The Christmas Party

I Just Want You Here Tonight

"I still can't believe you snuck out and went to see Christmas lights without me! You two dating has literally ruined my life," Luca complained.

Thea and I laughed. "I'm sorry we went on a date without you. Next time you can totally tag along and be the third wheel," I said.

"Thank you."

"She was being sarcastic," Thea said.

"I'm still going to. I was stuck here all by myself."

"Don't pretend you didn't have a wonderful time baking pies with my mom," I said.

"I did but that wasn't the point! Your mom said she was going to cut that tree down."

"She wouldn't."

"We can't believe you snuck out!"

My sister and her husband walked down the stairs and joined us. "Louise snuck out weekly when we were kids."

"And Lauren always covered for me. The real MVP."

Lauren winked and settled onto the couch. We'd had a huge Christmas Eve dinner of ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, a medley of vegetables, and Luca's secret family recipe of mac n cheese. The kids were so full from dinner they all practically fell asleep at the dinner table. Lauren and Ross just finished putting them all to sleep.

Ross brought in a bottle of champagne and we all sipped on it while watching It's a Wonderful Life.

"Good night everyone, Merry Christmas," I said when the movie ended. We all went to bed. Thea and I hiked up the stairs and settled into our room. I heard Thea lock the door behind us.

"Are you planning on making out with me in the morning?" I joked.

"Something like that," she said with a wink.

"So I have a gift for you," I said. "I wanted to give it to you privately."

Thea looked at me curiously and sat on my bed. I reached into my bag and pulled out a small box, wrapped with snowman wrapping paper, and gave it to Thea. She carefully unwrapped the package and opened the tiny box to reveal a silver necklace studded with a single diamond in the center.

"This is beautiful," Thea said, holding it up. "Will you put it on me?"

Thea moved her hair to the side and brought the necklace around her neck and secured it. She stood and looked at it in the mirror: the diamond rested perfect in the hollow of her collarbone. I walked up behind her and peaked in the mirror.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it, thank you Louise. It's perfect."

Thea turned around and kissed me.

"You didn't have to get me something like this."

"I wanted to."

"You're perfect."

"I know," I joked. Thea smiled and kissed me again and nuzzled into my neck, holding me tight.

"You make everything so easy," she told me. Her hands slipped under my shirt to touch my bare skin and I sighed into her touch. "Where have you been my whole life?"

"Well the last three years I was in your living room," I joked. Thea kissed my cheek and laughed.

"How could I have been so blind?" she mused.

"It's your loss, really. After three years we could have already been married."

"Married, huh?"

"Of course. I know I'm irresistible and I know once we get home you'll probably go ring shopping with Luca."

"Oh I will?"

"Absolutely."

"So I'm proposing?"

"Yes, you make more money than me, so. . ."

"So I don't get a ring?"

"Do you want a ring?"

"Of course I want a ring."

"You can't just buy me a ring and we call it good?"

"Absolutely not."

"I guess I better start saving now."

"We're getting married then?" Thea asked, eyebrows raised.

"Oh yeah, did I not mention that? The fine print of agreeing to be my fake date for the party was also agreeing to be my wife. Sorry I don't make the rules."

Thea giggled. "Is that so?"

I shrugged. "It's true. Sorry you didn't read the contract. It's kind of legally binding."

Thea laughed and shook her head. "You truly are something else, Louise Vaughn."

"I'm just the one for you."

Thea kissed me. "I can't believe I fell for such a dork."

I kissed her. "Ready for bed?"

I walked to my bag and pulled out my pajamas. Thea insisted we have matching PJs for Christmas Day and who was I to deny my girlfriend the pleasure? I began undressing, my back to Thea. We hadn't breached the topic of nakedness, but I wanted to respect Thea and her wishes, so I changed with my back to her every time.

I didn't hear Thea when she walked up behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders, holding me while she peppered my back in light kisses. It sent a thrill of goosebumps up my spine and I sighed into her touch. Her mouth trailed up my back and then up my neck. I leaned my head to the side, melting into her every touch. She kissed down my neck and against my collarbone. Her hands hand up and down my arms, my skin rising to meet her.

"You're gorgeous," Thea whispered in my ear. "So beautiful." A kiss along my neck. "Incredible." A kiss on my shoulder. "Amazing." A kiss on the back of my neck. "Perfect." A kiss on my back. "Sincere." Another kiss on my back. "I love you, Louise."

My heart exploded with bliss. I turned in her arms and kissed her. "I love you too."

Thea wrapped her arms around and pressed into the small of my back and I was powerless to do anything else. My body was alight with her touch.

"I didn't get you a necklace," Thea whispered in my ear. "But I have something else in mind."

Thea pulled me to the bed and laid me down, kissing my neck, my collarbone, my stomach, everywhere. She slid my jeans off and tossed them to the floor and stared down at me. I felt like a priceless piece of art the way she looked at me; my stomach knotted in anticipation.

Thea ran her hands up and down my side. I couldn't help myself, I reach up to touch her face, her neck, my hands finding the hem of sweater and gently tugging at it, asking for permission. Thea lifted her arms above her head and I pulled off her sweater. Underneath she wore red lingerie. My mouth hung open.

Thea smiled a shy but coy smile.

"Holy shit," I breathed. "Have you had this on all night?"

Thea nodded.

I pulled off her pants too and admired her body clothed in thin, satin lingerie.

"Wow," I breathed. "This is better than a necklace."

"I thought you might like it."

"You are. . ."

Thea pressed her lips to mine. "Enough about me. I want to tell you how sexy you are tonight. This is your gift after all."

Thea kissed me and the world stopped spinning. This was the best Christmas of my life.

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A/N: Thank you for reading, voting, and commenting!

Today and tomorrow the chapters will be shorter because I'm constrained on time (I've got a lot of pies to bake today). I hope you all have a lovely Christmas Eve (if you celebrate) and are able to spend time with your loved ones in whatever capacity that is.

Best wishes