Chapter 8
Christmas was just a few weeks away, and Monica still has to do some Christmas shopping for her family. Monica looks at the clock in the waiting room for her therapy session with Dr. Miller. Ever since she had been kidnapped along with Sarah by Charles Norman, Monica has been seeing a therapist on how to cope with the trauma, along with getting back on her feet. Even though Norman didn't rape her for say, but it still felt like he did. Dr. Miller has been so kind to her, to help her to be intimate with her husband again. Monica wants the okay from her therapist to allow her to make love to her husband, because the need to have sex with Griffin, is driving Monica crazy. With all the raging hormones inside of her, it is really impossible to turn the offer down. Especially when Griffin is triggering all of her sweet spots, when they are making out.
Monica picks up a magazine and started to read it. She only made it to the third page when Dr. Miller calls her into her office. "Mrs. Griffin, you can come on back."
Monica places the magazine back in its proper place as she picks up her purse and walks into Dr. Miller's office. She goes over on the couch and made herself comfortable as she stares back at her therapist. It took about another minute or so when Dr. Miller returns to her office and closes the door behind her. "So, how are things going with your family? I heard a few weeks ago that the adoption went through."
Monica smiles and responds back, "Yes it did. Sarah is now my daughter."
Dr. Miller smiles back to her, "That's great. How does Sarah feel about it?"
"She was all for the idea. She really wanted me to be in her life after…well after everything that has happened. She is also very excited about this baby coming too." Monica explained.
"You two still don't know what the sex is of the child yet?" Dr. Miller asks.
"Nope..but we will find out shortly….After Christmas, I got an appointment with the doctors, and an ultrasound, which will tell if it's a boy or a girl." Monica answers Dr. Miller.
Took a moment but Monica asks the daring question, "Dr. Miller…..I know you band on me for engaging in sexual activities with my husband, back when we started. Am I still band from it, or can I start to be passionate with Roan Griffin, again."
Dr. Miller puts down her pen as she looks at Monica. Then scooting her chair closer to her, "Monica….you have greatly improve over the last month. The real question is do you feel ready to engage in sex again."
Monica took a moment then she looks into her therapist green eyes, "I don't know…Part of me wants to engage in sex again, like you have no idea how badly. But then again…I'm afraid how I will react…Will I go into a panic attack? Will my mind take me back to that moment?"
Dr. Miller sets aside her notes, "Monica….you are a very strong and caring woman. And as far as I can see you have a very powerful mind. But what you are holding back from is the fear. You fear that whenever you and your husband get in that moment, you will freeze and start to flashback. However with your sessions, you have a very unique way on how to control that fear. You have God at your side through your tough times as well as the good. With your strong faith, I can see that you can control the fear that you feel inside you."
Monica thought about what Dr. Miller stated. She is right, her faith in God, has proved that love can conquer fear. She has prayed about this since her trauma. She looks back at her therapist, "Do you think I'm ready?"
"Doesn't matter what I think Monica…" Dr. Miller stated. "It's up to you, weather you are ready to engage into sex again."
Monica looks at her, "You mean you never did band me from having sex with Griffin"
Dr. Miller smiles, "Yes I did in that point of time when you first started. I feel that you are ready to start again. But the ultimate choice is yours. If you feel that it is right, you can go ahead and have as much sex as you want."
Monica smiles to her, "Well…when I'm making out with him, I feel…peace excited all at once. But I'm…"
Dr. Miller comes to sit next to her client, "Monica, stop thinking of the 'what ifs'. When you are alone with your husband, what thoughts go through your mind when you are in 'the moment' with him."
Monica looks at her and then slowly closing her eyes to picture herself what her therapist is saying, "I feel…..joy, love, and sweet torture." Monica slowly opens her eyes to look at her therapist.
"You are ready Monica….the heat and magic from having sex with your loved one is still there. You just have to trust it." Dr. Miller places her hand to Monica's.
Monica looks at her wedding band. She knows that Dr. Miller is right. The fear that once gripped her soul is now finally loosened. Dr. Miller pulls back as she goes over to her desk, "Well that about wraps it up."
Monica sighs as she hands a check in for her session. Dr. Miller takes her check and smiles to her, "Looks to me that we are about done with this. I'll have you back in here after the holidays, and then that will be my last session. However…before the last session, I'm going to give you an assignment to do before the session."
Monica with a curious look, eyes Dr. Miller, "And that will be what exactly?"
"This may sound weird, but I will like you to try and engage into sexual activities with your husband over the holidays." Dr. Miller smiles.
Monica was shock as she takes a step back, "Wait! What? You are giving me permission to sleep with my husband over the holidays?"
Dr. Miller nods in agreement, "That is what I'm saying…and write in this journal what you feel afterward." Dr. Miller hands Monica a journal. Dr. Miller also hands Monica her next and final session with her. "I'll see you January 15th."
Monica nods as she takes hold of the journal as well as her belongings. She can't believe that her therapist is giving her permission to engage in sex again. Even though earlier Dr. Miller stated that engaging in sex within the first few months will trigger the flashbacks. However whenever Monica and Griffin engage into a hot romantic moment, Monica has not flashback to that horrible moment. She is wondering if this was God's doing, of letting the fear go, and just be in the moment with her husband. Monica looks to the heavens as snow fell from the skies. She said a thank you prayer to her heavenly Father, and for never letting her faith die. After she prayed she hops in her red Cadillac and heads over to Chris's house to pick up her daughter.
…
Today was Griffin's first day back on the job. He went to talk with his Captain, Joe Denver, about his condition. Griffin's boss also agrees with Monica and the doctors. But for right now, Joe stuck Griffin on filing papers.
It felt like ages ago that Griffin walks back into his work. Many of his collogues greeting him and welcome him back to the job. Griffin walks to his desk and looks over the work he missed. Almost after 2 months of not working, there sure was a lot he missed. Several new cases came up, the other detectives were working hard to solve them. Griffin looks over at his partners desk which remained empty. As soon as Griffin settled down, a woman that looked to be about Monica's age came to him.
"Are you Sergeant Roan Griffin?" she asks.
Griffin looks up to look at her. The woman was fair skinned, almost the same look as Monica's. She had brown hair, and the end tips was a hint of red. Her eyes were very unusual. It was very blue. Almost like it was made of ice. But in the same time, it had warmness to it with a hint of a very faint green. After looking at this woman he answers her, "Yes I am…can I hel.."
"I'm Megan Hillsong. I'm going to be your new partner." Megan said in a very sweet voice.
Griffin looked confused. "I thought I was going to be with Chris."
Megan took a seat next to him, "Well…the captain appointed him a new partner a few weeks after your accident with Charles Norman."
Griffin sighs. He likes being with his best friend, but he understands the captains decision. "So you're my new partner.."
"Yes….I'm very good at what I do. Been on my own these past few weeks. I'm a bit surprise that you came in today." Megan eyes him.
Griffin gave her a smile as he replies back, "Just wanted to try it out. Need to train myself again on how to be a cop. After my 2 months of leave."
Megan gave a little laugh, "Sergeant, you are already a good respected cop. You don't need to prove that."
