by Beth Rinyu
He told me that he and Tommy had been friends since he was he was a child. Tommy’s family had lived down the street from Dailan’s dad. Growing up, Dailan would spend his summers visiting his dad, and he and Tommy would get into all kinds of trouble. I laughed as I imagined the mischief that the two of them must have gotten into together.
“You were probably a teacher’s worst nightmare.” He flashed me a mischievous smile that indicated to me that I was right.
“So why aren’t you with your family for Christmas?” Dailan asked.
I began to explain to him where my parents were spending Christmas. I continued, giving him just a little insight into my relationship with my family. By the time I had finished, I had taken my last sip of beer and probably told him more than he really wanted to know.
He took my hands in his. “Well, since you don’t have any plans for tomorrow, would you like to spend it with me and Ryan?” he asked. “Oh, and my dad and his wife,” he added.
I smiled, as I remembered Ryan’s request from Santa. “I’d love to.”
“Good.” He pulled toward him and kissed me. He rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand and stared at me briefly. The music changed and Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey” began to fill the air.
“I love this song,” I said.
Dailan grabbed my hand and took me to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped mine around his neck. I rested my head on his chest. I closed my eyes and listened to his heart beating, feeling so at ease as he kissed me on the top of my head.
The music began to come to an end. “Nicole?”
“Yeah,” I said, not wanting to remove my head from his chest.
“Have I been patient enough?”
I looked up at him and nodded as I rubbed my thumb over the remnants of what was once a black eye.
* * *
Dailan and I lay on my living room floor in front of the fireplace, wrapped in my warm, soft, fuzzy blanket. I was so sleepy from the last two hours of mind-blowing sex, as Dailan referred to it. I would never admit it to him, but I was in total agreement. I didn’t want to fall asleep. I didn’t want this perfect night to end. I began to have my normal conflict within, the same way I would after each time I would sleep with him, telling myself that it was wrong and it shouldn’t be happening. I quickly silenced that voice inside my head that was scolding me. I reminded myself that I had this all under control. I wasn’t going to let myself get emotionally attached to him. Dailan wouldn’t let that happen anyway. He made it very hard to keep that thought when he kissed me on my head and whispered, “Happy Christmas, beautiful.” I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, unable to fight the sleepiness – yes, it was a very happy Christmas.
Chapter 23
The bright morning sunlight was shining through my living room window. I slowly opened my eyes and smiled as I looked up at Dailan, still sound asleep, lying next to me. I nuzzled closer to him and placed a soft kiss on his chest. I lay in comfortable silence, listening to him breathe. He kissed me on the top of my head as he began to awaken.
“Good morning,” I said, looking up at him.
“What time is it?” He sat up, trying to see the clock.
“Eight thirty. What time do you have to get Ryan?” I asked.
“Eleven o’clock, Lisa wants him there for some stupid family breakfast she has every year,” Dailan said as he rolled his eyes.
“Good, then you have time for me to make you breakfast.” I sat up and began to dress. “Oh, and Merry Christmas!” I leaned in and gave him a kiss before heading off to the kitchen.
I was much more comfortable with cooking breakfast than dinner. I took out the carton of eggs and was whisking away when Dailan came walking into the kitchen. He ran his hand though his messy wavy hair, still looking like he was half asleep. I quickly poured him a cup of coffee while he sat down at the breakfast bar, rubbing his eyes.
“Somebody looks like they’re still sleepy,” I joked.
His cell phone began to ring from the pocket of his coat, which was hanging on the back of the chair. He fumbled around, trying to find it. He pulled out an envelope and held it up, giving me a quick smile as if he had forgotten something. I looked at him in confusion as he answered his phone and went walking off into the living room, along with the envelope. From the brief exchange that I heard going on in the living room, I realized that it was his mother, calling to wish him a Merry Christmas.
He came back into the kitchen just in time. I placed the plate containing my picture-perfect omelet in front of him. “Perfect timing,” I said as he sat down.
He waited until I sat down before handing me the envelope that was is in front of him. “Here, this is for you.”
I looked at him strangely before taking it from his hand. “What is it?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know. Open it.”
I slowly ripped open the envelope, wondering what kind of joke would be awaiting me. I pulled out what looked to be two tickets. I looked them over to find they were to tomorrow night’s showing of The Nutcracker. I smiled, remembering how I had told him the night that he was over for dinner that The Nutcracker was my favorite Christmas story and how my mother would always take my sister and me to see it the day after Christmas.
“Thank you,” I said as I looked up at him with a warm smile.
“You’re welcome.”
“Does this include a date with you?”
“No, I don’t do ballets – remember?”
“Oh, this is so much more than ballet; it’s a classic.”
“Well, that’s okay. I’m sure one of your friends will enjoy going to see that classic with you a lot better.”
I stood up and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Well, now, I just got to one up you.”
I walked over to the Christmas tree and grabbed the small box that I had labeled for him. He had a look of surprise when I handed it to him.
“Merry Christmas,” I said placing it in his hand.
“Nicole, why did you do this?”
“Because I wanted to, so just shut up and open it.”
