Beyond the Lesson (TXS)

Christmas

Christmas Eve

As promised, Verena and I are on the way to Tys and I grandparents house to introduce them to her. They already know about her but the excitement for them to meet her was literally expressed through the amount of phone calls of them confirming that we were still coming. "You don't have to be nervous you know baby." I say and she looks at me as I drive to their house in her car.

"I know baby but they're still you're family. It would be weird for me not to be nervous about meeting them." She says and I smile and grab her hand.

"They already love you. Don't worry." I say reassuring and kiss the back of her hand.

"They definitely took the news of everything better than Tyson did." She says and I chuckle and nod agreeing. That talk was, well a lot. He wasn't mad or anything he was actually just disappointed I didn't tell him from the jump. That includes the relationship with Verena and me not staying in Colorado after graduating even before I met Verena. He was sad about that but was somewhat relieved that I wasn't living out of the country so he could still visit often. I told him we were moving to California after Verena transfers out so he still has me around for another 6 months.

We pull up and see Tysons car already there. "Ready?" I ask and she nods. We get out and the door opens revealing my grandmother as she runs to us, well to Verena and engulfs her in a hug.

"Oh my god you are even more gorgeous in person!" She exclaims making Verena blush.

"Thank you so much and so are you."

"I bet you guys are hungry, so come on in it's already prepared." My grandmother says and guides Verena in and I smile in content at the view as Verena turns to me smiling. We walk in and immediately met with warmth and the smell of delicious food. I love coming here.

"They're here!" I hear Tysons voice and then door steps come closer revealing him and our grandfather who hugs me and then looks at Verena.

"Well I'll be. I thought you were fake." He says and she laughs.

"No sir I am not. Thank you for welcoming me into your home."

He waves her off. "Oh please of course. You are already welcome in this family the moment she talked about you back in October." He says and my eyes go wide in embarrassment.

"Grandpa?!" I say and they all laugh. "Can we eat please?" I suggest and we all walk in the dining room and start digging in. It felt amazing spending another holiday with Verena. Her presence just brings the magic in them to life.

"She's a keeper sweetheart." My grandma says as we wash the dishes together after dinner. Verena, grandpa and Tyson are in the living room playing monopoly. I get too competitive so I offered to help clean up.

I blush. "I know. I'm glad you guys like her."

"Like her? Honey we love her. She's smart, beautiful and the most important part it's clear she loves you. I mean the way you two look at each other reminds me so much of your grandfather and I. He gets on my last nerve every day and chance he can get but I wouldn't want to deal with anyone but that old man." She says and I laugh.

"Thank you grandma." She nods and we hug.

"Enjoy your life baby." She says and I nod. We leave the kitchen and join them in the living room and I sit next to her on the floor as they play.

"Hey baby." She says and I smile at her and kiss her cheek. The game goes on with Tyson accusing Verena of cheating because she kept winning. He's such a sore loser. I look down at the ring on her finger and still can't believe it. I'm engaged. I'm engaged to the most perfect and amazing woman to ever grace this world.

"Alright everyone, get to bed we'll see you in the morning." My grandma says and we all head to our designated rooms.

"I love your family baby." Verena says as we take our shower together and I smile as I wash her hair.

"And they love you. My grandmother says you're a keeper." I say and she blushes.

"And what do you think?"

I smile pull her body to mine with my arms around her waist and hers wrapping around my neck. "I know, that you are. And I definitely plan on keeping you." She smile and we kiss passionately letting the water wash over us. "I love you so much."

"You read my mind. I love you too. Sleep?" I nod feeling the affects of the food hitting. We finish showering after a few more minutes of making out just exploring each others bodies and not going any further. We get in the bed and cuddle up and then sleep finds us.

Christmas Day

I wake up and I'm met with the most beautiful eyes looking back at me. "You have a problem." I joke and she chuckles that beautiful laugh.

"Well if loving you is a problem I never want to be right." She says and I smile and kiss her lips as she cups my face. "How'd you sleep?"

"Great. But I always do when you're by my side baby."

"I don't know how I ever slept before you." She says and I nod fully agreeing. "I got you a present." She says and I raise a brow with a smirk. She smacks my chest making me laugh. "Not that kind of present Talia! I will not have sex with you in your grandparents house." She says and I nod.

"I got you something too." We both get up and grab our gifts for each other and then get back on the bed to open them. "You first." I say and she smiles and opens her gift.

Her mouth goes agape. "Baby." She says with tears filling her eyes as she looks down at the framed picture of us in California kissing by the fire on thanksgiving. "It's beautiful baby. Thank you." She grabs my face and kisses me. "Ok your turn."

I smile and open the gift. My eyes go wide. "Babe!" I exclaim and she laughs at my reaction of holding a professional camera and portfolio.

"I know you don't like taking your mom's camera out like that so I bought you one that you can and the portfolio so you can store them to show people your work." She says and I grab her face kiss her over and over again as she giggles.

"Thank you baby. Its amazing."

"And maybe you can use it to finally take that picture of that car now." She says with a smirk and I laugh.

"Will do, I promise." I say and we kiss again. "Thank you."

She looks in my eyes. "Thank you, for everything."