EMMA's POV :
Christmas break was finally here!
I had been counting down the days ever since I got off the airport on Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, it was Finals Week and I was swamped with my classes. I spent all my waking hours studying my notes and working on my projects, I even sacrificed precious sleeping hours for extra study sessions.
Ian was also busy with work. The end of a semester was always busiest for the both of us. I was busy taking exams, he was busy making and grading them. So when I finally finished my last exam of the semester, I felt so proud and free, I was practically crying tears of joy.
As soon as I stepped out of the classroom, I pulled my phone out and called Ian. The line rang for a few times before I heard his voice on the other line.
"Hey, you," he said.
"Guess what? I just finished my last exam!" I squealed ecstatically, even forgetting to greet him back.
"Congratulations baby girl. You kicked that exam in the butt, for sure,"
"I'm so excited! I'm going home to pack now, I can't wait to see you in New York City,"
"I know, it's gonna be a special time, baby girl," he chuckled in agreement.
"Eek!"
The past year, Ian had been working hard towards his dream of opening a gallery in the city. A few weeks ago, Ian, Ally, and her investor friends finally finalized their plan to open that art gallery in Manhattan. So, we felt that it was right to spend the holidays together in New York City this year. Not only that Ian could do a little work and scout around the area, we could also make beautiful memories in one of the greatest cities on earth.
To be honest, I did have reservations about him working with Ally, but since he told me I didn't have to worry about her, I stopped worrying. I trusted Ian completely. Plus, this was his dream. I wouldn't wanna stand between my man and his dream.
"Baby girl, I'm still at school, I need to finish grading some stuff. I gotta go, but I'll talk to you later?" I heard paper rustling and he sounded preoccupied.
"Oh, okay, talk to you later," I replied quickly.
"I love you and I can't wait to see you," he sighed.
"I love you too," I was smiling from ear to ear, even though he couldn't see it.
I had a spring in my step as I made my way back to my dorm room. The streets were lined with all sorts of Christmas decorations and I could hear Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' playing in the background. The air outside was cold, but I had this warm feeling in my heart as I pictured Ian and me together, walking down the streets of New York City, hand in hand once again.
Love never felt so good!
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The next day, I was still in pure happy bliss as I boarded the train leaving for Penn Station. It only took me an hour and forty-five minutes to get to the city from Philly. I kept thinking and imagining our future together. This train ride meant everything. This could mean the end of a dreadful long distance relationship. With Ian moving to New York City next year, this train ride would mean that I could see him every weekend if I want to.
Eeek!
Ian was flying to the city from Georgia and we were supposed to arrive at around the same time. The plan was that I would take an Uber to the Airbnb and meet Ian there. I got off the platform and I was making my way out the station, when suddenly I saw someone that stopped my tracks completely.
"Ian?" I gasped.
"Welcome to New York City, baby girl," he was beaming, standing in front of me with a big bouquet of flowers.
My vision was instantly blurry. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My hands went to cover my quivering mouth, dropping everything I was holding in my hands. He was smiling from ear to ear, laughing at my reaction.
He walked over to me and everything was like in slow motion. I couldn't move and I just stared at him. He had his arms open and he linked them around me as soon as he was near. As soon as I felt his arms around me, I broke down and tears trickled down my face. I hugged him back and flushed my face onto his shoulder.
"You're real," I sobbed.
"Of course, I am," he chuckled.
"I thought you're gonna wait at the Airbnb?"
"You're not the only one that likes surprise appearances," he laughed and I laughed at that too.
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Ian and I headed straight to the Airbnb and we dropped off my things. I was too excited for rest, so we went out for dinner and took a walk around the block. We were staying in an area called Chelsea and it was such a lovely neighborhood. There was a park on an abandoned train track called The Highline and we spent our night walking through it. We walked hand in hand as Ian brought me up to speed with the gallery opening. He was so excited as he talked about it, it made me excited too.
"We found the coolest venue. It used to be an abandoned meatpacking factory. But you should see it, once we're done renovating it, it's gonna be so amazing!"
"I can't wait to see it, when can we go see it?"
"We can go tomorrow? It's in a rough state right now, so you'll have to use your imagination,"
"Well, luckily I had a great art teacher in high school and he taught me a lot about using my imagination," I smiled playfully.
"Whoa, careful lady. My fiancée might see," he chuckled and I shoved his chest in response. He was quick and he caught my hand in his. He pulled me close and he kissed me fast and hard.
I was smiling real wide when we finally pulled away, maybe even giggling like a little schoolgirl.
"What?" he smiled back.
"We're kissing in the middle of a public park," I replied. "We can't really do that before,"
His eyes softened and he sighed, "Guess we have a lot of making up to do,"
Leaning his forehead down to mine, we stared at each other for a good minute, just smiling and marveling at each other's features. It was December and it was cold, but staring into his eyes got me warm and blissful.
