A/N: Citrus alert for this chapter!
Surrounded by the fading beauty of autumn, William is raking leaves into neat piles in the backyard of the Hermitage when his phone chimes, making him pause. With a sigh, he reaches into his pocket to pull out his cellphone. The caller ID reads "Mom."
"Hello?" William answers.
"William!" his mom exclaims.
"Hey, Mom," he says, leaning against the rake.
"How's my favorite son?"
"I'm your only son," he quips.
"Exactly," she says. "So, I have some exciting news for you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yep. Your dad and I are going to be in town next week for the championship game. We're so excited to see you play!"
"Really? That's awesome! I can't wait to see you guys."
"How are things? You haven't called us in a while."
William chuckles. "You know, Mom, most guys here don't even call their parents once a month, let alone once a week. But I'm doing good. Practice has been kicking my ass, to be honest, but I'm pretty confident we'll win."
"That's great, honey. Anything else interesting going on? How's school?"
"School's fine. Nothing new there. But, uh, actually... I do have something interesting to tell you."
"Oh? Do tell, my dear!"
"I'm seeing someone. Like, officially."
"William! That's wonderful! Tell me about her!" his mother exclaims happily, making him hold the phone away from his ear. "James, honey, you need to hear this," she shouts away from the phone to her husband.
"Moooooom. Stop," William whines, but he's smiling.
"What? I'm just excited for you!"
"I know, Mom. Anyway, her name is Aelita. You guys have actually seen her before, a few years ago. Remember when the high school put on a production of Peter Pan, and you couldn't stop raving about Wendy Darling's beautiful pink hair?"
"Oh my goodness, yes! That's her?"
"Yep."
"William, she's absolutely stunning! And so talented too! I'm so proud of you, honey."
"Thanks, Mom," he says a bit shyly.
"So, tell us about her. We want to know everything." His dad's voice sounds far away.
"Well, she's super smart, she's funny, she's kind, and she's beautiful..." William trails off.
His mom chuckles. "Sounds like you really like her."
"I do," he says simply.
"Tell us more. We want to know everything." His dad's voice sounds a little closer now.
William grins. "Well, she's really close with her best friend, Sissi. That's the headmaster's daughter, who played Peter Pan actually. I think that's how their friendship started in the first place. Sissi helps her come out of her shell. Without Sissi, she'd probably be content to stay inside reading all day. Not that that's a bad thing. Anyway, she loves to cook. She's always experimenting with different recipes, and they're all delicious. I could marry her just for her cooking alone. Oh, and she's an amazing singer, but you already know that. She's studying music, so she has a really gorgeous soprano voice. She's incredibly caring and generous, and she's just so fun to be around. I don't think I'll ever be bored again. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea."
His parents chuckle. "We can tell you're really happy, Willy," his mom says. "We can't wait to meet her."
He winces at the use of his childhood nickname, but says, "Thanks, Mom. I'm glad you approve."
"Of course we approve, Will. She makes you happy, and that's all that matters to us."
"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot." William smiles. He's never felt happier.
"You're welcome, kiddo."
"Anyway, I should probably let you guys go. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay, Will. Love you."
"Love you too."
William hangs up the phone and puts it in his pocket. He can't stop smiling.
"You'd really marry me just for my cooking?" Aelita teases, from behind him, a hand on her hip.
William freezes. He turns around slowly. "Um. I didn't know you were out here. I was just talking to my parents."
Aelita giggles. "It's okay, Will. I'm flattered, really."
William relaxes a bit. "Well, that's a relief."
Aelita hugs him, resting her head on his chest. "Your parents seem really nice."
William smiles. "They are. They're really excited to meet you. Really excited."
Aelita's eyes light up. "That's so sweet. I can't wait to meet them."
"I'm sure you'll see them at the game." William kisses the top of her head. "I love you, Lita."
"I love you too, Will."
The two of them stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, content just to be together.
As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, the floodlights illuminate the field, setting the stage for a thrilling and intense match. The stadium is packed with enthusiastic fans from both Kadic and Monod, their cheers and applause creating an electrifying atmosphere for the championship showdown.
Aelita sits in the stands, nervously chewing on her thumbnail as she watches the players warm up. She's seen William play in person plenty of times before tonight, but tonight is different.
William is running drills with his teammates when he looks up into the stands and sees Aelita. Her bright pink hair makes her stand out in the crowd, and his heart swells with pride.
You're playing for her tonight, he thinks to himself.
A whistle blows, signaling the end of warmups, and the players make their way to the sidelines.
"Aelita?"
Aelita turns her head in the direction of the unfamiliar voice, and her gaze lands on a woman with dark green hair. Behind her is a vaguely familiar-looking man with dark hair.
"We're William's parents. May we sit with you?" the woman asks kindly.
"Of course!" Aelita smiles at them as she scoots over to make room for them on the bleacher.
William's mother sits down next to Aelita, and his father sits on the other side of his wife.
"It's so nice to meet you, Aelita. William has told us so much about you," his mother says.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dunbar," Aelita replies.
The referee calls the captains to the center of the field for the coin toss, and Kadic gets the right to kick off.
The players take their positions on the field. The starting whistle pierces the air, and the players from both teams race forward, eager to prove themselves on the championship stage.
