AN: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you guys enjoy this special chapter. It's a little shorter than I'd hoped, but a lot longer than I thought it was. I almost didn't finish it, I had a pretty rough day yesterday. I spent like almost four hours throwing up every ten minutes. Not fun. Luckily, I'm all good now. Perfectly fine! Yay!
"Happy holidays! Now let me in, it's COLD out here!" I pounded on Ethan's door. It opened up to Ethan himself. "Wow, you actually answered the door for once." I smirked.
"Ha ha, yeah, come on in." He said sarcastically, smiling nonetheless.
Everyone was there, sitting at the kitchen table. We were here to plan our Christmas party! It was next Friday on Christmas Eve. I sat on Benny's lap, instantly cuddling into my boyfriend's warm body.
"You're freezing!" He exclaimed, running his hands up and down my arms.
"I know." I said shivering.
"You're too cold. Get off me." He teased, pushing me.
"Alright guys, let's talk about the party." Ethan said, sitting at the table.
"Sarah, I thought we were going to be celebrating a Vampire Christmas!" Erica whined "I don't want to spend my Christmas with these dorks!"
"Hey!" Came the hurt cries of Ethan, Benny, and Rory. I was too cold to care.
"Erica, relax. Remember the Vampire Halloween?" Sarah reminded her.
Erica looked thoughtful, then grimaced. "Yeah, fine. Christmas with the dweebs it is." Even with the sarcasm in her words, I could see the small, genuine smile on her face.
"And besides, Sarah, you're getting paid to 'babysit' anyways." I snickered. She had the dignity to look sheepish.
"All that aside, let's get down to business." Ethan said, and we began to plan.
"Why are we going shopping for new outfits?" I asked in desperation "it's only a Christmas party!"
"For you, maybe." Erica answered with a flip of her hair "But I plan on ditching the geek squad for the party at Todd's house."
"Todd the senior?" Sarah asked in disbelief.
"Todd the hot senior?" I copied her tone.
"Yes, Todd the hot senior. And you're spoken for, Aria, so don't go there. And I want to look my best for my new, yummy treat." She smiled seductively with a flash of her fangs.
"Besides Aria, don't you want to look extra special for Benny?" Sarah asked with a cheeky grin.
"Don't you want to look extra special for Ethan?" I shot back. That shut her up, complete with embarrassed red cheeks. I smirked in triumph. We searched through the store, Erica more thoroughly than Sarah or me. I picked up a few things, a dress and two shirts and skirts. Sarah had a few things as well. Erica, on the other hand, had an armload of clothes.
"Are you really going to try on all of those?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah, it would take a month!" I said, staring at the load on shock.
"Of course not." Erica chuckled "I'm going to have you two look through them first and pick out the ones you think I would look best in. Then I'll try those ones on."
Sarah and I shared a look and rolled our eyes in sync. I knew we both had the same thought; this is ridiculous.
Twenty minutes later, Sarah and I had gone through the entire pile of clothes and selected five outfits. Three dresses and one skirt/shirt combination and one shirt/jeans combination. Erica tried on the jeans and shirt first. Shiny gold jeans and a purple, one shouldered, belted shirt with a ruffle going down one side. It looked good on her. Since she couldn't admire herself in the mirror, she turned to us for praise. She tried on all of the outfits, and when she came out in the final dress, Sarah and I both knew it was the one. It was strapless, the top black and the skirt red chiffon that flowed gently. We could tell, by the smile on Erica's face, that she too thought this dress was The One. Satisfied with her outfit, Erica turned to us. "Go try on your stuff now!" She shooed us into dressing rooms with a smile.
Sarah had found her liking to a more casual appearance. Black skinny jeans with a strapless, flowy purple top and a black leather jacket.
I went with a dressier approach, but still with my own style. It was a black dress, tight with a small skirt and covered in lace. I smiled at my appearance in the mirror. "I think I'll get this one..." I murmured to myself.
Sarah, Erica, and I sat in the food court, they were drinking fruity smoothies and I snacked on a chocolate milkshake and a pretzel.
"So, what are you getting Benny for Christmas?" Sarah asked.
