We spent yesterday decorating the house. It’s weird to see a large tree in the corner of the living room, lights hanging on the staircase and in each doorway. I laughed at Valo’s determination to make sure everything was perfect. I didn’t care if everything was crooked because to me, it’s already perfect.
I begin to plate the food and place it on the table. Valo insisted on Christmas plates and bowls. I shake my head at the funny looking snowman because we could have used paper plates, but Valo apparently likes the theme.
Valo comes up, wraps his arms around me, and kisses the crook my neck. Is this how everyone is on Christmas? Or is it just my Valo?
My Valo?
Yes, he is mine and I wouldn’t want it any other way. My life has been a whirlwind and I love it. I like the classes in school. It’s been a lot of hands on and I can understand that better. I’m not the same person as before, and it’s because of him and I like it a lot.
We eat more than we talk. In fact, I ate more than I should have, but I have on a pair yoga pants, so I’m set for overeating. When we finish, neither of us bothers with cleaning up. We grab our hot chocolate and go sit in front of the Christmas tree.
“I’m kind of glad Gus isn’t here. I know that’s mean, but I like just us doing this alone since it’s our first Christmas together.” I smile at him.
“Me too. It’s good to get away from him every now and then anyway. I’m sure he’s glad he isn’t here, too.”
“So, I gave Honeybun her gift first. I think she could smell the catnip from the package, but I have something for you.” My voice sounds almost shy. My gift is silly, but I know he’ll like it.
“I have a gift for you, too. Want to open them at the same time or do you want to open yours first?”
“No, I want you to open yours first.” I didn’t wrap it, but I did put everything in a shirt box. I hand it to him.
He opens it and grins. He first pulls out the handmade coupon book. I put everything in there from sex acts to cooking dinner. He begins to pull out the several different lingerie sets I added to the box.
“This,” he holds up the booklet, “is awesome and will be used frequently. But this,” he hold up a pair of G-string panties and has a smile on his face. “I hope is for you to wear for me because it might be a little small for me.”
“Please, if you ever model any of these pieces, I will film you and send it to THN.” I crack myself up at the joke. “But no, these are for me to wear. Whichever one you want me to wear, I will, and then you give me a coupon and I’ll do what’s on there. It sounds a little silly, but I didn’t have any extra money to buy you something nice. Plus, you have everything under the sun, so…” I stop talking because I don’t know how to say I can’t afford anything expensive for him.
“It’s perfect, Jade. Thank you.” He pulls me closer to kiss me. “I think you’ll go as crazy over this as Honeybun went over her catnip.” He hands me a small box.
“I know I’m always bitching at you about being a Debbie Downer, but do you know this is my first gift? It’s my first Christmas gift ever, and you’ve given me so much already.”
“Your first Christmas gift? I hope it’s a good one then.” He looks at me as if he’s unsure.
“I’m sure it is.” When I pull off the small lid, I’m taken aback. My mouth drops as I see the Love Spa name on the top of the certificate with an obscene amount of money on it. “You…you got me a certificate for my nails?”
“Yeah, I didn’t want you to give it up because you love it so much, so now you’re covered for a while and I get to support your habit.”
“Valo, this is beyond sweet. I mean it. I think this is the greatest gift anyone could have given me. Thank you.”
“Welcome. But don’t say it’s the greatest gift, it’ll add pressure to make next year’s even better,” he jokes.
“Next year?” I still and feel the color drain from my face. “You think we’ll be together then?” Does he think like that a lot? Does he think of me in his future?
“Oh, well,” he stammers over his words. “I meant, if we are. I can’t predict what’ll happen, but,” he stops and stares deeply at me. “I hope so.”
What do I say to that?
He thinks about us. He wants me in his life for a long time. He’s sitting here in front of our Christmas decorations, declaring how he feels about me.
Do I tell him the truth?
I should.
“Okay, without being all girly and shit, but,” I lower my voice, “I hope so, too.”
Valo grins and captures my lips with his.
Tonight, Valo gives me something I’ve never had before.