Griffin looks at her, "Call me Griffin. Everybody does around here."
"You don't like the title 'sergeant'?" Megan asks.
"Not really. It feels to informative. Only outside of these walls people use sergeant. For collogues, call me Griffin." Griffin explain as he sets a box of evidence aside. Then he looks at her, "I never seen you around. Are you in another department of this unit?"
Megan pauses in her writing on a file sheet. Then she looks up at him. "I was told that you are a chatter box." Megan chuckles to herself, then she answers Griffin's question, "No I'm not in the 55th unit. I got transferred from New Jersey. My boss drafted me over here. My captain at my other station, is good friends with yours."
Griffin sets aside his file and looks at her, "How much do you know me?"
Megan slowly gazes at him, "Pretty well. My boss handed me your file, before I transferred.. You are a very gifted cop Griffin." Then she smiles as she quietly suggests to him, "I think we should focus on these case files and hand them off to other detectives so that they can meet their deadlines. We can 'get to know' each other over lunch at the dinner."
Griffin sighs and then continues on with his duty. He never had a female partner before. He still prefers Chris over anybody here. Although this Megan person seems mysterious to him, and made him curious on why is she here. Griffin has to admit she is very beautiful. As her eyes just captive him so much. Still Griffin thinks that the sexiest woman in the world, is Monica. No one can ever come close to her beauty, and her unique personality, which made him fall in love with her. Plus, she is a miracle to him, and he would never cheat on her. Not even this Megan person can steal his heart and love away from his wife.
…..
After the therapy session Monica drives over to Chris's house where her daughter was had spent the night. Now that Monica is back to teaching, she is a little busy than normal. Some of her students asks her why she got up and left. Monica will not revile that information out, she just stated that she need some time off. Although some of them really wanted Rafael to come back in and teach. Just yesterday during lunch time she overheard some of her female students discussing how cute he really was. She has to admit; one of her formal angel friends was really good looking, and has a way to make an impression, on humans. Especially the females.
Monica puts the red Cadillac in park, and kills the engine. Then she grabs her purse and heads into the house. Kristin must have just baked, because there was an aroma of chocolate chip cookies lingering in the air. Monica goes over into the dining room to find all of them around the table. Kristin was looking in a recipe book, while each of the girls is doing homework. Sarah beams up at her, "Hi mom..I will be ready in a few minutes. Finishing up my notes for a presentation tomorrow for my research project."
Monica smiles to her, "There's no rush sweetheart. Take your time."
Kristin looks at her daughters and pulls a seat out for Monica to sit in. Kristin then sets the book aside to look at Monica, "So how was your visit with Dr. Miller?"
Monica sighs as she reaches for a cookie, "Very helpful…"
"Dr. Miller is good with her work. I know…I had a few traumas myself with Chris suffering from a small form of PTSD. After the therapy sessions, we gotten better in our marriage." Kristin looks at her friend.
Monica looks into her chocolate brown eyes, "Did Dr. Miller, ever…give you an assignment to do?"
Kristin gave a confused look, "What do you mean assignment?"
"Well….when you hit the rocky patch in your marriage, did she band you guys from being intimate?" Monica asks.
"Well…yes for a while…but then we got connected again, and our sex life quickly rose. We we're practily having it every night…Gosh I miss those days.." Kristin pauses as she studies Monica, "Wait are you telling me that Dr. Miller is giving you an assignment to…"
Monica nods as Kristin read through the lines. "Yes.."
"Wow…I wish I had that for a homework assignment." Kristin chuckles. Then she turns her thoughts back onto Monica, "Are you up for it…to have sex with Roan."
Monica sighs, "I don't know…I mean with this pregnancy…sex is all I can think about when I'm with him. Even with the little things he does, it turns me on..Just the other night, when we were snuggling next to the fire, my heart yearns for him to touch me, and have a hot passionate night, but in the same time, I'm scared to of what could happen. The memories of Norman forcing himself on me like that on that horrible day really put up a wall to be intimate with Griffin. I want that to leave me, and have a sex life again."
Kristin puts a hand on her shoulder, "Monica…it will happen again…your sex life will incline. It's just a rough patch that you are going through. You've been traumatized. It's even a miracle that your husband came back from a coma. I mean I never thought I could have gotten through that patch with my husband, and miraculously we did. And after we made it through, we were having the best sex of our lives. And Griffin loves you that much that he isn't pressuring you to. He is letting you be the first to suggest it."
Monica smiles to that. She knows that Kristin is right. Then Sarah came back with her backpack and her sleeping stuff. "Okay..I'm ready."
Monica nods as she slowly rises out of the chair. "Thanks Kristin for the talk, as well for the lovely homemade chocolate cookies."
Kristin smiles back at her. "You're welcome. Oh and Mon…if you and Griff…..need a night alone to rebuild that passionate love again..you can always give me and call, and I will be able to babysit for you."
Monica smiles to Kristin reference what she was hinting at. "Thanks…I will let you know.."
Then she turns and heads out of the house and helps carry some Sarah's things. Once they were by the car, Sarah looks at her, "What did Aunt Kristin meant by babysitting me?"
Monica sighs, "Nothing sweetheart."
"Is she referring to you and daddy about having sex again?" Sarah stated as she closes the passenger side door and buckles up.
Monica was about to turn the car on when she looks at her daughter, "How did you come up with that idea Sarah?"
"Mom….I'm a little smarter that what you adults think. I can read in between the lines. So are you?" Sarah looks at Monica.
Monica taking a deep breath, looks at her, "I…I…really can't discuss it…for one thing…you're my daughter, and this is a conversation I shouldn't even begin to discuss with you about my sex life with your father….and another thing is, I still view you as an innocent girl. I don't want you to grow up too fast. I love you with all my heart Sarah, but…."
"The conversation about the revealing your private life with daddy is making you uncomfortable. Which is fine, I totally agree…I don't want to know what goes on between you and my father behind closed doors.…" Sarah explained. Then she turns and looks at her mother, "But you tell you what…before the accident that had happened, you had this ray of happiness whenever you and daddy…well…done it….I want to see that back in your face again."
Monica stares into her daughters eyes, "Thank you Sarah…for reassuring me that."
"You're welcome…just…do me a favor.." Sarah stated when Monica turns the keys to start the car.
"What is that?" Monica asks.
"Promise me…that when you and daddy decided on having that passionate night, that you will keep me out of the house so that I will not hear you guys." Sarah stated. "I know you guys are in love and such…and I'm blessed that you two are, and want you to keep that love..but I heard from some of my classmates in school, that they actually hear everything that their parents do during sex. Some of them have to go and spend the night at a friend's house, because of the screams from…"
Monica slightly giggles at that, "Your father and I are not like that…and yes I have heard that with some of my students in my class about that issue. Your father and I try to be very quiet, and try not to overdo it…when you are in the house." Sarah looks at her with a shock face. "Yes…we have done it a few times with you in the house shortly after our honeymoon. We have just been carefully about it." Then she slowly pulls out of the drive way and makes her way to their house.
Sarah smiles at that, "Well I'm grateful for that…..because I don't want to know…at least right now…Maybe someday…when I need sex advice I will come to you."
