My "Three Kings" of Christmas
Hey everyone! 😀 🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 I am SO excited to share my 2022 Christmas story with y'all this year. 😊 I've been working tirelessly on it since October and it has been a real joy. It...
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This was a fun chapter to write. :blush: (With lots of pictures. :mrgreen: ) Especially the ending scene with Malai and her parents. :lol:
Enjoy everyone! <3
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Chapter 5
Christmas dinner at my parent’s home started right at 4pm. Mami set and decorated the two tables exquisitely. Dad tidied up the kitchen during all the cooking, washing the dishes mom finished using. Mom was doing the traditional Christmas Day feast: honey glazed ham with mashed potatoes and pork gravy, sautéed fresh green beans, and buttered rolls on the side. And of course we had pies…lots of pies. It smelled divine! Made my stomach growl in longing the moment I got home to take a nap. I did ask the two mothers if they needed my help with anything first to which they kindly assured me that everything was good. I was honestly relieved. I didn’t feel like doing much at the moment anyway.
I’ll admit I had a little trouble drifting into a nap after that horrible exchange between me and Aizen; what he said still very fresh in my mind. Eventually I crashed after deciding to hum my favorite Christmas song, Carol of the Bells, to take my mind off it.
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I was awoken by the sound of my mom’s voice, telling me that dinner would be ready in a half hour. I sat up slowly, thankful my headache was gone, but the ache in my soul was not. Ugh! Let it go already! I commanded myself. I was NOT going to allow Aizen’s ornery behavior to ruin the remainder of Christmas day, or the lovely dinner we invited his family to. I took my thoughts back to Kai, sweet, sexy Kai - especially back to our amazing first kiss on the porch - and that’s where my thoughts would stay.
I leapt from the bed and got dressed in the beautiful qipao the Yamamotos gifted me. Then I stepped into the bathroom to touch up my makeup and fix my hair.
“Malai, dinner!” The call soon came.
I quietly emerged from the darkness of the hallway and once everyone could see me, I heard a few light gasps.
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Kai even stood from his chair in awe, his eyes and smile beaming, as he unhesitatingly declared, “You look beautiful!”
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I smiled brightly at him with blushed cheeks.
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“Merry Christmas Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto,” I addressed, hands clasped together below my waist. “Thank you for this truly lovely gift. I will cherish it forever.”
“Oh…,” Mami voiced for a moment, holding her hand to her mouth with glistening eyes. Her reaction spoke louder than the words she couldn’t utter.
Hoshi then stood up, giving me the most respectful bow. “We are humbled by your gesture, dear Malai. You are welcome.”
Mami nodded.
I bowed to him in return, as well as to her.
“She looks more than beautiful Uncle Kai,” Amaya piped in, “she looks gorgeous! Don’t you think so too, daddy?”
Ugh, did she have to ask him that? I thought.
Aizen actually didn’t have any problem looking at me now. “Yeah,” came his soft reply, then he shifted his gaze downward at his hands, fiddling with them a bit. Did I detect a hint of sincerity in his voice?
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I stepped over to the empty seat waiting for me (my dad pulled it out for me like a gentleman), which was conveniently right across from Kai. That was a nice surprise.
“Malai,” Ryu addressed before I sat down, gesturing towards the woman standing next to him, “I’d like to introduce you to Tara Ambrose, my girlfriend.”
“Oh my gosh, hey!” I greeted, reaching over the table to shake her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She was a pretty, freckled faced red-head with short hair that fell just above her shoulders and had the most striking green eyes I’d ever seen.
“You too,” Tara said in return, sitting herself down. “Ryu told me so many nice things about you on the drive over.”
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Ryu winked at me from the side as he sat himself down too.
“Oh,” I smiled. Whenever people say that it always makes me feel uncomfortable, and I never really know what to say in response. “Well…I…hope to make a good impression.”
“I’m sure you will,” Tara assured with a smile.
I finally sat down so we could eat.
I don’t remember a whole lot from Christmas dinner - compared to Christmas Eve dinner - but the main thing I remembered was all the happy voices surrounding me, beautifully ringing in my ears, and once again feeling like we were all one, big happy family.
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Kai and I couldn’t keep our eyes off each other, flashing flirty smirks often.
