My eyes slowly open as I stretch my legs, allowing a rush of oxygen to fill my lungs as I breathe in deeply. But when I turn and reach for Johnny, all I find next to me is an empty bed, his pillow dented where his head once lay. The clock on the bedside table says it’s six, so I’m sure he’s just stepped to the bathroom.

I stretch again before forcing my legs to move from underneath the warmth of the covers and plant my feet on the cold floor below. My body craves a cup of coffee and the delicious caffeine that it will supply me with. By the time I walk into the kitchen and begin filling the carafe with water, I almost feel like I’m ready to function.

While the coffee brews, I lean against the counter and stare through the large entryway into the livingroom at the tree standing in the corner. This Christmas has meant so much more to me with Johnny in my life. I never thought I’d find anyone who would understand my needs, let alone be a willing recipient because my desires fulfill his. It’s like we were made for each other. He’s the lock that holds my heart captive, and I hope the key is nowhere to be found. Because I don’t ever want to know what it’s like not to have him with me.

I let my eyes take in the twinkling lights reflecting off the red and silver ornaments hanging from the green branches. And underneath are the presents Johnny and I have been adding in secret every so often. I can’t help but smile thinking about the pile growing larger and larger every other day. Both of us were trying to be slick by sneaking in a gift here or there, but as the pile grew, it became very evident that we both were doing the same thing.

The sputtering of the coffee pot pushing out its last bit of water into the grounds calls my attention back to the task at hand. I grab two mugs from the cabinet, expecting Johnny to emerge from the bedroom at any moment. After adding a bit of sweetner to mine, I grab a spoon from the nearby drawer and begin to stir. The light clink of the spoon against the ceramic reminds me of my soothing morning routine. But somehow, having Johnny with me has taken away most of the stress I’ve normally felt in my life.

The thought of changes in my life reminds me of a stop I made yesterday morning for one last gift that I’ve yet to put under the tree. I take a quick sip of my coffee before sneaking back into the bedroom to retrieve the gift I hid at the back of one of my bureau drawers. I quietly slide it open and reach to the back, retrieving the box.

But when I turn to exit the room, I notice that the bathroom door is open and the light inside is off. Was it like that before when I got out of bed? “Johnny?” I call out into the room, but no answer returns. I walk back to the kitchen, calling out his name again. But this time, it’s not his voice that catches my attention but the sound of the front door opening and then shutting quietly.

Once I step into the hallway, a shocked Johnny stares at me. He quickly hides one hand behind his back while pushing the other forward and displaying a box. “I grabbed us some donuts for breakfast… It’s pretty much all that was open this morning.” His smile is genuine, but his eyes give away that he’s been caught.

“You left to get us breakfast?” I smile at him coyly, giving him a hard time because he’s trying desperately to keep my eyes from noticing the other hand hiding a small gift box behind his back.

Then his eyes wander down to my hand and I realize I’m holding his gift as well. The two of us chuckle. “I guess we’re not very good at this,” Johnny says with a grin. He moves into me and places a kiss on my lips. “Merry Christmas, Sir.”

“Merry Christmas.”

I follow him into the kitchen, where he sets the box of pastries down on the counter. “I’ve made coffee.”

Johnny inhales the air around him, absorbing the aromatic flavors of the coffee before even tasting it. He begins pouring a cup as I study him curiously.

“So you didn’t think the number of gifts was enough? You had to get one more?”

Johnny looks at me and smiles. “Actually, I already had this one. I just forgot it at The Vault last night when I left. So I ran back to grab it this morning and to make sure everything was okay.”

I know my expression must come across as worried, even though I try to keep the conversation light. But after everything that’s happened, I can’t help but worry about Johnny and the things he has to deal with in his job. “And everything was okay?”

“Oh yeah, just a few clients were even there this early in the morning.”

I silently release the breath I’ve been holding before giving him a grin. “So… Should we open these?” I ask, nodding at the gifts we are holding.

“Yeah, but l want you to open the others first.”

The two of us are like kids on Christmas morning as we race into the living room and plop down in front of the tree. We begin grabbing gifts and hand them to each other until we each have a large pile sitting in front of our respective places on the floor. We both rip into our first gifts, the paper easily falling from my first package to reveal a pair of warm slippers. I look over at Johnny, who is wearing a big grin. “You always say that you hate putting your feet on the cold floor in the morning.” He shrugs at the practicality of his gift, but his thoughtfulness is why I’ve fallen in love with him.

“They’re great, thank you.”

Johnny admires the gift I’ve given him, a sleek card holder to slip into his pocket that will hold his business cards without damaging the edges. “It’s exactly what I need,” he says.

“I figured you’d like it,” I reply, thinking about the ruffled edges of the card he’d snuck into my pocket. That moment seemed like ages ago, even though only a few months had passed.

The remaining gifts are quickly opened, each bringing with it a level of excitement and gratitude. I’d gotten him several pair of patterned dress socks he could wear to work. But the next gift was one that I hope he enjoyed as much as I did. I paid special attention for when he grabbed the box so that I could watch his expression as he opened it. The wonder in his eyes was only outweighed by the excitement as he realized what he was holding.

“Do you like it?” I ask cautiously as he admires the chastity cage. It’s sterling silver and has a small lock and key dangling from the base. It may be too much at this point, but he’s always loved playing with my toys, so I thought getting him one of his own that we could use together would be fun.

Nodding, he leans in and kisses me. “I can’t wait to use it.”

“Good, because I can’t wait to hold that dick captive to my will,” I say with a wink.

My comment garners me a guttural moan of anticipation. He sets the metal cage aside and we both hand each other our last gifts. Tearing through the silver wrapping, my heart skips a beat as I open the lid of the small box and tip out a smaller, velvet box. My mind races at prospect that Johnny has gotten me a ring and that he feels the same way I do. His eyes meet mine as we both open the plush boxes in our hands and glittering white gold sparkles under the tree lights.

The tear that drops down Johnny’s face is unmistakable as he looks at me and the ring in my hand. “You feel it too,” he asks and states all at the same time.

I nod silently before moving across the floor and taking his lips with mine. I only speak when we finally break apart. “I love you, Johnny, and I want to have you in my life forever.”

“You do?” he asks softly. It’s the side of him I’ve grown to love. The side that he only allows me to see.

I nod toward the small chastity cage lying next to him. “That’s to lock away your cock. To keep you excited for me and me alone.” Then I take the ring and being slipping it on his ring finger. “This is to lock away your heart, keeping it, selfishly if I may add, all for me.”

“You don’t need to lock it away. It already belongs to you.” Johnny’s heartfelt words make me so happy, the grin across my face can’t be held back.

“Will you marry me?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Yes!” he exclaims before pushing into me again and locking his lips to mine. I’m not sure how long we stay next to the tree just holding each other, but I know it will be the best memory of Christmas I’ll ever have.