Page 34 of All in December
“The kids are debating what Christmas movie to watch, so I have to know, what’s your all-time favorite?”
“That’s a hard question.” Caleb huffs a laugh. “Umm, probablyElf.”
“That’s what Benji wanted, too.” I smile. It’s so simple,but it feels like more proof that we mesh so well together. “We’ll see what they landed on.”
“What’s yours?” he asks.
“I think I have to go withNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Though, I don’t think that’ll be on the voting board tonight,” I say with a laugh.
“Probably not, but you and I can watch that another night. I love that movie too.” Caleb smiles, and I nod, grabbing the popcorn from the microwave and pouring it into the bowls. We each grab one and walk into the living room to findThe Grinchqueued up on the TV.
“Alright, I like this one. Good pick, team,” I say to the three of them who are all under blankets waiting for us.
After handing a bowl to Benji, I turn off the overhead lights, leaving only the warm glow from the tree and the flicker of the fire. On-screen, the movie starts, and the kids are under their blankets, crunching popcorn, and giggling through mouthfuls.
Caleb leans into my side, and I don’t fight the urge to rest my hand on his thigh under the blanket we’re sharing.
The movie plays on in the background, but I’ve stopped paying attention. All I can focus on is Caleb being so close to me. I need more connection, to feel even closer, so I reach for his hand, sliding my fingers through his. He gives me a small squeeze when our fingers interlock, and my thumb grazes over his skin. That’s all it takes for the noise in the room to fade.
How can he already feel like everything to me?
How can I already miss him when he’s right in front of me?
It doesn’t make sense. But at the same time, it makes more sense than anything else has in a long time.
When the movie ends, Benji and Sam run to the bunk room, and I carry Emma since she fell asleep.
“I can get them to bed if you want to stay out here all snuggled up,” I say to Caleb as I hold Emma in my arms.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, you look cozy. I’ll be right back.”
In the room, Benji and Sam are already changing into their pajamas.
“Don’t forget to brush your teeth,” I remind them, and as expected, I’m met with groans.
“And Sam, don’t forget to say goodnight to your dad, he’s still in the living room.”
“Okay.” He nods.
They do what they need to do, and when Sam runs into the living room, I watch Caleb give him a hug and tell him he loves him before Sam runs back to the room. He and Benji claim the top two bunks, leaving the bottom one for Emma. One by one, I say goodnight, flip off the lights, and close the door behind me.
The second I step back into the glow of the living room and see Caleb waiting for me on the couch, something quiet and certain settles in my chest. The fire is still glowing, and the couch looks even cozier now with the blanket rumpled. I drop down next to him and pull him into me.
“You tired?” I ask, kissing his cheek.
“Nope,” he says with a smile.
“Good, there’s a lot I want to do with you that doesn’t involve sleeping.” I smirk. “Bed?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” He nods, his cheeks blushing red.
I grab his hand and tug him off the couch, leading him down the hall with an urgency I can’t hide. The bedroom door clicks shut behind us, and I turn to face him. Without a word,I reach for him, one hand gripping his hip as I pull him in until there’s no space left between us.
The second our bodies connect, his breath stutters, and it makes me ache in the best way knowing I have this effect on him. I slide my hand up his spine until my fingers are teasing the strands of his dirty blond hair. He leans in, closing the last few inches between us, and when our mouths meet, everything else fades.
The kiss starts soft, but there’s too much anticipation for it to stay that way. Caleb’s hand slides to the back of my neck, fingers tightening like he needs me closer. I open for him without hesitation, and when his tongue finds mine, it sends a full-body shiver down my spine.
