“I’m sorry.” He sniffs and wipes his face. “I just miss celebrating a proper Thanksgiving. I would be honored to have half the family and love you have, Sky. A big house doesn’t mean anything without people who love you in it.”
I’m falling in love with you.The words almost leave my mouth, but I hold back. Instead, I wipe his tears and kiss his cheek. Holding him close, I say, “You, Reed Sung, are the one I’m thankful for the most.”
“Really?”
I snicker as my eyes burn with tears. “Yeah. I want you to have all the family love you want, okay?”
He nods and rubs my hand. “If you don’t mind dating a guy who keeps crying.”
We both laugh. “I’ll see your occasional displays of sadness and raise you one family that doesn’t have any boundaries.”
“Deal,” he replies.
And that’s how we spend the next two hours. We cuddle close on the couch, watching random old TV shows and giving each other all the affirmations we need. We build each other up, and it’s the healthiest I’ve ever felt with a guy. He has to work in the morning, so when we’re done, I reluctantly bid him goodnight. As he’s leaving right before midnight, we share a long, lingering kiss at my doorway.
There’s still so much to learn about each other. But if this kraken already accepts my family, I can’t see a future where I don’t want to include him. I pray he’s taking this as seriously as I am, because I’m certainly falling in love with Reed Sung, little by little.
CHAPTER 16- SKYLER
NOVEMBER GIVES WAYto December in a blur of good times, festivities, tinsel, but not enough tentacles in my opinion. I dive into Christmas activities at MM Institute and even help with a huge project, rehabilitating a few dolphins. Before we know it, it’s Christmas break, and both Ardsley and Karlo will be busy with their families and respective significant others. I exchange gifts with my two best friends at the work party two days before the holiday, and merriment is shared all around.
Naturally, my weekends are spent with Reed. We go on biking dates, take loads of pictures, and whenever we go to dinner, he insists on paying. The insecure part of me that thinks I’m not rich enough slowly shuts up over time. After all, Reed wasn’t fazed by the Dillinger clan or my shoebox-sized apartment. Could it be possible he sees a long-term future with me, too?
Tonight, however, is Christmas Eve, also known as the true test of our relationship. If my present isn’t received well, I doubt Reed will dump me over that, but I won’t be able to forgive myself. My new monster boyfriend is hunky, rich, sweet, and generous; all I want to do is measure up.
We’re sitting on Reed’s couch with the laptop open, celebrating our long-distance holiday. The Dillinger clan is on video chat as they hang out at Eartha’s place, along with some cousins all over the country. We chat and play online games while wearing our audacious Christmas sweaters, like we do every year. Each of us reveals our Christmas dinner, and Iproudly show off the meat loaf and mashed potatoes Reed and I cooked together.
And the entire time, my man doesn’t stop smiling. He doesn’t think we’re overbearing weirdos who celebrate Christmas via the internet. And when I hold his waist closer to me on the couch, he doesn’t squirm away. A not-so-little part of me wants to keep him next to me, never let him go, and celebrate Christmas with him every year.
Even the embarrassing parts of my life aren’t so bad when Reed Sung is smiling by my side.
At last, it’s time for presents. We laugh in delight when Eartha gets Gramps a smart watch. Dad gets Mom a purse with a bejeweled butterfly pattern on it. I think it’s gaudy, but Mom loves it. She stares at Dad like they haven’t spent almost forty years together, and it warms my heart. When I squeeze Reed’s hand, I pray to the monster god that maybe that could be us one day.
“What did you get my son, Reed?” Mom asks.
Reed glances at me. “Nothing that pretty, Mrs. Dillinger,” he replies with a smile.
“Please, call me Mom,” she says, beaming in the screen.
I try not to roll my eyes while Reed squeezes my hand. “I can’t show it to you on screen,” Reed says.
“Ooh, sexy,” my sister coos with a smirk. “It’sthatkind of present.”
I exchange a shocked look with Reed, then turn back to the laptop. “Eartha,” I whine.
Everyone laughs, and Reed forces a chuckle. “No. I got him a voucher for a tour of the Alaskan wilderness.”
“What?” I ask.
Reed shrugs and continues, “You always said you wanted to take photos of the Northern wilds and see whales and stuff. I figured we could go sometime when you’re free.”
“You got us both tickets?”
Reed’s face turns pink. “Was that…presumptuous? Assuming you wanted to go with me?”
My heart wants to skyrocket and blow up into dazzling lights. I squeeze Reed’s hand. “That’s so thoughtful. Of course I want to go with you. Thank you, babe!”
That must be the right response, because he quickly relaxes. “Um, merry…m-merry Christmas,” he stammers.
