From my room in the basement, we could smell dinner as it cooked. The turkey smelled amazing, and Olivia and I decided to go upstairs before anyone came looking for us.<\/p>\n
She led the way up the stairs, her hand clasped lightly in mine.<\/p>\n
We reached the top of the stairs and went into the kitchen. Olivia immediately offered to help my mom, who was peering into the open oven and basting the turkey again.<\/p>\n
I snacked on a few pieces of celery that were sitting on the kitchen table, watching Olivia carefully.<\/p>\n
She was so at ease and sweet with my family. It made me even crazier about her.<\/p>\n
I watched as she peered into the pots on the stove. By the light coming in the kitchen window, she looked like an angel. She was perfect.<\/p>\n
I swallowed thickly, realizing at that exact moment, that I loved her. I loved her more than anything else in the world. I loved her more than life itself. She meant more to me than absolutely anything else I had.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsaac?\u201d She said sweetly, drawing my attention back to her.<\/p>\n
I had been so completely gapped out that I hadn\u2019t realized that she and my mother had been talking the entire time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d She asked, standing at the stove, holding the lid open.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink about what?\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
Olivia smiled. \u201cShould we put parsley in the carrots or leave them plain?\u201d<\/p>\n
I crossed the kitchen and lightly placed my hand on her lower back. \u201cParsley is the little green stuff, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia laughed softly. \u201cYes, it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI vote for the green stuff.\u201d I supplied.<\/p>\n
Olivia laughed sweetly. \u201cGreen stuff it is, then.\u201d<\/p>\n
My mom sighed suddenly behind us. \u201cI\u2019m out of flour for the gravy. I hope I\u2019ve got some in the basement.\u201d She fretted, quickly leaving the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Olivia turned to me, \u201cHey, are you okay?\u201d She asked worriedly.<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYeah, fine.\u201d I shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just seem kind of distracted.\u201d She mused.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv, I\u2019m fine. I was just thinking there. Don\u2019t worry, okay?\u201d I leaned down and lightly kissed her hair. I closed my eyes and let my lips linger there long enough to inhale the sweet scent of her shampoo.<\/p>\n
Olivia smiled up at me, placing a soft kiss against the underside of my jaw and wrapping her arms around my body snuggly.<\/p>\n
She released me slowly.<\/p>\n
I cleared my throat awkwardly. \u201cDo you want a drink or anything, Liv?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm\u2026 water?\u201d She asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure.\u201d I answered. I grabbed a glass down from the cupboard and turned on the tap, waiting for the water to run cold. I filled the glass with water and placed it neatly in her hands. \u201cDo you want ice or anything?\u201d I offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay with just the water.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
I opened the fridge and removed a can of coke, popping the tab.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what do you want to do tomorrow?\u201d I asked suddenly, leaning against the kitchen island.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure. My dad usually gives me cash for Christmas, so usually on Boxing Day I spend that. But I\u2019m not really sure if it\u2019s wise to be anywhere near a mall tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cWell, I\u2019m game if you are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia raised her eyebrows. \u201cReally? You\u2019d be okay with that? I mean, boxing day is a little crazy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s okay. As long as I get to spend time with you.\u201d I smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cAww\u2026\u201d She laughed softly.<\/p>\n
My mom bustled into the kitchen. \u201cGood news. We have flour.\u201d My mom announced.<\/p>\n
Olivia smiled. \u201cGreat. Do you want me to start setting the table or mashing the potatoes or anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t planning on setting the table. I usually just set out piles of silverware and plates, and let everyone eat where they want.\u201d Mom shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, well I\u2019m sure there\u2019s something I could do.\u201d She offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh!\u201d My mom said suddenly. \u201cThe girls made cupcakes for dessert tonight. You could help them frost and decorate them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds fun.\u201d She smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go and find the girls.\u201d Mom offered. On her way out, she turned to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsaac, honey. The boys are watching a movie in the living room, why don\u2019t you go and join them?\u201d Mom offered.<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cI think I might.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia smiled at me warmly. \u201cWill you be okay?\u201d I asked her.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d She replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright.\u201d I crossed the room and lightly kissed her before leaving the kitchen.<\/p>\n
I plopped down in the arm chair and reached for the bowl of chips on the coffee table.<\/p>\n
I took a drink from my can of coke, and turned my attention to the television. I could barely concentrate on movie. All I could think about was Olivia.<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t sure I could trust my emotions, with all the drugs I\u2019d done in the past two years, I thought for sure that the emotional part of my brain was severely damaged. There was something clearly defective in my brain.<\/p>\n
But when I looked at Olivia, there were feelings there that seemed to be stronger than anything else I\u2019d ever experienced.<\/p>\n
There was a part of me that just knew absolutely that I loved her. I was crazy about her. I wanted to be with her forever. That thought scared me, but when I thought about how strongly I felt for her, it was a high that no drug could ever touch.<\/p>\n
I glanced up as Olivia came into the living room, she smiled at me and even though the other arm chair was empty, she slid into my lap, sitting sideways with her legs beween my knees. She moved her arm around my shoulders and I wrapped my arm around her waist, lightly rubbing her hip.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou aren\u2019t helping the girls?\u201d I asked her.<\/p>\n
She smiled. \u201cWell, I think the girls don\u2019t really need me. They\u2019re doing okay on their own. It\u2019s kind of more special if they do it themselves, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cSounds good.\u201d<\/p>\n
I lightly tickled her side, and she laughed softly, shaking her head at me. She took my hand and held it in her lap.<\/p>\n
I suddenly felt very peaceful with Olivia in my arms like this. It was comfortable and natural.<\/p>\n