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We actually played “footsie” underneath the table, kicked our shoes off and everything. I know, it’s totally silly and child-like, but we were enjoying it. I just love the excitement of a brand new relationship.
Ryu and Tara were adorable together, one always having an arm around the other, except when they were eating of course.
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I learned that Tara was pursuing a degree in Biology, with plans to become a Marine Biologist. “I’ve always loved everything about the ocean since my parents first took me to one as a toddler,” she told me. “I hope to one day discover a new organism in its deep, dark, and mysterious depths. That would be a dream come true!”
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I thought that was awesome and wished her well in her endeavors.
Sometimes I could feel Aizen’s eyes on me and every time I glanced back at him, he would immediately look away, like a puppy that got caught doing something wrong. I really didn’t understand him…Because I was under the impression that he disliked me. So in that regard I didn’t really care for him checking me out. Unless…he was feeling sorry? I sure hoped so.
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Amaya actually asked my dad if she could switch seats with him so that she could sit by me. It was cute. I felt honored that she enjoyed being around me so much, as opposed to her father. I wondered just how bad it bothered Aizen that she wanted to sit by me rather than him. But honestly, I didn’t really care. Amaya was my new little friend - who extended the hand of friendship to me first - and I wasn’t just going to cut her out of my life and crush her little heart for the sake of her dad’s issues. Whatever they were.
When dessert was served, Amaya and I took turns taking a bite out of a piece from every single one of the pies to try. You should’ve seen how messy her face got! Ultimately she declared her favorite pie out of them all to be the chocolate pie and…while that was a close second in my book, blueberry pie will always hold the number one place in my pie loving heart.
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After dinner we all helped with the clean-up and then conversed for a long while in the living room. Amidst all the many different conversations, there was a lot of flirting going on between me and Kai - we had a hard time suppressing it. I mean, we did kiss after all. I was beginning to feel like this interest in each other could really lead to something great. Everyone clearly took notice of our affections, the two mothers especially looking happy about it. Same with my dad and Hoshi. Smirks were flying all around between the four. It kind of made me wonder…
At around 9:30 pm a lot of goodbyes were exchanged, and some hugs, as our lovely, big Christmas get together came to a close. I honestly had to hold back some tears, especially when saying goodbye to Ryu. I wasn’t sure when - or if - I would ever see him again. The future is always so unpredictable. But I had hope in my heart that I would.
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He and Tara were heading back to college the next morning, mostly because Tara had to get back to work. She was such a kind girl with a very open and humorous personality like Ryu. They were a great match. It wouldn’t surprise me if they got married someday.
A very tired Amaya gave me a tight hug on her and Aizen’s way out, Aizen standing just a couple of feet behind her as she did so.
“Goodnight Malai,” she wished with a yawn.
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“Goodnight to you too sweet girl. Sleep tight,” I wished as well before we broke our embrace.
“You’re not leaving tomorrow too are you?” she asked with a frown.
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My heart melted. I shot a quick glance up at Aizen and then back at her. “I’m…actually not sure when I’ll be leaving yet,” I answered, just then remembering that I agreed to go on a date with Kai tomorrow night when the original plan was to go back home. I suppressed a sigh. I gotta call Landon again before bed and inform him about the change in plans… I’m glad I didn’t have to worry about my boss being a je’rk about that sort of thing.
“So you’re not leaving tomorrow?” Amaya asked with hope in her eyes.
“No, not tomorrow.” I smiled.
“Yay! So it’s goodnight for now, not goodbye.”
I chuckled. “Yes. Goodnight.” We gave each other another quick hug and then I stood and met eyes with Aizen again. We held each other’s gaze for a fleeting moment.
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“Bye,” I whispered to him as I stepped aside and allowed them to leave. I don’t know why “Bye” came out instead of “Goodnight,” but it just did.
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Aizen nodded his head to me, expressionless, as he passed by. I couldn’t tell if that was because he was glad or…not. Either way, I wasn’t dwelling on it. I grabbed a shall to throw around myself as I stepped out onto the porch behind him. Kai was out there - along with his parents - saying goodnight to my parents.
The two of us waited for both of our parents to disappear into their houses before we kissed each other goodnight again. It was a much hotter kiss than our last one.
