A few weeks passed and I found myself spending almost all my time at their house. If I wasn't at work or sleeping I was there; either playing with Laddie in the backyard, reading comics with Sam or sitting in the living room with the others. David started leaving the house to hunt with Lucy and Star instead of the boys. I could tell that it was a struggle for him but I appreciated the effort. Winter had hit fast and hard. Christmas was just around the corner, the amount of time that had passed since my grandmother's funeral seemed unreal.
A fire was blazing in the living room where I was playing cards with Dwayne, Paul, Michael and Marko. Sam was at work. I heard Star laughing and David growling at her as they returned from hunting, "Shut up." I looked up at him as he entered the room shaking snow off his coat. He hung it up by the fireplace so it could dry and made his way over to sit behind me, "What's up?" He grunted, grabbing himself some cards so he could play too, "I have to eat like 4 animals to fill up, it's aggravating." Star shouted from the kitchen, "Especially if they hop away." Paul snorted at the thought of David trying to catch a bunny rabbit. I gave him a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry David. I understand it must be difficult." He leaned down and placed a kiss on my neck, "I'll survive. Being with you is worth it." His stubble tickled my neck causing me to giggle and shrink away slightly. He chuckled asking for another card.
The phone rang and Lucy called to me, "Sage, it's your parents." I got up, placing my cards face down, "No cheating you guys." David slapped my butt as I walked away. I rubbed it giving him a playful hurt look. Marko laughed, "I bet she likes it." Dwayne slapped him on the head, "Shut up and take your turn." Lucy smiled at me as I took the phone from her, "Hello?" My dad answered, "Sweet pea, I was just calling to let you know we booked our flights! We will get into town around 8pm on the 23rd." I choked on air causing Max, Laddie and Star to look at me in concern. I waved to let them know I was alright. "Oh, I didn't know you were coming here for Christmas. I figured I was flying out to you," I managed to get out before my dad yelled something to my mom, "Well, we wanted to meet David and his family. I figured what was a better time than the holidays? I mean you are still seeing him, aren't you?" Even though he couldn't see me, I nodded, "Yeah, we are still dating." He said that was good and they couldn't wait to see me. After a word from mom about the hotel they were staying at, we said our goodbyes.
Max looked up from his book, "Getting Christmas visitors, are you?" I chuckled mischievously, "Actually, Max, we all are. My parents want meet all of you." His face went blank, "Well…that's unexpected." Lucy clapped her hands together, "I think it's a wonderful idea! We can decorate the house and buy gifts for each other. It'll be a fun time." Max smiled up at her, "Oh, I'm sure you will make it a wonderful time. I'm just worried about the boys." He stood up, heading towards the living room. I followed quickly, "Alright all of you listen up. For once, we are celebrating Christmas in this house. Sage's parents are coming and I want you all on your best behavior. We can't deal with any mistakes. Also, we only have 6 days to get the house ready; prepare for holiday hell." Paul stared at us, mouth open with some food showing, "Seriously?" I nodded from behind Max, "Yeah, sorry guys. I know you said you don't celebrate the holidays. I hope you don't mind, it should only be this once." Marko stood up, "I don't mind at all. I'm off to shop for presents, anyone who wants to brave the mall with me is welcome." With that he, Paul and Dwayne left to go to the mall. I was stunned, "I expected more of a fight about this." Max looked back at me, "I did too, Sage. I did too." David tossed his cards down on the table, "Well I guess we'll need a tree and crap." Lucy yelled as she came running into the room, "We are getting a real tree! I hate fake ones. They don't give off the right feeling." David smirked over at her, "That's the first time you've ever yelled about something." She smiled a little and huffed, "Well, I'm just very opinionated on the matter."
I grabbed my coat, "I need to decorate my house too. It would be weird if my parents figured out I practically live here." David followed suit; the rest of the family joining us on our tree hunt. It didn't take long to find a tree farm, but then the agony of picking one out dragged the simple task out for over an hour. Laddie sighed and kicked at the snow, "I'm ready to go home. Just pick one out already!" I chuckled, the one for my house already picked and loaded on the transport truck. The cold from the being in the snow seeped in through my shoes; sending a shiver up my spine. David noticed and pulled me into him to try to help me keep warm. Finally, Lucy decided on a tree and we all headed home. The delivery guy met me at my door, "Where would you like it set up?" I opened the door wide, pointing to the right far corner, "Right there should be fine." It didn't take ten minutes after he left for Small Paws to climb into it and rest on a limb. "What a dork," I whispered softly as I headed upstairs to go to bed. I found David sitting on the window sill, I clutched my chest, "Jerk, you scared me. I didn't know you were up here." He laughed, walking over to me. Pulling me into a hug he said, "I just wanted to make sure the delivery guy didn't try anything." Shaking my head, I grabbed some pajamas and changed in the bathroom. When I came out, he was sprawled across my bed sighing something to himself. I sat down next to him, "What were you saying?" David propped himself up on his elbows and smirked, "Just that I was thinking about staying the night, if you'll let me?" I returned his smirk, "Of course. I'll just hang a blanket over the window so you don't die while I am at work." He took his shoes and clothes off, "Sounds like a plan." I let out a small giggle as I opened the hope chest at the foot of my bed to grab a thick comforter. The tacks were on the desk by the window so I just had to stand on the chair and reach for them one at a time. David watched me from the bed, "Don't fall." I glared at him, a tack between my lips preventing a smart comeback. After I made sure the sun wouldn't shine in on him I crawled into bed myself. He used his thumb and forefinger to grab my chin gently, tilting my head upwards to give me a soft kiss. I moaned into it and pushed myself closer to him. David turned me around so he could wrap his arm around me more comfortably. It didn't take long for either of us to fall asleep.
