The Unexpected Gift

by D. L. Gallie

  “Thank you, Ms. Adams. But as we both know, I know crap all when it comes to wine,” I remind with a wink in reply. “But I’m growing to know and appreciate wines…especially vermelho”

  Still staring at one another, she nods and smirks at me. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, when I open them, I stare out the window and spill everything. “My father is an alcoholic. He’d have the occasional beer before Ma passed. When he lost his job, he started to heavily drink. After Ma died, it got worse. When I lost her, I lost him too. Not that I really had him before hand. He’d put me down at every opportunity. To me, he’d treat Ma like crap but she loved him unconditionally.” I shake my head. “I never understood why Ma was with him. I think I can count on one hand the number of happy memories that involve the three of us.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It’s funny, to this day, I don’t think he and I have spoken about her since she passed.”

  “Gage, he’s probably grieving himself. Yes, he shut you out, and that sucks ass, but they obviously loved each other deeply, and when she died, a part of him died too. He probably didn’t know how to cope without her.” I go to say something, but she raises her hand to stop me. “I’m not excusing his behavior, but losing the one you love must be tough.”

  “I guess so.”

  “And just think, you wouldn’t be the wonderful, caring man you are if all of that had not happened.”

  Marlee leans forward, grabs the wine from the bucket and tops off our glasses. She sits back next to me and raises her glass. “A toast, to Mrs. Grainger. The best mom a little boy could ask for.”

  With a sad smile, I clink my glass against hers and whisper, “To Ma.”

  We sit in comfortable silence for a while; drinking our wine and watching the snowfall. She snuggles into my side and we talk about the toy drive tomorrow. I’m actually excited to be involved this year, and I know that Ma would be impressed, I laugh.

  “What are you laughing at?” she enquires.

  “Ma would be so happy to know I’m actually helping. She always went above and beyond when it came to Christmas and the less fortunate. She’d bake hundreds of cookies for the church, and then she’d drop gifts off to the shelters around the area.” I smile. “You and she would have gotten along like a house on fire. She’d love you, l just like I do.”

  She looks over at me and smiles. “I love you too.” She leans up and places her lips against my cheek. “She’d be so proud of you, Gage.” She sits back down, and we continue to watch the snow fall, drink our wine, and nibble on the platter.

  When the wine is finished and the hamper is empty, we rearrange the pillows and grab the duvet off the bed. We get comfortable on the floor and snuggle together. The animosity and angst from when I first arrived has disappeared. Both Marlee and I are now relaxed and back in our happy bubble. I like our bubble and I hope it never pops.

  We finish another bottle of wine, and by the window we make love all night long.

  15

  It’s toy drive day and I’m amazed at what we, well, Chelle, Kasey, and Marlee, have pulled off in such a short amount of time. Everything is going to plan, until Marlee receives a call that threatens to derail everything.

  “No, no, no,” Marlee wails as she throws her phone down on the table.

  “What’s wrong?” The three of us ask in unison.

  “We have no Santa!” Marlee cries.

  “Huh?” I ask.

  Kasey says, “Shit.”

  And Chelle just shrugs nonchalantly and shoves another strip of licorice in her mouth.

  “We have no Santa. The one we had booked just got hit by a car on his way to pick up the suit.”

  “Ohh, crap balls,” Kasey says. “What are we going to do now?”

  “Do you need a Santa? Can’t we just chuck the presents under the tree, let the kids have at them, and be done with it?” I ask.

  “No,” Marlee snaps. “After the kids do their Christmas parade, Santa was to arrive and give out the presents. The kids have been so excited to meet Santa.”

  “I’ve got it,” Kasey says, looking at me, and I don’t like the look she has on her face. “You,” she points at me, “will dress as Santa for us.”

  “Yes!” Marlee excitedly shouts.

  Chelle laughs, “I’ll pay to see that.”

  “Nope, nah ah, not happening.”

  “Yes, it's happening,” Kasey affirms.

  “Nah, uh, Buttercup.” She glares at me, digs her phone out of her pocket, and dials. “Babe, it’s me, can you stop at the costume store on Stanton Blvd and pick up the Santa outfit?” She stops and listens for a moment. “No, Gage is suiting up.” Through the phone I can hear Kody laughing his ass off. “Thanks, babe. See you soon.”

