Under The Mistletoe

Part 17

Happy Hanukkah

We finished breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen. We took a shower and got dressed. I was getting more and more nervous as it got closer to the time we needed to leave. I checked myself out in the mirror again as I played with the sweater I had put on over some nice jeans. His reflection joined mine.

I slipped my hands around her waist as I stepped into the bathroom with her. "You look fabulous." I had on black denim and a dark-colored button-down shirt that I could not be bothered to button the top three buttons of. I left my hair down as I had taken to doing. I looked at our reflection. "Damn." I breathed and smiled. "You ready?"

"I think so." I put my hands over his on my waist. I took a deep breath in. "We look so good together." I turned in his arms and kissed him softly. I put my finger on his chest where the buttons were undone. "Your mom is going to love this. Let's go."

"She'll make me button it. I'll get the gift." We got in the car and headed out before I asked her how she was doing. "You nervous?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just afraid of saying or doing something wrong." I reached for his hand. "Anything I need to know before we get there?"

"Don't tell them you are staying with me. I imagine that you won't say anything wrong, just avoid that subject so you don't have to cover it up and don't lie. They don't like that any more than I do. Also, do not talk politics with my dad. We'll be there all night and I want more time alone with you."

I smiled. "I think I can do that." I closed my eyes and settled into my seat. I did what I always do on car trips, I fell asleep.

I chuckled and drove us up to my parent's place. Traffic was good so we were a little early. "Hey, Sweetie. We're here." I gently kissed her cheek. "Wakey, wakey."

"Hmmm. Eggs and bakey?" I laughed at myself as I opened my eyes. I looked at myself in the visor mirror one more time. I took a deep breath, unbuckled my seatbelt, and waited for him to come let me out of the car.

I smiled as I watched her and fell in love all over again. It is always the little things she did that got to me. I reached up and touched her face. My eyes followed the path of my fingers then back up to her eyes while I very gently pulled her chin toward me and leaned in to capture the grounding kiss that I needed.

I gave in to the gentle kiss, silently hoping his parents chose to stay in the house. I did my best not to deepen it so I pulled back. "To be continued." I smiled. "Should we head in?"

I just looked at her and tracked her eyes with mine, "In a minute, we are very early. I need this." Then I pulled her back into that kiss. I kept it slow and steady and filled it with all the love I had in me for her as I slipped my hand behind her ear and my fingers into her hair. "I love you, Lizette Michaels. I love with all that I am and all that I will ever be." I put my forehead to hers and sighed. "Let's do this. I'll get your door."

I blushed as he gave his love to me. I nodded in answer to him. "I love you too, Avriel Kaplan." He came around and helped me out of the car. He pulled me into a hug and then grabbed our present and his Menorah and candles out of the backseat. He reached for my hand and led me up the porch steps.

We were greeted at the door by my father. It was a little awkward at first because he didn't know if he was supposed to hug and kiss me in front of Lizzie. I didn't think that would change no matter how many times I explained it to him. So I hugged him and kissed him then hugged him again because I missed him. He gave Lizzie a hug and a kiss on the cheek and led us into the house. "Your mom will be out in a moment. She went to change." He pointed to my buttons. "Just one more okay?" To which I nodded and laughed and buttoned one button. Do you want something to drink?"

"I'll get it, Dad, unless you want to play host to your son." I got a pretty good look for that snide comment as I wandered to the kitchen to get us all drinks. The house had a pretty open floor plan so I wasn't abandoning Lizzie by going to the kitchen. I could still see and hear her and my dad.

I took the gift bag from Avi and let his dad lead me to the couch. He said something to me in Hebrew and then shook his head and repeated the sentiment in English. He asked me how I was doing and I told him that I was well. Avi joined us with four bottles of water.

My father looked at the water and said thanks, but I knew better. I went back to the fridge and grabbed two beers. I held up a third, "Lizzie?"

I shook my head. "Water is fine." I was already nervous, and I tend to spill secrets when I drink even a little bit. I sighed and relaxed into the couch.

"Dad, can I put the kettle on. I'm sure Mom would like some tea and Lizzie loves it."

He nodded and smiled as I handed him his beer. "Thank you. What have you kids been up to?"

"Nothin."

I smiled. "I went home for Thanksgiving. It was nice to see my family. I hadn't been home since May. I missed them."

"How are they doing?"

"Good. Curious about why I am so happy these days, but definitely doing well. Did you have a good thanksgiving?"

"Curious. What? They don't know why you are so happy? I'm glad you're happy. He's happy. That's two wins for me." I cringed. My dad caught that one. "Yes. Very. All of the kids were home. Avi cooked like the rockstar he is in the kitchen." He smiled and glanced at me. I did not miss the gentle warning in his eyes, but his smile was soft and rueful. I spotted my mother headed toward the room and escaped to go and greet her.

"They know I am seeing somebody, just not who. They are happy that I am happy as well. I am very glad you had all of your kids here. I missed meeting Josh in person, but I did talk with him via facetime yesterday." I stood to hug Shelly once she got into the room.

I tried to relax. I knew I was going to get pressure from them to at least let Lizzie's family know. I was grateful that she didn't complain or push me, but wondered if perhaps she was doing so and not really realizing what she was doing. My parents didn't know that her parents didn't know. I am pretty sure that it was one of the things they didn't like about me. They don't like secrets and I keep that one, the most important one in my life as close to my chest as I possibly can. I never told Lizzie about the arguments I had with my parents last year over crap like not letting people know I was dating or seeing someone or the countless times the subject came up while I was dating Aleen. I got echoes of that and fought the memories and the beginning of anger. I looked at Lizzie and her sweet face and loving eyes and knew without a doubt that it was not her intention to get me in trouble with my parents. She couldn't be thinking about what she was saying. She was very nervous. She has a tendency to talk way too much when she's nervous. "Mom, which tea is it again that helps you to relax? Do you have any? Which tea would you like?" I headed toward the kitchen.

I felt like I was talking a lot. Mike had an odd expression on his face and I thought I had said something wrong. I looked to Avi, but he had disappeared to the kitchen to get tea. Shelly took my hand and smiled.

"We would have loved for you to have been here for Thanksgiving, but we are very glad you got to see your family." I smiled back at her.

"Thank you both for inviting me to celebrate Hanukkah with you. I am very excited to learn about it."

"We can switch next year and spend Thanksgiving here and Christmas there," I called from the kitchen as I steeped the tea and got a tray to carry it with. It was easier to make a pot so I did. When it was done I carried it into the living room and set it on the table. I poured a cup for my mom and one for Lizzie. "Dad?"

He held up his beer, "Bad mix."

"You're right. You can have mine."