by Ivy Jordan
“What am I gonna do?” I pleaded with him for some advice.
“You have to come clean. If she finds out on her own, that’s even worse,” he advised.
I knew he was right, but I didn’t really see the benefit of telling her on my own now. Too much time had passed. Enough time that I’d had ample opportunity to tell her the truth, or even parts of it, but I didn’t. It was too late. I’d have to let her find out on her own, and she could walk away from me forever if that’s what she felt she needed to do. I could only pray that the love we’d formed for one another over all these years and over the last weeks would be strong enough to bring her back to me.
“You really got yourself in a pickle this time,” Elijah sighed.
“I know,” I agreed.
“It doesn’t matter what I do now, or how I do it; she’s gonna hate me. I just want more time with her, as much as I can get. Please just go along with it,” I pleaded.
Elijah patted me on the back. “I’ve always got your back,” he boasted, just as Maddie walked up.
“You two okay?” she asked, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Yes. He was just messing around; he’s not drunk,” I laughed nervously.
Elijah extended his hand to Maddie. “You look stunning,” he smiled and lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss.
“I’m planning a Christmas dinner. I’m sure Isaac would love it if you joined us, I know I would,” Maddie proposed so sweetly, the devil himself couldn’t have refused the offer.
Elijah’s smile widened, and he got that damn look in his eyes that I hated. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it,” he replied.
Yeah, he didn’t want to miss watching me fumble all over myself to keep up this lie. He knew I was the world’s worst liar, or at least I used to be. The motive to protect Maddie, and then to keep her in my life, somehow made lying come easily to me lately.
“Is your wife here?” Maddie asked, scanning the room.
“Not married. I can’t find a woman as beautiful as you,” he charmed.
He was a charmer, always was. The ladies loved him, and by the looks of Maddie’s blushing cheeks, she loved him too. Shit!
“I’ll leave you two to mingle. I’ve got to talk business with a couple of the bigwigs in here,” Elijah excused himself gracefully. I was relieved.
I’d have to call him after this and give him more details. I only had time to give him the basics, and I know it didn’t put me in the best light. That’s what I was afraid of with Maddie: she’d only see the bad decisions I made in this situation, not the reasons why, not the reasons that mattered.
“We’re having a Christmas dinner?” I asked Maddie once we were alone. I hadn’t heard about that, not once had she mentioned a Christmas dinner.
“Yes. I’ve been working on my cooking skills, and I wanted to surprise you. I just thought it would be nice if you had your friend there, and I invited Beth too,” she announced.
That was probably my last day as Maddie’s lover; why would I want anyone else there? I wanted her all to myself.
“That’s a great idea,” I fibbed to avoid hurting her feelings. The look in her eyes told me she was excited, and her happiness was all that mattered to me. We’d have that evening together, as long as they didn’t stay late. I’d make sure they left early.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Maddie
I tightened my apron strings and stood proudly in the kitchen. My meal was planned out, already prepped, and I was confident that it would be cooked to perfection. I wanted so badly to make Isaac happy today. I didn’t have money for a gift, so I spent all my free time watching cooking shows like he’d suggested, and planned out this meal we’d share together, and with friends.
He didn’t realize while I picked his brain about memories from our childhood that I was gathering info on his favorite holiday meals. A pecan pie made from scratch just like his grandmother’s, a roasted turkey with sage stuffing like his mom’s, and deviled eggs like his uncle Greg used to bring every year. I had Beth contact any family members he had to get the recipe, since I wasn’t sure if they even knew about me or not. He’d said I was a private person, the reason why there weren’t any pictures of us around, why he didn’t even have “in a relationship” as his status on Facebook, and why I didn’t even have a personal Facebook.
Until I got my memory fully back on track, I wasn’t going to upset anything in his world or mine. I just wanted to enjoy the moment, and the moment couldn’t be better.
“What are you doing up so early?” Isaac asked, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“I’m making dinner, so shoo,” I pried his hands from my waist and ordered him from the kitchen.
