Chapter Nine

Christmas Eve

Beaut

" Later on we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling. You will get a sentimental feeling when you're here. Voice singing let's be jolly. Deck the halls with boughs of holly. "

" I will give you a hundred dollars to stop. " Dom groans as we sit in our pajamas and eat our sugar cookies. " It's bad enough you have insisted on decorating. "

Looking at him in offense, I clutch my invisible pearls. " Excuussee me for trying to make your first Christmas home memorable. "

" I'd be happy with just spending it alone with you. " He grumbles.

Yeah, he and Mia have finally moved back into their house. Dom wanted me to stay over tonight so we could spend the morning together. My dad has other plans. On top of that, he isn't too keen on me sleeping over at my boyfriend's house. Even if the girl who has become like my own sister lives here as well.

" Too bad our family would never allow it. " I say before tapping his nose. " It won't be that bad. We've been together all day today and it's not like I won't be over here off and on checking the turkeys all day tomorrow. I even made your favorite cookie. "

" Chocolate? "

I nod and kiss his lips. " Mia gave me the recipe since she knows she'll never use it. "

" And I'm forever thankful that she has given up on baking. Cooking in general. " He says making a face. No doubt remembering her spaghetti attempt.

Shrugging I defend her. " She's good at other things. "

" Yeah, she is. " He says quickly. " I'm just glad that you got the cooking gene from your mom. Gotta have good cooking in this family. Our kids can't go hungry after all. "

I give him a crazed look. " Boy, I hope you know that I'm not having children anytime within the next ten years. I hate to burst your bubble. "

He laughs at my reaction and I slap his chest.

" I'm sorry. I just loved the scared look on your face at the thought of kids. " He says before kissing the tip of my nose.

Rolling my eyes I say, " I'm sixteen with early admission into Stanford. A baby is not something I need or want. "

" Same. " He agrees. " We still have a long time before worrying about all of that. I'd like to enjoy the time we have with just us. It's going to be really hard getting that in when you're off at school. "

Yeah. He isn't the only one thinking of how hard it's going to be. " I know. We'll work it out though. Like I said, with the way we drive the distance isn't even that long either way. "

" And don't let any of them college boys push up on you. " He says all macho like.

Smiling mischievously I say. " no. I only let grease heads push up on me. "

" That's King Greasehead to you. " He says tickling my sides.

I giggle as my lips meet his in a sweet kiss.

" You guys make me sick. " Mia says as she's coming down the stairs.

Flipping her the bird I check the time and sigh. " I gotta head back. I need to bake the pies tonight and get all of the turkeys ready for all the ovens they will be going in. "

" Fine. " He gruffs before kissing me one last time.

Smiling into it, I pull back. " I'll see you bright and early with the birds. "

I'm almost done wrapping up the various gifts I bought for my family. I got Letty the leather corset she has been eyeing forever. Me and Dom are surprising Mia with the car I won after dinner. Of course, Dom is taking the credit for it because my dad does not need to know I won it racing. My " real gift " is a certificate to have it painted. Lord knows what that Tatiana girl was thinking when she chose puke green.

Dom is getting a cross necklace that cost me a pretty penny. My dad is getting a hand-painted family portrait. He has always wanted one done and I even put my mom in. I've always been good at this kind of thing so I know he'll love it. It's at Letty's house because he's such a snoop.

" Hey, Beaut? " I hear him call up to me from the living room.

Heading downstairs I see him standing there with a suitcase looking guilty. " What's going on? '

" I just got off of the phone with my boss. " He starts. " I'm needed down in Nashville ASAP. "

Narrowing my eyes, I ask, " you're going to miss Christmas "?

There's a knock at the door so he goes to answer it instead of answering my question. " Hey, Dom. What are you doing here at this hour? "

My ears perk up at his name. Heading out into the living room I smile at the sight of him.

" You forgot the roasting pans. " He says before handing them to me.

Dad sighs knowing what's about to go down. " Actually I"m glad you're here. My boss called me to Nashville last minute. I need you to host Christmas this year.

" Dad... " I say still upset that his job is making him leave.

Looking at the floor he says " I know, and I'm sorry. I might be gone most of your time off. "

Well, this just gets better and better. Note the sarcasm.