Monica let out a small chuckle, "Let's hope that will be in when you are married."
"Now you are starting to sound like daddy." Sarah giggles.
Monica giggles along side of her. The snow fell more heavily now as Monica turns on the familiar street. They both look out the window at the beauty of the winter scenery before them. With the Christmas lights lighting the pathway up and down the main street of the little town of Gracie. "Isn't the lights so beautiful Sarah?"
Sarah gleams out the window marveling at the beauty of the Christmas spirit. "It sure is. So can't wait for Christmas!"
Monica smiles to her daughter as she pulls in the driveway of the house. She spotted Griffin's car in his parking space and notice he was home early. Then she kills the engine and climbs out of the car, to help Sarah out with her stuff. Sarah goes into the nice warm house to greet her father. Monica follows in after her.
Monica looks at her husband and notice he was cooking dinner for the both of them. She eyes him when Sarah was telling him about her time with Chris. Monica then hands Sarah her sleeping bag of things, "Sarah…sweetheart, why don't you take your stuff and put them in your room, and then you can come down and wash up for dinner."
Sarah sighs as she gave her father a kiss and then grabs her things and heads to the stairs. Monica smiles to her husband as he came near her and lightly kisses her neck. Monica started to giggle when he sort of nibbled on her earlobe. "I missed you.."
Monica smiles to Griffin's comment as she turns to look at him, "How was your first day of being Sergeant Roan Griffin again?"
"Not bad…still wish I was on patrolling and solving crimes that way, but one step at a time. Besides I got a new partner." Griffin said as he went back to check on the sauce.
"New partner? I thought Chris…..your best friend is your partner." Monica asks as she leans her back on the edge of the breakfast bar.
"So did I….apparently a week after I went into the coma, my boss assigned him to Wayne. Your old friend." Griffin stated as he came by her to chop up the potatoes.
Monica looks at him as he gave her a piece of carrot. "So who is this new partner?" Monica asks as she took Griffin's chopped carrot.
"Megan Hillsong." Griffin stated, "She just got transferred from New Jersey to work along side me."
"Well that's nice…I'm happy for you honey really." Monica smiles to him. Then she glances at the food that Griffin is making, "So…what are you cooking up."
Griffin smiles to her as he makes his way to the cook book, "Thought I will make this for us tonight."
Monica glances at the page Griffin was looking out from. She looks at the page as it read Chicken Parmigiana. She looks at her husband, "oh….honey..I forgot how romantic you really can be."
Griffin smiles as he takes hold of her hand and guides her over to the stove where it is cooking the sauce. "Try this…"
Monica takes a spoon that Griffin hands her, and she scoops up a spoonful of delicious smelling sauce. Then she took a bit of it, and her soul melted. The flavors in the sauce made her smile with contempt. Then she turns back and looks at him, "Oh..My God…this is really good…Griffin..babe..when were you going to tell me that you can cook. This is really, really mouth watering."
Griffin drapes the towel on the counter, "Guess never thought it was in me…tell this afternoon…by the way that sauce took me at least 4 hours to make."
"Well it's amazing….your amazing…I love you.." Monica smiles as she eyes him.
Griffin makes his way to her, and lightly kisses her lips. Then he gleams back at her, "I love you too…" Griffin nuzzles his nose to hers as she smiles to his tender touch. Monica feels so lucky to have a man like Griffin to be her one and only soul mate. Everything that he has done for her, made her feel special and to be truly blessed to be human.
Griffin then pulls back from his wife and smiles to her, "Want to help me finish up cooking?"
Monica smiles at him, "Sure…love to."
Monica slips besides Griffin as she begins to help chop up the potatoes. Griffin turns off the stove for the sauce, and very carefully he goes and stands behind his wife. Monica felt her husband's hands touching hers, as he places them on the knife and the food. Monica smiles brightly at what he was planning to do. Her heart begins to beat harder in her chest with every motion and movement that he did. Soon after the food was cut into tiny pieces, Monica turns to look at him. Her eyes scanned his, and begging him to kiss her tenderly. Without the words to be spoken, Griffin closes the gap, and laid soft kisses on his wife's lips. Monica felt so moved as the heat flared up in her soul. She presses her back against the edge of the counter, as Griffin's body came in close contact to hers. Then Monica changes the tempo of their kissing, with long smooth rhythms which made Griffin to let out a soft moan within his throat.
Monica wanted to go deeper, but knowing that Sarah could come into the room at any moment, she decided not to. Besides, Monica was still unsure of pursing the idea of making love to Griffin. She knows her body wants it, and her heart is yearning for Griffin to touch her like he had done on their honeymoon, but still is afraid if her mind will take her back to the dark room with him.
…
Sarah puts her things away and her homework out on her desk and bed. When everything was situated, she heads back down to the kitchen. Sarah slowly crept down the stairs but paused by the little stair well that over looked the kitchen. There she sees her father and mother having a hot make out session. She looks at the two of them kissing, and holding onto each other, and thinking how lucky she is for both of them to be so in love with each other. Even when her father was married to her real mother, he never was as happy as he is with Monica. She brings out the joy in his heart and soul, and Sarah is thankful to have Monica be the one for her father. Sarah slowly pulls away from the railing and continue to head down the stairs to rejoin them.
…
Monica's eyes closed as she felt Griffin's kissing methods moving to a new level. Unconsciously Monica moves her hands to grip the back of Griffin's white shirt. Every kiss Griffin leaves behind, was making Monica go insane. She felt his lips leaving hers as he travels down her neck and rest at the base of her collarbone. Griffin was in the middle of leaving hickies there when Monica pulls out of her intimacy world when she hears their daughter coming. "Griff….hon…our daughter is coming.."
Griffin stops what he was doing and had just enough time to move away from his wife, when Sarah walks in the door. Monica continues to put the potatoes in the pot when Sarah came around to stand next to her. "So….what can I do to help?"
Griffin moves from the counter to the oven to pull out the chicken that had been cooking. Then he turns to look at his daughter, "You can fill this pot of with water…..and put the noodles in there."
"Okay"…Sarah goes to her father's spot and fills the pot that they usually cook spaghetti in it. Griffin came and helps her to put the pot of water on the stove and turns the knob on high. Monica turns to look at the father and daughter team as they both work side by side to finish making the dinner. Occasionally Griffin will look at her and smile to what they had just done not too long ago. Monica smiles back to him, with a hint of blush on her face. She knows that Griffin was seducing her in those 7 minutes of making out. And his methods where working on her, because she was getting turned on. Monica continues to cut up the rest of the potatoes, and place them in the pot.
As soon as Griffin had everything situated on the stove Monica hands him the pot of potatoes. Griffin kisses her cheek as he fills the pot up and sets it behind his special made sauce. Sarah waited by the pot of water as she waits for it to boil. Griffin looks beside his daughter, "You have another 10 minutes for the water to boil sweetheart."
"I know…I just like to watch it. I'm being the chef of cooking noodles." Sarah explains.
Monica giggles at her daughter. She never knew Sarah would be so bossy when cooking. "Guess I don't want to disturb you when you are cooking spaghetti for us."
