Surprise Under the Mistletoe

by Rita Hestand

"I know."

  "How could you know?"

  "I spent some time with your friend Ginger and she told me you'd been drooling over it at the jewelry store in town for ages. I was so glad she showed it to me. She was the only one I could think of to ask."

  "That and we shop together all the time. I've wanted it for so long…. but I didn't figure we'd get engaged so soon."

  "You worried about a ring. I worried about you! And now, we've got other things to consider. Somehow, we're going to get married. Before I get out of college. I made up my mind last night, if you lived, we were going to get married somehow."

  "Are you sure you want to do that?" She asked.

  "Very. I want time with you, little lady. I want to be with you. If anything had happened last night I'm not sure how things would be today. It made me realize just how important you are to me." She saw the strain on his face and raised up to kiss him solidly on the lips. It was a long and drugging kiss.

  Then as she slowly pulled away and looked into his eyes, "That's for worrying over me. God, I love you."

  "I love you too, baby. I realized just how much last night." He smiled. He pulled a chair up close to her bedside, but she didn't turn loose of his hand. He stared for a moment, realizing she had been afraid too. "I'm going to spend the night with you in here."

  "Oh baby, go home and rest, I can tell you need it." She urged him.

  "I can't. I'd lay awake all night worrying over you. I'm staying." He said quite emphatically. "They x-rayed my head too and I'm fine. They said bumps that show up like that are the best kind of head injury, nothing to worry about."

  "But Mom will be here. You don't have to stay." She insisted.

  "I do and I will, now stop fretting." He affirmed.

  "Oh Mark, I hope your truck's not totaled."

  "Don't fret over that. The main thing is you're alright." He sighed.

  Chapter Five

  Two weeks later Mark came over with a friend to see Trudy. Trudy's Mom answered the door, "Oh come on in out of the cold." She offered.

  "Mrs. O'Bryan, is Trudy here? I've got someone I want her to meet."

  "Yes, she's in the backroom I'll get her." She looked at the friend and wondered who he was, she didn't recognize him.

  Trudy had been ironing her clothes and was dressed in pants and t-shirt. She saw the stranger and smiled.

  "Trudy, Mrs. O'Bryan, this is Steve Halliburton. He's the man that hit us the other night coming home from the dance."

  Trudy's eyes widened but she shook his hand without hesitation. "Oh…"

  "Yeah, I wanted to bring him out so he could tell you what happened." Mark explained.

  "Oh, well, sit down please." Mrs. O'Bryan motioned for them to get comfortable. "Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate to warm you?"

  "That sounds nice, yes ma'am if it isn't too much trouble." The young man said.

  "No trouble at all."

  When she left the man looked at Trudy. "I insisted on meeting you and explaining why I hit and ran from the accident." He said contritely.

  "Oh well, that isn't necessary…"

  "I think it is. You see my wife and I just moved into the area, we live about five miles from here, further south."

  Trudy nodded, "Oh, you must have bought the old Miller farm?" Trudy asked.

  "That's right. We did. It's our first home together." He explained.

  "That's nice." Trudy smiled. "It's a good place too."

  Mark wasn't saying anything, but he kept looking at Trudy to see how she was taking the news.

  Her mother came back with the drinks and they all sipped the warm liquid.

  "You see, that night, my wife went into labor. She was twelve days over-do and we knew it might come any time. Sure enough it came during the blizzard. I called 911 but they couldn't get out here that night because there was a big accident out on the highway, and the only paramedics had gone out there. A couple of people were killed. So I didn't know anything about babies being born, and I had to get her to the hospital. So we started out in my truck. About the time you two came along, she had a pain, I reached to see if she was alright and the truck swerved out to hit you."

  He explained.

  "Oh my goodness. Well, is your wife alright?"

