“Really?”
“Really.”
“Let’s go and get one.” I stand up and brush the dust off my clothes.
“I think my grandparents’ tree is still here,” Mason says, standing and brushing off his clothes. “Go change into something more comfortable, and I’ll look in the garage for the tree.”
“Yay, I’ll make some hot chocolate and play some Christmas music.”
“Ok, Beauty, I’ll be right back.”
“Mason?”
“Beauty?”
“Thank you.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. “I love you.”
“I love you,” he says, kissing me back. “Go and change. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I put on a pair of black yoga pants and a white tank top and start a pot of homemade hot chocolate. I look through my CDs until I find a Christmas one. Harry Connick, Jr. Who doesn’t love Harry? I play it on the surround sound before joining Mason in the living room.
“Need some help?”
“Harry Connick, Jr., huh?” Mason smiles his big dimpled smile.
“It was either that or Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas.’”
“Oh, Harry’s good.”
“I thought so.”
“Hand me the tree stand, will you?”
“Yep.”
Once the tree is in the stand and we decide on the perfect spot, I check on the hot chocolate.
“A lot of marshmallows, a little, or more than a lot?” I yell from the kitchen.
Mason walks into the kitchen and stands behind me. “Seven, please.”
I look up at him. “Only seven? You do know they are the tiny ones.”
“Grandma used to give me and Madison seven when we would stay with her. No more and no less.”
“Seven little tiny ones for you and a ¼ of a cup for me.”
“Angel?”
“Mason? They are little and I like them.” I smile and hand him his mug of hot chocolate.
Mason smiles and takes his mug from me. “We are going to need a dentist for you in the next few months,” he says while walking into the living room where the bare tree stands in front of the large bay window.
“This is a perfect spot.”
“This is the same place my grandparents put it every year.” Mason steps back and looks at the tree fondly.
“It’s perfect. Are there any decorations or ornaments that were stored with it?”
“There are still several smaller boxes in the attic. But I thought we could use your ornaments.”
“Mason, I thought we could combine the ornaments on the tree to make it ours.”
“Well, the tree is definitely big enough for all the ornaments. I’ll be back.”
When Mason returns, he has three medium-sized boxes with him. We open them and Mason smiles as memories come back to him.
I hold up a small red handprint with Mason’s name written across the top. It has a green frayed ribbon weaved through it to use as a hanger.
“Don’t say it,” Mason laughs.
“Aww, but it’s so cute. Look at how little your hands were,” I say, holding my hand up to it.
I turn it around and it says in faded words, First grade. Mason and I laugh at the handmade ornaments and at how vintage some of the other ones are.
“These are nice. But I think we need to go out tomorrow and get a few new ones.” Mason says, holding up a faded bulb.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. Right after church tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. You know, I have never put a tree up in my adult life.”
“Never?”
“Not that I can remember.”
“Well, Mason, meet your new Christmas tradition. Putting up the Christmas tree, music by Harry Connick, Jr., and homemade hot chocolate with seven tiny marshmallows.”
“Here’s to our new Christmas tradition: Cheers,” he says, holding up his mug of hot chocolate.
“Cheers.” I smile as we clink our glass mugs together.
“Color lights or clear lights?” Mason asks, holding up a handful of each.
“Clear,” we both say in unison, laughing.
The tree is up and the tiny clear lights are twinkling. Mason and I both opted out of using tinsel on the tree. I am an old-fashioned girl, but I always hated picking that stuff off the tree when I was little.
Mason and I decide it’s time for an adult beverage and different music. He returns to the couch with a pen and paper and hands it to me.
“What’s this for?”
“It’s for your Christmas list.”
“Mason, I have everything I need and want right here,” I say, handing him the pen and paper back.
“It’s up to you, but have you seen those ugly sweaters at K-Mart?”
“Mason, you wouldn’t!”
He hands me the pen and paper back with a smile. “Your Christmas list, Beauty.”
“Fine.”
I tear the paper in half and hand it to him. He smiles and takes it.
