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Lisa squinted through heavy eyelids full from hours of sleep. She stretched and touched a cold space on the mattress where normally Carla would be laying. However, there was no one there. A cold and barely disturbed duvet sat still puffy from lack of use.
Sitting up Lisa reached for her dressing gown, only then did she realize that she grabbed Carla’s, the smell enveloped her. Expensive perfume and vanilla floated up to her nostrils as she breathed it in deeply. Lisa was sure there was not a better scent in existence.
Slowly she opened the bedroom door and quietly stepped into the hallway. She began to make her way towards the staircase to the lower level of her new home. As she descended the stairs she paused on the landing when she saw her.
“Darlin’ what are you doing at this ungodly hour of the night?” Lisa asked curiously. It was well into the early morning hours so it was beyond odd to see the brunette up and moving around. Carla loved her beauty sleep and any attempts to bother that routine were often met with pouting looks and gripey faces.
“SHHHHH!” Carla said in a loud whisper. “You will wake up Betsy!”
Carla turned and continued loading stuff into the stockings that lined the mantel. Carefully she pulled items from bags stacked across the floor of the living room.
“Sweetheart, let me help. I have no idea what all you have going on here but I can help.”
Carla turned, “Right now I am stuffing the stockings with the things that we have picked up here and there for the last few months.” Holding up a small mini bottle of perfume, “Do you think that she will like this scent? I need her to know that Santa Claus knows what she likes for sure.”
Lisa couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sure that she will love it but you do know that she is eighteen years old and I don’t think she believes in Santa Claus anymore.”
“SHUT YOUR MOUTH LISA SWAIN! In this house you always believe even if you have to suspend reality for this one night a year.” Carla turned and continued to fill the stocking which at this point was overflowing.
“Darling, I don’t think that stocking will hold much more. Can we put some of it into a box and I will wrap it as another present for her?” Lisa could not contain the grin that was spread across her face.
“Don’t laugh at me,” Carla smiled back. “I might have bought out Sephora.”
Lisa just continued to marvel at the gorgeous woman standing before her.
“I promise I’m not laughing at you. I’m just amazed I found the perfect mother for my slightly crazy, always too bossy, handful of a daughter.” Lisa closed the distance between them and placed a kiss on the top of Carla’s forehead.
“Well you didn’t exactly FIND me. I think I practically had to beg you to keep me.” Carla lifted her gaze up from the seat she had made on the floor in front of the mantle. Her eyes pools of dark brown almost black could be seen through the filter of the longest lashes Lisa had ever seen. Lisa’s heart flipped. She knew by now that it couldn’t be helped. One look from those brown beauties and she was putty in Carla’s hands.
Leaning over Lisa kissed Carla lightly on the lips. “I love you more than you will ever know and KEEPING you was the best decision I have ever made.”
“I love you too baby but could you help me up from the floor please before I am permanently sat for the rest of my days.” Lisa smiled and pulled her up. Carla continued to try to stuff things into the already too full stockings.
Looking around Lisa started to realize exactly what all Carla had accomplished while she was still sleeping up stairs. Next to the couch all the presents were lined up to look like a train. All the prep was ready to go on the island for a big breakfast. All the fixings for a hot cocoa bar were set up on the end of the island closest to the sink. As Lisa turned around to see it all she noticed next to the mantle there was something on the floor.
“Carla, did you drop something over here?” Lisa said she rounded the end of the chair. There on the floor in glitter and powder were boot prints that went all the way to the couch. Lisa must have missed them for all the stocking stuffers sitting across the floor. As she continued to follow the prints she noticed they ended at the chimney.
“Darling, did you make Santa’s footprints on our brand new hardwood and with glitter no less.” Carla avoided eye contact with Lisa.
“It’s possible that Santa arrived but didn’t like the look of just snow so he gave it some extra sparkle.” Carla just continued to look away making sure she looked busy with the stockings.
Lisa couldn’t contain the smile that exploded from her face.
“Babe, did you do that for Betsy or for you? Because we all know that you are secretly Christmas obsessed and just pretend that you are the Grinch. Really you are Cindy Lou Who inside all that bravado.” Lisa walked over and wrapped her arms around Carla’s shoulders.
“And for the record I love that you are Cindy Lou Who and Betsy will be over the moon that you are so over the top. We all know that she is a drama queen and loves to put on a good performance.”
Hugging her slightly Lisa pulled back to look into Carla’s eyes. Glistening back were what looked like tears shining back at her. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
“She would have been 12 years old this year. I wonder if she would have played along with the footprints anymore or if she would have decided she was too big now. Would she still be asking for toys in her stocking or would she want makeup like her big sister?” Lisa reached out and wiped away a tear that had slipped down Carla’s face.
