Day Five – Friday 24th December
I woke early, the sun not even risen, night still sweeping over the land. A sweet sensation on my back, it took me a few heady moments to realise what it was, Joseph's fingers tracing a line from the base of my spine up to my neck. I moved backwards to rest my body against his and his fingers continued their exploration over my hip. Down to my stomach.
I tilted my neck back welcoming his kiss on my warm skin; I hadn't even opened my eyes yet. I wasn't fully awake, but the sheer joy at having his touch with not one ounce of guilt flooding my veins was too much to resist. I'm not sure if I went to bed dressed or not but I was naked in his arms but a few moments later. Mindless kissing, exhilarating and reckless, no words spoken, none needed.
The sheets wrapped around my body as I turned in his arms, he fought them back with his feet and instead wrapped himself around me. Making love to Joseph has been something of an unexpected source of joy, I mean I knew I wanted him, I knew the passion was there – but I thought my body was well past any of these kind of pleasures. Lord knows I'd given up hoping for this many years ago.
It wasn't until later he told me if was still only 5:30, turned me over and massaged my back until I drifted back to sleep with his body spooned beside mine. We didn't wake again until gone 10 in the morning.
"Happy Christmas Eve." He whispered in my ear and this time when I woke the sunlight was flooding into the room.
I turned onto my back and dared to open my eyes and looked up at him.
"You look far too happy." I said rubbing my forehead.
"I am… our first Christmas together and I've managed to get you all to myself." He kissed my face and pulled me into an embrace.
"I believe we've been here already once this morning."
"Mmm…. Twice?"
"Perhaps later dear, it's getting late."
"A kiss then."
"Alright a kiss."
He leant over me and kissed me slowly and deeply.
"Satisfied?"
"For now… I'll order breakfast, we should really get moving."
"Alright boss." I watched as he jumped out of bed and put his robe on. "Joseph."
"Yes."
"Happy Christmas Eve to you too."
I was rewarded with a bright full smile.
"Can I open my eyes yet?"
"Not yet."
Joseph's hands rested on my shoulders guiding me across the foyer, I was greeted with an icy breeze on my face as we got to the door then the softness of snow beneath my feet.
"Careful, it's a little icy." He said cautioning.
"What is this all about?"
"Here, stop, now…" He kissed the top of my head. "You can open your eyes."
Two tall fine looking white horses stood before me with a traditional sleigh behind them.
I couldn't help but laugh. "This is how we're travelling."
"Oh yes. First class all the way."
"Oh how wonderful, Amelia will be very jealous."
"Shall we depart then my dear." He held his arm out for me.
"Let's."
Joseph of course was thoughtful enough to include blankets in the sleigh along with snacks and the journey itself was incredibly pleasant – though a little bumpy at times. I wondered how he'd managed to convince this rather elderly gentleman to devote his Christmas Eve to carrying the two of us about but knowing my husband the gentleman had probably been well rewarded.
I was even more surprised when a phone rang and found Joseph had brought a cell phone along just in case we were needed, and of course to keep in touch with Mia. Charlotte rang to pass on general messages and to wish us both a Merry Christmas, I hope she liked the gifts we left for her and her family.
It didn't take that long to reach our destination, after all his teasing Joseph hadn't done something really extravagant or over-the-top, he had taken me to the log cabin in the grounds. In the afternoon light with last night's heavy snowfall still covering it, it seemed like paradise to me.
The sleigh departed and Joseph carried our bags inside whilst I looked around. It was fully decorated, a tree in the kitchen, one in the lounge, the bedrooms made up, food store high and ready for use. As always he thought of everything.
The lodge held memories for the both of us, not all of them happy however. It was here that we'd spent almost a week hiding after an attack was made on my life. Here that we admitted our fears and faced our deepest regrets. Here that we kissed by the firelight and admitted our love, made-love for the first and only time. Then we left and moved on and tried to forget.
"Hey, what's all this for?"
"Oh nothing, I'm sorry…" I wiped at my face.
"You aren't supposed to cry." He sat down next to me on the bed and held me. "This was meant to make you happy."
"It has, I am, I am."
"Memories, it hurts to think how we were back then, what we gave up. All those years apart."
"But we have now, and my feelings for you never changed, only grew. And we've always been friends haven't we."
"Oh yes." I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. "Always will."
"So, let's not dwell on the past, I was going to ask you what you'd like for dinner?"
"Let's have hot chocolate sauce and dip marshmallows in it."
"Sounds messy… and fun! Perhaps later, by the firelight."
I reached for his jumper and lifted it up. "Then what is your suggestion?"
"Something easy to do, yet filling and warm because I think it's going to be damn cold here tonight."
"I agree." I reached for his shirt buttons.
"Casserole?"
"Yes." I pulled his belt off.
"Clarisse."
"Yes sweetie."
"Did you have plans."
"I think I made you a promise this morning…"
"You did."
"Yes, and we have some years to make up for."
"That we do…"
Later, much, much later, we ate marshmallows dripping with hot chocolate sauce wrapped up in several heavy quilts in front of the open wood fire. And that's how we saw in our first ever Christmas morning…
Amigos para siempre
Means you'll always be my friend
Amics per sempre
Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre
I feel you near me
Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world
Can warm my heart
Friends for life
Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre
Merry Christmas to you all - - if im not a complete drunken mess tomorrow then i'll do Xmas day too!!! :-)