We fell asleep that night tangled in each other’s arms with an overwhelming feeling of contentment knowing that we were both finally happy and saved.
****
With Christmas swiftly approaching, Chase and I decided to go hunting for a Christmas tree. Vegas was lit up with bright lights of red and whites with Santa faces and reindeer gracing the windows of the famous casinos, shops, and restaurants. Christmas music blared from the speakers wherever you went and for the first time in my life, I was excited about the holiday. As a child, I never celebrated Christmas with my parents. They had a tree that they decorated, but Santa never came to visit me and I didn’t get to do all of the traditions most children enjoyed with their families. Somehow though, I knew that was all about to change.
“What about this one?” Chase asked, as he pointed to a large fake tree standing in the aisle of the department store.
“Don’t you think it’s too big?” I asked.
“No, I have never had a Christmas tree before and neither have you. We are going big this year baby!” Chase yelled out, as he pumped his fist in the air.
Laughing, I smiled and gave in. “Fine, we will get that tree.”
We began walking down the aisles full of decorations as we piled our shopping cart full of colorful ornaments and lights to adorn our tree with.
After spending an excessive amount of money, Chase and I loaded his SUV with our bags and drove back to the hotel. We spent the rest of the night decorating our tree and making my room as festive as possible.
Once we were done, we sat back and turned on the television to watch some Christmas movies.
“One day, I want to make sugar cookies with our kids while we watch Christmas movies with our kids,” Chase sighed, as he watched the lights on the tree twinkle against the darkness of the room.
“That sounds wonderful,” I said, as I snuggled deeper into his arms.
“I know it’s not Christmas yet, but I wanted to give you a gift now,” Chase said.
Jumping up, he ran out of my room and returned minutes later. I was still sitting on the bed, unsure of what to say. I had bought him a new wallet with his name initialed on it, because that was all I could afford. Now, as he stood before me with a large bag, I felt guilty.
“Chase, I told you not to get me anything,” I said.
Handing me the bag, Chase sat down next to me again. “You know I am stubborn,” he teased.
Opening the bag, I uncovered a brand-new laptop. Gasping, I almost cried. “Chase, this is too much,” I cried.
“No, it’s not. You need a good laptop so you can start your own business. Plus, it just makes sense for you to have one for school,” he finished like it was no big deal.
Wrapping my arms around him, I hugged him tightly as I thanked him over and over again for his generous gift.
Laughing, Chase reached inside the bag again. “There’s more,” he said, as he lifted two tickets in the air.
Upon further inspection, I saw that they were front-row seats to the Cirque du Soleil show next weekend.
“What?” I screamed, as I bounced up and down.
“I thought it would be cool to go to the show on News Years. I hear the show is pretty wicked,” he finished as he fanned the tickets in front of me.
Throwing myself onto him, I kissed his neck and then cheek as I gushed over the gifts. “I have something small for you,” I said, as I reached under my bed for his gift.
Handing him the box wrapped in red paper, Chase smiled. “My first Christmas gift,” he whispered to himself.
My heart ached to hear him speak those words. I hated that neither of us were loved as children. Opening his gift, Chase admired the black leather wallet.
“I had your name engraved on it. I am sorry it isn’t much, but hopefully one day I can buy you something nicer,” I said, as I looked down at my hands folded on my lap.
Placing his hands on my face, Chase looked deep into my eyes. “This is perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Settling back into each other’s arms, Chase and I reveled in the love twinkling around us. I couldn’t wait to show Avery my gift when she returned from visiting her parents. Until then, I would soak up every moment I had alone with Chase.
CHAPTER 23