1Chapter 6
Erin, Clarke and Ben returned downstairs. Clarke and the girls helped Erin with the Christmas Dinner preps while Ben joined his father in the living room.
"Lori and I can drive you guys to the airport tomorrow if you'd like," Ben offered.
"Sure," his father agreed. "That would be helpful."
"Maybe this summer we could go to a Red Sox game," Ben suggested. "I've never been to Fenway before."
"Your mother and I went there for the Patriot's Day game every year before you were born," his father revealed.
"Really?" Ben asked with surprise.
"She was really outgoing and adventurous before she got sick," he recalled fondly.
Ben nodded, happy to hear his father mention his mother. Ben was suddenly feeling the magic and cheer of Christmas thanks to Erin's thoughtful gift, Clarke's gracious presence, and Riley and Penny's excitement about their holiday gifts.
Ben was noticeably cheerful and participatory at the dinner table as Clarke told the girls about her Disneyworld experience and memories which got the girls all the more excited about their trip.
"Have you been drinking the eggnog?" Ben's father asked, aware of Ben's spiritual gleefulness during dinner.
"Not yet," Ben joked.
Later, the girls packed for their Disneyworld adventure while Ben, Clarke, Erin and Ben's father played Hearts.
Then exhausted, from the long emotional day, Ben and Clarke retired to his bedroom.
"Today was a good day," Clarke said with satisfaction as they undressed. "I remember being as excited as the girls were today when I was a kid, hardly able to sleep on Christmas Eve and waking up early, eager to see what Santa brought."
"Do you have any other gifts for me?" Ben asked with a smirk, grabbing her into his arms and giving her a hug and a kiss.
"We'll have the house all to ourselves starting tomorrow," Clarke grinned.
"I can't wait that long," Ben protested. "I want to celebrate our First Christmas in style."
"I thought we already had," Clarke laughed.
"Sleep naked," Ben requested.
"What if there's a fire?" Clarke teased. "Or the girls want to hear more Disney stories? Or Santa swings by?"
"We'll risk it," Ben replied, naked now.
Clarke laughed. "Well, it is Christmas," she said.
"Our first," Ben reminded her.
She was naked now and she lifted the blanket and slipped underneath to join Ben, pressing herself against him and pulling his arm around her.
"Do you think your mom would have liked me?" she asked.
"Without question," Ben said without missing a beat. "She knew I was sacrificing a lot to be with her during her illness. She would have been happy to see me with you."
"Like now?" Clarke seductively breathed against his neck.
"You'll have to be quieter this time," Ben warned.
"What do you mean?" She giggled.
"You're pretty demonstrative when it comes to lovemaking," Ben said with approval.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing!" Ben grinned.
Clarke rolled over and turned on the bedside clock radio. The local station was still playing Christmas music. She turned it up a bit, and then pulled the covers away, sat up and mounted Ben who was lying flat on his back, positioning herself above him. Ben started bucking his hips as soon as he was inside her.
She started to moan.
"Shh!" Ben warned.
Clarke giggled, and then she leaned over and pressed her lips against his to help muffle her sounds. He reached out and pulled her down to kiss her while she bucked atop him. Clarke buried her face in his neck. Her hair was soft as it fell in his face.
"Merry Christmas," Ben whispered.
Clarke's only reply was a moan, but her lips pressed against his mouth, and she kissed him again. Ben clutched her buns as she thrust up and down, repeatedly gasping.
When it was over, Clarke collapsed onto his chest, shaking while sobbing breaths, her breasts heaving as they pressed against him.
They lay there recovering and enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies until Clarke finally rolled off him and lay on her back next to him.
"Merry First Christmas, Quist."
"Merry First Christmas, Lori," he replied.
She gave him an amused look. "Please," she said. "Call me Clarke."