illicit affairs

Chapter 27: Christmas

-Time Skip- It's been a long month. But Ricky and Nini never once failed to leave each other their messages. It's Christmas Eve, just one day before Ricky's month is up.
Ricky: *I open my computer to find Nini's message of the day*
Nini: Merry Christmas Eve Angel! I went out the other day and got your present and I can't wait to give it to you. I officially finished all of my homework that was given over break and I can now relax for the time being *laughs* Oh, and don't tell Elliot, but I picked him up a little something too. I wrote you a song that I'm gonna play for you tomorrow and I'm really excited for you to hear it. Also, Los told me him and Seb exchanged gifts already and they both got one another these little matching necklaces and I found that adorable. I can't wait to see your face again in person tomorrow and I miss you so so so much. I'll be waiting under the mistletoe, my darling. *I blow a kiss* Bye bye!
Ricky: *to myself* Bye Nini, I miss you too. *I send my video I made that morning and close my laptop and smile* tomorrow.

Nini: *my computer dings and I open the file from Ricky*
Ricky: Merry Christmas Eve princess! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've seen you in person. I wish I had some fun update but I've basically been quarantined in my room *laughs*. Umm, oh! So you know how I've been teaching Elliot how to play guitar? So yesterday night he blew me away with his Over the Rainbow performance. Like I'm serious, it was so sweet and much better then I thought it would be! Anyway, I wish I could have gotten you some sort of Christmas gift but I'm not even allowed to go the mall. The best I was able to do is put together this melody that I'd love to sing for you as soon as I get the chance. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and kiss you. I'll see you tomorrow!
Nini: *I smile and my eyes start to water* One more day till I get to see him, one more

-The next morning-
Elliot: *I run into Ricky's room* Rihkie! Wake up! Santa came!
Ricky: mmmmm?
Elliot: Santa came and he brought us presents! Come on, wake up wake up!
Ricky: 5 more minutessss
Elliot: But it christmas!
Ricky: *I sit straight up* Nini!
Elliot: No, it's Elliot *laughs*
Ricky: I know *laughs* I'm saying we get to see Nini today!
Elliot: Oh yeah! Well you better get downstairs so we can open presents and then you can go see Nini!
Ricky: I'll meet you downstairs, okay buddy?
Elliot: Okay! *I run downstairs*
Ricky: *I quickly get up and get dressed. I grab my guitar and guitar case and head downstairs*
Lynne: Morning honey, Merry Christmas!
Ricky: merry christmas mom!
Lynne: I'm just getting coffee ready for Todd and I but you can go sit by everyone else in the living room
Ricky: *I go in the living room* merry Christmas everyone!
Todd: Merry Christmas Ricky
Ej: *I ignore you and look at the tv*
Elliot: can we start opening presents?!
Lynne: *I walk in and sit down next to Todd*
Todd: Now you can start buddy
Elliot: *I open one of the presents with my name on it* oh my goodness! It's the remote helicopter I wanted!
Lynne: That's awesome! Ej, do you wanna go next?
Elliot: *I hand Ej a present with his name on it* come on, open it
Ej: Fine *I open it*
Elliot: What is that?
Ej: A football players jersey
Elliot: Oh, Cool! Ricky, You go next *I hand you a present with your name on it*
Ricky: *I open it to find a music stand* oh this perfect. Thanks mo- Santa *laughs*
Elliot: Oh I have a present for Lynne and daddy! Let me go get it *I run upstairs*
Ricky: *to Lynne and Tod* can I pick up Nini at 1?
Lynne: Yeah, whatever you want. Just make sure you drop by before you take her home, I wanna say hi *laughs a little*
Ej: *rolls eyes*
Ricky: of course. I thought I'd bring her here anyway since I know Elliot would love to see her
Lynne: Sounds good
Ej: Can go over to Devan's when we're done with this?
Todd: sure Ej
Elliot: *I run back downstairs* Merry Christmas! *I hand Todd and Lynne a box* *they open it*
Todd: Elliot is this us!?
Elliot: Yeah! That's you, that one is Lynne, that's Ej, there's Ricky, and that's me!
Lynne: it's beautiful sweetie!
Todd: thank you!
Elliot: You're welcome!
