Under The Mistletoe

Part 7

Mom

My eyes went wide and I slapped my hand over my mouth. I sat on the edge of the bed to see what was about to unfold. I imagined we weren't going to be able to keep our secret for much longer.

I sat down on the floor. "What's up?" I was not prepared for this conversation but realized I was about to have it. I gave Lizzie a startled look. "Lizzie and I are hanging out. I am going to put you on speaker phone." I hoped that was a good enough ploy to avoid the questions I didn't want to answer.

Shelly was very cordial. "Oh, okay sweetie. Hello Lizzie dear. Dad and I were just wondering what your plans were for Hanukkah."

"I was going to teach Lizzie about it."

She was quiet for a minute. "Oh, that is a wonderful idea dear. Did you two want to come to stay here and we could do it as a family? Lizzie could stay in Esther's room and we could go through all of the traditions together." She was being very kind, but I wanted to spend it with just Avi.

"We could come up for a night, maybe the first night and light the menorah with you and dad, but I have been aching to use the one he got for me in Israel." The thought of Lizzie being in the same house as me and me not being able to cuddle next to her and sleep was not appealing at all.

I know his parents are old fashioned, and I had to try not to laugh at her suggestion. I really liked Avi's suggestion though. I thought it was a good compromise. She paused again. "I had forgotten about that one. Of course, you should get it out and use it. We would love to have you two up for the first night. Would you be staying the night?"

I looked at Lizzie and my eyes went wide. "Nah, we wouldn't want to put you out. We'll hang for dinner and then head back to the city."

"Oh, okay. It's really no trouble you know. We'll have dinner ready for you. What time do you think you'll get here? You know we light the first candle just after sundown."

We can be there around 2 or 3ish, which would you like?"

"Oh, the more time, the better. Please come around two or earlier if you want. We can't wait to see the two of you." The excitement in her voice was so nice. She was very sincere. I couldn't stop myself. "I missed you guys too, and I am very much looking forward to seeing you guys."

"Love you, Mom. We'll see you around 2, probably before on the Sunday?"

"Love you too, Avriel. See you then." She hung up and then Avi disconnected the phone. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wow, crazy. Guess we are going to Mom and Dad's on Sunday."

"It will be nice." I crawled into his lap on the floor. "I wasn't ready to spend another eight days without sleeping in the same bed as you though." I giggled a nervous giggle. "I guess I have some studying to do."

"Nah, we'll guide you. It's really very easy. We are totally laid-back Jews." I laughed at myself and kissed her gently. "We better get going. I'll be happy when this is done so I can get back to being in bed with you."

"My favorite place." I got up off the floor and helped him up too. I went to grab my jacket and soon we were out the door.

I helped her into the car, not that she needed it. It was just something that I enjoyed doing. As we drove down to Macy's I could feel a little bit of the excitement and the levity of the situation creeping up on me. This was indeed a first for me. I would live with the woman I loved for a month and probably not want to go back to living apart after. We were buying decorations for what would be our Christmas tree and preparing to celebrate Hanukkah together. It was only our first Hanukkah/Christmas together. I found myself wondering how the hell it had all happened and where all my reservations went.