  "Yes, we had a little girl, that same night. But I couldn't stop, the brakes went out and the truck just kept going I tried to miss you but I knew I'd clipped you. I kept going and phoned ahead and told the police I couldn't stop the truck and thought I'd hit someone out on the old road. They put up one of those things that gives a flat tire to stop me in front of the hospital. I told them about Serena, my wife. And she got taken care of. Then I told them about you again and they said they'd check on that too. They put some kind of sticker on your truck and when they hauled into a shop, then the shop owner called the police. And they called me to tell me who it was and that all was alright. They said we needed to check with our insurance companies. So I gave Mark all my information, and told him that I already told them it was all my fault and why it happened. But I wanted to explain to you why we didn't stop that night. I was sure you were worried about it. And your fiancé says you had a concussion."

  "Yes, but I'm fine now. Just a bump on the head." She smiled at him. "I'm glad you got her to the hospital in time."

  The man looked almost as though he was about to tear up. "Well, I sure appreciate you listening and not getting too upset with me. I mean, if someone had hit us that night, it could have been very bad. And I felt so bad about not being able to go and find you and tell you what happened. I hope you can forgive me and if there are any charges I need to take care of, just let me know." He looked so apologetically at her.

  "No, I had medical insurance, and Mark has great coverage on his truck. There's no problem. But I am glad you came by to introduce yourself and tell us what happened."

  "You're not mad?"

  "Of course not. If it had been me that was pregnant, and in the truck that hit us, then I'd be concerned but you weren't at fault. And all is well."

  Mrs. O'Bryan looked at the young man and smiled. "My daughter and Mark are good people. They understand that these kinds of things happen. But it was nice of you to come tell us."

  "I can't thank you enough for your hospitality and so glad you weren't hurt seriously." He sighed.

  "And we're all happy for you wife. Maybe Mom and I can bring a gift for the baby." She smiled at him.

  He fidgeted, "Oh, that's not necessary. But the wife…she'd like that. She doesn't know anyone around here."

  "Then we will come see her and the baby, is she home yet?" Trudy's mom asked.

  "Yeah, took her home that next day."

  "Great. Well, thanks for coming by. We'll see you soon."

  He nodded and left in his truck.

  Mark looked at them both. "He was so worried about you and knew you'd be upset with him, but he wanted to tell his story." Mark smiled as he cast a glance out the window.

  "That sure was a terrible night for anyone to have labor pains." She chuckled.

  Her mother fixed them a sandwich and looked at Trudy kind of funny. "Um…I'm going out this evening…" she announced as they were eating.

  "Oh, going shopping?"

  "No, I'm going out with Mr. Harvey, we're going to look at some Christmas light together." Her mother announced, not daring to look at either one of them.

  "Mom, oh, that's wonderful." Trudy said, jumping to her feet and running to hug her.

  "I was almost afraid to tell you. But since you brought it up, and I was in the hardware store the other day, and he asked me point blank if I'd go with him. He said it so sadly I had to accept. Said he hated going alone. I know how that feels, so I conceded."

  She looked at her and smiled, "I'm so happy for you Mom."

  "So don't wait up, don't know when I'll get in, but if you two go out, bundle up good."

  Mark was beaming, "We will, have a nice time."

  Mr. Harvey wasn't late, and he came to the door wi
th flowers for her. She took them in the kitchen and showed them to Trudy and Mark.

  They walked into the living room to say hello to Mr. Harvey. He was all smiles and nicely dressed too.

  As they left Trudy turned to Mark, "Isn't that the sweetest?"

  "No, this is the sweetest," He remarked and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He pulled her down into his lap as he sat in the big chair and held her close.

  "What do you say to staying in tonight, building a big fire in the fireplace, turning the television on a love story and snuggling on the couch?" He chuckled as he kissed her on the ear lobe.

  "Hmm…sounds like my kind of evening." She giggled.

  He pulled her on his lap, so he could see her face. "Hey, I wanted to tell you something about today when I brought Steve over. He was so worried about how you might hate him for not stopping to see about you, but he said he had to face you to live with himself. And you were so sweet, he couldn't believe it. Of course I told him my girl was the best, and he believed it. He told me he'd pay for any charges we incurred. I told him it wasn't necessary. I think he was near tears. I don't think they have much money, and they have a new baby too."

