(Piper's POV)
The Christmas Season with Alex was spectacular. Somehow, she knew of every ideal place to view Christmas lights and Christmas events. Plus, she always found a way to make everything romantic. She was like a child - grinning ear to ear at and with every Christmas event we partook in. I loved seeing Alex like this. It was just so magical to be with her.
And then, Alex got a call that she would need to travel. Even when Alex wasn't planning a run, she was working. A lot. I wasn't exactly sure what she was doing but, she was always either on her laptop or on a phone...planning and organizing. Alex was made aware that she would need to leave on Christmas Eve.
"Ugh Al, are you serious? Christmas Eve? Don't these guys know that is like the worst travel day ever," I said to Alex, sitting limbs intertwined with hers after a ferocious fucking session.
Alex kissed me on the cheek when she said, "I know kid - its a bit silly. Honestly, I'm more pissed by the fact that I don't know how long I will be gone for. Anywhere from 7 days to 1 month does not fly well with me."
This was true. Normally - or at least since I'd been with Alex - I always knew when she was going to be back. Not knowing was horrible and left an empty pit in my stomach. Not wanting to make the situation worse, I tried to look at the bright side of it all. And, I found myself failing. I was in absolute love with Alex. I needed her. I yearned for her. And I couldn't stand being away from her.
We decided to celebrate Christmas on the 23rd, since Alex's flight was early on the 24th. I knew what I wanted to get Alex for Christmas however, actually doing it, was becoming quite difficult. Some time back, Alex had made a mention of needing to update the CD Player, as it was in the living room and we listened to music all the time. Putting on CDs, while we were mid-love making, was always a bit of a pain. A ton of Alex's music was already converted to digital format however, she had nearly 200 CDs that needed to be ripped.
I had purchased an MP3 player - with a huge capacity - along with an in-home stereo for it. It had a main docking station along with extra speakers that could be placed throughout the apartment. Slowly but surely, I managed to get all of the 200 CDs in digital format - even though I missed out on many nights of sleep in the process. Finding time alone was not an easy thing to do and I ended up ripping the CDs once Alex fell asleep.
Rather than giving Alex a card along with the gift, I decided I would make a card/gift tag on my own. I wanted to tell her just how much I loved her but, found myself without the words to really express this. I decided to use the lyrics from Sister Hazel's "All for You."
"Finally I figured out
But it took a long, long time
But now there's a turn about
Maybe 'cause I'm trying
There's been times, I'm so confused
All my roads, they lead to you
I just can't turn and walk away
It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
But words can't say and I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you
I thought I'd seen it all
'Cause it's been a long, long time
But then we'll trip and fall
Wondering if I'm blind
Rain comes pouring down
Falling from blue skies
Words without a sound
Coming from your eyes
Finally I figured out
But it took a long, long time
But now there's a turnabout
Maybe 'cause I'm trying
It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
But words can't say and I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you
I thought I'd seen it all
'Cause it's been a long, long time
But then we'll trip and fall
Wondering if I'm blind
I thought I'd seen it all
'Cause it's been a long, long time
But then we'll trip and fall
Wondering if I'm blind
It's hard to say
It's hard to say
It's all for you"
Using my best penmanship, I wrote out the lyrics on a thick piece of paper and signed it with, "I love you forever & always - Your Pipes." Feeling satisfied, I wrapped the MP3 Player, dock & speakers and placed it under the tree.
Alex planned a perfect evening. After a fabulous dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, and a romantic stroll through the city, we ended up back at the apartment.
"Alex, we need to do gifts first because as soon as you touch me, I'm not going to want anything but have sex with you the rest of the night," I told Alex, as she sauntered over to me to remove my jacket.
"C'mon babe...just one quick orgasm then we can do gifts," Alex said as she pushed her glasses onto her head and rubbed her hands down my torso.
Really wanting to give in, I knew I had to stand tall. I wanted to hook up the MP3 player so we could actually utilize it.
"Mmm...Alex no - gifts! You can open yours first!" I said to her as I took her hand and walked her to the tree.
"Fine fine. Can I shake it and guess what it is?" Alex asked with that devilish grin in her eye.
"No! Don't shake it...just open it!" I yelled before Alex had a chance.
Alex pulled the box up and started with the letter I attached. She read the entire thing, even though I knew she knew the lyrics. She kept her head down on the words for a few moments before looking to me, with glistening eyes.
"I love you too Pipes. It's All For You," Alex said as she turned her head to mine and kissed me.
She then proceeded to open the box and was so excited once she actually saw what it was.
"Oh shit Piper...this is awesome! We can finally have full musical control in the entire apartment! I love it! Can we use it now...did you already get all the music on it?" Alex said, standing up to get scissors to open the box.
"Yes...you and your obsessive amount of music. Seriously Alex - it's a good thing I got the MP3 player with the biggest hard drive. Do you really like it?" I asked Alex as she returned with the scissors.
"Yes," was all Alex said as she wrapped her hands in my hair and kissed me long and hard. "Yes."