Happy cheesiness ahead!

Chapter 9

Anna couldn't sleep. Her date with John had excited her too much. She tossed and turned in her bed, before her fingers came up to run over her lips. A smile spread over them.

Her phone dinged. Leaning over, she lifted up her phone to see that John also seemed not to be able to sleep. She sat up slightly, glancing over at the bed next to hers to make sure Drew was still asleep.

I can't sleep, John had sent. Anna quietly chuckled.

Me either. Tonight was….amazing.

It was. I know tomorrow night is Christmas Eve, but do you think you and Drew would like to come and have dinner with my mum and me? My mother has only seen me during this pandemic, just like I've only seen her…well until I saw you.

Anna glanced at the text. Mary had already ordered them a Christmas meal to eat tomorrow night. On Christmas Day, her parents would be coming over for dinner.

I'm sorry, but I can't. Mary has already planned our meal for tomorrow night.

Right, of course.

But what if we came over for breakfast? Anna paused before sending. That was quite the bold request. Before she could talk herself out of it, she sent it.

It felt like ages before he responded back and she held her breath. Where was this boldness coming from?

I'd love that, John responded. Brunch, though? Does 10 sound alright?

It sounds perfect. Goodnight.

Goodnight, Anna. Sleep well.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"You're going to brunch at his place?" Mary asked, furrowing her brows. "Is this covid friendly?" Anna chuckled.

"It is. He has only seen his mother during the pandemic. She sees no one and has been staying home. He has to be extra careful since she's higher risk. Also, we…well," Anna lowered her voice, "We kissed last night." Mary's eyes widened.

"You kissed him!" She loudly said. Anna huffed, glancing around.

"Shh, Drew might hear you!" Anna quietly yelled. Mary just shook her head.

"You are falling and fast," she told her friend, smiling. Anna blushed and inhaled sharply.

"I know. What is wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you, Anna. I'm glad you're letting yourself feel something again. Ever since that snake, Mark, disappeared on you, you've been a shell of yourself."

"I haven't been a shell," Anna argued.

"You have," Mary stated back. "The brightness in your eyes only shows up with Drew, but now I see it all the time. You deserve to be happy, Anna. John is a great guy. Go for it and don't hold back."

"You really think so?"

"Yes!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna held on tightly to Drew's hand, as they made their way up the staircase to John's flat. He kept asking her a million questions, but Anna was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't answer any of them. She was worried about meeting John's mother so early in this relationship. She didn't even know what kind of relationship it was: was it a friendship? A courtship? Was he her boyfriend? That didn't sound right. She sighed.

When they reached the door, Drew walked right up to it and knocked. Then he adjusted his mask.

"Do we really have to wear these right now?" He asked her.

"Yes, I…well," Anna paused. It seemed to be the safest route, but they were going to eat too.

The door opened before she could formulate her response. John was standing there in another gaudy Christmas jumper and a different Santa hat on his head. Anna rolled her eyes slightly, as she wondered just how many of those jumpers he owned.

"Come on in! You can take off your masks. I have the windows open and we can stay apart."

"Good!" Drew exclaimed, tearing off his mask. He quickly handed it to Anna, before rushing into the small flat. "Wow!" He said, staring at all the decorations. "There's so much in here."

John met Anna's eyes and she just laughed. Then he stepped forward and gently pulled the mask from her face.

"That's better," he whispered. A chill ran up Anna's spine and she bit down on her lower lip. What was he doing to her?

"May I come in?" Anna then asked, trying to duck her head slightly so that John couldn't see the way he was affecting her.

"Yes, please do," he stepped to the side to let her in. The video chats had not prepared her for this explosion of Christmas decorations. But she found that she didn't mind it, like she had before. She walked over to the Christmas tree to see all of the different ornaments that he had.

"You have so many," Anna mused.

"I know! Isn't it so cool!?" Drew asked. Anna nodded, her eyes landing on a small ballerina ornament. She touched it with her fingers and sighed.

"Do you like ballet?" John questioned her.

"I use to be a dancer," Anna replied, turning the ballet dancer around.

"You were?"

"Yes." Anna smiled. "I danced all the way through college, but then I decided to trade in my ballet shoes for law school."

"Why's that?"

"Not sure," Anna honestly answered. "I do miss dancing. There isn't much time between work and raising my son."

"And getting a house!" Drew added. "Did you know Mum is going to get me a house for Christmas?"

John's lips twisted, as he shook his head. "That's a lofty Christmas present."

"Well, it's for us to live in. A big house with a big backyard!"

"Drew, we won't move for a few more months, yet," Anna reminded him. Then Anna turned to John to explain. "I've been saving up for a down payment. He's a growing boy. He needs space to run outside."

"Right," John said. The twinkle in his eye had faded slightly and Anna wondered if it was because he remembered that Anna lived several hours away. Anna could feel her own happiness fading slightly. What would they do once she went back to London?

Trying not to think about it right now, Anna glanced around the loft and furrowed her brows.

"Where's your mother?"

"She couldn't make it this early," John answered. "She's busy making her famous pies for this evening. She's disappointed she won't be able to meet the two of you. But she did leave you presents."

"Presents?" Drew automatically jumped up at the sound of that word.

"Presents? For us? People she's never met?" Anna was confused.

"What can I say, my mother loves Christmas," John just said with a wink. He pulled the two presents out from under the tree.

"Well, you get it honestly, I can say."

Drew opened his present to reveal a Christmas jumper. Drew giggled and quickly lifted it from it's box.

"Can I wear it now?"

"Of course you can," John told him. Anna curiously opened her own box to find her own Christmas jumper. Her lips twisted to the side.

"This is very….kind," Anna stated. John laughed.

"You don't have to keep it. My mother doesn't seem to realize that not everyone wants to wear a Christmas jumper."

"You have to wear it, Mummy!" Drew insisted. "It's so beautiful!"

Anna glanced at the jumper with its large Christmas tree and jingle bells all along the collar and swallowed hard.

"Yes," she murmured. "It's…unique." Then she turned to John and smiled. "I am very grateful for your mother thinking of us." She inhaled and quickly threw it over her head and internally flinched as the bells jingled.

"You look so pretty, Mummy!" Drew assured her. John's eyes just lit up.

"I do like this look."

Anna looked down at herself. "You do?"

"Well, I do love Christmas." Their eyes locked and Anna could feel that familiar blush growing on her cheeks.

"Mum, will you help me with mine?" Drew interrupted.

"Of course, sweetheart."

Anna assisted Drew with the jumper. It was nice to have a thicker top on with the windows partially opened and it being cooler. But Anna wasn't sure she would ever get use to the sound of the bells with every movement she made.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Brunch went well. As she and Drew began to leave, Anna turned to John and locked her fingers in with his own.

"Happy Christmas," she murmured. "Maybe we could meet up after Drew's in bed tonight?"

"Would you wear your new jumper?" John asked, winking.

"Sure, if it'll make your night."

"It would."

"Then tonight. I'll message you after he's in bed. Goodbye, John."

"Bye!" Drew yelled. "See you later! Hope Santa comes to see you!"

"Goodbye," John sincerely said. "And maybe Santa will come and see you, Drew."

"Nah, but that's okay. Bye!"

"Bye."

To be continued...