Fun Times

I had planned on telling you all about the rest of my Christmas a while ago but between the move into Amber's parents' guest house and the horrible head cold I managed to catch, I didn't have the time to post.

It's been over two weeks since Christmas Day, so instead of giving you the long boring version of every moment, I'll just hit on some of the high and low points of the day - well that's the plan, we'll see how well that goes.

At 10:30 Christmas morning, Devon and I pulled into his parents' drive. "Janie, I have to tell you something," he said as he turned off the engine and looked at me.

"What is it?" I asked as I glanced towards the house, surprised by how nervous I felt to be there with him.

"I didn't tell you before, I didn't want you to worry but I think I should let you know my grandparents will be joining us for dinner."

My eyes widen, I started to panic. Spending time with his parents, having them judge me was bad enough but his grandparents? "Why?" I whined, "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I didn't want you to freak," he sighed, "Please don't be mad."

"I'm not," I sat back in my seat. "I'm just....surprised."

He was watching me, I could feel his gaze on me. "Do you need a minute?" He asked softly.

"No," I shook my head. "Let's go." I made a move to open my door and he told me to hold on a minute as he jumped out of the car to run around to open my door for me. He held out his hand, I smiled as I slipped mine into his. "Why thank you kind sir," I joked as I stood before him.

He grinned as his eyes travelled down my body and back up again until he met my eyes. "Did I tell you that you look amazing in that outfit?"

I smiled; I was wearing the sweater and pants his parents gave me. "You mom has pretty good taste, don't you think?"

He shrugged, "Maybe it's not the clothes that makes the outfit look amazing."

"What do you mean, how can the clothes not make the outfit?"

"I mean," he leaned down, "You make that outfit amazing."

I laughed, "Why Devon are you flirting with me?"

He pouted, "I was trying too."

"Thank you," I kissed his cheek. "You look pretty amazing yourself," I slipped my hands over his chest, my fingers enjoying the softness of the cashmere sweater his parents gave him.

I guess we were lost in the moment, or just spending too much time outside on our own for just when I thought Devon was going to kiss me, we were interrupted by his mother. "Devon dear," she called from the front steps of the house. "You and Janie should come in from the cold before you both catch your death of cold!"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you" Devon whispered against my ear before telling his mom we were coming.

Dinner with his family wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I thought that his grandparents would be stuck up snobs who would hate me on sight but they seemed to really like me. In fact, his grandmother told Devon that I seemed like a 'good' girl and he would be wise to take that into consideration. "I want to see you happy Devon and I believe Janie can make you happy, if you let her."

Devon's reply? "Grandma don't worry about me, I'm happy."

I tried to pretend that I didn't hear this conversation, I didn't want to think about us as a couple or even me without him. But still the thought of being with him, well to be honest, it made my heart skip a beat. I really wanted his hands all over my body. I wanted to taste his skin. I wanted...him. Badly.

After we left his parents place, we drove straight to Amber and Reed's house. "Did Amber invite the entire neighbourhood?" He asked when we pulled into the crowded driveway.

"She told me it was just family," I replied as he helped me out of the car once again.

Reed answered the door when we rang the door bell, "Hey Amber! Janie and Devon are here!"

"Oh good!" Amber called from the kitchen. "Tell her to come in here!"

"You heard her," Reed laughed as he closed the door behind us.

After removing our jackets, Devon was attacked by a little girl in a frilly red and black dress. "Hey there Lexi!" He scooped her up into his arms and she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "How's my girl?"

Alexis started to 'talk' to him and he was captivated; he didn't hear me when I told him I was going into the kitchen.

In the kitchen is where it seemed to be where all the women were hanging out. I walked in there and instantly was greeted by Amber, her mom, Reed's mom and grandmother, Kelly and Nadine. "What is she doing here?" I asked Amber when she came over to hug me.

"Who?" She looked over her shoulder. "Kelly?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "After everything with Devon..."

"Janie, I invited Kelly and Chris because they are my friends." She sighed. "Please don't make a big deal out of this, she's not interesting in Devon."

"But Devon -"

"Loves you," Amber finished for me.

"He's not coming in," Reed groaned as he wrapped his arms around Amber's waist. "He just standing out there, staring off into space. I don't know what to do."

I shot Amber a look but she was focused on Reed. "Honey I'm sure it's nothing, what did he say?"

"He said he was waiting for Sunshine, what the hell does that mean? It's night!"

"I don't know Reed but I'm sure he'll soon change his mind and joy you guys," she kissed him. "Now go," she pointed towards the living room. "I have things to do still."

