Hello everyone! I'm back! Did you miss me? :D I want to thank everyone who have still reviewed and left me PMs while I was away. I can't believe I made it to 70 reviews. I hope to keep up my Wednesday schedule and not have to take breaks again. *fingers crossed*
Over the two weeks I was writing, Stella Maeve (Nadia) liked my instagram post! Fan girl moment, I know, you guys are probably sick of me sharing it. Lol. But I did manage to write two pages worth of Chapter 11 after the like. So thank you Stella. :P
This chapter has some slight M content. You've been warned.
"I love you."
Erin's eyes widen and she stood still, frozen.
"Erin?" Tristan spoke softly.
Erin's heart was racing and her breathing was uneasy. She felt her face become hot and her mouth went dry.
Tristan apologized, "Look, I'm sorry, it was too soon. I don't know why I said-"
"I love you too!" Erin blurted and wrapped her arms around Tristan's neck, kissing his cheek gently.
Tristan laughed and lifted her up slightly, spinning her in his arms. Erin laughed too and held tight around his neck.
Once she was placed back on her feet, her arms never unlinked, she just smiled. She was happy; genuinely happy. More than happy. She was in love.
HOME
"So love, huh?" Caitlyn teased Erin as they went through storage bins filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Caitlyn finally moved back to Illinois and was renting an apartment about five miles away. She promised her sister that once she was settled she would come over to the house and go through some of the bins and take as much decorations she wanted so she could make her new place feel more like a home. So that is exactly what Erin and Caitlyn were doing.
Erin rolled her eyes as she picked up a snowman shaped ornament, "Yeah, I love him."
Caitlyn smiled at the teen, taking the snowman ornament from her hands and wrapping it in newspapers to protect it, "What does Hank and Camille think about you using the "L" word?"
Erin stopped and looked at her surrogate aunt, "I haven't really talked with them about it. Why would I?"
"Because they are looking out for you and want to know what's going on in your life, outside of school and work."
Erin shrugged, "I tell them stuff about Tristan."
"Like?"
"Like...how he helps me study and how he is almost done with the police academy."
Caitlyn nodded and smirked, "When you say study do you actually mean study with books or study study?" The young woman emphasized on the last word, raising her eyebrows as she drew the word out longer than usual.
Erin laughed catching what she meant, "We haven't had sex."
Caitlyn cheeks redden and she bowed her head, staring at the star shaped tree topper she held in her hands, "Oh."
Erin nodded at her aunt's embarrassment, "Yep. We uh, actually haven't talked about taking that next step."
"Do you want to? I mean you do love him, so it's completely normal to want explore that side of intimacy-"
Erin threw her hands over her face and groaned, "I don't need to hear the 'sex talk'."
Caitlyn laughed, "Fair enough; besides it's not my responsibility to give to you anyhow."
Erin handed held up a miniature wreath ornament, "You like this one?"
"Yeah, don't forget wrap it up." Caitlyn busted out laughing, her hand covered her mouth to muffle the giggles.
Erin creased her brows, "What's so funny?"
Caitlyn brought her hand over her beating heart as she shook her head, "Sorry, we just went from talking about sex and then I said 'wrap it up' about the ornament but it could go both ways..."
"I'm done," Erin stood up and pushed the bin closer to Caitlyn, "Have fun."
"Oh no, come back I promise I won't do sexual puns anymore."
Erin was already on the first step when she turned and smiled, "Bye Aunt Cat, I'll be upstairs if you need me."
Erin made it upstairs, she could still hear Caitlyn laughing from the basement. Hank walked into the kitchen, bundled up in his winter coat and boots. "You guys done down there?"
"I am, Cat is being annoying." Erin took a seat at the dining room table and Hank covered his hands with gloves, "where are you going?"
"Out to shovel snow, wanna join?"
Erin shook her head, "No thanks I'll stay inside and not freeze."
Hank laughed, "Okay, well don't just sit around, see if Camille needs help with decorating the tree."
Erin nodded and slid off the chair as Hank headed outside to the shed to grab a shovel. She made her way to the living room where Camile just got done stringing the lights and garland on the artificial tree.
"Hey, need help?" Erin asked as she ran her fingers along the white fur of her red velvet stocking.
Camille turned to the teen and smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Sure, pick an ornament and stick it on."
Erin nodded and went to the box of bulbs, carefully taking a glittered one over to a branch, hooking it on securely. "The tree looks really pretty."
"Thank you, I think so too." Camille gave Erin a side hug before reaching into the box for a bulb. " Where's my sis?"
