“Yeah,” smiled, buttoning up my coat. I wrapped a scarf around my neck, stuck a hat on my head and pulled on my gloves. “I can get my suitcase if you get the bag of gifts.”
“Sure thing,” he said, and bent to kiss me. “Mmm,” he murmured, pulling away. His tongue flicked out, licking his lips. “Strawberry lip gloss?”
I laughed, “Yeah, it’s new.”
“I like it,” he grinned, opening the door and motioning me out first.
I locked up and we headed to the elevator and out the building.
I was amazed by the size of the snowflakes coming down. Maybe, Jared hadn’t been overreacting.
When we got to the slippery sidewalk that led to the parking lot, he reached for my hand.
“I don’t want you to fall,” he said.
“It’s not like I’d have that far too fall, I’m so short,” I laughed.
He chuckled, “That may be true, but I still don’t want you getting hurt.”
“You worry too much,” I told him. “You’re going to get premature gray hair.”
“That’s what hair color is for,” he looked down at me and winked.
He put my suitcase in the trunk of his Toyota and took the bag of gifts from me, putting it in there as well.
Driving towards his house, Jared said, “Just a heads up, Karlie really gets into Christmas.”
“Most people do,” I shrugged.
“No,” he shook his head. “Karlie goes above and beyond most people. She gets a little… crazy.”
“It’s Christmas, Jared,” I said. “Don’t tell me, you’re a scrooge.”
“I’m definitely not a scrooge, I like Christmas, but Karlie…” He chuckled. “If I have to hear her sing another Christmas song, tonight, I might lose my mind. She’s been singing them since this morning.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I told him, itching to reach over and wipe the frown line away from his brow.
“It would be fine if she could actually sing, instead, she shrieks,” he winced at the thought.
I laughed, “She can’t be that bad.”
“She’s dying cow, bad… or maybe, she sounds more like a moose. I’m sure she’ll still be going at it when we get there and you can decide for yourself,” he chuckled.
He pulled into the driveway and before getting out of the car, he said, “Brace yourself.”
I grabbed my suitcase again and followed Jared to the front door.
The door had barely opened, when the sound of Jingle Bells being sung very loud and very off key, reached our ears.
“You’ve had to listen to this, all day?” I looked at Jared in disbelief.
He nodded and dropped my suitcase by the stairs.
Karlie came running down the steps, still singing, dressed in Christmas PJs. The bottoms she wore had little elves on them and her top was a long-sleeved red waffle knit shirt with Santa Claus on it. A leopard print Santa hat sat on top of her head.
“Katy!” she hugged me, before pulling away and twirling around the room.
She danced over to the green tree that actually looked silver with the amount of tinsel tossed on it and fingered a shiny red ornament.
“’Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh! Jingle bells, Jingle bells! Jingle all the way!’” she sang.
I winced from the shrill sound of her voice, but Karlie was oblivious to our pain.
She finally finished the song and said, “Hot chocolate? Anyone want any?” she danced into the kitchen.
Jared chuckled. “I’d like some, and I’m sure Katy would to, but you’ve had enough,” he said, striding across the room and taking the instant hot chocolate can from her.
When Jared turned, Karlie jumped on his back, reaching for the hot chocolate. “Give it to me, Jare!” she shrieked. “I need it!”
“Get off of me,” he wiggled around, trying to dislodge his sister. “What are you? A fucking monkey?”
“Give me! Give me the hot chocolate, Jared!”
“No, Karlie, get off of me,” he dropped the hot chocolate can onto the counter and reached for her arms, undoing them from around his neck.
Karlie dropped to the floor. “A third cup wouldn’t kill me,” she pouted.
“It just might,” he sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I have an idea, you can open one,” he held up a finger, “present, if you promise to leave the hot chocolate alone.”
“I always get to open one present on Christmas Eve. I hardly think that’s fair compensation,” she crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing her big brother.
“Fine, two! But that’s it,” Jared said, adamantly.
