The next weeks passed by quickly and Christmas was just around the corner. I'd gotten so used to cold winters these past years that being back in Beacon Hills with the sun shining every morning seemed so strange. Stiles and Ella grew closer for everyday that flew by, but there still wasn't any sign of commitment on Stiles' part. Regardless of Ella's fears I don't think Stiles knew that Ella really wanted them to be together. I could see insecurity in his eyes even when they were hanging out in large groups. Scott and Alison seemed happy together, and they'd included their old opponents Lydia and Jackson into their little group. As I was explained recent events in Beacon Hills from before we arrived, it didn't surprise me that Jackson and Lydia were now a part of the gang. Apparently Lydia was the brain and had done a lot of research to help out Scott and Stiles earlier. Who knew?
There was only a few weeks left until Christmas and I had no idea what to get Derek. What does one get for a somewhat overprotective, 2-months-sober-from-anger, mysterious werewolf? I'd been pretty stressed out all week from getting the others gifts, I hadn't really any time to find the one-in-a-million fitting gift for a supernatural being – and it pissed me off.
"Good morning, Evelyn" I heard from the stairs. I turned around to see Derek in nothing but a lose pair of pants. Holy Christ, had he gotten even hotter these last couple of days? It took all the might in my body to resist sweeping everything off the kitchen table and attacking Derek.
"You cannot walk around like that, Derek!" I said feeling not only strict, but slightly annoyed.
"Calm down" he said pulling his t-shirt on (which he apparently had in his hands, but who was looking at them?). "Are you OK? You've seemed a bit tense these last days" he said obviously noticing my Christmas stress.
"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep too well that's all" I answered. The holiday heat was getting to me and everyone was obviously aware of that.
"Good, because I have a plan for today. Ella and Stiles have Charlie for the day, so the house is all ours" he smiled. Shit. I should have just let him be half naked in the first place – karma.
"So what's on the agenda for today?" I asked as walked me to the living room.
"First we watch a TV" he said as if that was normal for him.
"OK" I raised my eyebrows and hesitated slightly. The DVD player was already on when I got to the living room and there was music coming from the TV. Familiar music. Simple Minds' "Don't you forget about me" was playing on my TV. "Is that? Have you? How did you?" I asked in astonishment as I fell back onto the couch and caught a glimpse of a movie cover beside the television.
"I asked Ella and Stiles" he smiled at me. "This is still your favorite movie right?" he asked pointing at the brat-pack who appeared on my screen. I can't really explain why I started crying when sat down beside me. He remembered? He actually gave a shit. "Evy, what's wrong?" he said as he wrapped an arm around me.
"Nothing.. is.. wrong.." I sobbed. "That's my.. favorite movie" I held myself together before letting another tear escape. "I love you" I said. I hadn't realized it was the first time I was telling him this. In sweatpants on my couch. But it felt like I'd loved him forever, it was no secret. His eyes flashed slightly and his smile broadened.
"I love you too" he replied softly meeting my lips. I leaned backwards and let his head fall on my chest and we lay there watching the movie. I said almost every line in the movie before the characters did, but Derek didn't protest at all. He must actually really love me.
"So… Uhm.. Christmas is coming up.. What do you want?" I snuck in a question when the movie was over.
"I already got what I want" he answered in a matter-of-fact tone. If anyone else had said those word it would have sounded highly cheesy, but Derek seemed convincing.
"Hmph.. As sweet as that was, it was of no help" I frowned at him. He pulled me closer to him placing my hands in his own.
"I think I'm going to have to buy you another present, the one I got now… I can't… It's not.." he trailed off actually thinking about what to give me.
"What? Why? What's wrong with the one you got me?" I asked rather interested.
"Nothing is wrong with it" he smiled. "But I don't think I can wait 'til Christmas to give it to you" he said looking a bit disappointed in himself. "Just a moment" he said as he vanished into the kitchen pulling out his cellphone. I was extremely excited to see what he'd gotten me. I wonder if it's boxed. Like a big box. Ooh. And if so, did he wrap it himself? My excitement was killed as he walked back in a minute later with nothing but his cellphone in his hands.
