Stuck With You: A Christmas Romance

by Lara Swann

  “Okay. Yeah, we can do that.” I shrug, offering her a small smile as I run a hand through her hair. “I didn’t think I had much chance of convincing you with the KFC idea, anyway.”

  “Really? You wouldn’t mind? I know you’re not that into it, but…”

  “It’s fine. Trust me, this Christmas is turning out differently enough that it’s not going to—” I cut myself off, realizing what I was about to say.

  “It’s not going to what?” Lauren repeats, shifting to see me better.

  I hesitate, then shrug again.

  I wasn’t going to say that.

  But why not?

  “Remind me of two years ago.” I finish, my hand playing through her hair as I think back to it. “My Nana died a week before Christmas back then. We knew it was coming, but we were hoping…well, it didn’t happen. I took the holidays off work to try to spend as much time as I could with her…ended up in the hospital for most of it and arranging the funeral for the rest. After that, all I wanted from Christmas was to get as far away as possible—to do something as different as possible. Working through last year helped, but this year that plan got canceled. Aspen might not be quite as different as Japan would have been, but the winter here is still nothing like a balmy California Christmas.”

  “Damn, Tristan. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s alright.” I shrug. “I mean, it’s not, but…she always said she’d had a good life, that she was content. So there’s that, at least.”

  I just have to believe she meant it.

  Lauren nods, quiet for a moment.

  “What about…” She hesitates, but then continues when I meet her gaze steadily. It’s hard to think about Nana sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I mind Lauren asking. “Well, the rest of your family? Do they mind that you don’t want to spend Christmas with them anymore?”

  I shake my head. Of course. That’s the obvious assumption.

  “There is no one else. It was always just the two of us.” I say, then shrug again when I feel Lauren’s continued gaze, meeting her eyes with a small smile. This at least is easier to talk about. I stopped having a problem with it a long time ago. If anything, I’m proud - of Nana, and of myself. “She’s the one who raised me, only she was too old for me to ever call her Mom, I guess, and I think that would have been…uncomfortable for us both. So we settled on Nana.”

  Lauren’s puzzled expression is obvious, so I elaborate. “I was a foster kid - never knew who the birth parents who gave me up were, or why they did, and stopped wanting to a long time ago - and I was placed with her when I was four. She used to foster loads of kids, never had a partner or kids of her own, but wanted to be there for those who really needed it. I still feel a little guilty that I took her away from all the others, but…grateful too. In a selfish way. I was in a pretty bad way by then - I don’t really remember all of it, but I remember that much - but it wasn’t too late for her to start making a difference. So when her time fostering me was supposed to be coming to an end and another potential adoption fell through, she couldn’t face sending me back into the system again. So she adopted me.”

  I smile at that. I don’t remember much from when I was five years old, but the moment it actually happened…I’ll never forget that. I thought she was lying the whole time, that it was yet another trick of some kind, but…damn. She actually went through with it.

  “Fought hard for it, too.” I add. I don’t think I’m even answering Lauren’s question anymore, but the words spill out anyway. I hate that I’ve lost her - hate it - but at moments like this, all I can feel is pride. Pride and admiration, so strong that they threaten to overwhelm me. “They didn’t like the idea of a single woman adopting me, despite everything she’d already done for me. Especially since she was in her fifties.”

  It’s not until I look down at the stunned expression on her face - smiling in a way I haven’t done for a long time, as I think back to just how amazing my adopted Nana was - that I remember the actual question I was answering.

  “So, yeah.” I say, with another shrug. “She was single, never met anyone who was right for her - I imagine the hellion she’d adopted didn’t help - and didn’t have any siblings. Her Dad died shortly after she adopted me - I don’t remember him at all - and I never met her Mom. If I had any blood relations, I never knew them. So it was just us. And now…I guess it’s just me.”