Griffin gave a little chuckle to Monica's comment, "Come on Sarah…you want to put the mozzarella cheese on the chicken?"
Sarah turns and gleams at her father, "Sure."
Once Sarah and Griffin applied some mozzarella cheese on the chicken, Sarah then moves over to the pot of boiling water and puts in the noodles. With Monica watching out for her daughter making sure she doesn't burn herself. Griffin puts the cooked chicken out on the table. Soon Monica and Sarah join Griffin at the table with the meal fully cooked. Like always, they each grab each other's hands and bow their heads to praise God and bless their food. This time Monica lead the prayer.
"Almighty God, thank you for this wonderful evening, and for this lovely meal provided by my daughter and husband. We pray for your blessing as we eat and enjoy the night. Thank you for your love and grace. In you Holy Name we pray, Amen." Monica smiles as she finishes the prayer. She looks over at Sarah who was already dishing out the chicken.
Griffin looks at his daughter and Sarah caught onto both of her parents stare, "What…I'm really hungry."
Monica slowly shakes her head as she too dishes out the chicken. Each one of them took turns share important events that happened that day. Sarah was one who couldn't stop talking about her day. And Monica and Griffin were both thrilled with their daughter's story. After dinner Sarah helps her mother with the dishes, as the two of them share a mother and daughter moment. Monica looks at her daughter and a small smile forms on her face when she splashed some soapy water at her.
Sarah jump back but was a little too late when the water landed on her small black sweater. With a surprise look on Sarah's face she saw Monica was playfully giggling. Then Sarah shot back at what Monica had did, "Oh you asked for it." Sarah took the nozzle and squirted water at her mother. However, Monica knew that was coming and she dodges out of the way. Then Sarah took her hand and swiped up soapy water and slashed Monica right back. The two of them were laughing at the moment as Monica traps Sarah in her arms and tickled her until Sarah begged for mercy. Still laughing and giggling Sarah surrenders, "okay…okay..I give up…you win..you win…hehe..stop it..it tickles."
Monica felt Sarah squirming out of her arms as she sits down beside her mother by the sink. "Looks like we kind of made a little mess."
Sarah looks up at her mother, "Yeah..but it was worth it. I love you mom."
Monica smiles and kisses Sarah's little head, "I love you too, my sweet Sarah. Come on…lets finish doing the dishes and help me clean up our little fun."
Sarah jumps up and helps put the last remaining dishes in the dishwasher as Monica begins to wipe down the sink and the cupboards from their little war. "You know, never had that much fun doing dishes in a while. We should do this more often."
Monica smiles at her, "No we shouldn't. For one thing your father won't like it, and it's bad for the house. But that doesn't mean, we can stop having our little daughter and mother moments. Just outside of the house."
Sarah nods, "okay. Like in the summer, water fights."
Monica nods, "exactly."
Just then Griffin came in the kitchen, and notices the mess, "What happened in here."
Monica turns to look at her husband, "Sarah and I…had a little…"
"A water fight…" Sarah finishes Monica's thought.
Griffin looks at his wife, and Monica thought he would be angry at her. But the her surprise he wasn't made, instead he just giggles. "Oh…you had one of those moments."
"It won't happen again Griff..honest." Monica said apologetic.
Griffin went to his wife and kisses the side of her cheek, "I know it won't...done that a few times with her already."
Monica pulls back and looks at him, "You have?"
Sarah smiles back, "Yup…every now and then daddy and I would have a soapy water war when doing dishes. As long as we clean up the mess we made."
Griffin nods and Sarah finishes drying off her hands. Sarah then went to Monica and hugs her, "I had a great time with you. I have to go and finish my studies and then get a good night sleep. Have a huge test tomorrow in Science and a presentation."
Monica bends down to her level and hugs her back, "I had a great time too…I love you, kid."
"Love you too…mom." Sarah hugs her mother and kisses Monica's cheek. Then pulls back and runs to her father who hugs her and kisses her goodnight.
Just before Sarah leaves to head upstairs Griffin calls out to her, "I'll be up there around 9. To make sure you are in bed."
"Okay dad." Sarah calls back and heads upstairs to her bedroom.
Once Sarah was upstairs Monica looks at Griffin, and walks with him to the living room where he made a nice cozy fire. As soon as Griffin got the fire going he looks at his wife and came and by her side. Monica felt his strong hands massaging her shoulders and making her relax and feel at ease. She figures that this moment will be the perfect moment to tell him about her therapy session.
Once soon as Monica was in a relax state Griffin softly spoke to her, "So my love..how was your day at work?"
Monica sighs and softly replies back to him, "Nice…not too many issues of readjusting. Was welcomed back by my kids. And had lots of welcome back cards."
"They didn't ask you why you took 2 months off?" Griffin asks.
"yes they did." Monica answers him. "I just told them that I've been under a lot of stress during those few months and was ordered by my boss to take a leave of absence. It's the best solution I can give to them without revealing my personal life."
Griffin strokes her hair softly, "That sounds reasonable."
Monica then turns to look at him, "Also I went to see my therapist today. Dr. Miller."
"Oh yeah…sorry forgot you had an appointment today..how was it?" Griffin asks.
"It went well…" Monica stated and Griffin caught onto her disappointment.
"What went wrong?" Griffin asks.
"Nothing…the session was great. Feel more at ease after what had happen 2 months ago." Monica smiles. "But..my last session with Dr. Miller is January 15th."
"I'm guessing you don't want it to end." Griffin stated.
"Yes…I love her, she is really fun to hang with, and is teaching me about how to deal with this trauma. And she is also helping me out spiritually." Monica smiles. Then she turns to him and the smile slowly fades. "She also gave me an assignment to do before my last session with her."
"And that will be what?" Griffin eyes his wife.
"Wanted to tell you earlier but with you cooking dinner, and Sarah eavesdropping, wasn't the right time. But now I think I should tell you." Monica took a deep breath, and then looks into the eyes of her lover. "Dr. Miller's assignment she wants me to do, is to have sex again."
Griffin was kind of thrilled what Monica had said. He too had been waiting awhile to make love to her again. Because like her he misses Monica's tender touch, and the powerful moment of excersy shared between the two of them in that hot passionate moment. However Griffin senses Monica's fear and Griffin looks into her eyes which held a hint of fear. Then he clasp his hands on his wife's and holds them, and tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear, "I'm actually thrilled that your therapist is giving you the okay to make love again. Because these past few weeks has been driving me crazy of not having sex. However I sense that you are still scared of the memories of Norman coming back into your mind, which I don't blame you. Especially after what you been through, and how you don't trust humans easily. But I'm a man of my word." Griffin pauses as he touches Monica's hand that held her wedding band. Then he slowly raises it to his lips, "I promised to you that I will love you for better or worse. And put your needs ahead of my own. And if you're not ready to make love to me, I'll wait. I'm letting you to make the move."
