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"We can remember that for next year, you owe me."
Ashton wraps his body around me before we drift off to sleep, the perfect ending to what I can only imagine might be the worst best birthday he has ever had.
"Look, I know this is like your first time decorating a Christmas tree, but you can't put everything in one spot. You have to spread the ornaments out otherwise it will only look nice from that one spot."
On our way home today we stopped to buy a Christmas tree from a local farm. They didn't have much for choices since Christmas is less than two weeks away, but Melanie was pumped to be there no matter what. At first we didn't agree on the ideal tree shape for our living room - I am a sucker for the short and fat ones, while she thought a taller more slim tree would accentuate our high ceilings better. In the end, we somehow got a tall and fat tree that looks right at home in front of the bay windows overlooking the city. The lights twinkling on the streets below are nothing compared to how Melanie's eyes sparkle with each ornament she adds to the tree.
"Listen here buddy, I am the one who makes the rules around here, and the rule of Christmas tree decorating is whatever makes you happy is what we do."
"Exactly, whatever makes ME happy." I tease, knowing damn well that wasn't what she meant but doing anything I can to pull more laughter from her. Smiling looks amazing on her. We have only been home for a few hours, but I can already see how she seems lighter, like the weight of the world is no longer weighing her down. The simple things like a tree in the living room and the excitement of Christmas taking the place of whatever kept her from enjoying them before.
I wrap my arms around her middle, planting my chin on her shoulder as I watch her put yet another ornament of the same color on the same cluster of branches.
"You're killing me, woman." I whisper into her ear before giving it a nibble.
"Don't ruin it." She plays back, pushing her ass into my crotch. I'm thankful that my dick is feeling better today because I am desperate to have her again.
"Would it ruin it if I gave you your birthday present a little early?"
Melanie spins so fast in my arms I worry that she is going to send both us and the tree tumbling to the floor if she loses her balance.
"Did you say present?" Her eyes are lit up like the star on top of the Christmas tree behind her and I already feel myself completely gone for this girl.
"Okay so it's kind of a two part present ... and one part is mostly for me."
"Spill it!" Her excitement gushes over.
"I called to ask the owner of Orion if we could do a cooking class with the chef to work on your skills."
"Don't you think I should learn some basics before I do that? I don't even know how to peel a carrot Ash, how am I going to cook with a chef!"
"I'm not finished, Mel ... " I fake impatience as she gestures her hands for me to keep talking.
"Well he agreed but only because his new commis chef needs some extra hours in the kitchen."
"What the hell is a commis chef? That sounds made up."
"It's me, I'm the new commis chef. It's like an apprentice position to learn everything about working in a kitchen." The other night when I was there with the guys I made it a point to look into a new job with more predictable pay and a schedule that will allow me to be home when Melanie is. Even though she will be sleeping the day away, working nights for me will mean having more opportunity to do things together.
"What! That's so exciting Ash, I'm beyond proud of you. A chef? I mean, it makes sense, your cooking is already so good, I can only imagine what it will be like when you get some formal training to go with it."
"It's something I always wanted to do but hated the structure of it. If I've learned anything over the past few months, it's that sometimes structure is a good thing."
"When do we get to do the private class? What are we making?"
"New Year's Eve, the place is actually closed to give the staff the night off."
"Wow, and he's trusting you in the place all alone with your girlfriend? You must have really impressed him."
The word rolls off her tongue and I don't think she even notices but I sure as hell do. Girlfriend. Holy shit, she totally is my girlfriend.
"I can be very persuasive when I need to be ... girlfriend."
The fireworks outside are loud, but inside we can only hear the occasional faint boom over our laughter in the kitchen. Melanie is a natural now that she is learning to loosen up and give in to the natural flow of things. It's fucking beautiful to see from her.
"Alright, enough goofing around, what are we cooking?"
I pass her an index card with a recipe written on it and wait for realization to click in her eyes.