*about a half hour passes and they open a few more presents*
Elliot: *I hand you a present* This one is for you, Ricky
Ricky: *I open it* wait is this-
Elliot: Mhm, it's a picture of you and Nini!
Ricky: I love it Elliot, and Nini will too
Ej: *rolls eyes* Is that it, can I leave now?
Todd: you can go
Ej: *I walk out of the living room and grab a bag before leaving the house*
Elliot: I probably shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry
Lynne: maybe you should have waited till Ej left but it's okay. And I'm sure Ricky really appreciates it
Elliot: I thought he would. And now that Ej is at a friends house, Nini can come over!
Ricky: Want me to go pick her up?
Elliot: You should! And then she can have christmas cookies with us!
Lynne: Oh! How could we forget Ricky's last present!? *I get up and grab a small rectangular box from under the tree* Merry Christmas from Todd and I
Ricky: *I open it* this isn't my phone?
Todd: A few days ago, your mother and I took in your phone and upgraded it to a new one because she said it had been awhile *laughs* So everything from your last phone should be on there, including Nini's contact
Ricky: *I hug you two* thank you guys so much
Lynne: No problem honey, now go send a text to that girl of yours *laughs a little*
Ricky: *texts Nini* see you in 15 🙃
Nini: *texts* I'll be the cute one in the santa hat
Ricky: I'll... see you guys soon
Elliot: Just make sure she comes over to say hi!
Ricky: of course, bye everyone! Merry Christmas! *I grab my guitar and rush into the car and drive to Nini's* *I knock on the door with my heart pounding*
Nini: *I open it* Hi Angel
Ricky: *I put my guitar down and hug you tight*
Nini: *I pull away and point up above us* Well would you look at that, I wonder who put the mistletoe there...
Ricky: *I let out a laugh* mmm I wonder *I put my arms around your waist and kiss you*
Nini: *I kiss back and put my arms around your neck*
Ricky: *after a minute or so I pull back* I missed you so much
Nini: I missed you too, so so so much
Ricky: oh, and Merry Christmas
Nini: Oh, speaking of Christmas, I have a present to give you. Come inside
Ricky: *I grab my guitar, take your hand, and walk inside* wow, you guys take Christmas seriously *laughs*
Nini: *laughs* My mommas and I really love Christmas. We put up everything the minute thanksgiving is over
Ricky: we were holding off putting our tree up until Elliot basically forced us 2 weeks ago *laughs*
Nini: I can't wait to see Elliot *laughs* *I go under the Christmas tree and grab your gift* Merry christmas Angel
Ricky: *I open it* what? *laughs a little*
Nini: I know it's really silly but I went to build a bear the other day and got it. It's basically a little bear dressed as a princess, which I know is a little more feminine *laughs* But then when you press the paw
*the recording* Hi my angel! I miss you!
Ricky: *laughs* this is so sweet, i absolutely love it
Nini: Really? It isn't too like girly or stupid?
Ricky: it's perfect *laughs* I just wish I could have gotten something for you
Nini: Well you did, you still gotta take me on that date
Ricky: oh right, I guess I did. But for now, I put together a song for you
Nini: Oooh I wanna hear it!
Ricky: can we go in your room?
Nini: Sure *we walk upstairs and I close the door* What song are you gonna play me?
Ricky: *I grab my guitar* so I just put together a few songs and blended them into a melody. Okay um *sings* Every time I think of you
I always catch my breath
And I'm still standing here
And you're miles away
And I'm wondering why you left
And there's a storm that's raging
Through my frozen heart tonight
I hear your name in certain circles
And it always makes me smile
I spend my time
Thinking about you
And it's almost driving me wild
And that's my heart that's breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
But
What am I now?
What am I now?
What if I'm someone I don't want around?
I'm fallin' again
I'm fallin' again
I'm fallin'
What if I'm down?
What if I'm out?
What if I'm someone you won't talk about?
I'm fallin' again
I'm fallin' again
I'm fallin'
I'm trying to hold my breath
Let it stay this way
Can't let this moment end
You set off a dream in me
Getting louder now
Can you hear it echoing?
Take my hand
Will you share this with me?
'Cause darling, I want you
*I strum for a little*
Here comes the sun, do, dun, do, do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, do, dun, do, do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Nini: *smiles* That was beautiful, Ricky *I hug you* Thank you
Ricky: you're welcome princess
Nini: I actually have a song for you too, can I use your guitar?
