I get a pinch on the ass for that one.
“Holy shit,” I exclaim as I walk into the house. “It looks like the North Pole threw up in here.”
Gavin releases a hearty laugh as I take in the colorful decorations. The exterior lights are subdued but this—this is spectacular. In the center of the living room is fully trimmed tree that shoots up to the ceiling, filling the air with a woodsy pine scent. Knickknacks cover every available surface ranging from cartoonish snowmen to realistic men with long white beards. Lights twinkle from each window and giant throw pillows with reindeer on them adorn the couch. The embellishments continue throughout every room I can see. I’d bet money that the entire house is filled with Santa, snowmen, elves, and reindeer. My brain is trying to play catch-up with my eyes. I’m stunned—I’ve never seen anything like this in real life before. Cybil always said that Christmas was a load of crap meant to help retailers so we’ve never celebrated. Same goes with birthdays or any other holiday, really. Sure, my foster parents made an effort sometimes, but it always felt like an obligation rather than something born from joy. Gavin’s ear-to-ear grin tells me that he derives complete, unadulterated pleasure from this.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
I smile. “It’s really pretty. When did you have time for this?”
“Today. I was storing the boxes at my parents’ house. I called my mom last week asking for a huge favor and they arrived this morning.”
“But why? You’re leaving tomorrow; you won’t even have a chance to enjoy them.”
Gavin leads me to the couch and hands me a mug from the coffee table. “Hot chocolate for the lady.”
I laugh as I look down and see the cup overflowing with marshmallows. I take a sip and moan at the deliciousness of it. “Gavin, seriously. Why?”
He shrugs. “I wanted to do something special for you.”
I’m sure the shock is plain on my face. “For me? Why?”
“Because you’re you,” he says. “Besides, it wasn’t entirely for you. I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
“Besides the fact that you love teenage dramas?”
“Besides that,” he laughs. “It just so happens that I love Christmas. Like, to an embarrassing degree. Have you ever seen the movie Elf? Buddy’s excitement is nothing compared to mine.”
I laugh so hard I’m crying. Visions of Gavin screaming, “Santa? I know him!” run through my head. I set my hot cocoa on the table before it spills.
“My God, you’re beautiful when you laugh. I could never get enough of seeing you like this.”
I sober instantly when I see the look on his face. “Gavin—”
I’m silenced whe
n his lips meet mine. We kiss unhurriedly, savoring each other’s breath. He pulls away when I try escalating things by climbing on top of him. I whimper in protest.
“Kat, we’re never going to get to your present if we keep this up.”
“You’re all the present I need,” I whine.
He stands from the couch, depositing me onto the cushions. “As touching as that is, your actual present might not agree if I don’t bring it out soon.”
“Huh?”
He starts walking down the hall leading to the bedrooms. “Go sit in front of the tree. I’ll be right back.”
I do as he says despite my confusion. My fingers tap the wood floors in a staccato rhythm as I wait. I hear Gavin toward the back of the house fumbling with something. I could swear he’s talking to someone. What the hell is going on? My question is answered when he appears at the end of the hall holding an adorable, squirming, striped brown kitten.
“Oh my God!” I run up to him and grab the kitty out of his arms. She startles for a moment but then releases the sweetest little purr when I tickle behind her ears. “Hello, baby! What’s your name?”
“That’s up to you,” Gavin smiles. He looks at the content furball in my hands and adds, “I think he likes you. Which is good because he’s yours.”
“Mine? You got me a cat?”
“Yeah,” he nods. “You mentioned that you’ve always wanted one. I thought he would make you happy.”
“He?” I peek under its tail. Sure enough, there are two tiny little kitty balls.