He put his hand to cup my cheek and I flinched a little because his skin was cold. Ian chuckled and said, "It's cold, huh? Well, we can always kiss in the park tomorrow?"
"Yes, please," I nodded.
We were still hand in hand as we walked back to the Airbnb. He put our hands in the pocket of his coat so that we would stay warm. It was the cutest thing ever.
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Back at the Airbnb, Ian turned on the fireplace and I grabbed some blankets and draped it over the couch. We were thinking of a simple Netflix and chill night. A new season of Money Heist was out and what else screamed Christmas than bank robbers throwing money in the air?
Moments later, Ian and I were tangled up on the couch, covered by the wool blanket. My back was to his chest and his arms were linked around my body. His fingers trailed up and down the middle of my chest, barely grazing my boobs. It was a soothing yet tantalizing movement.
We stayed like that for the first half hour, until suddenly I felt something growing behind me. My body stiffened instinctively when I realized what it was. I tried to keep my cool, though, I focused myself on the screen in front of me.
Ian brushed a lock of my hair back, revealing the side of my neck to the air. Leaning down, his lips landed on my neck and he started sucking on it gently. I tilted my head back and a soft moan escaped my lips as he deepened the kiss.
"Ian, I'm trying to watch the show," I whined. Although we all know, I wasn't really.
"Screw the show, it's on Netflix anyway," he replied.
That made sense to me, so I rolled over to my side and lay facing him. Putting my hands on both sides of his face, I smiled brightly and pulled him in for a kiss. He returned the kiss passionately, and using his weight he pushed me back on the couch until he was hovering over me.
Not breaking off the kiss, I ran my hands through his lush dark hair and my fingers rested on the back of his neck. He parted my thighs with his knees and placed himself in front of my opening. We were still fully clothed, but I could feel everything. His hard length was pressed up against me and I felt myself getting wetter and wetter-
* RING! * RING! * RING *
All of a sudden we heard a loud ringing and our bodies jerked up in response. It was Ian's phone and it was directly above my head, on the table next to the couch.
"Shit," he muttered. "Hold that thought,"
He went to grab the phone and checked the screen. I thought he was gonna turn off the phone, but instead he picked up the call.
"Ally? What's wrong?" he said to the phone.
Ally? What?
"Uh-huh... Okay... Yeah, it's fine... I'll be right there,"
He will be what?
"What's wrong?" I asked as soon as he turned off the call.
He shuffled away and stood up straight, saying, "Something's not right with the renovation. Ally thinks the contractor's lying about something. I gotta go and check it out,"
"Right now?" I gaped.
"The sooner we find out the better. It'll only take a couple of minutes,"
"Oh, well... let me go get changed, I'll come with you,"
"It's cold outside, just stay here. I'll be right back and we'll pick up where we left off," he said as he quickly went to grab his coat.
It wasn't like Ian was gonna wait for me anyway, so I just said, "Okay,"
Ian flashed me a quick smile as he put on his shoes and headed for the door. One minute we were making out on the couch, but as soon as Ally called him, he was out the door the next minute. That obviously didn't sit well with me, but I wasn't gonna be a clingy and whiny insecure girlfriend. So I did the only thing I could do, I slumped down on the couch and let out a long defeated sigh.
Ian was already out the door, but suddenly I heard the door open again and he came barging in. He went straight for me and pulled my face up this, his lips crashed down on mine quickly and feverishly.
"What?" I gaped at him when he pulled away.
"I'll be back in twenty minutes. We'll continue this," he replied as his thumb brushed my chin gently.
I smiled and nodded at him. He got back up and headed out the door. I had the best man in the world and he loved me, it was silly to think otherwise. Pulling the blanket up, I grabbed the remote and continued watching my show.
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I tried waiting up for him. He said he was only gonna be gone for twenty minutes. It had been almost an hour later when I ended up falling asleep on the couch.
The next thing I remembered, my eyes were still glued shut but I was hearing Ian's voice.
"Hey, baby girl, let's move you to the bed," he said softly.
I peered my eyes open and saw his face right in front of mine. The TV was off and the clock showed it was 2:30 AM.
"You said you're only gonna be gone for twenty minutes," I said weakly.
"Took a little longer than I thought, I'm sorry," he said as he slid his arms under my body and he lifted me up effortlessly.
I linked my arms around him and said, "Don't ever leave me again,"
"I won't baby, I promise,"
He carried me to the bedroom and lay me down gently on the bed. He took the spot next to mine and pulled the blanket over us. I was still half awake and half dreaming, and maybe I was a little delirious. I remembered I kept asking him, "Please don't leave me,"
Ian wrapped his arms around me tight and he cooed, "I'm never leaving you again. I'm here, okay? I'm here,"
He felt warm and nice and that was all I ever wanted. I smiled into his chest as I buried my face against him. Mariah Carey was right after all. All I want for Christmas is you.
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- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -