The Christmas Elf, A Secret-Santa Story

Chapter 23 - Second date...sort of

Soooooo sorry for not updating and finishing before Christmas!!! Work was a hot mess and therefore so was I :-(

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Wednesday 21 December

Eileen looked up from the email she was drafting when she realized something was different. Unable to pinpoint what it was, she looked back down at the summary of considerations she wanted to share with Frank and finished up before clicking send.

She propped her chin in her hands, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction that she had been able to help. Michael arrived at the table for the last stack of papers and paused when he saw she was done.

"Frank left a while ago and we were wondering if you needed help with anything but we didn't want to interrupt whatever you were doing. You looked so intent." He said.

She smiled at him, "We discussed a lot, but I've always found it's better to have a summary in writing. Particularly when dealing with a certain personality type. Frank is the kind of person who wants to do everything perfectly right, but in doing so ends up in a sort of analysis-paralysis."

"So is he done then?" he asked.

"I think we need him to tell you that. He was non-committal and said he would think it over, go over his notes and let you know if everything was concluded."

Michael groaned at that and she laughed.

"It's okay," she said, "standard procedure. The one thing we auditors might have in common is not wanting to fully commit to a conclusion until all the documentation has been summarized and evaluated. Frank may have a late night, if he plans to give you his findings tomorrow."

She looked around again and smacked her forehead, "I'm such an idiot. That's what's different. It's quiet. The pub is closed. It's late and I should be getting out of your hair. Sorry if I kept you from locking up."

She made a move to get up and he reached out for her shoulder, pressing her gently back into the chair. He left his hand on her shoulder and crouched down next to her so they were at eye level. His voice was quietly intense when he said, "You could never be 'in my hair' in any way that was unwelcome and you definitely did not keep me from anything. You took an entire day of your vacation time to help us out when you had no obligation to do so. You can stay here all night if you want to."

Her heart had sped up as soon as he touched her and the look in his eyes warmed her insides better than hot chocolate on a cold day. He was close enough that she yielded to temptation and brushed back the lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. How to explain the deep tenderness she already felt for him, tenderness that lived side by side with something more tumultuously passionate.

Her gaze fell to his lips and when she looked up, she saw that his gaze was on hers. It was the perfect moment. She felt it. Then Jonathan came through the kitchen, followed by Abigail and the moment was lost.

She smiled ruefully and saw the same smile on his face, but he didn't get up. He looked up at Jonathan and Abigail as they brought in two large trays from the kitchen and set it up on one of the tables close by.

"I'll take this last set of papers to the office, shall I?" Jonathan suited actions to words and was walking away before Michael could respond. Abigail looked after him and then at Michael and Eileen apologetically.

"We interrupted, didn't we?" she asked. "I'm so sorry, but he insisted it would be a good idea if we all had a late night snack. As you can tell, my husband can be oblivious to mood at times."

Eileen laughed, touched that Michael's family wanted to show her how welcome she was. She smoothed her hand along the side of his head, letting her fingers caress the silk of his hair and said, "I think a late evening snack would be lovely."

He sighed and got up, but he was smiling too as Jonathan got back. He pulled out a chair for her and shifted another so that he could be closer to her. She looked at the trays in delight. There seemed to be sample-sized dishes of multiple items from the main menu as well as from the dessert section.

"Is that cherry pie?!" she asked.

Abigail and Jonathan offloaded the trays and cutlery with speedy efficiency and they were soon all diving into the delectable mini-feast. The food was delicious but the company was what made the meal into a feast. Jonathan shared hilarious stories of Michael's escapades when he had been living with them, while Michael countered those with Jonathan's. Abigail and Eileen were kept laughing.

Throughout the meal, Michael's touch warmed her as his shoulders brushed hers or he leaned closer to put something on her plate. He even fed her the things he thought she should try. They shared the slice of cherry-pie and he let her have the lion's share of it.

A wide yawn broke through in the middle of Jonathan's current story and she covered her mouth, "I'm not bored at all! Promise!"

Jonathan surveyed the empty dishes and quipped, "It could be the onset of a food coma, though."

She smiled, "This has been one of the best dinners I've had. Honestly, every meal in this place has been one to remember. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much! But I should be going now."

"Let me give you a lift," Michael said. "You must be tired."

"I drove, remember," she said. "I do sort of need my car." When she saw the worried look on his face, she hastened to add, "Honestly, this is not late for me and as far as hard day's work goes – this was mild in comparison to what I usually have to deal with."

He didn't look convinced but didn't protest further. "Let me get your coat and walk you to the car then. I expect a message saying you're home safely."

She smiled and nodded, as it was exactly what she would have done. She packed up the rest of her things into her bag and said her goodbyes to Jonathan and Abigail, complete with hugs and kisses. Then she walked to where Michael waited for her at the door to help her into her coat. He also took her bag in his right hand, before holding out his left.

The cold air was bracing after the warmth inside as they walked hand in hand to where she was parked. They paused a second at the car and he looked down into her eyes. He bent and gently kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered shut and he kissed both of her eyelids, then his lips moved softly to either cheek. One last kiss landed on her nose, before he stepped back.

She opened her eyes and grinned at him, "You're something else you know."

He smiled, "So are you, my sweet Eileen."

"Am I?" she asked.

"Are you what?" He asked puzzled.

"Yours..." her breath hitched at the boldness of the question.

He cocked his head to one side eyes locked with hers, "I would like you to be..."

She grinned at him again. "You do things in your own order, don't you?"

He smiled back, "Yes. And right now, having you freeze outside doesn't sit well with me. Nor does having you drive home so late at night. So I am doing all I can not to delay you further and not to further scramble your thoughts. You need them all for driving."

She wrinkled her nose, "Scramble my thoughts he says. You must have a high opinion of what your kiss will do."

He shook his head at her, eyes sharpening on her lips, but he refused to rise to the dare. "It's not my kiss that I have a high opinion of. It's what we will be together. What our kiss will be."

Her heart was suddenly in her throat and he had stolen her breath again with his words. "Got it," she managed to get out.

He helped her place her bag in the car and waited until her car started smoothly before closing the door. She pulled out carefully and noted that he stood standing until she could no longer see him in the rearview mirror. Only then did her pulse start to return to a normal level.