" Beaut is welcome to stay with us. " Dom throws out slick like. " I know how you feel about it, but I'd feel better knowing she isn't alone. "

Dad thinks it over for a moment before sighing out almost in pain. " I guess I don't mind if you stay with them while I'm gone. He's right, it is better than you being here alone. But I'm trusting both of you to make smart choices, though. "

" I would never cross any of Beaut's personal boundaries. " Dom promises truthfully. " Besides, give me a few years and she'll be living there full-time. And you'll be calling me son. "

Well damn. " I'll just go and pack a bag. "

" Hurry, I don't like when Mia's alone at night. " Dom calls after me.

Christmas

I'm finally ready for the day. I was up at such an ungodly hour putting the turkeys in both ovens when Vince showed up ready to " fuck shut up ". His words, not mine. He wanted to eat cookies and okay video games but I threw a pillow at his face before going back to Dom's warm bed.

I woke up a few hours later in his arms. The perfect Christmas morning, just like he wanted. No, we didn't " do it " at any point. My dad is trusting us to be responsible and this is the ultimate test. After this, it'll be easier to have these little sleepovers more often... Hopefully.

" It sucks that your dad isn't here. " Letty says bringing me out of my thoughts.

We're currently snapping green beans for my famous casserole. It and the mac and cheese are the only things not ready. Once they are all the racers that are in various places inside and outare going to pile in and stuff their faces.

" He called before you got here to wish us a Merry Christmas. " I tell her while fighting the sadness. Dad has never missed a Christmas with me before. " He loved his present. "

Letty smacks her lips. " It took you three months to make he had better love it. Thanks again for the corset. I don't know who I'm wearing it from but he's in for a damn treat. "

" Period. " I say comically.

Looking in the hallway, she turns back and says, " so... You and Dom last night... "

This girl. Every time me and Dom have some alone time this girl's mind enters the gutter. " No, Let. " I tell her rolling my eyes. " We aren't sexed crazed maniacs, you know. We're serious about each other so there's no rush. "

" It's just weird. " She says shaking her head. " He was very much into the skanks at races before and now... He's completely different. "

It's true. But I chalk it up to the fact that he had just gotten out of prison. He had the right to get a little wild. And he was single. Both of or parents fell in love around the same time and there was clear commitment and love all all parts. When my dad asked my mom to be his girlfriend, he did so knowing he'd marry her one day. Dating and being someone's girlfriend or boyfriend are two different things. And thus have two different levels of commitment and fidelity. Or course no one is perfect at the end of the day.

" You know how we were raised. " I start. " If he's claiming me as his girlfriend it's because he sees a future for us. That changes things. "

Letty nods. " Yeah, I can see that. I could also see your dad kicking his ass for hurting you. "

" That part though. " I joke as I put three trays of casserole in the oven. Okay... Now the mac and cheese. "

" My favorite. " I hear Dom say from behind us.

My heart jumps when my eyes land on his fine self.

" I need your keys so me and Vince can get the turkeys from your place. " He says and I have to force myself to stop staring.

Taking my plastic gloves off I go to my purse and dig the keys out. " Here. Don't forget to lock it back up when you leave. " I say throwing them to him.

" No prob. We'll be back. " He says before kissing the side of my head.

When he's out of the house she turns back to me with a shit eating grins. " I could cut the sexual tension that was just in this kitchen with a knife. "

" Shut uuppp. " I groan at my best friend.

Around Two O'Clock Vince breaks out his guitar and I literally want to pull all of my hair out. There are a lot more people here than I expected. More specifically, more females. To Dom's defense, he isn't entertaining their advances. He's polite and keeps them all at arms length. Much to their annoyance. Also much to all the other men's excitement. These skanks are easy pickings when the one they want is off the table. Me and Letty spend a good chunk of the night laughing at their desperation.

" Dinner's ready. " I call once the top of all of the mac and cheese is perfectly browned.

Everyone in and out of the house line up single file all ready to eat. Letty, Mia, and I get through the line as fast as we can. When everyone is taken care of I make Dom and I's plates and go to the head of the table. He already has two coronas waiting as I set the plates down. Pulling me into his lap I look around at all of the people we've got in his backyard.

" Who's saying grace? "

Everyone groans before one of the racers relents. We all dig into the food and for several minutes no words are spoken.

" Mmm, Beaut you did it again. If you weren't taken I'd make you my girl. "Hector says putting his foot in his mouth.

Dom's arm tightens around my middle. " Yeah, too bad for you. "

The look on the bookie's face makes me laugh.

" He is right. " Dom says in my ear. " You cooked another amazing meal. "

Another holiday meal, perfectly executed.