A Christmas Delight

32. Chapter Thirty-two

Chapter Thirty-two

Maisie

T he smell of coffee and bacon wafts into my room, teasing me awake. I open my eyes. Before I can roll over onto my back, the blanket is lifted off me, and Joel’s scratchy beard grazes my bare skin as he leaves a trail of kisses going from my lower back to my shoulder blade.

“Merry Christmas,” he says, planting another kiss on my cheek.

I roll over. Joel is wearing his jeans, but his chest is still bare, and I relish its warmth on my body as he nestles against me, his breath tickling the crook of my neck.

“Did you make breakfast?” I ask. “I smell food.”

“I did. Come eat it before it gets cold.”

After another tender kiss, on the lips this time, he gets out of bed. I look for my pajamas, shivering while I put them on, then join Joel in the kitchen. A plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and berries waits for me on the counter, next to a giant cup of coffee.

We decide to eat on the couch. He has already lit a fire, and the house feels like the heavenly cocoon I wanted it to be. The fire crackles. The Christmas lights blink. Two gifts lay under the tree, waiting for us. And most importantly, my handsome grizzly-boyfriend made me breakfast on Christmas morning. He even put eggnog in my coffee.

Outside, a fresh layer of snow has caked the trees and the cars. It’s quiet and peaceful. The sense of peace may come from me, though.

Nina went to her parents’ house for Christmas, so did Andy. I assume they’ll see each other there. Mom went back home before Christmas and has worked things out with Frank.

Later today, Joel and I are going to eat at Randall’s. Brent will be there too. They feel like my adopted family. They like me for me, just how I am.

Joel gets the two gifts under the tree and hands me mine. It’s huge. “I hope you’ll like it. It’s not much.”

“As long as you didn’t get me shapewear, you’re fine.”

He pretends to try to take the gift from my hands. “Wait, don’t open it.”

I laugh and slap his shoulder playfully. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Of course not.”

I rip the wrapping paper off and discover a big box, its wood rich and dark. It looks like a chest. “Wow, did you make this?”

“I did. Open it.”

I flick the latch open and lift the lid. The box is divided into two parts. On the right side is nothing, just a wide space. The left side is divided into six deep compartments.

“For all your knitting stuff,” he says. “You can organize your needles on that side and store your yarn on the other.” He studies my reaction anxiously.

Warmth rises to my cheeks as a smile splits my face. I look at the box again, both flattered and surprised by such a thoughtful gift. “I can’t believe you made that for me. I love it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah! I love it, I love it, I love it!”

I put the box down and wrap my arms around Joel’s neck to kiss him. He laughs through the kiss.

“Alright, my turn,” he says. “You shouldn’t have, honestly.”

“It’s Christmas, dum-dum.”

I feel self-conscious as Joel opens his gift. I got him a tool he needed for his work. Brent told me about it. Since it didn’t feel personal, I added a stupid coupon book that people like to do. Coupons for a free donut, a massage, a date with pizza and a movie. I would have knitted something, but Joel runs hot and doesn’t wear scarves and gloves. I did add a second ‘cup sweater’ though, like he asked.

“I know it’s all a little dumb,” I say as he discovers his gifts.

“It’s perfect.” He puts everything on the coffee table and sits closer to me, invading my space. “You’re perfect.”

He lays me down on the couch. I hold him close, relishing the warmth of his body and the tenderness of his kisses.

It is, truly, a perfect Christmas.