"I don't know." I shrugged "I've thought over a few different things, but none of them seem special enough."
"Ah." Erica regarded me with a knowing smile "You wanna get him something special. Something important. Something he'll treasure forever." She stated.
I nodded "got anything in mind?"
She smirked "You, of course."
My jaw dropped "You're kidding me right?" Erica gave me a look "You're saying I should have sex with Benny for Christmas?!"
"Yes! What better present to give a boy than the magic of sex? Trust me. Once you give yourself to a guy he is like putty in your hands; he'll do whatever you want!"
"Erica, I'm not having sex with Benny."
"Why not?"
"Why not?!" Sarah asked "She's only fifteen! She's way too young to be having sex!"
"Ohoho," Erica chuckled "If I looked this good" she gestured to herself "when I was her age, I would have been all over the boys!"
"I am not having sex with Benny!" I shrieked.
"What about me?" Benny's voice asked from behind us.
I choked on air and swiveled around in my chair, almost tumbling to the ground. Erica sounded like she was holding back laughter and Sarah gasped loudly. Benny, Ethan, and Rory stood behind us, staring down at us three girls curiously.
"Hey... Benny." I said cautiously.
"Hey Aria. What are you guys doing here?"
"Uhhhhh..." I faltered.
"We're uh, Christmas shopping." Sarah said, saving my ass.
"Us too!" Ethan smiled at Sarah. They would be so cute together.
"Getting me anything?" Benny smirked, sliding his arm around my shoulders and leaning in close.
"I don't know, have you been a good boy this year?" I smirked back, looking up at him through my eyelashes.
"I've been a very good boy." He said, and I giggled as we leaned in for a kiss. For once, our friends didn't interrupt and Benny and I were able to give each other a short kiss. "No but seriously." He said when he pulled away "I've been awesome this year. I want a cool present."
I giggled, rolling my eyes "I'll get you something good, no worries. As long as you're getting me something nice." I teased.
"You know me." He shrugged, an easy grin on his face.
-Benny's P.O.V.-
After we walked away from Aria, Erica, and Sarah, I turned worriedly to my two best friends. "Guys, I'm freaking out. I don't know what to get Aria for Christmas!"
"Just get her like, jewelry or something. Girls like that, right?" Ethan said, shrugging.
I shook my head "No, I wanna get her something nice. It's our first Christmas together and I want it to be special."
"Wow, you sound like a girl." Rory laughed, shaking his head.
"Okay, Einstein, do you have any idea about what I should get Aria?" I snapped.
He smiled dumbly "I'm getting her a Batman and Robin necklace set for me and her to share."
Ethan and I stared at him "I don't know if to call you gay for that or a genius." I said. Rory just shrugged and smiled.
"Well, I don't know what to get Sarah either. I wanna get her something good but not too obvious." Ethan sighed.
I got an idea "Maybe, if we go into all those girly stores and ask what to get, they'll help us!"
"Good idea!" Rory said gleefully.
"Yeah, because no one will think anything weird if they see us guys in girl stores..." He said sarcastically.
Inside one of the girl jewelry stores, a sales lady came up to us. "Can I help you boys?" She asked with a smile. She looked to be in her twenties.
"I'm looking for something for my girlfriend. It's our first Christmas together." I told her. Her eyebrows went up just a bit, as if she didn't believe a total stud like me would have a girlfriend.
"I'm looking for something to impress a girl." Ethan piped up from next to me.
The sales clerk looked pointedly at Rory as if to ask "And what about you?" He just smiled blankly and said "I already got her a present. She'll love it!"
The sales clerk (Her name tag said her name was Rhonda) just nodded unbelievingly at him. "Uh-huh." She said blandly. The she turned to Ethan and me and asked "What are you boys looking for? I'll help you find something. Tell me about your... Girls."
"Her name is Sarah." Ethan jumped in immediately "And she's really pretty and really nice, even though me and my friends aren't the coolest people to be with. She's always got our backs if we need her. I like her, but I'm not ready to tell her yet."
