Mistletoe & Holly

 

The Beachwalk Press authors have come together again to bring you a collection of short stories, this time they are holiday themed

Starting Sunday, October 28th for 5 weeks (on Sunday's), I'll be posting a segment of my Christmas Short Story called Mistletoe & Holly!

~Mistletoe & Holly~

Zoey is going through the normal Christmas Eve ritual with her three-year-old twins. The only difference is that her husband Preston isn’t there to share it with them. He’s been deployed overseas and won’t be home for the holidays.

 After Zoey tucks the kids in for the night, she places the gifts under the tree, snuggles on the sofa to watch It's a Wonderful Life, and falls asleep. She’s startled awake by a loud noise. Is she dreaming, or is her Christmas wish standing under the mistletoe?

Part 1:

It was Christmas Eve, and Zoey was putting the finishing touches on the cookies for Santa. Her mind wandered over the past few weeks, and her heart broke at the loneliness she was feeling. The holidays were always filled with happiness and laughter for her, but not this year. Her husband Preston, a Marine, a true hero, was currently serving overseas. She knew she was being selfish, but she wanted him to be there with her and the kids. It had been over seven months since they’d seen him. He’s fighting for my freedom, and that of every American, so why am I feeling so bitter?

Zoey sighed and thought about the past month. She’d gone through the holiday ritual on autopilot. The family Thanksgiving dinner had been quiet this year, everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around her. On Black Friday she went shopping with sister while her mother watched the twins. She even spent a few days putting her Christmas village together. But nothing seemed to fill the hole in her heart.

She was so happy when her neighbor’s husband put up the outside lights. She took Jenna and Jeffery to pick out the tree and they helped her decorate it. Christmas was everywhere, but she was missing the cheer that went along with the season. The kids tried so hard to have fun when they all went for a sleigh ride, but when she looked in their eyes she could tell that they were missing their father too. Her Christmas wish was for Preston to come home, but she knew that wasn’t going to happen.

****

After Zoey cleaned up from dinner, she helped the twins fix a plate of cookies for Santa and filled a cup with milk. When the kids placed the items on the hearth, excitement was radiating off them, making Zoey smile. She settled them down on the couch and they sang carols, and she read T’was the Night Before Christmas. Preston always read that book on Christmas Eve, even before they had Jenna and Jeffery.

“Mommy, do you think Daddy misses us as much as we miss him?” Jeffery asked.

Zoey put her arm around him. “Oh, baby, I’m sure he does.”

“Momma, how will Santa find Daddy?” Jenna asked.

She placed a kiss on Jenna’s forehead. “Santa knows where everyone is. Daddy will get his gifts.” 

She paused before adding, “Okay my little muffins, it’s time for bed.” Zoey laughed at their moans and groans. “Santa is watching!”

“Just a little longer, please,” Jeffery whined.

“Jeffery, remember that Santa knows who has been naughty,” Zoey reminded him.

“Momma, I wrote a letter to Santa, can I put it in my stocking?” Jenna asked while wiggling like a worm next to her.

“You wrote a letter to Santa?”

“Auntie Heather helped me. It’s in my bag.”

“Of course you can. Run and get it.”

“Thanks, Momma.” Jenna jumped up and ran to her bedroom to get the letter.

“Is Santa really watching us?” Jeffery whispered as he looked around.

“Yes, he is.” Before Zoey could say anything else Jenna came bouncing into the room with her letter and placed it inside her stocking.

“Okay, it’s time to wash up and brush your teeth before bed,” Zoey announced.

When the twins were finally tucked into bed, she kissed them each goodnight, turned the light off, and closed the door.

Zoey walked to the kitchen and poured herself a much needed glass of wine then relaxed in the recliner and stared at the Christmas tree. I love you, Preston, and miss you so much.

 Her mind wandered to past Christmases when Preston would help her place gifts under the tree and then they would snuggle in the recliner to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. They would whisper how much they loved each other before retiring to the bedroom to make love.

She placed the empty glass of wine down and went to get the gifts for the twins. She placed the presents under the tree, then begin to stuff the stockings. After filling Jeffery’s, she remembered that Jenna had put a letter in hers. Fishing it out, she opened it, feeling a little guilty for invading her privacy, but after all she was ‘Santa’.

Santa,

Please bring my daddy home for Christmas. Mommy is so sad all the time. I just want to see her smile again.

Jenna

A tear slid down her cheek. Jenna was worried about her happiness. Zoey knew she needed to hide her sadness better. She wanted tomorrow to be filled with magic for her kids, like Christmas morning should be. Wiping away her tears, she placed the note in the pocket of the red dress she was wearing and filled Jenna’s stocking.

After everything was perfect, she poured herself another glass of wine, then curled up under a throw to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Her eyes started to moisten as she thought of Preston. Zoey took a deep breath and fought the urge to cry. Too tired to get up and go to bed, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Part 2:

A loud sound startled her awake. Looking around she realized it must have come from the TV. Sitting up, she reached for the remote and turned it off. She looked at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see it was just after two in the morning. Zoey was about to get up and go to bed when she heard another noise.

