I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Fifty-Five

Christmas Eve night Alex and I had a light dinner and went to bed early. I slept in her room and we cuddled with my back to her stomach. In the dark I asked, 'What'd you get me?'

She chuckled, 'You're going to find out in a few hours.'

'I know.'

'Why, what do you want?' I giggled and squirmed and she laughed, 'What?'

I whispered, 'I liked the book you got me in Ireland.'

She squeezed me around the middle, 'I'm glad.' She paused before asking, 'Did you figure out how to make the funny feeling go away?'

I was glad it was dark because I blushed. I whispered, 'Yes.'

'That's good. What do you think of that?'

The conversation was making me feel strangely, 'It's kinda nice,' in an oddly high voice.

She chuckled, 'Yes it is.'

I couldn't picture Alex doing that, though, and said, 'Do you...' but I couldn't finish the question.

'Oh, having a good wank every now and again is perfectly healthy.' I shrieked with laughter over hearing her say that and she laughed, 'What? It is. Do it if you feel like it, that's all I'm saying.'

I couldn't stop laughing. 'Alex! I can't believe you said that!'

'It's true.' By now she was laughing as well. She began tickling me around my middle and rolled me onto my back. She straddled my hips and tickled me until I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I was starting to feel like I did when I read the book and tried to grab her hands to make her stop. Another part of me didn't want her to stop, though. I thought if she kept on I was going to 'die' as Shakespeare would put it and I didn't want that to happen...but I rather did as well. She stopped after a bit and smiled down at me. The light of the moon and the fire crackling gave us enough illumination to see by and I was flushed. She touched my cheek and said, 'I'm glad you're more comfortable with yourself now, sweetheart.'

I breathed, 'Me, too.' Though now I felt all squirmy and she was getting settled behind me again. I'd never be able to sleep now. It suddenly occurred to me that I'd felt this way before when she was close to me. The day at Stewart's house and other times we'd wrestled and played. That didn't make any sense, though. I mean, Alex was my best friend ever. I didn't like her that way. I loved her, but it was different from the way Graham loved her so I shouldn't feel those squirmy feelings for her. It was just because we'd been talking about the book, that was all. Having figured that out didn't make me feel better, though, and I lie there for a long time, listening to the fire before finally drifting off.

Next morning Alex was up before me and woke me with breakfast in bed. Actually, the smell of bacon and eggs woke me and when I opened my eyes it was to Alex standing by the bed with a tray.

She asked in a grand way, 'Beans on toast, madam?'

I giggled and put on my glasses, 'Thank you. How long have you been up?'

She placed the tray over my legs, 'An hour or so. You were sleeping so soundly I didn't want to wake you.'

'Thanks', I crunched on some bacon and had a sip of tea. 'Did it snow?'

'No. Loads of frost, though.'

I said in a falsely enthusiastic way, 'Oh boy. Christmas frost.'

Alex smiled, 'When you're done come downstairs.'

After we'd settled downstairs we put the television on the French and Saunders Christmas Special (with Geraldine McEwan, yay!) and settled down to open presents. The girls, of course, got theirs first and what a haul they got this year. They both got beds for their favourite rooms and treats galore. Clem got a breath ball (she needed it, really) and Cate got two new soft toys to torment. They were very happy doggies. Then Alex and I exchanged gifts. I added several new glass pieces to my collection as well as a Monte Blanc pen, Alex also gave me a wood and glass display case for my pens. I only had two, but Alex thought it would be nice to start collecting those, as well. I'd got her some art things and clothes. I'd also bought a print of Millais' Ophelia for her and had it framed. She unwrapped it and said delightedly, 'Oh, it's wonderful, thank you, sweetheart. It'll go beautifully in the library, don't you think?' She also gave me several books to add to my stack by the bed. I blushed profusely, 'Thanks.'