Chapter 13: Presents
The second we arrived at Eric's apartment it was like he had changed into a different person. He was a bit giddy with excitement and I couldn't help but smile at every little nervous look he gave me. I had fun at Dillon's house with his and Lauren's friends. Eric had spoken to a few of them but mostly kept to Dillon and me. I didn't think that he was being anti-social. Most of Lauren's friends were kind of out there, including the girl she invited from work. And that was probably a bit too much for Eric.
Eric turned around to face me the second that we got into his place and smirked. I stared at him wondering what was going on and looked up to see mistletoe over our heads.
"Odd," I tilted my head back at him, "I don't remember putting that there."
"Must have been one of Santa's little helpers," he set down the bags in his hand before motioning to me to do the same.
I smiled innocently at him and stood on my tip toes to give him a quick peck on his cheek. Just as I was about to walk past him, his arm wrapped around my waist and spun me back to face him.
"That," Eric said as he ran his other hand down my arm to loosen the grip I had on the bag. "Simply," he put my hand around his neck. "Won't," he hiked my body closer and further up his own. "Do," Eric smirked again before bending down to touch my lips to his.
My hand around his neck went up and into his hair as I kissed him back with equal fervor. One of his hands held my face to his as his tongue swept over my lips opening them to his liking. He sweet exploration of my mouth had sent shivers throughout my body and I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. I melted in his arms, arching my back and pressing my chest against his. He wrapped his arm around my bottom and completely pulled me onto him. There we were standing in the middle of the entryway, my legs around his waist, my hands in his hair and his arms securely around he kissed me senseless.
I had moaned when he pulled away and felt his lips smile against mine. "Merry Christmas Ana."
"Merry Christmas Eric," I whispered back.
He kissed me one last time, letting his lips linger on mine before setting me down.
Somehow we found ourselves in front of the tree, putting up some last minute touches to it. Eric was telling me about the progress he was making on the project. He was really excited about getting the promotion and a part of me was too. Every now and then I'd ask a question and he'd steal a kiss before giving me an answer. This had felt so normal, so utterly domestic and for a brief moment a sharp pain pierced my heart. This would have been my first year anniversary with Cain. We would have been putting up a tree together, decorating it and having conversations like this. Maybe I should rephrase that. We should have been doing these things together but I remember the very first Christmas in Dauntless I spent it alone because he had to 'work' with his 'father'. Obviously that was code for I'm going to spend time with another girl who...
"Ana," Eric touched my shoulder pulling me out of my thoughts. My head turned to see him with a worried expression.
"I," looking away from him, I cleared my throat. "I was just thinking how nice this was. I'd watch my mom do this with my older brothers when I was younger. And then as I got older she'd continue the tradition with me and my younger brothers. Our father would walk through the door after work and say that it looked beautiful and," I turned to Eric feeling his thumb run gently across my cheek, wiping away a tear I didn't know came out. "I wanted something like that. It's silly really," I shook my head and turned back to the tree.
He gently pulled me back and cupped my face in his palm. I closed my eyes and leaned further into hand. "It is not silly. I want something like that too."
The way he held my face and looked into my eyes told me that he was being truthful about it. And somehow the hurt that I felt when Cain wouldn't have spent Christmas Eve with me doing some family tradition of mine was wiped away in the gentle brushing of Eric's lips to mine.
"Come here," he whispered and moved us so that my back was against his chest.
One arm was lightly wrapped around my waist as we continued to put small additions to the tree or talk about the various ornaments we had on there, including a couple that my little Jimmy Bean had sent me. Eric had put up one from his niece - which I did not know that he had - and proceeded to tell me a short story about her.
"So it's just you and your sister," I asked.
"Yeah," he nodded.
"How old is she?"
"She's a year older than me so we're really close, despite the fact that she didn't like doing half of the things that I enjoy."
"I'm really close to two of my older brothers," I remarked. "Don't get me wrong, I get along with all of them. But Jonathan moved out and went to college when I was twelve. And Jack, well," I paused and sighed. "He loved working, loved helping those in need and also loved his then girlfriend who is now his fiancé a whole lot as well. Therefore his time was spent doing those things."
"Your other brothers," Eric questioned.
