The Grey- Noah Sebastian

twenty

*Noah's POV*

We woke up the next morning, not wanting the expiration of our morning to arrive. We laid there tracing each other's skin absentmindedly, not wanting to leave each other's warm embrace.

"I hope you know, you're expected at the Ruffilo's Christmas," I told her with a smile. She looked up at me confused. "Denise already bought you gifts, I don't make the rules."

"No she didn't!" she sighed with guilt. "I can't let her do that."

"She'll find you and make you accept them, I promise you that. You may as well show up on your own accord," I said with a chuckle. 

"No, but only because I have my own traditions to fulfill," she answered definitively. 

"Oh yeah? What's that?" 

"I cuddle with my animals all day and watch my favorite sad Christmas movies and eat Chinese and ice cream," she answered confidently.  

"Love, I'm giving you a happier option this year and you're declining?" I pondered, genuinely surprised.

"Absolutely I am, plus Denise shouldn't have done all of that!" she said exasperated. 

"I felt the same way my first Christmas with them, but she loves the people her kids bring around like her own, so she likes to buy us gifts," I answered honestly, her looking up at me unamused. "They all already adore you, honey. Let them adore you. Plus you've already been over there for Thanksgiving!" 

"You know that Thanksgiving is so different! Thanksgiving is just the holiday where everyone makes far too much food, but Christmas is more intimate and is about exchanging gifts. Plus, I don't have the budget to get them a gift in exchange, nor do I even know what they like to do so," she answered, and I knew she was right. 

"They never expect anything in return, I promise you that. They are specifically inviting you, so you should come," I pleaded.

"I'm sorry, but no, I can't do that. I work the day before and after as well, so I'm going to treat it as an off day," she said definitively, getting up to get ready to head out, clearly wanting this conversation to be over.

"I love you, but you are being shockingly stubborn about this," I told her honestly.

"I'm aware, but again, I don't like to accept people trying to take care of me or provide for me very well and you know that," she answered curtly. She's right, but I'm going to get her to do it.

****

I headed down to Norfolk on Christmas Eve. We spent all of the time from the tattoo appointments to now producing new music, being far too busy between my schedule and her schedule to make time. I know I told myself I wouldn't do that, but sometimes shit happens, especially during the holidays. It was around 7:30 at night when I got there; I wanted her to have time to settle in after work, since the mall closed at 6 today. When she swung open the door, she was clearly surprised.

"Hi--uh--what are you doing here?" she asked with a massive smile before hugging me.

"Come on, of course I wanted to spend our first Christmas together," I said as I stepped inside and kissing her. She smiled up at me when we pulled away, clearly happy that I took the initiative. "How was work?" I asked curiously.

"Ugh, fucking exhausting," she answered honestly. She grabbed a bottle of wine out of the fridge for us, grabbing two glasses. "I was fighting this since I didn't want to drink alone, but now you're here," she said with a chuckle. 

I accepted the glass and gestured for a cheers. "To new traditions," I offered my glass to her to cheers, which she met and then took a sip. "What do you want to watch?" I offered, hoping this will get it out of her system so that she'll come with me tomorrow.