52 Merry Christmas (1)

After guests left and the party ended, Sarah finished packing her suitcase with necessities for few days. She is leaving with Aiden in the morning to meet up with Vivian so that they visit Gabriel. Sarah does not want to stress much if she forgot something, if she needs anything other than what's packed, she will buy it.

Sarah recollected their plan while enjoying hot shower… First, they are going to Vivian's place, and stay there overnight. In the morning three of them will head to the hospital. There is a hotel close to the hospital in case that they need to stay there longer than a day.

Sarah is not sure what to expect. 'Did Gabriel wake up? Will we be able to go and visit him? Passing by hospital staff is not a big issue, but his family is a different thing... I will think about it when we reach there. I'm sure we can find a way.'

Sarah got out of the shower dressed in a red Christmas themed two-piece pajama set and checked the time. It is almost midnight. She smiled, picked up one neatly wrapped present and headed to Aiden's room while making sure no one sees her.

Aiden was not in the bedroom. Sarah kept the present on the nightstand next to the bed and went towards the closet. She found him there. He was packing his suitcase.

Sarah stood at the door and watched him. 'I can watch him all day and not get bored of the sight.'

When Aiden noticed her, he got startled.

"Is your conscience not clear?", Sarah teased.

"Where did you get that?" He was defensive.

"I heard that when people are this jumpy, that means that their conscience is not clear." Sarah explained, unaware that she hit a nerve.

Aiden thought for a minute before responding: "If I say that my conscience is clear, there is no way to prove it. If I say that it's not, then I'm in trouble. I will be at a loss no matter what I say."

Sarah nodded in approval. "Very good analysis."

Sarah found great joy in talking with Aiden. He is one of the few people who can match her in a debate. Most of the people are not at the level that can get her mentally engaged, but Aiden is special. Everything about him is special, and Sarah loves his intelligence and how he can keep her on her toes. 'It would be troublesome to have a person like him for an enemy.'

Sarah peeked at the suitcase. "Done packing?"

"Almost, I will finish in the morning" He stood up and they went to the bedroom.

Sarah took the present she kept on the side of the bed. "Merry Christmas!" She handed him a neatly wrapped present.

Aiden sat on the bed and unwrapped it under Sarah's excited gaze. It is a travel journal. Inside front cover is a sleeve with a world map. Aiden unfolded the map and noticed two locations marked, one in France and one in PNW*. Aiden opened the journal, and there he observed a card with a message:

'Let's fill it up together

~ Sarah'

The journal is not empty. Aiden flipped the first page and saw a photo of two of them in the ski resort with a date: 'December 12'. On the second page is a photo of two of them from Paris, and above is a date: 'December 15'.

"Thank you." He smiled. "I will count on you to help me with fill it up."

"Of course!" She responded. "But entries in here count only if it's travel for pleasure."

Aiden looked at Sarah and his heart swelled at the thought about the meaning behind her present. It means that she wants to spend time with him, to travel… she is thinking long term. He was never a long term guy, and he never saw his future with any girl… but he can't imagine his future without her. Thinking about tomorrow without Sarah by his side is impossible.

He pulled her on the bed next to him and they kissed.

Gentle kisses gradually deepened, making them both crave for more.

Without any warning, Aiden broke the kiss. "Just a minute…" He disappeared in the closet.

Sarah pouted. 'Now what? It was just getting to the good part.'

Aiden came back and handed her a box. "Merry Christmas." He was anxious. 'I hope she likes it.'

Sarah looked at him with a complex expression. She likes to give presents, but she is not very good with receiving them. Also, she knows that he usually does not get Christmas presents. She feels guilty that he ended up preparing a present for her. At the same time, she is happy that he went out of his way because of her. Sarah reluctantly opened the box.

Inside the box Sarah saw a golden bangle with engraved design of interlocked infinity symbols, and within the infinity symbols engraved are twenty four letters of Greek alphabet. "This..." Sarah was not able to find words.

"I hope you like it.", Aiden voiced his thoughts.

She nodded. He extended his left arm and showed her a golden bracelet on his wrist. There she saw a men's bracelet with links that looked like interlocked infinity symbols, and links had engraved letters of Greek alphabet.

"Couples bracelets!?" Sarah was surprised.

He smiled. "I heard when someone said that getting matching things for couples is a sure win."

Sarah remembered that she told him that when they discussed presents for his family and paused while thinking how these bracelets look custom ordered. 'When did he order these?' She decided not to think about it, it's not important.

"Yes, that is absolutely true." Sarah was happy. "Come on, put it on me." She handed him the box with the bangle and extended her left arm.

Aiden put the bangle on Sarah's wrist. He was happy to see that she likes the present. She held her left wrist next to his, admiring the bracelets and her heart swelled at the thought that he picked infinity symbol for design. Infinity… forever. Two of them. She likes that thought very much.

If she paid close attention, she would notice that engraved symbols for Sigma and Omega are bigger than other symbols. But she didn't notice this, not at this time. Her mind was occupied with the idea that he got them bracelets for couples, and that they symbolize forever. Even though they are together for some time now, part of her is still getting used to the thought that she has a boyfriend.

"Thank you", she whispered and hugged him.

Part of him was relieved that she didn't notice that symbols Σ and Ω are larger than the others, and part of him regretted it. If she noticed, then that one secret between them would be cleared up. But what if she does not take it well? He has his doubts. At the end, he is happy to hold her in his arms. 'Everything else will come later.'

They were locked in a hug for some time before Aiden gathered courage to speak up. He cleared his throat. "I'm ready to collect my reward."

"What reward?" Sarah was confused.

Aiden frowned. "You forgot?"

"...", she was not sure what is he talking about, and her blank expression showed it.

He pouted and looked like a child who got wronged. "Earlier tonight, when you played pinball, I sent that Clara girl away. You said that I did good and that you will reward me later." His expression instantly changed into a seducing one. "Well, now is later, and I'm ready to collect my reward."

As soon as she saw his expression, she blushed.

Aiden laughed. "I love that I can make you flustered."

He hugged her tightly and whispered: "This expression, don't forget, it's only for me to see."

She nodded in silent agreement and hugged him back. 'How can this be shown to anyone else? You are the only one who can affect me in this way.'