“Yes!” she clapped her hands together before running towards the Christmas tree and sliding to the floor. She picked up a box, shaking it, and setting it aside, before going to the next one.
“I have a present that I have to give you, tonight,” Jared said, cupping my waist and kissing me quickly. “Karlie, hold up. I have to go grab Katy’s present.”
“Okay,” she grumbled, setting two presents aside from the others and hopping into the chair.
“Close your eyes, kitten,” Jared said, kissing my eyelids. “Keep them closed until I come back and tell you to open them.”
“I will,” I assured him.
He bound up the steps, his boots smacking loudly against the hardwood floors.
I heard his bedroom door squeak open and a few minutes later he was clunking down the steps.
His arm brushed against me and his breath gusted against my face.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
My eyes immediately popped open. “Oh my God!” I reached out for the squirming dark gray kitten in his arms. A red bow was tied around its neck. “You got me a kitten?!”
“A kitten for my kitten,” he grinned.
“Wow,” I breathed, emotion clogging my throat. “I can’t believe you remembered,” I murmured, remembering back to that long ago day where I’d mentioned always wanting a fluffy gray kitten. “Is it a boy or girl?” I asked.
“Girl,” he said. “I figured, I’m already surrounded by two beautiful women, why not add a third,” he reached out and scratched the gray fluff ball on top of her head.
She immediately started purring and leaned into his touch. I giggled. I guessed I wasn’t the only one affected by Jared’s magical touch.
I kissed her on her dark gray nose and then scratched under her chin, where there was a patch of white.
“She’s perfect,” I told him. “Absolutely perfect.” I kissed each of her white paws. “I’m going to name her Mable,” I said, holding her against my neck. She immediately started playing with my hair. I giggled at her touch. “Thank you so much, no one has ever given me a more perfect gift. What I got you seems really boring and predictable now,” I blushed.
“You gave me you, Katy, and that’s all the gift, I’ll ever need,” he kissed my nose.
“Eww, did you forget, I’m sitting right here?” Karlie said. “I do not like watching my brother put the moves on. That’s just gross.”
Jared chuckled. “I am not putting the moves on.”
“You totally are,” she said. “Can I open my presents, now?”
“Only the two,” Jared warned, but she was already tearing into the ones she had set aside.
“Mable’s a cute name and she’s an adorable kitten,” Karlie said, over her shoulder as she lifted the lid off of the box.
“Thanks,” I said, sitting on the couch and nuzzling Mable. “I love her,” I couldn’t help smiling.
Jared massaged my neck. “I’m glad. I checked with your condo to make sure they were pet friendly before I got her. But I knew I needed to get my kitten a kitten of her own,” he kissed my forehead.
“She’s so sweet,” I said, playing with her small paws.
“Thank you, Jared!” Karlie shrieked, breaking Jared and I out of our stupor. She held a sweater in one hand a new iPhone in the other. “You’re the best.”
�
�I know,” Jared chuckled. “Remember, no more presents until tomorrow, so don’t even ask.”
“I’m not five, Jare,” she rolled her eyes.
“On Christmas, you act like it,” he grinned.
She stuck her tongue out.
“Five years old,” he pointed at her.
She shook her head, her orange-red hair swishing around her shoulders. “Can we watch a Christmas movie?” she asked.
“Sure,” Jared said.
She picked one out and plopped in the chair. I scooted closer to Jared and Mable lay between us, just a fuzzy gray ball.
She looked up at me with the biggest green eyes I had ever seen. I reached down, rubbing her tummy. Her eyes closed as she purred, completely content.
The movie ended and we headed upstairs, to go to bed.
I changed in the bathroom, Mable running between my feet and making it take longer to change.
I finished and scooped her up under my arm.
Jared was already in bed, the light on the bedside table still on.
“Do you mind if she sleeps in the bed?” I asked, biting my lip.
“Of course not,” he grinned. “I even bought double of everything so that when you come here, you can bring her.”