The holiday spirit was alive and well when I walked into Spice for my shift. Trent had ordered elf costumes for us all during this time. I must say that I think I looked cute in it. Of course, the first-time Paul and Marko saw me in it they couldn't stop laughing the whole time. Tonight, however they had different things on their mind. Especially Dwayne, who was talking to Vicky over by the kitchen entrance. I don't know what they were talking about but she had a huge smile on her face when he went back to the table. She came over to me, "He finally asked me out!" My heart stopped, "Oh? That's great!" She nodded as she headed to wait on her tables. I quickly took their drinks over and sat down, "Okay what's up? You asked Vicky out Dwayne." He blushed as everyone went silent, "I like her and want to get to know her. No, Sage, I'm not going to… you know." I smiled at him, "Okay, I just wanted to make sure." He nodded towards me as I got up and left. I walked behind the bar to find Bradley sitting in the floor crying. I hurried to his side, "What's wrong?" He sobbed into my shoulder, "Marcus dumped me." I sighed, "Well, you figured that was coming. I'm sorry Bradley." I sat there comforting him until he could compose himself enough to get back to work.
When I clocked out, David met me at the door, "I have a surprise for you." I smiled, "Oh, what is it?" He smirked as he got on his bike, "Just follow me to your house." I followed him. Before he would let me go in he covered my eyes, "Okay take the step into the house." I giggled and let him guide me in. As he moved his hand from my eyes he said, "Okay now look." There in front of me was a gorgeously decorated tree with red, gold and silver colored ribbons and baubles, "Oh, wow! It looks amazing!" He smiled, "I'm glad you like it. There is just one issue." I looked at him in confusion, "You have to come over and help us decorate our house tomorrow. Lucy is out buying everything right now." I nodded, "Of course, I wouldn't dream of not helping." David sat on the couch and pulled me into his lap, "Do you think your parents will like me?" I tucked my head in the crook of his neck, "I don't see why they wouldn't. My dad may not personally like your hair," I looked up at his platinum mullet, "but I'm sure he wouldn't let that decide his opinion on you." He sighed, "I just want them to like me. Should my family buy them presents?" I shook my head, "Nah, only if they absolutely want too. I'm sure they aren't expecting any, except from me that is." We sat there in silence for a while before he spoke softly, "I need to head home." I frowned, "Okay." I walked him to the door, where we kissed, "Goodnight, my love." He smiled at me, "Goodnight, babe." I heard a small jingling sound come from behind me. When I looked to see where it was coming from, I found a ring of bells tied onto Small Paws neck. She looked very irritated by it. I laughed and headed upstairs to go to bed.
I had gone gift shopping at the mall and heard on radio that another two feet of snow was going to fall. I was lucky enough to be able to wrap all my gifts for everyone before the snowing began falling that evening. I would have to make two trips to get them all over to the house; one tonight and one tomorrow night. As I approached, I could see Marko and Paul outside hanging up lights on the house. The driveway looked breath taking. "You two are really outdoing yourselves," I shouted, "It looks great out here." They beamed with pride Marko answered, "Thanks, but it's time for a break. I don't want to catch a cold." We laughed knowing that that wasn't possible. I followed them inside. Lucy met them with cups of hot chocolate giggling, "Might as well enjoy tradition. Here you go boys, warm up!" Sam and Laddie were sitting in the middle of the floor working on putting decorations on hooks for the tree. Dwayne was handing them to Michael and David who were on ladders, placing them on the tree. Max was decorating the fireplace and Lucy called me over to the dining room taking the box from me, "Help Star decorate in here and I will go place these under the tree for you." Star gave me hug and told me how to make the ribbon make a fan shape. We then hung greenery and ribbons along the edges of the table. Lucy brought us red chair covers and black sashes to put on them that made it look like a Santa suit. Along the center of the table we setup multiple candles and festive items. Lucy called from the kitchen, "Your parents aren't allergic to anything, are they?" I yelled back, "No!" Star laughed, "This is so much fun! I think Max is even buying a piano so we can sing Christmas carols." I smiled imaging all of us singing badly, "So who plays?" Star shrugged, "I guess Max does." I nodded, "I hope he can play well enough to cover up our screeching." We laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. After we finished the dining room, Lucy put us in charge of wrapping the gifts to all the boys from her and Max. She even bought a few for my parents that we wrapped as well. I told her that was really sweet to which she replied, "They gave all of us the greatest gift; you. It's the least I could do for them." I blushed as she pulled me into a hug, "I'm happy to be here Lucy."
As morning approached we had one last family meeting, "So there are only two days left until Sage's parents arrive. We need to finish wrapping presents and the last few decorations need to be done by tomorrow morning. We also need to make sure to have appropriate attire for while they visit. Nice looking clothes for the day before and day after. Dinner dress for Christmas Eve, that means no jeans boys." Max looked around at all of them and nodded, "I'm off to bed." Slowly we all made our way up to the rooms. David stopped me from going in, "Wait, I need to hide some stuff." I smiled at him, "David, you bought me gifts?" He looked down at the floor trying not to smile before making me turn around, "No peeking Sage." It seemed like an hour passed before he told me I could come in. "Geez, did you buy the whole store?" I teased as I took off my shoes and pants. He chuckled, "Almost." He crawled in next to me, turning the TV on for a bit. He lit a cigarette to smoke before going to bed and I fell asleep in his arms.