The game is fast-paced and intense, with both teams trading possession and scoring chances. Showing his innate understanding of the game, William expertly exploits gaps in the rival defense, threading precise passes to teammates who then pass it back to him to slot the ball home.
Aelita watches with bated breath as William races up the field, dodging defenders and carving a path to the goal. "Go, Will!" she shouts, her voice drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
William takes another shot, but the goalkeeper blocks it.
"It's okay, son, try again!" James yells.
William sprints down the field, weaving through defenders and dribbling the ball.
Aelita's heart is racing.
William takes another shot, and this time, the goalkeeper doesn't block it.
"Yes!" Aelita shouts.
"Way to go, son!" James yells.
"Woohoo! That's my son!" Yvonne screams.
William's teammates swarm him, celebrating the goal.
The score is now 2-1, with Kadic in the lead.
Aelita smiles, her heart swelling with pride.
William looks up at the stands and sees her smiling at him. His heart skips a beat.
As the match rages on, tensions flare between the rival teams, and Pelletier's frustration becomes more and more evident with each play. With a fiery determination to turn the tide for his team, he lunges, executing a reckless tackle from behind. The excessive display of force sends a Kadic player sprawling to the ground, clutching his ankle in agony. The referee wastes no time in brandishing a yellow card.
Seething with anger, Pelletier vehemently argues with the referee, gesticulating and shouting. Eventually, the referee has no choice but to bring out the red card as his yelling escalates to the point that the crowd becomes a sea of hushed murmurs as they witness the scene. A security officer escorts Pelletier off the pitch, further adding to his self-inflicted humiliation.
William can't help but smirk at his rival's misfortune. Aelita watches from the stands as her boyfriend covers his mouth with a fist to prevent himself from laughing, and she too, struggles to hide her own amusement at the scene before her.
William's teammate is helped off the pitch, and the match resumes. Kadic continues to dominate the play, and their determination eventually pays off when William slots a beautiful through-ball into Roux's path, who calmly slots the ball past the opposing goalkeeper.
As the final minutes of the championship match tick away, Kadic maintains their dominant performance. With a scoreline of 3-1 in their favor, their resilience and teamwork has proven pivotal. Monod fights valiantly but can't overcome the deficit. Kadic's defense holds firm, thwarting any late-game attempts to narrow the gap.
The crowd erupts into cheers and applause as the referee blows the final whistle, signaling the end of the match. Kadic has emerged victorious, claiming the championship title for the second year in a row. The players of both teams exchange congratulatory handshakes, the Kadic boys' faces beaming with pride, while the fans celebrate the well-deserved triumph by storming the pitch and chanting.
William celebrates with his teammates, embracing them and patting them on the back. As he scans the crowd, trophy in hand, his eyes land on Aelita, and his heart swells with emotion.
Aelita runs straight towards William and he picks her up, spinning her around gleefully. She squeals as she wraps her legs around him tightly. When he kisses her passionately, he pumps a fist in the air, and the crowd goes wild.
"We did it, Princess," he says, his eyes glistening with tears.
"I'm so proud of you, Will," she says, her own eyes brimming with tears.
William puts her down and turns to his teammates, who are all cheering and celebrating.
"I couldn't have done it without you guys," he says, his voice cracking with emotion. The team embraces him, and the crowd continues to cheer.
William's teammates lift him onto their shoulders, and the crowd chants his name. "DUNBAR! DUNBAR! DUNBAR!"
William's parents watch the scene with pride. His mother wipes a tear from her eye. "Our boy has really come a long way," she says.
"That he has," his father agrees.
William's teammates lower him to the ground, and he is immediately swarmed by his adoring fans.
Aelita watches the scene with a smile on her face. She is so proud of her boyfriend. She can't believe how far he has come in such a short time.
William catches her eye and smiles at her. He is overcome with emotion, and there are tears streaming down his face.
Aelita rushes to him and embraces him tightly.
"I couldn't have done it without you, either, Lita," he says, his voice cracking with emotion again.
The two share another passionate kiss, and his teammates erupt into chaotic cheers, hooting and hollering at the lovebirds.
"Now that's how you celebrate a win!" Roux says loudly to his teammates with a grin.
"Hell yeah it is," William replies. He is on cloud nine, and nothing can bring him down.
"Seriously, Lita. You have nothing to worry about. I know for a fact they're gonna love you," Sissi says as she carefully adjusts the fit of Aelita's dress. She'd dug through her closet to look for something that would fit Aelita's style, and stumbled across a cream-colored long-sleeved midi length sweater dress. It wraps elegantly around Aelita's frame, accentuating her curves perfectly while still leaving plenty to the imagination.
Aelita sighs. "I hope you're right. Thank you for letting me borrow this, by the way."
"You can keep it. It's a little too... modest for me. Besides, it looks better on you anyway."
Aelita smiles. "Thanks, Sissi. You're the best."
"I know," she says with a smirk. She helps Aelita pin her hair up and puts a little bit of makeup on her. "There. Now you're perfect."
"I don't know about that, but I'll take your word for it," Aelita says with a laugh.
"Trust me, Aelita. You're gonna knock 'em dead. They'll be daydreaming about grandbabies by the end of the night."
Aelita blushes. "Sissi!"