"Where's my no-good present?" I asked slightly let down.
"Didn't say I was going to give it today" he smirked. "By the way, we're going out for dinner today" he said.
"Since when? Where are we going? Like suitable for sweatpants, 'cause I'm really comfy right now" I said as I pulled my size XL sweatshirt over my knees.
"Since I called Le Jardin and made reservations.. You can wear whatever you like" he replied.
Oh my.. Le Jardin. That's expensive. I guessed there wouldn't be sweatpants for me. I wondered why we were going to Le Jardin, but then again – Derek wasn't one to do anything halfway. His idea of take-out is tapas and wine. I wondered if he'd ever been to Burger King…
I hurried out of the shower and in to Dereks hands holding my towel. "I'm c-c-cold" I shivered. He removed the towel and threw his arms around me, rubbing his hands up and down my back. "Better now" I smiled as I threw on a bathrobe.
I hurried to create a somewhat fancy hairdo and rushed to the closet. What to wear? I found a rather sexy black dress which I remember fit like a glove the last time I wore it. It was my favorite, and this was an excuse to let Derek see my in something other than house-mom clothes. Shit, I thought to myself as I couldn't get the zipper further than slightly above my hips. Not the perfect timing to put on that holiday weight. I snuck the dress back into the closet acting as if I'd not yet found a dress when Derek re-entered the room. I found a new dress, slightly bigger than the black one and slipped quickly into it while Derek lay in the bed staring at the ceiling. "How do I look?" I regretted asking as I felt that my entire upper body felt considerably strangled in the dress.
"You look beautiful. Red is your color, it fits you perfectly" I heard his textbook answer as I turned to the mirror. Urgh. I fucking hate dressing up.
The restaurant was beautiful. We sat in a dim area lighted by big candles. "That was delicious" I said as I leaned back. I'd finished everything on my plate and my dress felt tighter than ever by this point.
"I feel like going for a walk" Derek said as we walked out of the restaurant. He took my hand and led me onto the beautifully lighted promenade. The sky was dark now and little stars appeared one by one as we walked. "Evelyn. There's something I've been thinking lately" his eyes were slightly anxious as he looked at me. I hoped to God he wasn't going to tell me I was fat. That would not fit well into my already stressed week. We sat down on a bench hidden at the end of the promenade. "I know we talked about this. And you're allowed to whatever reaction you please, but.." he trailed off.
"What's going on, Derek?" I was starting to get worried now and I was feeling nauseous by the time he looked back at me. He moved so quick I didn't really have any time to prepare myself. I blinked at he was kneeling in front of me. On one knee. "I love you. And that's never going to change. Ever" he started. "I always going to want you. And I guess.. Well I was wondering if I could have you. Forever" I'd never seen him this nervous before. He was shaking for crying out loud. "Will you be mine forever?" he asked as a little black box appeared in his hands. He revealed the most beautiful ring with a diamond rock on it. It took my brain some time to react to what just happened. My mouth stayed popped open for the time being.
"Oh my god" was all I managed to utter before I lunged for his lips. "Yes. I'm already yours. Forever" I smiled as I pulled away. The tears were being shed like crazy and I was certain that I'd ruined my make-up, but I couldn't stop. He slid the ring on my finger wearing the biggest smile I'd ever seen. It took time before I regained strength in my knees, but we made it to the house nonetheless.
It didn't take long before we both were entangled under the sheets. My desire for Derek had never been as strong as it was now. The need for him to touch me, to kiss me, to be in me had never been as great. We were in bed for at least a couple of hours before finally making it back down. I couldn't keep my eyes of the magnificent ring placed on my finger. The joy was so overwhelming it actually made me feel a little faint.
"I'm home" Ella called as she carried Charlie who was already deeply sleeping. She flew up the stairs before I could tear my eyes away from my left hand. Derek had his arms around me the whole time.