He gripped my apron as he backed out of the room as ordered, and pulled me into him. “I’ll stay out, on one condition,” he persuaded.
“What’s that?” I asked, admiring his playful smirk.
“You come kiss me whenever you get a break,” he countered.
“Deal,” I agreed, immediately lifting up on my tippy toes to reach Isaac’s lips.
His hands roamed my body, tracing the curve of my hips. My breasts pushed against the silk of my bra, the friction filling me with arousal. “No, I’ve got work to do,” I slipped out of Isaac’s grip just as his hands squeezed my ass cheeks, pulling me into his half-hard erection.
“It’s only nine in the morning. What time’s dinner?” he scoffed, obviously disappointed by my rejection. It wasn’t easy to turn him down; my panties were already tacky against my warm flesh from his hug and kiss. This was more important. I’d worked hard to create his special meal.
“We’ve got the rest of our lives to make love,” I smirked, slapping him playfully on the ass as I shooed him back out of the kitchen.
I cleaned the turkey, gagging as I reached inside the carcass to remove the bag of giblets and gizzards, and, I believe, the heart. Oh my! Part of Isaac’s recipe required that I use these nasty parts, along with the neck to make the gravy, so I set it aside for later.
Isaac tried to peek inside the kitchen four times by the time I got the turkey prepped and stuffed. I washed my hands, rushed out into the living room, and jumped on his lap. Our lips melted together as his hands caressed my rear. The strength of his grip pulled at my ass cheeks, which in turn, pulled at my labia. He was acting more attentive than usual, and the way he continued to beg and plead for a moment of my time, just for a kiss, seemed needier than normal. I brushed it off as it being Christmas. His grandparents had been gone for years, and his mother passed sometime after he graduated college, and his dad moved away, which, according to Isaac, they didn’t have a relationship. He was close to his Uncles, Aunts, and cousins though.
I knew there was a part of me that was missing something, but I wasn’t sure what, or couldn’t remember what, to be exact. I knew my family was gone and had been gone for some time, but there had to be holiday traditions I carried on. I wished desperately that I could remember what they were. But, today was about Isaac. I wanted to bring his warm family Christmas to his home. He deserved it.
“Can you put up the decorations?” I asked, pointing to a box on the floor.
“Where did that come from?” he asked.
“I found it in the garage,” I admitted to snooping while he was away.
He smirked and got up, lifting me from his lap. He opened the box to find a long strand of garland, a table cloth, napkins, holiday plates, and a few cute holiday figures to place around the dining room.
“If you insist,” he grinned.
“I do,” I winked.
“So, what are you making?” he asked, staring at me with a concerned look. “Spinach quiche, quinoa salad, bean sprout pie?” he teased.
“You’ll find out what I’m making when it’s done, and thanks for the ideas; I needed a few more sides,” I laughed and disappeared back into the kitchen.
I put together the pecan pie and popped it into the second oven built into the brick wall and t
hen filled the deviled eggs, hiding them back in the fridge.
It was already eleven thirty, and I still had to make the sides. “What time are Elijah and Beth going to be here?” Isaac called from the other room.
“Three o’clock,” I yelled back.
I knew it was an odd time, but after talking to both Elijah and Beth, I found out that he had to enjoy dinner with some of his other friends at seven, and she had an early morning Christmas breakfast at her grandmother’s nursing home. Isaac and I didn’t have anything going on, so I was more than happy to customize our meal to allow them both to attend.
I sat at the island counter in the kitchen and peeled what felt like a hundred potatoes, when in actuality it was only about nine. I remembered my grandmother making mashed potatoes from a box, a red box that contained powdered flakes that magically turned into delicious mashed potatoes. I giggled at the memory, feeling blessed that I was able to see my grandmother's face on Christmas, even if just in a long lost memory returned.
