CHAPTER 22

Caleb would be staying with us for the holidays since Dara won't be around. But he did go to his gradnma's house to do a little cleaning and to make sure everything's alright and to pay the bills. I went with him.

Looking at Caleb's grandma's house, I was transported back to the past. We always played at his house because Grandma Anne cooked the best food in the world. Kinda why I got to be my size now. And she always sent food over to my house whenever she cooked anything special. And we even celebrated holidays together. We were close. Caleb's family was my adoped family. It's that closeness that I refuse to let go. I was worried that telling everybody about me and Caleb would cause a rift between us. I don't know if my parents would be okay with it, but I know Dara would totally hate it.

Just then, I walked into Caleb's old room. It still looked like how he left it. I went to his book shelf and saw an album that I've never seen before. It looked pretty fat. I sat on Caleb's bed and opened the album. There were pictures of me and Caleb as kids. There were pictures of us on Halloween. I was a snowman and Caleb was a scarecrow. I remember, that year Dara was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I flipped through and smiled while I looked at the other pictures. There were pictures of me and Caleb at his middle school graduation, my middle school graduation, our graduation and even at family barbeques and christmas and other holidays. Then I noticed something as I was flipping through the photo album. There were only pictures of us. Me and Caleb. Or me on my own. There was none with Dara, Grandma Anne or my parents. It's like this photo album was specifically just for Caleb's and my pictures. There were even pictures of me that I never knew existed. These were pretty new and most were candid ones. As I was looking at the pictures and smiling, the bed dipped beside me. I looked beside me and saw Caleb sitting beside me and peering at what I was looking at. He held the album and his eyes widen.

"Where did you get this?" He asked, trying to take the album from me. I held onto the album tightly.

"I found it in your book shelf. Why? It doesn't look all secretive and mysterious. Just a bunch of photos of us." I said, hiding my grin as I looked at Caleb who looked a little red.

"Um, yeah, it is. Just an album with pictures of us, no biggie." Caleb said, trying to sound casual. I let go of the album and put my hands on Caleb's cheeks and looked at him. He blinked at me in surprise. He was all red!

"You know, you're like the sweetest guy I've ever met. I know that album only has our photos and mine. It's like a special album, right? Aww, you're so cute! You really like me that much, huh?!" I said in a teasing voice and kissed him quickly on the lips. Caleb hung his head in embarrassment.

"Aww, don't be embarrassed. I think it's really sweet. And..um..I think you're really, really special to me. You know that right?" I said hessitantly as I smiled at Caleb.

He stared at me and his face broke into a huge grin. He pulled me close and looked into my eyes. I gulped and put my hand on his cheek.

"I...I love you Caleb.." I stuttered and Caleb stared at me. He smiled and kissed me. He held me tight and deepen our kiss, pushing me gently to the bed. I sighed as I tasted his soft lips and felt his tongue fondling mine seductively. His hands were inching up to my ribcage under my top. He broke away and started nuzzling my neck, I held him and moaned softly. He was lying between my legs, with his hands now cupping my breasts as he nipped at my chest and licked my sensitive skin. I was so turned on, it wasn't even funny.

Somehow I felt his hands on my bare thighs. I was wearing a long skirt and somehow it got bunched up at my waist. Caleb carressed the soft skin of my inner thigh, making me dizzy as a burst of wetness oozed out of me. I wanted him. I really wanted him. I felt I was ready. All thoughts on Dara flew out the window when Caleb touched my core outside my panties. An electric shock went through me and I moaned, bucking my hips, wanting to feel him in my centre. I pulled at his t-shirt and clawed at his back as he kissed me again. Then he broke off and looked at me, his eyes dark and full of need. A need that I felt as well and Caleb knew it. He took off his t-shirt in one swift movement and pulled at my top.His hands trembled as he undid the buttons. I could hear him mumbling about the damn buttons. I broke into a giggle and Caleb did as well. But when my top was undone, he looked dead serious. He swallowed hard and stared at me. He snapped off my bra and my breast spilled out. He drew a sharp breath and groaned as he buried his face in my chest. He sucked on the hard, peaked nipples and I felt a fresh burst of dampness that was demanding attention. I moaned and clawed at Caleb's back, wanting him so much, but not knowing how to tell him. I felt him hard against my core, pushing and pushing at me, making me crazy. If I had my way, I would have ripped off his damn jeans.

