I got such great reviews for this story so I'll continue it! Please enjoy!
Ethan sat there at his dining room table as he watched his family laugh and talk with one another. Evelyn sitting next to his parents as they clinked wine glasses together, Jane sitting there laughing at something Benny had done. Ethan felt like everything was going in slow motion as he watched everyone so happy and delighted, Christmas music playing in the background as snow fell outside the windows. He took in the lovely scent of apple and cider from the candles that decorated the middle of the table, alongside mounds of food his mother and Evelyn had spent hours cooking. He looked at his mother, dressed in a beautiful red dress as she talked to Evelyn about desert recipes. He then looked over at his father and sister, both wearing blue as they smiled at each other as they ate their ham and turkey. Ethan then looked over at Evelyn and Benny, his grandmother wearing a light blue sweater and a dark blue skirt that cascaded down to her ankles. Everything was perfect as Ethan smiled at Benny who took a hold of his hand from underneath the table as he leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"So Ethan, you and Benny enjoying your time off from school?" Evelyn asked as she turned to look at the two, her blue eyes twinkling like the snow in the candle light.
"Yea, we sure are. I thought I'd take Benny out to that coffee shop that opened on main street tomorrow. Sarah told me they have a great vanilla cappuccino," Ethan replied as he looked at Evelyn who nodded happily.
"That's great darling, well has everyone saved room for my pumpkin marshmallow pie?" Evelyn said excitedly as she put down her napkin and ran into the kitchen, bringing back a pie topped with melted marshmallow on top as she set it down and began to cut slices out.
"Here's two for you Ethan and Benny, I have more in the kitchen because I know how you two pig out," Evelyn joked as everyone began to laugh. Ethan held out Benny's and his plates out as Evelyn dished some of the pie out onto them. He licked his lips, he knew how well of a cook Benny's grandmother was. He smiled with contentment as he took his first bite, almost choking from laughter when he saw Benny scarfing his down like a vacuum.
"Benny, slow down. I know you like mouth to mouth, but I don't feel like having to give you CPR over you choking today!" Ethan whispered, causing Benny to grab onto his mouth and stomach as he blushed heavily before giggling lightly at his longtime boyfriend.
Later into the Evening
Ethan sat there on the floor as he watched his mother open up a gift from him as he watched her throw the top off and gasp.
"Oh Ethan, sweetie this is beautiful!" Samantha said as she held up a purple cashmere sweater in her hands and brought the soft fabric against her cheek.
"It helps to have a job and save money for days like this," Ethan joked as his mother began to laugh as she reached over and drew her son into a hug.
"Your turn grandma!" Benny hollered out as he handed his grandmother a wide rectangular wrapped gift.
"I wonder what this could be, you always have some of the most out there gifts Benjamin," Evelyn began to say as she tore into the wrapping paper before pausing and looking at Benny and then back to the gift.
"Benny...where did you get this picture. I thought I'd lost it for so long," Evelyn said as she held up a beautiful picture of her and her daughter.
"I found it when I was going through the attic, I knew you didn't have many pictures of mom left. I got it enlarged and framed for you," Benny said as he watched his grandma wipe a tear away from her old eyes as she held the frame out. Ethan saw it was a picture of Evelyn holding Benny's mother in her arms as a small child, both of them smiling happily.
"Oh sweetie, your mom would be so proud of you today. Thank you Benny," Evelyn said as she put the frame down and hugged her grandson as she wiped another tear away from her eyes.
"Let's see who's left. Benny and Ethan, you still haven't opened your gifts for each other. Come on, on with it!" Samantha said as she leaned back into the couch into her husbands arms.
Ethan watched as Benny opened his gift, tearing the wrapping paper away until his hands slowly pulled put a beautiful white gold locket.
"E...it's beautiful," Benny said softly as he dangled the locket in front of him, taking in the glimmer off the white gold.
"Look on the back, it's engraved with our initials and the day we met." Ethan said as he watched his boyfriend trace his fingers over the engraving before leaning forward and taking Ethan into his arms, embracing him softly for a few minutes before pulling back.
"Your turn E," Benny said as Ethan went to opening his gift, smiling as he opened it when he looked up momentarily to see Benny putting the locket on. Ethan looked down as he opened the box and smiled as he pulled out a picture of Benny and him holding each other at prom, their eyes closed as they held onto each other on the dance floor.
"Who took this photo?" Ethan asked as he traced his fingers over the silver frame and glass as he looked up at his smiling boyfriend.
"I had Sarah take it when you weren't paying attention, I knew it would make the perfect gift," Benny said as Ethan looked back down at the photo of two and felt himself growing emotional.
"Thanks Benny, you mean the world to me. Always have, always will!" Ethan said as he took his boyfriend into another embrace, pressing their lips together softly as they held each other, their families smiling at them as they admired the young couple.
"Okay, we all know tradition! Time to head down to Central Square and watch the city Christmas pageant! Everyone get ready!" Samantha said as she stood up and put down a glass of eggnog before heading upstairs to get ready.
"I'll be back over in a bit Benjamin, I left my overcoat at home," Evelyn said as she walked past two who just smiled and ran up the steps to get ready together.
I really hope y'all liked this chapter. It may have a few more in store, please review!