  "I'm glad he came by. But, there was no harm done and I would have been even more upset if he'd stopped while his wife was having labor pains. Glad everything turned out well, is all." She smiled.

  "I love you, Trudy. And this is one of the reasons why. You're such a good person."

  She stared into his eyes, "Oh Mark, I love you too, I hope…. you aren't sorry about the other night."

  "You know, that night, was the night I really realized, what you meant to me. And I know you might not understand it, but…when I thought I could lose you, man, I never prayed so much in my life. I made all kinds of promises to God that night. You are so much a part of me, Trudy. And I think now, my parents understand it too."

  She snuggled into him, her hands going around him holding him tight to her.

  "When I thought I'd lost your ring, I wanted to die."

  "No…don't ever say that. A ring can be replaced, you can't. You're going to graduate high school this spring. We can spend the summer together. I'll come home as often as I can on weekends and holidays. But Trudy…the love I feel for you is real. I love everything about you. And I want to get married as soon as we can. I'm going to work hard to figure out a way."

  "Oh Mark, don't you see, married or not, we're going to be alright. And you are right, we are part of each other now. I feel so close to you. And like you said, even our parents see that what we have is a very good thing. We don't have to worry. We're too in love to worry."

  "Hmm…. show me a little lovin'…" he smiled sexily at her now.

  She looked around the room, "Light the fire, I'll find us a movie, and then I'll show you…."

  He built a nice fire, she had the movie on, she got them more hot chocolate and popcorn and they snuggled into each other in the chair. As the room heated up, she took his sweater off, and ran her hands under his shirt to feel the warmth of his chest. He ran his hand under her t-shirt and moved her so he could touch and kiss her breasts.

  She moaned slightly and he kissed her everywhere. Warm kisses that spread awareness through her like wildfire. Before they had satiated the fever overtaking them, his shirt was unbuttoned and her t-shirt was on the floor.

  He held her and wrapped her in the blanket on top of the couch. He unwrapped her so he could, touch and kiss her. Her nipples responded to his laving tongue and she felt herself weakening with wants and needs.

  "Oh Mark, I want you so…" She cried in a whisper as he kissed her.

  "We've already made love once; I don't see the harm. I've still got some condoms."

  "Sometimes, I wish we could just get married and not tell anyone and be together when you come home." She cried, as his tongue circled her nipple, and his teeth gently raked over her there.

  "Maybe that's the answer. Maybe we should." He stopped and looked at her. His eyes glazed over with desire when he looked at her bare chest.

  "Oh Mark, you love me that much?"

  "I sure as hell do…."

  "But…what if I got pregnant?"

  "Then we'd explain we had gotten married." He smiled.

  He stared into her eyes. "When do you turn eighteen exactly?"

  "January the fifteenth." She stared wide eyed at him. He was serious. It excited her, and scared her. Married!

  "Then we'll do it, that first weekend after your birthday. Agreed?"

  She stared into his eyes and reached to kiss him wildly, "Yes!"

  "Okay." He pulled her clothes off and his and they made love once more.

  She lay there later, smiling as he kept her close to him and his hands were everywhere, touching, kissing. They necked until they saw the lights coming down the road and then they scrambled for their clothes. He kissed her nose, "We'll get married that weekend. I'll get the license, and the weekend before we'll get our blood tests. Deal?"

  "Deal." She smiled.

  Chapter Six

  They got the blood test in another town, not too far away, the weekend before, and then the license. On the weekend after her eighteenth birthday, they went several towns away and got married by a little preacher in his house. It was small, quaint and the old preacher made things so nice.

  His wife and children witnessed the marriage for them and his wife played the wedding march on the piano. It was such a sweet, and intimate ceremony, the preacher going through the traditional vows for them and they stared into each other's eyes all during his reading of the vows.

