Christmas Plans

CHAPTER 18

POV : Adrian

In the library, Adrian was waiting to surprise Mel and Clara. It was Christmas Eve and he had big plans. He had knocked on their door and they said they would be a minute. So, he was sitting in a chair outside the door, by the romance section. He heard some giggling and then the door opened. The two girls were both blushing heavily, in their Christmas pjs, and holding hands. Clara was, of course, holding Tamara in the other arm. He had been continually surprised at how she wasn't a very fussy baby. He had always thought and known that babies cried a lot. He smiled at them and got up. 
"You guys ready?" They both smiled and giggled. 
"Yeah, we are." Clara reassured. He smiled and grabbed Mel's unclaimed hand and led them away. He had set up his room all Christmasy and had fun games to play and gifts for all of them. Jamie was waiting in his room, because they had been talking all day. He led the girls up another flight of stairs and into the vast set of rooms that were his. He guided them to the love seat and placed a present in front of each of them. He then sat on the floor and snuggled up to Jamie. Clara's face fell and her brow drew in. 
"I didn't get you anything." Adrian shrugged and rolled his eyes. 
"I am a prince. You can't get me anything I don't already have." He watched her eyes scan each one of them. 
"I am truly sorry. If I hadn't gotten kicked out I might have been able to." Mel squeezed her hand and smiled sadly at her. 
"I got you something, too. It can wait until tomorrow, though. I assume we won't be joining The King's Christmas party for any longer than a passing minute." Adrian kept his smile on and sat up taller. 
"I assumed so. That is why we are doing this now." Adrian had his own little gift from Jamie and one from Mel. He hadn't expected anything from Clara. She hadn't had the time to worry about such things. She had been focusing on the job he got her in the garden and the idea of getting her own house. "Clara, you open yours first." He nodded encouragingly and laid his head on Jamie's shoulder. She took the twine and paper off with care and set them to the side. He couldn't wait to see her face when she opened it. She took the top of the box off and gasped. In the box was a bag labeled "Bellflower Campanula". 
"Adrian, thank you so much!" He shrugged.
"I had seen how much you loved out plant out in the garden, so I got you your own." She wiped her eyes and smiled broadly. "You next, Mel." She smirked at him and tore into hers with less grace. Her eyes rolled as she took in the contents. He had put deep thought into hers and when he thought of nothing she wanted he made her a bookmark. 
"Lesbianerd. How original." She said, her voice full of sarcasm. She took in the bookmark and sighed playfully. "What am I going to do with you?" He shrugged. 
"I don't know. Book me to death." He rolled on the floor mimicking being killed. The group burst into laughter. "Jamie, now." He smiled. He knew his heart went with this one. Jamie opened the box and gasped. "It was my mother's ring. I'm not proposing, yet. But, I really want you to have it. It might not mean anything right now, but it will later." Jamie's eyes were full of tears and he threw his arms around Adrian. He then slid the ring onto his finger. He smiled down at it and sighed, content. 
"Now it's your turn Adrian, you big sack of cheesy cheese." He rolled his eyes at Mel's statement and turned to the one from her. He tore it open and sighed. A fancy shirt with the words "royal pain" embellished on it. 
"And you said mine was bad." He threw his head back in laughter and sighed again. "I love it nonetheless." He set it aside and turned to the one from Jamie. He had said that he would get his main gift on actually Christmas. This was the one he had given Adrian before the ball. He opened this one with a little more gentleness. Inside was a dried flower crown. Jamie blushed. 
"I had thought it was a good idea at the time, and a funny joke. My head was thinking 'Every prince needs a crown'. So I dried some flowers, from Clara, and some rosemary to make a delicious smelling and beautiful crown." Jamie rubbed his neck in a nervous gesture. Adrian leaned in and kissed his cheek. 
"I love it. It is sweet. Just like you." Jamie blushed harder, making Adrian laugh. The four of them laughed and talked until Clara and Mel had to put Tamara to bed. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways to bed. Jamie was going to stay the night with him. They stayed up even later just talking in bed about nothing at all. It made him realize how much he would love to propose to this boy. He was too afraid of going to fast to do it, though. That he knew. He would wait until after the Christmas season. Maybe at New Years. His father loved to throw parties this time of year. Maybe he would propose then. He still needed to find a way to produce an heir. That was going to be a problem.

Thank you for reading! I am hoping to wrap this book up in a chapter or two. I know I am rushing it a little, but I really want to start a new book, maybe. I also kinda want this one over with. Well, anyway, I hope you enjoyed and continue reading for how ever many chapters are left!