Chapter Eighteen

We spent the morning of Christmas Eve at both of my grandparents’ houses. As I suspected they all fell in love with Kayden.

They love that I found myself a country boy. They were never a big fan of Logan, and his city boy ways. Kayden scored major brownie points for going right out there with my grandpa’s and getting down and dirty on the farm.

I spent the afternoon baking pies with both my Grandma Jane and my Mimi Caroline, at my parent’s house; while Grandpa Wayne and Papa Rodney took Kayden out fishing.

Around dinner time all three men came strolling in with some good size fish in tow. “We caught ourselves some mighty fine dinner.” Papa Rodney said proudly holding up a monstrous size snapper.

“Looks like you guys had a lucky day! Who out fished who?” I ask looking from my grandparents to Kayden.

My Grandpa Wayne let out a loud, “Whoomf” before swinging a thumb at Papa Rodney. “This ol’ fart right here, was stealin’ all our fish!”

“Who you calling an ol’ fart? I reckon it’s you who’s two years older than me!”

I just shook my head, leaving them to bicker with one another. Walking over to Kayden I pull him into a hug. “So looks like you had fun, and survived a fishing trip with these two. I thought for sure, you’d be swimming with the fishes by the time they were done with you.” Giving him a wink and a quick peck on the cheek before I go back to help my grandma roll out a pie crust.

Kayden, Grandpa Wayne, and Papa Rodney all got to work frying the fish, while we made salads to go with it for dinner. The tour bus pulled into the driveway just as we finished setting up the patio for dinner. I ran over to the bus greeting my parents with hugs as soon as they stepped off.

