*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

It was 11:51 p.m. and ten minutes before the start of Christmas day. Nickolas pulled into his driveway and saw Valondra’s car. He got out of his truck surprised she was there. He walked up to the house and went inside. The lights were off and he figured Valondra was probably sleeping. He went straight to the kitchen, like he always did, and turned on the light. He walked over to the refrigerator for a drink, not noticing the stuff on the table, and got the milk out. He started drinking from the jug and noticed a little note on the freezer door. Look behind you, Baby, it read. Nickolas stopped drinking and slowly turned around. He didn’t see anyone, but on the table he saw a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice with two glasses, and a note. He put the milk away and walked over to the table. He picked up the note and read: I kind of figured you’d come to the kitchen first. Grab what’s on the table, the Hershey’s syrup, the bowl of strawberries and cool whip in the fridge, and come to the parlor. I’ll be waiting. Nickolas did as the note requested and went to the parlor.

He turned on the light, but didn’t see his fiancée. He saw a green piece of paper taped to the TV and he walked over. He took it off and read: Gothca, Sweetie. Admit it’s funny. I’m actually at the top of the stairs wondering when you’re going to come with that stuff. So hurry up and don’t forget the gold box. Nickolas smiled, shook his head, and picked up the stuff.

He walked to the stairs and turned on another light then shut off the parlor light. He looked up, but still didn’t see Valondra. He started up the stairs and as he got closer, saw a yellow piece of paper on the wall. He got to the top and read: Fooled you. Pick up the red box on the stand and come to my room. I’ll be lying there…naked. Nickolas’ eyes got big and he picked up the box. He quickly walked to Valondra’s room and turned on the light.

Again he didn’t see Valondra, but saw a green box on the bed. He walked over to pick it up and saw another note. He picked it up and read: Man, you’re such a sucker, Babe, but this is fun. I’m really in you’re room and ain’t lying. If ya want me, pick up the green box and bring your sexy self and everything else over. I’m definitely waiting so quit poking around and reading this letter. Instead of standing here reading you could be on your way over wondering what I got for you, but you decide to read this stupid letter and make me wait longer. If I was you I‘d be high-tailing it next door to your room to see my hot sexy naked body. But guys are stupid like that. Just hurry on over, because I got a really great Christmas present for you that can’t wait any longer. I can’t believe you’re still reading this. Put it down and get your nice ass next door. Nickolas smiled and picked up the box.

He left Valondra’s room and walked to his room. He saw the door open ajar and smelled the scent of strawberries coming from inside. He pushed the door open and saw the candles lit all around the room. He smiled as he walked over to the bed and put the stuff down. He saw another note and picked it up. He sat on the bed and read: What took you so long? I’ve been waiting forever. I’m glad you made it though. I told I was here. Now you have to open the boxes in the order ya picked them up.

Nickolas picked up the gold box and opened it as Valondra watched from the bathroom. Inside the box was a Santa’s hat and a note: Put this on! Nickolas did so and Valondra continued to watch. Nickolas picked up the red box and opened it. He heard Valondra giggle and looked as she quickly closed the bathroom door. He picked up the note in the box and read: You definitely need to wear these, ‘cause you’ll look so darn cute. Nickolas held up the red leather boxer briefs, made a face, and said, “I ain’t wearing these. Forget it.” He went to put them back in the box and noticed another note: You’ll wear them if you really love me and want to get married. It’ll be worth it too, Baby; I promise. “Damn, Loni, ya have to lay that on me all the time.” He smiled as he heard Valondra laugh. He didn’t want to put them on, but would anyway for her. He cursed as he changed into the red underwear and picked up the green box.

Again, Valondra watched from the bathroom and smiled as Nickolas smirked and picked up a note: I’m hoping we’ll need these for later. What do you think? Nickolas smiled and looked at the bathroom to see Valondra peeking out. He held up the box and said, “You even got Trojan fluorescents. I’m impressed.” He threw the box on the bed as Valondra threw a paper airplane at him. He picked it up and read: Open. He opened it up and read what was inside: Don’t even think about coming near me. Just make yourself comfy on the bed and I’ll be out in a jiffy. It is finally Christmas so I have a wonderful present for you. He looked back at the bathroom and saw the door closed. He climbed on the bed, made himself comfortable in the middle, and watched the bathroom.