"What? It's true! Odd's mom loves me so much that she's basically already planning our wedding. Anyway, let's get you out of here. You don't wanna be late."
Aelita nods. "Right."
The two girls walk through the dormitory halls, and as they walk, Aelita struggles to quell her anxieties. Sitting with William's parents at the game earlier that evening was one thing, but going out to dinner with them is another thing entirely. She's terrified of making a bad impression.
"Sissi, are you sure I look okay?"
"Aelita, for the millionth time, yes. You look amazing. Trust me."
"Okay. If you say so."
When they walk outside, William is standing facing away from the building, hands in the pockets of his slacks.
"Now go. Don't think too hard and just be your regular lovable self, okay?" Sissi whispers. She slinks away before her friend can protest.
William turns around and Aelita can't help the blush that creeps onto her cheeks. He looks absolutely dashing in his navy blue slacks and matching suit jacket with a white button-down underneath. His hair is slicked back and he's wearing grey suede shoes.
Aelita gulps. She's never seen him dressed up like this before, and she has to admit, he looks incredibly breath-taking. She feels like a middle-schooler with a crush again.
William's eyes widen as he takes in the sight of his girlfriend. The dress she's wearing hugs her body in such a way that he can't help but drink her in. Her hair is exquisitely pinned up and her makeup is simple, but accentuates her natural beauty.
"Wow," William says breathlessly. "You look... incredible."
Aelita blushes. "Thanks. You're not so bad yourself."
"Shall we?" William asks, offering his arm.
"We shall." Aelita takes his arm and he leads her to his car.
He opens the passenger door for her and helps her in.
"Such a gentleman," Aelita says teasingly.
"Anything for you, Princess," William replies with a wink.
Aelita's blush deepens.
William shuts the door and walks around to the driver's side. He gets in and starts the car.
"So, where are we going?" Aelita asks.
"It's a surprise," William replies.
"Okay."
The two drive in silence, and Aelita can't help but steal glances at her boyfriend. He looks so handsome, and she can't help but feel butterflies in her stomach.
"What?" William asks, noticing her staring.
"Nothing," Aelita says quickly. "I'm just... admiring the view."
"Oh, yeah?" William says with a smirk. "Well, I'm glad you like what you see."
"An hour ago you were a sweaty mess on the soccer pitch, and now you're all cleaned up and looking like a magazine model. Excuse me for feeling a little shocked," Aelita says with a laugh.
William chuckles. "I guess you're right. But you're one to talk. You went from wearing loungewear to... that. You look like a dream."
"Thanks," Aelita says, blushing.
The two drive in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying each other's company.
Finally, William pulls up to a restaurant and puts the car in park.
"Here we are," he says. "Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
William gets out of the car and, after speaking with the valet driver, walks around to open the door for Aelita.
"Thank you," Aelita says as she steps out of the car.
"Of course."
William takes her arm and the two walk into the restaurant.
"Reservation for Dunbar," William says to the hostess. "You've probably already seated my parents."
"Right this way," the hostess replies, leading them to their table.
The restaurant is beautiful, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Aelita looks at her surroundings in awe.
"Here you are," the hostess says, gesturing to their table.
William's parents are already seated, and they stand up when they see the two approaching.
"Aelita, darling, you look absolutely stunning," Yvonne gushes.
"Thank you," Aelita replies, blushing again.
"I hope you don't mind, but we took the liberty of ordering a bottle of champagne for the table," James says.
"Fine by me," William replies. "We are celebrating, after all."
Everyone takes a seat, and the waiter arrives with the champagne, pouring glasses for everyone.
"To William," James says, raising his glass. "May you continue to succeed on the pitch and in life."
"Cheers," everyone says, clinking their glasses together.
James peers at Aelita over his glass as he takes a sip. "So, Aelita, got anything fun planned for the holiday break?"
"Not really," she answers him. "Just staying in and relaxing."
"Well, that sounds nice," Yvonne says. "Will you be visiting family at all?"
Aelita stills. She hadn't thought of the possibility of this coming up. "No," she says, trying to keep her voice steady. "I don't have any family. My mother passed away when I was 12, and my father passed when I was 13."
Yvonne puts a hand to her mouth. "Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. I had no idea."
Aelita forces a smile. "It's okay. You didn't know."
"Of course," Yvonne says, her voice full of sympathy. "Well, we're happy to have you here with us for the holidays."
"Thank you," Aelita says, touched. She chances a glance at William, who gives her a reassuring smile.
The rest of the dinner goes smoothly, and Aelita finds herself enjoying the company of William's parents. They're kind and welcoming, and she can tell they really care about their son.
After dessert, Yvonne pipes up while dabbing at the corner of her lips with a napkin. "Really, though, Aelita. We would love to have you spend the holiday with us. I know it can be lonely spending the holidays alone, and we'd be honored to have you as a part of our family."
Aelita blushes and looks down at her hands. "That's very kind of you, Mrs. Dunbar. I appreciate the offer, but I wouldn't want to impose."
Yvonne waves a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. We insist."
"I wouldn't want to intrude on your family time," Aelita says, trying to be polite.
"Aelita, really, we would love to have you," James says. "We would love to get to know you better, and get to know more about the woman our son is so clearly smitten with."
William rolls his eyes, but smiles.
Aelita smiles too. "Well, if you're sure, I would love to spend the holiday with you."