"Jordan and I are two years apart. Jensen is a year younger than me." Technically he is less than a year younger. We could have gone in the same school year but I figured I share that some other time. "So I usually spent a lot of time in school together, games or parties with either Jordan or Jensen. Then there is Joshua," I shook my head. "He is probably the clown in our family. He just started high school and I'm a little nervous for him. Then there's my baby brother."
"He's five, right," Eric asked and I nodded. "That's the same age as my niece. Aren't they adorable at that age?"
"Yes they are," I smiled at him as he chuckled.
"I mean they can drive you crazy sometimes but they are also a joy to have around. Sometimes I tell my sister that she can't meet up with me unless she has her daughter," Eric's smile widened and I had to stop and stare at him.
I never thought a guy would be so interested in a child that wasn't his own.
"Dammit JoyAnna," Cain yelled as he wiped the table. "That brat did it again."
Jimmy had spilled his milk. I knew it was an accident. And it wasn't like there was a lot in his cup in the first place. I never filled it up all the way because accidents do happen and he is still a child.
"Cain, he's only three. And you can't call him a brat. Children don't respond well to name-calling and shouting," I went to hand Jimmy a paper towel. He shyly looked at Cain and began wiping it up. "He knows how to clean it up. You just can't..."
"It wouldn't be a mess if he didn't spill in the first place!"
"I'm sorry Cain," my brother ran up to him and wrapped his small arms around Cain's leg. "Don't be mad. Is accident," he said in his small voice.
"Argh," Cain moved him back. "Now my pants are dirty!"
Cain grabbed a beer and walked out of my parent's house. We had just gone there to tell them about our wedding. It was the first time Cain had been allowed to actually sleep in the same room as me. We were engaged and had been living in Dauntless together for a couple years already. But as far as I remember, Cain had never really been excited as I had been when my mom gave birth.
I had walked out after him, scooping up my brother in the process and cuddling him close to me. "Cain," I shouted. "You can't just run from a child when they express affection. What is going to happen when we have kids and..."
"Yeah well," he smirked and looked over at me. "That brat is not my kid. Just keep him away from me."
I sighed and Jimmy moved in my arms. "I'm really sorry," his eyes were wide and watery.
"It's okay Jimmy bean. He didn't mean to yell at you."
"You mad at me, flower," he asked.
"No," I smothered my brother in kisses until he laughed. "I could never be mad at you."
Cain returned just as we sat down to have dinner. He apologized to me before we went to bed. He claimed he was just stressed out with classes and the internship his father had waiting for him. I had forgave him and remembered briefly that he had smelt like coconut shampoo when he kissed me. He brought Jimmy a huge gift the next day and I thought that it was for an apology but he had mentioned that perhaps if the kid was preoccupied with that then he wouldn't be a bother when we watched him.
"She made the cutest face ever," Eric's voice once again pulled me out of the memory. "That was proof that she was a Coulter," he chuckled.
"I can't wait to meet her," I smiled at how the differences between Cain and Eric were becoming numerous.
"I can't wait for them to meet you," he smiled at me before giving me another kiss.
We moved to the couch and popped in two movies to watch. Eric had moved the television so that it would stand near the tree. One turn of the head and we could look out the window and see the City lights framed by the decorations. I cuddled up to his side as he put a blanket around the two of us. We started off watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Eric showed me a picture of his niece who was dressed up like Cindy Lou.
"Oh my," I smiled, "she's so cute. Why didn't your sister bring her here for the holidays?"
Eric's smile dropped. "Eve's father wanted to see her this year."
The way he said it implied that Eric's sister was no longer with Eve's father. I had a feeling he wasn't in the picture when he talked about them earlier and a couple weeks ago when he mentioned something about her. I could see why he was so protective of them and also why he insisted on getting together as a family. It wasn't just something that his Dad would have wanted but I'm sure that his sister probably wanted that too for her daughter. I wondered again why his mother had always been cancelling on them lately.
I touched his cheek and leaned up to press a soft kiss to his lips. "I can see how much you care about them Eric. I'm sure they know that wherever they go or whatever they're doing that you love them both. I think about how my brothers miss me too. It helps to get me through the bad times that somewhere out there, my brothers are worried about me. I'm sure your sister thinks about that too."
His lips slightly twitched and he gave me another kiss in return.
