Christmas Eve night was the one night during Christmas week that we dressed up. My father wore a tie and my mother wore a cocktail dress for dinner. They served wine, the house was lit with candles, and my father kept a fire blazing in the fireplace all night. On top of that, we each got to play our favorite Christmas playlist.
I opted for jazzy Christmas favorites, while my mother always chose the classics.
I fastened a pendant around my neck as Grey’s arms circled my waist. I smiled at our reflection in the mirror.
“You ready for Christmas Eve dinner?” I asked, leaning into his shoulder.
“Actually, I’m ready to spend some time with you.” He spun me so I was facing him. “We’ve been working all day on projects. What about you, me, and a bottle of wine?” His mouth descended to my neck.
I moaned and pressed my palms against his chest. “We can’t. This is the special night.” I used air quotes.
“I thought all the nights around here were special.” He smiled, while his eyes focused just below the pendant on my chest.
I stepped backward and slipped into my heels. “They are. They definitely are.”
“All right. But do I fit in? I didn’t bring a tie.” Grey had on his darkest jeans and a button-up white shirt.
“You look hot.” I winked. “Come on. I can see my mom peeking out the kitchen window.”
We made the short walk to the house and hurried inside out of the cold.
“There you are!” Mom acted as if she hadn’t just seen us an hour ago. We had spent the entire day with them and only left after all of the luminaries were lit.
I crossed the kitchen to give her a hug.
“I love your dress.”
She had on a dark emerald cocktail gown that stopped above the knee. Her hair was down around her shoulders, and I noticed the bling on her ears.
“Wait, are those new?” I pointed to the earrings.
“Yes. What do you think? Your father just surprised me with them.” She shifted her blond hair so I could catch a full glimpse of the diamonds.
“Wow. Dad did great.”
“Are you talking about me?” He waltzed into the room.
“Yes, just loving the present you got Mom.” I gave him a hug.
“I thought they would look good on her.” He moved past me to kiss her on the cheek.
I looked at Grey. He was smiling.
The diamond earrings were gorgeous, the turkey in the oven smelled delicious, and the neighborhood luminaries were beautiful, but I knew none of those things mattered. I didn’t care if I never got another Christmas present. All I wanted for Christmas was under the same roof. I couldn’t think of one single thing that was missing.
“Merry Christmas, darlin’.”
I heard the words Grey muttered in my ear as I tried to climb out of a deep sleep. Everything was peaceful and calm. I tried to cling to the last bits of the dream I was having, while still relishing his words. As the last threads slipped away, I opened my eyes.
“Merry Christmas.” I smiled.
“Christmas morning.” His eyes widened.
I nodded. This was the first time in my life I wasn’t waking up in my bed, in my room, down the hall from my parents on Christmas morning. It felt slightly surreal.
“We’ve got to get going.” He jumped out of bed, surprising me with his quickness.
I sat up. “We do?”
“Yep, come on. It’s Christmas. We’ve got breakfast and presents. Parents waiting. Your dad might need my help with the fire.”
I studied him as he rifled through his suitcase. He seemed excited, almost jumpy.
“Grey?”
“Yeah, darlin’?” His head was buried in a pile of clean clothes. He tossed a pair of jeans on the bed.
“Everything ok?” I peeled back the sheets, and immediately wanted to climb back in bed. Sleeping naked had its cons.
“Of course. Just ready to get our Christmas started.” He threw a shirt next to the jeans then darted to the bathroom. “Be right back.”
I heard the shower sputter to life. I giggled. I guess Christmas brought out the kid in everyone. I walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind me. No need to waste water.
We each took a spot in the living room, our coffee mugs in reaching distance. Grey and I claimed the couch. Dad always played Santa and started distributing gifts as soon as we were settled.
“Ok, first up is Eden.” He handed me a silver box tied with a purple ribbon. I recognized my mother’s handiwork before I even read the tag.
He continued with his duties. “Grey, for you.” He placed a long, thin box in front of Grey. I never asked Mom what they bought him. I just hoped it wasn’t socks and underwear.
After the last of the presents had been divvied up, we started unwrapping, everyone stopping to admire what had been unveiled.