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Little did we know that Aizen caught the tail end of our long, affectionate goodbye through the living room window of the Yamamoto home.
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And apparently there was little exchange that happened between him and Kai once Kai finally returned to the house.
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“Oh,” Kai stopped in surprise at the sight of his brother once he stepped inside. “You startled me.” And closed the front door.
“Enjoying yourself out there?” Aizen asked with folded arms.
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Kai pursed his lips for a moment. It didn’t take a genius to know what his brother was referring to. He slipped his hands into his pockets and replied, “You were watching us?”
“Not watching, just happened to take notice.”
Kai acknowledged the response with a slight nod of his head. “I hadn’t planned on kissing her right away it just…happened. There’s a real attraction there.”
Aizen gave just about the same casual acknowledgement to Kai’s reply. “You sure you want to be rushing into a relationship like this? When you’ve only known her for what, two days?”
Kai paused, holding his breath and his brother’s gaze, choosing his words carefully. “Aizen…I’ve always appreciated you looking out for me, but with all due respect,” he paused, treading lightly while still being frank, “are you really the one that should be counseling me on this sort of thing?”
Aizen’s face hardened at the comment.
“I know what I’m doing.”
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The eldest brother lowered his head, greatly wanting to spit something back at his younger brother, but…couldn’t. He knew Kai had always been a better man than himself. And much more wise in his decisions. After expressing a disgruntled sigh he raised his head and asked, “What about when she goes back to New York, huh? What then?”
Kai shrugged. “I dunno. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But I don’t want to worry about that right now. I just want to enjoy the remaining time that I have with her.”
Arms still folded, Aizen shifted his gaze and shook his head in dismissal.
But it annoyed Kai, to the point that he wasn't finished. “She’s wonderful Aizen,” he fervently expressed, stepping right up to his brother's face, “and you need to quit treating her like cr’ap. She’s been nothing but kind to you, and Amaya, and I’m sick of seeing you give her the cold shoulder anyway. You’re a better man than this, I know you are, and it’s high time you got over yourself. And the past. Goodnight,” he ended while ascending the stairs. It was harsh, but if anyone needed some tough love right now it was Aizen.
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Especially from the brother he was closest to.
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“Kai kissed me!” I squealed to Landon on the phone, while telling him all about Christmas day in my bedroom.
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He about gasped in surprise. “Wow! Uh…that was fast.”
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“I know…and it’s so unlike me, or him, to kiss a person this soon after first meeting, but,” I dreamily paused, “the moment he touched my cheek, it was so…electrifying!” For lack of a better word. “And he’s so, so hot!”
“Uh huh.”
“Our hearts were burning with desire and we just couldn’t hold it back. The kiss felt SO good!” Then I started to gleefully pace. “Oh Landon…I haven’t felt this way about a guy in years!”
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Not since him actually…
“That’s…great Mai. I’m happy for you.” It wasn’t said in the most enthusiastic tone, I noticed, but nonetheless I continued.
“And we’re going on our first date tomorrow night!”
“Tomorrow night?” he curiously asked. “I thought you’d be flying back here tomorrow. So you make it back on time for work.”
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Normally in years past that had always been the case, but this Christmas had been different. Gloriously so. “Yeah, uh, about that…,” I paused, biting at my nail a little.
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“I was thinking…I might stick around here for a few more days,” I informed. “Possibly until New Years.”
Landon didn't say anything, just continued to listen.
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“I have to see where all this is going with Kai,” I said in a tone of great desire. “And we need more time together to truly find out. And…see if it’s a relationship worth doing long distance.” I had no doubt it would be.
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“I understand,” Landon finally spoke. “Where does he live again?”
“Montreal.”
“Oh. Wow.”
“Yeah…” It was a little hard to accept myself. “So, is it alright if I finally take some paid time off?”
“Well,” he sighed, “you’ve completed all the design templates for January's magazine so…I don’t see why not. I’ll mark you down as coming back to work after New Years.”
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“Thank you Landon,” I deeply expressed. “You really are the bestest friend ever. And boss.”
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“So are you…,” he softly said.
I chuckled.
"Well," he sighed, “I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight. It was a long day.”