The second movie we watched was Elf. Mind you it probably wasn't the most romantic movie but throughout that movie we began singing the various songs that were played. It had been a while since I sang so freely and the happiness that was running through me right now carried over into Eric. We had begun tickling one another on the couch, the movie forgotten and had found ourselves on the floor smiling and wrapped up in one another.
There was a gleam in Eric's eyes as he hovered over me. I almost thought he was going to lean down and kiss me. He reached for his phone and positioned it so we could take a picture together. We took a couple pictures and I liked every single one of them.
"Our first Christmas together," he whispered looking at one of them.
I turned to see him smiling softly. He hadn't been looking at the phone, instead he was watching me. I smiled in return and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Did you want to open a gift now?" Eric chuckled at the shocked expression on my face. "It is past midnight," he showed me the time. "Open up one of mine," he took a small one package from under the tree.
The bag was a simple silver bag with a green and silver tissue inside. I smiled when I pulled out a rectangle shaped object in green wrapping paper. I eyed him out for a while and then opened that as well.
"Eric," I laughed as the paper fell away.
"That way you and I can start our own little movie collection," he smiled.
"I love it," I gave him a little kiss.
He had brought Star Wars: Episode IV Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Princess Bride -so we didn't need to borrow it from Hec all the time- The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Sandlot and Sense and Sensibilitybecause according to him I needed to have one chick flick in there. We put the movies into a drawer that could hold probably a hundred more.
Looking back at Eric, I couldn't believe how different this Christmas was, how different this man was from everything that had happened to me.
Perhaps I was feeling bold or the admiration that was radiating between us was becoming too much to bear. Whatever it was, the moment just felt perfect. I took his hand and led him back to the couch, moving him to sit down. I placed my knees on either side of him in a straddle position and began to kiss him. I did my best to pour every happy feeling into it. There was nothing to describe it.
Eric responded in kind and brought our bodies closer together, his hand squeezing my thigh while the other was holding my face to his. My lips and tongue moved with his, against his. Eric allowed me to win the battle but I knew that I was not about to survive the war. That only became apparent when my back hit the couch and I felt the cool air hit higher on my legs. He had my dress hiked up and ran his hand down slowly so that my leg was teasingly hooked around his own.
I had never felt so much passion, need or want for anyone before - not even Cain - that my hands began pulling at his shirt, desperate to be rid of it and feel his skin against mine. Our lips released one another only to have his shirt yanked off his body and over his head. Eric moved back just a little and let my hands trace the contours of his shirtless body.
Before he could say anything I grabbed onto his shoulder and we started our dance again. Our kissing had grown intense to the point where he had left me breathless. I began to moan, wrapping my arms or legs around him in a desperate need to have him. He must have sense something was different.
"Ana," Eric murmured as he pulled away.
My eyes opened to see him hovering above me. His eyes were dark and exciting, his lips were parted as if they were waiting they're next order on how to attack my body. But the way he hesitated told me that I was going to be the one to give the order. Eric began to close his mouth and then open it again as if he were to say something. Eventually he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.
"Ana," he whispered.
There was a slight plea in his voice.
"Ana," our lips barely touched again and his body rolled slowly against mine.
"Eric," I grabbed onto his shoulder.
"You need to tell me what you want, Ana," he kissed my neck.
I wrapped my other arm around his shoulder and pulled him down to me. His arm holding him up gave way and the next thing I knew was that our bodies were molded together as his lips began suckling and nibbling on my skin. I moaned at the thrill and began to roll my body towards him as well.
"Ana," he pulled back looking frustrated with himself.
"Eric," I sat up and wrapped myself around him. Eric's hands did the same to me. "I want this," I looked down and tried to control my breathing. "I'm just," I shook my head, "I'm just a bit nervous and scared. Not of you," I put a hand on his chest. "I don't know if I'll be... What if you don't like me or..."
Eric lifted my face up. "Don't finish that sentence," he said softly, "because it's not true. You," he kissed my cheek, "are my amazing, witty, sexy as hell girlfriend." He stated it as though it was a fact and in his eyes he looked completely sincere.
His lips descended on mine and after a few tentative nibbles and sucking, the passion had awakened again within me.
"Wrap your legs around my waist," his lips mumbled against mine.
Up the stairs he carried me and went straight to his bedroom. He set me down on the edge of the bed, lightly kissing my neck. I felt his fingers dance lightly on my back and shivered. He slowly unzipped the dress and began kissing my shoulder as he removed it from the top. He gestured for me to lean back and I complied. Lifting my hips as he gently took down the dress inch by inch, leaving kisses on my skin as he went.
