Starry nights & Sinful delights: A naughty Christmas affair

"Come on babe, we've got a plane to catch" I hear Zeke say from the doorway. I grab my phone and purse as I walk quickly out of our bedroom. We make it outside and hail a taxi. I climb in the backseat as Zeke and driver put our bags in the trunk. We're heading to Woodstock, Vermont. I've never been but Zeke tells me it's somewhere that lifetime would film at, a cozy small town that when it snows its just the prettiest sight to see.

Zeke slides in next to me and we're off to the airport. We live in South Carolina, so if what I'm being told is true I'll need to do some winter shopping when we arrive. We'll be here for a little under a month, there's extended family coming so his mom wants him there awhile longer than usual.

Zeke comes from a very large and very lovely family, from what I know, I've never met them but the stories I've heard they sound like wonderful people. My family on the other hand is the polar opposite, I'm an only child to divorced parents, And no it wasn't as glamorous as so many people seem to think. I was very lonely growing up, what I'd do for a sibling, I did have a cat though!

"Hellllo, Serenity, did you hear me babe?" I hear him say, I shake my head in response with an awkward smile. He goes to say "I said we should be there right before dinner, My mom is making a roast, sound good?" I grab his hand and tell him of course. Truth is I'm not too picky, no seafood & no weird body parts of animals, no liver, cow tongue stuff like that. One thing I did when I was young was eat so I'm definitely a foodie, a pot roast sounds so delish.

The ride to the airport isn't bad, but the chaos inside the airport is enough to drive you mad. I follow Zeke as he has the tickets and our IDs. We make our way through the busy sea of people to board our flight, as we're seated I ask for some champagne, flying always makes me nervous. I feel Zeke grab my hand as we both put our earbuds in zone out our surroundings.

The flight is almost four hours long, before I know it we're landing. It takes about 15 minutes from the airport to his parents house. I'm so nervous, I've been with Zeke for almost 2 years now and I've only talked to his mom ... once! On the drive there me and Zeke make small talk, mostly him just telling me about a few stories of his childhood and a bit about some of his favorite spots in town.

The weather is cold and snowy, he wasn't lying, this place is a winter wonderland. As we approach the street I take notice of how lit up everywhere is, blow-ups, Christmas lights hung on every street post and house, my heart flutters. I've never seen anything like it, I press my head against the window soaking in the beauty of this place.

Growing up neither of my parents were big into this season, usually they'd get me a few gifts and we'd go out somewhere nice... Yeah we were those people. Hell to this day this is probably more snow I've seen in all my life in South Carolina. The taxi pulls into the driveway of this big, beautiful home. The exterior is littered with decoration, along with the yard. I see a Rudolph blowup that's probably 8ft tall, with a big glowing red nose.

I watch as the front door opens and his family awaits us, we grab our bags and we head for the door. Once inside Zeke immediately introduces me to his family. His mother Moira, His father Michael, his baby brother Zayne. Zeke asks where Zara is, his mom says "Oh she'll be here shortly, you know her, in her own world!" We head to the living as we take a seat on the sofa, Moira tells us dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes.

Zeke is dragged away by his brother to go check out a new gaming system, I get up as well as I'd like to go get our things settled. Zeke tells me we'll be staying in his old room, and points it out, promising he'll be right back. 'Yeah right' I think. I know Zeke, he's a game head. I don't mind though, I've got my own obsessions. I have to make two trips but when I finally grab the last bag and head back to the room I accidentally knock into this beautiful face, not a great start getting knocked on my ass.

The young woman reaches her hand down to help me up as she does she says "You must be Serenity, I'm Zara, Zekes little sister!" I stumble on my words before spitting out "Yes.. Hi! I'm Serenity" she giggles at me before grabbing the bag... and my hand pulling me down the hall into Zeke's room, placing the bag on the bed before sitting down next to it.

Zara is absolutely stunning, she's got green eyes that accent her glowing golden honey colored skin, long curly hair and a smile that makes my heart skip. It's her deep dimples for me! "So how long are you and my brother here for?" Zara asks me. I tell her a few weeks as that was all we could get time off for. She laughs and responds "Well I'm glad you guys will be here for a bit, it'll be nice having another girl here that's not my mother"

I laugh and say Moira seems wonderful.  She smiles and says "Mom is the best.. But I'm on a whole different wavelength than everyone here, the black sheep of the family if you must!"

I laugh as I sit beside her and say "Just means you're not boring huh?" We laugh as we hear Moira calling everyone to the dining room for dinner.

I'm sat between Zeke and Zara across from his parents and Zayne. We dig in and spend the next hour laughing and celebrating being together, I'm asked about my family and if they'll be upset I'm not there for the holiday. I tell them knowing my parents they're probably somewhere hot soaking up the sun. I didn't wanna tell them they were doing it separately though. They seem a bit put off as they're the opposite. This whole town seems to go all out with the holidays, and this family is nothing short of it.

When dinner is done the boys take off again and I help clean up a bit before Moira shoos me and Zara saying she's got it and that Zara should give me a tour. Zara leads the way out of the kitchen but not before grabbing some spiked eggnog. She says let's skip the tour my room will work just fine. I laugh as I follow her. She opens her door and I notice her room looks comfy, like her own little apartment.

She plops down on her bed and takes a swig of the eggnog before passing it to me and asking "Soo, what're you into?" I take a swig and tell her I like books mostly, but music and design work is my life. Clothes, interior literally anything. One thing about being a lonely child is your imagination is in overdrive.

We go back and forth for awhile drinking and talking about random topics. I'm blown away at how much we have in common, I'm into 'weird' shit, or that's what everyone always told me, and she's actually into it as well. Prime example Giallo films and comedy horror. I've never actually met another person who enjoys Giallo's. She pulls out a box of old VHS tapes that sits atop of the player. My eyes go wide with excitement.

"We'll have to binge one of these nights I'm sure Zeke won't mind, Zayne dotes on him so that's usually where he at or Zayne bugs him until he gives in, You should see it sometime, it's fucking hilarious seeing him throw fits over it!" Zara says laughing.

I could only imagine, even though there were a lot of times I prayed for an annoying sibling, anything to just be there. I tell Zara I'd love to have a Giolla binge with her, I hesitate but I ask her if she's busy tomorrow and if she'd like to take me to get warm clothes, letting her know her brother is the literal worst when it comes to shopping. She agrees and I stand up and thank her for it.

She smiles at me and says "I'll see you tomorrow then! I'll take you to my favorite little spot" I nod and make my way out and back to Zekes room. A face full of smiles and a stomach full of flutters. This is a strange feeling, but I like it!