Love, me.

Christmas Season

Rae

The past three months have been the most blissful I have ever felt. George and I had fallen into a rhythm where we head to work together and back to mine if we were on a stretch of work week and on-calls, and to hers when we have our days off. She had naturally become friends with Irene too and we had many dinners filled with laughter and stories that were neverending. Somehow, Irene had always known I would end up with George, as she had never seen me look at anyone else like I looked at George. Not even Erik.

It was a week to Christmas and my sister, brother-in-law and her twins were coming to spend it with us. By a stroke of luck, George who had been supposed to work throughout Christmas did not have to anymore, as someone from our team who desperately want to escape Christmas dinners with her in-laws and failing marriage begged to swap out with George. Not that she minded anyway.

Anxiety filled me as I thought of my sister meeting George for the first time. She has heard so much about George and knew that she made me happy, and I really hoped that was enough.

A familiar sensation of being enveloped in a hug from behind jolted me out of my thoughts.

"What are you thinking of my love?" George murmured into my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Reaching around me to grab her by the back of her neck, I pulled her in towards me for a kiss.

"You." I murmured against her lips as I tasted and explored her mouth. I never got sick of holding her close and kissing her. Being next to her and setting a new routine and exploring new adventures were my favourite things to do.

"Hey lovebirds, when exactly will dinner be ready?" Irene chirped sweetly, with a knowing glint in her eyes. Torn between wanting to thank her and curse her for messing up my chances of having George on the kitchen island again where I could pleasure us both, I pulled myself away from George reluctantly, drawing a chuckle from George.

"Don't you worry Irene, I've got dinner all sorted." George responded as she grabbed the kitchen towel and checked the oven. One of the things I love about her is her love for the kitchen and the ability to churn out an array of culinary delight and keep my tastebuds satiated. I do love to cook for her too, but it was something special being fed by someone you love.

Irene and I settled into a conversation at the table whilst I watched George sort out her sauce and whatnots as I felt my love grow for her.

"What's your plan for next year? Are you still thinking of moving back to Spain?"

Uncertainty and worry gripped me as I struggled to answer Irene's question. I had always planned to go back home after completing my training. Being away from home for a decade was tough, and the last four years of being an aunt away from my twin nieces was difficult as we could only meet up a handful of times a year. I did not want to be a virtual aunt. What I did not plan for though, was to fall in love with George.

"I haven't decided, to be honest. I..."

"Dinner's ready!" George chirped, setting aromatic dishes before us. "What are you guys talking about? What's with the serious look?" she teased, as she squeezed my shoulder.

"Nothing!" I shot Irene a look, hoping she would get the message to put a pause in our earlier discussion. I had not discussed the possibility of moving home with George, and I did not want to do it now.

"She was just saying how sexy you were, and how she can't wait for dinner to be over before devouring her dessert." Irene drawled, sending a wink, as she watched me blush furiously. She was not too far from the truth though, as I felt George chuckle, and pull me into a quick hug against her taut abdomen which I did not want to end too quickly.

Dinner was a peaceful affair filled with lighthearted conversations and laughter. I revelled in watching George interact so freely with my friend, and was looking forward to the day she met my sister and family.

----

The buzzing sound of the doorbell interrupted the impromptu makeout session which seemed to have become a common occurrence in the kitchen as I cannot seem to keep my hands off George whenever she looked so focus in meal preparation.

"Raquel!!!" My twin nieces screamed my name as they rushed towards me as soon as I opened the door, almost knocking me over.

"Gabi, Marti!" I pulled them into a hug as George came towards us with a grin on her face as she greeted my sister and brother-in-law.

"Nice to meet you, come on in." George reached out to help them carry their luggages as they sidestepped us.

The twins stared at George shyly as she knelt down to get to their eye level before introducing herself to them, and some how started to engage them in conversation of their favourite cartoon characters which got them chattering away in excitement. I was relieved that my sister insisted on them attending English classes twice a week which allowed them to communicate with George.

"She's great with children isn't she?" Sandra mused as she observed her daughters engaging with George.

"Yes she is, I didn't realise she was a natural with children." I responded, gazing fondly at three of my favourite humans.

"Does she make you happy? What are your future plans?"

The familiar anxiety arose from that question I have not had time to think about. There had not been an opportune time to discuss with George about anything beyond the next few weeks as work had been busy and we were still in the early months of officially being together.

"We haven't spoken about it Sandra," I responded quietly, hoping that she would change the subject.

"You will have to think about it soon don't you? You were planning to come home, so you would need to involve her in that discussion if you're still planning to."

I nodded as I pushed her towards the kitchen to set the table for dinner, as George looked up and winked at me, causing butterflies in my stomach. Despite being with her unofficially and officially for almost nine months now, she still managed to make me feel flustered when she picks me out in the room, and I love her for that.

My heart felt full as I watched my family interact with George throughout the night, giving me hope for when she eventually meets the rest of my family when I bring her home with me in future.