He took the wrapping paper off and slowly lifted the lid. His eyes lit up when he saw two tickets to a hockey game. From what I was told, they were very good seats, but since I knew nothing at all about hockey, I was unsure.
He looked at me in disbelief, “These are great but you really –”
“You’re welcome,” I said, cutting him off. “Besides, I owed you after what I did to you at your Christmas party.”
“Nicole these seats are expensive, let me –”
“Will you stop? I have connections.” I laughed. I wasn’t lying; one of Michael’s co-workers had season tickets and gave me a really good deal on them. “I’m just glad that they really are good seats,” I said.
“Thanks,” he said as he leaned in and kissed me on the head.
We finished up eating breakfast as Dailan prepared to leave. He wanted to go home and take a shower before he picked Ryan up from his Aunt Lisa’s.
“Come over as soon you’re ready; I might need your help,” he said with a grin.
“With what?” I asked.
“Cooking a turkey.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know the first thing about cooking a turkey and besides I have a phobia of raw poultry. I never touch the stuff.”
He looked at me as if I were crazy.
“I do!” I laughed. “You mean to tell me that you cooked that delicious dinner last week and you don’t know how to make a stinkin’ turkey,” I teased.
He ignored my sarcasm, still refusing to admit that he didn’t cook dinner that night. “Okay, if you want to disappoint Ryan. He loves turkey, you know.”
“Fine, I will try and help you but I’m not making any promises and if anyone ends up in the hospital with salmonella – it’s not my fault.”
I walked him to the door and gave him a kiss goodbye. I walked back into the kitchen and clean
ed up the breakfast dishes. I sent Donna a quick text wishing her a Merry Christmas. I decided to get it over with as I punched my mom’s cell phone number into my phone. I was both hurt and relieved when I got her voicemail. Hurt, because I couldn’t believe that she couldn’t even bother to answer the phone to wish me a Merry Christmas. Relieved, because I knew that talking to her and my dad would only bring me down from the great mood that I was in this morning. I waited for the tone after my mother’s long-winded message.
Hi, Mom, just wanted to wish you and Dad a Merry Christmas. Hope you guys have a great day. I’ll talk to you soon. Love yas!
“Okay, I did my dutiful daughter part,” I said to myself before heading off to take a shower.
I was showered and dressed by eleven. I knew that Dailan was sill picking up Ryan, so I didn’t want to leave just yet. I decided to kill some time checking my e-mail and was given the best Christmas present ever when I saw a new message from my brother. I was smiling from ear to ear as I anxiously waited for my computer to load up the message.
Merry Christmas, Nic! I wish I could be home with you guys instead of here! Try and survive the day with our crazy family! Wish I could be there with everyone! Love and miss you lots!
Justin
Leave it to my little brother to make me cry on a morning where I was feeling totally fantastic. I wiped the tears as I typed out a reply.
I wish so bad that you could be here instead of wherever the heck you are! I’m not spending Christmas with our crazy family this year. I actually am spending it with a really great guy – I believe you met him already…lol. Oh, and don’t worry, I explained to him that you’re not some sicko who likes to date his sister! Please stay safe and I can’t wait until we can talk in person instead of e-mail. Merry Christmas!
Love you xoxoxo
Nicole
I closed the lid to my laptop, hoping that I would actually be able to spend next Christmas with my brother or at least have the comfort of knowing he was somewhere safe. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before grabbing the Christmas present that I had gotten for Ryan, just in case I did see him for Christmas. I grabbed my coat and headed out the door, realizing that Ryan wasn’t the only one getting his wish today. I was pretty happy to being spending Christmas with him and Dailan as well.
Chapter 24
I arrived at Dailan’s by noon. I was surprised when I wasn’t excitedly greeted by Ryan at the door like the last time I had visited. Still, I wasn’t disappointed to see Dailan behind the door, looking just as handsome as ever. He opened the door and took my hand. “Shh,” he said as he led me through the house, back into the great room. Ryan was sitting in front of the TV, playing a video game.
“Hey, Ryan,” Dailan said, causing Ryan to look up from his game.
My heart melted at the sight of Ryan’s smile, which stretched across his face. He dropped the controller to the ground and came running over to greet me. “Miss Morgan, you came!” he exclaimed, giving me a hug.
“He told me you weren’t coming,” Ryan said as he playfully pushed Dailan. I smiled and handed Ryan his Christmas present. “Thanks!” he said as he sat down on the floor to open it.
I took a seat on the couch to watch him as Dailan sat down next to me. “Wow!” Ryan exclaimed as he tore away at the paper, revealing a buildable racetrack that seemed to be all the rage with the boys in my class this year. “Thanks, Miss Morgan, this is cool.”
The enthusiasm on his face was all the thanks that I needed. “You’re very welcome,” I said.
Ryan walked over to the Christmas tree and returned with a small box for me. “Ryan, you already gave me a present,” I said, remembering the yummy vanilla candle he had given me the day of our class party.
“That was really from my Aunt Lisa,” he said. “This is from me. Well, I mean my Uncle D paid for it, but I picked it out.”