"Excellent!" Yvonne says, clapping her hands happily. "We'll have so much fun! I can't wait!"
William wraps an arm around Aelita's shoulders. "Neither can I," he says, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
The rest of the evening passes quickly, and soon Aelita is saying goodbye to the Dunbars and heading back home.
As she walks through the front door and closes it behind her, she can't help but smile. She's excited to spend the holidays with William and his family. She knows it will be a lot of fun, and she's grateful to have the opportunity.
Time has swiftly moved forward, and the season's change is palpable. The last of the leaves have fallen, and the crisp autumn air now heralds the approaching winter, nipping at any skin left exposed.
Aelita flits about her room, packing her suitcase for the upcoming holiday. She hums a tune as she folds her clothes, her mood bright and cheerful.
William sits on her bed, watching her with amusement. "You seem to be in a good mood," he observes.
Aelita smiles. "I am. I'm excited to spend the holidays with you and your family."
"I'm glad," William says, returning her smile. "They're excited to have you, too. My mom has been planning a bunch of baking for us to do."
"Oh really?" Aelita asks, her curiosity piqued.
William chuckles. "Yeah, really. For some reason, she goes absolutely insane and bakes literally hundreds of cookies for everyone she knows. Friends, neighbors, family members... you name it, they get a package of cookies. She's pretty excited to have extra help this year."
Aelita laughs. "Oh boy. That sounds like a doozy. I can't wait."
William's smile widens. "Just you wait." He crosses his arms and silently watches his girlfriend continue to pack her suitcase. She's wearing yoga pants, and every time she bends over he gets a pleasant eyeful.
Aelita catches him staring and blushes. "What?"
William grins. "Am I not allowed to enjoy the view?"
Aelita rolls her eyes. "You're unbelievable."
"You love it."
Aelita finishes her packing and zips her suitcase closed. She turns to face William. "I think I'm all set. Ready to go?"
William stands up and stretches. "Yep." He picks up her suitcase for her.
"Let's go, then," she says.
The two of them head out to the car, and William loads her suitcase into the boot. They climb in and buckle up.
William starts the engine, and they head off to his parents' house.
The drive is relatively quiet, but the silence is comfortable. Aelita is content to just watch the scenery pass by outside the window, and William is focused on the road ahead.
As they get closer to their destination, Aelita starts to feel a bit nervous. She's spent the holidays with a significant other's parents before, but things were different when she was with Jeremie. She was never this close with him, and she never felt this comfortable around him. She's never been in a relationship as ardent as this before, and it feels like there's some sort of unspoken pressure.
William notices her fidgeting and reaches over to squeeze her hand. "Hey," he says softly, "it's okay. You've already met them and they already adore you. Trust me... I haven't heard the end of it from Mom."
Aelita chuckles. "You're right. I'm just overthinking things, I guess."
William brings her hand up to his lips and kisses it softly. "Don't worry, Lita. It's going to be great."
Aelita blushes and relaxes into her seat. She's lucky to have such an understanding boyfriend.
The rest of the drive is relatively uneventful. William and Aelita make small talk, and the radio plays softly in the background.
When they pull into the neighborhood, Aelita looks out the window in awe. The houses are all massive, and all of them are decorated immaculately. "Whoa," she breathes. "Now I see why dinner was so... extravagant."
William chuckles. "Yeah, my parents are pretty well-off."
They pull into the driveway of a particularly large house and park the car. William gets out and opens Aelita's door for her. He retrieves their suitcases from the boot and leads her up to the front door. Before he can even knock, the door swings open and his mother is standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
"Aelita, dear! So good to see you again," she says as she pulls her in for a hug.
Aelita is a bit taken aback, but she returns the hug. "Good to see you, too, Mrs. Dunbar."
"Please, call me Yvonne. Now, come on in, you two. Dinner is almost ready."
William and Aelita enter the house and follow his mother to the dining room. Aelita notices a few butlers bustling around, presumably preparing the meal.
"Wow," she whispers.
William puts a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
Aelita nods. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit overwhelmed, I guess. I didn't realize your parents were this well-off. You don't give off that vibe," she says under her breath.
William smiles. "I know. I do that on purpose. It's hard enough as it is to make genuine connections as the team captain. Wouldn't want girls throwing themselves at me even more than they already do."
Aelita rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. How humble of you," she teases.
William chuckles. He kisses her on the forehead. "Come on, let's go sit down. I'm starving."
The two of them take a seat at the dining table, joining William's parents. A butler brings them each a glass of water.
"So, Aelita," Yvonne starts, "tell me, have you ever considered being a model?"
Aelita blushes. "Um, no. I've never really thought about it."
"You really should consider it. I'm a professional photographer and I would love to add you into my portfolio. You have a classic but unique look that I think would really stand out."
"Wow, um, thank you, Mrs. Dun— I mean, Yvonne."
William, upon hearing this exchange, feels his cheeks start to heat up. Though his mother doesn't specialize exclusively in glamour shots, he's definitely seen some of them in her portfolio. The thought of Aelita posing for his mother is simultaneously embarrassing and arousing.
"William, dear, are you alright? You're looking a bit flushed," Yvonne asks, one eyebrow raised curiously.
"Yes, I'm fine," he says through gritted teeth. "Perfectly fine."