"Eric," I gasped when he lifted me with one arm behind my back and moved me further up his bed until I rested in between the pillows.
He trailed his fingers down slowly my body until completely lifting himself away. He looked me straight in the eyes, unbuttoned his jeans so slowly and slid them down. I sat up and watched his every move. The bedroom light was off but the light from the hallway shined brightly and I could see more than Eric's silhouette as he reached for the band of his boxer briefs. I climbed over and decided to help him pull it down but he beat me to it.
"Holy shit," I blurted out shifting back on the bed. My breath had caught and my eyes had widened taking in Eric's thick member.
I gulped and found myself squirming in anticipation. My panties were soaked. Eric chuckled and I looked up to see his amused expression.
"It's just that it's so big and," I gasped. "And I don't know if I want to do this anymore. You might break me. Damn it. That's not what I meant," I put my hands up to cover my mouth. "Oh God, I'm so embarrassed," then moved to hide the rest of my face as I threw myself back on bed in an attempt to bury myself under the pillows.
"Ana," I could still hear Eric's laughter in his voice. "Come here," I felt the bed dip and shook my head. Eric gently removed the pillows away from me and pulled me to look at him. Despite the fact that I still had on my bra and underwear, I felt inadequate being held in Eric's arms. "If you really don't want to..."
"No," I shook my head. "I'm just feeling a whole lot of nervous right now," I gestured with my hands to show him how crazy my mind was going. "You just," I looked down to my lap, hoping to ignore the fact that he was fully naked kneeling in front of me on the bed. "You just look so sinful," I whispered.
"What was that," he smirked.
"You heard me," I playfully hit him. "It's like they could use your picture to put on the covers of adult reading material. You look way too edible to be my boyfriend. It's a crime," I stated trying to be serious, "to look that sinful."
"How would you know what goes on the covers of adult reading material," he teased leaning forward.
I shifted back just a bit but he continued his approach. "I don't but I know you'd probably be on it," I ran my fingers up his chest slowly.
"Ana," he whispered as his nose ran down my neck. I felt his breath tickle me and gasped at the sudden closeness. "I want to make you beg for me," he nipped at me and I swear I could have climaxed right there. His voice was deep and husky. His rough hands were gentle and turning me into jelly. "I want to drive you insane with desire and pleasure," he settled himself near me and I felt him pressing into me. "You're so warm, Ana."
"Eric," I moaned.
"You're mine," he muttered before I felt his hands unclasp my bra.
Before I knew it, his mouth and hands were all over my body. I couldn't keep still. There was just so much going on, so much that he was making me feel that I writhed and moaned underneath him. I was glad that below his bedroom was his living room and that the next apartment wasn't near either because his mouth, tongue and teeth that played with my breasts had me crying out his name and begging for more. The neighbors would certainly get an earful. I remember that it had felt awkward when Cain had touched my breasts. But nothing about this was awkward. It was passionate, pleasurable, exhilarating and exotic. Eric made me feel sexy and worthy of worship.
He left my top and began nibbling and sucking his way south. My body had melted by the time I felt his mouth on the inside of my thigh. A deep moan escaped when I felt his fingers rub between my legs.
"Do you trust me," his voice was rugged and low.
I nodded as he hooked his fingers on my underwear and tugged it off. He lifted my hips up and placed one leg bent at the knee of his shoulder, lowering his face until it was right at my core.
"Oh God," I screamed when I felt his tongue swirl and flick at me.
It dipped into my body over and over again. I never really enjoyed this. But the second he sucked and then licked from the bottom to the top of me I knew it was only because of this man that I was in heaven. I was squirming under him, gripping the sheets and arching my back when my climatic end came upon me. He moaned when I cried his name. My body began humming as it came down from the high. He didn't let me fall too far though because he kept it going as if I was some melted ice cream cone. I felt like my body had melted. His hands massaged my thighs bringing me towards another high. But Eric withdrew just as I was nearing my second climax. He took my leg off his shoulder and moved it around his hips.
"Eric, please... Ah!"
He slid into me in one quick thrust. I gripped onto his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin. "Are you okay," he kissed my neck and wrapped an arm around my lower back.