“Oh. Ok,” I kindly accepted, just as I was about to ask him how his Christmas went, but I got the feeling he wasn't in the mood to talk about it. Most likely it was just stressful work related stuff anyway. He'd fill me in later. “Well I hope you get a good night's rest and…I’ll talk to you later, alright?”
“Alright. Goodnight Mai.”
“Goodnight. Love you."
"...Love you too."
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Just as I began plugging in my phone to turn in for the night myself, my mother and father - mainly my mother - burst into my bedroom.
“You kissed Kai!?” my mother squealed with delight, her Thai accent really coming out.
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My mouth dropped at the question. They were listening in on my conversation with Landon!? Regardless, I couldn’t help grinning and answering, “Yes.”
“Ooooh how wonderful!” She clapped.
“Guess the plan worked,” dad mumbled through a smile from behind her.
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But I heard it. My jaw lowered and my eyes widened, giving both a piercing gaze. “What plan?”
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My mom elbowed my dad; slightly.
“Hey!” he groaned.
“What plan!?” I repeated louder. They had me freaking out.
“It’s ok,” my mother consoled with her hands, “it’s not what you think. It’s not bad.”
“Then enlighten me!”
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Mom stepped closer, hands clasped before her chest and twiddling her fingers, clearly trying to figure out how to explain it in the best, most understandable way possible. “As I’ve gotten to know and love Mami over the past few weeks," she began, "we discovered that we both have the same, longing desire for our children.”
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“That we get married,” I ascertained while bobbing my head with a slight eye-roll.
“Well…yes.”
“Mom!” I spat out in annoyance.
“I know, I know,” she waved off, continuing. “So we thought that if our two families spent Christmas together you could meet her sons, and they could meet you, and hopefully some sparks would fly between you and one of them and…,” she smiled with her hands spread apart, “you two would fall in love…”
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As cute and cliché as that sounded, I still shook my head at her. It was a brilliant plan - one they played and executed very well actually - and I wasn’t entirely complaining about it, but all I could do at the moment was fold my arms tightly and express a loud sigh. I should’ve known…the moment I realized they weren’t asking me about my love life, like they always did. I sighed again.
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“We’re sorry honey,” my mother lovingly expressed while taking my hand. “We weren’t meaning to trick or deceive you.”
“It was arranged only with the best of intentions,” my dad added.
“I know,” I said with sincerity. “But please tell me Kai, Aizen, and Ryu don’t know about the plan either!”
“NO!” my parents replied at the same time, shaking their heads. “Not at all,” my mother ended with. “The plan would not have worked properly that way.” She winked.
I still wasn’t amused. “Ok, well it’s going to stay that way until further notice!” I commanded, slapping a hand to my rapidly beating heart.
They nodded.
“Because I really like Kai…and he likes me.” I smiled. “And I wanna explore the idea of ‘us’ more. Which is why,” I breathed in, “I’ve decided to stay here until New Years, since Kai is as well.”
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My mother squealed with excitement again, throwing her arms around me in a hug. Dad then enveloped the two of us in his arms. “We’re so glad you’ve decided to stay,” he said over the tops of our heads.
“Yes, always,” mother concurred while breaking our embrace, still wearing the same bright smile. “I really hope all goes well with you and Kai.”
“I know you do mom…”
She nodded with a chuckle.
“Well, goodnight honey,” my dad wished while gently escorting mom out with him. “Sleep well.”
“You guys too.”
“Malai?” My mother turned, apparently having one more thing to say.
“Kai is a wonderful man and a lovely choice, but…I must admit I was kinda hoping you’d find favor with Aizen. He pretty too.”
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I really rolled my eyes at that.
“Then that way you’d live here in town with us and our grandbabies would be close and–”
“MOM!”
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“Ok, sorry, sorry. You’re right.” She waved in dismissal. “I stop talking now and let you sleep. Goodnight.”
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Dad and I shook our heads at each other in regards to mom’s antics and then he whispered, “Love you honey,” before closing the door behind him.
“Love you too daddy,” I said in return before it was fully shut.
AIZEN!? I cried out in my mind as I slipped into bed. Seriously mom? Are you freaking kidding me!? Now, if he was even half as sweet as his daughter, maybe, but yeah, no. I dismissed any more thoughts related to that quickly as I sharply pulled the covers up to my neck.
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What a day, I blissfully thought as I closed my eyes and let my head sink into my pillow. And I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
My future awaits.