Ricky: my guitar? Since when can you play?
Nini: I took online lessons over the past month while I couldn't see you
Ricky: oh my goodness what can't you do?! *laughs and I hand you my guitar*
Nini: *I grab it* Here goes nothing *I start to play and sing*
Don't wanna be forward
Don't wanna cross a line
But if I were to crash in this plane tonight
I'd want you to know this
Don't wanna say too much
Intrude on your space
But if I were to crash and I never made it home
I'd want you to know this
Oh, and to tell you is too scary
So I'll just say something else
And I wish that you could hear me
When I talk to myself
But this plane might not land safely
So what the hell do I have to lose
If I just tell you
I wanna eat pancakes for dinner
I wanna get stuck in your head
I wanna watch a T.V. show together
And when we're under the weather we can watch it in bed
I wanna go out on the weekends
I wanna dress up just to get undressed
I think that I should probably tell you this in case there is an accident
And I never see you again
So please save all your questions for the end
And maybe I'll be brave enough by then-
Don't wanna say something wrong
Don't wanna be weird
But if you're not on love with me, I think that I'll leave it there
And I won't ever tell you this
Oh, 'cause to tell you is too scary
So I'll just say something else
Like how was fall semester?
And what was that song about?
I'll try to hide the way I feel
But I'll just wanna shout
What do I have to lose right now?
I wanna eat pancakes for dinner
I wanna get stuck in your head
I wanna watch a T.V. show together
And when we're under the weather we can watch it in bed
I wanna go out on the weekends
I wanna dress up just to get undressed
I think that I should probably tell you this in case there is an accident
And I never see you again
So please save all your questions for the end
And maybe I'll be brave enough by then
Oh maybe I won't ever say what's in my head
No, I won't have to say anything
You'll say it instead
Ricky: I love you
Nini: You do?
Ricky: I do and I'm sorry if that come off too strong I just couldn't hold it in-
Nini: Thank god because I love you too
Ricky: *laughs a little* will you look at that? I'd say everything we've been through was worth it
Nini: *laughs a little* A little light at the end of the tunnel
Ricky: *I laugh and hug you again*
Nini: So how was christmas morning?
Ricky: really good... oh my goodness I have to show you something *I unfold a piece of paper from my pocket* look what Elliot made for me
Nini: Oh my god! I love it!
Ricky: I think it annoyed Ej a bit though *laughs*
Nini: Oh god, what happened?
Ricky: he just rolled his eyes or whatever and left. He didn't yell or anything. I don't really think he cares about it any more especially since he's been with I think 3 girls since then but he doesn't like the fact that I "won" you
Nini: I see him everyday with other girls. They all look the same. Perfect prom queen with blonde hair and blue eyes. But I still think he lost the best girl
Ricky: what a basic bitch *laughs*
Nini: *laughs* Totally
Ricky: well if you don't mind, Elliot would love to see you. And so would my parents actually
Nini: Well I would love to pop over. As long as you don't lose my pants this time *laughs*
Ricky: I still have those *laughs*
Nini: *laughs* Well are you ready to go?
Ricky: lets go
Nini: *I grab your hand and we walk out to your car*
*we drive to Ricky's*
Ricky: are you ready?
Nini: I don't know, do you think they still hate me?
Ricky: no, they're just happy I'm happy *laughs*
Nini: Okay, I think I'm ready *I grab Elliot's present and we walk into your house*
Elliot: Daddy, Lynne! Nini's here!! *I run up to you* Hello Nini!
Nini: Hey buddy! *I bend down and give you a hug* I missed you
Elliot: I missed you too! But probably Not as much as Richie did *laughs*
Ricky: mmm I don't know... he talked about you a lot *laughs*
Nini: Well I'm happy to see you again *laughs*
Elliot: me too
Lynne: hello Nini, how are you?
Nini: I'm doing great, how about you?
Lynne: great. It's nice to see you again
Nini: You as well. How was Christmas morning for all of you?
Elliot: so much fun! I got a helicopter!
Nini: No way, that's so cool!
Elliot: do you want to see it?