"She sounds like a sweet girl. I think I've got just the thing for you." Rhonda led us to a stand with necklaces on it. She turned the stand to the side with a bunch of necklaces with charms on them. Oh, the charms were letters! She picked up one, a small "S" with a red rhinestone at the top, on a thin silver chain. "How's this?" She asked, holding it out to Ethan.
He took it, gazing at it "It's perfect!" He exclaimed. He and Rory left to pay for the necklace.
Rhonda smiled and looked at me "Alright, tell me about your girl."
I thought about Aria, all the times we had. "When we first met, I thought she was wicked hot. Then we became friends and I found out that she's more than just hot. She's a feisty, sarcastic, sweet, funny, demonic, little tease. Then we started dating, and she became more than that. She became mine. And she's gonna stay mine for as long as I can keep hold of her, because I don't want to let her go."
"She sounds like she's really special to you." Rhonda said softly.
I nodded "Yeah, she is. And I wanna show her how special she is."
Rhonda smiled "I know just what you need. Come on." She led me over to the front, where they had a bunch of small things for sale by the cash register. She picked up a small box and handed it to me. I opened it, and inside sat a ring. It was made of thin silver, with a small crystal in the middle. "It's simple, yet elegant, and inexpensive." She said "I think she'd like it."
I nodded, kind of in shock with how this lady had been able to find Ethan and I perfect gifts. "Yeah, I think she would like it."
I bought it, and Ethan, Rory, and I left happily.
"So, you wanna keep Aria for as long as you can, huh?" Ethan said teasingly.
"What? How did you even hear that? You were all the way up at the front!" I yelled, my face burning with embarrassment.
"Dude." Rory nudged me, pointing to his ears "Vampire hearing."
-Aria's P.O.V.-
I flopped down at the counter in my kitchen, laying my chin on my folded arms. I let out a huge sigh.
"Something the matter, sweetie?" My mom asked, not turning from her baking.
"Yes! I don't know what to get Benny for Christmas!" I cried.
My mom placed a fresh chocolate chip cookie in front of me "Eat a cookie hun, and relax."
"Mom! One cookie won't help!" I whined. "But two might."
She smiled and handed me another cookie "I thought you went to the mall with Sarah and Erica to get Benny a present?" She asked as I munched on a cookie.
I swallowed "They weren't exactly... helpful."
"What did they tell you to get him?"
I shook my head "You don't want to know." I groaned loudly "Since when is Christmas so complicated?"
"Welcome to the real world, honey." My mom said, taking a drink of her coffee. I groaned again, covering my face with my arms.
-Christmas Day-
"Merry Christmas!" Mrs. Morgan sang when she opened the door.
I smiled and said back "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Morgan."
"Aria!" Two voices yelled at the same time. Rory appeared in the doorway instantly, using his vampire speed.
"Merry Christmas Aria!" He said gleefully, wrapping me up in a crushing hug.
"Ah - ah - Rory, crushing my spine." I wheezed out.
"Hey, paws off my girl." Benny said, shoving Rory. Rory pouted but let go of me.
"Hey, babe- " Benny started to say, but I quickly cut him off.
"Don't call me babe."
He recovered fast "Hello angel."
"Good boy." I smiled "Merry Christmas Benny." I leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"Come inside kids, it's cold out there!" Mrs. Morgan said, ushering us inside.
In the living room, Jane and Ethan sat among a pile of opened presents and discarded wrapping paper.
"Good morning!" I sang.
"Aria!" Jane yelled, hopping up to hug me.
"Hey, merry Christmas!" Ethan said, waving hello but choosing to stay on the floor.
"Are Sarah and Erica here yet?" I asked, joining him in the floor, leaning against the couch.
"Not yet, but they should be here- " the doorbell rang "now."
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Morgan!" Sarah's voice floated into the living room.
"Merry Christmas." Erica's voice said less cheerfully.
"Sarah!" Jane yelled again, running to the door. "We're in here, come on!" Jane came back into the room, dragging Sarah and Erica.
We all said our hello's, and after getting a mug of hot chocolate from Mrs. Morgan, we started to exchange gifts.