“She would have been beautiful just like her mother. We probably would spend most days wishing that she was a little less feisty like her Mum and big sister. That sass would have been a lot to take in but I know without a doubt she would have had the biggest heart like you do. She would have been all the things that make me love you. I would have loved every inch of her just like I love you. And Darling you don’t have to be worried about talking to me about her. You can talk about her all you want. Every moment you need to remember or hope for what wasn’t I’m here to listen. I’m your sounding board for all the wishes you had for her.”
Lisa pulled Carla close, enveloping her into her arms in a firm hug. Carla buried her head into the crook of Lisa’s neck. They stood there holding each other for a moment.
“I love you,” she said to Lisa with a look full of love and adoration. “Thank you for being there when I need a minute to fall apart. I don’t want you to ever think I take our family for granted. I love everything about our family but sometimes I wonder what would have been. You would have been a great Mum to both our girls. I love you more than you will ever understand for letting me love her even when she isn’t here.” Carla turned and continued to place presents near the couch and picked up the stockings to try to keep them from falling. She was determined that this Christmas would be the best yet for her family.
“Can you get the bag by the door for me? I have some things in there that I need to get ready.” Lisa walked over to the door to retrieve the brown bag that was leaning against the bottom of the entryway table. Reaching down she gathered the bag not realizing the full weight of the bag was much more than she anticipated. “Carla, what could you possibly have in this bag that weighs so much?” Lisa leaned and tried to look into the bag. Carla was quick to grab the bag away and close the top.
“It’s a surprise and you are not supposed to be snooping in everything that I ask you to pick up Mrs.” Carla side eyed the blonde with a grin. “Maybe Santa brought you something for being on his nice list this year.” Carla rounded the end of the couch and started to reach into the bag pulling out presents that were wrapped in shiny red paper with gold glitter. Sitting down on the cushion she started to place them in a pile.
Leaning over the back of the couch and resting right next to Carla’s ear Lisa whispered, “Maybe I don’t want to be on the nice list. I think I am much more suited for the naughty list.” Carla let out a soft moan and tilted her head in the direction of the whispering woman. Lisa quickly nibbled on the earlobe that was presented to her. Carla groaned in a way that sent tingles down Lisa’s spine.
“If you keep that up we are never going to finish getting everything down here ready for Christmas,” Carla responded by leaning further towards the breath that was on her neck now.
“Maybe I need a present from Mrs. Claus before all the chaos begins.” Lisa placed a lingering kiss on the long neck of the brunette. She traced a line of kisses down her neck to her shoulder. Lisa stood up and made her way around the couch. Quickly she straddled Carla’s legs. “I think that Mrs. Claus should take a moment and appreciate the present being presented to her. Then we can finish Christmas preparations.”
“You are going to be the death of me,” Carla grabbed the sides of Lisa’s face bringing them down to her in one motion. The kiss started out slowly then grew deeper. Carla could taste the peppermint mouthwash that Lisa so diligently used every night before bed. Sweeping her tongue over Lisa’s bottom lip Carla felt her legs angle and grind down on her leg. “If you are really good I may be able to show you the outfit that Mrs. Claus designed for you for Christmas.”
Lisa quickly leaned back looking at Carla, her voice lowering an octave. “Are you talking about the lingerie in your office at the factory? Carla, Did you design it for me?”
“I never design lingerie without you in my mind. Especially not pieces that I know would absolutely drive you mad,” Carla kissed her lips. “Come upstairs with me and I promise you will have a very Merry Christmas.” Slowly Carla lifted as Lisa removed herself from her lap. Grabbing her by the hand Carla pulled her towards the stairs and up to their room. “Mrs. Claus really needs to double check all the presents to make sure they are ready for unwrapping,” Carla said as she looked up and down Lisa from her chest to the floor. Lisa followed into their room smiling.
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Lisa could feel the weight on her chest as her eyes began to adjust to the filtering light. Seeing the love of her life on her chest lightly snoring she smiled. She took out a hand and softly removed a strand of hair from her beautiful face. She placed a kiss on her forehead breathing in her vanilla scented lotion.
Suddenly from across the room the door was pushed open with so much force it almost hit the wall behind.
“IT’S CHRISTMAS SLEEPY HEADS! WHY ARE YOU STILL IN BED?” Betsy stood in her Christmas jammies that matched Carla and Lisa’s. “YOU HAVE TO GET UP MUM! SANTA CAME!” Betsy ran and Lisa braced herself for the body that was about to land on her feet. Carla stirred and lifted her head full of the biggest smile.