Nini: I would love to see it
Elliot: come on! *I take your hand and walk out of the room*
Lynne: You really missed her, didn't you?
Ricky: I really did
Lynne: She and Elliot work so well together, she must me good with kids
Ricky: she actually wants to be a teacher
Lynne: Well go hang out with your girl and your step brother, I know you missed your time with her
Ricky: I just wanted to say thank you
Lynne: For what?
Ricky: I don't know but I'm really grateful for this past month.
Lynne: Well I'm glad you got a little bit of sense knocked into you *laughs* Now go! You can talk to me later
Ricky: *laughs* thanks mom *I walk into the living room*
Elliot: and if you press this button it will fly even higher!
Nini: *I press it* Woah! That's awesome, buddy!
Ricky: what are you guys doing?
Nini: Elliot is teaching me how to fly his helicopter
Ricky: oh cool *laughs*
Nini: Hey Elliot, do you wanna open the present I got you?
Elliot: you got me a present!?
Nini: Yeah of course! *I hand it to you* Open it up
Elliot: *I open it* Ooh it's a science kit! What does it do?
Nini: Well, it makes crystals. My cousin got one of these on his birthday and he really liked it so I thought you might to because you're around the same age
Elliot: this is so awesome! Thank you!
Ricky: *laughs*
Nini: No problem buddy, Merry Christmas
Elliot: so what are you and Ricky going to do?
Nini: I don't know, I just wanna spend time with him. It doesn't matter what we do
Ricky: wanna build a snowman?
Nini: Ooh that sounds like fun
Ricky: Elliot, would you like to come?
Elliot: I'll let you two have some alone time *laughs* Besides, I wanna go show daddy and Lynne my present
Ricky: okay *laughs* thanks buddy
Elliot: Bye guys! *runs upstairs*
Ricky: let me just grab a few things really quick *I walk into the kitchen and grab a few things to make the snowman with* *I come back and grab a coat* shall we?
Nini: *I put on my coat* We shall
Ricky: *we walk outside and work on the snowman for awhile* so how's your moms?
Nini: Good, they're actually heading out on a little christmas retreat tomorrow with my aunt and her husband so I'll be home alone for like four days
Ricky: no you won't
Nini: What do you mean? *laughs*
Ricky: well I'm inviting myself over, if that's okay *laughs*
Nini: Of course, my door is always open for you
Ricky: or window if I'm feelin adventurous *laughs*
Nini: I'll make sure I leave it unlocked *laughs*
Ricky: okay good
Nini: *I wrap my arms around you and stand behind you* I missed you
Ricky: *I turn myself around and hold you* I missed you too
Nini: You still smell like Christmas
Ricky: yeah?
Nini: Mhm, pine trees and gingerbread
Ricky: im feelin Déjà vu
Nini: Oh really?
Ricky: mhm cause now I say you smell like citrus and you ask what kind and I say strawberries and kiwi then you make fun of me cause those aren't citrus
Nini: *laughs* I remember, and then you sang that Harry Styles song
Ricky: mhm
Nini: That was really something, Angel *laughs*
Ricky: *sings softly* She's driving me crazy, but I'm into it, but I'm into it
I'm kind of into it
It's getting crazy, I think I'm losing it, I think I'm losing it
Oh, I think she said "I'm having your baby, it's none of your business"
Nini: *laughs a little* I missed your voice, too
Ricky: I missed your mad ukulele skills
Nini: I really do have the best skills *laughs*
Ricky: *laughs*
Nini: Did you finish making it yettt?
Ricky: you tell me. How does it look?
Nini: Absolutely perfect *laughs* Can I add the carrot?!
Ricky: *I give it to you* go ahead
Nini: *I put it on the top snowball and also grab the two buttons* It just needs one more thing... Oh! *I take the hat off your head and place it on the snowman* Perfect. Oh, and we need the sticks-
Ricky: hey!
Nini: What?
Ricky: now my hats gonna be cold and wet
Nini: Oh *laughs* Oopsies...
Ricky: *I throw a snowball at you*
Nini: *gasps* Oh you're gonna pay for that! *I pick up a snowball and throw it at you*
Ricky: *I throw another one at you and run backwards* come and get me!
Nini: *I run towards you and throw another one* Take that!
Ricky: *I throw another one at you* hey!