  When it was over, he kissed her thoroughly and the preacher and his wife wished them well.

  It was still early afternoon, and they went out to have a nice dinner then found a hotel and went upstairs.

  For hours they made love, enjoying each other and happy that they had consummated the marriage too.

  "Are we going to tell them?"

  "No, we won't. I'm sure your mother wants a big wedding for you, and that's fine with me. Unless you get pregnant we won't say a thing. If you do, then we'll tell them."

  "Oh Mark, I couldn't love you any more in another ceremony. The one we had was so sweet and intimate, I felt very married." She smiled in his arms.

  Now she could be naked in his arms and love him when she wanted. It was a freedom they both intended to enjoy as often as possible.

  "Honey, this marriage did two things for us. If you get pregnant, all is still well. And we can now make love whenever we want. I've wanted you for so long. Dreamed about it. Now you are mine. And nothing can ever break us apart. We can go on as we've been doing, but enjoy it a little more…" He smiled.

  "You're something." She smiled and kissed him temptingly.

  "Why do you say that?"

  "Oh, it's just I know a lot of girls that have been in love and the guy never marries them and they are so miserable. You did something about it. We can enjoy ourselves now, and not worry, we're legally married. I'm so glad. Because you still have a lot of school left to finish and we'll be separated, and yet, not separated. Even if worse comes to worse and I do get pregnant and we have to tell them, we can still do like we've been doing, only enjoying being together a lot more. I like that. Resisting you when I know I love you is the hardest thing. I've wanted you just as long as you have me."

  He smiled and kissed her. "So what do you think about making love?"

  "I think it's everything I thought it would be. I think I definitely have the right man for the job. You are so gentle, so caring. You’re a fantastic lover. I'll always want you."

  Her words turned him on and once more he made wild passionate love to her.

  An hour later they dressed and he took her home.

  At the door, he kissed her long and possessively, letting his lips wander over her entire face and back to her waiting lips. "I'm gonna miss you like crazy lady."

  "Promise?"

  "Oh yeah. And you?"

  "You know I will…" She
tiptoed to kiss him again.

  They were on the porch a long time, and when she went in she had a razor burn on her cheeks, they had kissed so much.

  "Looks like you had a good time."

  "I love him Momma." She admitted freely with a dreamy smile.

  "Yes, I can see that." Her mother stared at her. "You two are getting a lot more serious about each other since that wreck aren't you."

  "Momma…" She looked strangely at her. "We got engaged. That's pretty serious don't you think?"

  "I suppose. I just don't understand why you didn't wait."

  "For what?

  "Until he finished school."

  "That will be a while Momma. A ring is a promise, an intention. We both were ready for that." She explained.

  "You better put some make-up on that whisker burn on your cheeks." She told her and walked out of the room.

  But Trudy followed her. "So how are you and Mr. Harvey getting along?"

  "Fine.

  "Gonna date again?"

  "No, I don't think so."

  "Why not?" Trudy asked as they went into the kitchen and her mother fixed them some hot chocolate.

  "He wants to kiss me all the time, and I'm not ready for that."

  "Well gee, Mom, what's so wrong about kissing?"

  "I'm not ready. That's what's wrong."

  "Is it daddy? Is that why you are holding back?"

  "Look young lady, you take care of your affairs, I'll take care of mine."

  "Momma, level with me. You feel you are betraying daddy, don't you?" She asked her.

  Her mother seemed uncomfortable and her finer kept circling the top of her cup. "I haven't necked with a man in years. It's foolishness."

  "Is it?"

  "I don't want to talk about this with you!" She scoffed and left the room.

  Trudy sat dazed that her mother had forgotten how to love after so long a time. But she sensed it was more than just not wanting to neck. Something else was bothering her.

  And then it struck her. Her mother was afraid of loving again because she was afraid she would lose him too. That was it. So if she didn't let herself get involved with a man, she couldn't lose him. It had hurt her so bad that her father had left her in the prime years of their life. She couldn't bear losing another loved one.