Chapter 16
Christmas Shopping
The next day was Saturday, it was the twenty second. Jack was coming over on Monday, Christmas eve…they were planning to pick out a tree that morning and bring it to the house to decorate. She briefly wondered how the previous night's events would affect how they enjoyed Christmas.
It suddenly occurred to her that she still needed to buy a ham. So once she got dressed and fixed her hair, Lily headed to the grocery store.
The store was very busy for the Saturday before Christmas, but she managed to get a ham, potatoes, a mixture of vegetables, and some other stuff. Lily had a cart that she used to take her things home in, so she placed everything in that and began to head home.
As she walked a young man approached her, a shopping bag was around his wrist, "Hey Lily!" he said, smiling.
She looked a bit confused a moment.
"Matthew…from church," he supplied.
"Oh right! Yeah sorry, I'm a bit out of it today. I was up a bit late last night," she smiled, "How are you?"
Matthew smiled, "I'm alright…just picking up some things. Last minute gifts and stuff for the Christmas Eve service."
"Oh yeah…I'm looking forward to the service," Lily said.
"Excellent, good to know you'll be there," Matthew replied.
"Well my family and I always go to church on Christmas Eve," she explained.
"Oh will your family be there? I'd like to meet them."
"Well you'll have to go to the cemetery," she paused, "Their dead."
Matthew's face fell, "Oh Lily I'm so sorry, I didn't…"
"It's okay," she cut him off; "I've learned to cope with it."
"So you'll be alone on Christmas?" Matthew asked next.
"No I think I'll be with some friends of mine. At least that's the plan for now…"
"Oh…right."
Without realizing it, Lily had stopped outside an antique store. There was an old pocket watch in the display window and it reminded her of one her dad used to have.
"Can you watch this stuff a moment? I think I'm gonna buy that watch."
Matthew looked at the pocket watch and nodded, "Yeah of course."
Lily walked inside, she talked to the clerk a moment, and then he was getting the watch. Lily paid for it and walked outside, "It's very pretty isn't it?"
Matthew nodded, "Is it a gift for someone?"
"Yes, my…friend. He likes old stuff like I do. So I think he'll enjoy it," Lily smiled as she put it into her purse.
They began to walk some more, talking a little on the way. It was mostly church related though. Matthew did quiz her a bit about herself. Finally they arrived at her house. Matthew helped her get her groceries put away and then he left. Lily sat down in the living room to watch a little telly until she fell asleep on the sofa.
A while passed and she awoke to her shoulder being gently pushed. Her eyes opened and Jack was sitting beside her, smiling down.
"Hiya," she murmured.
"I brought pizza," he replied.
"What time is it?" she asked, sitting up to make room for Jack on the sofa.
"Quarter to seven," he answered.
Lily yawned, "I can't believe I slept so long," she paused, "I hope you like ham…I bought one for Christmas dinner."
"Oh you are going to cook for me?" Jack had a cheeky smile.
"Of course," she replied before standing up from the sofa and heading to the kitchen.
But before she could make it Jack came up behind her, "I have something for you," he said.
Lily turned and he pressed his lips to hers. It was brief but sweet. Lily pulled away, a smile on her face and then she continued on into the kitchen.
Jack smiled as he pulled a bottle of pop from the fridge and Lily began to get the plates out of the cabinets.
The couple sat down and began to enjoy the pizza.
"So is it going to be just us on Christmas?" Jack asked.
Lily nodded, "Mary is going with her husband to visit family in London. Their leaving tomorrow and will be gone for a few days," she explained.
"So we'll have the place to ourselves…no need to worry about being quiet," Jack winked at her.
Lily felt her stomach flip and her face turn as red as her hair. She had dated Jonathan for nearly three years. Often they would kiss for long periods of time, but she always managed to stop things before they went too far. But she did want to try it. Her body ached after dates with Jonathan and now her body ached for Jack. For his lips to be on her skin, for him to touch her in a way she had never been touched before…to feel special.
"Lily?" Jack's voice split through her fantasy and she shook her head, sending those thoughts away.
"Yes?" she asked in a slightly dazed voice.
"Would you like another slice of pizza?" Jack asked, completely exasperated.
"Oh sure," she answered, still a little dazed.
Jack pulled a piece of pizza from the pie and set it on to Lily's plate.
"I bought you a gift today," she said suddenly.
"Oh yeah…Christmas gift?" he asked.
She nodded as she took a bite of her pizza, "Yes."
"I was looking at a few things while I waited for the pizza tonight," he replied.
Lily smiled; the prospect of a gift was always exciting.
"Well I hope you like what I bought for you."
Jack smiled back, "I'm sure I will love it."
After they finished eating, the couple went into the living room. They sat on the sofa and talked. At one point however they were talking and then his lips were on hers. They really didn't know how this happened, but Lily was on her back and her arms around his neck. Jack was gentle and tender with her but just as his hand was slowly going for her trousers (and frankly Lilt was going to let him take her right there) they heard an awkward clearing of the throat.
Jack sat up off of Lily to see Mary and her husband with shopping bags in their hands.
Lily swung her legs over the side of the sofa and straightened her blouse and hair.
"I didn't know you two were a thing now…" Mary commented.
Jack and Lily didn't respond. He stood up and grabbed his coat. Lily followed him to the door.
"Would you like me to pick you up from church tomorrow?" Jack asked.
She shrugged, "I'll be fine…maybe tomorrow afternoon or something we could get something to eat. But I was hoping to decorate…" she explained.
"Alright yeah…I'll come over in the afternoon and help out a bit," he answered.
"Aright…see you tomorrow."
Jack gave Lily a brief kiss and then he left…
XX
A/N- Sorry that took so long…between going to Chicago and everything…I've been a bit busy. But I wrote all that on the train back from Chicago. So yeah…I'm going to a friends tomorrow…so no idea when I'll update again. I'll try to work on The Master's Return today and get that sent off.
Please review, much love!
Beccs! ^_^
