As Calleigh's eyes fluttered open she could see the clock stare back at her. 7:30. She reached behind her but found nothing. Had last night been a dream? As she sat up she felt something hit her neck. She looked down and saw the necklace. It hadn't been a dream. But if it hadn't been a dream where was Eric? Just then she heard a crash echo from the kitchen. She bite down on her bottom lip as she got out of bed and went downstairs. She peered around the corner and saw a very frustrated Eric telling the pans to be quiet. The smile on her face was getting impossibly bigger. Once he had his back turned to her she crept up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He gave a slight jump before he realised who it was.

"Morning beautiful." Eric turned around and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Did I wake you?"

"No." Calleigh shook her head gently as she planted a kiss on his chest.

"Cal." Eric kissed the top of her head. "There's a problem."

Calleigh's heartbeat raced and her face dropped. "What's wrong?"

"Well, the thing is, I was going to make you breakfast in bed and well, now your up." He looked at her with his puppy dog eyes and gave her a sly smile. She let out a small chuckle for thinking it could have been anything bad.

"Well I could always just go back to bed." Calleigh stepped back but Eric never let go of her arm and pulled her back.

"The surprise has been spoiled now, I guess you will just have to stay here." Eric grabbed the back of Calleigh's neck and pulled her up for a long and passionate kiss. He moved from her lips down her jaw line and came to rest on her neck just above her collarbone.

"Eric," Calleigh whispered.

"Yea." Eric moaned against her skin.

"Eric, honey, the breakfast is burning." Calleigh began to laugh when Eric tried to rescue the burnt sausages.

When Eric threw the sausages in the bin with a huff Calleigh slowly came up behind him and slipped her hands underneath his top and started to massage his back. "It's okay." She rested her head on his back. "I have plenty of sausages." A small chuckle escaped both their lips. As Eric spun round Calleigh pushed back until he was facing her then resumed her position.

Eric ran his fingers threw her hair as he kissed the top of her head. He couldn't believe he was standing in her kitchen, kissing the top of her head, doing everything he has ever dreamt of. Well almost everything. He would never push Calleigh into doing anything she wasn't ready for.

"Penny for your thoughts!" Calleigh whispered against his chest.

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to be here with you." He replied.

She looked up into his eyes to see them sparkle at her. "Really?"

"Absolutely." He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer to him.

She took in a deep breath inhaling his intoxicating cologne. "It's Christmas eve."

"I know." She gave a small chuckle.

"Cal?"

"Yea."

"Do you wanna come with me tonight?" Eric's hand began to rub her back.

"Depends on where you're going!" She started to draw circles on his chest.

"I'm going over my parents for Christmas." Calleigh looked at him.

"You want me to come to your parents with you?" She asked not quite believing him.

"Yea." When he began to pout she couldn't help but laugh slightly.

"Why?"

"Because I want them to meet you." Eric said never taking his eyes off of her.

"Why?"

"Because I want to spend Christmas with you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you." After those three little words Calleigh was speechless. "Please?" Eric gave another little pout. A smile started to creep onto Calleigh's lips.

"Okay." Her voice was no higher than a whisper. She rested her head back on his chest.

"Calleigh, as much as I would love to, we can stay like this all day. We have to get ready to go." Eric ran his fingers threw her hair once more.

"What should I wear?" Her sudden question made Eric laugh. "Don't laugh Eric, I'm serious. The last time I met the parents was in university when I was with…" She suddenly stopped when she realised what she was about to say.

"Jake." Eric finished for her. Calleigh nodded her head slowly and looked at the floor. "Calleigh it's fine. Jake is the past."

Calleigh looked up at him, grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

Eric wrapped his arms around her petite frame and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Calleigh began to slid her tongue over his lips until he opened for her. They were standing there for a while, tongues sliding over each other. Eric managed to look at his watch. Reluctantly he pulled away creating a small whimper from Calleigh.

"We need to get ready, I promised my parents I'd be there at twelve." Eric traced his fingers up and down Calleigh's arms sending shivers down her spine.

"So they don't even know I'm coming?" Calleigh raised her eyebrow.

"Well I only asked you today." Eric had an apologetic look on his face. "I'll phone them now."

"But what if there isn't enough room for me?" Calleigh started questioning.

"There is always plenty of room, and enough food to feed five thousand." He reassured her.

"But.." She was cut off by Eric.

"No buts, go and get ready and I'll phone them and let them know you're coming." Eric guided her towards the bathroom. "You'll need to pack cloths for five days."

Once Calleigh was in the shower Eric rang his parents. "Hi mama."

"Hi baby." Claudia answered. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong I was just phoning to ask if it's okay I bring a friend over with me?" Eric waited for his mom's answer.

"Of course it is honey." She seemed over excited. "Who are you bringing?"

"Calleigh." When he didn't hear anything he explained. "You remember Calleigh ma. I have told you about her."

"Is she the one you work with that has, now how did you describe it, beautiful blonde hair?" He could hear the amusement in her voice.

"That's her." Eric said cheerfully.

"I'll see you at twelve then." she said.

"I might be a bit late coz I've gotta go home and get my stuff." Eric said.

"Why didn't you take your stuff with you when you went round there?" Claudia asked.

"Because I…" Eric thought carefully about what he said next. "Because I…uh…forgot. And besides I came over to give her a present and ended up staying longer than I thought and because Calleigh isn't doing anything this Christmas I thought it would be nice for her to come over." Eric let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Uh ha." was all his mother said before she said her goodbye and hung up.

Suddenly Calleigh emerged from her bedroom wear a pair of dark blue jeans and a baby pink t-shirt. Her hair was down and framing her face beautifully.

"How do I look?"

"Gorgeous." was the only way Eric could described her.

"Do you think I should wear something a little more formal?" Calleigh was starting to get nervous.

"Trust me this isn't a formal Christmas. Far from it." Eric said with a smile.

"Okay." Calleigh gave a small sigh and fell into Eric's arms. "Hey, where's all your stuff?"

"We have to pick that up on the way." Eric loved the way they fitted perfectly together in each others arms. "Come on we gotta go." Before Calleigh had the chance Eric picked her bag up for her and led her out the door to his car. They quickly stopped at his place so he could grab his things and they were on their way to his parents house.