Sorting Through Life's Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 16

                "Shawna, I know you mean well, but I really don't think she's going to like this at all." Tom had been trying to talk Maeve's best friend out of this plan since the day started, but all his words had fallen on deaf ears. "Dear god, you're going to get me in so much trouble."

"I am not, now help me with this. She'll be home any minute and we don't want to get caught." Shawna had been on him the entire two weeks about this and now there was no stopping her. He just hoped his woman didn't get mad at him.

Maeve walked in carrying her bags from the grocers and was met by the sight of large box wrapped in gold paper. Heaving a deep sigh, she resigned herself to the fact that her friend had not disregarded her request for no gifts. She swiftly moved to the kitchen and stored the food stuffs to keep them from spoiling and littering her counters then went in search of the busy bee.

She was not disappointed to find them in the sitting room with cups of coffee, trying to look innocent as angels. "What is that box doing in the foyer?"

"Oh! That came for you today, Darling. Would you like me to bring in here under the tree?"

"No, I bloody well would not. I thought I said not to get me any gifts."

"We didn't get it, Babes. Came from the postmaster while you were out and didn't even say who it was from. I had to sign for it and everything." Tom could see she was seeing right through her friends lie and tried not to look anymore suspicious than he already did. "Tom, go get it for her, I'll pour her a cup and talk some sense into her." Not willing to argue he left the room.

"Shawna? What do you think you're doing?"

"Babes, I happen to know that man does not have any problems where you're concerned other than your ridiculous need to distance yourself. I'm just giving you a little push in his direction, that's all."

"You had to lie to do that?"

"I don't know what your talking about?" Maeve just shook her head at her friend trying to keep up this whole game of hers.

Tom came in, with the box in arm and set it under the tree. "I'm sorry, Angel, but it has a tag on top that says, 'Do not open until Christmas'."

"Oh my, lord almighty, you have surrounded me with the biggest saps on the planet." Maeve spouted. "Shawna leaves in the morning, you're telling me that she won't get to see me open the gift she has gone to all the trouble to make sure I accept. Don't you think the two of you are taking this a little far?"

"I have no idea what you are trying to refer to, Darling. Now why don't we order in tonight, so you don't have to hang in the kitchen on your friends last night."

"Fine, but we are ordering Chinese. I have been craving lo mien and egg roles for weeks." She stomped off to grab the takeout menus from the kitchen. She heard them speaking lowly as she came back down the hall. "I don't care that you two are up to something, just leave me out of it. It's Christmas and I intend to soak it all in this year."

"Babes, what makes you think we're up to anything? We were just discussing dinner and thought you might like to include dessert, since you don't really treat yourself too often." Shawna tried her best to look innocent, but she knew her friend could always tell when someone was lying. She really had no idea how, she just could. "Do you want cake, or maybe I could run down to the grocers and get some ice-cream."

"Oh, ice-cream! As chocolatey as you can get." Maeve grinned at the prospect of her favorite treat.

Tom came over, putting his phone away, "Dinner is on the way. Did I just here you mention chocolate?"

"She didn't mention it, she practically screamed it. I'll be back before the food arrives; just don't do anything I wouldn't do." Shawna grabbed her coat and headed back out. Once the door shut, the air between the man and woman got thick with awkwardness and tension. Tom cleared his throat.

"So.... what are you planning for Christmas day?"

"Oh, I will be seeing some friends downtown, and doing some heavy cooking the night before. What about you?"

"Visiting my mum and sisters and their families. I miss them and this is a calm time of year to spend time together."

"What do you mean?"

"Even when I stay in London, the paparazzi tend to be about less as they also want to see their family. No impositions made and such."

"Ah...do you get annoyed at the lack of privacy much?"

"I try not to, but sometimes they catch me on a bad day, and it gets hard to control my temper."

"You have a temper? And Shakespeare was straight." He laughed at her sass and was delighted to see her smile. "Although, after Coriolanus, I think you angry would be quite scary."

"I hope that I never scare you. You should always be smiling and laughing." He had moved closer to her and she tilted her head up to look at him. "I never want to be the reason your light goes out, Angel. It would make my world go dark."

Maeve could feel her cheeks warm as she stared at him. It seemed no matter how much she tried to distance herself from him, he kept trying to pull her closer. Before she knew what was happening, his lips met hers and her whole body lit up. Tom felt her arms go around his neck and pull him closer, his own wrapping around her waist to keep her from pulling away. Her lips seared his own, the kiss like none he had ever had before. They held each so tightly that when the door opened, they stumbled back when Maeve pushed him away from her.

"That's enough of that, you two. I caught the delivery guy on my way up, so let's eat." Shawna quickly moved to the kitchen and tried not to cheer for Tom finally making some advances with her friend. "Now, people. Before it gets cold and tasteless."

Tom refused to let Mae distance herself more, grabbing her hand and placing a chaste kiss on the back of it before pulling her along after him.