A few days pass and I do not do much of anything other than lie around and rest. The pain meds make me sleepy and my head hurts like hell. I lie in bed for a while before I get up and start to work on my college applications. I spend most of the day just answering questions. It isn’t until I have to do the essays that I make my way down stairs to ask for some help. I have all my college applications spread across the table. They want me to write about my life, so mom and I are trying to come up with ideas. I am stuck, because there is nothing special about me, it shouldn't be this hard. But when you live a normal, uneventful life, what can you really write?
Looking to my mom for advice, “I could tell them about the time I volunteered at the children’s hospital during Christmas, what do you think?”
While stirring the gravy, “That's a great idea sweetie, and it shows you have a big heart.”
Thinking on that for a moment, I ask, “Or what about the time I fell off the horse and got right back on. I did end up winning first place in the Barrel Race.”
Mom shakes her head in disagreement, “Um, that time not so much. It shows you’re a klutz.”
Sneering at her, “Thanks mom. Way to make me feel loved.” I shoot back; giving her an eye roll.
Laughing at me, “I wouldn't pick on you so much if I didn't love you, silly girl.”
Understanding a little better, “Yea, that makes sense. Okay!”
Tasting the gravy mom questions me, “Have you thought anymore about what you want to major in?”
“Actually yes, with both my parents in the medical field, it would make sense to go that route. I think I want to be a midwife.”
“Why don’t you just do obstetrics, that way you can be a doctor and make a good living?”
Understanding her point of view, I tell her, “I guess I could, I just like the idea of a midwife.”
I start to clear the things from the table. We are having Damon over for Christmas Eve dinner, since he is supposed to celebrate tomorrow with his mom and dad. For that reason, we decided that we would exchange gifts tonight. I set the table and as I am almost done, I hear the doorbell. Dad opens the door and greets Damon, “It’s nice to see you again son.”
Damon smiles pleasantly and replies, “You too sir.” Dad points to the kitchen and tells Damon, “Arissa is in the kitchen helping her mom with dinner.”
“Ok, thanks,” as Damon makes his way to the kitchen. I turn to place the plates on the table and catch a glimpse of him walking this way. He is actually dressed up. He is wearing dress pants and a long-sleeve black and white striped dress shirt. He has his hair slicked back, my mouth falls open and I feel my stomach flutter with butterflies. He gives me that grin and I smile big knowing that he is all mine. He comes to my side, puts his arms around me, and kisses my cheek.
I hear my mom saying, “None of that now,” we just laugh.
Damon then walks over to greet my mom, “Merry Christmas Mrs. Perry.”
She pats his arm, “Merry Christmas Damon,” with a small smile.
“Thank you, is there anything I can help with?”
Mom looks to the table and says, “You can set the table while Arissa fills the drinks.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
We are having pot roast with potatoes and homemade yeast rolls, which smell amazing. We all gather at the table and start passing all the fixings around. Damon is the first to sample the feast before us and with a smile, he proceeds to tell my mom how wonderful everything tastes.
We finish our dinner and walk into the living room. I sit down by the tree and pick out his gift I bought him. He takes his gift from his pocket. After eyeing how small the package is, I start to wonder what he got me. “So, let’s open them at the same time,” Damon says eyeing his gift in my hands.
I agree, “Okay.” I start to open mine and I see that he has stopped and is intently watching me. I see that it is some kind of jewelry box. I open it slowly my mouth falls open as I turn my eyes towards Damon. I can't believe he has bought me a ring. After a few moments of me just staring at him, I snap out of my daze. “It’s beautiful, Damon.”
Conveying his sincerity, he says, “Just like you. It’s a promise ring. I want to marry you one day and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you promise to always be mine?”
At that moment, everything comes rushing through my mind, my doubts about our future together; I love Damon, but am I ready to give him forever? Our lives seem to be on different paths. Me going off to college and having a career and him not really planning to do much of anything, do I really want this? He is looking at me with hopeful eyes and I do not have the heart to deny him anything in this moment. “Yes, I promise to be yours always.”
With more enthusiasm than I can take, he kisses me. When he is satisfied, he starts to open his gift. Well I feel like an idiot because all I got him was new pool stick. I know how much he loves to play pool. He is always hustling people for their money, but a little bit of a bad boy is hot, right? Damon checks out his new gift and says, “A new pool stick, that’s cool. Thank you so much I needed a new one.”
Feeling a little down, “You’re welcome. Do you really like it?”
With those meaningful eyes, he tells me, “Yes, I love it.”
“I can’t help, but feel like it isn’t enough.”
“It’s plenty. I am more than happy with it. I can’t wait to use it.”
Damon’s cell rings. “Hello. Yes mom, I will be there soon. Ok. Bye,” he hangs up the phone. Regretfully, he speaks to me, “Sorry. That was my mom and I have to go.”
I watch him as he stands and I finally speak, “Its ok, I understand,” with a low voice.
He extends his hand to help me up and pulls me into his arms whispering in my ear, “I wish I didn’t have to go.”
Pouting, “Really it’s ok; I just thought we would have more time together.”
One last squeeze and he articulates his displeasure, “I know, please tell your parents thank you for dinner.”
