My Christmas Joy - 1. Christmas Day

Christmas 2017 – Newsletter Game

Christmas Joy

“Merry Christmas!” Dean yelled as he walked in through the door. A large bag of gifts trailed in his wake as he walked across my small one-bedroom apartment, and stood in front of the Christmas tree.

I closed the door and followed him the few feet to the tree. He was dressed in dark jeans, which hugged his gorgeous backside, and a simple t-shirt that equally hugged his powerful chest. I could smell his cologne from where I stood. He always used too much. He smiled over his shoulder at me, as he knelt down and started to unload the gifts and place them under and on the tree.

“Lovely tree you did this year. It’s much better than the small, fake, dancing and singing one you used last year.”

“I love my dancing tree! Reminds me of Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.”

The main room of my apartment isn’t big; it’s barely big enough for two La-Z-Boy chairs, an entertainment center, and a small café table and two chairs for a dining area. But I had managed to shove a 6ft.6in. Douglas Fir into the corner, and trimmed it in festive holiday fashion. The smell of its natural Pine Scent filled the apartment. I went white with the lights, mainly because I couldn’t find any colored strands at the corner store. The tinsel sparkled with the light the LED bulbs gave off. My mother’s ornaments trimmed the tree, with the special one, a small pottery piece of two mice sleeping in a walnut shell, hung at eye level.

Dean finished unloading the gifts, stood up and faced me. His perfect brown eyes and chestnut brown hair glowed as he smiled at me.

“That’s a lot of presents. Are we expecting others besides us?” I asked, as I walked over to my boyfriend, gave him a big bear hug, and a long passionate kiss.

“No one, but for us and the people we invited,” Dean said and kissed me again. “Afterwards, yes there will be more. Or, did you forget dinner with your parents?”

“No, I didn’t forget, as much as I tried to.”

It had been over three years since I went to Christmas dinner with the family. We were to meet at my Grandparents for a late dinner, and exchange presents. “Is that what the extra gifts are for?”

“Yes. Because I knew you wouldn’t get anyone anything.”

I tried to pout and quickly turned my back to Dean, so he wouldn’t see me grin. “Alright… but I did get them Christmas cards and a pre-paid gift card as well. Not the cheap ones either.”

“Oh, Alex… What am I going to do with you?”

Next thing I knew, I was in his lap in one of the recliners, being held against my will, and in the middle of a tickle fight. After some playful and vain attempts to get away, accompanied by laughter, I resolved myself and just sat there. I couldn’t help but snuggle into Dean’s arms.

“Why can’t we stay in?” I asked.

“Because. Your Mother misses you, From what Jace said, your Grandmother laid down the law to the Homophobes.” Dean quickly kissed me before he added, “She misses you, too.”

“I miss them as well.” It was a soft response, and I was on the verge of tears. It had been a long and painful three years with no contact with my family. But I made something of myself in those three years, and have a wonderful boyfriend.

“There’s something I want you to open. I know you usually wait till later, but I want you to have it before we go.”

Dean slid out from under me and had me sit still while he fetched a present from the tree. It was a medium size box, a perfect cube, with a lid. Both parts were individually wrapped and tied together with a ribbon. He handed it to me and stepped back to watch.

I undid the knot of ribbon, as he avidly watched me. My hands were on each side of the lid as I slid it off.

“I hope you like it. It is totally unique, one of a kind, just like you.” Dean said, as the lid finally gave way.

Inside the box, I spied a Teddy Bear, from Build-a-Bear. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud as I took the bear out of the box. It was a fluffy one, made of light brown fur, with green eyes, and black-rimmed glasses. It wore a Christmas Sweater, decorated with Reindeer and a Santa Bear. I loved it.

“You want me to take a Teddy Bear with me, to my Grandmother’s?” I asked, a little bit skeptical.

“No. I want you to take what Teddy is guarding.” He pointed at the box, and sure enough, there was another box in there.

This time, the box was small and made of black felt. My heart stopped, and a lump formed in my throat. I took the smaller box out and opened it to reveal a man’s gold ring. It was adorned with blue sapphires and crystal clear diamonds across the top. It was an expensive piece. I sat in shocked silence, mouth hanging open, and looked up to Dean.

“Alex. You are my everything. I love you and want you by my side for the rest of our lives together. Will you marry me?” Dean asked with a quiver in his voice. In my shock, I hadn’t noticed he had moved to be kneeling in front of me.

He took the ring from the box and slid it on my finger.

I stared at the ring, and back at him. It felt like time had stopped, and I sat there for hours before I responded. It had actually only been thirty seconds, when I answered, “Yes!” I exclaimed. “Yes, I will marry you.” I reached out, and latched onto him, and pulled Dean into a passionate kiss.

Tears flowed freely down our faces, and laughter filled my apartment, as the joy-filled us.

This would be a Christmas to remember, and one my Mother and Grandmother, would both be equally shocked over.