  “Shit, I can’t imagine…” Lauren starts, then catches herself. “Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s fine.” I say, and I mean it. I can read from Lauren’s expression just how devastating that thought would be for her with her big family -to have just one other person, and then no one at all - but it doesn’t really bother me. I’m used to spending most of my time alone. I’ve always liked it. “Nana was the only person I ever needed.”

  Lauren nods, going quiet for a moment and cuddling up a little closer to me. Shit. I didn’t want her to start feeling sorry for me. I’ve never wanted anyone’s sympathy. That’s why I don’t talk about shit like this.

  “We don’t have to do Christmas—” Lauren starts again, talking quickly as she looks up at me in concern. I interrupt her before she can finish.

  “No, do it. Get a tree and we’ll have a traditional Christmas meal. I came to Aspen to see what a proper winter Christmas was like - let’s do that. Believe me, a traditional Christmas with a proper meal and everything will be very different from any of the years I spent with Nana.”

  “Really? What did you guys usually do for Christmas?” She asks, and I’m immediately a little relieved. If hearing about my past didn’t subdue her enough to suppress that natural curiosity, I’m sure she’ll get over the sympathy in no time at all.

  “We always went out for dinner somewhere outlandish—the least Christmassy places we could find, usually cuisines from cultures that don’t celebrate it and would still be open. Asian food, Turkish, Moroccan…there were loads of options and we’d go out, order anything we wanted and have a big feast of our own.” I say, smiling as I see the surprise on her face. I haven’t thought much about that since Nana died, either. “I think it’s because I used to hate Christmas as a kid - there’d be all these images of perfect families everywhere and it would always feel so stupid and fake, but leave me feeling left out anyway. I always wondered about my parents at Christmas. So I refused to do anything - to celebrate it at all - and instead of objecting or trying to sway me, Nana just went along with it. We’d brainstorm the least Christmassy things we could do together - all the little ways we could flaunt our opposition - and spend our holidays doing those instead. It wasn’t until much later that I realized she’d conned me into making an event out of Christmas anyway, and made it a time for us to spend time together, too.”

  “That’s…kind of genius.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, it is. She was a brilliant woman. In so many ways.”

  “I’m sure.” Lauren says, smiling along with me.

  “She always let me pick the restaurant, too. I think she wanted to spoil me over Christmas - she just had to find the ways I’d accept. By the time I got over all my hangups about my parents - and realized just how lucky I was to have her instead - I didn’t mind the idea of Christmas anymore, but being non-conventional had so firmly become our Christmas tradition that we just kept going with it.” I say, smiling as I reflect on it and think back over all those years together, with more peacefulness than I expected.

  I realize with a start that this is probably the first time I’ve talked to anyone about her since she passed - there was no one to talk to - and it’s a strange feeling. It’s not that I ever felt lonely or particularly needed to talk about it - if I had, there were definitely a few friends I could have called - but this…feels nice, somehow. It surprises me how good it feels to remember those times together - and to share them with someone else.

  “That’s really great, Tristan.” Lauren says, her eyes reflecting some of the heady emotion swirling in my own chest right now. “A r
eally sweet tradition…with all the things that Christmas is really about behind it, too.”

  “Hah.” I laugh, raising one eyebrow and letting some of the emotion ebb away. “Don’t tell me we’re going to start talking about ‘the meaning of Christmas’ now. After the way we used to mock that shit, Nana would turn over in her grave.”

  “Maybe…” Lauren says, smirking at me as she leans forward and kisses me, soft at first but slowly becoming deeper and more insistent. I moan appreciatively, running a hand down her body and cupping her ass as I press it harder against me. She pulls back slowly, nibbling on my lower lip. “Or maybe this year, we can find other meanings entirely…”

  “Mm, I can get behind that idea. Very much so.”

  She chuckles, then pulls back to regard me again.

  “You’re sure, though? About the meal and stuff?”

  “Yeah. As I say, it will be a novelty all in itself.”

