Chapter Twenty-One – It's Christmas
Angelina wakes up the next morning when she feels the bed shift. She rolls onto her back in time to see Jon walk out of the bedroom. She frowns a little when she sees the time. Why is he up so early? She sits up and runs a hand through her hair. She can't remember the last time Jon had been up before her. Climbing out of bed, she grabs Jon's sweatshirt from the hook in the closet. She pulls it on as she walks out of the bedroom. She stops when she sees Jon putting a couple of presents under the tree.
Jon turns and smiles. "Merry Christmas," he says as he walks over.
"Merry Christmas," she says.
He leans down and kisses her. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay." She wraps her arms around his neck when he kisses her again. "Want me to make breakfast?"
"No." Jon rests his forehead on hers. "I'm going to make breakfast. I even got things ready last night."
She smiles. "Is that what you were doing when I was in getting ready for bed?"
He nods. "Yeah. Go sit. I'll get it started." He kisses her again before walking into the kitchen.
Angelina smiles as she sits down on the couch. She pulls her knees up to her chest and watches him. She hadn't expected Jon to cook breakfast. She hadn't expected him to actually go along with the whole Christmas thing. Once again he's managed to amaze her; not that she should be surprised by that fact.
Jon walks over after getting their breakfast in the oven. "I just hope it turns out okay," he says as he sits down.
"I'm sure it'll be amazing," she replies. She smiles at him. "You should open your presents."
He laughs softly. "So should you. Just…" He lets out a soft breath. "I didn't get you much."
"I didn't get you much either." She leans over and kisses him. "I don't need much."
"Me either." He smiles as he stands up to grab the gifts from under the small tree. He hands Angelina the few from him. "I take it these are mine?"
She nods. "Yes." She smiles at him. "I hope you like them."
"Right back at you. Do I need to open in any certain order?"
"No. Just open the bag last."
"Okay." He grins.
"What about me?"
He points to the green box. "Open that one last."
"Okay." She takes one of the other boxes.
Jon picks up the last bag and looks at Angelina. "Open the last two together?" he asks.
Angelina smiles at him. "Sounds good to me." She unties the ribbon on the box as Jon pulls out tissue paper.
"Damn it, woman, how much paper did you need to put in here?"
"Enough to cover." She pulls the lid off the box, licking her lips when she sees a ring box. "Jon…" She looks at him as she pulls the ring box out. As she flipping the lid up, she can see him pulling out the quilt she'd made. She gasps when she sees the emerald heart shaped ring.
"I got the right birthstone, right?"
She looks over at him. "Yes." She pulls the ring out and slips it onto her ring finger on her right hand. "It's beautiful." She leans over and kisses him. "Thank you."
"I wish I could have gotten you more."
"No, this is amazing." She smiles at him as he unfolds the quilt.
"Wow." He looks at her. "These your shirts?"
She nods. "Yeah. I know it's dumb."
"No, absolutely not. Babe, this is amazing." He leans over and kisses her. "Now I get to have a part of you when you can't travel with me."
She smiles against his mouth. "I love you."
"I love you."
Angelina can see Jon hesitate as they walk up to her parents' house. She reaches over and takes his hand. "It's going to be fine, Jon," she says.
"Your dad hates me," he mumbles as she opens the door. "I'm surprised he wasn't on the porch with a shot gun."
"You're being a bit ridiculous. He wouldn't be on the porch with a shot gun." She closes the door. "He'd be hiding in a window."
"Yes, because that makes me feel so much better."
Angelina sets the bag she has down before turning and resting her hands on Jon's cheeks. "You need to relax. If he doesn't like you, that's his problem. Just remember that I love you." She leans up and kisses him. "Got it?"
He nods. "Yes."
She looks over when someone clears their throat. She smiles when she sees her dad standing there. "Merry Christmas, Dad." She grabs the bag again before stepping over. She kisses Ethan's cheek.
"Merry Christmas, sweetheart." He looks at Jon as he approaches.
"Merry Christmas, Ethan," Jon says holding his hand out.
"Uh huh." Ethan shoves his hands in his pockets. "Your mother is in the kitchen. You two are the first here." He walks around them and up the stairs.
Jon sighs as he looks at Angelina. "He fucking hates me."
"Just let it go," Angelina says softly. She rests her free hand on his chest. "Please?"
"I'll try." He kisses her forehead before they walk into the kitchen.
Beth smiles when she sees them. "I thought I heard you two," she says. She walks over and hugs Angelina. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Mom."
Beth turns to Jon. "Merry Christmas, Jon." She hugs him.
"Merry Christmas, Beth."
"Did you see your father?" She frowns when Jon groans. "I'm guessing that's a yes and it didn't go well?"
"He pretty much ignored Jon," Angelina says.
Beth sighs. "I'll talk to him. You two make yourselves at home."
Jon looks at Angelina after Beth walks out. "I think we both need to face the facts. He's never gonna accept me."
Angelina frowns up at him. "Just know that Mom has. And I'm here." She kisses him. "Come on, let's go get the gifts under the tree."