"Baby, God, I love you so much..I want you so much..I.."Caleb mumbled as he stared at me, spread eagle, topless with my skirt bunched around my waist. He stared at my core and bent down, kissing my thighs, making me buck my hips and moan. I felt his lips and tongue trailing a path to my centre, which made me juiced up out of my mind. He carressed my inner thigh and tasted me through my soaked panties. I cried out and grabbed his shoulders. He sucked the velvety soft skin of my inner thighs as he slowly started to slip off my panties. I was moaning and my hands were tangled in Caleb's blonde hair.

"Caleb.." I moaned as my centre was free of any barrier. I heard Caleb sharp intake of breath as his eyes drank me in. Groaning, he kissed me deeply as his hand slowly inched towards my centre and my legs trembled in anticipation. Suddenly there was loud vibration and Beyonce' screaming that she was Crazy In Love. I froze. Caleb groaned when I stopped kissing him and reached for my phone on the floor. Caleb got up on his knees and watched me answer the phone, his chest rising and falling like he had just ran 10 miles.

"Hello, mum?..Yeah.." I answered, trying to make my breathless voice sound normal. Caleb groaned and buried his face in my neck and cupping my tender breasts. It took all I had to stop from moaning out loud. Damnit Caleb!

"Hello Charlie. You busy?" Mum asked. Caleb had slid down to my chest and his lips were inching towards my nipples. I used all my might and pushed him off. He rolled right off the bed and landed on the floor on his back with a thud. I scrambled to get up and peeked at him. Caleb groaned in pain and laughed at the same time. I mouthed sorry and patted his arm as I listened to my mum giving me a shopping list.

"Yeah, okay mum. Why don't you just text me the list and I'll stop by Wal-Mart later." I said as normal as possible. Caleb was trying to pull me down from the bed. I resisted and shook my head, trying to keep from laughing.

"Oh, is Caleb with you? Tell him dad needs help with cleaning out the shed. You know he can't lift heavy things. I'm not about to have him give out his back on Thanksgiving." Mum said.

"Yeah, he's around somewhere. Alright mum, I gotta go. Bye!" I hung up.

Suddenly, I was pulled down the bed and landed on Caleb. I quickly scrambled up and looked down at Caleb, who was clutching his stomach.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry Caleb! I told you to stop pulling me! I'm too heavy!"I cried and tried to get up but Caleb wrapped his arms around me and laughed. He looked at me and kissed me.

"I was just kidding. You are not too heavy. You're just perfect," Caleb said as he smiled that smirky smile of his. I hit him on his naked chest.

"Ouch, baby!...Again, please.." Caleb said and laughed when I smacked his chest again and pushed myself off. Caleb stared at me with a small smile on his lips as he sat up on his elbows.

"God, baby, you got the sexiest boobs.." Caleb said and reached for them but I quickly stood up and crossed my arms over them.

"Nope, no time. we gotta go shopping. Mum gave me a list of stuff to buy for tomorrow. Get up. Let's go." I said and waddled out, grabbing my top while trying to cover my breasts and put on my underwear that was around my thighs at the same time. Caleb groaned and complained loudly. I turned towards him. Okay, he looked so yummy, crazy gorgeous topless with his hair all tousled like that. I swallowed and marched out, getting dressed as I did so.

Once we were in the car, I tried taming my toussled hair. When I looked in the mirror, I saw my face was flushed like I just had a workout or I just had sex. I looked at Caleb. he looked as heusually does, relaxed and gorgeous as hell.

"You know we can't do that at my house, right? Plus, my relatives are coming later, so no, okay?" I said as I switched on the radio.

"Okay." Caleb said casually. I looked at him. Okay, that was easy.

"Really? You're okay with that?" I asked him, unconvinced.

"Sure. We'll just go to my place if we wanna fool around," Caleb said casually as he smiled. He parked the car at the Wal-Mart parking lot.

"Damnit, Caleb! That's not what I meant!" I said with a laugh. Caleb giggled and piched my cheek.

"Come on, let's go." Caleb said as he got out of the car.

Urgh, Caleb can be so exasperating! I thought as I walked beside him and he took a less wonky shopping cart from the cart bay.

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We went home after buying the stuff mum wanted from Wal-Mart. We carried the stuff into the kitchen. There was nobody there. I started putting away the groceries. Suddenly while I was putting the vegetable in the crisper, Caleb hugged me from behind.

"I'm hungry," He mumbled and nuzzled my neck. It was ticklish. I tried to push him away. I was worried mum would come into the kitchen.

