thank you for having us. You have a lovely home.” It smelled of cinnamon and pine, and Morgan felt cozy and warm.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you.” Jeannie took Morgan’s hand and led her to the living room and introduced her to the wives of Bill, Dave, and Ernie. She was hugged by them all, including the men, who expressed their joy in seeing her again. They all sat in the living room in front of the fire, drinking their respective drinks, while Shawn and the men hung out in the kitchen drinking Scotch and bourbon. The living room was beautifully decorated, with garlands lining the mantel and a large tree in the corner adorned with lights and ornaments. Jeannie placed their gift under the tree to join the other beautifully wrapped presents.
“Morgan, honey, we’re so happy to have you here. Our husbands have been going on and on about Shawny’s new friend. What we really want to know, that our husbands are too dense to ask, is what are your intentions with our Shawny? Her grandparents are gone and her parents are in Texas, so we’re essentially the only family she has here. We look after her like she was our own, and we don’t want to see her hurt.”
Morgan was impressed that Jeannie was able to say all that while a smile was plastered on her face. The other three women had similar smiles, but Morgan felt them sizing her up, and she had to be careful with her words. Morgan gave them the sweetest smile she had.
“I love how you all look after Shawn, and especially the way you love her. We’ve had some misunderstandings, but the one biggest lesson I’ve learned in all of this is that Shawn is a woman who loves with all her heart and is loyal to her friends. I love everything about her, and if she allows me, I’ll continue to love her as long as she wants. Not only have I fallen in love with her, but her family as well.” Morgan took a sip of her wine and thought of the words she wanted to say.
“When I left here, it wasn’t just Shawn I was leaving. It was your husbands, Shawn’s staff at the diner, and Jameson. All of those beautiful souls are what makes this town so special to me.”
Jeannie and the other three wives looked at each other, then raised their glasses, waiting for Morgan to clink her glass against theirs. When the crystal came together, it made the most melodious sound.
“Welcome to our family, Morgan.”
Later that night, cuddling under the covers, Shawn stroked the skin along Morgan’s arms.
“You didn’t have any trouble with the grandmothers, did you?”
Morgan chuckled. “Not at all. Once I told them my intentions for you were pure, they accepted me into the family.”
Shawn laughed. “Good. So, Ms. Campbell, what are your intentions for me?”
Morgan crawled on top of Shawn and she reached her hands around Morgan and grabbed her ass. Morgan shivered at the feeling of her skin, her breasts, pressing into Shawn’s.
“My intention is to love you and take care of you for as long as you want.”
“Mmm.” Shawn ran her hands up Morgan’s back and around her front until she had them on Morgan’s breasts. “I love how you think, Ms. Campbell.” They welcomed in Christmas morning by making love and declaring once again their love for each other.