***Alex's Point of View***
"Kiss me." Ben said.
"No."
"Kiss me!" Ben begged.
"No!" I laughed.
"Please kiss me?" He asked softly.
"Aw, baby..." I leaned in. "When you say it like that... no." I teased him.
"You are a big jerk." He said.
"So you think I'm big?" I joked. He playfully punched my pec.
"Kiss me, damn it." He laughed.
His laugh is so adorable I couldn't help but give in to his demand. I wrapped my arms around his back and pulled him in, then dipped him back far, kissing him passionately. After a long, deep kiss, I pulled him back up. "There. Happy now?" I breathed.
He just stared at me, breathing heavily. He finally managed to nod. "That was quite a kiss." He smiled.
"It was."
"We should get going, gotta get everything ready downstairs." He said.
"I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already! I can't finally turn on the fireplace and not look like a weirdo!" I laughed.
"You've waited all year, you can finally thrive again." He laughed. "Now I have to go out the turkey in the oven. Plus, your family's gonna be here by 8 to watch the parade and the living room is still a mess."
"Babe, it's not a mess, it's spotless. But if it'll make you feel better I'll do another once-over."
"Thanks."
"Not that it matters, the kids will have it a mess in 20 minutes."
"As long as it's clean when they get here." He laughed as we walked downstairs. "And you really think they'll be alright spending Christmas at the beach house?"
"They'll love getting out of the city, going on a little trip for Christmas. They'll get to play in the snow, everyone will love it."
I was right, my sister, brother-in-law, and parents all loved the idea. We told the kids and they seemed excited too.
***
Two days before Christmas, Ben and I drove down to the beach house for Christmas and to decorate before everyone else arrives Christmas Eve. We brought up all of the Santa gifts for the kids so my sister wouldn't have to worry about it.
We bought a huge, 14 foot fake pre-lit Christmas tree and set it up in the living room. We left it bare to decorate with the whole family, the kids, James and Rebecca, will love having another tree to decorate.
"Everything looks great, thanks honey." He gave me a side hug. I put my arm around him and kissed the top of his head.
"Happy Christmas, Harry." I said in my best mock Ron/British accent.
"Let's go for a sunset walk..." he took my hand and pulled me towards the door.
"Where to? The beach? Or the land side?"
"Land side." He smiled.
We got our shoes and coats on, heading outside and towards the beautiful hilly landscape. This neighborhood is beautiful, only a few houses along the street. His house on the end, right next to stunning hills and tall grass, with over 300 feet of private beach, is definitely the best.
On our walk we enjoyed the fresh air. Surprisingly, it's not freezing tonight.
"Oh, I heard the neighbors are selling." He mentioned."
"Why would anyone want to sell a place like that?"
"I guess they wanted a change. I think they actually sold it before it hit the market, a very secretive deal according to the other neighbors."
"When did you hear that?" I laughed.
"I have friends in very high places... on the HOA." He made me laugh,
We reached the top of the highest hill, turning to look at the water and sunset. "Look at that." I sighed, sitting down.
He sat next to me. "I love the city, I really do. But sometimes this just steals the show."
"It does. It really does."
"Want some candy?" He asked randomly, pulling out a bag of M&M's.
"Heck yeah, I do." I held my hand out so he could pour some, but he instead put the whole bag in my hand.
"I actually have two. Sharing is not caring, buying double is." He explained.
"I knew there was a reason I love you." He smiled at that.
After we finished the candy, we got back up and continued walking. I let him go in front of me so I could snap a few pictures of him walking in the landscape.
"Catch up!" He turned around smiling at me. I took another picture, making him laugh more. I turned on the video setting and began filming him. He turned around again and held out his hand to touch the tall brush. I'm no filmmaker, but it's quite a beautiful shot.
We decided to make our way back home before the sun fully sets. "I'm getting hungry, can't wait to make some homemade pizza." I said.
"Same, it'll be fun! I've never made pizza from scratch before."
"It was a staple growing up in my house." I told him.
"Why don't we do it tomorrow night with everyone then? We had enough for everyone and we bought plenty of other food today." He offered sweetly.
The way he suggested doing something with my whole family because he thinks they'll enjoy it just brings my heart so much joy. "That would be great, thank you." I reached for his hand and gave it a light squeeze.
We had a delicious stir fry for dinner. Afterwards, he pulled out a board game we play often, Trouble, and a deck of cards.
"Best two out of three for Trouble? Then we can play some cards?"
"You're on."
He won the first game, I won the second, leaving it down to a third and final game. "Wanna make a bet?" I asked.
"Sure, I'll bet you five bucks I'll beat you."
"Deal."
It was close, but I beat him.
"Ah-Ha!" I smiled. "Pay up!"
He got up and grabbed his wallet and pulled out a 5, then put it in mine. "I'm more annoyed I have to wash my hands now." He joked.
"I love that your level of hate for touching cash is unmatched." I joked. "But I totally don't blame you, thanks for not making me touch it." I laughed.
"You're welcome. Now let's play some card games."
"You really do love getting your ass whooped! And not just in the bedroom." I teased him. He rolled his eyes at me.
We played for a couple of hours, then called it a night. We got in bed under the warm covers, I wrapped my arms around him. "I love you, baby."
"I love you, too."
***
The rest of my family got here around 9. James and Rebecca are really happy being here, they loved decorating the tree. We made hot chocolate and cookies galore, ready to leave them out for Santa.
Ben has to stop me from eating too many cookies, especially when the kids were only allowed a few before dinner.
Soon, it was time to start making dinner. Everyone was so excited. "I want Uncle Alex to help me!" Declared James.
"Can you help me too, Uncle Alex? Please?" Rebecca looked so worried I wouldn't be able to help her.
"I'll help both of you, I promise." I laughed. I sat between them at the table, working my own dough. The kids worked on their own, I helped them when they needed it. I helped them put the sauce on, adding the toppings they wanted.
Ben put them in the oven for us, then the rest of them made their own pizzas. "This was such a good idea, Alex. Just like when we were kids." My sister said.
"We were gonna make them last night, but it was actually Ben's idea to wait to do it with everyone tonight." I said, looking at Ben.
"Well, thank you, Ben." She said. "My kids are loving playing with the dough."
After dinner, we helped the kids set out all of our stockings on the fireplace and set out cookies and milk for Santa.
"Alright, kiddos, time for bed." Their father picked them both up, one in each hand. "Unless you don't want Santa to come!"
"We'll go to bed!"
"Yeah, we promise! Tell Santa to come!"
"I thought so!" He tickled them lightly before carrying them up the stairs, my sister in tow to help.
20 minutes later they came downstairs. "They're so excited, it'll take them a while to actually fall asleep." My sister announced. "We should wait an hour before setting everything up."
"Sounds good." I said.
"How about some tea for everyone?" Ben asked.
We all responded in agreement. I got up to help him while Lydia and Ali sat down with my parents in the living room.