“Is Desi going to be with us for Christmas?” I asked Aris.  “Jason and his family are going to spend Christmas Eve with us, then they are going to take her with them for Christmas day,” he answered.  “Should we get them presents?” I asked.  “I already have that covered,” he answered.  “What did you get them?”  “You just have to wait and find out.”

We decided to go to Lia's favorite boutique first.  We picked out some statement jewelry first, for Ripley, then picked out a more romantic bracelet for Max.  We had It all gift wrapped.  Then we went to some small shops in the mall in search of stocking stuffers.  When we were done shopping, we went to a nice Mexican restaurant, called The Border, for dinner.  “Would you like your usual table, Sir?” the hostess asked.  “Yes, please,” Aris answered.  She led us to a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.  I ordered a sweet tea to drink, they both ordered Coke and Aris ordered queso and guacamole dip as appetizers.

I picked up the menu.  “Let me order for you,” Aris requested.  “Okay,” I put the menu back down.  “You will love it, I promise,” he told me.  “You will,” Ripley agreed.  He ordered Carne Asada for all three of us.
“Do you guys eat here often?” I asked.  “We do when we are out this way,” Ripley answered.  “I need to eat here periodically,” Aris answered, “I am the owner.”  “Do you visit any business that you do not own?” I asked.  “Yes,” he smiled.  “But usually because he is interested in buying,” Ripley answered.  “So do you own Lia's favorite boutique?”  “No, that owner refuses to sell,” Aris answered, “I even offered well over fair market value.” 

Aris stood up, “Excuse me.  I need to go visit the kitchen before our food arrives.”  “Okay.”  He walked back in the direction that we had come from.  “So, did you get everything you needed to shop for?” I asked Ripley.  “I believe so,” he answered, “Are you done?”  “I guess so,” I answered, “I feel kind of lame for just getting gift cards for everyone.”  “Oh, they will like gift cards,” he reassured me, “It means one less gift to return and they can just pick out what they want.”  “I didn't get anything for Jason and Lizzie,” I admitted.  “Yaris has that covered,” Ripley told me, “They will be more than pleased.”  “What is he giving them?”  “I am not telling you, you have to wait to find out.”  “Why is it being kept secret from me?”  “Not just you,” he answered, “I think that I am the only one who knows.”  “It must be really special then,” I surmised.  “It is,” Ripley agreed, “but not as special as yours.”  “Really?  What is it?” I tried.  He smiled at me, giving nothing away.

Just then Aris and a waitress appeared with food.  Aris set a plate down in front of me, “Careful, the plate is hot.”  He set a plate down in front of Ripley.  The waitress set a plate down next to me for Aris.  He sat down in the booth.  “This smells divine,” I commented.  They waited for me to take a bite.  I put it in my mouth, closed my eyes, chewed then swallowed.  “It tastes as good as it smells,” I praised.  “Thank you,” Aris accepted the compliment.  “Did you make this?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered.  “Could you make this at home?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “with the right ingredients.”  I ate almost all of it, then pushed the plate away and sat back, “I’m so full.  I can't eat anymore.”  “I am glad you liked it.”  “No, I loved it.”

We finished and Aris left a large tip on the table.  “We need to go to a grocery store,” I told them on the way to the Lexus, “we need to get ingredients for that, and for something else.”  “What is the something else?” Ripley asked.  “It's a surprise,” I told him, “something I am going to make for Christmas Eve dinner.”  “You will tell me, right?” Aris asked.  “No, you will just have to wait.”

We stopped at a local grocer on the way to pick up Desi.  We got what he needed for Carne Asada and what I needed, along with a few other odds and ends, checked out and headed toward the Lexus.  There were two trucks parked together one aisle over.  Several men were standing at the back of the trucks talking.  “What's your name pretty lady,” one of them called out.  “Can I have your number,” another asked.  “Get in the truck Jade.  We will handle this,” Aris told me.  I got in the back seat.  Ripley opened the back of the SUV and started putting the groceries in.  “No need to be rude now,” one of the men called out, sounding closer than before.  I looked back.  Aris and Ripley were surrounded .

“Jade, face the front and close your eyes,” Aris told me, then shut the back of the SUV.  “She is just not interested,” Ripley said, muffled by the vehicle.  “Let her speak for herself,” one of them said.  I opened the window a little.  “I’m just not interested!” I yelled, then put the window back up.  “You heard her,” Aris stated, “Leave us in peace.”  Then I heard a scuffle and a few grunts.  I looked back.  They were throwing punches.  “Turn around Jade,” I heard Aris yell.  I turned and faced the front.  I heard a few more grunts.  I think I heard someone crying, “enough!  I've had enough!”  The fighting had stopped.  “Who are you anyway?” one of them asked.  “I am Yaris.  That lovely lady, in the car, is Jade, my future wife.  You will not disrespect her any further.”  “You're Yaris?” one of them asked, “We won't bother you anymore.  Do you want us to apologize?”  “You are too much of a mess.  I do not want her to see you like that.  Just leave!” Aris ordered.  I waited as I heard their vehicles start up and they made a hasty exit from the parking lot.

