As he put the last little bit of tinsel on the tree, Eric couldn't help but find himself smiling; this was going to be the best Christmas in years. It didn't matter that a lack of funds meant there were hardly any presents under the tree for he or his roommate, Jeremy. It didn't matter that he had to work Christmas Eve. All that mattered was that this year he was finally going to spend Christmas with someone special, his girlfriend Jennifer.
Eric and Jennifer, both 24 years old, had been nearly inseparable from the moment they had met. Sure, it was a little tacky that it had been via an online dating site, but it had seemed to work out for them in the long run. They'd been together since June, and, this being their first Christmas as a couple, they decided to spend the entire holiday season together.
Unfortunately, they would not be spending it alone. Jeremy's plans to go home to his parents' house in Florida had fallen through, and he was forced to stay right where he was, at the apartment in North Carolina. Fortunately, for everyone, he was not alone: his girlfriend Brenda was visiting from college, which meant that he would not be moping around and making everyone depressed.
Eric stepped away from the tree and glanced over at Jennifer, sitting on the couch putting away the unused ornaments that couldn't fit on the tree. He wondered to himself how he could have been so lucky to have won her over. She was a vision of loveliness to him, her dirty blonde hair resting just below her shoulders. He couldn't take his eyes off her gorgeous body, plump and curvaceous in all the right places.
"It looks perfect," she commented, admiring his work with the tree.
"Yes, it does," he replied with a deliberate smile, admiring her work with, well...her.
Jennifer couldn't help but blush in response. Eric had been the best thing that had ever happened to her. She'd only ever dated one man before him, but it had turned out disastrously. The man had never cared for her the way that Eric did. He was kind-hearted, always cheerful, and sensitive to the things she needed. Of course, he was also a big dork, a quality she actually found herself attracted to.
He didn't feel the need to spend his free time going to clubs or bars, choosing to stay home and play games on his computer. She never had to worry about what he might be up to or with whom he might be. She found that she loved the cheesy puns he made, even if they made her groan. And, at a towering 6'5" to her own 5'4", he was big enough to wrap himself around her whenever she just needed to be held.
She held out both her hands to him, and he came to her, and bent down to kiss her deeply. It was then that Jeremy and Brenda entered the living room.
"Don't you two have a room for that?" Brenda playfully asked.
Eric broke away from the kiss and sat down next to Jennifer on the couch before looking up at Brenda.
"What's the matter? Not a fan of a good show?" he replied.
"Not much of a show," Brenda quipped, "you were just kissing."
"We could do more," he joked.
"I'd rather we not," Jennifer remarked quietly.
Eric understood completely: Jennifer was a very shy person. When they were alone behind closed doors, she was a fiery, passionate lover, but when there was anyone else around, she had a hard time displaying affection beyond hand-holding. He didn't mind, though, because the fiery passion during alone time was absolutely worth it.
"Right. So, what are you guys up to?" Eric asked of the couple.
"My pre-order just came in at GameStop," Jeremy answered. "We're off to go pick it up before the stores close. I see you finally got the tree up...one day before Christmas. Cutting it a little close, aren't you?"
"Not really." Eric said. "I didn't want to get the tree too early and have to deal with watering it and finding needles all over the carpet for the next 4 months. It's much easier this way. We get a tree for Christmas, and we can toss it the day after. Everyone wins!"
Eric looked at the couple standing in the doorway and watched them shake their heads at him in unison. He mentally noted how perfect they were for each other, completely in-sync, even in their thoughts. He correctly surmised that at this moment, they were both thinking that this was very typical "Eric Behavior".
Together for almost 2 years now, Jeremy, 25, and Brenda, 23,
were
perfect for each other. Eric had originally introduced them after meeting Brenda in one of his online games. He had been seeing someone at the time, so, even though he found her attractive at an even 5 feet tall and the cutest smile he had ever seen, he hooked her up with one of his gamer friends.
Jeremy was ever thankful for that particular day; he had never had a serious relationship in his entire life. He and Brenda found a mutual love of gaming that Eric and Jennifer did not share. They bonded quickly thereafter, and, though they had their fair share of spats and arguments, were a great couple. Things had gotten pretty serious, and the subject of marriage had been brought up once or twice.
"Well, you two take care out there on the road," Eric continued. "There are a lot of crazy drivers out there today doing their last minute shopping."
"Oh, babe, speaking of being on the road," Jennifer lightly touched him on the shoulder, "Don't you have to get to work soon?"
Eric sighed audibly.
"Yes, yes I do."
"Well, you take care, too." Brenda said.
The two left out the front door and into the chilly mountain air. Eric stood, pulling Jennifer up with him, and gave her a long, slow kiss.
"Be careful, sweetheart. I love you." She said as she walked him to the door.
"Love you too, dear."
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Eric arrived home late that night to find the entire household, unsurprisingly, asleep. He quietly made his way through the apartment to his room, trying not to wake anyone. As he took off his clothes and joined Jennifer in bed, something was bothering him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He spent some time trying to figure out what was different, but, eventually, he succumbed to the embrace of sleep.
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