Like You Mean It

Christmas Eve

It is now Christmas Eve and I'm in Chris' car on the way to his mom's house. Apparently they have a tradition of always staying at his mom's house on Christmas Eve all together. So, here I am nervously playing with the ends of my scarf as we drive to Sudbury, where he grew up.

Chris reaches over and grabs my hand bringing it to his lips and softly kissing it. "Don't worry Charlie, they'll love you."

I nod as I take a deep breath in before releasing it trying to calm my nerves. I'm excited to meet his family, but worried and a little overwhelmed. I'm worried they won't like me, and worried I'll feel overwhelmed at meeting his entire family, other than his brother, all at one time.

I notice Chris pull up to a house and park his car in the driveway. He gets out of the car and goes to the trunk to get all the presents we brought and our bags. I get out of his car, and grab the presents from him before we make our way to the door.

He pushes open the door without even knocking. "Ma, we're here!"

The smells of pine and cranberries hit my nose, and bring fond Christmas memories. "In the kitchen."

Chris puts our bags and gifts down by the door and pulls me towards the kitchen. There's soft Christmas music playing and his mom is mixing some kind of batter. "Oh, Chris! Hey honey! How are you?"

He makes his way to his mom and pulls her in for a big hug, making me smile. "I'm good ma, it smells amazing in here. How long have you been baking?"

He gives her a knowing look. "Oh, you hush, we are having a full house later on, and you know everything will be gone by tomorrow. Now, introduce me to this beautiful woman you brought with you."

I blush as I step forward grabbing Chris' hand. "Mom, I'd like you to meet Charlie, my girlfriend. Charlie, this is my mom, Lisa."

I extend my hand to shake hers. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Evans."

Lisa waves my hand off and pulls me in for a tight hug. "It's Lisa, not Mrs. Evans. Now, look at you, you are more beautiful than what Chris has described you!"

I blush looking down before tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "Thank you, Lisa. Do you need any help?"

"Oh don't worry about it Charlie, you are my guest." I smile softly.

"I don't mind at all, I love baking." Lisa has a wide grin on her face as she nods at me.

"I like this one Chris. Don't screw it up." She gives him a stern look that makes me giggle.

"Ma!" Chris' face is red as he scratches the back of his neck. "I'm going to put our things up in my room, I'll leave you two ladies to it."

He gives his mom a kiss on the cheek before he comes over to me and softly pecks my lips before disappearing the same way we came. Lisa laughs as she shakes her head before letting me know what she's making.

We start working quickly and easily making sugar cookies, and french toast muffins. I ask her if it's okay to make my mom's cinnamon buns, and Lisa is more than happy to help me with those.

"So, how long have you and Chris been together now?" I look up from kneading my dough before placing it in a bowl.

"Um, we've been together for five months now. We've known each other for longer, but it was a bit of a rocky start for us."

Lisa nods understandingly. "Oh, don't worry honey, he's told me all about it. He called me the day you went off on him, and I tried to get him to see it from your point of view. I've always told him he was going to meet a girl that would call him out on his flirting and make him change his way before agreeing to be with him. And here you are!"