Yvonne chuckles, her eyes flicking to her husband. They share a knowing glance.
William clears his throat. "So, uh, Mom. How's the cookie extravaganza going so far?"
"Oh, it's going," Yvonne replies. "I've got all the ingredients portioned out and ready to go. Tomorrow starts the actual baking. By the way, Aelita, I'm dubbing you my sous chef."
Aelita grins. "I'm happy to help."
"You are such a delight, Aelita! I'm so glad William brought you home for the holidays."
William blushes and rubs his face. "Mom, come on."
Yvonne laughs. "What? I'm just telling the truth."
Aelita reaches under the table and squeezes William's hand. She smiles at him, mirth dancing in her bright green eyes.
The butlers bring out the meal, a delicious-looking roast beef with all the fixings.
"This looks amazing!" Aelita exclaims.
The four of them tuck in, enjoying the delicious food.
James speaks up, "So, Aelita, William tells us you're majoring in music. What are your plans after graduation?"
"Well, I'm not entirely sure yet. I would love to perform in operas and musicals full-time, but I don't really have the personality for it. I don't think I have the patience to be a teacher, but it's not out of the question entirely either."
James nods. "I see. Well, whatever you end up doing, I'm sure you'll be great at it."
"Thank you, Mr. Dunbar."
"Please, call me James."
They continue eating, the conversation flowing easily.
After dinner, William and Aelita retire to his childhood bedroom.
"Your parents are so nice," Aelita says.
"Yeah, they're pretty great," William replies.
Aelita sits down on the bed and looks around the room.
"What's on your mind, Princess?"
"Nothing, I'm just taking it all in. I'm in William Dunbar's childhood bedroom. Who would've thought?"
"I'm glad you're here. It's nice to have you here."
"I'm glad I'm here, too."
William sits down next to her and wraps an arm around her shoulders. "You cold?"
"A little."
"Here." He grabs a blanket from the foot of the bed and drapes it over their laps.
"Thanks."
William wraps an arm around her shoulders again, pulling her closer this time.
Aelita rests her head on his shoulder and sighs contentedly. "So... what now?"
"Hmm." William pretends to be deep in thought, dramatically stroking an invisible beard, eliciting a giggle from Aelita. "It's nice and dark out. Wanna get hot chocolate and go for a drive around the neighborhood to look at all the lights?"
"Yes!" Aelita bounces up and down with excitement.
William laughs. She is too cute, he thinks to himself.
"Let's go then."
Aelita squeals and jumps up. In a matter of seconds, she is out of the room and down the stairs. She grabs her coat and puts it on.
William puts his own coat on, calling out, "We're going for a drive to look at the lights!"
"Be safe!" his mom's voice responds from somewhere in the house.
"Will do!" William calls back.
Aelita is already in the passenger's seat of his car when he gets outside.
"Someone's excited," he says with a chuckle.
"I love Christmas lights," Aelita replies.
"I can tell."
William starts the car and pulls out of the driveway. "You know who has surprisingly good hot chocolate?"
"Who?"
"Starbucks, of all places."
"Really? The American place? I've never tried it."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. I've never been to Starbucks."
"Well, that's unacceptable. We're fixing that right now."
Aelita laughs. "Alright, fine."
William drives to the nearest Starbucks and parks the car.
"Come on, Princess. Let's get you some hot chocolate."
The two of them walk into the store, and the smell of coffee and baked goods hits them immediately.
"Wow," Aelita says, taking another deep breath.
They get in line and wait to order.
"What are you getting?" Aelita asks.
"I like their peppermint hot chocolate. It's pretty good."
"What should I get?"
"Hm. I think you'll like the toasted white hot chocolate."
"Okay, I'll try that."
They place their orders and wait for their drinks. As they wait, Aelita looks around the room curiously, and William watches her with a small smile on his face. She looks like a kid in a candy store, finding fascination in the littlest things.
"Here you go," the barista says as she hands them their drinks.
"Thank you," Aelita says.
William pays, and the two of them head out to his car. "Ready for the lights?"
"Yep!"
William starts the car and drives off.
As they head back towards the neighborhood, Aelita sips her hot chocolate and admires the lights. "Mm! This is yummy!"
"Told you," William says with a chuckle.
Aelita leans over and kisses his cheek. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For bringing me here. For introducing me to this hot chocolate. For just... being you."
William smiles. "You're welcome, Princess."
Aelita continues to sip on her drink, staring at William as he drives.
"What?" he asks with a chuckle.
"Nothing. I just really love you," she blurts out.
William smiles. "I really love you, too."
Aelita smiles back. Then her attention turns to the houses before them. "Oh my gosh," she breathes.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
"Yes. I've never seen anything like it."
"And yet, they're still not as pretty as you," he says almost too quietly for her to hear.
Aelita blushes deeply. "You're such a sap," she says with a giggle.
"Only for you, Princess."
William continues to drive them through the neighborhood, every so often looking at his pink-haired passenger. He smiles at the pure, child-like wonder gracing her features as they pass more and more houses on their way back home.
As they get closer to his parents' house, his eyes begin to snag more on her lips than anything else. He sees how her smile stretches and watches how her lips curl up beautifully.
They pull into the driveway and he parks in his normal spot, unaware that his parents are in the front room and that his father is standing at the window.