"Yes," I gasped.
It had been a little more than a year without this but I knew that time wasn't the only thing was different. Eric had a sizable package on him. And when he muttered how deliciously tight I was I almost wanted to retort with my earlier comment about his size. As he slowly slid out and then back in to get me used to him, I couldn't help but realize that he also knew how to use it well. He held my hip at an angle for him to draw out each stroke. I felt his breath on my cheek as he whispered how amazing I felt, how sexy I sounded or how gorgeous I looked. After each sentiment he would kiss me and slide deeper causing me to moan his name.
"How do you want it, Ana? Tell me baby," he groaned. "Like this," he continued to move at the slow pace.
"Yes!"
"Or like this," he grabbed my other leg and placed it over his shoulder and instead of easing gliding, he pulled out all the way then pushed deep and steady as he went back in. "Ana," he groaned as I squeezed my eyes shut. It was overwhelming.
I shook my head, unsure of how to answer. Both of them felt so damn good. I usually was never asked how I wanted it or if what was happening to me felt good. Whatever was happening, I just had to take it. And the orgasm didn't come all the time. But something told me that tonight I was going to receive more than my fair share from this wonderful man.
"What do you like? What do you want," he groaned and continued to move. "I want to know. I want to give it to you every," another deep push, "time," he growled with another thrust.
"Eric," I held onto him.
It wasn't long until our lips met and his tongue moved in my mouth the same as he was. Suddenly everything in my body went out of control. I bit his lip and scratched his back as my orgasm hit me hard. Eric pulled back to look at me and when I opened my eyes I was met with his smirk. He continued to move slowly as if he were allowing me to milk everything out of this blissful moment before he pulled up.
Without having time to think about what was happening, Eric was on his knees with my legs wrapped around his body as he proceeded to thrust harder and faster up into me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, desperate to hang on. Technically both of us are clinging onto one another. It was like we were standing in the middle of the room but here Eric was kneeling on the bed with me circled around him as he pushed up in me. His hand around me would push my body closer to him, needing to be closer and deeper together. The movement caused sharp breaths and gasps to fall from my mouth. My breasts began to bounce - something that I didn't think would ever happen. The sight must have been beautiful for Eric because he leaned down and took one in his mouth. Another orgasm hit me causing Eric to wrap one arm around my waist tighter, burying his other hand in my hair and moving to kiss my lips.
"I love you, Ana," he whispered as I felt him spill into me.
He moved slower inside of me until our foreheads came to rest against each other. We kissed and smiled and kissed some more until Eric laid us back. He pressed little kisses down my body until he slid out. He moved beside me and turned me so that we could curl into one another. Eric smiled one more time before placing a kiss to my neck. I moaned lightly and happily traced his sweaty skin. We lay there completely naked, exhausted but wonderfully satisfied - at least I knew that I was. Just as I felt his lips on my forehead, I shook myself from the moment.
Did he just say what I think he said?
"Eric," I sat up and reached for the sheet.
"Don't Ana," he sat up also and gently removed the sheet. "Don't hide from me, not tonight," he whispered and placed another gentle kiss to my shoulder.
Before I could close my eyes at the soft pleasure washing through me at how gentle and affectionate he could be, I shook my head and placed a hand on his chest. "About what you said..."
"I meant it," he pulled back and a serious expression donned his face. "I'm tired of bullshitting around this Ana. It may be too soon for you and I don't expect you to say it back just to say it. I want you to say it when you feel it because that is why I said it. I have never felt like this before - as cliché as that sounds it's true. I don't know if it was that night I went to Erudite for work or the night that we came back to Dauntless from the trip and you decided to go to your apartment instead of staying at mine. But I realized that I hated that. I hated not seeing you, holding you. It hurt," he took my face in his hands and held it close to his. "It fucking hurt without you there. I want you in my life. No one else but you," he muttered before kissing me softly.
The kisses stayed tender and the touches were light until our bodies went back to curling into one another and we fell off to sleep. There was some weight that lifted off my shoulders to know that this man loved me. He showed me his feelings and expressed it as well. I felt beautiful and needed as we laid there, our naked bodies entwined.
Eric began rubbing my back in a circular motion and I moaned with delight. My back had been sore from our earlier activities and I enjoyed that he continued to take care of me after sex. That had never happened to me before. I went to sleep in heaven and woke up a couple hours later still feeling like I was floating on a cloud.