“I need a pen.” He stands up, walks into the office and returns with another pen. He sits on the other end of the couch and starts to write. He looks over his paper, smiles at me, and writes something else. I wonder what he is writing, I was expecting a small list from him. I think of something else and write it down.
“I think I may need another sheet of paper,” Mason says, laughing as he writes some more.
Now I’m beginning to get nervous. “Do you think we should have a spending limit?”
“No, no limit. I want to make sure I get everything on my list. Do you need another sheet of paper?”
“No, I’m good. Do you?” I ask, half afraid of what he’s going to say.
Mason writes something else on his list and says, “No, that should take care of everything.”
He folds it up until it’s in a small square and holds it out for me. When I try to take it, he pulls it back.
“Your list, Beauty,” he says, holding his bare hand out for my list.
I fold my list identical to his. I hold both my hands out for him to take my list and for me to take his list at the same time.
“No looking at it until tomorrow,” he says, holding his list up.
“No looking until tomorrow,” I repeat.
After we exchange our Christmas list, we watch TV and talk a little about the wedding. Mason, Vincent, and Donovan are due to get fitted for their tux’s this week. Mason evades any talk of our honeymoon. He just says he is still planning it.
It’s Wednesday and Sara, Brea, and I are heading out to do some Christmas shopping at the Brandon Mall. Vincent, Donovan, and Mason are at home having a guys’ night in with Arturo. I haven’t looked at Mason’s Christmas list because I’m almost afraid to.
In Florida, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas to anyone originally from Ohio, like Brea and Sara. I am originally from LA, so it feels like Christmas to me. We are wearing sweaters, jeans, and boots, although it’s in the 50’s. The boots are a girl thing. There is no chance of snow, but boots are a must for any girl in winter.
“I can’t believe it’s the Christmas season and we are shopping in 50 degree weather,” Brea states.
“I know, that’s why we moved to Florida. People in Ohio are shoveling snow, already,” Sara smiles.
“We should take pictures and post them all over Facebook,” Brea laughs.
“Good idea, they’ll all hate us.”
“Maybe that will be enough to get them down here for a visit.”
Christmas music is playing on the surround sound at the mall. Santa and his elves are in the middle of the mall with a large Christmas tree and fireplace set up to make a makeshift workshop. It feels like Christmas time and I love that.
“Come on, we have to get a cup of Christmas,” Brea says, excitedly, when she see a Starbucks nearby.
“Cup of Christmas? What’s that?”
“Oh, you won’t believe it. It’s a frozen Chai Tea, and it tastes just like Christmas time,” Sara explains.
&
nbsp; “I doubt that, but ok.”
Sara and Brea wait in line at Starbucks and I reach in my purse to look over Mason’s Christmas list. I haven’t looked at it yet — I was afraid to. I sit down and slowly open his folded piece of paper.
Angel, Christmas came early for me this year. When I saw you on Vincent’s boat that first time, I knew I would never want or need anything else in my life. My life is filled with everything I have ever wanted. Thank you. The only thing that would make it complete is for you to be my wife, and then I will truly have everything. I love you. Mason
Mason
I look at Angel’s Christmas list when she is in the bathroom getting ready for bed. I promised I would wait until tomorrow, but I lied. I want to make sure I am able to get everything on her list.
Just as I expected, she didn’t list anything worthy of her. (1) Gold hoop earrings, (2) Bruno Mars C.D., (3) Gift card for a mani/pedi, (4) Victoria Secret, Hello Darling body spray (5) A 3-wick candle from Bath and Body Works. I smile and then frown. This is my girl’s Christmas list. So simple and plain. She is so much more than plain or simple. I refold the list and lay it on my dresser. I hurry into bed and wait for her to join me.
“Does your family do anything special for Christmas?” Angel asks, as she scoots under the covers.
“Mom usually cooks Christmas dinner and we have our gift exchange then. Is there something you want us to do? Have Maria and Raùl over for Christmas?”
“We have a Christmas Eve tradition. We throw a party every year for family and friends. It’s mostly appetizers and ham and turkey sandwiches. Do you think it will be all right to have a party this year, here?”