"Okay, okay, I'll make you something. Just stop that.. Mum could come in any minute. Hey, I thought dad wanted you to help with the shed," I said to distract Caleb.

"Oh yeah, that's right. I'll go find your dad. Oh, hey Charlie," Caleb said and I turned to him. Quickly he kissed me and pulled me close. I giggled when he pinched my ass at the same time.

"Whoops! Erm sorry kids. Just here to start dinner. Come help me, Charlie." Mum suddenly spoke. Quick as lightning, we turned towards her. She smiled at us and went to the fridge to take out food to cook. I felt my heart fell and hit the floor in a loud crash. Oh crap! My face burned as Caleb walked casually out of the kitchen and suddenly stopped and turned to mum.

"Oh, Mrs James, where's Mr James?" Caleb asked casually, like he wasn't caught kissing me just now.

"He's out back. I made him wait for you to carry the heavy things from the shed." Mum said casually, like nothing was wrong. Caleb nodded his head and went out through the back door. I stared at my mum. I gulped and helped her peel the carrots.

"So, when did Caleb tell you?" Mum asked me as put some tomatoes and green peppers by the carrots for me to wash and cut. I turned to her.

"Tell me what, mum?" I asked.

"That he liked you." Mum said casually as she picked up a knife and started peeling the huge red onions. My eyes widen.

"You knew?" I asked, surprised.

"Of course I do. He's been hanging out in your room and smuggling out your clothes and pictures from your album for years. What, you never noticed any of your t-shirts and pictures missing?" Mum said as she turned to me with a smile.

"Well, I never really checked. I mean, I knew he has my band t-shirt, though. But that's about it." I said as I looked at my mum.

"Oh, that ratty yellow thing. Yeah, he said it's his good luck charm. He's been wearing that when he swims on competitions for years. I caught him smuggling that t-shirt and asked him why he took it. He refused to tell me, but I guessed. I said, do you like Charlie? Like as more than a friend. He just looked at me and nodded his head. I swear, I was surprised. But, he was so cute about it. And he's been confiding in me for years. " Mum said as she chuckled, as she remembered the day Caleb confessed to her.

"Um, mum..are you ok with..um, us being together?" I asked her hessitantly.

"Oh, honey, of course I am. Your dad gives his blessings too. So, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Caleb is a sweet guy. He's perfect for you. He can help get you out of your shell. I mean, look at you. You've never worn a skirt before. " Mum said with a smile. I looked at mum and hugged her. I was so relieved that my parents are ok with me being with Caleb.

"Thanks Mum." I said as I hugged her.

"Well, all that matters is, you're happy. Are you happy with Caleb?" Mum asked me as she smoothed my hair from my face.

"The happiest I've been all my life." I said truthfully. Mum smiled and hugged me again.

"Then I better make a special dinner for Caleb since he made my daughter the happiest she's ever been all her life!" Mum said with a chuckle. I chuckled too and continued peeling the carrots.

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That night, my grandparents from my mum's side arrived with Uncle Ben and Aunt Rhea. Their kids, 15 year old Oscar and 17 year old Ophelia were there, too. I like my relatives. they're loud and very warm. My grandparents on dad's side have passed away when I was little, so I didn't remember them. Dad's younger brother was living in Ireland and his sister had gone to her in laws' for Thanksgiving.

"Hi, grandpa, grandma!" I said excitedly as I hugged them. They were happy to see me and hugged me tightly.

"Oh Charlie honey! We missed you! You look so beautiful. I like your hair like that. " Grandma said as she put her arm around my shoulder. I snuggled to her happily.

"Where's my Caleb?" Gradma asked as she looked around. Caleb bounded from the storage room and smiled widely as he went to her for a hug. Grandma hugged him and patted his cheeks.

"Oh, I missed you, Caleb! How was college? Did Charlie help you out?" Grandma asked as she held his arms. Caleb just nodded his head and smiled.

"Yeah, she's been really great. " Caleb said as he glanced at me and smiled cheekily. I rolled my eyes and talked with my Aunt Rhea. I saw Ophelia walk slowly towards Caleb. Her eyes were wide and unblinking.

"Who is this?" Ophelia asked as she smiled shyly at Caleb, who looked amused.

"This is Caleb. Caleb, this is my daughter, Ophelia. You remember her? You met a few years ago..right?" Aunt Rhea said as she tried to remember.

"Hey Ophelia." Caleb said as he smiled at her. Ophelia giggled.