I smiled up at my boyfriend - yup he was all mine. I snuggled in closer before kissing him lightly. Eric squeezed my body to him and muttered my name in his sleep. I was able to pull away and stretch a bit. My body still hummed and I wondered how long in the day that was going to last. I took light steps over to the small drawer that Eric said I could have and pulled out a sleeping shirt that I had got from Victoria's Secret with Myra. It said: I do 'naughty' nicely.
"We need to get you nice panties too," Myra had said.
"Myra," I scolded her and looked around to see if anyone was watching us.
"Ana, sweetie pie," she came closer. "Majority of the women in this store are here with the intent to purchase 'nice panties'."
"I'm not sure if I'm ready for sex."
"Nice panties don't have to lead to sex," she scolded. "Don't you ever just buy something to feel good? Ana, I think that's where your problem lies. You have to do you first before you can take on someone else."
"What does that even mean," I asked as I held up a revealing, lacy piece of lingerie that was held together with a ribbon. Yes, a ribbon. One pull and that thing was coming off. Myra saw my expression and took it from my hand and placed it back on the rack.
"He likes it that you're shy and sweet, Ana. I'm sure he would want you daring too. But you need to do it on your own terms not to be coerced by him. Remember what he said about you showing up to his place for lunch or giving him a foot massage or having a cold beer ready for him when he came home," she listed as I thought back to all those days. "Ana he wants you to be comfortable, be yourself, take the initiative."
"What if he wants that," I pointed back to the lingerie.
"I'm sure he does but he wants you to want that too. And right now, you don't know what you want because you've been told to be what your ex wanted. Therefore, let us stick to nice panties and eventually you'll find out what you're comfortable in."
I saw the sleeping shirts and decided that I could get a couple. One was a plain dark blue color that was a tank and the other was a long sleeve dark grey. Both shirts fell right below my butt and when used with those 'nice panties' that Myra and I brought, I did actually feel good about this. Of course I had to get one for the season and decided with the red 'naughty nicely' one. But as I looked at the drawer where my panties were, I decided to skip it today. After last night I felt confident enough and part of me wanted to tease Eric.
Walking down to the kitchen, I turned on the coffee because I knew Eric would want one and began making me a cup of hot chocolate. I had pulled out a few things from the refrigerator and started going to town with all these ideas for a wonderful Christmas breakfast. I made an omelet with tomatoes, parsley and cheese. I decided to make strawberry and banana crepes - just like how my mom did it for our birthdays.
Finally, I was working on the bacon when a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist.
I sighed and leaned back into Eric. He moved my hair to one side and pressed a kiss to my shoulder since my shirt was hanging off of it. "Tell me you have something on under this shirt because right now I don't know what I want to devour more, you or whatever that delicious aroma is in here that you got cooking."
After placing the bacon on the plate, I turned in his arms and gave him a quick kiss. "You can always find out," I teased.
His hand reached down to my thigh and ran inside the shirt over my butt. His eyes darkened and just before he could take action, I squirmed out from his hold and ducked out under his arm.
"Breakfast first, then presents and maybe, just maybe," I ran my hand slowly up my body in a way I thought was seductive. It obviously worked because Eric looked a bit shocked and a whole lot of turned on when I exited the kitchen.
"That shirt is lying," he called as he went to get his coffee.
"In what way," I set the plates down on the table.
"You aren't playing rather nicely," he appeared next to me, giving me a kiss before sitting down to eat.
I didn't even take notice that all Eric had on was a pair of pajama pants. He was definitely a sight to be seen and that tattoo, Mm. Eric's eyes looked up at me and I smiled shyly. That moan had come out of my mouth louder than I had intended it too. We ate breakfast but sat with our chairs next to each other so that I could place my two legs in his lap and face him as we ate. He would lean over every now and then in between conversation and feeding ourselves to give me a kiss.
We washed dishes together and made another cup of coffee and hot chocolate before heading to open presents. I had gotten a few things that I needed, like a brand new dishes and also Rubbermaid containers from Dillon's mom. Then there was an iPod from Peter. Dillon and Lauren had got me a few things. There was a brand new duffle bag since my old one was kind of ratty - according to Lauren. And in the bag were some clothes and a few gift cards to restaurants that I had liked in Dauntless.
