Your Love Ch. 08

There was mistletoe under each doorway, the table cloth was checkered in red and gold and striped gold and green candles were scattered around the room.

"This looks amazing Mom; you did awesome in here!"

"I wish I could take credit, but I actually was referred to your friend Catherine Basin. That girl is a magician."

Christina smiled and made a note to thank Cat.

Marion brought out boxes of pizza to the dining room and Christina had to laugh. They opened the boxes and passed around slices and placed them on the expensive china.

She'd missed this. Her family just hanging out and talking without feeling like someone could say the wrong thing any minute. They hadn't had this since before Marion's infidelity but Christina welcomed the feeling back.

There was only would thing that could have made this perfect.

If Stephen were here.

** ** ** ** **

Arlene was shocked when her mother put her on kitchen duty but she dared not argue, however she did grumble under her breathe as she removed her hand jewelry and moped towards the sink.

Marion and Christina sat on the back porch and sipped on the hot mulled wine Richard had made.

"So I received a phone call a few days ago."

Christina scrunched her face in confusion, unsure why this was news.

"From who?"

"Stephen Serna."

Christina froze.

"How did that go?"

"I think it went rather well actually. Nice boy. Very polite."

Christina smiled to herself. He was polite. And everything else a man should be. Simply put...he was wonderful.

"That smile on your face tell me you agree."

Christina rolled her eyes.

"Yes I do. He's great actually."

"How great? Do you...like him?"

Christina looked over at her mother and waited before answering.

"Actually...I think I love him Mom."

Marion's perfectly arched eyebrows shot up. She wasn't expecting that answer.

"I know I just got out of a really screwed up relationship, but honestly Mom being with Stephen only let's me see how much being with Jackson was wrong. I never felt anything like this for Jackson, I was just settling when I agreed to marry him. But Stephen?" She paused as she looked out towards the horizon. "He's been everything for me. I've never felt anything less than my best when I'm with him."

Marion listened to her daughter's confession.

"Have you told him how you felt?"

Christina sighed and shook her head, "He know I like him and care about him. But I haven't actually said the words."

"Then I suggest you put that on your to do list missy. Judging by the way he spoke about you the other day I'd bet anything he feel's the same. But you've put him on hold for almost a month Christina, no one waits forever."

Christina knew her mother was right. She had to tell him.

Silence fell and the two women sipped their warm drink.

"Mommy?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you mind if I skipped Christmas eve here? I promise I'd be back Christmas morning."

Marion smiled.

"Do what you need to do sweetheart."

Christina smiled and stood up. She turned to walk back in but stopped.

She spun around and went to her mother and gave a hearty squeeze around her neck.

"Thank you Mom." She murmured into Marion's curly hair.

"Your welcome baby." Marion was on the verge of some serious happy tears and didn't want Christina to see.

"Now go and get your man!"

The women laughed and Christina went upstairs to prepare herself for tomorrow. She'd need a foolproof plan to earn Stephen's forgiveness and to tell him how she felt.

** ** ** ** **

She'd arrived at Stephen's apartment and to be completely honest? She was having second thoughts.

What if he was over her?

What is he didn't feel the same?

Maybe he was just expecting her to come by to pick up Mingo and the rest of her things?

No. Don't do that Chris. Don't psych yourself out.

She knocked.

She didn't hear anything inside.

Was he home?

She began feeling like an idiot standing there.

She was just about to convince herself to ditch her plan when she heard the elevator *ding*.

She turned in time to see Stephen stepping off with Mingo on a leash.

Her heart jumped. She had missed him.

Stephen was looking down trying to wipe something off his brown suede sport coat when Mingo barked loudly and ran, slipping the leash out of his hand.

"Mingo!" he yelled and when he finally saw what had caught Mingo's attention he froze.

Christina.

He walked slowly towards her, unsure of what exactly was supposed to happen now.

The closer he got the more beautiful she looked. She was wearing a black pea coat, black heeled boots, and very little make up.

"Hey." Was all he managed to get out as he stopped in front of his door.

"Hey." She replied.

"When did you get back?"

"Yesterday."

"Great, did you...um...have a good time away?"

She knew what he was really asking. It's what everyone asked.

"I'm ok."

"Good." He said with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Do you have a minute to talk?"

"Yea of course. Come in." Stephen said as he opened the door and let them in.

He unleashed Mingo who was nipping right on Christina's heels begging for attention.

Christina kneeled down to the dogs height.