We spent the remainder of the evening eating fried fish, and drinking beer, and wine. It feels right having Kayden here, and I’m so happy that everyone loves him just as much as I do.

~~~

Christmas morning I awoke to Kayden’s mouth on mine. “Merry Christmas, baby.” I open my eyes to see Kayden holding a small present in the palm of his hand.

“Merry Christmas.” I say in a raspy sleep laced voice, gladly kissing him back. “What’s this?” I ask taking the small present out of his hand.

“Your Christmas present, I wanted to have you open it now while we’re alone.”

“It isn’t a mini vibrator is it…?” I ask giggling as Kayden shoots an eyebrow up at me.

“No, it’s not a vibrator, only one kinky present this Christmas.”

Giving Kayden a small smile I tear into the present; revealing a small ring box. My hand is shaking as I pull it open; I know there is no way there’s an engagement ring here because we’ve only been together a few weeks. I’m still a bundle of nerves as I pop open the lid to see what’s inside.

“Oh my, Kayden it’s gorgeous!” I take in the ring in front of me. The entire band is diamonds set in platinum. It’s an infinity ring with two rows continuously looping together. In between the loops are mini infinity knots.

“You like it?” Kayden asks taking the ring out of the box and sliding it onto my right ring finger.

“Like it? I absolutely love it Kayden!” Wrapping my arms around his neck, I flutter kisses all over his cheek and neck. “Thank you, baby.” Letting go of him, I fall back onto my pillow, holding my hand up before me, gazing at the gorgeous diamonds shimmering in the sunlight that’s flooding into my room. “I can’t believe how good you were at guessing my ring size.”

“Well, I would love to take credit for that, but I cheated and called Brooklyn one day while I was shopping around Houston for your gift. I know how much you love the infinity symbol. When I saw this I just knew it would be perfect.”

“I love it. I’m never taking it off!”

Leaning down, resting his arm beside my head, Kayden strokes the side of my face lovingly. “You are the light of my life Savannah. This ring…” Kayden looks down at my hand, spinning the ring on my finger. “It represents us…I’ve been waiting all week to finally tell you…I love you…with every fiber of my being; I love you, Savannah. This ring symbolizes my love for you, it’s infinite…never ending.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel a tear escape the corner of my eye, slowly rolling down my face. Kayden swipes it away with the pad of his thumb, gazing into my eyes with so much love reflected at me. I run my hand along his arm while taking in every inch of his magnificent face. I want to capture this moment in my heart and mind forever.

“I love you, too, Kayden…so much it hurts. I have fallen head over heels in love with you so quickly; it’s thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. I’d given up on the idea of ever falling in love again…then you came into my life. I know now that what I’ve felt before…it wasn’t anywhere close to how deeply I love you Kayden Jonathan-Douglas Knox. You’ve got me under your spell, and I never want to break free of it.”

We spent the next hour making love, enjoying each other’s bodies, savoring every touch, kiss and softly spoken word as we physically prove our love and commitment. Just before we climaxed, Kayden laced our fingers, brought our foreheads together, and I stared into the depths of love in his eyes, whispering “I love you’s”, while getting lost in one another as our bodies exploded in a cocktail of passion and obliterating ecstasy.

I hate to get out of bed, but I know my parents will come knocking on my door soon if we don’t get out there for Christmas breakfast. Taking quick showers, and getting dressed in record time for us; we stroll out to the kitchen twenty minutes later. The aroma of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, and cinnamon buns fill the entire house.

Enjoying our breakfast feast at the dining table, my mother notices my new ring, shooting me a look, wanting details. Holding my hand, Kayden explained to my parents, that the ring is a symbol of his love and commitment to me.

I overdose on happiness, dying a few times when he explains to my parents the meaning of my new ring and the words of love rolling out of Kayden’s mouth.

I’ve been so nervous, trying to find the perfect moment to tell him I love him. This morning was just that, perfect. I feel a hundred times better knowing Kayden’s feelings for me are just as strong as mine are for him.

After breakfast I helped my mother clean up the kitchen, while Kayden and my father took a walk around the farm. My dad loves showing off all his tractors. Men, no matter the age, never outgrow their love for their toys.

Mom and I sat on the porch sipping glasses of sweet tea, watching Daddy and Kayden driving tractors around the fields. I caught a smile on my mother’s face that instantly warms my heart. I know how upset she’s been with everything I’ve been dealing with, so seeing her accept Kayden into our family with open arms makes my heart swell with joy.

We talked for a while about Texas and things with Kayden. She’s worried our relationship is moving too fast, and doesn’t want to see me get hurt.

I understand her worries and fears, but I can feel it from somewhere deep inside of me that Kayden is the one. I reminded her of what Grandma Jane said about her and Grandpa, and mom and dad. How when you find your soul mate…you just know it. You feel that connection, that love, the one that binds you together so tightly, it can never be broken. I feel that with Kayden, and I know he feels it too.

~~~

At six-thirty my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins arrived for Christmas dinner, and to open gifts. Kayden is nervous about meeting everyone, and what they will think about him “Crashing Christmas” as he says. I keep telling him he isn’t crashing anything, he has been welcomed here with open arms. The more the merrier!

After we finished dinner, we all gathered in the living room around the Christmas tree, handing out gifts one by one to everyone. My family all brought their gifts here too for us all to open together. All of my cousins are in their twenties or late teens. So I got them all iTune cards, it’s the perfect gift that everyone loves.

I got my mother a new Michael Kors purse, and my dad a new subscription to Sunday Ticket. The same gift I get him every year. I couldn’t believe how good Kayden did picking out gifts for my parents.

He got my mother a huge scrapbook kit. I had mentioned to him how obsessed she is with scrapbooking. He even got her an organizing kit to store all her stuff in on the bus.

My father about had a heart attack when he opened up his gift from Kayden. He got my father a football, autographed by the entire University of Tennessee Football Team. It’s stored inside a glass case, all ready to go on display in my father’s office.

We took lots of pictures of us together beside the tree, outside by the stables, sitting side by side in the rocking chairs, and even a few with my parents. I cannot wait to get them printed and hung on the walls in our houses. This has been, by far, one of the most amazing Christmases I have ever had.

I was thrilled when Kayden opened his gifts I got him. He loved the Texas Longhorns cuff links, and custom Rolex. He said he will be wearing that watch every single day to remind him of me when he’s working, or traveling for business.