I had everything that would make Isaac’s Christmas meal nostalgic, giving him the warmth of home, but I had to add a few healthy options. Sweet potatoes were peeled, diced, and baked with ginger, honey, garlic, and a smidge of brown sugar, a large salad with baby spinach, arugula, and romaine tossed with loads of veggies, and whole carrots, peeled and roasted on the rack below the pecan pie.
“Baby,” Isaac called for me from the other room. I assumed it to be his thirty-minute kiss break, so I decided to surprise him with one of the deviled eggs I’d made. I reached into the fridge, grabbed one that was perfectly filled, and headed into the living room. “Are you done yet? I miss you,” he whined so sexily my body shuddered.
“I’m almost done, I promise,” I smiled and brought the deviled egg from behind my back. “Would you like to try?” I asked.
His eyes widened and followed the egg as I twirled it around near his face. “Yes, please,” he grinned. “But, I have to warn you, Uncle Greg made the best-deviled eggs. I have no idea what he did to them, but I’ve never had one like his, so don’t be offended if yours don’t bring me to tears like his did,” he teased.
“Yeah, yeah, just try the egg,” I snickered.
He opened his mouth and let me slide it inside, one entire bite for the half of egg. At first, he didn’t react, just chewed, and then suddenly his eyes lit up, and his smile stretched across his face. “Oh my God! I’ve searched the world for an egg like his; that’s exactly like the ones he made. What did you put in those?” he exclaimed, standing from his chair and twirling me around in his arms.
“I can’t tell you. It’s an ancient family secret,” I giggled.
“That just made my day, baby,” he beamed.
“There’s more,” I smirked, and disappeared back into the kitchen. Damn, those eggs must be good; he didn’t even ask for a kiss that time.
Everything was finished and ready to eat when the doorbell rang. I untied my apron, hung it on the back of the pantry door, and began setting the dining room table with all the delicious dishes I’d made. I stood back, staring at the table with pride as I heard Elijah and Beth in the other room.
I greeted them with a glass of red wine and invited them to enjoy the meal I prepared.
Isaac’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “You called someone and ordered this; that’s why I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen all day,” he teased.
Elijah and Beth both complimented my presentation, and Beth admitted she didn’t eat at the nursing home so she could enjoy the meal here. There was a strange satisfaction I got deep in my soul from having everyone compliment my cooking. I knew I’d never felt this same satisfaction before, so maybe cooking was what I was meant to do, not instructing yoga.
“Everyone, please say what this year has brought to you that you’re appreciative to take into the next,” I instructed, motioning to Beth to go first.
“I’m appreciative that I made a good friend, Maddie. She is my first true girlfriend, and I hope that we are friends for years to come,” she smiled in my direction.
“I’m appreciative for my SEAL brothers, especially Isaac, one of the most stand-up guys I’d ever met,” Elijah noted. “I’m also appreciative of Maddie, the woman that brought a light into my good friend's life. May that light never dim,” Elijah boasted.
“I’m appreciative that I got to experience what it’s like to be with the girl of my dreams,” Isaac smiled directly at me.
“I’m appreciative that even if my old memories never fully return, I’m surrounded by amazing people who will help me create new ones, better ones,” I beamed.
Talk about Elijah’s and Isaac’s SEAL brotherhood was a heavy topic at the table. I noticed Beth taking a very strong interest in Elijah.
Isaac took a bite of the dressing and then the turkey, staring at me the entire time he chewed. I was giddy with nervousness as he stared me down, confused as to how I made food that resembled his favorite dishes. He shoved another deviled egg in his mouth, taking his time to savor the flavor with small chews.
“Okay, what’s going on here?” he asked, staring into my eyes. I shrugged with a wide grin. I watched his eyes move to the pecan pie near the center of the table. “Beth, would you mind passing that pie down here please?” he asked sweetly.