I put Mable down on the bed and she immediately bounced onto Jared’s chest, where she plopped and promptly closed her eyes.
I laughed at the sweet kitten before climbing into bed. I couldn’t help glancing to my overnight bag where I knew the pills Sharon had prescribed, resided. I had been using them, at home, to keep the nightmares way. But I figured, tonight, with Jared, I wouldn’t need them.
“Night kitten,” he kissed the top of my head, pulling me against him after he turned the light off.
“Night,” I whispered, my eyes closing.
~***~
I woke up, early, before Jared, and smiled at the sight that met me.
Jared’s left arm was slung above his head, and in the crook of that arm, beside his head, was Mable.
I leaned out of the bed and fumbled for the phone in my bag. I manage to get it out and snapped a few pictures, setting them as my wallpaper.
Groggily, Jared opened his eyes. “Hey,” he said, his voice thick with sleep. “Why are you smiling?”
I pointed to where Mable was. He tilted his head slightly and was met with the ball of fur.
“She likes you,” I said.
“What’s not to like?” he joked, reaching for the small kitten. He put her on his chest and scratched behind her ears. Her loud purr immediately filled the room.
I reached over, petting her small back. She was so little I was afraid we might squish her.
“Is Karlie up?” Jared yawned.
“I don’t think so,” I shook my head. “I haven’t heard anything.”
“Good,” he rubbed his hand over his stubbled chin. “I hope she sleeps in.” he picked Mable up and sat her on the bed. “I’m going to go shower.”
I nodded. “I’ll just be –uh- here,” I looked around his room.
He chuckled, getting out of the bed. He leaned over, kissing me quickly. “I won’t be long,” he assured me.
I lay back down, playing with Mable. I was still in shock that Jared had gotten me a kitten. An actual pet. He was the sweetest, most thoughtful, person I had ever met. There weren’t many people in the world like Jared. He was special. I was lucky to have found him and so thankful that I stopped fighting my feelings for him.
“Hey Mable,” I said, kissing her on her tiny head, right between her pointed ears. “You’re so cute. You know that, don’t you?
She tilted her head, blinking her owlish green eyes at me, and then proceeded to start licking her paws. I chuckled at her cuteness and got dressed before Jared came back.
Jared pushed open the bedroom door and stood there with his legs crossed at the ankle, leaning against the jamb.
His navy sweatpants hung off his hips and his long sleeved gray shirt was glued to his muscles, leaving nothing to the imagination. His hair was still damp and his face freshly shaved.
“I’m going to go start breakfast. You wanna help?” he asked.
“I’d love to help.” I grabbed Mable and carried her down the stairs, behind Jared.
I set Mable down on the floor and let her scamper about. Jared filled a small bowl with cat food and put it down for her.
“What do you want to make?” I asked him as he pulled out different ingredients and bowls.
“Pancakes,” he answered, already measuring out the ingredients into a mixing bowl. He handed the bowl and a wooden spoon to me. “Stir that together.”
“Yes, sir,” I said in a deep voice and he laughed, which was my goal. I loved the husky, warm, sound of his laugh.
I stirred the pancake mixture together and handed it to him.
He poured perfect circles out onto the hot griddle. I don’t know how, but he managed to keep them all the same size.
“I smell something delicious,” Karlie said from behind me.
I hadn’t heard her come down and the sound of her voice scared me. I jumped, grabbing Jared’s arm for protection.
“It’s okay,” Jared said to me in a soothing voice.
“I’m sorry,” I let go of his arm, embarrassed by my actions.
I moved out of the kitchen, needing to get away.
I heard Jared tell Karlie to watch the pancakes.
I felt his presence behind me before his arms circled around my body.
“Katy,” he nuzzled my neck. “It’s okay.”
“I know,” I said, my lower lip trembling with the threat of tears. “I didn’t mean to freak out.”
“I know that,” his lips pressed against my neck. I knew he was trying to relax me, but it wasn’t working.