"Hii...." She giggled and looked down, her face red. Goodness, is she flirting?? I looked at her, amused. Okay, I just realized that having a gorgeous boyfriend is very tiring. I have to keep swatting hopeful girls. I don't lnow how long I could keep that up. Now, I even have to swat off my cousin. I sighed as I put the jug of juice on the side table with the glasses.

Throughout dinner, Ophelia kept glancing at Caleb and smiling. Caleb was sitting beside me and talking to Oscar, who was sitting on his other side. I was talking to grandma and Aunt Rhea. Dinner was fun and everybody enjoyed it.

After dinner, we were all sitting around with the tv on but nobody was really watching it. Everybody was eating my carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Caleb was devouring it like nobody's business. He was licking the fork happily.

"Wow, Mrs James..this is literally the best carrot cake I've ever tasted in my life." Caleb gushed as he took another slice.

"Nope, I didn't make that. Charlie did," Mum said with a smile. Everybody gushed. I blushed like mad and glanced at Caleb. His eyes were shining. He went on his knees and took my hand.

"Marry me!" Caleb said and everybody laughed. I did too. He looked silly. Caleb then sat beside me and whispered in my ear.

"The cake was crazy good. I'm serious ok.." Caleb whispered in my ears and nipped at my ear playfully. I giggled because it was ticklish and pushed him away. He put his arm around my shoulders, as usual and kissed my temple. I pushed him away, embarrassed. I saw Ophelia looking at us.

"Hey, are you guys, like together?" She asked, wide-eyed. I couldn't speak and just stared at her. Everybody stopped talking and looked at Ophelia. Caleb squeezed my shoulder and smiled.

"Yep, we are." Caleb said proudly and kissed me quickly on my lips as my eyes widen, not sure what to say.

"So, he finally told her?" Grandma exclaimd and laughed as she clapped her hands.

"Yep, he finally did!" Aunt Rhea said as she smiled at me. I stared at everybody.

"Wait, everybody knew?!" I asked in disbelief.

"Oh, honey. It was hard to miss. He would stare at you the whole time and follow you around like a little puppy. Don't tell me you don't remember that. " Grandma said and sipped her hot coccoa.

"Seriously?! I was that oblivous?!" I asked.

"Yeah, you were. Even my grandma knew." Caleb said as he chuckled. I glanced at Ophelia and she looked forlorn. I felt bad but it couldn't be helped.

The rest of the night went really well. Afer a while, we all went to bed.

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I had just changed into my night gown and was about to go to bed when there was knock on the door. I went to the door and saw Ophelia standing at my door. She smiled.

"Hey, you need anything Ophelia?" I asked her.

"Um, no. I just though we could hang out for a while." Ophelia asked ooking at me with her huge blue eyes.

"Sure, come on in." I let her into my room.

We talked like we usually do when she stayed over at my house during the holidays. After about an hour, she stretched and got up.

"Urgh..I think I better go to bed. It's late." She said with a sleepy smie on her lips.

"Okay, goodnight Ophelia! Thanks for keeping me company," I said as I stood up too.

"Oh Charlie. There's another thing. Are you happy with Caleb?" She asked. I looked at her nd nodded as I smiled widely. She nodded her head and smiled, too.

"That's good. I hope I'll find a guy who makes me happy like how happy Caleb made you. Good night Charlie," She said hopefully.

"I hope so too, honey. Good night." I said and Ophelia left my room with a small wave and a smile.

Just then, I switched off my lights and got under the covers to sleep. I was about to doze off when I felt somebody sat on my bed. My eyes snapped open and I sat up. Under the moonlight, I saw Caleb sitting on my bed and smiling. I sighed with relief.

"Hey Baby," Caleb whispered.

"Caleb, what are you doing?" I whispered. I sat up and switched on the lamp on my bedside table

"I can't sleep. Can I sleep here?" He asked. My eyes widen.

"Are you crazy?! No, go back to your room!" I tried to push him off the bed, but he pleaded.

"Aww, baby please. I promise I will only sleep, nothing else." Caleb said as sincerely as he could. I looked at his pleading face and melted.

"Fine!" I relented. Caleb whooped softly and got under the covers with me. He opened his arms and beckoned me.

"Come here Baby...I crawled under the sheets and into his embrace. I lay on Caleb's arm and he held me tight. He kissed me softly and carressed my cheek as he looked at me. Then he kissed my forehead and murmured,

"Good night Baby. I love you," And he closed his eyes, his lips against my forehead still.

"Good night Caleb. Love you too.." And I closed my eyes to welcome sleep...