"What's up?" Ella asked descending from the stairs.
"Oh, not much" I beamed as I waved my hand in front of her.
"Is that a..?" she got her answer from Derek's huge grin. "Oh my god. You're officially going to be Mrs. Wolfy!" she shouted as she attempted to wrap her arms around both me and Derek. The sudden motions made my faintness go over the edge and I leaped into the bathroom.
"Evelyn? Are you OK?" Derek rushed in just in time for my last cough.
"This is not really suitable for you to see until like.. Months after the wedding day" I groaned as I weakly tried to push him away. I saw a smile touch his lips briefly before he returned to his previous worried state.
"Are you OK?" he repeated. "We're never going back there to eat" he informed as I brushed my teeth.
"I'm fine" I garbled still biting on to my toothbrush. "I just ate too fast, that's all, I think I'll just go to bed" I said hiding my awareness of the fact that I haven't thrown up since I was a kid.
I lay awake in the bed for several hours, just listening to Derek's deep breaths. I woke up what felt like only a few hours after finally falling asleep. Derek's arms were wrapped tightly around me so getting out of his hold would be a bit difficult. "hm.. Evy. Whur ya goin?" he yawned into his pillow.
"I told you yesterday I have to go shopping" I said as I kissed the back of his head.
"Mmkay" he answered. He grabbed my hand right before I turned and said "I love you" he smiled to me.
I smiled at him as I went into the bathroom.
I drove to the mall as quickly as I could – I hurried to buy the things I'd planned to purchase as gifts for the kids before wandering in to the pharmacy. There was so much to choose there. I contemplated reading the certainty percentage on each of them to compare, but I ended up buying 5 different varieties of the same product. Better safe than sorry right?
"Hey Evy" Ella called from the kitchen when I got inn. "Derek went to the Hale house" she informed. That's right. He had told me a few days earlier that he had to spend some time with his pack now, they were still relatively young and needed a mentor, and he hadn't really had too much time to bond with them lately.
"OK, thanks for letting me know" I smiled as I hurried up the stairs. "I'll just grab a shower" I said, glad that she wasn't awake 2 hours ago, to know that was when I actually took a shower.
I sat on the edge of the bathtub with a timer in my hand. I had to wait 2 minutes. Shouldn't have been so difficult. I counted the seconds in my head until the timer went off. "Pull yourself together, Evy" I told myself lightly slapping my cheeks. I checked all of them. All 5 tests. I checked them – several times.
"Evy?" I heard Ella from the bedroom. Shit. I pushed all the tests in the sink and placed myself in front of it.
"What's up Ella?" I asked nervously slightly cracking the door open. She pushed it open indifferently and leaned against the wall.
"Do you think I should ask Stiles out?" she asked. "Or is that going to freak him out or something?" she continued.
"You haven't asked him out yet?" I asked rather loudly. "Well, fuck, Ella. No wonder the kid has no idea" I continued. "Yes, yes you should" I answered her bewildered expression.
"Yeah.. I guess I should then" she said looking at the floor. Her eyes travelled towards the dustbin. Please don't look at the bin, please don't – of course she did. I'd obviously hit reset on my timer, 'cause it went off just in time for Ella's confusion. "What are you hiding?" she asked raising her eyebrows. She followed the sound of the timer to the sink. "What the fuck?" she said as her mouth shaped an O. "Oh my god, Evy… And they're all +'s" she too double-checked the results.
"Evy, what are you going to do about this?" she asked when I hurried down the stairs.
"Nothing. Nothing yet. I don't know anything, might be false alarms.. Will make an appointment with.." I was cut off by Ella "5 false alarms Evy? Get real" she laughed. "Besides, you're all moody and shit" she explained.
"Ella, could we not talk about this now. Just not" I hushed.
I heard the door open and shot a look at Ella before greeting my boyfriend. "Hey Da.. Derek" Ella actually almost said Dad. I'm going to kill her.