Page 29 of Everything I Want

"Probably just hanging around here. Waiting for Dad - I mean Santa to come,” Jason says laughing.

Keith adds, “And downing some of Pops’ beer,” they both laugh.

"Why don't you just come with me tomorrow to Lorelei's? You can stay here tonight. You still have some clothes up in your rooms," Scott says, placing his hand on mine.

"Oh, yes! Please come. You are more than welcome in my home," I encourage them.

Keith pops a cookie in his mouth. "Well, if you do insist. I suppose it would be tough to turn a beautiful woman down," he winks at me.

"You are impossible, you know that?" Scott says to his most outgoing son, even though I see a twinkle in his eye for him, he loves them and their outlandish behavior.

"Well that's settled then. I will see you both tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, I should probably get going so I can be up early to start making food." I push the kitchen chair in and walk over to grab my coat. All three follow me.

"Well, we won't cramp your style, Daddio. Thank you for the invite, Lorelei." Keith leans in for a hug, and Jason follows. They disappear to their rooms, leaving Scott and I alone.

We get our coats on, and he walks me out to my car. He seems nervous about something, and I hope I didn't make a bad impression on his friends.

"Lorelei, would you mind if I asked you something?" He spins me around to face him after I place my things in the car.

"Of course you can."

"Well, God, I feel stupid asking this. And you can absolutely say no and I will totally understand. But, are we dating? Like boyfriend and girlfriend dating?" He asks, fumbling over his words, clearly nervous to scare me away.

Chuckling, I answer, "Are you asking me to go steady, Scott?"

"Well, I guess I am. If you want to. You don't have to do anything you aren't ready for," he assures me.

"I would love to be your girlfriend, Scott."

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, his mouth is on mine. The kiss deepens and he pushes me up against my car.

"I really wish I didn't offer for those boys to stay here tonight," he grumbles.

I steal one last kiss. "How about you spend the night tomorrow?"

"Mmm, I think I would really love that, Lorelei Harper," he responds, opening my door.

I climb in, and he kisses me once more before he closes my door and heads back inside.

I check my phone and see several texts from the girls asking how the night went, which turns into them speculating about my sex life. Unfortunately, their imaginations are more active than said sex life tonight.

I ignore their texts, and head home. To my empty bed. But tomorrow, hopefully it won't be empty anymore.

December 24th

Scott

Today I woke up, made my coffee, and enjoyed a peaceful morning waiting for the boys. I only waited until ten in the morning before I went upstairs and woke both of them up so we could do presents with each other before going to Lorelei's house.

While they shower and get dressed, I make breakfast in the kitchen.

When the boys were little I used to make them pancakes shaped as Christmas trees, with M&Ms as ornaments. I want to make those for them again. Going through all of Lorelei's family traditions have reminded me of all the ones I loved with the boys.

"No way! Are you making Christmas tree pancakes?" Jason says, coming up behind me in the kitchen.

"Sure am. I remembered them last night and thought I would make them for you guys today." I flip one over.

"These were my favorites. I waited all year to get these," Keith says.

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