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<3 :mrgreen: <3
*Chapter 6 will be released on Dec 17th. (My eldest sister's birthday. ? )*
Enjoy everyone! <3
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Chapter 5
Christmas dinner at my parent’s home started right at 4pm. Mami set and decorated the two tables exquisitely. Dad tidied up the kitchen during all the cooking, washing the dishes mom finished using. Mom was doing the traditional Christmas Day feast: honey glazed ham with mashed potatoes and pork gravy, sautéed fresh green beans, and buttered rolls on the side. And of course we had pies…lots of pies. It smelled divine! Made my stomach growl in longing the moment I got home to take a nap. I did ask the two mothers if they needed my help with anything first to which they kindly assured me that everything was good. I was honestly relieved. I didn’t feel like doing much at the moment anyway.
I’ll admit I had a little trouble drifting into a nap after that horrible exchange between me and Aizen; what he said still very fresh in my mind. Eventually I crashed after deciding to hum my favorite Christmas song, Carol of the Bells, to take my mind off it.
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I was awoken by the sound of my mom’s voice, telling me that dinner would be ready in a half hour. I sat up slowly, thankful my headache was gone, but the ache in my soul was not. Ugh! Let it go already! I commanded myself. I was NOT going to allow Aizen’s ornery behavior to ruin the remainder of Christmas day, or the lovely dinner we invited his family to. I took my thoughts back to Kai, sweet, sexy Kai - especially back to our amazing first kiss on the porch - and that’s where my thoughts would stay.
I leapt from the bed and got dressed in the beautiful qipao the Yamamotos gifted me. Then I stepped into the bathroom to touch up my makeup and fix my hair.
“Malai, dinner!” The call soon came.
I quietly emerged from the darkness of the hallway and once everyone could see me, I heard a few light gasps.
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Kai even stood from his chair in awe, his eyes and smile beaming, as he unhesitatingly declared, “You look beautiful!”
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I smiled brightly at him with blushed cheeks.
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“Merry Christmas Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto,” I addressed, hands clasped together below my waist. “Thank you for this truly lovely gift. I will cherish it forever.”
“Oh…,” Mami voiced for a moment, holding her hand to her mouth with glistening eyes. Her reaction spoke louder than the words she couldn’t utter.
Hoshi then stood up, giving me the most respectful bow. “We are humbled by your gesture, dear Malai. You are welcome.”
Mami nodded.
I bowed to him in return, as well as to her.
“She looks more than beautiful Uncle Kai,” Amaya piped in, “she looks gorgeous! Don’t you think so too, daddy?”
Ugh, did she have to ask him that? I thought.
Aizen actually didn’t have any problem looking at me now. “Yeah,” came his soft reply, then he shifted his gaze downward at his hands, fiddling with them a bit. Did I detect a hint of sincerity in his voice?
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I stepped over to the empty seat waiting for me (my dad pulled it out for me like a gentleman), which was conveniently right across from Kai. That was a nice surprise.
“Malai,” Ryu addressed before I sat down, gesturing towards the woman standing next to him, “I’d like to introduce you to Tara Ambrose, my girlfriend.”
“Oh my gosh, hey!” I greeted, reaching over the table to shake her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.” She was a pretty, freckled faced red-head with short hair that fell just above her shoulders and had the most striking green eyes I’d ever seen.
“You too,” Tara said in return, sitting herself down. “Ryu told me so many nice things about you on the drive over.”
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Ryu winked at me from the side as he sat himself down too.
“Oh,” I smiled. Whenever people say that it always makes me feel uncomfortable, and I never really know what to say in response. “Well…I…hope to make a good impression.”
“I’m sure you will,” Tara assured with a smile.
I finally sat down so we could eat.
I don’t remember a whole lot from Christmas dinner - compared to Christmas Eve dinner - but the main thing I remembered was all the happy voices surrounding me, beautifully ringing in my ears, and once again feeling like we were all one, big happy family.
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Kai and I couldn’t keep our eyes off each other, flashing flirty smirks often.
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We actually played “footsie” underneath the table, kicked our shoes off and everything. I know, it’s totally silly and child-like, but we were enjoying it. I just love the excitement of a brand new relationship.