  “All sorted,” Kasey gloats.

  “You owe me,” I warn Kasey. She shrugs her shoulders and goes back to wrapping presents.

  Marlee walks over and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you so much, Gage. This would have been a disaster if you hadn’t agreed to do this.”

  “I didn’t actually agree. You three railroaded me.”

  Marlee leans into my ear and huskily whispers, “I’ll make it worth your while tonight,” before nipping my earlobe. My dick immediately sparks to life.

  “You better,” I huff.

  Three hours later, I’m dressed as Santa and handing out the gifts. This afternoon has been so much fun, not that I’ll tell the girls that. Seeing the enjoyment on the kids’ faces makes it all worthwhile, but seeing the joy on Marlee’s face, that’s the icing on the cake.

  After handing the last gift out, I say my goodbyes to all the kids. They excitedly wave and scream when I exit the room; it is deafening but thrilling to see the excitement on their little faces.

  I’m in the back office, about to change, when the door swings open. Spinning around, I see Marlee standing there. She has the biggest smile on her face; she stalks toward me, pulls the fake beard down, grips my cheeks, and kisses me. She covers my mouth with her lips, sweeping her tongue inside, tangling with mine. This kiss is hot. She breaks the kiss and stares at me. “Thank you, Gage. You were the best Santa. Without you, this afternoon just wouldn’t have been the same.”

  “I actually had fun, but don’t tell Kasey that.”

  “Your secret is safe with me, Santa. Can I just say, you are the sexiest Santa I have ever seen.”

  “Well, you are the sexiest elf I have ever kissed.”

  “How many elves have you kissed?”

  “A Santa never tells,” I cheekily reply.

  We stare at one another intently; the air around us thick with lust, arousal, and desire. The moment is broken when Kasey walks in. “Dude, you rocked it. Who knew you would be an amazing Santa?”

  “I did,” Marlee says, staring hungrily a me. Her eyes roaming over my body. If Kasey wasn’t here, I’d lift up Marlee’s dress and fuck the life out of her.

  “Well, yeah, whatever, get changed; since it’s Friday, we are all heading to Bin 501 for celebration drinks.” Before we can reply, she grabs her bag and walks out, slamming the door behind her.

  Thirty minutes later, Marlee and I walk into Bin 501, hand in hand. We find everyone in the back and head over. When they notice me, in unison everyone chants, “HO! HO! HO!”

  “Shut up, assholes,” I scoff, as I pull the finger at everyone, but secretly I’m enjoying the attention. This is the first Christmas in twenty years that I’m happy, and it’s all to do with the woman next to me. Draping my arm over her shoulder, I pull her into me and place a kiss on the side of her head.

  Kody and Branson walk over to the table with bottles of red and white wine. They place them down and begin to open them. Branson looks to Marlee and me. “Red or white?”

  “White,” we both answer.

  Marlee leans into me and whispers, “And what’s it called again?”

  “Vermelho,” I reply with a smirk.

  “That’s my new fav wine,” she says back, placing a kiss on my jawl
ine before she turns her attention to Branson, and they start talking about wine and shit.

  With a glass in hand, I walk to the side of the group and watch. I’m not really a people person; I prefer to blend into the background. Kasey spies me, grabs a bottle of white, and walks over to me. Without asking, she tops off my glass and stares at me. “What?” I ask.

  “You look happy.”

  My eyes drift over to Marlee. “I am. I don’t think I have ever been this happy.”

  She rests her palm on my arm, “I’m happy for you, Gage. You deserve to be,” she nods her head toward Marlee, “and so does she.”

  “She’s it for me, Kasey. I know I’ve only known her for a few weeks but, I can’t explain it, I just know.”

  “Dude, I totally know what you mean. If you guys have what Kody and I have, then I’m happy for you both.”

  “Thanks, Kase,” I say, as I pull her in for a sideways hug. My eyes are locked on Marlee and I watch her walk over to us.