“I’m so sick and tired of being scared of the littlest things, Jared. I can’t keep living like this,” I said, damming the tears back. I would not cry.
“You’re getting better,” he said, turning me around so I faced him. “You’re so much better,” he cupped my cheeks between his large palms. “There’s a difference in you, every day. Maybe you can’t see them, but I can. It all started when you let me in, Katy, and then, when you finally let me touch you… when you kissed me,” he breathed. “You’re better, Katy. You’re nothing like that frightened girl I defended in the club. You are a strong, powerful woman that was wronged. But you’re not letting that define you, anymore. You’re defining yourself.”
I soaked in his words, repeating them to myself.
I’m defining myself.
“When you have moments like that,” he pointed over his shoulder to the kitchen. “It’s not because you’re weak, Katy. It’s because you were hurt. It’s a reaction you can’t control.”
I nodded.
“When this happens, don’t run. Please, don’t run from me, kitten, but…” he took a deep breath, “on those rare occasions where you do run,” he grinned, “I’ll chase you.”
I laughed.
“Better now?” he asked, looking into my eyes.
“Yeah,” I nodded, putting my hand over his. “You always make me feel better.”
“Good,” he kissed the end of my nose and then my forehead. “Now, come eat my world famous pancakes.”
“World famous?” I raised a brow as he slung his arm over my shoulder.
He chuckled. “Okay, maybe their only famous, in my family’s eyes.”
“That’s what I thought,” I poked his side.
~***~
Dan and Patsy came through the door, stomping snow off their boots.
“It’s too cold out there,” Patsy shivered, removing her coat and scarf.
“I second that,” Dan replied, rubbing his wife’s back.
“Can you guys stop standing by the door so I can open my presents? Jared wouldn’t let me open them until you guys got here,” Karlie was dancing on the balls of her feet.
Dan chuckled. “You’re always so impatient whenever presents are involved
.”
“I can’t help it! It’s just all so exciting! Not knowing what’s hiding underneath the wrapping!” she gushed.
Dan shook his head and him and Patsy took a seat on the couch. Jared and I sat on the floor, side by side, with Mable climbing over our legs like they were giant mountains in her way.
I slid my bag of gifts over so that I could hand them out.
I handed Jared his boxes, Dan his, and tossed a box to Karlie.
The gift I had gotten Patsy was too heavy so I pushed the bag her way. “Your present is heavy,” I warned her, when she bent to retrieve it.
“Oh,” she said, pulling the bag down around it, revealing the shiny red paper with green polka dots. “You didn’t need to get me anything, dear.”
“No, you didn’t,” Dan held up his still wrapped box.
“I wanted to,” I brushed their concerns away. “Open them. You can open yours, too,” I told Karlie and Jared.
I rubbed Mable as everyone tore into their gifts.
Karlie was ecstatic with her gift card. It was to her favorite store in the mall and I had been generous with the amount.
I had gotten Jared a gift card too. He’d mentioned not too long ago, about needing some new gym clothes. I also got him new gloves for his fights, Dan had helped me pick them out, since I was clueless on what to get.
“Thank you, kitten,” he grinned before kissing me.
I shrugged. “You’re hard to shop for.”
He chuckled. “I’m a guy, how am I hard to shop for?”
“Because, you’re a guy. I don’t know what guys like. Everything I got you seems pretty insignificant, compared to what you got me,” I held Mable up to my face.
“This is not insignificant,” he held up his gifts. “Plus,” he grinned like a little boy, “every time I wear my new gloves, I’ll think of my girl.”
I blushed, pleased by his words.
“Dan, Patsy, your turn,” I told them.
I had gotten Dan a gift card to the local fishing shop, because Jared had mentioned briefly that it was a hobby outside of MMA that Dan enjoyed.
Patsy ripped the paper off her gift. She and Karlie had been the easiest people for me to shop for. After Thanksgiving, I had known the perfect gift for Patsy.
“Katy,” she said, bursting into tears.
I bit my lip. That wasn’t the reaction I had been hoping for.
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