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Christmas for Ryan, Kelly, and Carlie couldn’t come fast enough. And it didn’t help that every week Josh sent 3 or 4 more packages for them in the mail. The living room was chock full of gifts and Karen didn’t know what to do with them anymore. The kids were dying to open them and every day was torture. It was the only way she could keep them in line anymore, threatening to take them away. Now and then she would find one or two in the mail for her and it was making her crazy! Mostly they were in small boxes but she was grown up enough to know that things that came in small boxes usually cost a lot of money! Not only did she feel she didn’t deserve expensive gifts like that but she couldn’t match them or give him anywhere near what he’d already given to her in airfare alone! They had already made plans for the holidays, based around the kid’s Christmas break schedule and Josh’s personal appearance schedule. Following the Thanksgiving fiasco, Josh finished recording and began working on mixing and editing. He was keeping himself very busy so he wouldn’t have to go home and hear about how he almost tore his mother and her sister apart and how the family was talking about him and Karen behind his back to Chris and his parents. The only ones from his extended family who called him after that was Alex and Dee. Dee called to get Karen’s number so she could call her. That made Josh happy. He was glad to see at least someone out of the family cared. The plan was that the family was going to come out for New Year’s Eve since Josh was committed to do a Christmas show. Karen and the kids were to fly out the day after Christmas and stay until New Year’s where they would celebrate in L.A. Josh was a bit distraught that he wouldn’t be spending Christmas Day with Karen and Karen felt the same since the kids would be with their father on that day so she would be spending it alone. Josh wouldn’t be alone, he would be with an entourage of people that he liked but didn’t necessarily want to spend his holiday with. Dee and Karen kept in touch through the month, Dee told Karen about the humility that John and Katie suffered after that awful Thanksgiving Day. Karen was relieved to know that Kevin had been punished and had his brand new Mustang taken away temporarily. Karen had a good laugh at that but hey, it was something. Dee also told Karen about the women who were constantly trying to get to Josh, not only through the management but through the family as well. Poor Chris was suffering from multiple heartbreaks from girls who were trying to get to Josh through him. Karen’s heart went out to him and ached to be with Josh. She wasn’t afraid that Josh would take any of the girls up on their offers but the temptation was always there, was it not?
Christmas Eve the kids packed their suitcases. After they finished Karen let them open presents. There was much screaming when the kids opened up a boat load of expensive presents from Josh. Her ‘ex’ picked them up after dinner and the one consolation Karen had was that the kids would have a rotten time at HIS house after opening up all of the presents Josh had sent them. When they were gone she closed the front door, locked it and leaned against it. That was when she started to giggle. The giggles turned into tears of laughter and finally, as she dragged herself into her cold, empty bedroom alone they turned to tears of loneliness. She undressed and crawled into bed, settled herself under the covers and waited for Josh to call.
The phone rang, startling her out of a sound sleep.
“Did I wake you?” Josh whispered. Karen glanced at the clock, it was nearly 2.
“No, umm I mean, yeah.” She swallowed a few time to moisten her throat. Josh sighed on the other end.
“I shouldn’t have called this late, I’m sorry honey.” Karen rubbed her eyes.
“No! No, I’m glad you called.” Her eyes were crusted with dry tears. “I miss you terribly.”
“I just finished up with the taping and the interviews. There was a stupid party David made me attend.” He sighed. “I didn’t want to go. Now I’m really tired.”
“Go to bed, Josh, we can talk in the morning.” Karen said sleepily.
“No. I need to talk to you right now.” He said quietly.
“Why, is something wrong?” Karen sat up and placed her hand on her chest and clutched her nightgown. With the distressed sound of his voice and the fact that he said he needed to talk to her, she feared the worst. Perhaps there was a woman at this party …
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just miss you. I should be there right now. And here I sit. Like a cad.” She ached to hold him right then. She looked down at the blanket and traced little circles on the top.
“I miss you too, and yeah, you should be here but you can’t. We will be together soon.”
“Yeah, well not soon enough. I wanted to be there Christmas morning when you wake up so I could kiss you and wish you a Merry Christmas.” Karen felt the tears welling up behind her eyes again. She wished them away.
“I wish for that too Josh, but it can’t be so it’ll have to be next Christmas.” He was silent. “Josh?”
“I’m here.” He paused. “I’m just tired.” She wiped the tears that escaped from under her lids and trickled down her cheek.
“Go to bed sweetie and we’ll talk in the morning.” There was no answer. “Josh?”
“I’m here.” He said softly.
“Go-to-sleep.” She directed.
“I-don’t-want-to.” He said adamant.
“I’m going to hang up then. You’re too tired to talk.” He sighed.
“Okay, okay.” After a few more minutes of talking they hung up and Karen lay awake for a long time after staring at the dark ceiling.
Christmas morning was like any other morning for Karen. She woke up early but lay in bed until she fell asleep again only to wake up an hour later. She opened one eye and glanced at the clock. 9AM. She raised her arms above her head and tucked them underneath her pillow and lay staring straight up until she felt herself drift off again. The next time she woke she forced herself to sit up. She couldn’t lay in bed any longer. Her arms were numb from sleeping on them. She pulled the covers off her legs and swung them over the side of the bed. She shook her arms to stimulate blood flow and get the feeling back in them. She grabbed her robe off the chair next to the bed, slid it on and stuck her feet into her slippers. She headed down the hallway to the kitchen. Something wasn’t right. She smelled coffee. She was positive she hadn’t set the coffee maker to brew this morning. Her heart sped up and she headed into the kitchen quickly. Josh stood, his back to her, and when he heard her coming down the hall he turned and smiled. She ran to him and leaped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, her arms encircled his neck. He hugged her tight and spun her around.