"Lead the way." He lets out a heavy breath as he follows her into the living room. He's not surprised to see just how big the tree is. It would surprise him if Ethan made sure to go even further with everything this year just to throw it in his face. He hopes, for Angelina's sake anyway, that Ethan wouldn't do anything like that. However, it's pretty obvious that Ethan doesn't even want Jon here.
"My grandparents are excited to meet you," Angelina says pulling Jon out of his thoughts. "Mom said they've been counting down the days."
"Yeah? They know I come from nothing, right?"
She looks over. "Jon…" She slides her arms around his waist after putting the last gift under the tree. "They're Mom's parents and accepting of everyone."
"What about your Dad's parents?"
"They won't be here. We don't talk to them much."
It doesn't take long for everyone else to get there. Jon definitely feels out of place with everyone, but Angelina hasn't left his side which has put him at ease. As Angelina had said, her grandparents, who insisted Jon call them Grandma and Grandpa as well, accepted him right away. Richard was even interested in hearing about wrestling, to the point he's even requested Angelina takes them to a show.
After dinner, everyone sits around the living room. Jon sits down on the floor in front of the couch where Angelina is sitting. Angelina smiles as she slides her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. He leans back into her touch.
"Jon, there's an open seat over here," Ethan says.
Jon looks over. "Thanks, but I'm good here," he responds.
"I don't think you understood me, son."
"No, I did. But I'm good sitting right here."
"Listen you little…"
"Ethan!" Beth glares at her husband.
Angelina slides her other hand to Jon's shoulder and squeezes gently. "Stop," she whispers when she feels how tense he is right now.
Jon takes a deep breath as he lets his head fall back against Angelina's legs. "I'm good," he mutters.
The start of opening gifts goes well. Beth is opening her gift from Jon and Angelina when things take a turn. Angelina sees her uncle leaning over to say something to Ethan.
"What does she see in him?" Robert asks.
"No clue," Ethan answers looking at Jon. "He's worthless.
Angelina isn't surprised when Jon growls at that. "Jon…"
"I'm not fucking worthless," he says looking over at Ethan.
Beth frowns at Ethan. "Ethan, you promised."
"I did no such thing. You know as well as I do that he's trash. He doesn't deserve Angelina."
"I don't deserve her," Jon says. "I've told her that from day one."
"Then just leave."
Jon shakes his head as he looks down at his hands. He's trying not to make a scene. He doesn't want to end up looking like he's exactly what Ethan has more than likely told everyone. "Can we move on?"
"We'll move on when I say so." Ethan points at Jon. "This is my house and I will not let you come in here…"
"And do what? Sit here with my girlfriend?" Jon stares at Ethan. "Because that's all I'm doing. I haven't done anything to you. From the second I walked through that door you've done nothing but judge me."
"You're a loser who isn't going anywhere. My daughter deserves more than that."
"Your daughter deserves to be happy," Angelina says. "Dad…" She sighs. "Why can't you give him a chance? No, he's not perfect, but he is an amazing man."
"Doubtful, Angelina."
Jon stands up. "I'm done." He starts to walk out but Angelina stops him. "Angie…"
"Let him walk away. I'm sure it's what he does best."
Jon looks at Ethan. Angelina rests her hands on his chest, trying to get him to focus on her. "Jon, stop."
"Angelina, you are coming home," Ethan says. "I'm done with all of this. You belong here."
Jon snorts. "Showing me who's boss, right Ethan? You know she's old enough to make her own decisions." He looks at Angelina. "So what's it gonna be?"
"You need to stop," she says.
"Right." Jon shakes his head and backs up. "I'll make this easy for everyone." He turns and walks out.
"Very nice, Jon," Ethan calls after him.
Angelina is about to say something else but sees Jon walk back in and stalk toward Ethan. She steps between them. "Don't." She rests her hands on Jon's chest. "He's only doing it to make you look bad." She slides her hands up to the sides of his neck. "He wants this reaction. Don't give it to him."
Jon growls as he rests his forehead on Angelina's. "I can't stay here, Angie."
"Then let's go." She looks over at Beth. "Mom."
Beth stands up and walks with them out of the living room. "I'm so sorry, Jon," she says.
"Don't apologize," Jon says. "It's not you." He shoves his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry for making a scene."
"You did no such thing." Beth kisses his cheek and gives him a quick hug before turning to Angelina. "I'll stop by later tonight. Spend some time with the two of you."
Angelina nods. "Yeah, we'd like that."
Jon taps his fingers on the steering wheel as he drives home. He hates that he made Angelina leave already, but he couldn't stay. "You could've stayed," he says.
"No," Angelina says. "I wasn't staying without you." She reaches over and rests her hand on Jon's thigh. "I'm sorry about my Dad."
"Don't be."
"I hate that he treats you like this. It isn't fair. Jon, you are amazing."
"Babe, it's fine. It's not the first time I've been called trash. Probably won't be the last."
"It's not true though."
He takes her hand, linking their fingers together. "I know. I still don't think I'm good enough for you. But I'm glad I have you. You're enough for me."