“Good morning, sweetie. What are you talking about? It’s still early and the sun isn’t fully up yet.” Looking at Lisa she smiled. “I think that we should just sleep a little longer. I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted.” Carla tried to snuggle in closer to Lisa but Betsy was not having it.
“MUMMMM! We have to go down now! You know the rule. I can’t go in the living room until we all go together or Santa will take back all the presents.” Betsy was bouncing at this point her impatience on display for anyone who could see.
Carla looked at Lisa and reached out and kissed her on the nose. Suddenly Carla jumped up straight out of bed standing and grabbing her dressing gown. “YOU BETTER HURRY LITTLE ONE BECAUSE I AM QUICKER THAN YOU ARE!” With that Carla darted towards the bedroom door headed for the staircase. Betsy was fast on her heels, “ CARLA, THAT ISN'T FAIR YOU ARE TOO QUICK!” Betsy came running by.
“Slow down, both of you before you end up at the bottom of the stairs in a pile!” Lisa yelled as she tried to retrieve her own dressing gown for the journey downstairs. Descending the stairs she saw Betsy dumping her stocking upside down onto the couch cushion. “Be careful Betsy there might be things in there that can break.”
Carla was seated next to her on the couch to her left. Lisa rounded the couch and sat beside her to watch their daughter open her stocking.
”Did you check the cookies and milk yet? Santa probably left you a note.” Lisa explained. Betsy jumped up and went to the island. There on the countertop was a note with handwriting that was obviously owned by the brunette sitting on the couch. Along with a cup with the splash of milk still in the bottom, a half eaten cookie and a half eaten carrot. “What does it say, Bets?”
Betsy suspended her belief for a moment to appease the two women in her life. “Betsy, Thank you for the milk and cookies. Rudolph sends his love for the carrots. It's good to see that you were on the nice list this year. I know that there were some struggles to get back there but you made it kid! Keep being the brilliant, fantastic, wonderful human that you are! I will be back next year! Take care of you Mum and try not to give her too much grief because she loves you to bits. Love, Santa P.S. There is a very special gift under the tree just for you.”
Betsy turned and noticed the footprints for the first time. “Are these glitter footprints? You do know I don’t really…” Carla cut her off, “Young lady, in this house we believe even when we are too old. Remember.” “Yes, I remember,” Betsy answered with a grin. She walked towards the tree to retrieve her gift. Under the tree was a small rectangle shaped box. Reaching she picked it up and studied the outside. Pulling the paper off the edges she finally lifted the lid off the box. Inside were three VIP passes with a description written in elegant font.
“AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!! IS THIS FOR REAL? THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS FOR REAL!?” Betsy ran and launched herself at the couch between the two women. “YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS!?”
Carla looked at the teenager with tears in her eyes. “Well if you are going to be a famous fashion designer you need to see what it is like to go to New York Fashion Week.” Betsy held the passes to the light examining every angle of them.
“Thank you Mum!” Lisa was ready to receive the hug but rather Betsy flew towards Carla’s arms. Carla enveloped her in a hug so tight she could have broken bones. Tears fully filled her eyes and her heart was so full that she thought it might burst. “You are welcome, sweetheart. We love you more than you will ever know. You better give your Mum a hug too since she is saving all her vacation days to go hang out with us that week.” Betsy turned and reached out to hug Lisa.
Carla stood to grab a blanket on the end of the couch. Trying to steady her emotions and not draw attention to the situation. “Well we better get the rest of these presents unwrapped because I’m starving and your Mum has promised to make sure the best Christmas breakfast feast on the planet!” Betsy began to unwrap the stocking items that she had abandoned on the floor taking it to the other side of the living room closer to the heat of the fireplace.
Quietly Lisa leaned into Carla. “You okay over here Darling?” Lisa asked as she placed a hand on Carla’s leg. “Yeah, I am more than okay.” A tear fell down her cheek. Lisa brushed her finger over it. “She called me Mum, Lise. I’m really her Mum.”
“Yes, Darling, you are her Mum. She loves you very much. We both do.” Lisa placed a small kiss on Carla’s hand. “You have made us a family. She is the luckiest girl alive to have you as her Mum.” Carla pressed deeper into Lisa’s side. Lisa wrapped her arms around her shoulders as they watched Betsy opening her gifts.
“Merry Christmas, Lise. Thank you for choosing to love me and let me be a Mum to our girl. You two are the only gifts I need in this life. I love you both more than I can find words to say.”
“We love you too. It’s the merriest of Christmases because we are together.” They both looked on as their daughter started to tear through the paper in the gifts on the floor.