You Don't Know Me | A Andy Gibb What If Story

Chapter 58

Christmas morning came quickly. It was so weird waking up next to Andy. A year ago, I wouldn't believe this man would be the man I'd be spending all my time with. 

It was a little after 6:30. I didn't want to be up yet. As a child, we used to have early mornings cause as a child you are ready to see what Santa brought and such. 

Now as an adult, I dreaded Christmas Morning. I felt like Christmas didn't have as much magic. And this Christmas, even though I was in a happy relationship, the thought of Violet moving this New Year would change. I didn't like change.

Andy felt me getting out of bed.

"Where are you going?" he asked mumbled.

"I can't go back to sleep but you stay here," I told him as I stood up.

"No comeback," he remarked.

"I'm going to go turn the coffee on," I told him as I grabbed my robe.

"You better come back," was his last response.

I knew he was more asleep and less coherent so even if I didn't go back, he probably wouldn't snap.

I went and did my normal morning routine of letting Sam out and starting the coffee. One thing Violet and Grandma Mary sent us home with was tons and tons of Christmas cookies. So, I snuck about 2 no-bake cookies and went and ate them as I watched Sam through the sliding glass door. 

It was a crisp winter morning for us Californians. It had been in the 40s overnight and to us, that's cold. And it felt wonderful.

Sam wanted back in so I let him in. Just as I did, the coffee finished making.

I glanced at the clock and it was approaching 7. Hard to believe on a normal Thursday I'd already be on my way into the office.

I went and made myself a cup and went and sat in the recliner. The TV illuminated the room with the Christmas tree and lights I had put up. I was sad that the holiday season was coming to a close. 

There were repeats of classic Christmas stuff. I had the VHS of "It's A Wonderful Life" so I popped that in.

After I was lost in the movie for about 30 minutes, Andy came out of the room quietly.

"I thought you were gonna come back to bed," he mumbled as he looked over the recliner. 

I looked up at him. He was still totally sleepy and his bedhead was hysterical.

"I told you I couldn't sleep," I remarked as I dipped a cookie into my coffee.

"And this was your solution?" he teased as he continued his stare at me.

"Yes. Also Merry Christmas," I commented.

"Merry Christmas Darling. Last year at this time, you were just a Secret Santa and I didn't even know it," he joked as he ran his hands over his hair.

"True but I didn't know this was to blossom either. Only the waters of spring knew," I told him as he disappeared to the kitchen.

Sam was asleep in front of the TV. The pup was so comfortable at my house now. And, best of all, it was refreshing to feel trusted by an animal.

After a second I paused the VHS so I would get distracted by Andy. I didn't know when he'd want to open gifts.

Andy was waltzing back.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

"Not at all. I have plenty of cookies here for the both of us," I told him.

And so I scooted over in the recliner so we both could enjoy the quiet morning just the two of us.

"When do you want to open gifts?" Andy asked after a second of silence.

"I don't care. I mean I think Grandma and Violet will be by this afternoon but other than that it's just you, me, and Sam," I told him.

"Okay so do we want to finish the movie and then open gifts?" he asked.

"Sounds perfect to me,"  I commented to Andy.

We settled into the recliner and enjoyed our Christmas morning.