  “Get your hands off my man,” she playfully teases.

  “Babe, he’s all yours. Especially, when I have that hunk-o-spunk over there.” We look over to see Kody, Branson, and Chelle laughing. Kody looks over to us and you can see the love in his eyes for his fiancée…it’s similar to the love I have for Marlee.

  She wraps her arm around my waist, she feels amazing in my arms. As I stare at her, a fucking crazy idea forms; I totally blame it on the wine I’ve just drunk. I lean in and whisper, “Wanna get out of here? I have a surprise for you.”

  She looks up at me and nods. Grabbing Marlee’s hand, we say goodbye to everyone, and I drag her out of the bar. “I think you are going to like what I have in store for you,” I whisper into her ear as we wait for our cab.

  She squeezes my ass and coos, “As long as it involves your cock, then I’m sure I will.”

  Grinning at her, I don’t say anything in reply, I just raise my eyebrows suggestively at her and she giggles. Her giggle shoots straight to my cock, and suddenly, I can’t wait to get back to her place.

  After what feels like an eternity, a cab finally pulls up. We climb in and I give the driver Marlee’s address. We turn to one another and make out like teenagers. We totally could have walked, but I’m horny and excited for what I have in store.

  16

  Standing in Marlee’s bedroom, with my back to the door, I’m stark naked, except for a Santa hat and a red present sack which I have slung over my right shoulder. My heart is erratically racing—not with nerves—but excitement. Shaking my head, I take a deep breath. “Now or never,” I mumble to myself, but before I can sing out that I have my surprise ready, Marlee yells though the door, “Can I come in yet?”

  The sounds of her voice zings through my body. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, and whisper to myself, “Let’s do this.”

  Confidently, I shout, “Yep, you can come in now.”

  The room is silent, except for my nervous, heavy breathing. The door clicks open and I can hear Marlee’s footsteps approaching, but she doesn’t say anything. I feel her presence even though I can’t see her; I can always sense she’s near. She hasn’t spoken a word and I’m too nervous to speak.

  She’s right behind me. The air around us is electric. She squeezes my ass, causing me to yelp in surprise. I feel her breath at my ear. “Ho. Ho. Ho,” she huskily purrs, her hot breath causing my cock to twitch in excitement. She snakes her hand around my stomach and circles my navel. I drop the sack and reach back, threading my fingers in her hair. She kisses my neck and traces a line down my stomach toward my cock. She grips me tight in her fist and strokes. I can feel her smiling behind me. I try to spin around to see her, but she whispers, “Uhhh uh, let me do this.” She nibbles on my neck, as I close my eyes and lose myself in the moment.

  With my eyes still closed, I concentrate on her touch. Her stokes are light but frenzied. I don’t want to come like this. Gripping her hand, I pause her motion and spin around. My mouth drops open at the vision before me. She is wearing a red and white mesh teddy, Santa hat, and what I’m hoping is a G-string. My eyes drift down her body and her feet are encased in the sexiest pair of black fuck-me heels I have ever seen.

  “Fuck me,” I mumble.

  She leans forward and presses her lips against mine. “Let me unwrap your present first, and then I can,” she whispers, her voice deep and ever so sexy.

  Stepping back, she slides her finger under the strap of her teddy and traces along the edge. My eyes lock on her finger as she skims the tip, ever so lightly, across the top of her breasts. Circling her nipple through the mesh before flipping open the clasp between her tits. The material falls away and her breasts spring free. Licking my lips, I want nothing more than to step forward and bury my face between them. I’ve always been a tits and ass man, and Marlee has the most amazing tits and ass ever. She slides the material down her arms and the teddy flutters to the carpet, pooling at her feet. She sensually slides her hands down her sides, into the band of her panties, hooking her finger on the edge, she pulls them down her legs and steps out of them. She is now standing before me in nothing but a Santa hat and heels…sexiest thing I have ever seen.

  “That’s not fair,” I whine, “you unwrapped my present.”

  She shrugs her shoulders at me before stepping forward. Her nipples are erect and she’s close enough to me that I can feel the heat of them on my skin. Wrapping my arms around her, I tug her into my chest and slam my lips against hers. She drapes her arms over my shoulders, pressing our bodies closer together. She deepens the kiss and moans into my mouth as our tongues slide and explore each other’s mouth.