"She's still in the basement looking at the other decorations."
"She being bossy?" Camille smirked, knowing very well how her younger sister was loud and controlling.
Erin laughed, "No she's just teasing me about Tristan."
Camille looked down at Erin once she finished placing a snow globe bulb on a branch, "What about Tristan?"
Erin bit at her bottom lip, looking up at her mother figure, "She was teasing me for being in love with him."
"In love?" Camille questioned, she wasn't angry or upset, just in shock. This would be the first time that Erin mentioned being in love since Mark, even then Camille could see it wasn't true. Tristan was different. He was right for Erin. She was happier, relaxed, grown since her last relationship. Tristan was a wise and respectful young man. He had his head on straight and knew what he wanted in life.
Erin nodded slowly, "I love him, Camille."
"Does he know?" Camille wondered.
Erin once again nodded and picked up another ornament, needing to do something with her hands, "Yeah he uh...he actually said it first."
"When?" Camille spoke softly, taking the reindeer ornament from Erin's hand and attaching the ribbon securely to the tree.
"Thanksgiving," Erin filled in, adjusting the garland strand that hand fallen.
"And you said it back?"
Erin nodded, "Yeah, it felt right," she finally looked to the woman a small smiled appeared and a red tint to cheeks did too, "He's accepts me for me."
Camille flashed the teen a smile and tugged at her side braid lovingly, "As he should." Camille paused before adding, "you deserve to be with someone like that."
HOME
Justin laid on his stomach in front of the tree, he admired the lights and ornaments, "Hey Erin, you think Santa will get me my bike?" He asked, turning on his back and sitting up to look at Erin and Tristan who sat on the couch.
The couple were waiting for Camille and Hank to finish popping popcorn so they could string it and cranberries to hang on the tree.
"Have you been a good boy?" Erin questioned with a smile, Tristan laughed at the young boy's excitement.
Justin nodded and his eyes got wide, "I hope Santa thinks so 'cause I really want it."
"I guess we will see tomorrow when we wake up." Erin said, sitting up to smoosh the pillow behind her back, making herself more comfortable.
Tristan moved his arm from the back of the couch before bringing it back behind Erin's head once she was settled. He squeezed her shoulder before asking, "What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?"
Erin laughed and played along, "Hmm..
.a unicorn."
"Good luck with that." Tristan smirked.
"Fine, I want to know how to get in Platt's good side."
"I think you're chance of getting a unicorn is higher than that "
Erin nudged her boyfriend in the side causing him to laugh. She then placed her hand above the blanket they shared, resting it on Tristan's thigh.
"Watch those hands missy," Caitlyn teased as she entered the room with a bowl of cranberries, "Do I have to sit in the middle of you two?" Erin stuck her tongue out causing Justin to giggle.
Hank and Camille followed a few minutes later with a bowl of popcorn and some spools of thread and needles.
Justin sat up and moved closer to the coffee table that was centered in the middle of the room, "can I make mine all popcorn?" He wondered and reached for a piece of popcorn to eat but Caitlyn was quick to swat it from his hand. "Hey Aunt Cat!"
Caitlyn laughed, "if you eat the popcorn there won't be enough left to decorate our tree with."
Camille threaded the needles for everyone, making sure she gave Justin a plastic needle so he wouldn't poke himself. She sat down on the floor next to her so she could show him how to put the popcorn and cranberries on the string.
Hank sat in the recliner and enjoyed a glass of eggnog, occasionally glancing at Erin who was laughing and leaning into Tristan. He watched as she threaded a cranberry on first followed by a piece of popcorn then another cranberry. Tristan held the needle and Erin would poke a cranberry past the metal of the needle while he would pull the fruit down the string.
Hank watched at how well they worked together. He could see how Tristan was gentle and cautious when he'd help Erin with the needle. Erin once nicked herself with the needle point and Tristan grabbed her finger and looked at it, placing a gentle kiss on it causing her to blush and giggle. Hank hid his small smile behind the rim of his glass.
Camille got up from the floor and walked over to her husband, taking a seat on his lap, stealing a sip from his glass. She rubbed a small circle on his sweater covered chest, smiling down him before looking over to watch her family.
Caitlyn took Camille's place on the floor with her own string and helped Justin with his. On the couch, Tristan took over for putting the fruit and popcorn on the string. Erin leaned over to grab her mug of hot chocolate from the end table that was closest to Hank. She noticed Hank and Camille watching them and she raised her brow, "What?"