"Will and Aelita are back," James says to his wife.
"That's great! I hope she enjoyed seeing the neighborhood," Yvonne chirps back.
Noticing his son still hasn't even turned off the car, he wonders out loud, "Heh. Just like us at that age."
"Well then let's not interrupt them, shall we? Let them have a little fun." She pats the seat beside her to lure him away from the window.
Back in the car, unaware that their presence has already been made known, William is becoming more and more aware of the magnetic attraction between her lips and his. Aelita, noticing his subtle glances, unbuckles her seatbelt and leans over the center console.
"You don't need my permission, Will. Just kiss me already."
Wordlessly, William unbuckles his own seatbelt then leans in and captures her lips with his. The kiss is far from chaste. It's messy and passionate, his hands coming up to grip the back of her head. She tangles her hands in his hair, pulling him closer to her as they melt into the embrace. Their tongues dance together, each touch sending waves of desire through their bodies. As they pull apart, Aelita bites his lip softly, eliciting a groan from him. William rests his forehead against hers, panting slightly as their heartbeats race in sync. They sit in comfortable silence, savoring the moment.
Finally, William breaks the silence. "Aelita, you really do make me crazy. You have no idea how badly I want you."
His words send a shiver down her spine. "Slide your seat back," she replies huskily.
William does as he's told, sliding his seat all the way back. Aelita crawls over the center console, straddling him. She kisses him again, her hands roaming across his chest. This kiss is far more urgent than before. She can feel his arousal through his pants, and she grinds her hips against his, eliciting a moan from him.
"Fuck, Lita," he murmurs against her lips.
Aelita smiles against his lips as she continues to kiss him hungrily. His hands wander to her hips, grabbing her and grinding her against him.
Aelita breaks the kiss and throws her head back, moaning softly.
William takes advantage of her exposed neck and starts kissing and sucking, but being careful not to leave a trail of hickeys.
"Will," Aelita breathes.
William growls against her skin. He grabs her hips and grinds her against him again.
Aelita whimpers.
William continues grinding her against him, relishing in the friction and the feeling of her. He feels himself straining against his pants, and he groans as he grinds her against his erection. The ache he feels for her is unbearable.
Aelita shifts herself and reaches down in an attempt to free him from his constraints. As she moves though, her arm bumps the steering wheel, and the horn sounds loudly in the still of the night.
William and Aelita freeze, suddenly realizing that they're making out in a car parked outside his parents' house.
"Shit. They probably heard that," William groans.
"Let's get inside before we get caught," Aelita says quickly, adjusting her clothes and smoothing down her hair.
William adjusts his pants and climbs out of the car, reaching for Aelita's hand. As they walk up the path to the front door, they can't help but laugh at the situation.
"I can't believe we were almost caught," Aelita giggles.
"Yeah, that would've been embarrassing," William chuckles.
They reach the front door and William unlocks it, holding the door open for Aelita.
"After you, Princess."
As they enter the house, they can hear William's parents laughing in the kitchen.
"Sounds like they're having fun," Aelita whispers.
"Yeah, let's go see what they're up to," William replies.
The two of them make their way to the kitchen and find William's parents sitting at the table, drinking wine and playing cards.
"Hey, kids," James says cheerfully. "How was the drive?"
"It was good," Aelita replies. "I'm glad we went."
"Me, too," William agrees. "It was nice to get away for a bit."
Yvonne and James share a knowing glance, but remain quiet. William notices and furrows his brow.
"What?" he asks.
"Nothing," his parents reply in unison.
William narrows his eyes. "Okay. Well, it's getting kinda late, so we're gonna head up to bed." He turns to leave, but his dad stops him.
"Actually, William, while you're here, can you help me with something really quick?"
William sighs. "Okay. What's up?" He follows his father out of the room, speaking over his shoulder, "Why don't you head upstairs, Lita. I'll meet you up there in a second."
William and his father stop in the study. His father turns around.
"I wanted to do this out of the view of the women, but here. Be safe."
Looking at the condoms his father just put in his hands, his eyes widen, "Jesus Christ, Dad. First of all, why this many? Second of all, I can't believe you're trying to give me the talk again. I'm 21, you know."
"It's not the talk. I've seen how you look at her and, knowing how I was with your mother at your age, I just want to make sure everything..." he pauses to find the words, "...goes smoothly."
"Oh my God. This is too much. First, my roommate, now my father. I guess people just think I'm some sort of horndog."
"Again, I was your age once, in your exact shoes. Trust me, I'm well aware. Now go. She's waiting."
William walks upstairs to his room and opens the door to see Aelita already in pajamas, lounging on his bed.
"Hey, Princess. You ready for bed?"
"Mhm."
"Alright, I'm just gonna brush my teeth. I'll be right back."
William walks into the bathroom and closes the door. He leans against the counter and takes a deep breath.
I can't believe my dad just gave me condoms, he thinks to himself.
He brushes his teeth and washes his face with cold water, then returns to his bedroom. He finds Aelita sitting cross-legged on his bed, flipping through one of his books.
"Everything okay?" she asks. "You look a little... off."
William sighs. "Yeah, everything's fine. My dad just... gave me some stuff."
Aelita raises an eyebrow. "Stuff? What kind of stuff?"