Ryu and Tara were adorable together, one always having an arm around the other, except when they were eating of course.
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I learned that Tara was pursuing a degree in Biology, with plans to become a Marine Biologist. “I’ve always loved everything about the ocean since my parents first took me to one as a toddler,” she told me. “I hope to one day discover a new organism in its deep, dark, and mysterious depths. That would be a dream come true!”
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I thought that was awesome and wished her well in her endeavors.
Sometimes I could feel Aizen’s eyes on me and every time I glanced back at him, he would immediately look away, like a puppy that got caught doing something wrong. I really didn’t understand him…Because I was under the impression that he disliked me. So in that regard I didn’t really care for him checking me out. Unless…he was feeling sorry? I sure hoped so.
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Amaya actually asked my dad if she could switch seats with him so that she could sit by me. It was cute. I felt honored that she enjoyed being around me so much, as opposed to her father. I wondered just how bad it bothered Aizen that she wanted to sit by me rather than him. But honestly, I didn’t really care. Amaya was my new little friend - who extended the hand of friendship to me first - and I wasn’t just going to cut her out of my life and crush her little heart for the sake of her dad’s issues. Whatever they were.
When dessert was served, Amaya and I took turns taking a bite out of a piece from every single one of the pies to try. You should’ve seen how messy her face got! Ultimately she declared her favorite pie out of them all to be the chocolate pie and…while that was a close second in my book, blueberry pie will always hold the number one place in my pie loving heart.
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After dinner we all helped with the clean-up and then conversed for a long while in the living room. Amidst all the many different conversations, there was a lot of flirting going on between me and Kai - we had a hard time suppressing it. I mean, we did kiss after all. I was beginning to feel like this interest in each other could really lead to something great. Everyone clearly took notice of our affections, the two mothers especially looking happy about it. Same with my dad and Hoshi. Smirks were flying all around between the four. It kind of made me wonder…
At around 9:30 pm a lot of goodbyes were exchanged, and some hugs, as our lovely, big Christmas get together came to a close. I honestly had to hold back some tears, especially when saying goodbye to Ryu. I wasn’t sure when - or if - I would ever see him again. The future is always so unpredictable. But I had hope in my heart that I would.
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He and Tara were heading back to college the next morning, mostly because Tara had to get back to work. She was such a kind girl with a very open and humorous personality like Ryu. They were a great match. It wouldn’t surprise me if they got married someday.
A very tired Amaya gave me a tight hug on her and Aizen’s way out, Aizen standing just a couple of feet behind her as she did so.
“Goodnight Malai,” she wished with a yawn.
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“Goodnight to you too sweet girl. Sleep tight,” I wished as well before we broke our embrace.
“You’re not leaving tomorrow too are you?” she asked with a frown.
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My heart melted. I shot a quick glance up at Aizen and then back at her. “I’m…actually not sure when I’ll be leaving yet,” I answered, just then remembering that I agreed to go on a date with Kai tomorrow night when the original plan was to go back home. I suppressed a sigh. I gotta call Landon again before bed and inform him about the change in plans… I’m glad I didn’t have to worry about my boss being a je’rk about that sort of thing.
“So you’re not leaving tomorrow?” Amaya asked with hope in her eyes.
“No, not tomorrow.” I smiled.
“Yay! So it’s goodnight for now, not goodbye.”
I chuckled. “Yes. Goodnight.” We gave each other another quick hug and then I stood and met eyes with Aizen again. We held each other’s gaze for a fleeting moment.
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“Bye,” I whispered to him as I stepped aside and allowed them to leave. I don’t know why “Bye” came out instead of “Goodnight,” but it just did.
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Aizen nodded his head to me, expressionless, as he passed by. I couldn’t tell if that was because he was glad or…not. Either way, I wasn’t dwelling on it. I grabbed a shall to throw around myself as I stepped out onto the porch behind him. Kai was out there - along with his parents - saying goodnight to my parents.
The two of us waited for both of our parents to disappear into their houses before we kissed each other goodnight again. It was a much hotter kiss than our last one.
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Little did we know that Aizen caught the tail end of our long, affectionate goodbye through the living room window of the Yamamoto home.
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And apparently there was little exchange that happened between him and Kai once Kai finally returned to the house.
