Atrox

Page 8

Once again I wake alone. Telling dad had big appeal just so he could stay in bed with me and wake up with me. After washing and dressing I head downstairs to see if anyone else was up and what they might be doing. I find dad and Thomas in the living room but no Charlie.

"Hey how are you today?" Dad asks.

"I'm doing good. Did I miss breakfast?"

"No. Charles is in the kitchen cooking. He said he really wanted to do it. Apparently he likes cooking. There is coffee in there if you want some."

"Ooh yes, I do."

"Before you go, those were dropped off early today." Dad says pointing near the front door. Looking over I see Charlie and I's bags. I hurry over and kneel to check for damage.

"They found the plane?"

"Yes. The pilots were retrieved and the plane was emptied of anything they could find."

"This is great. Your Christmas presents are in here. I'm going to grab coffee then put this away."

"While you are gone I'll rifle through them and find my present." Thomas says, teasing me.

"It's all wrapped so you won't be able to see it." I tell him.

When I go in the kitchen I smell a full country breakfast being cooked. Charlie has a cup of coffee sitting nearby as he cooks. Going over I lean next to him against the counter. He gives me a bright smile and after a glance to the door to be sure we were alone he bends and kisses me.

"How did you sleep?" He asks me.

"Pretty good but waking alone wasn't nice." He chuckles.

"I stayed until I knew that they would be getting up soon. I couldn't get to sleep in my own bed so I got up and wandered around nosing around the place. It's nice."

"It's a vacation house and feels like it. In all the years we've come here it's never felt like home. But it is a really nice place. There's a great viewpoint not far from here. I'll take you one day." He smiles at me.

"No more sex in the cold." He teases laughing. I laugh with him and nod.

"I totally agree."

I stay there and talk to him until breakfast is ready. After serving it at the table we sit to eat. Dad talks to Charlie about the area. Thomas and I listen and share stories and anecdotes about our adventures around the area.

While we have a good time, spend it with my family, Charlie and I still manage to find time alone. Making love becomes a connection that ties more then bodies. By the time Christmas was here I really felt like he was my boyfriend. When Christmas morning came we did presents, on dad's insistence presents were done youngest to oldest. So I went first.

From dad I got a new tablet, he told me that with college he knew my old one couldn't keep up with everything. From my brother I get four tickets to the zoo. It was the top thing he and I liked to do together. Charlie seemed nervous as he gave me his present. The box was small. Opening it I see a necklace. A simple chain with my mothers photo etched into a silver dog-tag.

"Charlie this is beautiful." He clears his throat, his nerves showing.

"I know that you miss her and wish she was here to see and be proud of what you are accomplishing. I thought this way, she'd be there for it all."

"This is awesome." I tell him. If we weren't hiding our relationship I'd have given him a deep kiss. I'd show him later how much this meant to me. My brother was next. Dad got him a fancy new leather portfolio for work. Charlie had gotten him a half a dozen ties. Each one a deep color with a picture of a pin up girl on the reverse side. Thomas loved them. I handed him my present. When he opened it I saw the emotion settle inside of him. He swallowed and looked at me.