A Dream I Used To LOVE

Chapter 26

Chris POV

Kathy once said to me that what Audrey and I had was rare and today I could feel it. She was rare, selfless and I knew I couldn't love a person more.

I know people often say that teenagers are too young to know about love but I always felt that teenagers are the ones who know more about love because at this age love is just love, it doesn't come with liabilities or complications. It is just simple, selfless, and giving.

Some people hold onto this while others evolve. I didn't know which I would be but I just hoped that she was with me regardless of the path I chose.

The drive back home was quiet and it felt so serene. I could feel the love between us, she had almost dozed off. I placed my jacket on her while she slept peacefully. The rays of sunlight fell on her and she looked divine. 

I parked right in front of her house, and she woke up "Good morning" she said while stretching "Your jacket is very cozy, I'm keeping it" and I nodded while smiling vicariously. "See you at dinner tonight," she said yawning, I kissed her palm gently and she left.

***********

I arrived at Audrey's house at around 6. It was beautifully decorated and I understood how important Christmas was to her and her family. Mia was very sweet to me and she asked me to wait in the drawing-room while others came for dinner.

 The tree wasn't decorated with ornaments instead it had pictures and people's names hung on it. I wondered what that was "Chris here take this" she said handing over a cup of coffee and a piece of paper in my hand.

I took it from her hand looking a bit perplexed "Write all the people's names who are close to you, living or deceased"

I looked at her still not understanding what it meant "But why?"

"Addie didn't tell you I see" she came and sat next to me "Nana and Addie started this tradition, they didn't like decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments so instead what they would do is decorate it with photos and everything close to them" I smiled as I heard that story, I could expect Audrey to do that "One Christmas Mom and Dad promised Addie that they would come and meet her but because we were stuck in L.A. we couldn't fly back. Naturally, she was very upset so to uplift her mood Nana asked her to write the names of all the people she wished were with her. Since then she made all of us follow this tradition, we write the names of all the people we wish were with us or hang pictures of people and moments which have a special place in our hearts. Next year probably you can get some pictures to hang but this year I guess you will have to write it down" she paused holding a picture in her hand "You know Addie often says even if the memory fades the feeling stays. I never understood what that means but I guess this is her way of keeping the feeling alive"

She smiled at me and walked away. Sitting there I had the names of many people in my mind whom I wish were with me but I just wrote one name 'Audrey'. She was the only person I was most afraid to lose. Soon enough Audrey came down from her room, seeing me there she ran towards me and almost jumped into my arms.

"Hiiiii" she screeched and kissed me then she saw that Mia had already given me the paper and I had written something on it "Mia already told you about the tradition I see" we sat down and just when she was about to read the name that I had written I took the paper in my hand and refused to show it to her.

"Chris," she said while trying to snatch the paper from my hand. She was almost on top of me trying to reach my arm which was stretched out but she couldn't. Realizing that she would never be able to get a hold of the paper she did something I never expected her to do. She sat on my lap running her hands down my torso, she caught me off guard and I didn't know what to do. Then she came towards me and pressed her lips against mine, "I'm so glad that you are here" she said still kissing me. I placed my hands on her waist as I kissed her intently and just when I thought we reached the climax of our kiss she snatched the paper from my hand and ran away.

It took a few seconds for me to realize what she had done. I was completely mobilized by her and she used that to her advantage, I ran towards her and within seconds I caught her. I lifted her and carried her on my shoulder while she laughed uncontrollably, I had already taken the paper from her hand. I placed her on the couch "Audrey Martin I never knew you were that sly"

"You don't know a lot about me," she said still laughing "Why can't you show me whose name you have written? I won't judge you" but I didn't want to show it to her. I knew she'd make fun of me for writing her name.

"Please" she begged making a very cute and irresistible face. I couldn't say no and so I gave the paper to her. She took it from my hand and opened it. I think she expected me to write more than one name but her eyes twinkled as she read just one name 'Hers'.

I stood there awkwardly my hands in my hair waiting for her to make fun of me but instead, she hugged me tightly. I held onto her lifting her off the ground. She started crying and even before I could wipe her tears or say anything Mia walked in "Addie".

She was shocked to see her cry. Audrey didn't cry very often and so whenever she did everybody would be surprised "Why are you crying?". I let go of her while she wiped her tears and stood next to me, holding my hand.

"Nothing, I was just missing Nana. Let's hang the names and pictures" she took the piece of paper from my hand and hung it near a picture of us.

The doorbell rang and even Rose was there. I met Ryan, Mrs. Anderson, and Haley. The dinner was perfect and sitting in that room I could feel the love everybody shared for each other. "Chris did you know when Addie was tiny she thought she was a boy. Till the age of 6, I guess she thought she was a boy" I looked at her surprised, laughing at her while she glared at both of us.

"Mia stop" but Mia continued "Then one day she entered the men's washroom and came out crying. We couldn't stop laughing after seeing her cry"

Audrey covered her face while all of us laughed "Ryan did you know that when Mia was 16 we took her to the doctor to get her vaccinated and..." Ryan looked at Audrey intently waiting to hear the rest of the story.

Mia came charging at Audrey and covered her mouth "Addie no. I'll do your laundry for a month". Audrey laughed "Momo you are leaving in a week. Go do your own laundry" 

"Addie please" Mia begged while we all laughed looking at their banter. "Okay fine but I'll get back at you" she smirked while Mia rolled her eyes at Audrey showing her 'The Finger'.

"Ryan so she screamed so loudly that..." again Mia came running towards her covering her mouth. "I'm going to kill you" we all laughed at the two of them fighting again "Addie you promised"

"Go away" she laughed. The night was one of the most memorable nights of my life, I hadn't known a family like hers but it felt nice being surrounded by loving and supportive people. It was late and I was headed home "Mia I'll walk him to the car," she said and grabbed her coat.

"I hope this feeling stays," she said propitiously. I stood next to my car while she looked into my eyes "It will" I stated and kissed her on the nose. She smiled at me while I pulled her in a hug "Thank you for reminding me what a family feels like"

"Take care of Kathy and yourself too. If you need anything just call me" she rested her head on my chest and we stood there for a while trying to live every moment we had with each other.