Like I Am

Chapter Ten

I can feel the change

The change you made in me

But will I ever see

All the things you see in me

When you say that I'm one of a kind

Baby, I don't see it, but you believe

That I'm so strong and true, I promise you

I'll try to be that kind of man

Because you love me like I am

Like I Am - Rascal Flatts

Oh my goodness, I'm on chapter ten already. Can you believe that? Wow. I think we're half way. Maybe. Next chapter is going to have some fun stuff in it ;) thanks to kvsgrl. The rating will be going up. Enjoy, oh and if you didn't read the reposted chapter nine since I uploaded the wrong one, make sure you go back and do it. Read and review :) And a little side note, the little poemish thing in Hannah's Christmas present is a line from Poe's Annabel Lee. I just changed the name to fit the story.

Christmas was a wonderful time of the year. For Hannah anyway. She loved everything about the holiday. The snow, the decorations, the food; Hannah loved it all. Baking especially. She must have baked at least four batches of cookies so far. Reid, on the other hand, never was a fan of Christmas. Sure back home, his mom and dad, as well as his friends, tried to get him in the holiday spirit, but it never worked. However, this year his spirits were perking up. Hannah really was a special person, and boy she could cook!

He woke up first on Christmas morning. They both had fallen asleep the night before watching A Christmas Story for the third time in-a-row. Large, fat snowflakes stuck to the windows and blanketed the ground below. Reid really didn't want to leave the bed. It was so nice and warm; why leave to go out into the cold?

Hannah was a cute sleeper. Whenever Reid would wake up before her, he would just lay there and watch her. Not in a creepy way mind you. He would just watch and admire until those deep, brown eyes fluttered open. She always slept on her right side and looked like a newborn baby. Her hands were clamped tightly together right by her face. Her legs were bent at a ninety degree angle, and her mouth was open ever so slightly. She was beautiful.

As he continued to look at her sleeping form, Reid's mind began to drift off. Thinking about the day when they took Lucy to the aquarium up in Boston. Lucy loved it, naturally. All of those colorful fish drawled her in from left and right. And don't even get him started on the penguin exhibit. But the one thing that stood out to him the most was how good Hannah was with the toddler. Reid never wanted to have kids. But when the elderly couple mentioned what a cute little family they were, it got him thinking. He would have to continue the Garwin line sometime or another. Was it weird to be thinking about this when he and Hannah were only in the relationship for five months? He didn't want to scare her or anything. Reid didn't even tell her about the Power yet, how could he even think about children?

"Reid, you've been staring at the wall for the past five minutes. Are you all right?" When did she wake up?

"Just thinking," Reid turned to face her. She was even adorable with bed head. He was falling, and falling hard. "Merry Christmas, Hannah," he said with a kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Reid," she blushed, pushing away the blankets so she could stare out the window. "A white Christmas is a good Oman you know."

"A good Oman for what?" he asked. "Come back to bed. It's warmer in here."

"Do you plan on spending all day in bed?" she asked. "You might as well wake up and start your day. It is Christmas after all."

"I would love to spend all day in bed with you," he waggled his eyebrows at her, causing another blush. "What do you have planned?"

"I don't know, but it's our first Christmas together, Reid, and I want to do something memorable you know."

"You're cute when you whine like that. Did you know?" Reid chuckled. "Fine, we'll do something, but do you want to open your present now or later?"

"I thought we decided not to get each other anything," Hannah paled. "I didn't get you anything."

"You didn't need to. Being with me this long is a good enough present for me anyway," Reid went over to the dresser and pulled out a small, square box. "Merry Christmas."

"I can't," Hannah protested. "It'll make me want to go out and get you something."

"Just open it," he insisted, shoving the box into her hands.

"Fine," Hannah tore off the silver wrapping paper. "Oh Reid, it's beautiful," her fingers grasped the heart-shaped locket. "Thank you so much."

"Open it," he said.

"Something's not going to pop out of it right?" she asked, and then brought a hand up to cover her mouth. "But we loved with a love that was more than love. I and my Hannabelle Lee. This is the best Christmas present I have ever received. Thank you so much, Reid," Hannah embraced the blond tightly around the neck. "I'm going to get you something now. Just so you know."

"No rush," he grinned," kissing the top of her head. "Let's go to breakfast shall we?"

"Shouldn't we change first?"

"Oh yeah."

One wouldn't picture many people going out for breakfast on Christmas morning. Not many restaurants were open to begin with, but that's what made being a Springfield student so awesome. The best place to go in town was the only Friendly's in the area. The place was always packed.

Friendly's was always a favorite of Hannah's when she was a little girl. She and her parents would go every year for her birthday, and she would always make any kind of creation she wanted. She was ecstatic when Reid asked her where she wanted to go.

The majority of the building was full with most of the tables and booths occupied. Thankfully, the hostess was able to show them to a booth near the back before a waiting list was about to be made. There room was in rear facing the large, glass window that displayed the piles and piles of snow now covering the ground. A few more inches and they could have some real fun.

They ordered their breakfast, Buttermilk pancakes and hot chocolate for Hannah, and a three cheese and bacon omelet with orange juice for Reid. Then talked about everything and nothing. It was comfortable and perfect.

"Tell me a secret that no one knows about you," Reid said, as they continued eating. "Something not even Devon knows."

"That's a hard one. Devon and I share everything," Hannah spoke. "We share everything. It's just how we are."

"How do you know each other so well anyway? I know you went to high school together, but what's the story?" Reid finished the last of his juice.

"That I can tell you," she said. "We did go to school together. We were friends, but when my dad died he was there for me. He would comfort me and tell me how everything was going to be ok. The rest they say is history."

"Did you ever date him?" Reid asked.

"God no!" Hannah laughed. "So many people thought we were, but I could never date him. He's too much of a hard ass in my opinion."

"I'm going to tell him you said that."

"Go right ahead. I've done so on many occasions. What about you? What kind of deep, dark secrets does Reid Garwin have?" the blond paled.

"I don't think you're ready for my secrets just yet," he answered truthfully.

"Uh oh, Reid has some skeletons in his closet," Hannah joked. "Maybe I should ask Tyler. He'll tell me."

"He won't say anything to you dearest. It concerns him too," Reid wanted to punch himself for saying that. That was too much information.

"Will you tell me sometime?" Hannah asked.

"One day I will," he grasped her hands from across the table. "If this relationship goes in the direction I think it is, I'm going to have to tell you."

"Where do you think our relationship is going, Mr. Garwin?" she smirked, as she saw the blush creep up Reid's neck.

"Um, well I- um," he stuttered. "What I meant was-"

"Don't worry, Reid. I understand."

"Good," the blond pulled out his wallet and snatched the bill right out from under her fingertips. "I got it. Where do you want to go next?"

"You pick," Hannah told him. "You got me a Christmas gift and took me to breakfast which you paid for."

"But-"

"No buts," she said. "What do you want to do today?"

"Want to go see a movie?"

"That's a great idea," Hannah smiled. "I'll get the snacks."

"Sounds good to me."

kvsgrl - I'm working on the secret in my head. If have any ideas please feel free to share. I'm really looking forward to the part you're going to send me. :)

Guest - Thank you, and yes, I realized that. Thanks for the heads up. I hope you went back and reread it.

blondieluver612 - thank you for that. I hope you went back and reread the reposted one.