Trying to be positive, I beam up at him and say, “Thank you for the ring. It is too much though. I really love it.”
“That’s good, because I really do love you.”
I push my lips to his showing him just how much I love him, as I pull away I utter, “I love you too.” We walk out the door and I watch him as he walks to his car. When he gets to his car door, I yell at him, “Drive safe.”
Waving back, “I will, call you later Babe.”
I smile and yell back, “You better.”
The nerve of that little bastard, I cannot believe he just asked my girl to marry him. Over my dead body, he is no better than his father is; he probably cannot keep his pecker in his pants. I swear if he hurts my girl, I will break his face. Replaying what just happened in my head I get a growing suspicion that Arissa is not as into him as he is her. God, I hope she dumps him.
I mosey on into the kitchen thinking about what just happened. I show my mom the ring with an apprehensive look. Taking my hand in hers, she studies it. “Wow, things must be getting serious.”
“I guess they are. I just can’t help but feel uneasy about the situation now that he is gone,” taking my hand back and placing it on the counter.
With a motherly smile she looks into my eyes, “I can understand that. You haven’t been dating that long and he is already trying to propose to you. That is a bit much.”
I look down, my emotions in a fluster, “What should I do? He doesn’t plan on going to college and I am one foot out the door already.”
“Have you talked to him about this?”
Looking unsure, I affirm her suspicions, “Well kind of. He says that he can get a job wherever I choose to go away to college. That just makes me feel even more uncertain.”
Squeezing my hand, “Well honey, you don’t have to decide your fate now. I would just let it go for now and enjoy the fact that you have a man that wants you that much.”
Placing my hands over my face in frustration,
“I guess you are right. I can always change my mind later if I need to. Alright, I’m going to go to bed, night mom.” Mom embraces me in her reassuring arms and whispers, “I love you baby, goodnight.”
Listening in, I over hear her tell her mother that she is nervous and uneasy about this. I feel a lot better about the situation now that I have heard that. I knew she was smarter than that.
Still irritated at the way I handled the situation with Damon, I pull on my long white t-shirt and a pair of boy shorts. I snuggle into my bed ready for sleep. Once I drift off to my dream world, I meet up with my dream guy on the beach the sun is shining in the distance leaving a glow upon the ocean.
He is standing there in a white dress shirt and his jeans are rolled up around his ankles. His shirt is open, waving in the wind making him look so damn sexy. I run to him and he embraces me with such strength. I wrap my legs around his waist as he lifts me up. I feel him spin us around and I lean my head back and smile with pleasure.
He leans down into me and plants feathery kisses down my neck. I wiggle a little trying to break free from his amorous assault. He grips my waist tight while holding me firmly to him. I feel him growing hard between my legs then he rocks my hips so I rub against his erection. I whimper a little as my sex pulses with excitement. I have this sudden urge to rip his clothes off and do ungodly things to him right here on this beach for all to see.
Chapter 4
I slowly open my eyes and look to my alarm clock and it is a little after nine in the morning. I am still tired; I don’t think I slept very well. I turn to roll out of bed and then it hits me; it’s Christmas morning. I put on my pink fuzzy slippers, grab the matching robe and run down the stairs.
I find mom in the kitchen making coffee and dad is sitting on the couch watching the Macy’s day parade. I snatch a soda from the fridge, pop the top and take a big gulp. I notice that mom is watching me as if I am a weirdo, I ask, “What?”
“Thirsty much?” Mom says.
I let out a fake sigh of exasperation, “Um actually I am just really tired and I need the caffeine; I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Oh honey, I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, it is Christmas after all. It should get better.”
“Yes, Merry Christmas honey!”
“You too mom.” I give her a quick hug.
I watch as she puts the coffee on a tray and leaves, to deliver it to dad. I follow her out the door, when dad comes into view I yell out enthusiastically, “Merry Christmas Dad.”
Smiling back at me, “Same to you baby. Are you ready to open your gifts?”
I look at him as if he just asked the dumbest question ever, “Duh, I am always ready!” I respond.
He shakes his head at me and then crawls over to the tree; he sits next to it and looks at the presents. He is so slow; I think he likes to draw this out to increase our frustration. He picks through the gifts until he finds the one he wants me to open. I tear into the paper and beam with excitement when I see it is the sweater I have been wanting from Aero. Aeropostale is my favorite store; I could spend hundreds of dollars in there in no time. I stand up and yell, “Thanks you guys I love it!”
Smiling back at me they reply in unison, “You’re welcome.”
Dad hands mom her gift next. I watch her as she rips into it like I did. That must be where I get it. I sit there in anticipation awaiting her reaction, as she opens the lid and I see tears fill her eyes. It’s a necklace with a charm that has my name on it. “Mom, do you like it?”
“Oh, honey it’s absolutely perfect. I adore it.” She crawls over to me and hugs me to her so tight. We both start to cry.
“I figured when I go away to college, you can keep it with you to feel close to me.”
Wiping her tears away, “Oh honey, I will I promise. Jake would you be a dear and put this on me?”
