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"I'm going to get a bottle of water before we start. Can I get anybody anything?" I said standing from the couch.
"Darling, can you fill my glass? Actually, bring the whole bottle and a new one." Martha asked.
"Sure. Anybody else?"
"Bottle of water for me." Jenny said.
"I'll show where the wine cabinet is." Alexis said leading me into the kitchen and into the large pantry.
"You think she would want white or red?" I asked looking through the racks of bottles. "Who am I kidding, she wants red."
"You surprise me all the time." She said.
"Hm?" I asked looking up confused.
"I didn't know that you had that side to you." She said leaning up against the wall.
"Side?" I said grabbing a bottle of Pinot Noir and taking it over to the counter.
"The fatherly side."
"All I did was put a baby back to sleep."
"Yea, but you handle it with ease. Face it. You are a natural."
"Whatever you say Alexis. Is that why you have been staring at me?"
"It's kind of hot." She smiled.
"Really?" I said trying to act cool while opening the bottle.
"Yes, very." She said kissing my cheek as she walked to the fridge to grab the bottles of water.
"We should baby-sit for them, then you can tell me how hot it really is." I said grabbing the two bottles as she followed closely behind, laughing.
After refilling Martha's glass and giving Jenny her water, I sat down on the floor in front of Alexis who I gave my seat to on the couch. Castle started handing out the gifts. I handed Alexis a medium sized box. She handed me a small one. She smiled at me and told me to open mine first. I quickly opened the box and revealed a small keychain that had the date of our first date engraved on it, below it it said 'Best. Day. Ever.'.
"I love it." I said leaning up to give her a chaste kiss. I pulled my apartment keys out and slipped them onto the keychain. She smiled and opened hers. She tore the wrapping paper open, revealing a wooden box. She slowly opened the lid revealing envelopes upon envelopes.
"What do they say Alexis?" Lanie asked from across the room.
"They're open when and if letters."
"I thought that they would work well. I am not very good at expressing myself in the moment. So, there is one to open when I do something stupid or when you need to know how much I love you."
"You have got to stop being so sweet." She said kissing my cheek.
We continued this way. Alexis received many gifts from her family as well as from me. She gave me a new watch, ties, and cuff links. We spent the rest of the night watching movies on the couch until Jenny and Ryan excused themselves to their room. Alexis and I were the next ones to go, the rest of them staying up to party. We walked into her room, my stuff somehow ending up in hers. I changed into my new, Nebula-9 t-shirt that Alexis got me and boxers.
"You're such a dork." She said as I jumped onto the bed next to her.
"I'm your dork." I said with a huge grin.
"I'm really glad that you came, Jasper. It's a shame that we have to go back tomorrow."
"You don't have to go back tomorrow. I can go by myself and you can get a ride with your dad. I know how much he would enjoy that. Besides, I'm going to be working and I have an interview on Friday."
"Fun." She said sarcastically.
"Did I mention it's with my dad." I said looking over at her.
"That's even better."
"I know that you would probably be happier to spend the rest of your week of with family instead of a lonely apartment."
"I know, but I want to spend New Year's with you."
"Maybe, I'll drive up or your dad will come back by then."
"Ok. But, I'm going to miss you."
"There is a letter for that." I said with a smile kissing her quickly, before pulling her into me, holding her in my arms. "Merry Christmas, Alexis. I love you."
"I love you too. Thanks for making this the best Christmas ever."
We slowly fell asleep together.
