Noah & Navid

Chapter 23- Christmas

The night before Christmas Eve, Navid had set up a "date" for me. 

He called me on FaceTime and told me that Erik and Nasri would pick me up to take me to Karim's house for dinner and I would stay the night there. 

My dad would pick me up from there the next day and take me to my family's Christmas Eve party. He had it all planned out and coordinated.

"You can have a taste of my culture before going off for the holidays with your father," Navid said. "Also, there is gift downstairs for you. Aram got it from mailbox!"

"I wish you were coming with me," I admitted. 

He lost his smile at that one and his eyes looked sad again.

"I want that more than anything, my love. But I fly home for Christmas. I have ticket. I will be there come whatever. I will be there for you," he assured. 

We played around a little with some naked time before he watched me get dressed for the night out.

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Aram was waiting downstairs playing a video game while talking to someone in the headset. I found a package on the coffee table and set down my phone on a couch pillow so Navid could watch me open it. 

It was a set of cookware pans and some fancy cooking tools. I pretended to be excited about it. I knew he loved the thought of me being busy in his kitchen.

Erik and Nasri showed up at 7 just as Aram was heading out for the night. He talked to Nasri for a moment while I showed Erik my presents and got an eyeroll.

"I'll text later to see you are ok there. If you need me to come get you, just call. Okay, Noah?" Aram pulled me aside and backed me against the wall to tell me this.

"Okay, dad!" I joked. 

His tense stance eased off slightly at that jab.

"Sorry. You've been mine to watch for over a week now. I'd kind of gotten used to always having you close by. I can see why Navid likes this. Maybe I need my own Noah," Aram leaned in and kissed my cheek. "But seriously, call me if you need anything. I am there for you."

Nasri gave me an awkward hug and then took the bag I'd packed and headed towards his car followed by Erik. Aram locked up after us and then kissed my cheek again as he headed off to his car.

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"Noah, my poor little orphan. I hope you have not gone wild with Navid's absence," Karim pulled me in for a tight hug when we got to their house. Mike was right behind him and gave me similar sarcastic condolences.

Their house was on the valley side of the hills, but it was beautiful and had a huge patio that hung over a steep drop. Mike had made every inch of it look like a home decor catalog.

We ate dinner around a large round table. Karim put me between him and Mike with Erik and Nasri across from us. One of the couples who had gone to Santa Barbara joined us. I'd forgotten their names. Karim kept trying to push more food on me.

After dinner, Erik and I went to help Mike clean up. I only helped him load the dishes before he gave me a beer to take out to Karim. I found him in the living room with Nasri and the other guys. They were sitting on the couch watching the TV as I walked up to hand Karim his beer.

"Uh, Noah. I thought you were helping Mike?" He said with a nervous tone as I handed him the bottle. Karim got to his feet.

"He asked me to bring you this," I started, but then trailed off as I looked at Navid on the big screen tv.