Page 25 of Merrily You
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. Everyyear 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 rememberto 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.