(Alex's POV)
Christmas Time was by far my favorite time of the year. Besides the lights and sounds, there was the fact that a new year was right around the corner. The prospect of this always put me in a good mood. And, this was the first Christmas that I was in love. I loved utilizing every single romantic idea that ever hit me during the season, on & with Piper. The sex continued to be amazing and every moment I spent with her, never felt like enough.
As if the universe knew how perfect everything was, my phone rang as I was finishing eating Piper for dessert. And, of course, it was a call for a trip.
"Ugh Al, are you serious? Christmas Eve? Don't these guys know that is like the worst travel day ever," Piper asked.
She was so naive sometimes. The cartel could give two shits less about how bad a travel day was.
I kissed Piper on the cheek as I 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."
While they told me when I was leaving, they did not tell me when I was coming back. Normally, I was pretty clear that I needed a confirmed departure & return date but, even after asking twice, they would not give me a clear idea. Fuck.
Christmas would come early in the Vauseman home, as we settled on celebrating on the 23rd. I had already had an idea of what I wanted to get Piper but wanted to ensure I really thought it out, wanting to make it as special as possible. I worked with a local jeweler bringing her the sketch of what I wanted for Piper. It wasn't complex - a necklace featuring the Infinity symbol - but, I wanted it to be unique. I wanted it to be something that couldn't be bought in a store and something that was truly one of a kind.
Besides the necklace, I wanted something really personal to give to Piper. Although we had taken tons of photos in our months together, we didn't actually have any of them up and in the apartment. I selected a photo from the first night we met - I loved how Piper looked in it. So young...so innocent...so pure. I had almost forgotten that we took the photo and found the perfect frame for it. In addition, I wrote out some of my favorite lyrics that displayed just what Piper meant to me. I attached these to the back of the frame, signing it with a "I love you to Infinity, 3 AV"
The night of the 23rd, I took Piper to one of our favorite restaurants followed by a stroll through the city, hitting up some of my favorite light displays. As we returned to the apartment, I had the never-ending desire to please Piper. Once we were inside, I walked over to Piper - that look surely in my eye - and went to remove her jacket.
Piper said to me, "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."
"C'mon babe...just one quick orgasm then we can do gifts," I told her, rubbing my hands along her body with my glasses pushed up.
I could tell that Piper was debating the thought in her mind...sex now or sex later. She decided on sex later and said, "Mmm...Alex no - gifts! You can open yours first!"
"Fine fine. Can I shake it and guess what it is?" I asked, as we were both now next to the tree.
"No! Don't shake it...just open it!" Piper yelled, before I even had a chance to shake. Ohh darn.
I reached for the wrapped box and removed the folder piece of paper from it first. Written on the paper were the lyrics to 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"
It was signed on the bottom with, "I love you forever & always - Your Pipes."
I found myself wanting to start to cry. I tried to keep my composure but felt my eyes tear up. I could almost hear Piper singing the song out-loud to me as I read over the lyrics. They were just so perfect...they just said so much.
"I love you too Pipes. It's All For You," I said to Piper, as I lifted my head and kissed her.
Taking a deep breath to maintain my composure, I proceeded to open the box. Within the box was a MP3 Player, docking station and extra speakers. I had mentioned months ago needing to update the CD player but was totally not expecting this as a gift.
"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?" I asked Piper, as I walked to the kitchen to get scissors.
As I returned with the scissors, Piper said, "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?"
"Yes," I said to Piper. I placed the scissors down, wrapping my hands in her hair and kissing her. Finding my second home, I kissed her long & hard. "Yes."