He cut a thin sliver of it and placed it on his plate. I watched him poke it with his fork, checking the texture, and then tap the top to ensure it was nice and crisp. He looked up at me as he filled his fork with a bite, and tears flooded his eyes as he took the bite into his mouth. “How is this possible?” he asked, wiping his tears from his cheeks and shaking off the overflow of emotion.
“I didn’t have money to get you a gift since I didn’t have my new cards delivered here. So, Beth helped me gather up the recipes you said you missed the most so you could enjoy your Christmas favorites, even if you couldn’t have the loved ones that made them here with you,” I smiled.
He stood from the table, rushed to my side, and held me tight in his arms. His body shuddered, and I knew he was still fighting back tears of joy, but I couldn’t contain mine. My cheeks soaked with salty tears, spilling onto his shoulder as I laughed from nothing more than sheer happiness. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known,” Isaac said, kissing me softly on the lips.
He moved to Beth, giving her a heartfelt hug as well, telling her how much it meant to him that she’d help make this day happen.
It was a perfect meal, and a perfect Christmas. Even though I couldn’t really remember any of my past Christmases, I was certain this was the best one yet.
Isaac offered to help me clean up after dinner, refusing to let Beth or Elijah help. As I gathered the last dish from the table, I noticed Elijah and Beth sitting close to one another on the couch. Beth’s eyes were sparkling as she stared up at Elijah, and his hand rested on her knee as they spoke.
“I think they hit it off,” I told Isaac, who immediately denied the possibility.
“Why not?” I asked.
“Elijah is a wild man; he will never settle down, and Beth, well, she has a lot of pain still from her last man,” he explained.
“Elijah seemed very touched by our relationship, and Beth is ready for love. I’ve seen how she looks at us when we’re together, how hard she’s worked for both of us,” I smirked, knowing I was right, and Isaac, well, he was wrong.
Elijah stood, hugged me tightly, and thanked me for the meal. He slapped Isaac on the shoulder and called him a crybaby little bitch before pulling him in for a tight hug.
“Where are you headed?” he asked Beth.
“Probably home to watch a movie or do some paperwork,” she replied.
I was watching how they looked at one another. There was something there. “You can’t work on Christmas. Come with me; I’m meeting up with some of the guys. They are wild and crazy though, just to warn ya,” he laughed.
“Okay,” she agreed. I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement.
What better way
to start off the year than in love?
Chapter Twenty-Five
Isaac
“Okay, so you’re right,” I laughed as I watched my best friend and partner leave together. I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of them together, especially if things didn’t work out. I’d spend the rest of my life listening to how the other one sucks, and possibly the one pining for the other. Fuck that!
Maddie stood at the front door, leaning on it as she closed it behind our guests. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have someone like her love me. Her hair was pinned up in a messy bun, she had gravy splatters on her pretty white blouse, and there were no signs of exhaustion showing, even though I knew she had to be tired.
“Thank you for my gift,” I praised, still in awe that she’d gone to so much trouble for me.
“I wanted you to have the Christmas like the ones you told me about,” she smiled, her left dimple pushing deep into her cheek.
“I haven’t given you your gift yet,” I noted.
“You’ve given me so much already; what else is there?” she giggled as her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink.
I walked towards the door, pinning her between my arms, and lowered my mouth to hers. Those sexy red lips drove me wild, and it felt like an eternity since I’d tasted them. I pulled back just as her hands gripped my waist. There was time for that, and I was going to make damn sure it was special, just in case it was our last time.
“First,” I whispered, taking her hand and pulling her gently into the front room. I motioned for her to sit on the couch while I got her gift from the other room. “Close your eyes,” I ordered and then brought the small box into the room. I knelt down in front of her, placing my hands on her knees, and the gift in her lap. “Open them,” I instructed.
Her baby blues stared at the box, wrapped with plain gold paper and a silver bow. “You shouldn’t have,” she smiled softly, lifting her eyes to mine. They were filled with love, pure love. I wanted to remember that look forever. That look she gave me right then, that would carry me through this life, and the eternity thereafter.