Fear rushed through her body. Is someone in the house? Her heart started to pound when she thought about the twins. I have to protect them. She looked around for her cellphone then remembered she’d left it in the kitchen. Slowly, she got up and walked toward the hall closet to grab the baseball bat they kept in there. As quietly as possible, she shut the closet door and crouched down to hide in the corner.

Her body trembled when she heard heavy footsteps heading toward her. Swallowing hard, she raised the bat above her head, ready to strike.

“Zoey?”

She looked up and thought she was dreaming. She blinked a few times, not believing what she was seeing. Preston stood under the mistletoe, his arms full of gifts.

“Oh my God, Preston!” she cried, dropping the bat and launching herself into his arms, causing him to drop all the presents. “You scared the hell out of me.” She looked into his eyes. “Are you really here standing under the mistletoe or am I dreaming?”

“Sorry I scared you. I’m really here. I wanted to surprise you and the kids. I missed you, baby.” 

He looked up and smiled. “I guess I am standing under it. What should we do about that?”

“Shut up and kiss me,” she demanded as she hitched her right leg up around his hip.

“With pleasure.” He groaned before his sweet, warm lips met hers.

 “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered as his lips met hers once again.

They quickly became overwhelmed and lost in each other. In no time at all, Zoey was lying naked and panting next to the tree as Preston worshiped her body with his hands and mouth.

“Preston, I need you now. It’s been too long.”

He kissed his way up her stomach, stopping to suck each nipple into his mouth.

“God, I’ve missed your body,” he whispered as he slid into her, filling her completely.

They began to move together in perfect sync. The emotions of the last twenty minutes hit her hard and instantly everything in her world was right once again. No matter how hard she fought it, tears fell down as she shuddered in pleasure. Preston’s thrusts became harder and faster, pushing her closer to the release she so needed.

“Preston!”

“So close,” he grunted as his hand slid between them.

“God,” she cried as he rubbed her clit causing her to fall over the edge. Zoey’s body shook as her orgasm rushed throughout it.

“Zoey…baby…Christ,” he shouted as he released deep within her.

He collapsed on the floor next to her. He reached for the throw on the couch and pulled her as close as he could, placing it over them.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” He leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on her lips “I’m home, baby. Home for good.”

“For good? You mean you don’t have to go back?”

 “Yes, for good.”

“Oh, Preston, this is going to be the best Christmas ever!”

“As much as I would love to lay here all night with you, I would rather ravish you again in our bed.”

Zoey giggled. “Lead the way. I’ll follow you anywhere, soldier.”

Part 3:

Zoey was awoken by Jenna yelling, “Momma, wake up, Santa came,” before she rushed through the bedroom door. Zoey was thankful that before they’d fallen asleep last night she had put on a sleep shirt and Preston had pulled on a pair of boxers.

“Daddy!” Jenna squealed as she jumped on the bed. “Jeffery, come quick, Santa brought Daddy home. Just like I asked him to.”

Zoey’s heart filled with admiration and love for her little girl as she remembered the letter she’d written.

“Daddy. Daddy. Daddy!” Jeffery cried as he ran into the room.

Preston had both of them on his lap. “I missed you guys so much.”

“Did Santa bring you in his sleigh?” Jenna asked.

Preston laughed.

As Zoey watched her husband and children, she started to get choked up. The fact that her family was together was emotionally overwhelming.

She cleared her throat and said, “I’m going to go put a pot of coffee on and let you guys spend a few minutes with your dad. Don’t take too long. We have presents to open.”

* * * *

Zoey and Preston sat next to each other on the couch drinking coffee as they watched their precious kids tear the wrapping paper off the gifts and play with the new toys.

“I’ll be right back,” Preston whispered in her ear.

She smiled and nodded. Joy and happiness filled her heart, she truly had everything she needed right there.

Preston sat down next to her and gave her a small package.

“I don’t have anything for you.”

“I received my gifts last week from you and the kids. And you are the only thing I need. Now open your present.”

She slowly unwrapped it and lifted the top. She gasped at the beautiful ring inside. She threw her arms around his neck. “It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she cried before kissing him much more aggressively than she should have in front of the kids.

“Momma’s kissing Daddy,” Jenna teased.

“Gross,” Jeffery added then went back to playing with his new red truck.

“You’re welcome,” Preston whispered against her lips.

Blushing, she pulled away and cleared her throat. “Okay, let’s get everything cleaned up. Grandma and Grandpa will here soon for brunch and they don’t know Daddy is home, so it will be a surprise.”

The rest of Christmas morning and afternoon was busy with family, gifts, and many happy tears once everyone found out Preston was home. Zoey loved her house being filled with people, love, and laughter, but she selfishly wanted Preston all to herself.

