Beautiful With You (Norman Reedus)

Chapter 19

The three of us sat there having washed up after our whipped cream fight and sipping at the drinks that they had brought with them. My coffee was cold but I didn't care, I could drink it either way. A smile was still on my face and I felt like myself for once and it was just nice to have someone here for Christmas. Right now we had on A Christmas Story, the movie that Mingus had picked out but didn't get to watch. Poe was curled up on Norman's chest as he leaned back on the couch and his feet were up on the coffee table. Usually I was a stickler about that but I was doing it myself along with Mingus, all of us were relaxing and enjoying the comfortable silence. This time I didn't feel like it was choking the life out of me. We were all just enjoying the movie and the brew of life. Every now and then there was a chuckle or a comment about the movie, but that was it. I found myself leaning into Norman and one of his arms came to wrap around me. His scent of his cologne filled my senses and I closed my eyes, having missed that smell. It helped me to calm down as I laid my head one his shoulder, close to his chest and I could hear the faint rhythm of his heart. I couldn't help but let out a soft moan at the feel of his fingers moving through my hair and then up and down my back. The light tickles something that I had come to love when we would just lay together and I guess he didn't forget that I liked that.

The movie ended but neither of us moved, not a sound was made as the credits rolled. Norman's hand had stilled a little bit and his chest was moving evenly with each even breath he let out. I looked up to see that he had fallen asleep, along with Mingus and I slowly got up and moved over to the kitchen. It was Christmas and I knew I was hungry and I wanted to cook dinner. I had decided that since Norman got me some gifts, the least I could do was feed him and his son. I wish I had presents for them, but I was so caught up in my misery that I didn't think about Christmas. I thought that I wasn't ever going to see him again but it seemed like he came waltzing back in. I began to prepare the ham, making sure that I had what I needed to flavor it. I opened a can of pineapple rings as the ham set in an aluminum pan, that way I just had to throw it away. I drained the juice into the bottom of the pan as I laid the rings onto the top of the ham, using toothpicks to hold them into place. I started to preheat the oven before I got everything ready. I sighed as I remembered my mom would always make a ham for dinner and it just made me miss her more. I should go see them I thought as I put the ham in the oven, watching the two that were asleep on my couch, they looked innocent and adorable, but I knew better. I snuck over and snapped a picture with my phone. I closed the camera and went into my room pulling out an album I never opened. It was a present someone had given to me and I knew how much Norman liked them.

I walked out of the room and sat it on the table with a bow on it and I bit my lip. Now I wish I could find something for Mingus, but I didn't think I was going to meet him so soon. I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contacts as an idea hit me and I hoped that maybe it would be a good idea.

"Hey Andy! Do you think you could find something that Mingus would like? I don't have anything for him and he is over here with Norman. Long story," I typed before pausing and thinking about what else I wanted to ask him, "Do you and your wife and kids want to come to dinner? I'm making a ham among other things."

I sent the text and walked into the kitchen pulling out the rolls and potatoes, making sure that I would have enough. I had planned on making a huge dinner and then giving the rest to those that didn't have anything. I hoped that I could still do that because I knew there were others that were less fortunate then me and I would love to help them. My phone went off and I picked it up and smiled at Andy's reply. He was game for coming and he actually was grateful that I invited him over, the only thing is that my table was small and so was my apartment. Usually I wasn't worried about that but what if they judge me? I shook my head and cursed at myself as I filled the sink with water and let the potatoes soak in it as I scrubbed the dirt off of them and put them in the other side of the sink so that they could dry, once I finished I pulled the plug in the now potato-less, dirty water and the water began to drain. I continued to get dinner ready as I pulled out the pot for the potatoes and began to peel them, making sure the peels hit the garbage so there wouldn't be much to clean up. I hummed to a song in my head as I continued to work, not even hearing footsteps coming towards me but I did feel the arms wrapping around me. It caused me to jump and I could hear Norman's chuckle filling my ears and I smacked his arm.