“Angel, this is our home. If you want to throw a party on Christmas Eve, then we will have the biggest party ever.”
“Are you sure? I know it’s so close to our wedding.”
“It’s our family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than with the people we love the most.”
“Good, I’ll let everyone know. We are only a little over a week away.”
The next few days I get everything on Angel’s Christmas list and have the store giftwrap the items. I upgraded a few items on her list and added a few other items. Today, Angel is going Christmas shopping with Sara and Brea. I called Sara up and asked her to shop for Angel tonight. I tell her whatever Angel shows an interest in, to get it and say it’s for someone else. I meet Sara after work and give her some money for her shopping spree with Angel.
Angel walks into the house carrying a few bags after her shopping spree with Sara and Brea. I went to Vincent’s house to hang out, but decided not to stay long. I wanted to get ready for a night home with Angel. I cleaned the already cleaned house, lit some of her cranberry-scented holiday candles, plugged the Christmas tree in, and turned on the gas fireplace because I know how much she likes its ambience.
When she comes home, I stand up from the couch and set my Scotch down on the coffee table. “Do you need any help with those?”
“No, thank you. I have everything.” Angel goes into the spare bedroom and returns empty handed. She makes another quick trip to the car and locks up the house when she re-enters.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” I ask, still standing.
“Nope, that was the last trip. Would you pour me a glass of a wine while I change?”
“Absolutely, did you have a good time?” I ask, heading into the kitchen to get her a glass of white wine.
“I’ll get to that in a minute.”
Angel disappears into our bedroom, and I wonder what she is talking about. I pour her a glass of wine and wait for her to return. She made two trips carrying shopping bags. Certainly that is a clear sign of a successful shopping spree. She returns, wearing a pair of gray sweat pants and a white tee shirt. She sits beside me and leans over to kiss me.
“I missed you, too. Did you have a good time?”
“No, I had a great time. But, do you know how hard it is to shop for someone without having any idea of what to get them?”
“I thought we were going to shop for our families together.”
“We are, it’s you I’m talking about. I went to read your Christmas list and was shocked when there wasn’t one.”
“You are just now reading my list? I read your list the night we wrote them.”
Angel laughs and smacks my arm. “You promised me you would wait to read it until the next day.”
“Oh yeah, about that. I lied. I read it that night when you were getting ready for bed. I wanted to make sure I would have time to get everything you wanted.”
“I see. Do you lie often?” she smiles.
“We’re not talking about me. Why didn’t you read my list until now?”
“Well, to be honest. I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” I ask, taking a sip of my iced Scotch.
“Of your list. You kept writing and joking about needing more paper. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to afford everything you wanted.” She sits back into the couch and pulls her quilt over her lap.
“So I take it, you had enough money for everything?” I say, winking at her.
“Mason, that was the sweetest note anyone has written to me. If you weren’t so sweet, I would be upset with you,” she says, leaning into the crook of my arm.
I kiss the top of her head and inhale her scent. “It’s true. There isn’t one thing I want or need, except you.”
“Do you know how hard it is to shop for someone who has everything?”
“Just put a bow around you on Christmas morning and that is all I want. Pretty easy, I would say.”
“Mason, now I have no idea what to get you. I’m running out of time. Our first Christmas together and I wanted it to be special.”
“Beauty, with you here, it’s already special.”
The next few days I do a little more shopping for Angel and pick up the items from Sara that she bought for her from me. Angel sneaks around the house and checks the mail quickly when she sees the mail truck. We shop together for Raùl and Maria; Mom, Dad, and Madison; Carl and Josephine, and our friends. Angel has family in Puerto Rico whom she shops for and sends the gifts over there for them. I know she speaks to her cousins and distant relatives infrequently.
I secretly make phone calls to Raùl and visit the jewelers’ store often. I want to make sure our wedding rings are perfect. Angel and I shop for groceries for our Christmas Eve party tonight. Our wedding is one week from tonight and it can’t come quick enough.
