Part II: Merry Christmas

"Morning beautiful…" Alex heard a whisper in her ear.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw Marissa's beaming down at her.

"It seems to me you are a morning person now." Alex joked snuggling to Marissa's waist.

The other woman ran her fingers through the blonde tresses and then leaned to give her a peck on the lips.

"Merry Christmas… Now be a good girl and get ready. I'm taking you somewhere today." Marissa mumbled before giving Alex a kiss once more.

"Where is somewhere?"

"It's a surprise." Marissa replied then gave Alex a wink.

"Hmm… Interesting… I should get up then… Don't want spoil the surprise." Alex grinned pushing Marissa off the bed.

"Ah… You don't have to worry about that Miss Kelly. It won't spoil even till next year."

"Oh really?"

"Uhum… Now get on it." Marissa smiled as she strut her backside/

It left Alex with her mouth wide… As in wide open. Who could resist that walk?

----

"You can't be serious…" Ryan replied as he rubbed his temples.

This wasn't going as planned and things might blow out of proportion if they don't measure up to the expectations.

"It's just Alex. I'm sure she'll understand." Seth assured him.

But the latter failed. Ryan knew today was important.

"Don't get me wrong Ryan ol' boy. It's not the first time you did something like this."

"Don't rub it in Seth. Don't you think it would offend her? I mean look at it. I know we all love Marissa and all but… Mickey Mouse prints on the wall? What's up with that?"

It was a few weeks before Alex arrived and Marissa was still fixing her little surprise. She was almost done but there was something she wanted to get over with.

"Ryan, please. Just put it up." She pleaded tugging the hem of his shirt.

The boy frowned not wanting to do the task. Who would dare put up Mickey Mouse wallpaper in a grown-up's room? He closed his eyes pretending not to hear his friend's pleas.

"Come on. It'll be cool and cute. I remember her having tons of shirts with Mickey Mouse printed on them. Please Ryan. For me?"

Oh no. He whispered to himself. Not the puppy dog eyes. He mentally kicked himself when he turned to those cute eyes. Damn be damned. How does Marissa Cooper know such techniques to be persuasive?

"Alright… Just try not to let Alex laugh at it. Or hate it… It'll hurt my ego."

Marissa squealed and gave him a hug. Ryan just rolled his eyes hoping Alex did like Mickey Mouse.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Seth shrugged resting chin on the counter-top.

"Well Marissa owns the joint. We just have to respect that dude."

----

Alex was a little agitated as Marissa drove silently. They were going to see Marissa's so-called surprise.

"Just a clue, Marissa?"

"No…"

"Please?"

"No… Alex…"

"Fine…"

Alex crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. Marissa glanced at her and grinned. She hoped Alex would like the idea. And even though it may not bring Alex back to Newport to stay permanently, it might be a good reason for the blonde to visit on weekends.

"We're here." Marissa said softly.

Alex looked around and saw neatly made houses. They were not mansions like Caleb Nichol's. And the house they have stopped in front of wasn't as big as the Cohen's.

"Why are we here Marissa?"

"It's the surprise." Marissa replied with a smile as got out of the car.

Taking her time, Alex took not of the mailbox and the small garden. Picket fence and a cute bungalow at the center painted in neat pastel colors. It was just like that little dream house Marissa would daydream on.

It was a late afternoon in Alex's apartment. The two were lounging in the couch. There were soft music playing on the radio, and Jodie's dog, Bambam, was taking a nap right beside the coffee table.

"Alex… Why wouldn't you come with me back to Newport?" Marissa asked as she rested her head on Alex's chest.

Though they have been seeing each other at least once a month, Alex never stayed in Newport for more than the weekend.

"Marissa… Your mom hates me to death. I don't have a place to stay. I can't afford the motel that long… You know that…"

"You can stay at Seth's…"

"Marissa… It'll be too much… Maybe when I can afford a small house… Maybe I can stay longer."

"Hmm… Like a small but pretty house?"

"Uhum…"

"Picket fence… And a small garden would do… I'd plant roses."

"You? Plant roses? Marissa Cooper turned gardener?" Alex laughed as she earned a few tickles on her side.

"Marissa is this…"

"Yeah… It is…"

"But how…?" Alex stared at the house.

"I… Worked a little bit… I'm still paying the mortgage… But I'll finish soon… It's my surprise…"

"You could have told me… I could have helped…" Alex pulled Marissa into a hug and was now teary eyed.

"I wanted it to be a surprise Alex… Merry Christmas… Hope you can stay longer now… I'm sure Jodie can manage for a while…" Marissa replied with a smile

"I will Marissa… I will…"

They kissed a little more passionately that they would usually do when they were in public.

"Um… One more thing Alex…" Marissa whispered as she pulled away from the blonde.

"What is it? Another surprise?"

----

Ryan was carrying a box of figurines the he decided to give to Alex and Marissa. Figurines that can help in furnishing their small home. He opened the door and found Marissa tending to a somewhat unconscious Alex on the couch.

"What happened?" He asked worriedly.

He put down the box in his arms and examined Alex. The blonde woman was conscious. She seemed to have a slight concussion though.

"She saw the Mickey Mouse prints…" Marissa replied with a pout.

Alex rolled her eyes and turned to Ryan.

"That's overkill. I do like my Mickey Mouse shirts. But as a wallpaper? Come on!" Alex pleaded towards the boy who just shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not overkill. It's cute…" Marissa retorted.

She pouted a little bit more and Alex Kelly couldn't take it anymore.

"Fine! Fine! We're keeping the Mickey Mouse wallpaper."