  Stepping back, I sit on the edge of the bed and pull Marlee so she’s straddling me. She shimmies forward, her pussy precariously close to my erection. She begins to move her hips, seeking out my cock. Grinning into the kiss, I flip her onto her back, spread her legs wide with my knees, and thrust inside of her. We both moan at the intrusion as I begin the piston in and out of her. She wraps her legs around me, allowing me in deeper. She wriggles her hips beneath me, matching my movements.

  “I’m coming,” she moans. “Gaaaaaage,” she squeals, as her climax detonates. When she groans my name and squeezes my ass, it sets me off and I come inside her.

  “Wow,” I murmur into her neck, as I come back to Earth.

  “Wow, indeed,” she breathlessly replies. “You really do rock as Santa.”

  We both laugh, as I flop back onto the bed and shimmy us up to the headboard and pillows. She rolls off me, onto her side, and snuggles into me.

  “I love you, Marlee,” I whisper, as I place a kiss on the side of her head.

  “Love you too,” she mumbles before falling asleep in my arms…this is now my most favorite way to fall asleep: Marlee naked and snuggled into my side.

  We spend the weekend naked and fucking like rabbits. We christen every surface in her and my apartments. We’ve never been closer than we are now, and each night we drift off to sleep blissfully happy in each others’ arms…but our bliss bubble pops the very next day.

  17

  It’s Monday and Christmas is just over a week away. The morning is slowly dragging by. I’m staring out the window when my phone pings with a text, I smile when I see it’s Marlee.

  Marlee: Wanna do lunch?

  Gage: I wanna do you…

  Marlee: So that’s a yes?

  Gage: Can’t do lunch.

  Marlee: Dinner then?

  Gage: Dinner is always a yes with you, baby.

  When and where?

  Marlee: Ummm, my place. Anytime after work

  Gage: It’s a date.

  Marlee: smiley face emoji

  Gage: thumbs-up emoji

  With a smile on my face, I know I won’t get a reply. Marlee thinks the thumbs-up emoji is rude, but to my surprise my phone pings again.

  Marlee: middle finger emoji

  I can’t help but laugh, this woman is perfect for me. With renewed vigor, I jump in and finalize the m
arketing for February and Valentine's Day. Before I know it, it’s home time. Finally.

  Racing home, I jump in the shower, quickly wash and change before I head over to Marlee’s for dinner, and dessert will be her.

  Having her across the road is great because I can get there quickly as possible.

  As usual, someone is coming out so I can sneak in and surprise her. With a pep in my step, which happens quite often lately, I exit the elevator and walk down the hallway to her door. I can hear voices inside and deflate a little as I wanted it to be just us this evening. Raising my hand, I knock on the door. It swings open and my mouth drops open when I see who belongs to the other voice.

  “Hello, Gage,” he says.

  My eyes are locked on his. My blood is boiling, as I snap my gaze to Marlee. She has a worried look on her face, and so she should. “Why is he here, Marlee?”

  I’m seething. This is not how I expected my night to go. “Gage, please.” She carefully places her hand on my arm, “Come in and I’ll explain.”

  “Nope, I’m good here.”

  “Don’t be an ass,” she snaps, “Get in my apartment now.”

  “I like her,” he declares to me.

  “No,” I snarl, as I push past Marlee toward the one person who I never thought I would see in Marlee’s apartment. “You don’t get to side with her. It’s bad enough that you are here.” Pausing, I take a deep calming—not so calming—breath. “Why are you here, Dad?”

  “Marlee invited me.”

  “What?” I snap, my blood beginning to boil with anger.

  Marlee walks over to me, grabs my hand, and laces our fingers together. “Gage, please. Sit down and I’ll explain.”

  Pulling my hand from hers, I throw my hands in the air in an exasperated manner. “Yes, please explain how the one person in the world—who I have no fucking desire to see—is in your apartment.” Walking over to the window, I then spin around in anger. “And how the fuck are you two in contact?”