Hank and Camille both grinned and shook their heads before responding in unison, "Nothing."
Erin laughed and shrugged, taking a sip from her mug and placed it back on the table before reaching for Tristan's mug and offering it to him. He took a few sips and handed back to Erin. Once Erin was settled back into her boyfriend's side, he placed a kiss on her cheek and they continued to make their garland.
Camille looked at her husband who squeezed her knee, "Hm?"
"She seems happy." Hank commented, observing the young couple.
"She's in love," Camille informed her husband.
Hank looked up at his wife, his eyes were wide and filled with a bit of concern. He swallowed loudly, "Oh boy." Camille just laughed and smiled.
HOME
"It's Christmas!" Justin shouted, running down the stairs at seven in the morning.
"It's early," Caitlyn groaned from the pull out of bed in the living room. She grabbed her pillow and placed it over her ears, "and you're loud."
Justin hopped on the bed and crawled over his aunt, "come on, get up!"
Caitlyn smooshed the pillow firmly over her face, muffling the sounds of her squealing nephew. That didn't stop Justin from yanking the pillow from her, "Justin, go wake up your parents or Erin."
Justin grinned widely, "I already did."
Caitlyn removed the pillow from her face and fixed her bedhead, "if you push the coffeemaker on, I'll get up."
"Okay," the excited seven year jumped off the bed and ran into the kitchen.
Camille walked downstairs, knotting her robe around her thinning figure. She sluggishly walked over and collapsed next to her sister, staring at the tree, "Merry Christmas, Cat"
"Same to you, big sis." Caitlyn sat up and hugged her sister tight, "Remember when we were little you and we would try to sneak downstairs to see if we could see Santa."
Camille nodded, "Yeah we would just end up falling asleep on the stairs and dad would have to carry us back to our rooms so him and Mom could put hte present under the tree."
"I remember one time I swore I saw a reindeer in the backyard and I made everyone get up to look."
"Oh my god, yes!" Camille squealed and let out a much needed laugh, "But then when mom looked out the window and saw it was Mrs. Whiteford's lawn decoration, she was so mad for you waking us up at three in the morning."
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, "I was like four! I didn't know it wasn't real." Camille chuckled and leaned into her sister, pulling the blanket at the foot of the pull out bed to cover her feet. Caitlyn placed a kiss on her head, "Love you Cami."
"Love you too Cat." Camille said and smiled as Justin came skipping in and Erin made her way down the stairs, followed but her husband.
All five of them gathered on the bed, dressed in their festive sleepwear.
"Come on lets open presents!" Justin squealed excitedly, unable to hold out any longer.
HOME
Once the presents were opened and breakfast was finished, everyone got bundled up to build a snowman. More like Justin, Caitlyn and Erin made the snowman while Hank and Camille stayed on the porch with hot chocolate warming their hands.
"I love the necklace Hank," Camille held the small heart pendant in her mitten covered hand. "it's beautiful."
Hank smiled, "I thought you'd like it. I saw it and had to get it for you."
"I really do love it." Camille leaned over the small patio table to place a quick peck on her husband's cheek. Hank smirked and reached up to grab her hand, careful to not knock over their drinks.
"The kids seemed to enjoy their gifts."
Hank nodded, "Justin practically fainted when he go the bike."
Camille smiled, "He wanted that bike so badly, I couldn't resist."
"Caitlyn went all out on the wardrobe for Erin." Hank commented, "I just wish I would've known she was going to buy her short skirts."
"They aren't that short, Henry."
"They are short enough. I don't need her prancing around the district in them."
Camille sighed, "You know Trudy would send her home the minute she stepped into the district where something that wasn't acceptable."
"You're right. I just worry." Hank said honestly before reaching to take a sip of his drink.
"Hank there is nothing to worry about. Erin is a smart and tough young lady."
"With a boyfriend she loves." Hank grumbled.
Camille looked over at her husband, "Is that what this is about? Hank, Erin is going to seventeen, she is responsible with her car and work. Her school work, yes, isn't its best but she is still trying. Tristan is a great guy, who loves and takes care of her. You saw it yourself." Hank nodded and listened, still feeling a bit uneasy, "Erin is far from dumb when it comes to boys. You know she can stand her ground if anything were to happen. If I were you I'd worry about Tristan getting hurt than Erin."
Hank looked out onto the front yard, watching Justin make a snow angel while Erin and Caitlyn finished the last few touches on the snowman they made. "But does she even know what love is?"
