Love's Deception

Chapter 27 - A Dyer Family Christmas

Christmas is such a special time for many. It's a time to spread cheer, be with family, and show others how special they are to you. It's a time to drink eggnog, make gingerbread cookies, drown yourself in tinsel and pull our your favorite ugly Christmas sweater. But for some people, they never get a break.

They don't get to lose themselves in the Christmas cheer and festivities, because there's something holding them down. A simple lie, deception, dishonesty. Work calls to them, and they're forced to go to it. No rest, they don't get to forget about the struggles with work, because it just comes with them.

What happens when work and Christmas collide? Do you take work to Christmas? Or do you take Christmas to work? What if they had already been combined, yet no one but you knew it. Do you choose to let someone in on that secret with you? Or do you let them enjoy their Christmas? Just remember, all secrets and lies get you is a lump of coal in your stocking.

****

Christmas is finally here! The past two weeks went by quickly and I'm happier than ever. Best of all, Jace and I are better than ever.

A day after the wedding, Shana and Aidan returned to Nevada as husband and wife, and my mom went back to her house about an hour away. I miss them a ton already, but it's nice to get back to my normal routine with Jace.

Before they all left, we had a small Christmas party since we won't be together on Christmas. We all had a great time, and I'm so grateful that my family has welcomed Jace in with open arms, even if they're pretending to be someone else. Jace seemed to enjoy the time with my family, and he fit in quite well.

I haven't forgotten about the thought that Jace is working with the Cobra leader, but I haven't found any other reason to believe it's even more true than I already thought. I want to believe he was manipulated or someone was threatened, and that's how the leader knew Jace was coming to the wedding.

Part of me can't help but wonder if Jace came to the wedding on his own terms, or if the leader sent him. Would we even we together now if he wasn't forced to come? I'd like to think we would be, I would have found a way to talk to him, but I'm just not sure.

Jace seems just as happy as I am that we're back together, despite the fact that we still have to keep our relationship a secret from everyone in the office and the FBI. Even though I'm sure Cam and Paige already know.

I want to tell people. I want to be able to kiss Jace in public and not worry about something happening, I want him to hold me without the fear that our lives are in danger. I want to tell everyone we're together, but I can't. I just want to properly be with him, but I know I can't.

I know I never will be because once he learns who I am, he'll hate me. I know he will, but I suppose a small part of myself believes that he can look past everything, and understand that I do care for him and that we can be together. But that's just wishful thinking, and sometimes if you wish hard enough, your wish can come true.

I wish on every shooting star, every wish fountain, every eyelash, every dandelion, I'll wish on everything I possibly can, just to keep Jace with me. But, I don't think there are enough wish items in the world to keep him. What I'll need is a magic lamp with a genie inside. Even then, it may not be enough.

****

Christmas Eve has arrived, and Jace and I are heading to his mom's house for Christmas and we're staying there overnight. I'm a little nervous, I've never spent Christmas with anyone besides my own family. Yes, I'm completely comfortable around Jax and Mrs. Dyer, I'm just afraid that I'm going to embarrass myself.

Jace is driving us in his car to his mom's house. It's about a half-hour from where we live. My knee bounces up and down in the car and Jace notices.