I laughed as Dailan shook his head at Ryan. “Ryan, you never tell a girl that someone else paid for a present that you gave them,” Dailan said, playfully smacking Ryan on the head.
“Just like you never tell a girl that someone else cooked dinner for her.” I couldn’t resist as I started to giggle. I watched as a grin stretched across Dailan’s face. I slowly removed the wrapping paper and the lid from the box as Ryan looked on anxiously. I immediately smiled upon seeing the beautiful sterling silver necklace with a whimsical heart charm dangling from it.
“Oh, Ryan, I love this.”
Ryan’s smile was a mile wide. “I told you she liked hearts,” he said to Dailan.
“Yup, hearts are my favorite thing,” I said.
“They had all different kinds of hearts that you can add to it. But I liked this one best,” Ryan said proudly.
“This is an awesome heart, Ryan,” I said as I gave him a hug.
I lifted my hair as Ryan clasped it on my neck. I looked down at the heart hanging from my neck. It truly was one of the best presents I ever received because I knew how much it meant to Ryan to give it to me.
Ryan excitedly showed me all of the presents that he received from Santa before returning to his video game and then falling dead asleep in the middle of it.
“Huh…that game must not be very interesting,” I said, looking at Ryan passed out on the floor.
“Lisa said he went to bed late and he got up really early. Ah, shit!” Dailan said as if he suddenly remembered something. “I was supposed to have him call my mom.” He looked at the clock and was calculating the time difference in his head. “Oh well, she should still be up by the time he wakes up.”
“Does it bother you not being able to spend the holidays with your family and friends in Ireland?” I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. “No, not really. I mean everyone pretty much has their own lives and families. My mom spends Christmas with her sisters and her friend.”
“Oh, do you mean man-friend?” I laughed.
He looked at me in confusion and I explained to him how I had gotten so much amusement out of Mrs. Tallone and her reference to her man-friend.
“So, am I your man-friend?” he asked with a grin.
I shook my head. “Nope, I think I like you better as my ‘fella,’” I smiled.
“Oh, so are you finally admitting that you like me?”
“Hmmm….ever so slightly.”
“Well, I am humbled, Miss Morgan,” he said as he kissed me playfully on the lips. He stood up and pulled me off the couch. “Now, we’ve got work to do in the kitchen.”
“No, you’ve got work to do; I’m supervising. I don’t touch raw poultry, remember?”
He led me into the kitchen. I watched as he pulled a large turkey out of the fridge. “Doesn’t that have to cook forever?” I asked, looking at the clock and seeing that it was almost one.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know.”
I watched as he punched something into his phone. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“You can do anything as long as you have the internet,” he said with a triumphant look on his face.
I shook my head, hoping that I wouldn’t be spending my night in the hospital with salmonella poisoning. He read his phone quickly before sticking his hand inside the turkey. I actually felt myself gagging as I watched. He looked over at me and rolled his eyes.
“It seriously grosses me out,” I said in my defense. I watched in silence as he wrestled with the turkey. “Can I just ask one question? Why do you have your hand up a turkey’s ass?”
“It says that there’s supposed to be a bag or something in here.” He said as he pulled with all his might, finally coming out with something.
“Here, hold this,” he said.
I was half paying attention when I looked down to see that I was holding the decapitated neck of what was going to be tonight’s dinner in my hand. “Ewww!” I screamed as I dropped it on the counter and ran over to the sink to wash my hands.
Dailan couldn’t control his laughter from my reaction. I scrubbed my hands vigorous
ly as he came over to wash his. “Okay, Nicole, you’re not performing surgery,” he said, waiting for me to get done. I grabbed a paper towel and dried my hands. I immediately took the anti-bacterial gel from my purse and squirted some on my hands. I waited for Dailan to finish drying his hands before giving him a squirt as well.
“That was mean,” I said as I punched him lightly on his arm.
“You punch like a girl,” he joked.
“I was just taking it easy on you. I can punch much harder than that.”
“Go ahead and take your best shot,” he said.
“No, I’m not going to do that, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Trust me, there is no way that you would hurt me.”
“Are you challenging me?” I asked.
“I believe I am, little girl.”
I curled up my fingers, making sure they were positioned properly. Dailan smirked when he saw me move my thumb from under my underneath to overtop. I clenched my fingers tightly, closed my eyes and took my best shot. He didn’t even flinch as my fist met his rock hard muscular arm.
“Ouch,” I said as I shook off the stinging in my fingers.
Dailan began to laugh at my reaction. “Aww, did you hurt your hand?” he teased as he came closer.
“No, I did not, I’m just out of practice,” I played it off.
“I don’t know; looks like it hurts to me.” He took his hand in mine, lifted it to his lips, and kissed me softly on the knuckles. He slowly released my hand from his and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me into him and kissed me tenderly on the lips. I was a little hesitant at first as I thought about Ryan just in the next room. I quickly dismissed that thought, remembering Ryan was sound asleep. I wrapped my arms around Dailan’s neck and stood on my tippy toes to kiss him back. Who would have thought that cleaning a turkey could be so romantic?
