Going Home for Christmas

by E A Stripling

  “I am sorry,” I cried.

  “Come sit with me in the living room,” he said, leading me away from the front door.

  Once there, we both took a seat on the sofa, and my father turned to me with that face. The face I had seen time and time again growing up that said, “Tell daddy everything.” I went to start to explain what was going on, but he stopped me.

  “Your sister has already told me everything,” he said.

  I couldn’t help but look down in shame. Of course she did.

  “What she doesn’t know is that I already knew,” he continued.

  I quickly looked up at my father in surprise.

  “What?” I asked making sure I heard him correctly

  “I already knew. I spoke to Ray this morning before everyone was awake. He helped me make the coffee and explained everything.”

  “What about Nicole?” I pouted.

  “His ex.” He nodded. “Who was calling because she wanted to know if he still had some luggage, which she couldn’t find, that she wanted to use to go on holiday with her new boyfriend.”

  “Well, aren’t you all knowing?” I smirked.

  “I try” He smiled.

  “I know something else.” He pulled a tissue from his pocket handing it to me.

  I looked up at him waiting for whatever he was about to say.

  “The reason why Ray told me everything was because he told me he was falling for you and this family,” my father explained. “I told him to tell you what was going on because by the way I see you look at him, the feeling was very mutual”

  “And I just sent him away.” I felt like crying all over again.

  “Well, he did just leave. Feel like taking a drive?” My dad winked.

  I sprang up from the sofa wiping off my eyes and getting ready for this adventure to the airport with my dad. I was excited and scared and motivated all at the same time. I ran toward the door, pulling it opened and slamming right into Ray who was standing on the other side holding flowers.

  “Thanks, son,” my father said walking up to Ray and taking the flowers. “These are going to look great on the table at breakfast tomorrow.”

  “You sent him to the store!” I gasped.

  My father winked at me with a smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

  “He told me to give you some space and take a trip to think about what I was going to say,” Ray explained pulling a second set of flowers from behind his back and handing them to me. “I am so sorry I didn’t tell you about Nicole. This weekend has been everything I have ever wanted, and I ask that you allow me to stay and enjoy Christmas with you and your family. But not as your neighbor or friend. As your date.”

  I didn’t say anything; I just wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. Behind me, I heard running on the stairs. I turned to see my sister rushing toward us.

  “Have you guys seen Travis?” She asked actually looking like she cared.

  “He just left in my cab,” Ray said.

  “Left where?”

  “The airport,” I answered.

  “What?!” She screamed, rushing out the door.

  The grandfather clock in my living room chimed alerting us it was midnight and officially Christmas.

  “Merry Christmas, Alexia.” Ray smiled looking at down at me. “Merry Christmas, Ray.” I blushed looking back up at him.

  ####

  A year later, here I was, again, tabbing through email after email until I saw that familiar Christmas email from my parents. But this time, I wasn’t hiding from it; I was searching for it. It had been a very busy year full of tons of changes, but I was not going to miss going home for Christmas for anything in the world. I was excited to return.

  “I found it!” I announced.

  “About time!” Ray teased coming into our living room from the kitchen.

  “At the end of the day, does it even really matter if I find it? We all know the dates, times and places,” I smirked.

  “Well, your dad told me this year it was going to be themed annnnd I wanted to send it to my parents because this year trouble is really coming home for Christmas.” He laughed.

  “Are they really that bad?” I asked, I took a moment remember Thanksgiving with his parents a few weeks ago.

  “I will order extra wine,” I said pulling up an online liquor store on my laptop.

  “That’s a good idea. Let’s sauce them all up and get them loopy so they will all get along.” He chuckled.

  “Or they will pass out.” I laughed.

  “I love you and the way you think.” He kissed me.

  “I love you too.” I kissed him back. “And remember that in the morning.”

  “Why?” He questioned cautiously.

  “We are traveling with my sister.” I winched, waiting for the groans.

  “Ugh, I don’t know if I liked her more when she was a bitch or her being all lovey dovey now with Travis.” He gagged.

  I couldn’t help but laugh

  “Be nice.” I kissed him again.

  “Only for you” He kissed me on my forehead, getting up and heading back to the kitchen to finish up on dinner.

  I quickly hit RSVP on my parents Christmas invite and closed my laptop, standing to go help him in the kitchen. I could not wait until tomorrow. It was going to be another very merry Christmas.

  THE END