  “Okay then. And if it’s the first real Christmas dinner you’ve had…well, I’d better make sure it’s something special—one to remember.”

  My gaze travels slowly down her body and I smirk suggestively as my hand follows my gaze and slips under her top, caressing the soft skin there. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  She laughs, wriggling until she’s got one leg over me and is sitting upright, leaning forward against my chest to kiss me from above.

  “Mmm…” I murmur, immediately appreciative of the view as my hands go to her hips.

  “That wasn’t quite what I meant.” Lauren murmurs back, her eyes flaring with heat. “But don’t worry, I won’t let any of the shopping interrupt our plans for a lazy morning tomorrow.”

  I chuckle in between kisses, my cock hardening at the feel of her right on top of me.

  “If you want me to stay in bed for a while tomorrow…you’re going to need to wear me out tonight.”

  “Ohh, I think I can do that.” She smiles, then pushes off the couch entirely and pulls me with her, turning and leading us both toward the bedroom.

  I remember when it was my bedroom.

  Now, it seems she’s taken that over too, in the same whirlwind fashion she approached the cabin with. I can’t say I mind.

  Chapter Eight

  Lauren

  It’s early afternoon before I actually make it into town the next day, and even though we’d planned to have a slow start this morning, I’m still surprised. I definitely thought Tristan would insist on getting up hours ago, but…well…we just kept finding reasons to drag each other back to bed. I can still feel his skin against mine, his stubble brushing against my tender, kiss-swollen lips, the ache in my pussy…hell, the aches all over.

  I haven’t had sex like this for a long time. A really fucking long time. It’s a heady, crazy feeling, but it’s so damn good. The endorphins are still flowing through me as I approach Aspen’s stores, adding to my excitement and anticipation at the thought of decorating for Christmas.

  I’m relieved to find exactly what I was hoping for almost immediately - leftover Christmas decorations sitting on sale and all sorts of items marked down in a last attempt to convince people to buy a few more before the season ends for good. Luckily for them, I don’t need much convincing. It only takes me a few minutes to choose a tree and then…well…maybe I see a few other things as I’m buying the baubles and lights. There’s a wreath that just looks gorgeous, some fairy lights that would be beautiful strung up along the wall and…an hour later, I’m walking out of the store with far more than I’d intended to buy, and a smile that keeps tugging at my mouth.

  Well, Tristan did say he was fine with me getting a tree and some decorations…lets just hope he meant it.

  After everything he told me yesterday, I definitely wasn’t planning on going overboard but…the idea of this being his first traditional Christmas might have influenced me a little more than I’d like to admit. There’s a part of me that wants to show him all the little things that I find special about the holiday…to maybe change his mind about some of it. I’m not even sure why - maybe because I’m not sharing it with my family this year - but the idea of sharing all that with him fills me with a warmth that’s a Christmas feeling.

  I stop at a coffee house for a well-deserved break and a warming hot chocolate before I attempt to go searching for a last-minute turkey - something that will probably be a far less enjoyable experience - and I’m looking back through all my purchases with satisfaction when my phone buzzes, with my sister’s name lighting up the screen.

  Hannah: Hey, stranger. Haven’t heard from you these last couple of days…soo clearly, you’re busy banging him, right?

  I choke out a laugh, unable to stop the smile that tugs at my mouth as I read it. Hannah always did have a sixth sense about these things.

  Me: Ummm, well…

  Hannah: Oh my god! You actually did! Lauren! Tell me everything!

  Me: Haha, well, I’m not sure what more there is to tell. You already seem to have guessed everything, after all.

  Hannah: Oh, c’mon. Details! Juicy gossip! Spill, sister.

  Me: I’m having a great vacation. Shall we leave it at that? :P

  I grin as our messages ping back and forth, enjoying teasing her just a little too much. She sends a few strongly-worded messages back and I relent a little as I continue.

  Me: Okay, okay. We went to a winter party together aaand…well, what can I say…one thing led to another. He’s distractingly hot. And actually pretty sweet, too.