William scratches the back of his neck. "Uh, you know. Stuff."
Aelita furrows her brow. "I don't follow."
William sits down on the edge of the bed. "He, uh, gave me condoms."
"Oh." Aelita's eyes widen. "Oh!"
William nods. "Yeah. Oh."
Aelita laughs nervously. "Well, that's, um, nice of him."
"Yeah. Real nice," William deadpans.
Aelita places a hand on his arm. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to be embarrassed."
William groans. "Ugh, I know. It's just... weird."
Aelita smiles sympathetically. "Not really. We're two consenting adults, and we're in a relationship. It's perfectly natural for people to make the assumption that we're having sex. I mean, look at what just happened in the car."
William sighs. "True. I guess, you're right."
Aelita leans over and kisses his cheek. "Come on, let's get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow with all the baking."
William smiles. "Yeah, we do."
The two of them climb into bed and snuggle up under the covers. William wraps his arms around Aelita and pulls her close.
"Goodnight, Lita."
"Goodnight, Will."
The Dunbar residence is a whirlwind of activity, and the source of the commotion is none other than William's mother herself. The sweet scent of freshly baked cookies fills every corner of the mansion as the chaos of holiday preparations reaches its peak. Yvonne, ever the family's holiday enthusiast, has gathered her troops in the kitchen for the annual cookie-making extravaganza. In the heart of the bustling kitchen, William and Aelita stand side by side, aprons tied tightly. They are knee-deep in flour, elbows-deep in cookie dough, and loving every minute of it. James, Yvonne's partner in all things festive, provides unwavering support, armed with rolling pins and cookie cutters, ready to lend his skills of precision to the cause. Their loyal butlers help to transform the kitchen into a cookie-making assembly line.
"William, darling, would you mind putting another tray in the oven?" Yvonne asks sweetly.
"Sure thing, Mom."
"Thank you, dear. Aelita, sweetheart, would you mind mixing up another batch of cookie dough?"
"Of course, Yvonne."
William looks over at his girlfriend, a warm smile on his face.
"What?" Aelita asks, blushing slightly.
"Nothing. I'm just really happy you're here."
Aelita smiles back at him. "Me too."
They share a quick kiss before getting back to work.
James walks over and gives William a playful punch on the shoulder. "No time for smooching, young man. We've got cookies to bake."
William rolls his eyes. "Dad, come on."
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't let your mother catch you. She'll have your head."
Aelita smiles and shakes her head. "You're hilarious, James," she says with a chuckle.
"Yeah, he's a real riot," William replies sarcastically.
"Oh, don't be such a grinch, William," Yvonne chides. "Your father is just having a bit of fun."
"Yeah, William," James teases. "Don't be such a grinch."
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny, Dad."
"Speaking of the Grinch, he's my favorite character," Aelita chimes in.
"Mine too!" Yvonne exclaims. "I've always loved the part when his heart grows three sizes."
"I'm more of a Max person myself," James adds.
"Who's Max?" William asks, confused.
"The dog, dear," Yvonne explains.
"Oh, right." William shakes his head. "You guys are so weird."
"We're not weird, we're quirky," James corrects.
"Same difference."
"It's not the same thing at all," Yvonne says.
"Whatever."
Aelita laughs. "You're all so silly."
"Well, we Dunbars are nothing if not entertaining," James quips.
As the Dunbars continue baking, the atmosphere is light and cheerful. William glances over at Aelita and smiles. She's so beautiful, he thinks to himself.
Aelita catches him staring and gives him a playful nudge. "Stop staring at me and focus on the cookies, mister," she whispers.
William chuckles. "Sorry, Princess. I can't help it."
Aelita rolls her eyes, but can't help smiling.
The Dunbars and Aelita continue baking, laughing and joking the whole time. It's a wonderful afternoon, and Aelita is glad to be a part of it.
As the day wears on, the final batch of cookies is finally wrapped up and stored away. With flour-covered faces and hearts full of holiday spirit, the family shares laughter and hugs before cleaning up the mess they've made. Once they're all clean, they head to the family room to relax.
William plops down on the couch and pats the spot next to him, inviting Aelita to join him. She accepts the invitation and cuddles up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"This has been a really nice day," she says softly.
"Yeah, it has," William agrees.
They sit in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company.
Suddenly, James breaks the silence. "So, Aelita," he starts, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Ever wondered what your darling boyfriend was like as a little boy?"
"Only sometimes," Aelita replies, smirking at William mischievously.
James laughs. "Well, you're in luck, because I have a whole collection of videos of little Willy here."
"Dad, no," William groans, burying his face in his hands.
"Oh, yes," James says, grinning.
Aelita suppresses a giggle, especially at the nickname. "I'd love to see them," she says.
"Great!" James says, clapping his hands together. "I know just the one to start with." He gets up from his seat and walks over to the DVD player. He inserts a disc and presses play.
Aelita watches in amusement as a young version of William splashes around in the bathtub. He's wearing a pirate's hat and has a toy sword in his hands.
"Mommy, look at me! I'm Hook!" young William exclaims as he pretends to fly the boat through the air. "Arg!"
"Oh my God, you were so cute!" Aelita squeals, giggling.
William groans and covers his face with a nearby blanket. "I can't believe you're watching this."