He waited a couple seconds until he heard Valondra ask, “Are you ready, Baby?”

“Ready, Princess!” He looked as the bathroom door opened. “Wow!” He just stared at Valondra as she stood at the bathroom doorway. She had one hand on her hip, the other on the door frame, and wearing a red leather tie front push up tube top and panty Christmas set.

She even had her own Santa hat on and Nickolas continued to stare. “Damn, Santa must have thought Nicky was a really good boy this year. Especially to get a present like that.” She walked over to the bed smiling and stood at the bottom. “God does answer prayers after all.” She shook her head and climbed on the bed. “I think this will be the best Christmas ever.” Valondra slowly crawled up to Nickolas, but stopped to get a strawberry. She dipped it in the cool whip and put it in her mouth, but didn’t bite it. She finished crawling up to Nickolas and took the strawberry from her mouth. She fed it to Nickolas and after he took a bite she kissed him. He went to kiss her in return, but she pulled away.

“Santa said you were a really, really, really good boy. So he sent me to bring out the naughty side.”

“I’m glad he did.” She put the other part of the strawberry in her mouth and he kissed her. “Merry Christmas, Princess.”

“Merry Christmas, Baby. I’m glad you kissed me considering the circumstances.” He only looked at her and she looked up. Nickolas looked up also and noticed all the mistletoe above the bed. “As long as we’re under that mistletoe we have to kiss…its tradition.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice.” They kissed again. “You look really…sexy. Where’d you get that outfit?”

“This old thing? I’ve had it for years.” They smiled and Nickolas pulled at the tie. She slapped his hand saying, “I got it at Fredrick’s.” “Of Hollywood?”

“Yeah. I was asked to do some modeling for them.”

He raised an eyebrow as she straddled him. “The guy gave me his card when I didn’t answer him.”

‘Forget about that. I want to know what you plan on doing with that syrup.” She smiled and handed him the champagne. He popped the cork and they watched it fly across the room and hit a picture off the wall, breaking it.

“Hope it wasn’t anyone important.” She held the glasses as Nickolas filled them and put the bottle on the stand. She gave him his glass and got a strawberry. “Do you like your Christmas so far?”

“Like is not the word. Love is. I still want to know what you plan on doing with that syrup.” She just smiled and gave him a strawberry. “You’re going to make me wait?”

“Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Please.” He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I’ll give you a little sample.” She picked up the syrup and opened it. She put a little chocolate trail on Nickolas’ bare chest and set the syrup aside.

She leaned down and licked the chocolate off his chest and he only moaned satisfyingly. She took the trail up to his mouth and kissed him. After the kiss, they looked at each other smiling.

“Very sweet.” He kissed her again. “I hope there’s more of that.”

“Lots more.” They kissed. “I’m ready, Nick.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to do something you ain’t ready for. I’d feel bad.”

“I’m ready. I thought about this a lot since May. Everyday actually. Is it the right thing to do or not? Will he stay with me after we have sex? Are we really in love? All my answers were a yes. I want us to make love tonight.”

“I thought you wanted to wait until the wedding? I was actually prepared for that.” “I have to be honest with ya, Baby. When we got together I knew that one day I’d end up having sex with you. It just took me three and a half years to work up the courage. My mind is saying ‘no’, but my heart is saying ‘yes’. Ever since I saw you, I’ve been following my heart and I’m not stopping now. I’m going with my heart and I’m ready.”

“Even if we do take that step tonight, it wouldn’t be sex. Sex is bing-ba-da-boom and loveless. What we would be doing is making love, because it’s based on love and I love you.”

“I love you too.” They kissed. “I’m really ready.”

“Positive?”

“Yeah.”