Monica was speechless at what Griffin had said. She felt his lips on her wedding band hand, and slowly she moves her head to his. Then in one swift motion, her lips crashes onto his, and something in Monica's body bloomed. She felt comfortable with him kissing her, and holding her that perhaps she is ready to start up her sex life again. But still uncertain of the idea she pulls back. Monica looks at her husband, "Thank you…I am slowly coming around. I know in my heart that I am ready to have sex with you again. But my mind, is still trapped by the fear." Monica stated looking into Griffin's midnight blue eyes.
"I know…which is why I'm letting you take the lead." Griffin suggested.
Monica smiles to his comment, and snuggles in his arms. Then she softly whispers to him, "I love you."
Griffin smiles to her words. Everything she says is pure poetry. They both curled up on the sofa as Griffin watches the last 15 minutes of the news while stroking his wife's beautiful hair. He looks down and found her looking at some of her students work. Griffin then bends his head a little to kiss the back of Monica's neck and shoulders. He heard Monica slightly giggling to his touch.
Still giggling Monica turns her attention off of grading papers and looks at her husband, "Roan...I'm flattered that you still are showing your affection for me, but.."
"But you have to finish grading papers." Griffin finishes Monica's sentence.
"Exactly." Monica stares at her husband. "There will be time where we can…fool around some time later. But as a responsible teacher…I have to get these done, before Friday."
Griffin nods, "How many more do you have to do?"
Monica takes her attention off of her husband and looks at the pile of essays before her. She counted at least 10 of them she still has to look over and grade it. Monica then looks back at Griffin, "About 10 more…"
Griffin then turns off the tv. And bends down to look into Monica's sexy brown eyes. "I would help out, but I don't know a damn thing about grading papers…especially English."
Monica giggles to his comment, "Take it back in high school you were a poor English student."
Griffin chuckles to her comment, "Yeah…..writing papers has never been my strong suit. I was more into science and history."
That shocked Monica. "Really? Never found you the science type guy."
Griffin sat down next to her, "Yeah…well not the boring stuff like biology…but physics and chemistry and blowing things up..now that I had a blast with. And loved history. Then again, my dad made it fun for me. Had history bowl every Thursday night, and test days."
Monica smiles to Griffin's tale of his high school days. She loves to hear his stories on how he grew up in life, and to be the man she fell in love with today. She just wishes she had a normal human life, of going to school and having high school stories to tell. But those where only wishes. She is glad of her life, of meeting new people, and sharing God's word to them. To Monica, that is the best gift she can offer to this world. Griffin then looks to her and asks her a question.
"Mon…I know you didn't experience the high school life, but what made you to grow and love English so much?" Griffin asks.
Monica sets down her red pen as she turns her attention to her husband. She felt his fingers stroking her hair, as she gaze into his beautiful blue eyes. "Well…for one thing poetry is what really sparked my love for English. I always love writing and being poetic to the world around me. For me, it is capturing God's truth through metaphoric ways. Loved it when I was a young angel at the time, and it really evolved when I started my assignments as a case worker. Loved all the other subjects as well…but English, just won my heart."
Griffin then smiles to her words, and leans to kiss her on the cheek, "well….since I can't make out with you, can I at least kiss you goodnight?"
Monica smiles to him, "You're going to bed?"
"Yeah…got to get up early tomorrow. Captain wants me clocked in by 6 tomorrow morning." Griffin crocked his head to one side.
Monica smiles and sets down her red pen, and moves her body to face her husband. Slowly, she places her hands on his forearms, and gently guides them to her waist. Griffin looks up in her eyes and had a confused look on his face. Monica answers his questioning look, "I'm working on building my confidence to have sex with you again…this is just one of my ways."
Monica guides Griffin to her lips, and tenderly she kisses him. She felt his hands stroking her sides, which causes her to giggle. Griffin's hands then slid from her waist and into her hair. Monica wanted to move in deeper and really have a hot kissing moment, but Griffin pulls away from her lips before she could make the move. Then tenderly he strokes her face and with a charming smile he added, "Goodnight Monica…"
Griffin kisses her once more before he parted from her embrace. As soon as Griffin left the living room, Monica let out a heavy sigh. Damn. Why does he have to be so charming when he kisses me like that? Monica thought. Monica pushes her moment out of her mind and focus in on her task, before her husband distracted her.
…
Griffin slips under the covers and waits a little while for his wife to join him. Half tempted to pull her away from her grading papers to make out with her, but he had to be respectful. He was a bit surprise to have her entertain the thought of them to have sex again, so soon after what had happen to her 2 months earlier. However, he actually kind of liked the idea, because he really wanted to make love to her again. The past several weeks has been torture for him, to not touch her sexually, without having her to freak out. But what has been really weird, was Monica is the one that has been making the moves and agging him on. He knows that she is not doing it intentionally, she is just overwhelmed with the amount of hormones rushing through her because of the pregnancy. Griffin still loves her and will continue to be patient with her, until she gives him the okay to have sex again.
His thoughts soon made him drift off to sleep and soon he found himself dreaming on a soft cloud. It was a little after 12:30, when he felt movement beside him. Griffin slowly stirs and soon felt a soft touch on his cheek.
"Shush….go back to bed honey." Her soft Irish voice spoke to him.
Griffin smiles to his wife's voice, "What time is it?"
Monica turns off the light and snuggles her soft reddish brown head beside his shoulder, "Time to go back to sleep…you have a big day tomorrow."
Monica strokes his arms and kisses the rim of his mighty shoulder. She felt her husband sliding his legs between hers and pulls her body close to his. Then he entwined their fingers together as she felt his breath and light kisses on the back of her neck and shoulders. Then he softly whispers to her, "I love you."
Monica smiles brightens as she whispers the phrase back, "I love you too, my dear Roan."
…
Today was Griffin's day off. Megan gave him a gift to spend the Christmas season with his family. She knows how precious families are, and she can tell that Griffin truly loves his family. And today was Christmas Eve. However since what happen with Charles Norman, and Griffin still trying to recover from his bullet wound, Griffin's father has come to help get the Christmas tree.
Griffin pulls up with his car and met his father at Mac's Christmas Tree farm, to select a Christmas tree for tomorrow's event. Sarah was the first to greet her grandpa, and little Rusty who Seth has brought along.
"Grandpa!" Sarah rushed to greet him. Seth smiles as he hugs his granddaughter.
Monica walks in hand with Griffin and smiles to her father in-law as they greeted one another. "Take it you brought a mascot with you?"
"Yes…mainly for Sarah." Seth chuckles. "How is my other grandchild doing?"
Monica walks in line with him as she keeps on eye on her daughter, "Good."
"Haven't been having too much troubles?" Seth asks.
"Nope…not since Thanksgiving." Monica sighs.
"Well that's good. Do you know what it is yet…a boy…girl?" Seth asks another question.
"Nope still waiting on that as well. After Christmas I have another appointment with my doctor. She says that we will know what the sex is of the baby by then." Monica explains as she waits for Griffin to return with a saw.
Seth smiles at her, "What do you hope it will be?"
Monica looks up at his brown eyes, "Well I can't say for me…but for your son…he is hoping that it will be a boy."
Seth gave a small laughter to that, "Most father's are hoping for boys. I was just blessed that I had three of them. Although, with that, I do miss out on having some father and daughter times as well. However, I get to spend some time with you. Since you came into my son's life, it has been a blessing to have you as the daughter I never had."