Camille squeezed Hank's hand, "She does know what love is. We gave her that gift."
HOME
Erin rushed downstairs, pulling her jacket over her shoulder, glancing at the clock. It read: 11:30pm. She sat down on the bench near the door, slipping her feet into the new boots Caitlyn got her for Christmas. "I'm leaving!" Erin called out, taking her keys off the key hook.
"You know you have to be home at 1am. Not a minute late." Hank reminded as he popped the cap off of his beer.
"I know, I know." Erin firmly placed her wool beanie on her head and flung the matching scarf around her neck.
"Just be safe and call me when you get to Tristan's house. And be extra cautious there is going to be crazy people on the roads."
"I'll be careful." Erin grabbed her purse and waved to Hank, "Tell Camille I said bye."
Camille had called it an early night. As much as she wanted to stay awake to watch the ball drop on tv. She just couldn't. Three days ago, her doctor prescribed on some new meds as a precaution. With the weather being so cold and everyone getting sick, Camille didn't need to get herself sick, especially because her immune system wasn't completely back to normal since her cancer treatment. The side effect of the medicine was it could cause fatigue, so Camille got ready for bed at 8:30 and was asleep by 9, leaving Hank to spend New Year's Eve by himself. But he wasn't complaining, it was relaxing with the house quiet. Justin was asleep and Erin was heading out.
HOME
Tristan led Erin to his room where he had a boatload of snacks to enjoy. A New Year's Eve broadcast played in the background.
Erin made herself comfortable, sitting down on the couch, her coat and shoes were off the minute she stepped inside Tristan's house. Tristan's father was working late and his mother was on patrol downtown. So it was just Tristan, Erin and Sophia who tried to stay awake to watch the ball drop, but the seven year old couldn't keep her eyes open and passed out just ten minutes shy of eleven.
"So how was your Christmas?" Tristan sat down on the couch, pulling Erin into his lap, her legs dangling next to his as she sat sideways.
Erin smiled and her eyes sparkled, "it was really good. I didn't ask for much but I did get a lot." Tristan's hand rested on the small of her back as she spoke. "Caitlyn bought a bunch of clothes and Hank and Camille got me the Cds I've been asking for."
Tristan played with the hem of top, "is this new?" He wondered, admiring the way the burgundy cable knit sweater clung to her body.
Erin smirked, looking at the sweater before adjusting the lace pink camisole she wore underneath to cover some of her cleavage that peeked through the rather deep v neck of the sweater. "It is new...do you like?"
Tristan nodded and snaked his arm in front of her, his hands now linked, resting together on her denim covered hip. He pulled her closer before capturing his lips with hers.
Erin sighed deeply, feeling his tongue swipe across her bottom lip. She granted him access, letting their tongues dance and explore the warmth of their mouths. Erin skillfully sat up from Tristan's lap to straddle him, each of her bent knees resting on the outside of his legs. His fingers dug into her hips, kneading her skin through her sweater, slightly lifting it up to touch the exposed skin. Erin's hand found Tristan's chest, toying with the buttons on his dress shirt.
With each pop of a button, their breathing became unsteady and their kisses were harder and quicker. Tristan brought his hands up to Erin's shoulder, pushing lightly on them, causing him to break the kiss.
"Erin...we should stop." Tristan said regrettably.
Erin caught her breath and steadied herself with her hands pressing firmly on Tristan's now bare chest. She glanced down at his chiseled physique that he gained from the difficult training of becoming a police officer. "What?"
"I don't want to pressu-"
"You aren't." Erin corrected, "I want to do this." Her hands caressed the sides of Tristan's face, her thumbs brushing his cheeks causing him to break out in a huge goofy grin.
Tristan eyed Erin once more and she gave him a single nod of agreement. His hands found her hips again and he peeled the burgundy knit sweater off of her, leaving her in just the lace camisole. His lips brushed Erin's neck, causing a shiver to be sent down her spine. He nipped lightly at her skin without the realization that he was leaving his mark.
In the background the crowd counted down, 4...3...2...1. Cheers and shouts were ring out as Tristan ushered Erin to lay flat, pressing her body deep into the couch cushions, his body hovering hers. Their lips danced, their hands roamed, their hearts pounded.
So what do you guys think? Do you think Erin and Tristan shouldn't have took the next step in their relationship? Would you like to see less of Tristan? Anything you want to see more of?
For those of you who wanted to see more of Erin and Camille moments, stay tuned, next chapter is a huge chunk of that.
Review and let me know what you think.
