Under The Mistletoe

Part 30

Ari

We worked in the kitchen to get dinner ready. I warned her that she would have to lead me step by step because I am a mess in the kitchen. She laughed at me, but was kind and taught me a lot. We made a lot of the same things that Shelly and I made. I got the hang of it and didn't make too much of a mess. We were laughing pretty good when the boys joined us.

Ben and I looked at each other and joined in the laughter even though we didn't know what we were laughing for as we moved to hug our respective ladies. "Looks fantastic." We said in unison and started laughing much harder than was necessary. Once we started laughing we couldn't seem to stop for more than a few seconds. We'd look at each other, pause then start laughing again. It took us over ten minutes to calm down. My lungs, face, and ribs hurt from laughing so hard and so much. It was a great feeling. We kissed the girls and left them to finish dinner while we set the table and got the Menorahs all set and ready for the night. He looked over his shoulder then winked at me and the laughter started all over again.

Laughter is my favorite sound and there was a ton of it. The boys set the table and got the candles ready. We got dinner finished and to the table. I needed a quick break before dinner, so I excused myself to the bathroom to take a breather. I was suddenly feeling very anxious and unable to pinpoint why. I splashed some water on my face and did some deep breathing. This was so unusual for me. When I felt calmer, I made my way back to the dining room.

"Hey?" I met Lizzie in the hall before she could make it all the way to the dining room. I didn't block her way but stopped in front of her rather than to the side. I wanted to check on her. Ben was more than right. How could I not have known that? "You alright? I know you too well. You seem a little, I don't know--"

I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my nose there and breathed in his scent. It was steadying to me. "I'm okay. I had a momentary panic attack. Not sure why, but I handled it."

"Good job. I hate those." I looked over my shoulder to see where Ben and Ari were. I couldn't see them. I turned back to Lizzie and gently pulled her nose from my neck so I could see those beautiful eyes that were for me only. "Hey. Look at me."

I took a deep breath in and met his eyes. "Hmm?"

"These eyes. They are only for you. No one else, just you. I love you." I didn't smile. I didn't laugh. I was more serious than I had ever been. "Just you, Lizzette Michaels. Just you."

"I know. I love you too. There is no one else for me, ever." I hugged him tight and kissed him softly.

I let the kiss we shared linger then took her hand and led her to the dining room. We lit the Menorah's and laughed and joked and had a good comforting time and shared a wonderful meal. We sang in beautiful harmony and concluded the night with more song accompanied by me and my guitar and Ben and his piano. We ended up giving a small show for our loves. It was wonderful and another first. By the time we bid them goodbye and headed home my heart was full and my voice tired.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. It was wonderful and comforting. We were smiling when we left. I held his hand all the way home and was quite tired by the time we got there. I was ready for bed and headed in that direction.

I grabbed extra water from the fridge and followed her to what had become our bedroom. I was exhausted and talking was physically uncomfortable. I would need my voice the next day, so I withheld speaking hoping she wouldn't confuse my silence for anything other than what it was. Laughing that hard before singing was never a good idea. I smiled and hugged her before I started undressing. I put my hand on her cheek and kissed her gently then undressed and crawled under the covers, holding her side open for her in an invitation to snuggle.