"You know," I say, pushing back from the table, "I'm going to get some fresh air. Can you just give me a moment?"
"Of course, dear," Grandma says. "Don't worry. I'm sitting here happy as can be."
"Actually, I'll join you," Andrew says. "One moment."
We walk out the front steps and sit on the porch of Grandma's house. "You okay?" he asks, wrapping an arm around me.
"I was doing okay," I say. "I was just thinking we were going to make her feel better. I honestly hadn't thought more about it until, well, until we started explaining how we fell in love and about the whole engagement." I swallow, tears filling my eyes. "Oh, my God. I feel like the worst granddaughter of all time. And bringing you into this stupid lie, what was I thinking? I mean, I knew we were going to be lying to her, but I just wanted to make her feel better. And now that I'm doing it? Oh, my God. I'm so sorry, Andrew."
"No, it's okay," he says. "I mean, I feel bad too. Honestly, I feel terrible. The whole fake engagement thing seemed fun in the moment. But now that we're committed, I feel kind of like crap. Like your poor grandma would have her heart broken if we–"
"If we didn't follow through."
He nods. "Exactly."
I wipe the tears from my eyes. "Sorry. I shouldn't start crying. Grandma's probably worried about what's going on now. Worrying her is the last thing I want to do."
"Hey, let's just have fun today, all right? You're incredible, Angel. And I know your intentions were pure. They were good. Focus on that, okay?"
I sink into his hug, and truly, it feels so comforting for him to hear me, to have my back. For so long, it's just been me against the world. Of course, I always have Grandma, and before he passed, Grandpa, in my corner. But a partner? I've never had something like that before. It's always been me against the world. And in the modeling industry, that's been tough. But I feel like Andrew's the kind of guy who would always have your back. Who would always have my back.
I lean up, looking into his eyes, and he cups my cheek with his hand. He leans down, kissing me again ever so softly, and I whimper into the kiss, this time refusing to pull away, knowing no coworkers are going to walk in and break us up. My mouth opens and his lips part, his tongue finding mine. And he tastes like Grandma's waffles, like whipped cream and syrup, like pumpkins, like Christmas. Like mine.
When he finally pulls away, I look down and I see his cock is hard in his jeans, and he groans with agony. "Damn, Angel. You're spinning me up in ways I can't handle."
"I'm sorry," I say. “But I'm spun up too.”
"I think you're just tired," he says. "Probably delirious."
"I'm not tired," I say. "I just had two cups of coffee over breakfast. I'm wide awake. I know exactly what I'm doing."
"But we have a lot to get through today," he tells me. "We've got to make sure your grandma's happy. It's Christmas. We'll figure out the rest later."
"How are we supposed to do that?" I say. "Every time we look at her, I feel like a fraud. Like–"
"Hey," he says. "I have an idea."
"You do?" I ask.
He nods, taking my hand.
Back in the house, Andrew offers to take portraits of Grandma and me. "How about we take pictures by the fire and the Christmas tree?" Andrew says. "I brought all my photography stuff and I bet it's been a while since the two of you had Christmas pictures taken."
Grandma smiles immediately. "Oh, would you? That sounds just so wonderful. What a kind Christmas gift this is. Do you have one of those cameras that you can set up and then all three of us can get in a picture together?"
Andrew grins. "Yeah, I have an auto timer. I like that idea," he says. "We'll get some of all three of us, but first I've got to get some of the girls. Just you two."
"Oh, well, my hair. It's not set."
I smile. "How about I help you get your hair and makeup done, Grandma?"
"Will you do that, Angel?"
I smile, giving Grandma a hug. "Of course I will. I'd do anything for you."
I whisper thank you to Andrew as I lead Grandma up to her bedroom. When we're inside her room, she tells me how happy she is for me. "Now, I know it's soon and you just told me your news, but, well, earlier this year, before my illness and having to go into the hospital, I found something in the attic that I want you to have."
"What is it?" I ask her, looking through her jewelry box. It's one of my favorite things to do.