I watch my dad place the necklace on my mom, in awe of the love they share, they are so adorable. Dad smoothes out her hair and she turns to kiss him, “Thanks honey!”
“You’re welcome sweetheart.” He whispers.
I chuckle at their mushiness. “Ok, let’s get back to Christmas.” I walk past them, grab dad’s gift, and hand it to him. Now dad is the slow one, he takes the gift and feels around it. Then of course, he has to make an educated guess as to what it is. One year I wrapped his gift in like ten different boxes trying to stop him, because every year since I was a kid, he could tell me what I bought him before it was open. This year I did not care, I have kind of giving up on that game. Therefore, I watch him patiently waiting as he shakes it and then feels it. “It’s a watch.”
Laughing, “Would you open it already?” He just chuckles and then opens the paper slowly. I yell to him, “Any day now would be nice!”
He sneers at me at then rips the paper off, “I was right, it’s a new watch! Exactly what I need.”
I smile, “I know that’s why I got you this one. It is waterproof and it still looks nice.” Its black metal with a turquoise screen, it doesn’t have numbers just lines. I think it will look good with his every day work attire. He opens it to put it on and I wait for him to see the inscription on the back. It’s says, ‘As time goes on I will remain your little girl forever’. However, he doesn’t notice it and I can’t bring myself to tell him. I want him to be surprised by it.
There are so many gifts; I got mom a bottle of her favorite perfume Chanel Number Five. Dad got some golf clubs. I received a ton of new clothes. I start to help clean up the wrapping paper and bring my things to my room.
While walking back from my room I hear dad yell, “Arissa dear, there is a box down here with your name on it I must have missed.”
I hurry down the stairs; it’s small like a jewelry box. I open it and find a key inside. I look at the key dumb-founded before I realize it has a Mitsubishi logo on it, “Really? You got me a car?”
Laughing they respond, “Yes, we bought you a car. Do you want to go see it?”
Excitedly, I jump up and down. “Yes, Yes! I can’t believe I got a car, Yay!”
I run to the front door and in the drive way is a shiny silvery blue Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider. I start jumping up and down with such excitement I have tears of joy streaming down my face I am so happy. I hug mom and dad tight and tell them thank you about a million times. I ask, “Can I drive it?”
Mom answers sarcastically, “Well honey that is what it is for!”
Shaking my head at her, I said, “I know that, but can I drive it now? Do you mind if I go show Damon real quick?”
Dad responds first, “No, we don’t mind, just don’t be gone long.”
Quickly replying, “I won’t I promise, again thank you guys so much; I love it.”
“We are glad that you do dear.”
Then dad pipes in, “Drive safely and hurry home.”
Jumping in the car I roll down the window and yell, “I will, I love you guys,” as I pull out the drive.
I get to Damon’s house in about five minutes. He doesn’t live far from my house. I am so excited when I pull into his drive. I texted him on my way over and told him to meet me out side for a minute. The door opens and Damon comes out.
Climbing out of my new car I say, “Hey, how do you like my new car?”
Looking it over, “It’s really nice. I am happy for you.”
I yelp in response, “Thanks, I was so excited I just had to show you.”
Damon utters, “Well I don’t mean to be short, but I have to go. My dad is in the house and we are in the middle of opening gifts. I got bitched at for you coming over and interrupting.”
Feeling bad now, “I’m sorry. Please tell them I said Merry Christmas. I hope you have a good day. I love you, call me later.”
Pulling me in for a quick hug, he whispers in my ear, “I love you too, now be careful!” Giving him a smooch, “I will. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I jump back into my new car with excitement as I pull out of the drive and wave goodbye.
I see that Damon looks upset and I feel bad for getting him into trouble. His dad can be such an ass sometimes. I hope he doesn’t get too much flak from this.
I pull into the drive way and turn off the ignition. I just sit in ‘MY’ new car in amazement. I can‘t believe they bought me a car. I was not expecting this until graduation. I make my way into the front door and see my parents in the living room. I plop my butt between them on the couch, reach my arms around them both, and pull them in for a group hug and say, “I love the car its perfect, and I can’t believe you brought me a car! I love you guys.”
Dad tucks a loose hair behind my ear, “We are so happy that you like it dear. I know that you have wanted a car. So we thought since you will be going away to college soon that you will need a car to get around. We were going to wait until graduation, but figured we would rather give it to you for the winter so you wouldn’t have to walk in the cold anymore. We didn’t know that Damon’s dad had the same idea.” Dad replies.
“It’s perfect and I am so happy that you didn’t make me wait. Thank you again; I really can’t express how grateful I am.” I excitedly said.
“I am glad to hear that dear. Now if you will go get dressed and help me in the kitchen. I have to get started on the dinner. The family will be here at one.”
It was a very good day, but by the end of it, I was ready for bed. I tried to call Damon, but he did not answer his phone. I crawled into bed and passed out, when his face comes into view; those gorgeous emerald green eyes hold my attention as he leans in to caress my lips with his. I shudder with his touch and he wraps me in his pleasant arms to warm me up. Little does he know it’s not because I am cold, it’s from his touch. In a sexy as hell voice he says, “I have missed you beautiful.”
Unexpected Love (Unexpected Series) Page 4