Monica smiles to his words. She then embraces her father in-law and in that moment, she knew that being human was the best thing that happened to her. Monica soon pulls away when her husband returns, and together as a family they hopped up on the tractor wagon, as they go out and search for a Christmas tree.
They came to a field which held lots of green and snow covered Christmas trees. Sarah walked beside her grandfather and Rusty, while Monica and Griffin walked hand in hand for the first time as a married couple to find a tree. Griffin looks down on his wife as he smiles at her. Monica looks up and caught his smiling face, "What are you smiling for?"
Griffin pauses in their walking as he looks at her, "Just remember last year….of finding a Christmas tree, with you. How you blushed every time I looked at you…like you are doing now." Monica pulls away and tries to carry on with the other two ahead of them, but Griffin took hold her green scarf and pulls her towards him. Monica couldn't help but to give a slight giddy laugh when Griffin crashes his lips with hers. Their moment was short lived when a snowball hit Griffin's back. A small laughter sounded behind him as Monica and Griffin glanced at their daughter.
Seth hollered out to them, "Come on kids…while we are still young.."
Monica pulls back from her husband's embrace and leans her head on his shoulder. "I guess your father and your daughter want us to keep moving."
"I guess you're right." Griffin chuckles and continues to follow them.
"Well…unlike last year…I now can make out with you and not feel guilty about it." Monica smirks.
Griffin looks at her, "You were thinking of kissing me back then?"
Monica nods. "At this time, yes….but I didn't know how to react…because, I was still an angel, and my loyalty was still with God and the law of never 'falling in love with humans'. And it is forbidden to even entertain those types of thoughts. Let alone acted upon it…but there were moments that I wanted to kiss you when we were looking for a Christmas tree.." Monica pauses as she stopped by a tree and examines it. Then she continues on with her thought, "However, I'm glad I didn't kiss you there and waited."
Griffin was now curious with his wife's statement as he walks closer to her, "Why is that? I mean, I wouldn't mind if you did kissed me, Mon.."
Monica looks at him, "Well..now you wouldn't mind if I kiss you, but back then…you were afraid to let me love you, and if I kissed you then, you would have resisted."
Griffin was shocked at what he just heard, "Wait a minute, you knew what I was feeling?"
Monica gave a small smile and a slight giggle came out, "It's one of the gifts at being an angel Griff…..I know that you were having conflicting feelings about something, and that you don't trust woman easily especially when finding someone to love. I just never thought that those conflicting feelings were about me. Besides, if I came out and kissed you on Christmas Eve, you would've turned me down, and broke my heart. I knew it then that you weren't ready for me to show you my love for you. Besides, God planned the right time for me to confess my love for you on New Years' Eve, and that was the best moment in my existence to finally feel what human love is like, and to receive it in return. I wouldn't have traded that night when I first kissed you, for my wishful thinking."
Griffin soaked up to what his wife just said. He stopped for a moment to gaze at her. She smiled at him, and nudged him to where his father and their daughter were at a tree. Griffin flows after her and went to stand beside his dad. Sarah eyes both of her parents, "So…what do you think?"
Griffin walks around to look at it more closely. He liked the shape of it, and the branches were nice and thick. He goes over to his wife for her opinion, "Well…..Mon…what do you think?"
Monica looks at the tree, and turns and smiles to her husband, "I approve of. Not too bushy, and it's fairly straight."
"Grandpa found it!" Sarah said as she came to stand between them.
Seth smiles at his son's family, "The choice is yours son…we can go and find another if you don't like it."
"That's okay dad….I think we all approve of it." Griffin said as his father approaches him.
"Well…you want to do the honors?" Seth smiles to his son.
"Yes. Just like old times, where Kurt and I fight over who gets to cut down the tree." Griffin laughs as he hands his father, the saw as they both go down into the snow to start to cut down the tree.
Monica pulls Sarah back to let the men cut down the tree. Took about 3 minutes for them to cut through the trunk as it tumbled down. Monica and Sarah held onto the top part, until Seth stood up to brush the snow off as Griffin finish cutting all the way through. Once the tree was cut down, Sarah took hold of the top part of the tree as Seth took the other part. Sarah was a bit too small to carry it on her own, so Monica was there to help her along.
Took about 20 minutes for the tractor pull up, as the driver drove the tractor to the front of the entrance to the tree farm, the driver then waits until the customers took their trees before he started off again on his next round. Seth helped carried the tree to the main office so that Griffin could pay for their Christmas tree. Once Griffin paid for the tree, Seth held it to Griffin's car and Griffin goes along to help out his father. While the men put the tree on the car, Sarah looks over at her mom, "Well…since daddy and grandpa are tying the tree on the car, want to give them a drink for their efforts?"
Monica nods, "That would be a splendid idea. Come on."
Sarah pulls on the leash as Rusty let out a bark for joy. Once Monica and Sarah arrive at the tent booth for refreshments and snacks, they were surprise to find Crystal their at the concessions table. "Can I help whose….Sarah?"
"Mom?" Sarah asks.
Monica turns to look at the person who is addressing them, "Crystal? What a surprise that you are here?"
Crystal gave a kind smile. She still doesn't like Monica, because of her unresolved feelings with her ex-husband and her daughter. "I'm helping out my uncle. This is his farm."
"Right of course." Monica said with an awkward glance.
"Well…can I get you and Roan anything?" Crystal stated trying to get rid of her as fast as she can.
"Just 2 coffees, and 2 hot chocolates, is all." Monica stated as she too wanted to not engaged in this awkward conversation.
Sarah was too occupied with the dog to even notice the awkwardness between her actual mother and her adoptive mother. Crystal made up the drinks Monica requested, and she hands them to her, and takes the cash that Monica offered. "Sarah, honey, take these two drinks to your father and grandfather. Okay?"
"Okay…." Sarah takes hold of the two coffees, and then she waves goodbye to her actual mother, "Bye mom. Merry Christmas!"
Crystal waves goodbye to her daughter, "Merry Christmas to you too..Sarah." Monica looks at the hurt in Crystal's eyes. Crystal looks at Monica, "She seems happier now."
Monica nods then she turns to look at her, "She still loves you, you know. You are still her mother, and you are still part of her who she is."
Crystal nods as she wipes the tears from her eyes, "But she loves you even more Monica…..I can see it in her eyes. It's like….I'm a complete stranger to her. I don't know how to reconnect to her again. I don't know how to be a mother to her….I never did had that gift."
Monica looks deep into Crystal's blue eyes, "Sarah will come around, and you will be able to have a connection with her again. It is just going to take time to rebuild the relationship that once was broken. And you do have the gift at being her mother, Crystal."
Crystal looks into Monica's eyes. And for once, she had no hatred towards her. What Monica had said, was the truth. She is slowly coming to terms that Monica is not a horrible person, and she is really lovable. However, Crystal doesn't want to admit that. She pushes the soft feelings away as she clears her throat, "Thanks Monica but I….I um…..I have to get back to work, and I think your family is waiting on you…"
Monica nods, and just before Crystal leaves she turns to her, "Crystal….how would you like to spend Christmas with your little girl?"
