Getting To Know You
Chapter 17
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: Jed and Abbey realized their first Christmas may not be what they expected because of his plans to go to the London School of Economics over Christmas vacation
Summary: Jed and Abbey exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas a few days early
After throwing the last bit of tinsel onto the tree, Abbey looked it over from top to bottom. Every ornament strategically placed. Every stitch of garland methodically hidden inside the green pine needles that fell to the floor every few seconds. She nodded and turned to Jed.
"What?" she asked, noticing the big grin that dominated his face.
"You're just cute, that's all."
"Be serious, will you? It has to look great."
Jed stood up and approached her, his arms stretched out to wrap them around her petite frame. "It already does, just like you." He lowered his head and dropped a kiss to her lips. "Where are your parents?"
"Christmas shopping with my sister."
As she snuck out of his embrace to inspect the tree once more, Jed picked up a cookie from the coffee table. "Ah. Will I finally get to meet the mythical Kate?"
"I told you, she was with her boyfriend over Thanksgiving. That's why you haven't met her."
"It has nothing to do with the fact that you conjured her up in your pretty little mind?"
Abbey snatched the cookie out of his hand as she led him to the sofa. She plopped him down then sat on his lap, her fingers laced neatly around his neck. "Not at all."
"Mmm, what's this?" he asked, his eyes closing at the sensuous way she ran her nails over his scalp.
"I just thought we could have some quiet time."
His head tilted back as she continued the passionate assault over his face, kissing him on the forehead first, then the nose, and finally, his mouth. He returned her kisses with little hesitation, his pace speeding up as her hands slipped from his chest to his stomach.
It was light, yet abrasive, the mischievous way she touched his waist. Jed jumped to his feet. "Abbey, seriously. What are you doing?"
"You're leaving tomorrow. I just want our last night to be perfect."
"It's not our last night. I'll be back in a few days."
"Then what?" she asked, standing to face him. "If you get accepted, you'll be gone by the end of the summer."
Jed walked behind her when she turned her back to him. With a gentle squeeze, he rubbed her shoulders. "Let's worry about that when the time comes."
He dropped a kiss to her shoulder as Abbey turned herself around, smiling at him. She was positively glowing. The flickering lights of the tree gave her a certain radiance he hadn't seen before and before he knew what was happening, his thoughts had been taken hostage by her angelic beauty. She coiled her hand around his neck to pull him closer to her, leaving him with a long, hard kiss on his lips as she melded her body to his.
She tightened her hold and whispered, "I love you."
"Abbey, why are we...why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
Jed put his hands on her arms to hold her still as he asked her again. "Why are you doing this tonight? Are you trying to make me forget about London?"
"No," she answered unconvincingly, fluttering her lashes. "We're doing this because I think it's time we turned up the heat."
"Honey, I don't want us to do something you're going to regret because you're upset that I'm going away for a few days."
"Jed, it isn't about that."
"Are you sure?"
Abbey released her grip and walked out of his hold, headed directly towards the tree. She bent down to pick up a blue rectangular-shaped present and handed it to him. "Here. Merry Christmas."
"Abbey."
"Open it."
Jed untied the silver ribbon that adorned the wrapping paper and pulled out the slip of paper after opening the top of the box. "A plane ticket?"
Abbey nodded. "From London to Boston. And don't worry, it's round trip,"
"Oh, Abbey."
"I just hope you'll use it to visit." She smiled at him. "See? I'm okay with this. I'm not trying to get you into bed just because you're leaving. I've already accepted that and I don't care. I still love you. I still want to make this work."
"I haven't moved yet."
"But you will. And I'm okay, as long as you'll come back from time to time." She lowered her head, her frown less visible to him.
"Hey…" He cupped her chin as he pressed his lips to hers. "I love you. And I want to give you my present too."
Abbey took the golden box out of his hands and eagerly tore wrapping paper. He chuckled at her childlike reaction, then paused when she stared at him with her sparkling emerald eyes, obviously touched by what she had seen.
"Oh Jed." She pulled out a sterling silver necklace with a genuine ruby stone embedded in the center of the square pendant. "It's beautiful."
"You always look great in silver. It reminds me of the moment I first laid eyes on you. It was New Year's Eve last year and you were wearing that silver cocktail dress that hugged every curve on your gorgeous body."
"How could I forget that dress."
Abbey began to pull the chain around her neck, but he stopped her. "Wait."
"What?"
He took it from her and opened the small latch on the pendant to reveal the tiny photo inside. "Look."
"Oh my God. It's a locket."
Jed nodded, flipping the first thin layer of the locket as if it was a storybook with multiple pages. "There's room in here for about 10 pictures. I started us off with the one of us at Martha's Vineyard just because it's my favorite."
"Why is that your favorite?"
"That trip was when I realized I love you," he told her. "You can turn each page and put a picture on either side. See?"
"I see," she replied, her eyes piercing into him. "I love it!"
"Look at the back."
Abbey turned it over, covering her mouth with her fingers as she read the inscription to herself before dropping her hand to read it out loud. "The Story of Us. Love always, Jed."
The sentimental gift tugged on her heart and her eyes began swimming in tears. All she expected for Christmas was a sweater or a bracelet, but the fact that he had gone beyond the expected and surprised her with such a thoughtful present only reinforced her belief that Jed wasn't like the other guys she had known. He wasn't like anyone she had ever dated before. He was unique. His charm and charisma weren't just skin-deep. There were layers to Jed Bartlet. Layers that defined his character and proved there was more to him than just his handsome exterior. Layers so deep and so strong that, at times, they literally took Abbey's breath away.
"Are you okay?" he asked, alarmed that she was crying. "Are you sure you like it?"
"Are you kidding? It's the sweetest thing you could have gotten me." She swiped a few tears with her thumb. "My gift, on the other hand...mine was selfish."
"Abbey, I love your gift. It shows me how much you want to be with me."
"I do, Jed. I really do."
She closed the distance between them as she pressed herself into arms. Jed held her tight, his hands running up and down her back as he separated their bodies slightly to kiss her. Just as hers had moments earlier, his kisses trailed down to her neck, his mouth opened wider. Abbey didn't stop him. She pushed her lower body against his to spark the friction that would soon send him over the edge.
This time, they were both ready.
TBC