Loving Kringle

I never imagined just how perfect it would be. As soon as I walk through the kitchen door, Kris starts asking me questions.

"Oh my God, tell me everything. Did he kiss you? Did you kiss him? Was it amazing?" She fires off question after question before I can answer, making me laugh. Her glee is apparent and I love her for it.

“I don't know who kissed who first, it was like our lips just met and it was amazing, almost magical. So much better than I thought it would be,” I tell her the truth. We have never kept anything from each other and she is not only my sister but also my best friend.

“I told you he was into you,” she says smugly. I shake my head and laugh.

“Don’t gloat, woman. It’s unbecoming.” Kris laughs.

“Yes, but it's so much fun being right. I could so... be a professional matchmaker.” She has been telling me for a year that he liked me but I didn't believe her. How could he like me if he always did whatever he could to avoid me? I really thought that he couldn't stand me. I know that it has to do with the way I was raised and my mother. It has taken me a long time in therapy to realize that I am not a burden and that I am enough. My mother did a lot of damage but no matter how hard she tried to break me, I wouldn’t let her win.

It's been two years since Nick came into my sister’s life and changed both of ours forever. Two months after they got married, I emancipated myself and started my new life away from my drunk, abusive mother. So much has changed in those two years.

I no longer jump at every loud sound or cringe when someone gets too close. I found my passion in life. I want to get my bachelor’s degree in social work. I want to be able to help children that don't have anyone else in their corner. I was lucky. I had my sister and we always stuck together but not everyone has that. I want to be able to help them in any way I can. I want to be the person I wish would have come in and taken my sister and me out of the home we lived in.

“I really like him, sis. I’m kind of afraid this is all too good to be true,” I confess for the first time out loud. She shakes her head.

“Don’t worry, D. When the Kringle boys fall, they fall hard and fast.” As if she had called him herself, Ian comes into the kitchen a few minutes later. He comes straight for me and he pulls me into his arms. He kisses me senseless. Nick clears his throat and Ian pulls away reluctantly. He drops his head to my forehead and I blush scarlet.

"Sorry Kitten, now that I can have you, it's hard for me to keep my hands off you."

"I like your hands on me," I tell him truthfully. He grins and pulls back.

"Good, because I don't plan on stopping."

We have spent the last two years doing Christmas the same way. We open presents first thing in the morning, then do breakfast followed by nap time. Nick and Ian’s parents come in around three for an early dinner afterward we watch Christmas movies and have hot chocolate, open some more presents, and just talk about anything and everything.

We are just content being together as a family and I love it but it always felt like something was missing or I should say, someone. Ian usually comes in late and leaves early, doing his best to never being in the same room alone with me. He would only talk to me in short sentences but this year is different. He absolutely can’t keep his hands off me. He spent all day holding my hand, kissing the top of my head, all of these amazing little touches. If we are sitting, his hand is resting on my thigh. I love when he steals small kisses from me here and there. It gets me all heady and I feel like I have been walking on a cloud all day. It’s so natural the way he does it like we have been doing it for years. My heart swells and I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed. I fucking hope we get to do this for years.

After years of living with my mother and having only had just me and Kris, it's so amazing to be surrounded by people that actually care about you.

“What's the matter Kitten, you okay?” he asks against my ear. I shake my head and snuggle closer to him on the couch. He grabs my hand from where it was resting on his thigh and brings it to his lips, kissing my knuckles softly then puts it back on his leg. I am surrounded by all the people that I love in this world and the man of my dreams is right here next to me.