By Victory Thru Tears
Adam's POVAs I open the door, he's already out of the car. He runs in my direction and crashes into me, throwing his arms around my shoulders. I'm nearly knocked off of my feet.
He repeatedly kisses my cheek, finally landing on my mouth.
I start laughing as he pulls away from me.
"You act as if you hadn't seen me three days ago," I tell him as I try to make him come inside. He doesn't loosen his embrace.
"I'm just glad that I'm able to do this in public. Oh right, and I missed you." He says, kissing my cheek again.
His mother and Coach Bombay walk up slowly behind him. They're clearly amused by Charlie's display of affection.
"Hi Adam," Bombay affectionately ruffles my hair.
"I'd hug you, but Charlie can't seem to move himself," Casey smiles.
"Uh, yeah!" I laugh, and Charlie tightens his grip around my waist.
"Casey, Gordon, Charlie!" My father comes down the stairs and claps a hand on my shoulder. "Don't let Adam make you stay out in the cold, come on in!"
My parents have graciously invited Charlie's family - yes, family - to our house for Christmas. I think it had something to do with my constant begging and pleading. My exact words were - "I will be the greatest son and in the world and do extra chores for a month if you do this." Charlie used the same tactic on his parents, who weren't too keen on 'imposing on the Banks''.
But here they are. I'm definitely content. I get to spend Christmas with all of the people I love.
Danny decided to stay in Minneapolis for the holiday. Actually, I think my parents decided for him. Oh well, no loss.
Fulton, Portman, Maya, Taz, and some random Ducks are coming in a couple days. Every year my family lets me host a party. The Goldberg's have the Fourth of July, Conway's on Memorial Day, and Banks' on Christmas. Duck tradition.
I'm sure that not everyone will show up this year. But we have a few additions (Taz and Maya), so the party should still be great.
We sit down to dinner shortly. My mom and Casey bustle to and from the kitchen, getting the food. My father and Coach Bombay are conversing about law stuff. That's what we get for putting two very successful lawyers in one room.
"Guess what." Charlie whispers in my ear excitedly. "They're engaged. Bombay's gonna marry my mom. I'm finally gonna have a dad."
Charlie's face shines with joy. I find his hand and squeeze it. He deserves this. He and Bombay are meant to be father and son. I'm so glad Charlie's going to get the happiness he so clearly has earned.
- + - + -
Charlie and I make a quick exit after the meal, hoping not to get caught and be stuck with dishwashing duties.
He sets his bag down onto the bed as we enter my room.
"Your room's a lot cleaner than last time I saw it, Cake-eater."
"I cleaned it just for you, Spaz my sweet." I tease, setting my hands on my hips.
He flops down onto my bed, and motions to the sleeping bag, blankets, and pillows on the floor.
"That where you're sleeping?"
"Yeah right, I only put those there so Mommy Dearest wouldn't get suspicious. You're stuck with me."
"Yeah, too bad. I'll never get to sleep with you around." He grins.
We stay in silence for a moment, until he spots a wrapped package on my dresser.
"That for me?" he asks, pointing to it.
"Yeah, but you gotta wait until tomorrow morning."
This'll drive him nuts. Patience is not one of Charlie Conway's virtues.
"Please…" He juts his lower lip out in an attempt to look innocent.
I always fall for it.
"Ahh, no, not the face, anything but the face…" I pick up the package and throw it at him. He catches it, his innocent look turning into a triumphant grin. He motions for me to come near him, and promptly pulls me down onto the bed when I do. He's already tearing into the package.
Buying gifts for Charlie sucks. The kid doesn't have any interests besides hockey, food, and swearing in Irish. I have this battle with myself every year over what to get him. I finally decided on hockey tickets and, well, underwear.
And no matter what Portman says, I'm not middle aged.
Charlie is trying to suppress his laughter as he turns to look at me.
"Underwear? I may have the gutter mouth, but you definitely have the gutter mind, Banksie."
I blush, and he continues.
"Yeah, my girlfriend should love these."
"Yeah, that would be funny, Conway, except if I'm not mistaken you had a girlfriend for a few weeks in the beginning of the year, and you're also very close to convincing a lesbian into marrying you." I tell him, a grin on my face.
"Awww, I'm hurt." He rolls over on top of me.
"Ow!" I try to restrain my yelp, I know that it's sort of ruining the moment.
Charlie moves back to his original position. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…I didn't mean to get your wrist…"
"It's ok." I tell him, kissing him.
"Now its time for yours." Charlie pulls a small unwrapped box out of his pocket. Any idiot can tell that it's a ring from the shape and size of the container that its in. I open it, and sure enough, it's a silver ring.
"Charles, you always find a way to make me feel so inadequate." I tell him as he puts it on my finger.
"Shut up, don't call me Charles, and don't make that stupid face, it's supposed to be subtle and manly."
I'm not sure how he manages to say that while keeping a straight face. He looks indignant when I start to laugh.
"It seems more like a proposal." I tease.
He shrugs, and turns over so that he's on his stomach. "Maybe it is."
"So what are you proposing?" I ask, moving so that I'm in the same position.
"Don't start laughing at me again." He says, not meeting my eyes.
I promise, now completely serious.
"I'm proposing that you don't stop loving me, because I don't know if I could deal with that." He tells me quietly.
"Oh, Charles…" I kiss his forehead. "Like that could ever happen."
He grumbles as he finds a way to roll on top of me without touching my wrist.
"Don't call me Charles…"