Ethan got Sarah a beautiful charm necklace. She gave him a figurine from a comic book. Snickering, I mumbled to Benny "How romantic." Ethan, Benny, and Rory gave each other the same video game. Rory gave me an awesome Batman necklace, and he kept the other half that said "Robin" and I gave him a homemade cape with "RV" on it. Erica gave Ethan, Benny, and Rory gift cards saying "Better to let you get your own things instead of getting you something you don't want." And in return, the boys collaborated and gave her an autographed Dusk book. Erica gave me a pretty pair of earrings, and I gave her Dusk perfume. I traded Ethan a new water gun for a Joker figurine. Erica gave Sarah a new leather jacket, and Sarah gave her a new Dusk travel mug. Sarah gave Benny a ghost hunter kit, and he gave her new blood substitutions. Rory gave Sarah a cute little stuffed animal, and she gave him cool goggles for flying. Sarah gave me a makeup kit and I gave her a teen vampire book collection. She thought it was funny.
After all the presents were exchanged, Benny pulled me to the side. "I wanted to give you your present last." He said with a smile.
"Me too." I agreed.
"You first." He said a little nervous.
I smiled "Excited for your present, are we?" I pulled his gift over and handed it to him. It was a small box, the kind you see in movies with a top you can take off.
Benny took the top off and lifted out another box, this one made of velvet. He opened that box and instantly beamed. "You got me a pocket watch?" He asked with excitement.
I nodded "Open it."
He opened the watch and his smile grew. I had stuck a picture of us together on the inside. "It's awesome, Aria, thank you." He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, what did you get me?" I asked, hopping in place.
"Now who's eager?" He teased. He handed me a tiny box wrapped in shiny Christmas paper.
I bit my lip in excitement and tore off the paper. Like my present, it was a small velvet box. My heart started to pound. He didn't...? I opened the box and my breath caught it my throat. Sitting in the box was the prettiest ring I'd ever seen. A thin silver band with a small crystal in the middle. I smiled "Oh my god, Benny, it's beautiful!" I slipped the ringer on my right middle finger.
"I'm glad you like it." He seemed to sag in relief "I was worried you wouldn't like it 'cause it wasn't big or expensive or anything, but I made me think of you and- "
I cut off his rambling by pressing my hands over his mouth "Relax Benny, I love it. And," I hesitated "I love you."
He didn't hesitate "I love you too."
He pressed his lips softly to mine, pulling me closer to his body.
"Hey! No icky stuff while I'm in the room!" Jane complained.
Benny and I laughed but separated for the little girl.
We spent the rest of Christmas Day talking and playing in the snow and drinking hot chocolate. We had a huge snowball fight, boys against girls, and when that proved unfair for the boys (two vamps on the girl's team) we switched it to a human-vampire pairing. I got paired with Rory, and we yelled about being "The unstoppable force of Batman and Robin" the entire time. And we lost. Benny walked me home and gave me a sweet kiss goodbye.
All in all, best Christmas ever.
AN: And there's the christmas chapter! I hope you all liked it. Who's ready for christmas? I AM! The next chapter will be up ON SATURDAY!
Okay, so the Jack/OC one-shot is going up NEW YEARS EVE and will be titled Kickin' Off The New Year.
SHOUT OUTS!
MsWildfire97: NOOOOO AUGH MY ONE AND ONLY WEAKNESS! I must find a way around it... HMMMMMM
MeganRoseMaslow: I hope you liked this chapter? :D
Vs-for-life: LOOK YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER SHOUT OUT! Dude you are so lucky! I wish I was going to NY for Christmas! You'll have to tell me all about it!
Dusker101: Thanks sweetie! I'm always looking forward to your reviews! I hope you like the christmas chapter!
LovelyDovely: OMG A NEW REVIEWER! YAAAAYYY! Thank you, I really tried to make sure I followed the plot line and add in Aria. Benny and Rory are tied for my favorite character!
Trying2fly101: I'm glad you like my story so much! And I'm super excited that you wanna read my Jack/OC story as well! Make sure to check out the one-shot going up on the 31st!
And that's all the shout-outs for today! Continue reviewing my sweets!
Lots of love!
Panda_Chan8