Nini: *I go to throw up another one but I can't find you* Ricky? Where'd you go?
Ricky: *I run up behind you and pick you up*
Nini: Ricky! *laughs* Put me down! you're getting snow down my shirt *laughs*
Ricky: *I put you down* whoops *laughs*
Nini: You're lucky I love you, angel *laughs*
Ricky: *I kiss you*
Nini: *I kiss back and rub some snow into your hair*
Ricky: *I push you back* oh you're gonna pay for that
Nini: Oh yeah?
Ricky: *I run over and push you down but let you fall gently*
Nini: Ricky, I'm all wet and snowy now! *laughs*
Ricky: yeah, so am I *laughs* *I lay next to you and start making snow angels*
Nini: Aww my angel is making an angel
Ricky: just for you princess *laughs*
Nini: I'm getting a little c-chilly
Ricky: time to go inside?
Nini: Yes please *laughs*
Ricky: *I help you up*
Nini: Thank you, now i'm gonna beat you inside* *I start to run towards the door*
Ricky: *I run toward you but trip in the snow*
Nini: Oh no! *I walk back to you* Are you okay, Ricky?
Ricky: yeah I'm good *laughs* *I brush the snow off myself*
Nini: *I help you up and hold your hand* Well maybe we won't run in the snow next time *laughs*
Ricky: or I'll just embarrass myself *laughs*
Nini: *I laugh and we walk inside*
Lynne: Oh my god, what happened? *laughs*
Ricky: snow angels happened *laughs* oh, and I tripped myself
Lynne: And this is why you don't play sports, honey *laughs* Well I'm gonna make the two of you a little hot chocolate and start up a fire. Ricky, find Nini something to change into so she doesn't freeze in those wet clothes
Ricky: thanks mom *we walk upstairs*
Nini: Sorry I put snow in your hair *laughs*
Ricky: sorry for pushing you down *laughs*
Nini: *laughs* So do you have anything I can change into?
Ricky: well I have what you wore last time you were here or you can you wear a sweatshirt of mine
Nini: *I grab my jeans and look in your closet and pick out a sweater* How do I look?
Ricky: perfect
Nini: Why thank you *laughs* Are you ready to head downstairs?
Ricky: *I go in my closet and get changed quickly into sweatpants and a sweatshirt* yep
Nini: *we walk downstairs*
Lynne: Did you bring extra pants?
Nini: No, these are the ones I uh spilled soda on
Ricky: I washed them and they were still here
Lynne: Okay then *laughs a little* Well I set you up in the living room with drinks and snacks and I started a fire. You're welcome to watch or do whatever you'd like. I'll have Elliot stay out for awhile so you can have some alone time.
Ricky: okay, come on Nini
Nini: *we walk into the living room* *gasps* You have a lovesac?!
Ricky: we got it Black Friday. It was my mom and Todd's gift for each other
Nini: I'm so jealous *laughs* *I lay down on it* Come lay next to me!
Ricky: *I lay next to you and laugh* it really sucks you in
Nini: Well that just means I get to be closer to you *I kiss your cheek*
Ricky: *I put my head on yours*
Nini: Angel?
Ricky: mhm?
Nini: What are we?
Ricky: that's what I actually wanted to talk to you about
Nini: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Ricky: it's a good thing *laughs* I've never really been big on labels but I really care about you and want to spend every second with you. I've never felt this way about anyone. Nini, will you be my girlfriend?
Nini: *smiles* I'd love to be your girlfriend
Ricky: *smiles* oh thank god *laughs*
Nini: *I curl up into you* I feel like the luckiest girl alive
Ricky: are you kidding, I'm the luckiest guy alive that you stuck with me *laughs*
Nini: Well why wouldn't I? I've never be happier
Ricky: me neither
Nini: *smiles* Do you wanna watch something?
Ricky: new girl? But a Christmas episode of course
Nini: It's like you can just read my mind
Ricky: *I grab the remote and turn it on then snuggle back up to you*
Nini: I still can't believe that I'm here with you right now
Ricky: after everything, this is nothing like I expected and I couldn't be happier
Nini: I love you, my angel
Ricky: I love you princess

So that's a "wrap" (get it... cause like Christmas...wow I'm SoOo funny) on this story but there's a bonus chapter and epilogue to come!