Under The Mistletoe

Part 26

Night 2

We ate dessert, put away our leftovers and straighten up the kitchen finishing it all just before sundown. "I'm so glad that we don't fast before the candle is lit. You ready?"

"Me too. Yep, I am ready." I let him lead me into the living room to light the candles. I knelt next to the table and watched his careful movements. I closed my eyes and prepared to pray.

The prayer we offered was the same one we gave at my parent's house. "Any songs you want to sing?"

I had no clue. "Whatever is traditional or whatever you want to do is fine with me." I felt like a fish out of water.

"C'mere." I opened my arms for her to slip into them.

I slid easily into his open arms. I wrapped mine around his neck and buried my head against his neck. I just breathed him in. This was home and I had a feeling it always would be.

I rubbed her back and rocked her a bit. "This is about our tradition. We can sing literally any songs we want to. Stop worrying and go with your heart. You know it won't lead you astray." I kissed the top of her head. "Now what would you like to sing together?"

"Can we sing that pretty one in Hebrew and silent night?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "All Hebrew songs are pretty to me. Which one? From last night? Do you remember how it starts?"

I wasn't 100% sure if I had the words right, but I started singing the one I was talking about. He joined in and helped me with the words.

I turned her in my arms to face the Menorah and smiled all the way through the song with my arms still around her. We sang silent night too and just stood for a while in silence and watch the candle burn. "They only had enough oil for a handful of hours. The lamp burned for 8 days. That thought is profound."

"Faith. It's an amazing thing." I just stood in his arms and laid my head back against his chest. I pressed my lips against the side of his neck. "I love you. Thank you for sharing this with me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Did you want to talk about lunch today or leave it be and go take that bath?"

"Lunch was fun. Sorry I freaked out all over Scott. I'm usually better than that. I loved meeting everyone. It felt like they accepted me easily. It was nice." I turned in his arms to face him. "I am really excited about tomorrow. I do think I am ready for that bath."

"I'm not sure which of us freaked out more. Besides, it's Scott. I'd have been upset if you freaked out over Matt," I held up my index and thumb pinched together. "About this much. Tomorrow will be fun. I have no clue what Ben has up his sleeve." I kissed her gently. "Let me get that started for you. Have a seat. Don't blow the candles out okay."

"I won't." I sat and watched the flames dance as I hummed to myself. I got lost in my thoughts. I hated when we fought, and I felt super guilty about it after this amazing dinner and the way he was taking care of me. I was so deep in my feelings that I didn't even hear him come back.

I started the water. My tub wasn't as glorious a thing as her tub was but I could lay down in it If I so desired. I dropped in one of those bath bombs things that smelled like Jasmine and Lavender and went and got her. "Okay Sweetheart. It's ready." I stepped around the couch as I spoke.

"Hmm? Oh, okay." His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "Thank you so much for everything you do for me." I kissed him softly and let him lead me to the bathroom.

I took her by the hand. "I love you. Thank you for putting up with me and my oddness and insecurities. Here, let me help you out of your clothes."

"I love you too." I held my arms up and waited for him to remove my shirt. "Okay."

Undressing her was fun and exciting, but I had a very specific goal in mind so once I got her clothes off. I helped her into the tub. "Relax a bit. I'll be back."

"Mmmkay." I settled into the tub and closed my eyes. The bath bomb smelled good and the water was a good temperature. I took a deep breath. And did exactly what he asked me to do.

I excused myself, hung the Mistletoe in the extremely short hall between the bedroom and the living room, said a prayer and blew out the candles on my Menorah. I put one of the big fluffy towels she bought in the dryer and headed back to the bathroom to wash her.

He had folded a hand towel and created a little pillow to put under my head and neck. I relaxed so much that I had almost fallen asleep in the bathtub by the time he got back. I opened my eyes and smiled at him. "Well hello, stranger. Care to join me? It's pretty nice in here. The most amazing man ran me a bath."

"Why thank you, but you know there simply isn't enough room for two in there. Can I wash you, please? Where should I start?"

"Mmm. Yes, please. Anywhere you would like, sir."

"Toes." I smiled with half my mouth as I knelt by the side of the tub.

I giggled as I raised one of my legs and wiggled my toes at him. "As you wish, sir."

I did my best not to tickle her foot as I washed, but that in damn near an impossibility. She settled once I moved down her leg but only a little.

He was being so gentle, but I am so ticklish. I giggled as he worked his way up my leg. "You treat me so well. Thank you again for this."

I smiled. "You're welcome." I sang at her and laughed. "I put your towel in the dryer to heat it up. When we're done here I'll go and get it for you."

"Aww. That's so sweet." I relaxed even more under his touch as he washed my other foot and worked his way up my other leg.

"Hands, arms."

I brought both arms out of the water and sat up a little more. "What else is on your agenda tonight, Mr. Kaplan?"

"I really don't have one."

I raised my eyebrow at him and smiled.

"I'll follow your lead." I smiled at her, "You get to wash the juicy bits. I'll go and get your towel." I got up, kissed her forehead and head out to retrieve her towel for her.

I pouted playfully, but took my loofah from him and made sure I was fully scrubbed and that I smelled good. I pulled the plug and finished rinsing just as he was coming back. I let him help me stand up and wrap me in the warm towel. I felt so pampered. He tucked the towel around me and I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his.

"Nice." I gave a small smug smile. "C'mon." I took her hand and started to lead her out of the bathroom.

I took his hand and let him lead me out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. I smirked at him and let the towel fall to the floor.

I guess she'd have to find the mistletoe in the morning. I smirked back at her, crawled up on the bed, laid back on the pillows and looked her up and down. "You are so beautiful." It came out as a low whisper as I just stared and smiled smugly.

"Why thank you. So are you." I sauntered over to him slowly. "Whatever should these two beautiful people do?"

"Whatever it is that they want. Preferably together."

"And preferably naked. You are wearing far too many clothes." I reached for the hem of his shirt and he reached his hands up toward the ceiling. I pulled the t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. I crawled up between his legs. I placed my hands on either side of his jaw and just held his eyes with mine for a few seconds. Seeing all of the love and lust swirling in the kaleidoscope of his eyes, I thought I knew what I wanted. I leaned in and captured his lips with mine, softly sliding my tongue along the bottom one looking to gain entrance. I felt his moan before I heard it. I let my tongue dance with his slowly as I straddled his lap.