"Oh I missed you sweet girl! I'm sorry I was gone so long!" Christina cooed to the dog while scratching behind her ears.

Christina noticed Stephen watching her expectantly so the patted the dog once more before standing.

"Listen Stephen first I want to apologize. For leaving the way I did and for not letting you know I was ok. I know I made a lot of people worry."

"It's ok, I knew you needed space."

"Well that's the thing, I went through the exact same thing as you, Cat, and Ben and I seemed to be the only one who handled it poorly. So for that I'm sorry."

"It's ok."

Stephen wasn't saying much and she was taking it as a sign that he wasn't interested in continuing contact with her.

"Ok," she stammered, "Well I'm gonna grab my things and get Mingo and we'll head out."

"Christina." Stephen said, stopping her before she could turn away.

"I missed you like hell and I was worried. I had no idea where we stood when you left and I wasn't sure when I would hear from you. I was angry for a bit but I'm not now. I'm just happy your back...and your here."

Christina took a deep breath trying to muster the bravery to say what she wanted to but he cut her off.

"Christina I want you to know that I love you. I know that you may not feel the same right now and hell you may still need your space but I just wanted you to know how I felt."

Christina's heart was racing; he couldn't have said anything better at that moment.

"Stephen, I love you too. I honestly just wasn't sure you felt the same especially after I left the way I did."

Stephen beamed, she loved him.

He stepped closer to her and took her in his arms.

This. He thought. This is exactly what I want. Forever.

"Christina," He spoke with his face pressed against her curly hair, "Don't ever leave me like that again, I don't think I could handle a second round of that. Or at the very least the next time you need a "minute", take me with you."

Christina laughed, "I'll be sure to do that."

He leaned down and kissed her.

Christina felt her body warm beneath her coat and suddenly remembered the other part of her her plan for forgiveness.

She pulled away from his kiss and looked up at him.

"So here's the thing," She said with a nervous smile, "I had a back up plan in case you needed any convincing in the forgiveness department."

Stephen got a confused look on his face, "What kind of plan?"

Christina stepped back and unbuttoned her pea coat and let it fall to the floor.

She was now wearing nothing more than a red corset with soft white trimming. Her breasts were pushed up by the corset making them look even fuller. The bottoms were tight black boy shorts with a mistletoe printed on the right hip.

She looked at Stephen and waited for his reaction.

He didn't disappoint.

He was attempting to stammer a response but proved to be speechless.

Finally, after collecting himself he was able to speak.

"Not that I didn't appreciate the apology but you definitely should have opened with this part of your plan. Would have made things go much more quickly."

Christina laughed while Stephen continued to eye her up and down.

"Seriously, Merry Christmas to me."

With that Stephen scooped her up and walked her into the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind them.

He was going to give them the best Christmas Eve ever.

** ** ** ** **

Stephen rolled off Christina for the umpteenth time. They had been making love for 3 hours and neither had the strength to get out of bed.

"Holy shit." Stephen laughed. "That was..."

"Amazing?" Christina suggested.

"That's an understatement."

The two turned on their sides to face each other.

"Say it again." Stephen whispered and Christina smiled.

"I love you." She said, giving him what he was asking for.

"I love you too Christina."

"So, are we? What? What are we?" Christina asked nervously but Stephen had never felt so assured about what they were.

"As far as I'm concerned you are mine and I am yours. The whole 9 yards."

She smiled at him.

"Good, I was hoping so."

Christina sat up to look at the clock on her phone.

5:02.

Her family would be having dinner soon.

"Well since you are officially my boyfriend now, would you like to officially meet my family?"

"I would enjoy that actually, but are you sure?"

"I am."

She was sure. She was ready to show everyone how she felt about Stephen.

** ** ** ** **

Christina turned the key of her parent's front door and pushed it open.

She could hear voices coming from the kitchen and dining room area and butterflies came to her stomach.

It had been a while since she introduced a guy to her family and all of a sudden she felt like she was in high school again.

Christina grabbed Stephens hand and pulled him in behind her. They quietly stepped into the foyer and Christina turned around to prep him.

"Are you sure? We don't have to do this if you aren't ready?"

"Babe, I want to, I would have done it sooner if a certain someone hadn't ditched me in a parking lot about a month ago."

Christina cut her eyes playfully at him before turning around and pulling him towards the kitchen.

She peeked around the door and saw her mother and Arlene chatting and finishing up last minute prep.