“Oh,” Kai stopped in surprise at the sight of his brother once he stepped inside. “You startled me.” And closed the front door.
“Enjoying yourself out there?” Aizen asked with folded arms.
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Kai pursed his lips for a moment. It didn’t take a genius to know what his brother was referring to. He slipped his hands into his pockets and replied, “You were watching us?”
“Not watching, just happened to take notice.”
Kai acknowledged the response with a slight nod of his head. “I hadn’t planned on kissing her right away it just…happened. There’s a real attraction there.”
Aizen gave just about the same casual acknowledgement to Kai’s reply. “You sure you want to be rushing into a relationship like this? When you’ve only known her for what, two days?”
Kai paused, holding his breath and his brother’s gaze, choosing his words carefully. “Aizen…I’ve always appreciated you looking out for me, but with all due respect,” he paused, treading lightly while still being frank, “are you really the one that should be counseling me on this sort of thing?”
Aizen’s face hardened at the comment.
“I know what I’m doing.”
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The eldest brother lowered his head, greatly wanting to spit something back at his younger brother, but…couldn’t. He knew Kai had always been a better man than himself. And much more wise in his decisions. After expressing a disgruntled sigh he raised his head and asked, “What about when she goes back to New York, huh? What then?”
Kai shrugged. “I dunno. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But I don’t want to worry about that right now. I just want to enjoy the remaining time that I have with her.”
Arms still folded, Aizen shifted his gaze and shook his head in dismissal.
But it annoyed Kai, to the point that he wasn't finished. “She’s wonderful Aizen,” he fervently expressed, stepping right up to his brother's face, “and you need to quit treating her like cr’ap. She’s been nothing but kind to you, and Amaya, and I’m sick of seeing you give her the cold shoulder anyway. You’re a better man than this, I know you are, and it’s high time you got over yourself. And the past. Goodnight,” he ended while ascending the stairs. It was harsh, but if anyone needed some tough love right now it was Aizen.
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Especially from the brother he was closest to.
“Kai kissed me!” I squealed to Landon on the phone, while telling him all about Christmas day in my bedroom.
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He about gasped in surprise. “Wow! Uh…that was fast.”
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“I know…and it’s so unlike me, or him, to kiss a person this soon after first meeting, but,” I dreamily paused, “the moment he touched my cheek, it was so…electrifying!” For lack of a better word. “And he’s so, so hot!”
“Uh huh.”
“Our hearts were burning with desire and we just couldn’t hold it back. The kiss felt SO good!” Then I started to gleefully pace. “Oh Landon…I haven’t felt this way about a guy in years!”
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Not since him actually…
“That’s…great Mai. I’m happy for you.” It wasn’t said in the most enthusiastic tone, I noticed, but nonetheless I continued.
“And we’re going on our first date tomorrow night!”
“Tomorrow night?” he curiously asked. “I thought you’d be flying back here tomorrow. So you make it back on time for work.”
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Normally in years past that had always been the case, but this Christmas had been different. Gloriously so. “Yeah, uh, about that…,” I paused, biting at my nail a little.
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“I was thinking…I might stick around here for a few more days,” I informed. “Possibly until New Years.”
Landon didn't say anything, just continued to listen.
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“I have to see where all this is going with Kai,” I said in a tone of great desire. “And we need more time together to truly find out. And…see if it’s a relationship worth doing long distance.” I had no doubt it would be.
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“I understand,” Landon finally spoke. “Where does he live again?”
“Montreal.”
“Oh. Wow.”
“Yeah…” It was a little hard to accept myself. “So, is it alright if I finally take some paid time off?”
“Well,” he sighed, “you’ve completed all the design templates for January's magazine so…I don’t see why not. I’ll mark you down as coming back to work after New Years.”
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“Thank you Landon,” I deeply expressed. “You really are the bestest friend ever. And boss.”
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“So are you…,” he softly said.
I chuckled.
"Well," he sighed, “I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight. It was a long day.”
“Oh. Ok,” I kindly accepted, just as I was about to ask him how his Christmas went, but I got the feeling he wasn't in the mood to talk about it. Most likely it was just stressful work related stuff anyway. He'd fill me in later. “Well I hope you get a good night's rest and…I’ll talk to you later, alright?”
