10. December 10th
December 10th
Lorelei
Scott : I will see you after your dinner this evening for movies and hot cocoa, beautiful. I have tons for you to pick from.
I need to head out for Scott’s soon and I need to get these girls out of here. I love my girls, I really do. But having all three of them here when I leave for our date is not ideal. Last night they all had differing opinions on my ugly sweater for the ugly sweater party at the senior center.
Addy felt like I should go for a sexy ugly , I don’t even know what that means, while Scarlett thought I should go with a holiday theme, and Lacey thought I needed to find the hideous Christmas vests I used to wear when they were kids. That earned her a swat on the arm. I loved those sweaters.
I know they like to give payback for all the times I meddled and made their dates come in to meet us, but I just want them to go home this time.
“Okay girls, I had a great time but I’m going to go to bed. I’m so tired.” I fake yawn for effect.
“Hold up. The table isn’t clear, the dishes aren’t done, and you don’t go to bed before midnight. You’re a bonafide night owl.” Scarlett narrows her eyes and points out all the things that are true.
“Yeah Mom, what’s going on? Scarlett is right,” Addy says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Mom. I’ve been here for quite a few months now, and I haven’t seen you go to bed with a dirty kitchen since I’ve been here, so I know this isn’t a new thing you do.” Lacey puts her hand on her hip, all three staring at me.
“Ugh, girls. Please. I am allowed to go to bed early and with a dirty kitchen.” I roll my eyes at their ridiculous behavior.
“Oh my god! You’re going on a date with Scott! And you don’t want us here! Here we thought you reserved a night for us,” Addy screams in her moment of realization. Of course, she figures it out. I should have known I couldn’t do this under the radar.
“Okay, yes. I am. I am going on a date with Scott. He is taking your Dad’s tradition of the 25 days of Christmas very seriously.” I busy myself with cleaning up and frantically begin gathering the mess.
“Mom, that's amazing. I’ve been telling you what a good man he is.” Addy comes and puts her hands on my shoulders, stopping me from cleaning up.
“Oh girls. I didn’t want to upset you. This is something your Dad did for me. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to replace your Dad because I’m not, I swear it.” I start tearing up as I confess this to them. The last bit of guilt that I’m holding onto about dating again.
All three girls descend upon me, pulling me to them for a hug.
“Mom. No way. We definitely don’t think that.” Addy, Scarlett and Lacey mirror all the same thoughts. They make me promise to not feel guilty, and send me on my way promising to clean up the kitchen for me. I didn't question anything for once and I took off to Scott’s house. I’m putting this feeling of guilt behind me.
When I park at Scott’s house, I notice his gorgeous tree in the front window and I feel so selfish! He has taken me to get a tree, and he helped me decorate and uphold my traditions, but I never once even asked him about his own.
As I am lost in thought about the guilt of my own selfishness, Scott opens the front door and walks toward my car. I hop out quickly, and meet him in the middle of the walkway.
“Hey gorgeous, what are you doing standing out here in the cold?” He saunters toward me with his arms outstretched, waiting for me.
“Oh, just thinking how selfish I’ve been with you lately,” I say, with sadness lacing my voice. I’m remorseful that I’ve not treated him better. I've been so wrapped in my own guilt, I haven't been thinking of him.
“Selfish? You’re the least selfish person I know. I don’t even think you could be selfish if you tried.” He takes the last step toward me.
“I didn’t even offer to help you decorate your tree,” I say with a frown that stops him in his tracks.
“How about you come inside, and we can talk about it, sweetheart.” He reaches his hands out toward me, beckoning me to come closer.
I walk toward him with the cupcake holder I packed earlier. I made him some of his favorite red velvet cupcakes to go with our hot cocoa.
“If that cupcake holder holds what I think it does, that is just further proof that you aren’t selfish.” He places a quick kiss on my lips.
Once we settle inside, I notice the small white flakes falling from the sky, twirling in the wind before settling on the window.
I love fresh snow at Christmas time. It makes everything feel more magical.
Scott comes over and wraps his arms around my waist, placing a kiss to the top of my head. “Back to you not offering to decorate my tree, you didn’t have to and I didn’t ask because it was already done. My sons and I have always put up our tree on Black Friday. None of us have any interest in shopping so we decorate for Christmas together.”
“What a relief. That is wonderful, and I’m glad you had your sons. But I still should have asked. Here you are doing all these things for me, even when I make dating difficult, and I haven’t even asked about you, your sons, or your traditions.”
“Lorelei, you don’t have to. I offered to do this for you. I want to do this for you. I promise I do not think you’re selfish, and neither does anyone else. Including my sons, I see them plenty and our traditions are not suffering.” I turn in his arms to face him, planting a soft kiss to his lips.
“Okay. How about we go get our hot cocoa ready, and you can get those old claymation movies ready for us.” I wink, knowing those are his favorites, but he knows they aren’t mine. Oliver and I have been watching The Polar Express nonstop this year.
“Lorelei. We can watch Polar Express, I know that’s your favorite. I also know what you’re doing right now.” He levels me with a stare and I smirk.
“Sorry! I can’t hear you! I am busy with the hot cocoa, I hear only the mugs clinking!” I reach up into his cabinets to get the mugs. I know I’m going to have to fight with him to put on his movies.
Once I get the tray ready, I go back to the living room, carefully. Trying to not spill a drop of hot cocoa, I place the tray with the mugs of cocoa and cupcakes on the coffee table.
“The snow is really coming down fast now. I don’t think it’s supposed to stop. I might have to walk home tonight.” I crinkle my nose at the thought. That isn’t going to be fun.
“No you won’t. I will drive you and your car home and then walk home myself,” He offers.
“Or. You could stay with me?” I counter shyly, unsure of how he’ll receive the offer.
“Well if that’s the case, we might as well settle in here and you can just stay with me. I don’t have any nosy daughters,” he laughs.
I purse my lips, pretending to think about his offer. “That is true. I suppose that is the easier plan. Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Now come on let’s get this movie marathon started. I want my cupcakes!” He laces his fingers with mine and tugs me down onto his lap before kissing me.
While we’re kissing I reach over and grab the remote from him without protest. I pull back to settle in and when he reaches for the remote to start the movie, he finds the spot empty.
I hold up the remote laughing as I change the movie to his favorites.