Reed pouted, he turned to me, "Now that she's agreed to marry me, I've been demoted; food is more important than me!"

"Oh whatever!" Amber scoffed. "You weren't complaining last night or this morning or..." Reed grabbed her, kissing her words out of her mouth.

When he let her go, she gave a girly giggle as she stumbled backwards, reaching for the wall to steady herself. "So ummm," she played with her hair as she gazed up at him, "I'll see you later?"

He chuckled deeply, "Of course my darling." He quickly kissed her cheek before wandering into the living room.

"Ahh," Amber sighed happily. "He's so perfect Janie, I love him."

Amber soon snapped out of the love haze that surrounded her and assigned me a food prep task like she did with the rest of the women in the kitchen. I was cutting up the vegetables that Kelly was peeling when I had the weird feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced towards the living room but Devon was deep in conversation with Carl about something as he held Alexis on his lap. I was about to call myself crazy when I noticed Sean outside the door to the deck, he was watching me and when I looked at him, he motioned for me to come over.

I shook my head, he gave me a look and motioned again before walking away from the door. I glanced around to see if anyone noticed, Amber was looking at me. "What was that about?" She mouthed. When I shrugged, she came over to me, "Sunshine?" She questioned. "Are you what he was talking about?" I didn't reply which only made her more curious. "What's going on between you and Sean? Are you...?"

"Nothing's going on," I told her. "I don't know why he wants me to go out there."

"Well," Amber glanced over my shoulder at Devon in the living room. "Maybe you should find out why and make a decision."

"Amber it's not like I'm encouraging him! He's..." I shrugged, "I don't know, maybe he's bored."

There was a light tap on the kitchen window, it was Sean; Amber went over to see what he wanted. "Why don't you come in here?" She asked once she opened the window a little, "It's cold out there."

"I'll be in soon Amber," he smiled at her and before turning away, he glanced at me.

Amber came back over to me, "Would you go out there so he will come in?"

Despite not really wanting to go out there, I felt bad. Making sure that no one was paying too much attention, I made my way out to the deck where Sean was waiting. "What's gotten into you?" I asked. "Why are you being antisocial when your family is in there waiting to spend today with you?"

"They aren't my family Janie, I don't really know them."

"Not your family?" I felt insulted when he said that. "Well buddy aren't you just being a jerk today! How dare you stand out here and deny them? They've done everything in their power to get to know you and to make up for the time they've missed and..." I glared at him. "What the hell are you doing? You were the one who wanted to find them! This," I motioned towards the house, "Is what you wanted! Isn't it?"

"You don't understand Janie," he stared off into space. "I miss my real family."

"Your real family?" I shook my head. "And who do you think Lucinda, Roger and Reed are?"

"That's not -"

"Screw you Sean, you have not one but two families who love you and you are sitting out here feeling sorry for yourself?" I was so angry. "You make me sick," I snapped. "Try not having a family at all. Try being alone during the most family oriented season there is. Not your real family," I repeated. "You don't deserve to be apart of this family!"

Without giving him a chance to say anything, I stomped back into the house, slamming the door behind me. "Of all the inconsiderate selfish jerks..." I muttered as I rejoined the girls in the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Sean came in from outside but instead of going to the living room with the guys, he came into the kitchen and directly to me. "Listen Janie," he was standing close to me as he spoke in hushed tones. "I didn't mean it that way, I just meant that I was missing my other family."

"Amber was there something else you wanted me to do?" I asked, completely ignoring Sean.

"Yeah," Amber replied hesitantly. "Could you start on the salad?"

"Sure," I walked over to the fridge to grab the lettuce and then stood at the sink to wash it off.

He followed me. "Janie I didn't mean to upset you."

I turned to ask Amber something and I saw Devon watching us, he didn't look happy at all. I wanted to tell him it wasn't anything but he looked away and returned to the living room.

"Sean," Lucinda pulled him away from me and I couldn't have been more grateful for that.

An hour later, we were all seated around the dinner table enjoying the fabulous meal that Amber created. Reed was sitting at the head of the table with his mom to his right. Next to Lucinda was Roger, then Sean, Madeline, Chris, Kelly with Gabe and Carl at the other end of the table. To Carl's right was Lenore, then Nadine, Hal, me, Devon and Amber with Alexis. There seemed to be a lot of people when we were all sitting down, I made a comment about that and from the other end of the table Chris and Kelly laughed.

"What's so funny?" Devon asked as I passed him the potatoes.

