Christmas was coming. We had decided that we would exchange gifts for the first time. They put an upper limit of $25. I had other plans.
Being our first Christmas together we decided to get a little tree, maybe three feet tall that we could put on our coffee table. The girls had fun decorating. I watched with a couple of beers. They got into the egg nog... probably more rum than egg nog. That was funny.
The way the holiday landed this year, Christmas Day was on a Thursday. Our companies had what they called 'floating' holidays. Friday was this year's floating holiday.
The plan was us to have our little Christmas on the Saturday before. Kathy and I to have Christmas Day at my parent's and then leave early Friday morning for Kathy's parents, and stay until Monday, which we both took as a vacation day. It would be the first time Kathy's mom and dad would see their newly engaged daughter. Valerie was leaving for her parents on Wednesday afternoon. Kathy and I would be spending our first Christmas Eve together. I planned on making it memorable.
...................................
We had been to the mall right after Thanksgiving for some shopping... I was hoping for some lingerie shopping... that didn't happen. While the girls were shopping, I wandered aimlessly through the crowed mall.
In the middle of the mall was a booth that was selling handmade custom jewelry. It looked really good. Gold pendants, charms, rings, chains. Another moment of spontaneity... I had an idea of what I was going to get the girls. I was going to blow the $25 budget, big time. I didn't care. It was for 'my' girls.
The guy in the booth was the artist that made everything. His name was Jonathan... Not 'John'... 'Jonathan'. I asked him if he did design and custom pieces. I pretty much knew he did, but asked anyway.
I told him generally what I was thinking. Something with three birthstones inside a heart. And that I wanted three, each with an individual birthstone in the center and the other two flanking. He said he would work on it and should have a few designs sketched up by the coming Monday. I told him I'd drop by on my lunch hour. I offered him a down payment, just so he knew I was serious and that I wouldn't take his design and run to someone else. He said 'not to worry about it'. He asked if I had photos of my friends. Said that it would help him in determining sizes. Mainly that if the girls were petite then he would go for something delicate and feminine.
Monday. Johnathan had some very good and unique designs.
I showed him photos of Kathy and Valerie. The ones of Kathy came from the album I kept on my desk. The ones of Valerie were the ones my mom took at Kathy's graduation.
Jonathan looked at the photos. Looked back at me. Back at the photos.
"What lucky star were
you
born under?"
I proudly grinned.
The one I liked had two hearts, an open outer heart a little over an inch diameter, about the size of a US fifty cent piece and an inner heart. The upper arcs of the outer heart were a bit thicker than the thin delicate sides that met at the bottom point of the heart. The inner heart was solid and about half that size. The bottom of the center heart joined with bottom of the outer open heart, and was solid a bit up the sides, securing it in place.
The individual's birthstone was centered in the smaller heart and the other two other stones on the upper arcs of the larger heart. He asked if I wanted real, or artificial stones. It was a 'no brainer'. After giving him the months, he made the suggestion that the outer two stones be just a bit smaller than the individual's. I told him that I didn't want them too small, where someone had to get up close to see the stones. He said that he usually worked with 'mid-quality' gems, not 'high-end' but not bottom of the barrel. I said as long as they were decent it was fine. It would help my budget a bit, which I figured was totally blown, bigtime. I didn't care. I grinned inwardly, knowing I was going to catch some major 'shit'... again... I didn't care.
Deep blue Sapphire for Kathy. Deep green Emerald for Valerie, and a Diamond for me. Since they already had chains I didn't need to buy those. Just one for myself. He could have all three in a week. I shook his hand and went away with a smile.
A week later. I stood in awe. Jonathan smiled in pride. The pendants were absolutely beautiful. The stones against the gold were brilliant. Jonathan was right, they didn't need to be high quality stones, but still, you could tell they were real. The inner stones were probably three quarters of a caret and the outer ones around half of a caret. He asked if he could take photos to put in his portfolio, as he had never done something like this. He gave me a great discount because of the quantity and for letting him use the photos for his portfolio. Jonathan assured me that the stones and the center heart were very secure, and gave me a handful of business cards.
I left with a satisfied feeling. This would be the first 'thing' I would be giving to Valerie. And in reality, the first
real
thing that I had given to Kathy. Roses, a stuffed bunny, and my virginity don't count.
..........................................
I decided to make our first Christmas dinner special. It was too cold and snowy outside to grill steaks. I wanted something elegant. What I found, were frozen butterflied lobster tails. Not large; but, nice sized. I had never done one before. The meat manager told me they were easy. Gave me instructions and then just warned not to overcook.
I had everyone 'dress up'. The girls liked that idea. What I saw coming down the stairs took my breath away. They had done their eyes in their 'classic' fashion. Each outlined by the dark eye liner. Kathy's blue gray eyes sparkling against the whiteness. Valerie's soft gold-speckled brown eyes as alluring as I remembered from our first date. Each wore a high shoulder-to-shoulder scooping top that clung to each of their braless breasts. A gold chain with pendants rested against their upper chests. I smiled, knowing what would be there in a few hours. The brilliance of Kathy's ring was dwarfed only by the radiance of her smile.
They had never had Lobster. Coupled with some baked potatoes, a green salad, bread, and that white wine they were introduced to at school, dinner turned out to be a success. I was pleased.
We settled around our little decorated tree. Each with an egg nog. As they passed out our gifts to each other. I asked if they wouldn't mind opening the ones I got for them last, and together. Kathy gave me a wary look. Like she suspected I was up to something. I just grinned back.
Kathy had gotten Valerie a set of good quality acrylic paints. She knew that the quality was something that was a bit out of Valerie's budget. They hugged.
I was curious what Valerie had gotten Kathy. With her, you never knew. It could be some exotic sexy piece of lingerie that would only be worn in our bedroom for a few moments. When I saw the box, I knew that wasn't it.
It was a portrait of Kathy that Valerie had done when they were at school last year as part of one of her art assignments. It was done in acrylics. Kathy was nude from the waist up facing forward; but, sitting at a slight angle, and looking down to her side in a relaxed pose with a gentle smile. One arm resting along her side. The other raised and behind her neck. Her firm little breasts sitting high and proud. Each pink nipple was soft and inviting. The way that Valerie had captured the soft gentle swells of Kathy's breasts was breathtaking.
It was matted and framed... It was absolutely beautiful, almost 'life-like'. Kathy had tears in her eyes as she hugged her best friend. I have to admit, it brought a lump to my throat.
"My gosh Val. That is absolutely gorgeous. You're such a good artist."
Valerie blushed. It was cute.
"Thank you. It's real easy when you have such a beautiful and sexy model."
This time, Kathy grinned and blushed.
They went in together and bought me a complete set of nice kitchen knives that they had found in a specialty store. It was something I hadn't even thought about. I showed my appreciation at their thoughtfulness. It came out that it was Kathy's idea.
They each held the little boxes in their hands. Kathy, again, gave me a skeptical look. This time, I gave her a gentle smile.
The first thing I heard were gasps. Followed by two, "Oh my's". Followed by two openly crying girlfriends. I received two embraces. That went on... and on... and on. I held my two girlfriends, as each of my shoulders became saturated with their loving tears.
Valerie was the first to say something, as she wiped her eyes, "Is he
always
like this? I mean
