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“Then you better plan on having the best Christmas ever, Griffin.”
12
Pearl
On Monday and Tuesday, Griffin and I finish our sessions for the Pure Bliss holiday collection that will drop on Wednesday. Strategically timed to capture last-minute Christmas shoppers looking to spice up their sex life. Thursday night finds us at Griffin’s apartment where he and I cook a meal for us and his mother.
She’s a stunning woman. I’m surprised she’s never dated anyone since Griffin was able to take care of himself. For the first half an hour, she’s a bit reserved. And I notice her watching Griffin and me as we go about cooking. Once we’ve got things in the oven, she walks over and takes my hands in hers.
“Thank you for making him happy,” she chokes out. “It’s all I ever wanted for him.”
A tear slips down her cheek as she pulls me into her arms. I hold her close, tears streaming down my own face, as I tell her another truth.
“He makes me happy, too,” I whisper. “Thank you for raising such a wonderful man. You should be proud of him.”
“Words can’t describe how proud I am of him,” she says as she pulls back and gives me a watery smile.
In the next moment, Griffin is there to pull both of us against him for a hug. We laugh and enjoy the moment. While our dinner cooks in the oven, we settle on the couch, and I answer all her questions. It’s no surprise that I end up talking about my family.
“Seven children?” she gasps.
“Yes, ma’am,” I laugh. “My house was like a zoo growing up. And with three of my siblings still at home, it still is at times. Especially during the holidays.”
“Oh, my,” she laughs. “I can’t even imagine.”
When Griffin squeezes my hip, I know this is my opening. So, I’m quick to take it.
“With my two older brothers living several hours away, we’re gathering for Christmas this Saturday,” I say with a bright smile. “We’d love for you and Griffin to join us.”
“Oh, no,” she says quickly. “I couldn’t impose.”
“It would be no imposition whatsoever,” I laugh. “And besides, you might enjoy watching my father and brothers give Griffin the third-degree.”
“You haven’t met her family yet?” she asks him.
“I haven’t,” he says with a grin. “And it might be nice to have some backup.”
She agrees to think about it. But by the end of the night, I’ve got her convinced, much to Griffin’s delight. After she leaves, Griffin carries me to the bedroom and owns my pleasure for the next hour. When I fall asleep in his arms, I’m certain that I’ve also fallen for him.
We both have photo sessions on Friday for some other contracts, but we’re done by midday. After explaining that a covered dish is expected instead of a gift at my parent’s house, Griffin and I go to his mother’s apartment that night to prep our contributions. We’re back late Saturday morning to finish cooking.
When we arrive at my parents’ house, I can sense that both Griffin and his mother are a little nervous. But when I open the door to the chaos that is the White family during the holidays, they relax and enjoy blending into the melee.
“Mom, dad, this is my boyfriend, Griffin Marks and his mother Anna,” I say as we enter the kitchen.
As I expected, my mother is quick to hug them both, thanking them for their dish. My father greets Anna with a kiss on the cheek before shaking Griffin’s hand and quickly leading him into the family room. I smile and give him a wink knowing that my four brothers are probably in there as well. When he’s out of sight, Anna grabs my arm and pulls me close.
“I’ve never seen him so nervous,” she whispers. “He must really like you.”
“I really like him, too.”
In no time at all, we dive in to help my mother. Anna is introduced to my two sisters first, then my four brothers and two of their wives and my niece and nephew. As it goes, one of my sisters-in-law brought along her father, Dylan, who has been widowed for the past five years. When he’s introduced to Anna, I recognize the smile he gives her. He’s interested. And Anna may be as well.
When Griffin notices, he’s torn over how he feels about it. Having watched her live her life alone, I’m not surprised. But when Dylan offers to drive her home, he can stand it no more. He discreetly pulls him aside and asks what his intentions are with his mother. His answer must satisfy Griffin because he allows his mother to leave with him. When it’s time for us to go, we’re hugged warmly and asked not to be strangers.
On our drive back to his apartment, which I’ve spent more time in than my own over the last week, he smiles as he holds my hand. When he lets us inside, I gasp at the sight of a small Christmas tree in his living room. It wasn’t there this morning.
“When did you do this?” I ask.