My mother sent me some home cooked meals that were frozen in Eric's fridge and just a few minutes in the microwave, I could have this place smelling like home. Eric had received two tickets to another event from his boss that he stated I would be attending with him. His sister had sent a bottle of cologne that he uses along with pictures of his niece that were held in a delightful child-made frame. One of them must have been recent and had Eric and her and underneath in her handwriting said 'the best uncle ever'. I almost asked where his gift from his mom was but I decided not to.
"Okay, this one next," I took my box and handed it to him.
"I don't remember receiving this one."
"It's from me," I replied happily.
"If we're exchanging gifts then you should open mine first."
"I already did open one last night, remember," I pointed to the drawer with the movies.
"Yes but there are a couple more and I think you should do that instead."
"No, no," I shook my head. "You're going," I sat next to him as he smiled.
Eric took a while to open the box and when he finally saw the label on the top he turned to me with wide eyes. "How did you get it?"
"Go on," I motioned for to keep unwrapping.
"Damn," he muttered in awe. "A bottle of Amity's finest whiskey aged over the decades. Ana they only release..."
"Eight of those to the public for sale every three years, I know," I smiled. "This one wasn't released. I had it specially packaged. See," I gestured to the collector's glass that came with it. "I had them engrave your name on the glass and then on the bottom of the bottle it should have your Dad's name. I remember you saying that this was your Dad's favor..."
I was cut off with Eric's lips on mine. "I love it," he pulled back and cupped my cheek. "I told you that when I first started taking you to dinner," I nodded at his statement. "This is an amazing gift. I always wanted to own a bottle of this whiskey, have a glass when it was my dad's birthday or during the holidays," he chuckled. "Then again you already know because I had told you that before. Thank you Ana. Thank you for remembering that. It means a lot to me."
"Well," I took his hand away from my face and held it mine. "You mean a lot to me, you know." We were staring at one another with smiles on our faces until I jumped at a memory. "I have something else."
"Two presents," he chuckled as I slid back to the tree.
"It's not really a gift but I had put a lot of thought into whether or not to tell you and," I paused and sighed. "Mind you I was just nervous about us and things were still new and..."
Eric kissed my forehead. "You don't have to explain."
I handed him the envelope and tried my best to settle the jitters that were overtaking my body.
"Jackson C. Summers and Hannah-Marie Fields request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their marriage," Eric read. "A wedding invitation," he looked up at me.
"It's my brother's wedding in April. She wanted a Spring wedding," I shrugged. "My brother told me during Thanksgiving and I got the invitation a couple weeks ago. I'm a little surprised that she's not taking more time to plan the wedding. But I think she's keeping things small. And they've been dating for so long so I guess there's no need to wait. I didn't turn in the RSVP yet even though I did verbally tell them I was coming."
"Miss JoyAnna Summers and guest," Eric looked at the card.
"I wanted to know if you'd be my 'plus one'," I shifted nervously. "Knowing Hannah's mom this will be a whole week of events and dinners. And then you did say you wanted to meet my parents. And they do want to meet you. If you don't want to come then you don't need to. There are all my brothers who would probably want you to do something with them. Then my mother is going to suffocate you with her just being her. I mean I don't mind any of that but if you rather not then I underst..."
"Ana," he reached for my hand and squeezed it. "I'd like to go with you."
I nodded and leaned in to give him a quick kiss.
"This is another huge step for us," he muttered.
"I know," I replied softly as he smiled reassuringly.
"But we're ready for it," he encouraged.
"Yes," I straightened up, "we are ready. Just remember that they might be a little hard on you because of..."
He waved me off. "Say no more," he smiled. "I would do the same thing for my sister."
Cain wouldn't do anything like that for Beth; at least I think he wouldn't. I looked away for a moment and then reminded myself that Beth was just like Cain. She had a boyfriend but had her side flings. Her boyfriend was really nice but boring - according to her. It should have been a tip off to me that when I told Cain about it he had shrugged it off.
Eric kissed me again and then tucked me into his side, erasing the memory. "We'll put the invitation up on the fridge." I smiled at how domesticated that sounded. "Now it is time for you to open the rest of mine. Although I think compared to what you've already given me, my gifts will pale in significance."