"Oh well, I guess we can tell everyone," Kelly glanced at Chris, taking his hand in hers as she beamed. "It looks like the table will be a little more crowded next year," she placed one tentative hand on her belly and smiled. "We are having a baby!"

Nadine squealed which seemed to start the frenzy of questions and congratulations. I turned to see how the news effected Devon and was surprised to see him smiling. "You're happy?"

"About the baby?" He shrugged, "I'm happy that she is happy, she was pretty miserable when we were..."

"Engaged?"

He nodded, "Yeah, she wasn't happy so this is good."

I wanted to say something else but I wasn't sure what would be the right thing to say to the man who's ex-fiancee just announced that she was pregnant.

Conversation turned to babies, taking care of them and the fun of child birth, I tuned it out as I focused on my dinner.

Just after Amber served dessert, Sean kicked me under the table. "Hey," I glared at him.

"How you doing?" He leaned in over the table. "I have to say you are looking better than the last time I saw you."

"Well the last time was the night of the fire Sean."

"Yeah thanks for bringing that up," Devon slipped his arm around the back of my chair. "Real smooth."

Sean ignored him and continued with what he was saying. "You look less like 'Spitfire' tonight, definitely 'Sunshine' material. You look beautiful tonight Janie." Across the table, I heard Amber gasp and saw Reed's fork pause in mid air.

"What?" Devon looked back and forth between the two of us. "What is that about?" He asked me and then asked Sean what the hell his problem was.

Sean raised a brow, "You don't agree Devon?"

All conversation stopped, everyone was looking down at our end of the table.

"Whether I agree or not isn't the point -"

"Oh?" Sean scoffed. "Then what do you think the point is?"

"I don't know what you are use to Sean but around here the only woman who should be complimented publicly at the dinner table is the woman responsible for the fantastic meal we were all enjoying," he turned to his right where Amber was feeding Alexis dessert as she sat on Reed's knee. "Amber, you truly out did yourself tonight. Not only is the food delicious but you made it all seem so effortless," he smiled. "Keep this up and we'll all keep coming back!"

A couple of people added their compliments as Amber blushed deeply. "Thank you everyone," she grinned, "I'm glad you could all be here with us tonight."

Devon sat back in his chair, a smirk on his face.

Sean glared at him.

Me? I thought Devon was right, Amber was the one who threw all this together, she deserved to be complimented at her own table, not me. But still, it would've been nice to hear Devon say I looked good in front of everyone.

It was a little uncomfortable from that point on, what with Sean and Devon both glaring at each other throughout the rest of the evening. I was really happy when it came time for us to leave.

Devon was pretty quiet on the drive home, I knew he was still stewing over what Sean said and I tried to get him to talk but he asked me to just drop it for now. When we walked into his place, he said he was going to take a shower as he disappeared into his room.

A half hour later, I was flipping through the channels on his satellite when he came out of his room and joined me on the couch. "What are you doing down at that end?" I stretched out my arms. "Come here."

"Janie, I-"

"Oh ok," I chuckled, "I'll come to you!" I started to crawl down the couch towards him. "Why are you Mr Grumpypants tonight?"

"Janie about earlier - oh," he sighed as I curled up next to him. "I can't think when you do that sweetheart."

"Oh?" I smiled innocently as I stroked his chest.

"Mmhmm," he wrapped his arms around me, his chin resting against my temple. "I'm sorry about tonight Janie."

"Oh don't be sorry Devon, what you said was right, Amber did deserve credit for the dinner tonight."

"I didn't mean that Janie. I meant -"

"Thank you for not making a big deal out of what Sean was saying."

"Argh!" He rubbed his hand over his face. "I wanted to punch his lights out - calling me out like that - who the hello does he think he is?"

I tried hard not to smile, "So it did bug you, that he complimented me?"

"Oh yeah," he admitted. "It's never easy to see another man hitting on your..." I looked up at him as he trailed off.

Normally I would've questioned him about what he was going to say but this time I just let it go, I didn't need to hear him say I was his girl, I knew that he was thinking it. I hugged him tight, "I'm glad we got to spend today together, it was a lot of fun."

We stayed on the couch until the early morning hours. It was the best way to end the perfect day.

Since that day we seem to be getting closer. We are still on the 'friends' side of the relationship line but you should see the look he gets when he thinks I'm not watching - it's so hot - I almost jumped his bones numerous times. I guess it's a good thing that I moved into the guest house; I can keep my panties on and...well, maybe that's not such a great idea cause I can't stop thinking about him in my bed.