“Mason, will you help me zip this?” Angel yells from another room.
Angel and I still haven’t made love, and I found it was easier for me to start showering and dressing in one of the spare bedrooms. It is becoming quite difficult to keep my composure. I feel like I’m one big walking hard-on. Please be fully dressed, please be fully dressed, I silently pray.
“I’m coming,” I say, walking into our bedroom while straightening my tie. Angel is standing near the bed, wearing a red form-fitting dress. Her back is to me and she is stepping into a pair of black stilettos. Her long black curly hair is pulled over to one shoulder revealing her bare back.
“Wow” is all I say.
She turns around and smiles at me. “I’m not completely dressed yet. Maybe once you zip it, you won’t be saying that.”
“Beauty, you are still stunning.”
She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. “Your ability to compliment me is why I love you. Well, that is one of many reasons why I love you.”
“And I love you wearing that dress, now turn around.” I zip her dress, and it is a perfect fit. She turns around and kisses me again.
“One week from today, we’ll be getting married.” I smile and I lift her up and kiss her again.
“Mr. and Mrs. Myles,” she smiles.
“I wish it was tonight.”
“Me, too.” I set her down and she straightens my tie. “Do you have a pin for your tie? It keeps moving to the sid
e.”
“No, I don’t have one. It’s because it’s a new tie and it’s still stiff.”
“No tie pins, huh? Hold on.” Angel walks over to her dresser and pulls out a small red gift with a white ribbon and bow.
“Here, an early gift.”
“Another tradition?”
“I can’t help it. I’m an old-fashioned girl.” She smiles.
I walk over to my nightstand and pull out a gift wrapped in gold paper with a red bow. Walking over to her, I can’t help but smile. I hand her the small gift and say, “You first.”
She places the gift she is holding on top of the bed and takes the one I am holding.
“Mason, I already know without looking at it that it is too much.”
“Just open it.”
Angel carefully removes the wrapper revealing a Jareds jewelry box. She looks up from the box to me. I nod towards the box. She carefully removes the lid and stares at the diamond and gold necklace and matching earrings in the box. I just watch her. She doesn’t say anything but gently runs her fingers over them.
“Here, let me,” I say, reaching for the jewelry box. She still doesn’t say anything but just stares at the necklace. I remove the diamond and gold necklace and hold it out for her to see.
“That is the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen.” She looks at me with tears in her eyes.
“Turn around, Beauty.”
She does. She always does what I ask. She knows I would never hurt her or put her in harm’s way. I fasten the necklace and she automatically touches it. I walk her to the full-length mirror for her to see. Her tears are streaming down her flawless face.
“It’s beautiful, you shouldn’t have.”
“Angel, it doesn’t even compare to your beauty,” I say, wiping the tears from her cheek. “You’re messing up your makeup,” I lie.
She laughs and sniffles. “Please give me my present now,” I say.
“I almost don’t want to give it to you.”
I clear my throat and hold my hand out for my gift.
She laughs and walks over to the bed to get it. “All right, but don’t laugh.”
“Never.” I smile and carefully remove the red wrapper. I don’t say it, but it has been a while since I have been excited about receiving a Christmas gift. Julia would buy me thoughtless gifts such as an expensive but ugly glow-in-the-dark garden gnome that I donated to Goodwill but told her was stolen. She also once gave me a certificate for a colonic. Christmas was always about me gifting to her. The worst gift she ever gave me was … naw, I don’t want to think about it, but when she gave it to me I thought about making her Valentine’s Day gift a mop. The second-worst Christmas present she ever got me was a book titled The Idiot’s Guide for Dummies to Teach Them How to Please a Woman in Bed. Yeah, Julia was the type of girl who would bring as gifts diapers to a virgin’s bridal shower or a sex manual to a 100-year-old man’s birthday party. Julia liked for me to buy her really expensive perfume, but if she wants to smell really good she should rub onions and garlic behind her ears — only one thing smells better than Italian food, and that is Angel.
Starting Over Trilogy Boxset Page 51