“Alright. Goodnight Mai.”
“Goodnight. Love you."
"...Love you too."
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Just as I began plugging in my phone to turn in for the night myself, my mother and father - mainly my mother - burst into my bedroom.
“You kissed Kai!?” my mother squealed with delight, her Thai accent really coming out.
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My mouth dropped at the question. They were listening in on my conversation with Landon!? Regardless, I couldn’t help grinning and answering, “Yes.”
“Ooooh how wonderful!” She clapped.
“Guess the plan worked,” dad mumbled through a smile from behind her.
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But I heard it. My jaw lowered and my eyes widened, giving both a piercing gaze. “What plan?”
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My mom elbowed my dad; slightly.
“Hey!” he groaned.
“What plan!?” I repeated louder. They had me freaking out.
“It’s ok,” my mother consoled with her hands, “it’s not what you think. It’s not bad.”
“Then enlighten me!”
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Mom stepped closer, hands clasped before her chest and twiddling her fingers, clearly trying to figure out how to explain it in the best, most understandable way possible. “As I’ve gotten to know and love Mami over the past few weeks," she began, "we discovered that we both have the same, longing desire for our children.”
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“That we get married,” I ascertained while bobbing my head with a slight eye-roll.
“Well…yes.”
“Mom!” I spat out in annoyance.
“I know, I know,” she waved off, continuing. “So we thought that if our two families spent Christmas together you could meet her sons, and they could meet you, and hopefully some sparks would fly between you and one of them and…,” she smiled with her hands spread apart, “you two would fall in love…”
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As cute and cliché as that sounded, I still shook my head at her. It was a brilliant plan - one they played and executed very well actually - and I wasn’t entirely complaining about it, but all I could do at the moment was fold my arms tightly and express a loud sigh. I should’ve known…the moment I realized they weren’t asking me about my love life, like they always did. I sighed again.
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“We’re sorry honey,” my mother lovingly expressed while taking my hand. “We weren’t meaning to trick or deceive you.”
“It was arranged only with the best of intentions,” my dad added.
“I know,” I said with sincerity. “But please tell me Kai, Aizen, and Ryu don’t know about the plan either!”
“NO!” my parents replied at the same time, shaking their heads. “Not at all,” my mother ended with. “The plan would not have worked properly that way.” She winked.
I still wasn’t amused. “Ok, well it’s going to stay that way until further notice!” I commanded, slapping a hand to my rapidly beating heart.
They nodded.
“Because I really like Kai…and he likes me.” I smiled. “And I wanna explore the idea of ‘us’ more. Which is why,” I breathed in, “I’ve decided to stay here until New Years, since Kai is as well.”
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My mother squealed with excitement again, throwing her arms around me in a hug. Dad then enveloped the two of us in his arms. “We’re so glad you’ve decided to stay,” he said over the tops of our heads.
“Yes, always,” mother concurred while breaking our embrace, still wearing the same bright smile. “I really hope all goes well with you and Kai.”
“I know you do mom…”
She nodded with a chuckle.
“Well, goodnight honey,” my dad wished while gently escorting mom out with him. “Sleep well.”
“You guys too.”
“Malai?” My mother turned, apparently having one more thing to say.
“Kai is a wonderful man and a lovely choice, but…I must admit I was kinda hoping you’d find favor with Aizen. He pretty too.”
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I really rolled my eyes at that.
“Then that way you’d live here in town with us and our grandbabies would be close and–”
“MOM!”
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“Ok, sorry, sorry. You’re right.” She waved in dismissal. “I stop talking now and let you sleep. Goodnight.”
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Dad and I shook our heads at each other in regards to mom’s antics and then he whispered, “Love you honey,” before closing the door behind him.
“Love you too daddy,” I said in return before it was fully shut.
AIZEN!? I cried out in my mind as I slipped into bed. Seriously mom? Are you freaking kidding me!? Now, if he was even half as sweet as his daughter, maybe, but yeah, no. I dismissed any more thoughts related to that quickly as I sharply pulled the covers up to my neck.
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What a day, I blissfully thought as I closed my eyes and let my head sink into my pillow. And I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
My future awaits.
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<3 :mrgreen: <3
*Chapter 6 will be released on Dec 17th. (My eldest sister's birthday. ? )*
