NATASHA
The Christmas lights are the only light in the living room. The dinner was delicious and we are both stuffed. Lying on our backs, we’re looking up at the tree after opening the presents we gave each other. “I used to do this with my cousins when we were little kids,” I say as we gaze up at the pretty colors as they filter through the real tree.
“It’s very pretty under here,” he says then holds up my hand and looks at the large diamond ring he gave me when he asked me to marry him. “Yep, even pretty under green and red lights.” He kisses it, making me smile. “Thanks for saying yes so quickly and not making me sweat it out.”
“Yeah, well, I made you sweat for over two years. I thought you could use a break.” I say with a laugh.
“I did need one. So, off to Vegas we will go in a couple of weeks and then on to a three-month-long honeymoon,” he says. “And right to the baby-making.”
We tossed my birth control pills in the trash right after I said yes to him. It’s official, we are getting married and starting a family. I did not see this coming for us at all.
I can’t believe he stuck with me through everything I put him through. It did leave me with no doubt that when he says his vows I can take him for his word.
My cell phone starts ringing and I sigh as I roll out from under the tree. Nic comes along too. “I’m going to find another piece of pumpkin pie.”
I laugh as he goes off toward the kitchen and look at my phone to see it’s my father. “Hello.”
“Hey, I just wanted you to know that I heard what you said the other day and I didn’t want this night to end without me saying this to you.”
“What?” I say and have to hold my hand over my mouth so he doesn’t hear me crying already.
“I am sorry, baby girl,” he says, sending me into full-blown meltdown.
I melt into a puddle of tears on the sofa. “Thank you,” I manage to get out.
“You deserve it. I’ll do all I can to make it up to you. I swear it,” he says.
“Just be there for me, Dad. That’s all I ask. Nic and I are getting married.”
“Good,” he says. “That man really does love you.”
“He does and I love him,” I say, and find Nic coming into the room with a small plate of pie.
“What happened to you?” he asks me as he puts the plate down and runs his arms around me.
“Thank you, Dad. Bye and Merry Christmas.” I end the call and put the phone down, then wrap my arms around Nic. “This is the best Christmas ever.”
“He must’ve told you he was sorry, huh?” he asks with a chuckle.
“He did,” I say as I cry like a little baby. “I’m so happy.”
“Yeah, you sound like it,” he says and laughs then picks me up and puts me on his lap. “And you told him our news?”
“I did and he was nice about it. Maybe things will finally start going better. We could use things to go well, for a while anyway. I’m not asking for more than my fair share of happiness.”
Taking the napkin he brought for the pie, he holds it to my nose. “Blow, princess. You’re a mess.”
I blow my nose and laugh as he helps tidy me up. I’ve come to see things in a different light where he’s concerned. He likes to pick out my clothes sometimes but it’s because he likes the way certain things look on me.
Feeling the same way, I pick out his clothes often too. It’s not as bad as I was making it out to be in the beginning. I thought he was thinking of me as his doll. His plaything. But when I started thinking about how good he looks in his jeans and asking him to wear them more often, he pointed that out to me.
He can still be dominatin,g and in the bedroom I love it. But he watches himself about certain things and he’s quick to change the way he says things so he doesn’t offend me or make me feel small.
I think the future with him will be bright. I believe he and I will learn from one another and grow as a couple. A team of two, who will have to worry over children together. A team who will make huge decisions together.
“That’s better,” he says as he puts the used napkin away. “How do you feel?”
“I feel great. You’re going to make an excellent father, you know,” I tell him then kiss his cheek.
“With your help, I might be okay at it,” he says. “I haven’t had the best role model.”
“Neither have I. We can do our research and try to be better parents than those we had, I suppose. History doesn’t have to repeat itself, you know,” I say and wiggle on his lap. “And speaking of kids, are you ready to hit the sack with your brand new fiancée?
He rubs his hands together in front of me. “Oh, yeah. You can wear that negligee I gave you and I’ll bring the whipped cream.”
“More food?” I say with a laugh as he gets up and carries me to the bedroom.
“The whipped cream is for your consumption, baby, not mine.” We laugh all the way to the bedroom then he closes the door behind us.
I think we might just work out after all.