"Hey Mom!" Christina said interrupting the gossip.

"Hey sweetheart! Glad you came!" Marion exclaimed. She started walking towards Christina when she noticed her daughter seemed to be hiding something.

"You ok sweetie?"

"She just being a freak as usual mother." Arlene chimed in.

"Actually I brought a guest for dinner tonight."

"Oh did you?" Marion said with a knowing smile.

Stepping out she pulled Stephen into the kitchen.

"Hello again Marion. Nice to finally meet you." Stephen said holding out his hand.

"Pssh! None of that!" Marion pulled him in for a hug and Christina caught Arlene roll her eyes before taking a dish into the dinging room.

"My daughter tells me you are rather an important person, so I'm very glad she invited you to dinner. I'll make sure to set out another setting."

"Thank you for having me, I'm very glad to be here."

Behind them Christina could feel someone walk up behind them, she turned around to see her father.

"Daddy, you've met Stephen."

Stephen gave Richard a firm shake.

"Nice to see you again Mr. Earnest."

"You as well Stephen, glad it's under better circumstances."

"Agreed."

Christina beamed at the scene before her.

Her parents liked him.

"Alright you guys," Marion interjected, "dinner is ready. Everyone head to the dining room."

Stephen and Christina smiled at each other before following the rest of the family into the dining room.

The couple sat next to each other and Stephen couldn't help but marvel at his surroundings.

He was being happily welcomed in by a family that while they had their share of issues, was everything he wanted to be a part of.

He had missed this feeling. The feeling of belonging somewhere.

He found himself laughing at the snide remarks that shot between Christina and her sister. He talked football with Andrew and found himself taking a real liking to the kid. Richard Earnest, while intimidating in size reminded him of Santa Clause when he smiled and he could see the love he held for his family. Marion was truly a character and most definitely a flirt.

By the time dessert was served Christina's family had all but invited him to move in.

Christina saw just how well Stephen blended into her family and it made her love him even more.

She grabbed his hand beneath the table and gave it a light squeeze and he returned the sentiment with a smile.

Both Stephen and Christina knew, in spite of the rocky path they took, they were where they were meant to be; together. Always.

**2 YEARS & A DAY LATER**

"Alright you guys! Start cleaning up this mess! Ya'll have wrapping paper all over my living room!" Marion fussed with a glass of wine in her hand.

The living room was drowning in noisy havoc.

Olivia, Christina's niece was kicking and screaming in a corner of the living room because she hadn't received the specific toy she asked Santa for. Andrew and Zack, Arlene's husband, were sitting on the couch testing a new gaming system, and Richard was laid back on the loveseat snoring.

No one was paying attention to Marion.

She rolled her eyes and groaned.

She looked over at Stephen who had been trying to get her attention. He was pointing to the Christmas tree.

Oh shit! How could I forget?!

"Hey!" Marion yelled louder.

Everyone looked up at her, Richard clearly startled out of his sleep.

Christina was the only one who hadn't looked up as she was playing with her new iPad.

"I think Stephen wants our attention."

Hearing her boyfriends name caused Christina to look up.

Stephen turned to her motioned to the tree.

"I think there's one more gift up there for you."

Christina looked confused and peered under the tree but saw nothing more than shredded wrapping paper and empty boxes.

"I don't think so." She responded.

"Trying looking up silly."

She lifted her head and her nose touched an ornament. It was a white cube shaped ornament that stood out against her mothers red and gold coordinated tree.

She looked over at Stephen who was smiling nervously.

He nodded.

She pulled the box off the branch and opened the top flap.

Christina gasped.

It was a ring. An engagement ring.

Stephen moved so her was kneeling on one knee in front of her and pulled the ring out.

"Christina Noel Earnest, I love you more than anything in this world. The happiness you have given me I know I could never fully repay, but I want to spend the rest of our lives trying. Will you be my wife?"

Christina sat on the floor with her mouth open.

She looked at her parents who were smiling at her, her father winked and gave her a nod of approval.

She turned back to Stephen.

"Of course. I love you so much!"

With that Stephen slipped the diamond on her finger and stood with his new fiancé.

Marion was already hugging her daughter and Andrew came up to hug Stephen.

"No take backs!" Andrew joked.

Richard pulled Stephen in for a hug and congratulated him.

Stephen wanted to believe this was probably the best Christmas of his life but knowing he would be married to Christina and a permanent part of her family there was no doubt better ones were sure to come.

**THE END**