"Oh, come on, Will. It's cute," Aelita says, nudging him playfully.
"Yeah, for you," William grumbles, still hiding beneath the blanket.
Aelita continues to watch the video, laughing even harder when toddler William starts improvising a pirate song as he splashes around.
"Ahoy mateys, splishy splashy rubber duckies, I see the treasure up ahead!"
"Wow," Aelita says, eyes tearing up as she laughs. "I had no idea you could sing!"
William groans again. But as he listens to his girlfriend belly-laughing beside him, he can't help but smile. That laugh of hers always makes him happy. He peeks out at her from under the blanket, watching as she wipes the tears away. God, I love this woman, he thinks to himself.
"William Dunbar, are you being shy?" Aelita asks teasingly, catching him peeking.
"Maybe," he replies, a smile spreading across his lips.
Aelita giggles. "You're adorable, you know that?"
William rolls his eyes, but can't hide the blush that creeps into his cheeks. "Yeah, yeah."
The soft glow of dawn's first light creeps through the curtains of William's bedroom, gently rousing him from his slumber. He stretches his legs, blinking away the last remnants of sleep. He turns to see Aelita, peacefully nestled beside him. A smile tugs at the corners of his lips as he marveled at the fact that this Christmas, he has the gift of her presence by his side. Wow, he thinks to himself, watching her chest slowly rise and fall. I could wake up to this every day for the rest of my life.
He gently brushes a lock of pink hair away from her face, careful not to disturb her. Her skin is so soft, he marvels. So perfect.
Aelita stirs, her eyes slowly fluttering open. "Good morning," she whispers, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Merry Christmas, Lita," William says, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Will."
The two lay there for a moment, enjoying each other's company.
"So," William says, breaking the silence. "I smell breakfast. You hungry at all?"
"Definitely."
William gets out of bed and throws on a pair of sweatpants. Aelita does the same, but instead of sweatpants, she puts Grinch pajama pants on.
What a cute weirdo she is, William muses as he watches her pull her pants up.
They walk down the stairs together, William's arm wrapped protectively around Aelita's shoulders. As they enter the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg fills their nostrils.
"Merry Christmas, you two!" Yvonne exclaims cheerfully.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," William says as he hugs her.
"Merry Christmas," Aelita says, smiling.
"Did you two sleep well?" Yvonne asks.
"We did," William responds.
"Like a log," Aelita adds.
"That's good," his mother says. She gestures to the plate of freshly baked cardamom buns sitting on the counter. "Help yourselves. I'll go wake up your father."
William grabs a cardamom bun and takes a bite. "Mmm, these are delicious, Mom."
Aelita does the same, and her eyes light up. "These are amazing!"
Yvonne smiles. "Thank you, dear. I'm glad you like them."
Before Yvonne has a chance to leave the room, James enters, yawning. "Merry Christmas, everyone."
"Merry Christmas, Dad," William says.
"Merry Christmas," Aelita adds.
"So," Yvonne says, clapping her hands together. "There's more breakfast on the dining room table. Shall we?"
William and Aelita nod. They follow his parents into the dining room and take a seat at the table, filled with immense amounts of breakfast foods.
Yvonne begins passing plates around, and everyone helps themselves.
"So," James says, breaking the silence. "How are you two enjoying your first Christmas together?"
"It's been wonderful," Aelita says, smiling.
"I couldn't agree more," William adds.
"I'm glad," Yvonne says. "I'm so happy that you're in our lives, Aelita. Really. You've brought out a side of William that I haven't seen in a long time."
"Mom," William groans.
"What? It's true," his mother says, laughing. "The last time you were this happy was when you were a little boy."
"Okay, okay. Can we please just enjoy our breakfast?" William asks, exasperated.
Yvonne smiles. "Of course."
The four of them eat in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the scraping of forks and knives against plates.
After breakfast, the family gathers around the tree to exchange their presents.
"Here, this one is for you," William says, handing her a small, neatly wrapped box.
Aelita opens the box and gasps. Inside is a beautiful rose gold locket engraved with delicate flowers.
"William, this is gorgeous," she says, her eyes shining with tears.
"Open it," he says, smiling.
She does, and inside is a picture of the two of them, smiling and laughing.
"Do you like it?" he asks.
"I love it," she says, leaning in to kiss him. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Princess."
Aelita hands him a large, flat, rectangular gift. "Here, this is for you."
"Ooh, a painting?"
"Not quite."
"I wonder what it is, then."
"Open it and find out."
"Okay, okay."
William carefully unwraps the gift, revealing a framed picture of the two of them. The picture is of the kiss they shared on the pitch after the championship game. In it, Aelita is wrapped around him and his fist is in the air triumphantly.
"Aelita, this is amazing. Where did you get this?"
"I asked one of the photographers to send me a copy. Do you like it?"
"I love it. Thank you."
"You're welcome." She says, scooting closer to him, "There's also one more thing that I couldn't bring with me that you'll get when we get back to campus."
William opens his mouth to respond, but his father interjects.
"Alright, you two," James says. "We have a few more presents to open."
"Right," William says. "Sorry, Dad."
"It's okay," his father says, laughing. "I remember what it was like to be young and in love."
"Dad," William groans.
"I'm just teasing," his father says, grinning.
The four of them finish opening their presents and enjoy the rest of their day together.