Page 35 of Trusting Trey
“Is there coffee with those rolls?” I asked, loving how he ran his hands up and down my sides as I tried to wake up.
“Do I look dumb? Of course your coffee is waiting,” he teased and I grinned, lifting my legs over the side of the bed.
“I’ll get dressed and be right out,” I promised as he helped me into my chair.
“Good, I can’t wait to decorate the tree.” He kissed my cheek after he wheeled me to the bathroom and left me to wash my face and use the toilet on my own.
I looked at myself in the mirror after I had brushed my long chestnut hair and swiped on some eye shadow. It didn’t hurt to make myself look presentable on a holiday. That man out there deserved more than I could give him in return for what he has done for me. I was embarrassed with my behavior yesterday because he remained happy and positive in light of his job situation. I vowed to be positive today and enjoy celebrating Christmas with him.
I went to my dresser and got out a pair of sweatpants and a sweater. I transferred back to the bed to put my pants on, hating the ugly sweats I had to wear to make it comfortable to sit in the chair. Thankfully, the long sweater made them look better and I was happy with my outfit, and hoped he would be, too.
I needn’t have worried, I was barely in the kitchen and he was already kissing me passionately, his hands holding my face tenderly. “Merry Christmas, Allie,” he whispered, kneeling in front of me so we could hug. “I hope you know how much I love you. Tell me you know that I would do anything for you.”
I hugged him with my arms clasped around his neck until he lifted me from the chair and carried me to the couch. “I love you more than I ever thought possible, Trey. You’ve already proven that you would do anything for me. I don’t doubt your devotion to me in the least.”
He seemed to relax after my words and rubbed my back sweetly. “I just need to hear that you’ll stick with me as I try to find a new job. I got up this morning early and found several places hiring.”
I frowned and ran my hand down his cheek. “It’s Christmas, Trey. Finding a job can wait.”
“I know, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I just had to know if there were any jobs open in the area.”
“Are there?” I asked and he shook his head as an answer.
“Most are over two hundred miles away,” he said defeated.
“You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you no matter what you decide.”
He leaned in and kissed me again. It wasn’t as hungry as the kiss in the kitchen, but there was an underlying sense of nervousness that coursed through him as he held me. I knew it had everything to do with his employment, or lack thereof. I planned to help him with that as soon as the holidays were done; he just didn’t know it yet.
“Do you want to eat first or open presents first?” he asked and I looked at him nervously.
“Presents?” I asked.
“You didn’t think Santa forgot to stop here, did you?”
I pointed at the tree. “I thought the undecorated tree might scare him off.”
“Not a chance,” he said, winking at me. “I hope you don’t mind that I put the lights on it this morning. I know you can’t do much with that part, and I wanted to put the gifts under the tree.”
“It’s beautiful, Trey. I’m glad you put them on. I love sitting by the Christmas tree with the lights shining.”
He smiled and did a small fist pump, which made me laugh. “Good, then I think we can open presents before we decorate the tree, don’t you?”
He seemed overly excited about presents and I wondered what he had up his sleeve.
“Okay, let’s do presents,” I laughed and he set me on the couch and clapped.
“I can’t wait to give you yours.” The grin was back on his face and that made me feel good because the worried look was gone. “I thought we could sit under the tree?”
I looked at the floor and grimaced a little. “I’m not sure that will work. I can’t sit unsupported, you know.”
He nodded and held up a finger, jogging to the spare bedroom. I didn’t know what he was doing, but he was whistling Santa Claus is Coming to Town. When he came back out, he had the big TV prop pillow I used when I first broke my back. It supported my back and head so my muscles didn’t tire out. He sat it up against the couch, so it had support and then came to me.
“Should we try it? If it’s not comfortable you can tell me.”
I nodded. “Thank you for always thinking about what would make me happy and comfortable.”
He picked me up and knelt, setting me between the arms of the stuffed cushion and let me get comfortable.
