linstead | under the mistletoe

under the mistletoe

Finally, Christmas came around after a very long year.

Erin and Jay had put their tree up and decorated it together, whilst Christmas songs were blasting out. They'd taken a walk along Navy Pier to look at all the lights and enjoyed many nights together looking at their own lights.

"Erin, come on get up it's Christmas!!" Jay exclaimed like a child.

Looking at her clock, Erin wasn't very happy, "Jay, it's six in the morning."

"So what Erin? It's Christmas!!"

Not being a morning person, meant Erin was very grouchy especially when she gets woken up early and even more grouchy when she doesn't have a coffee.

"Let me have my coffee and we can open presents," Erin sighed.

Jay jumped off the bed to go and rush to make Erin her morning coffee before she got even more grumpy. Erin watched him as he excitedly ran into the kitchen. He was like a big child at Christmas, she loved him for that. That was his special little trait; Jay always got extremely excited about holidays and birthdays.

Five minutes later, Jay came back to bed with two coffees, one for himself and the other for Erin. Erin carefully took the mug - the mug he bought her for her birthday - and took a sip of the delicious, warm coffee.

"You make the best coffee, did you know that?" Erin looked into Jay's blue, diamond eyes.

"Well, I have been told a few times by this girl who happens to be the most gorgeous girl in the world," Jay smirked.

He knew that would make her blush, and sure enough it did. The pink flushed through Erin's cheeks.

At last, they had finished their coffees and were ready to open presents. Jay was first into the living room (of course), Erin slowly followed behind him. A few presents were under their beautifully decorated tree waiting to be opened and loved. Jay looked under the tree until he found the present with Erin's name on it. It was only small, but it was something very meaningful. Cautiously, he handed it to Erin.

Her forest eyes looked up into his ocean eyes with love, "Thank you Jay."

She tore the wrapping paper off and it revealed a Pandora box. Sheepishly, she opened the box to see an elegant, silver necklace with a heart shaped charm and 'E' and 'J' charms either side. Tears pooled in her eyes. She didn't know what to say, no one had ever bought her something so thoughtful.

"Oh my gosh, Jay you really didn't have too. Thank you so much," She planted a soft kiss on his lips.

She moved her hair to the side, whilst Jay clipped the necklace onto her neck. Nothing compared to the feeling Jay felt in his heart. He never expected this reaction from Erin. Whilst in his own thoughts, Erin reached under the tree to get Jay's present. Again, it was only small. She handed it to Jay with hopes he would love the present nearly as much as he loved her.

The red bow and wrapping paper were soon on the floor. Jay's eyes widened so much as soon as he saw what he'd received: tickets to the Blackhawks game on New Years Eve.

"Erin these were completely sold. I can't thank you enough. Wow!" He smiled so widely, which made Erin's heart smile.

After a chilled morning, watching TV snuggled up together on the couch in their matching pyjamas, they decided they should probably get dressed since Hank had invited the whole team round to his house for Christmas Dinner.

Erin put on some skinny black jeans with a red jumper with her new necklace, whilst Jay wore jeans and a red shirt. The pair looked beautiful together.

On the way to Hank's they sang along to all the classic Christmas songs blasting out of the car's radio. As a treat, Erin had decided to let Jay drive for once and only once since it was as special occasion.

They were the first ones to arrive at Hank's. Jay felt slightly awkward, partially because he still didn't know whether Hank was okay with his and Erin's relationship, even though they had been dating for almost a year.

The team had all come round to Hank's and were playing board games in his living room, feeling very stuffed from their scrumptious dinner, courtesy of Hank Voight himself.

At around seven in the evening, they all gathered around the tree to open their gifts from one another. Erin and Jay had received a lot of candy and chocolate, who didn't like candy after all?! Hank had especially loved the photo album Erin had bought for him.

When everyone was enjoying themselves reminiscing on the old times, Jay pulled Erin away into the hallway.

"I have waited all afternoon to have a moment alone with you," Jay smiled.

"Me too," Erin agreed.

Jay pulled Erin in for a slow, but romantic kiss. It lasted for a few seconds, however to them it felt like a lifetime. Above them was a piece of mistletoe.

From afar, Hank could see the two in the hall. He knew the piece of mistletoe would come in handy one day. He'd kept it up there every year, even after Camille was gone. Deep down, he knew he should let go of all the grudges he may have against in house romance because looking at his foster daughter and her boyfriend maybe made him melt a little bit inside. Maybe he was becoming soft.

It was nearly midnight when the pair got home. They were so wiped out from the day that they got straight into bed.

"I love you Erin," Jay whispered.

"I love you too Jay," Erin whispered back.

She planted a soft kiss on his lips and snuggled herself into Jay. He was her comfort, her warmth. She loved him so much. Finally, Erin had got the Christmas she had wished for, for so long. A Christmas spent with family and love.