  Hannah: Sweet too, huh?

  Me: Yep, he’s good with all my weird shit so far. Looks like I really lucked out with this unexpected cabin-mate thing.

  Hannah: Aww Lauren, I’m so pleased. You’re soo overdue some good fortune - and a chance to get that jerk out of your head.

  Me: Yeah, not gonna lie, you were right about that. This is working wonders.

  It really is. I’m not sure whether it’s the sex, the companionship or just the simple reminder that I’m still just as attractive and hot as I always was, but these few days with Tristan have done more to banish the insecurities Greg left me with than anything else I’ve tried. Or maybe it’s as simple as having fun again. Just a pure, unadulterated good time - with no hang-ups or concerns.

  I don’t think I’ve ever had a holiday fling before, but the last few days have been enough to show me all of the appeal. We get all the passion and intensity of spending so much time together so quickly, without needing to worry about any of the bigger questions or awkwardness of dating. Easy, simple pleasure with no responsibilities.

  Why haven’t I done this before?

  A vacation is obviously the perfect time for a little romance. We have nowhere we need to be and nothing we need to do…we’re free to indulge however we like in the time we have together. After the stress of my long-term relationship this year, maybe this is exactly the antidote I need.

  Hannah: Mom might even forgive you for missing Christmas. She’ll be pleased enough that she might even skip the lectures when you get home. If you ever want to come home…

  Me: Hah, yeah, I think I’ll be staying here on Cloud 9 for as long as I can.

  Hannah: Don’t blame you. Guess you’re not going to need that dating app anymore, either…there goes the Christmas present I was getting you.

  I let out a snort of laughter at that. Just what does she think is going on out here?

  Me: Yeah, I don’t think you need to worry about that. It’s just a holiday fling, that’s all.

  Hannah: Mmm…you sure about that? “Pretty sweet” sounded promising…

  I shake my head. My sister can be way too optimistic and naive sometimes.

  Me: Don’t be ridiculous. He lives in California, Hannah.

  Hannah: Oh. Hah, okay then. Guess I nailed the present after all. Sorry for ruining the surprise, but it’s not like you’re here to unwrap the exciting-looking email-voucher-code anyway.

  I laugh again. Hannah always has a way of making me do that.

  Me: Just giv
es me all the more time to look forward to it.

  We continue bantering back and forth for a while longer and I send her some pictures too; of Aspen, the cabin and the surrounding area, as well as a few of me…and one of Tristan. I know that last one is inviting trouble - and sure enough, the ‘omg!!!’ messages I get back are full of all sorts of ridiculous suggestions, as well as the inescapable ‘maybe California isn’t thaaat far???’ - but I can’t help it. These last couple of days have been amazing, and as soon as she messaged, the urge to share it all with Hannah just became too strong to resist.

  Hannah gives me a few more updates on the rest of the family and even though it’s all fun news - without even a comment on my absence - by the end of our conversation, I’m feeling vaguely guilty about abandoning them again. I’d pretty much gotten over that, but then yesterday…shit, there’s a part of me that’s still reeling from talking to Tristan about his family yesterday.

  I still can’t imagine what that would be like. To be all alone in the world like that…to grow up with only one other person…and then to lose them too. He seemed remarkably okay when he talked about it yesterday and I guess that for him, it’s just what he’s used to…but I couldn’t help thinking about how I’d cope, in that situation. Or, rather, how I wouldn’t. Sure, they might have their share of chaos and tensions and difficulties, and I might have chosen to spend the holidays by myself this year, but I love my family. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost them.

  What if I should have made the most of everything I do have this year? My family won’t all be around forever…maybe I should be making the most of it while I can.

  It makes me shiver to think about and it’s not entirely easy to shake off that uncomfortable sense of foreboding, but I make an effort to keep it in perspective. This is just one year, after all, and so far this vacation is shaping up to be everything I needed.