Crystal was shocked at what Monica just said, "What?"
Monica smiles to her, "I know you and I have our differences, and that you don't like me very much….but you and Sarah have been separated for a while, I want to give you a chance to be close to her again."
"Thanks Monica…but no thanks.. I don't want to cause conflict with your husband….He still feels betrayed, and I don't blame him." Crystal stated trying to refuse the offer.
"I'll talk to him about it…you don't have to stay very long. It might be a good opportunity to reconnect to Sarah again." Monica pointed out.
Crystal took a moment to think, then she softly nods, "Okay…Monica why are you doing this? After what I did at trying to steal Sarah away…and then causing world war three with you…why are you still showing me kindness?"
Monica smiles to her and came to her, "Because that is what love does. And where I come from, love always conquers hate. I don't hate you for what you did. Although it cause me heart aches at some point, but you are still someone worth loving. Even under the mask you tend to put up when you feel threatened or vulnerable. Well…I got to go…Happy Christmas." Monica walks off and heads to her family.
Crystal moves out of the tent and watch her approach her new family. There was something that what Monica told her reminded her of what Gloria had stated to her a few months back. How come she sounded like Gloria? Crystal thought. And why is she showing her kindness instead of hate? Who are you Monica?
….
Once the tree was tied to the car, Griffin looks at his daughter who held up a cup of coffee. "This is for you daddy.." Sarah said as she hands her father the drink.
"Thanks, sweetheart." Griffin gladly took the hot coffee and started to sip it.
Seth then came around Griffin's other side, "Well…I must be off…you have a nice Christmas Eve, Roan."
"You're not coming back with us?" Griffin asks.
"No…I got plans with Kath…besides, your aunt is coming in later this evening. Got to have my place nice and clean before she comes. You know how your aunt Izzy gets whenever there is a mess around." Seth chuckles at his sister's OCD.
Griffin chuckles along with his father, "Yeah..I can testify to that."
Monica soon comes in besides her husband and caught the last part of their conversation, "What is so funny?"
"Nothing….honey," Griffin dismisses their small laughter.
However Seth fills her in, "My sister is coming in this evening, and we were chuckling over my sister's OCD."
Monica smiles along with her family, "So I take it you won't be joining us."
"That will be correct. Well I must be off. Thank you Monica for the invite. I will see you both tomorrow evening. I have Christmas gifts for the 3 of you." Seth smiles.
Monica goes and hugs her father in-law, as he gave her a small kiss. "Merry Christmas Monica."
"Merry Christmas to you to….." Monica hesitated on what to say after that and Seth caught onto her pause.
"You know you can call me dad if you want….I don't mind." Seth sneered.
"Thanks…but it still feels a little awkward…I think I will just stick with Seth…" Monica mange to say with a little laughter.
"Hey whatever works for you….Well..Merry Christmas…"Seth stated again. Monica soon pulls away to let her husband have a father and son moment. She goes over to sit in the car which Griffin had started up when she said her goodbye to Seth.
Griffin went to his father and embraced him into a deep loving hug. "Thank you…for today…it means so much to me, for you being there."
Seth held onto his little boy, "It meant a lot to me too…I'm sorry for being so distant all these years to you kids. I guess I kind of lost my joy with the holidays, because it reminds me so much of your mother."
Griffin pulls back, "To tell you the truth dad..I think we all kind of lost our touch with the holidays without mom. For a while, I didn't want anything to do with Christmas…but then Sarah came along, and the joy that she gets around this time makes me happy…and recently..now, Monica."
"Yeah….she is pretty special. And I know…last year you were having moments with your now…" Seth paused as he let out a fake cough, "wife."
Griffin gave his father a little push. "I was informed by my good friend Mac who saw the sparks fly between you two last year.." Seth confessed.
Griffin gave a little laugh to that, "Well…..I should get going. Tell Aunt Izzy I said hi okay."
"Well..we'll stop by later on tomorrow night to hang with you…and the 'gang'" Seth stated.
"Alright…it's at Chris's house, not mine, just so you know." Griffin stated.
"I remember." Seth smiles to his son, then he pulls him into a hug. "I love you Roan. And you have a blessed Merry Christmas with your beloved family."
"I will….and Merry Christmas to you too, dad…I love you." Griffin then pulls back from his father, and then leaves a small kiss to his father cheek before he turns to the driver's side of his car.
Griffin waved goodbye to his father, as Seth put his old companion in the back of his car. Seth soon waves his son off, as the blue station wagon pulls out of the park space. Once his son left and turn onto the main road, Seth hops in and started his own car.
Monica looks to her husband who drive 20 miles back to their home. Snow began to fall as the sun slowly sank behind the treetops. Sarah who was in the back seat turns her attention from her mp3 player to her parents, "Dad..mom can I ask you a question?"
Griffin keeping his eyes on the road answers her, "Sure anything."
"okay…I was thinking…since I'm almost a teenager now..and most of my friends have pets my age.." Sarah started to ask.
"We're not getting a pet." Griffin knew were this conversation was going.
"But dad…" Sarah started to explain her case.
"No Sarah….I can't afford it. The shots, the food, the care of an animal. It's too expensive..not to mention we have a baby to think about." Griffin stated.
Sarah looks to Monica for support, "Mom…"
Monica looks to her husband and then to her daughter…she hates being in the middle, and the fact that Sarah was giving her the sad puppy pout eyes didn't help her case either. "As much as I have to agree…you're father is right Sarah."
"But I will be really responsible." Sarah gave her case one last shot.
"I'm sure you will, sweetheart, but you're father is right..with the expense to keep up with maintaining the animal to proper care, it is expensive. And also the fact that, you will have a new baby brother or sister on the way, it will get really tight financially for the both of us." Monica explains. "It's not that we don't think you can handle it, it's the finance behind it all, that is will be the issue…Maybe in a few years, we will think about it, okay."
Sarah sighs, "I guess…Just, I had such a great time with grandpa's dog, that I want one of my own."
Griffin looks at his daughter in the review mirror, "I know, honey..And we can see that. I would like a dog myself, but hadn't been able to keep one, because I had to think about my finances with you. Like what Monica stated, until we can get a stable ground down on our finances, we will come back to thinking of getting a pet."
Sarah nods and goes back to her music. Griffin looks at Monica and with his gaze he said thank you to her. Monica smiles to him and places her hand on his forearm returning his thanks. Griffin soon pulls into the drive way, as snow covers the ground with its white fluffiness. Sarah soon hops out of the car and goes around the back to help her father out with the Christmas tree. Monica has gone into the house and opens the door for her husband and Sarah to carry the tree in the house.
Took Griffin a few minutes to hoist the tree up on his shoulders, as he then carries the tree up the front porch. Sarah was walking backwards and Monica had to guide her so she won't hit anything. Once they were inside, Griffin put the tree up in the tree stand and tie the ends to the wall so it won't topple over and fall.
Sarah has gone down and got the Christmas decorations just like last year. Once Sarah has left, Griffin turns to his wife and looks at her as she placed the Christmas lights around the tree. "Thank you.."
