Under The Mistletoe

Part 6

Sorting It Out

I smiled, thanked her and gave her a hug. "I've never done this before."

"I've never done this with anyone other than my family. It's a chance to make new traditions." I climbed into his lap and kissed him softly. "I am most excited to learn about Hanukkah."

"I don't think it is much different than the way you would do things. For 8 days the Menorah is lit and we sing. Each day a candle is added from the left but the newest candle is lit first. It should probably be centered on the mantle or on the coffee table since it involves fire. We did decide the colors, right? I mean we could do hodge-podge, but I prefer a color scheme. We likely won't change it next year or the year after that."

"Yeah, we did. Shades of blues and silver with white lights. Is the Menorah silver? What color candles do you get?" I had a million questions.

"No, it is simple and golden. White is the tradition. Given what it signifies I doubt one would be silver, but you never know. I think mine is beautiful, but I am sure that is because of where and who it came from."

"Is it a special kind of candle? Do you have to light them a special way?"

I laughed. "I haven't thought about those kinds of things, EVER. They were white candles. They don't taper or they do. I don't think that matters. I suppose to someone who is more religious than I am it would. And where they came from and how they were handled, but I am not so picky. Yes. They are lit in a specific order. One candle is added every day. Starting on the left. The center candle is the one you light the others from. It is the only one lit from a match. That candle is lit, then the new candle is so they are lit from the right to the left but placed from the left to the right."

"That is really interesting. I was thinking about putting it on the table in front of the picture window. Then the stockings can go on the mantle." I was practically bouncing. I was so excited for this first in our relationship.

"Oh, can we get those little-weighted hangers for the stockings with our initials on them? That way we can put yours up and then mine and we'll have LA." I was laughing before I finished my dorky statement.

"I like that idea. We can put our names on our stockings too. This is going to be so much fun."

"I hope so. Are we done eating?"

I nodded. "Shower time?"

"We can do that." I took the dishes to the kitchen to rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. I was finally feeling awake.

I headed into the bedroom and then the bathroom to get the shower going. I stripped out of my pjs and got in. I was so lost in my own thoughts as I stood under the water, that I didn't hear him get in with me.

I didn't know where she was but I figured we'd shower and maybe go shopping or maybe just mess around. My feelings were running the gambit. I was finally getting restless.

He startled me, but I was happy to see him. "What do you want to do after this?" I started scrubbing him down slowly, needing to feel my hands on him.

"Mmmm shopping?"

"Ooh, I like that idea. We need a tree stand and ornaments at least to start." I let my hands roam his body as I pushed him under the water to rinse him.

I smiled. "I will always love this part of shower time." I ran my hands through my hair to wet it. "Just need to rinse it. It doesn't need washing."

"Mmmkay. Mine does." I held my arms out and waited for my turn. "We also need lights and candles. When does Hanukkah start?"

"Soon." I took my time washing her and helped her with her hair. "I need to check. What is the date?"

I was enjoying his hands on me. "Umm. November 30th. Thank you for taking care of me."

"No prob. Thank you for caring for me. So I think we only have 2 days to prepare. I'll call Dad in a bit and ask him. You ready to get out?"

"Yeah. Okay." I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed us each a towel and started drying off. I was getting excited again. "Two days doesn't give us much time."

"Nope, but that is Hanukkah, we don't have to have a tree for that."

"True." I headed into the bedroom to get dressed. "Where are we headed?" I slipped into some jeans, a sweater, and some sneakers.

"I haven't a clue someplace where we can find ornaments. There has got to be a tree lot, but I think we need to get the stuff for it and plan a trip out to a tree farm to pick and cut one."

"Okay. Department stores have ornaments and tree stands and candles and lights. Why don't we start there? The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow. We could find a tree farm then."

"That will work. Which store? Do you have a preference?"

"No preference. Wherever you want to go is fine by me."

"Macy's it is then." I smiled and dried my hair then got dressed.

"Sounds good. Did you want to call your dad before we go?"

"On second thought, let's just google it. I think it starts on the second. I don't know how to tell my parents that I won't need to come out to celebrate Hanukkah with them. Though it is a family celebration and I am here instead of on the road."

"Gotcha. You could always tell them that you want to teach me since it's our first."

"Without telling them that we are staying together for the holidays? I mean Dad would get it, but my mom would still kill me."

"They are going to find out sooner or later, but we can spend the holiday together without living together. How do you want to do this? Have they asked you about Hanukkah yet?"

As if on cue my phone rang and sure enough it was my mom. She would kill me if she knew Lizzie would be staying at my place. It was a big taboo in her book to live together before marriage. We'd essentially be living together for a month, taboo. I held up the phone for Lizzie to see who was calling. Then answered the phone. "Hi, Mom."