“Ya sure?”

“Yeah.”

‘One hundred percent truly absolutely sure?”

“Nicky, I’m ready. I really want us to do this…tonight.

“Only if you’re ready.” She smiled and kissed him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Charisma was spending the night at Alexander’s since they were sharing Christmas with his mom and grandparents. She laid in bed thinking and watched Alexander sleep. She thought about Howard and also about Nickolas. She even thought about Alexander. She loved Alexander very much…more than anything actually.

She loved everything they shared the past two years. He was a huge part of her life and didn’t want to lose him. That’s what she wanted. She wanted Alexander. Not Howard. Not Nickolas. Alexander.

“Baby, are you sleeping?” Alexander asked startling Charisma.

“No,” Charisma replied and he turned on the light.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Neither can I.”

“I can’t go to sleep upset when you’re lying right beside me.”

“What’s wrong?”

“This whole situation between us.” They sat up at the same time. “I love you, Riz, but the thing is, I really can’t be with you when you’re in love with two other guys. Guys who happen to be my best friends. It ain’t fair to either of us.”

“That’s just it, Babe. I do love Nick and Howie, but only as friends. I realize that now. I don’t love them the way I love you. I would never be able to love them like I do you. I want to be with you. I realize that now too. These past few months were hell, because I didn’t know what I wanted. But since Halloween I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I was almost fired because of it. As I laid here thinking, I realized you are definitely the one I want.”

“I don’t want you to say things that aren’t in your heart and because it’s what I want to hear. I want you to say things you mean and feel inside.”

“I do feel it. I love you, Alex, and want to be with you.”

“I love you too, Baby. I just want you to follow your heart…even if it doesn’t lead to me.”

“It does lead to you. These past two years have been wonderful.” She kissed him. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you asked me in Puerto Rico.” He just looked at her. “You tell me to follow my heart and my heart’s saying ‘yes’ repeatedly. So what I’m saying is yes I will marry you.”

“You thought about this?”

‘Yes. Do you still want to marry me?”

“I’ve been praying for you to change your ‘no’ to a ‘yes’.” They kissed and he opened the bedside stand drawer. He took out a little gray box and looked at Charisma. He opened the gray box, saying, “I was hoping I’d get a chance to put this on your finger.” Charisma smiled as Alexander took the ring from the box and lift up her hand. “I love you.”

“I love you.” They both smiled as Alexander put the diamond shaped diamond ring on her finger. She started crying and he wiped away her tears. “This is for life.”

“I hope so.” They kissed.

“Of course. I was wrong for feeling the way I felt for D and Nick.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She looked at him. “All that matters is that you’re here with me and no one else.”

“And never will be with anyone else.”

“That’s great to hear.”

She kissed him. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you and no one else. I may be young, but I know what I want and I want you. I want to grow old with you and sit on the back porch swing remembering the past and watch our grandkids play in the yard.”

“You have the same dream?”

“Yeah I do. That’s how I see my future. Ever since I met you that’s how I’ve seen my future. Before I envisioned it with Howie, but since that day we got together it’s been you and no one else.”” He just looked at her. “Even through all that’s been happening I couldn’t see my future without you in it.”

“Neither could I.” He hugged her. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” They kissed. “I have something for you.” She got something from underneath the pillow. “I was going to wait until morning to give this to you, but I think now’s find.” She handed him a wrapped box. “Open it.” Alexander just looked at her and took the box. “It ain’t going to bite ya.” She smiled and he unwrapped his present. Charisma watched as he opened the box and look at her. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s 24 karat gold.”

“How did you afford it?”

“Lon helped me out some…well a lot actually.” He smiled at her and looked back at the gold Rolex watch. “Look on the back.” Alexander smiled then took the watch from the box and looked on the back.

Inscribed in the back was: I love you more than words can say. Love, Riz. Alexander looked back at Charisma and kissed her. “I love this, but I love you more.” She smiled. “This is the best Christmas ever.”

“I know.” She turned the light off and kissed him.