Monica turns her attention to him, "For?"
"For backing me up on the issue of having a pet." Griffin said as he came to her and attached more lights to the end of the lights Monica had put up.
Monica smiles, "You're welcome. I had to agree with you on that..as much as I don't want to disappoint her."
Griffin stood up and embraces her, "She will be fine…we already been down this road before. And I know that you hate being the bad guy."
Monica places her hands on his forearms as she felt him hugging her waist. "Does it get any easier?"
"No it doesn't…" Griffin said as he kisses the back of her neck, "But you will be a traffic mother, and our kids will love you."
Monica smiles to his comment and pulls his arms closer around her waist. Then she slowly turns around to look into his soft blue eyes. She lightly kisses him and then moves out of his embrace to go and continue to decorate the tree, with lights. Sarah soon came back with the box of ornament and soon they all decorated the tree first time together as a family.
…
Once the tree was fully decorated, everyone stood back to admire the beauty of the twinkle ling tree. Griffin stood behind his wife as he kisses the side of her cheek, and felt truly blessed to be married to her. Monica looked up at him and felt the same way and she closes his eyes to leave a small kiss to his lips. Celebrating the first Christmas as husband and wife. Griffin wanted to go deeper, but knowing that Sarah was 4 feet in front of him he didn't acted upon it. And Monica knows that, and she mouth to him, 'later.' Griffin nods to that and pulls away from her.
Sarah then turns to them and stated, "Can we watch our Christmas movie now?"
Griffin nods as he went to kill the lights, as Monica and Sarah took their place on the couch. Once Griffin puts in the film he dim the lights and the only source of light is the Christmas tree. Monica made room on the couch for Griffin to sit beside her. Sarah turns on to the tv and at 8:00, NBC played its traditional Christmas Eve movie It's A Wonderful Life.
Monica and her family where watching It's a Wonderful Life on tv. Monica was curled up in Griffin's arms as Sarah sat beside them. Whenever the romance scenes came on, she snuggles closer to her husband. Griffin seems to catch onto, and occasionally he would nuzzle his wife's neck. Monica smiles to her husband's touch and then turns her attention back to the tv. Then all of a sudden Monica starts to tear up and little sobs started to come.
Sarah looks up at her mom, "Are you okay there mom?" Monica nods, "Yeah I'm fine
Sarah." "Why are you crying then?" Sarah asks.
Griffin chuckles, "She's fine Sarah. It's part of the pregnancy."
Monica nods and then more sobs came out when a commercial about holiday coffee mates came on. Monica couldn't contain her sobs as she calmly climbs out of her husband's embrace to go into the kitchen to make some tea. As she leaves she cries even louder.
Griffin just shakes his head and started to laugh at his wife's weird emotions.
Sarah looks at her father, "Daddy..Why are you laughing, mom is upset."
Griffin looks to his daughter, "No she isn't sweetheart. She cries every time a hallmark or coffee commercial comes on. All woman act differently in their pregnancies. Some are more emotional than others. And with this being Monica's first child, her hormones get the best of her sometimes. I've been with two woman who cried without warning."
Sarah smiles with her father, "Was mom ever this emotional when she had me?"
Griffin smiles, "Yes she was. She even sometimes got really mad at me for some things I didn't even do. But that's your mother."
"Will I ever become emotional when I'm pregnant?" Sarah asks.
Griffin was taken aback when Sarah asks that question. He still thinks of her as a baby, and even having the thought of her having a kid, terrified him. He took a moment before answering, "Yes. But for different reasons. When a woman is expecting a child, their hormones go out of balance, causing the weird outburst of anger, crying, and even food cravings. Monica hasn't reach the stage yet of craving food, but she will when it gets closer for her to give birth." Griffin looks at his daughter, "You can laugh at your mother's outrages emotions, but not when she is around."Sarah gave a little giggle to her father's remark.
Just then Monica came back into the room with a new cup of tea. She looks at her husband and daughter, "What are you two laughing about?"
Griffin and Sarah exchange a glance then looks back at her. "Nothing."
Monica had a look on her face that didn't look to be happy, "About my outburst of crying for no good reason."
Sarah looked down not meeting her gaze as she tries to hide her smile. Monica looks to her husband.
Griffin looks to her, "Honey, we're not laughing a.."
Monica's eyes went from being angry to soften then she started to giggle realizing how ridicules she is being. Griffin and Sarah exchange a glance and then Griffin looks to her, "Mon.."
Monica looks at her husband and went into his embrace, "I'm fine Griff..I know I over reacted on situations like this."
Sarah smiles and went into Monica's arms, "It's okay mom..We still love you."
Monica smiles as they continue to watch the film. Once 10 hit, the movie ended and as on cue with the film Sarah said one of the famous lines "Look daddy…teacher says every time a bell rings an angel get's it's wings."
Monica and Griffin both chuckled at Sarah's outburst to the movie, as she entwines her fingers to his, and moves her head on his shoulder. As soon as the movie ended, Griffin turns off the tv and looks at his daughter, "Well squirt..i think it's time you to head to bed. Santa is going to come here really soon."
"Daddy…I know you and Monica are Santa clause….I stopped believing in Santa, when I was 8." Sarah stated.
"Well…you still have to get to bed." Monica stated.
"I know…night you two…and Merry Christmas.." Sarah stated as she embraces the two of them. She soon dashes off and heads up the stairs.
As soon as it was quiet upstairs, Monica glances at Griffin and he nods to her. Two minutes later and together both Monica and Griffin were taking turns wrapping Sarah's Christmas gifts. An hour and half later and they were done. Monica was sitting by the warm fire and watching the snow fall outside when Griffin came and sat down beside her, "Looking at the snow."
Monica smiles to him, "yeah…it's a magical moment for me." Griffin smiles as he hands Monica a small box. Monica glance back at him, "Griffin…I don't accept gifts until Christmas morning."
Griffin tucks a lock of Monica's hair behind her ears, "I know…but I saved a spot on the tree for this moment."
Monica with a curious glance looked into his eyes, then at the box that Griffin still hand in his hand. She sets down her cup of tea and took the box. Then carefully she unwraps the green box and took out some protective paper and inside of it was an ornament that read Our First Christmas with two white doves symbolizing Monica's secret identity and below it was a heart that held a picture of Monica and Griffin's wedding. On the outer rim of the heart it read 2011.
Monica looks at her husband, and felt completely in love with him. She then tenderly pulls Griffin into a slow and seductive kiss. They made out by the warm fire as they shared their love for each other. After a few minutes Monica pulls away from his lips and smiles to him, "Thank you. And I see why you saved it until after Sarah went to bed."
"Exactly. Merry Christmas, my love." Griffin stated as he strokes Monica's arms. Her skin felt so warm, and the glow of the fire made it look so creamy.
Monica snuggles into Griffin's chest as she repeated the words back to him, "Merry Christmas to you too, Roan."
For the next several hours they stayed in each others embraces watching the twinkling Christmas tree and the falling snow outside. Until they both decide to call it a night and left to go upstairs and catch whatever sleep they can, before their daughter gets up with the excitement of Christmas morning.