The car door opened and Aris slid in next to me.  Ripley got into the driver's seat.  “We should make it right around seven,” Ripley said looking at the clock on the radio.  “Why don't you want me to see,” I asked.  “The less violence you see, the better,” Aris answered.  “I've seen fights before,” I told him.  “Not like that,” he told me, “I will shield you as much as I possibly can.”  “I saw a little of it,” I told him, “you are so graceful.  It looks like you are dancing.”  “I know.  That is why I told you to turn around,” he replied, “some day you can watch Ripley and I spar.  Minus all of the bloodshed.”  “Can you teach me to fight like that?” I asked, “It's beautiful.”  “Maybe some of it,” he answered, “for now, let us just focus on getting Emma, I mean Desi, back.”  “Are you worried they won't give her back?”  I asked, my anxiety heightening.  He took my hand and started rubbing circles on my palm, “I have told Jason we are on our way.  He is not responding.”

We drove the rest of the way in silence, about 15 minutes.  The house was all lit up and two vehicles were in the driveway.  We got out of the Lexus.  Ripley stayed to install Desi's new car seat.  Aris knocked on the door.  A few seconds later it opened.  It was Lizzie.  She put her finger to her lips to signal us into silence.  We walked past Jason and Desi sleeping together on the couch.  We went to the kitchen.

“We had a great day,” Lizzie told us quietly, “they both gave out about an hour ago.  I just haven't had the heart to wake them up.”  “I'm so glad it went well,” I whispered.  “She helped me cook and clean.  We did stocking stuffers and decorated the tree.  She said that she would like to come back again.”  “That is wonderful,” Aris agreed, “do you feel comfortable keeping her overnight for Christmas?”  “I think it will be just fine,” she whispered, “I mean, look at that,” she indicated the living room, “if that is not bonding, I do not know what is.”  We went back to the living room and she shook Jason's shoulder.  He instantly became alert.  Desi stirred a little but didn't wake.  She was wearing a princess dress and her new boots.

“We need to dress her for the cold,” Lizzie worried.  “No. It is fine,” Aris took her from Jason.  He changed her into a snowsuit.  “How did you do that?”  Lizzie asked.  “We can't explain.  We just do it,” I told her.  “The things that she brought with her you can just keep,” Aris told her, “Has she had a bath?”  “No.  I was going to but she fell asleep,” Lizzie answered.  “That's fine.  We will take care of it,” I told her.  Jason and Lizzie both put their coats on and followed us out to the car.  “Yaris,” Desi woke up.  “Yes, sweet girl,” he acknowledged.  “I had a good time.  They said that next time I can stay overnight.  Is that okay?” she asked.  “It is okay.  Do you want to?”  “I want to,” she answered.  I felt a tug at my heart.

Aris put her in her seat and buckled her in.  I climbed in and he shut the door.  I put down the window.  They confirmed that they would come for Christmas Eve.  They said their goodnights then watched as we left.  It was only about a thirty minute drive back to the shed.  Desi talked excitedly the whole drive.  She had a really good time.

Desi and I waited in the shed while Aris and Ripley loaded the trailers with what we had bought.  Aris put Desi in the trailer that we would be pulling.  He got on the snowmobile and helped me down.  I sat behind him.  We decided to just stay at the main cabin tonight.  We pulled up next to the dock.  Aris helped me up on the porch, then lifted Desi up.  Just then, the back door opened.  Out came Max and the dogs.  They ran to Desi.  “You all were missed,” Max announced, hopping down to help Aris and Ripley, “Did you have fun, short stuff?”  “It is Desi,” she corrected him,” I had a good time.”  “Alright, short stuff, come in and tell me about it.”  We followed Max inside.  Desi proceeded to repeat everything she had said in the car.  “Sounds like you had a great time,” Max told her.  “I did,” she agreed yawning.  “Are you ready for a bath and bed?” I asked her.  She nodded her head yes.

I took her hand and she, Aris and I headed to our rooms.  “Goodnight short stuff,” Max called.  “Goodnight,” she called out.  In our room, I helped her get out of her clothes and we went in the bathroom.  Aris had already started the bath.  I got our stuff out of the closet and put bubbles in our bath.  Aris got in and helped Desi in, then me.  Desi let me wash her hair, then washed herself with soap.  “Desi, I am going to put you to bed, then Jade and I are going to finish our bath,” Aris told her.  “Okay,” she agreed sleepily.

I waited while Aris dried her off and got her ready for bed.  I leaned back and relaxed.  I felt myself floating.  A few minutes later I heard a muffled voice.  Or was it voices?  Instantly awake, I sat up, aware that I wasn't wearing a bikini.  “I am so sorry Jade,” I heard Ripley's voice.  I looked over to see his back turned to me.  Yaris was just staring at me, red-faced, apologetically.  I put the bikini on.  I got out and put a robe and slippers on, wondering what he is doing here.  “Desi?” I asked, about to panic.  “She is sleeping,” Aris answered.  “Then, what is it?” I asked, tightening my robe belt.

“I just came to get your presents that you want put under the tree,” Ripley answered, “Lia is wrapping, if you need anything wrapped.”  I walked past them into the bedroom and got down onto my knees beside the bed.  I reached out and pulled some packages and bags out from under the bed.  “Let me get dressed so that I can come with you and explain to her,” I whispered, “I don't want to wake Desi.”  I got dressed under the robe and took the robe off.  Ripley picked up the bigger packages and I got the smaller stuff.  Aris held the door for us as we left.  “I am really so sorry,” he started.  “It's okay,” I stopped him, “Let's just forget that it happened.”  “Okay,” he agreed.  We made our way to the living room.