"We're not competing and I liked the DVDs that you brought. I would want to start my own collection so that I could watch them whenever I want. And whatever else you have to give me, I'm sure I'll like. I liked what you gave me earlier this morning in your room," I kissed his neck causing him to groan.
"Don't tempt me, woman," he growled playfully.
Eric had gotten me a diamond bracelet. "Is this real," I asked looking up at him. He nodded and gestured for me to put it on. "This is beautiful Eric. It's really precious. I've never," I shook my head and looked back at him to see another small box in his hand. "Eric," I pouted.
"I went there for that and a necklace but when I saw this, I decided this would be better instead."
I took the box and opened it to reveal another bracelet. This one was a charm bracelet though. One of them was silver and blue with his initials on. Another was silver and a dark red with my initials on top. Then there was a charm that had an engraved flame like his tattoo on it, one with the word 'bravery' on it and then another that said 'beautiful'.
"I love it," I smiled and gave him a kiss.
Eric helped me put on both of them and I just cuddled into him and stared at my hand as we sat there by the tree.
"I was thinking that after the wedding, we'd take a trip to Amity," I told Cain who grunted in response and kept playing on his phone. "Cain," I called to him and he finally looked my way.
"I don't know Ana. It's Christmas and flights are so busy. I told you we're having a honeymoon at the hotel and then we can go on a trip later," he sounded exhausted.
"It's just that I want to see my family after and I haven't spent Christmas with them in so long that..."
"Oh God, if I thought you were going to whine and bitch about this I never would have asked you to move with me," he stood up and walked out. It was Thanksgiving Day last year and he hadn't come back to take me to his parent's house for dinner.
"What are you thinking about," Eric asked.
I shook my head and turned to him. "Just how wonderful you are," I replied. "I'm glad you never gave up on me Eric. I was just so worried about everything that..."
"Did I ever tell you that for a brief moment in the beginning of us getting to know one another, I wanted to go to your house and pound on your door, demanding that you let allow me to take you to dinner," he asked as I laughed. "I can't tell you how much time I spent thinking about you, about why you never wanted to see me, call me or at least let me take you to dinner. I just wanted a chance with you and," he chuckled. "It's crazy, it's soon and so many other insane things Ana," he waved his hand, "but what I said last night is exactly how I feel about you."
"I wanted to call you. You were so charming and handsome."
"Were," he teased.
"Are," I corrected as we both shared a laugh. "I wanted to give you that chance but I was afraid. I didn't want to be in the same situation as I was before. Then I thought that I wasn't good enough and..."
"I wish that you had allowed me to make that decision for myself. But that is the past and now we're together," he kissed me softly.
I smiled after the kiss and let out a small laugh.
"Don't laugh after I've kissed you," he pinched my side as I laughed more. "It's not good for my ego, baby. I might think that I'm a weird kisser."
"You're an excellent kisser," I gave him a quick kiss. "It's just that I was thinking that you're right. We are together now and I just feel so happy. You're an amazing person, Eric Coulter. You know I always enjoyed the holidays at home. When I moved here they just, they weren't the same. But you made it special, you made me feel special. Thank you," I smiled softly.
Eric leaned forward again and gave me a gentle kiss after kiss. We smiled and rest our foreheads together just living in this precious moment that we had.
Afterwards, Eric had pulled me up and sat us back on the couch where he wanted to open up his bottle of whiskey. I wanted to complain that it was so early in the morning but something told me that we were going to be spending a good portion of the day just being together and at home. We were a couple now. We were in a relationship. I had wanted to start my own traditions with my 'supposed' future family. And something told me that Eric had wanted the same. Both of our families didn't live nearby so it was up to the two of us to do things how we wanted.
He wrapped an arm around me after we took the two glasses in hand and gave me a deep kiss.
"To our first Christmas," he pulled back and held up his glass.
"To our first Christmas," I repeated.
The Amity whiskey was simply to die for. It went down smooth and had that sweetness to it in the beginning but that bite in the end. It tasted like playing in the rain outside by the river with my brothers, listening to my dad's stories when the electricity would go out or hearing my mom's singing as she tended to a child's nightmare. It tasted like home. It was also pretty strong and I stopped after that one glass feeling less inhibited. Eric found out that I was using nothing under my shirt as we made love next to the Christmas tree. After living in Dauntless all these years, I finally felt like this was my home.