About seven that evening the last person left and Preston carried a sleeping Jenna to her room and tucked her in. Zoey watched from the doorway as Jeffery yawned and crawled into his bed holding his new truck.

“Night,” Preston said as he tucked him in. “See you in the morning.”

“Night, baby.” Zoey blew Jeffery a kiss before turning off the light.

“Night,” Jeffery muttered as he closed his eyes and fell fast asleep.

Part 4:

“Let’s go get a glass of wine and relax.” Preston grabbed her hand and led her toward the kitchen.

“Why, solider, what did you have in mind?” Zoey responded in her best southern voice.

“Nothing short of having you all to myself and getting you naked.”

She giggled. “I have to clean the house,” she teased as she pulled away.

“The damn house can wait, woman, but what I want can’t.”

Once they reached the kitchen he pressed her against the wall. “You’re more beautiful today than the day I met you,” he whispered before biting her earlobe and kissing down her neck. She let out a muffled moan as she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his mouth on her skin.

“Preston, let’s skip the wine. Just take me to bed.”

He pulled away. “Your wish in my command, ma’am.” He picked her up and they were in their room before she could blink. “Let’s take this slow. I want to enjoy every inch of your body.”

Zoey was speechless as he seductively undressed her. She pulled his shirt over his head, then caressed his muscular chest and down his body to his jeans. She unfastened them, pushing them down his legs along with his boxer briefs. She slowly ran her fingers up and down his length then wrapped her hand around him and began to stroke him. He moaned and eagerly kicked his clothes to the side. Leaning down, he took her right nipple in his mouth, sucking lightly while caressing her left breast with his hand. Zoey moaned under his touch.

Preston backed her up against the bed. “Look up,” he demanded in the sexiest voice she’d ever heard.

She did as he asked and lifted her head. “Mistletoe?”

He smiled and nodded. “This way you have to kiss me all night long.”

She giggled as he eased her onto the bed, pressing her back against the mattress. “I like it. Can we leave it up all year?”

“I think its magic only lasts on Christmas,” he whispered as he kissed his way down her body, 

stopping just above her sex to spread her legs. His tongue eagerly slid through her folds. “You’re dripping wet.”

 “Oh!” She cried out when he took her swollen clit into his mouth while his fingers pumped in and out of her. She felt her body begin to spiral out of control and her stomach start to tighten as his tongue brought her closer to her release. “I’m… God.” She shook as her orgasm rocked through her.

Preston’s lips traveled up her skin, kissing every inch. When he reached her neck, he paused and looked her in the eyes. Her heart swelled at the amount of love that shone in his eyes. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips as he pushed his way into her completely. “I love you.” He pulled almost all the way out of her and then slammed back in, over and over again.

“I love you too!” She squealed as he flipped them over. From her new position on top she smiled down at him. She loved being in control.

Zoey lifted herself up, riding him fast and hard.

“I’m so close.” He grunted.

She leaned back. The new angle allowed him deeper inside her and it hit the spot that caused her to see stars.

“I can feel your body is close too. Come with me.” He placed a finger on her clit and rubbed, causing her to cry out as an orgasm crashed through her.

“God, woman,” he muttered as he came hard inside of her.

She fell beside him, panting. “Merry Christmas.”

Wrapping his arms around her and placing the blanket on top of them, he replied, “I couldn’t have asked for a better homecoming. You and the kids are my life now.” He kissed the top of her head. 

“Get some sleep.”

Zoey closed her eyes, and the last thing she heard was Preston telling her he loved her.

~*~*~

Don't forget to check out the other Beachwalk Press authors stories starting October 22nd!

Pepper Anthony - title is Positively Holly - posting on Mondays at http://www.pepperanthony.com  

Tara Mills - title is Drawn To You - posting on Mondays at http://www.taramillsromance.com/blog.html 

Sidda Lee Tate - title is Katrina’s Christmas - posting on Tuesdays at http://www.siddaleetate.blogspot.com/

Patricia Bates - title is Hometown Miracles - posting on Tuesdays at http://www.ofinkandquille.blogspot.com 

Elise Whyles - title is Merry Christmas, Mrs. Todd - posting on Wednesdays at http://elisewhyles.blogspot.ca 

Aimee Duffy - title is Believe in Me - posting on Wednesdays at http://www.aimeeduffy.co.uk/ 

Kaylie Newell - title is Winter Break - posting on Thursdays at http://www.kaylienewell.com 

Lacey Wolfe - title is The Gift Beneath the Tree - posting on Thursdays at http://www.laceywolfe.com/blog.html 

Ashlynn Monroe - title is Reunion - posting on Fridays at http://www.ashlynnmonroe.com/apps/blog/ 

Hazel Gower - title is His Holiday Lifesaver - posting on Saturdays at http://spicyauthors.blogspot.com/ 

Tamaria Soana - title is Mistletoe & Holly - posting on Sundays at http://tamariasoana.blogspot.com/