Title: Christmas Presents
Author: Robin
Disclaimers: Not mine.
A/N: Babe fluff. Set after the happily ever after. Merry Christmas to all! This was posted on PFF last year, but I never posted it here.
Rating: G
The fire crackled merrily on the grate, casting dancing light on the walls, filling the room with the sweet aroma of burning pine and suffusing me with warm contentment. Ranger and I sat side-by-side on the sofa, staring into the flames. His arm was wrapped around my shoulder, legs stretched out in front of him as he leaned back, relaxed. I was snuggled against his chest, my legs curled next to me, feet tucked between the couch cushions for warmth. The only other light in the room was from the tree in the corner, twinkling with white lights that reflected off the gold and white decorations. The tree was like something out of a design magazine, except for the scattering of a few treasured ornaments that were included for sentimental value, not their aesthetics. There was a ceramic Santa I painted in first grade, a large blue ball with a cursive Carlos in silver glitter and a gift from Valerie – a silver bell engraved with "Our First Christmas" and "2007."
The picturesque packages scattered under the tree had been decimated earlier in the day when we hosted Christmas morning for Ranger's family. All that remained were some stacked boxes and a few salvaged bows. I had been equal parts excited and terrified to play hostess to the brood of Manosos and would have been lost if not for Ella. I was both happy the day was winding down and a little sad to see it come to an end. The apartment was calm and quiet again, but it would be a full year before I could enjoy the anticipation and chaos of this day.
My gift from Ranger was around my neck, a locket marked with a large curly S that nestled in the hollow of my throat. I gently fingered the charm and smiled as I recalled our photo inside. Ranger took my hand in his and drew it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the palm. He turned his head and kissed my temple. "Thank you, Babe. You worked hard. Today was perfect."
"It was fun, but don't get too used to it. I'm not cut out to entertain like that very often."
"Don't worry. I like our peace and quiet too much to ask you to." A smile tilted the corners of his lips and I imagined he was recalling his three young nephews practically hanging from the chandelier in a sugar-induced frenzy. He nuzzled my ear and continued in a gruff whisper, "I didn't marry a Burg girl to get a Burg hostess. I married you, Stephanie, because I want to spend every Christmas with you whether it be the two of us with take-out or a five course, three-ring circus, family dinner."
I turned my head to meet his lips with mine in a slow, sweet kiss. I felt a wave of sensation skitter along my nerve endings. Somehow, every kiss with this man felt like a first kiss.
"I love you, Ranger," I said softly as he trailed kisses down the column of my neck, his hand caressing my cheek and threading into my hair.
"I love you, too. Merry Christmas, Babe."
"Did Santa bring you everything you wanted, this year?" I asked.
"Yes. I love all my gifts," he whispered against my lips, "but honestly you're the best present I could ask for. It's kinda like having Christmas everyday." He kissed me again, tenderly, then dropped kisses on each eyelid and my nose.
I leaned back far enough to look into his eyes. I grinned wickedly, then asked with mock innocence, "If I'm your present, aren't you gonna unwrap me?"
"Sassy," he said as he answered my question with a flash of teeth in a wide grin. As eager as any five-year-old on Christmas morning, he made short work of my clothes, shredding buttons like cheap wrapping paper. He pulled me down to the rug in front of the fireplace where he made love to me deep into the night.
Sometimes naughty could be very nice.
The End