“Josh!” She squealed. “You little stinker, you!” She scolded before their lips met for a long awaited, much needed kiss.
“This wasn’t planned Karen.” He said as they finally broke apart and he set her down on the floor but didn’t let go of her.
“Sure it wasn’t.” He shook his head.
“No. I couldn’t stand not being able to see you today. I can’t stay long, I still have a commitment tonight.” His eyes saddened as he looked at her. She toyed with the curls that hugged the base of his neck.
“Oh God, Josh, why did you come? I can’t believe you did that!” She tried to look serious but a smile crept over her face and she lit up. He leaned down and kissed her holding her face in his hands.
“That’s why. That smile you just had on your beautiful face. I would give everything I have away to see you smile like that every single day.” She ran her hands up the sleeves of his bulky, soft, green sweater to his shoulders and rested her arms there. He put one arm around her back and the other under her legs and lifted her into the air. She giggled as he walked her back down the hall and to the bedroom where he lay her on the bed. She was up onto her knees immediately pulling at the sweater and tugging it over his head. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of the shirt he had on underneath as his mouth found hers and kissed her hungrily. She pulled open his shirt and ran her hands up and down his soft, furry chest. He pulled off the shirt and wrapped his warm arms around her, his hands sliding down her back then up and underneath her nightie. He moaned as he ran his hands from underneath her buttocks, up her back and then down again. She kissed down the side of his scruffy face to his chin then down onto his neck. He tilted his head sideways to allow her access to him. She nibbled at him sensually as she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. He wore nothing underneath. She gasped as she felt his hardness protruding from where his jeans lay open. She tugged the pants down over his hips and they fell to the floor. She took him into her hands as she sunk her teeth into his neck. Josh groaned as he worked his fingers between her legs. She opened herself for him and he slid them inside. She was so wet and slick, he wiggled them at her opening and within minutes she was tensing up in anticipation of release.
“Oh God, Josh.” She moaned. He withdrew his fingers not wanting her to climax just yet then eased her down onto the bed. He knelt down next to the bed and draped her legs over his shoulders. She gasped as his mouth came down on her, licking her, sucking at her, kissing her. He moved his tongue in circles around her sweet spot, he knew exactly where it was and she groaned. Once she slid her fingers into his hair it was the sign that she was about to let herself go. He let her have her pleasure and once she stopped pulsating against him, stood up and slid himself inside her easily. He apologized for not being able to go slow and take his time. He made love to her quickly and roughly, his body wanting to posses her, to pull himself inside her and take up residence there. His mind went blank and all he knew at that moment in time was the ecstasy of being with Karen and being inside her. He saw stars under his lids as he let himself go inside her and finally, spent, collapsed on top of her. She ran her fingers through his hair until he pulled himself up and smiled.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” He said and kissed her. She giggled.
“What a present!” She said as he climbed into the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms.
“Oh, I’m just warming up.” He said and laughed.
Josh and Karen lay together in the bed, neither of them wanting to get up into the chilly room. They were content to just lie there, arms wrapped around each other, sighing and kissing.
“So I saw you didn’t open the presents I sent you.” He said breaking the silence.
“I couldn’t open them without you.” He sighed.
“Yes you could have. I wanted you to.” She looked at him, her eyes softening.
“I know, but I couldn’t.” She said quietly.
“You can now.” He winked. She smiled at his chocolate brown eyes curled up at the ends.
“If you want me to.” He nodded. She made to get up but he stopped her.
“I’ll get them and give them to you in the order I want you to open them.” He climbed out of bed and slipped naked into the living room, scooped up the four boxes and brought them back to the bed. He crawled back under the covers with her and then examined the boxes. “Shit, I can’t remember which is which.” He said staring at them. A long, thin box he set aside. “I know what that one is but these …” He weighed them in his hands and then set two down and held one out to her. She took it from him and tore open the package with care. Josh stared anxiously.
“What are you doing?” He asked. She giggled.
“I’m opening it.” He shook his head.
“That’s not how you open presents!” He said, grabbed the box and tore the paper off in one swift movement. He held in his hand a little blue box. Karen gasped. “That’s how you open them.” He held the box out to her. Her hand trembled as she reached for it. There was only one thing that was nestled inside a box of this color and that was jewelry. She opened the top of the box gingerly and stared at the contents inside.
“Oh, Josh, you shouldn’t have!” She exclaimed. He grinned and crossed his legs Indian style. She touched the beautiful greenish-purple stone gently and smiled at him. “It’s so gorgeous! What kind of stone is it?” He took the box from her and removed the necklace with the teardrop-shaped stone and hooked it around her neck.
“It’s called Alexandrite.” He said as he fastened the clasp. It lay softly against her bare chest. She got up off the bed and looked at it in the mirror.
“Oh God, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She sighed as she moved it this way and that, watching the colors change in the light. She slid back onto the bed next to him and pressed her lips against his for a kiss.
“It pales in comparison to you. Here …” He handed her the next box hoping it wasn’t the one he wanted her to open last. She made to open it slowly again and he eyed her. She ripped into it and threw the paper behind her on the floor. He laughed.
“Very good!” He said. She held another blue box in her hand.
“Josh, oh my God!” She felt her breath catch in her chest and found herself taking deep breaths just to get oxygen. He took the box from her, peeked into it and then, once he found it was the right box, handed it back.
“Okay, it’s the right one, go ahead.” She flipped open the top and inside was a pair of matching teardrop Alexandrite earrings. She looked at him and smiled. “Put them on!” He said, excited. She bit her bottom lip as she hooked the earrings into the holes in her ears and then fastened the safety clasp. “They are very rare, Alexandrites.” He said, handing her the next box. “Most of them you see today are fake, well not fake but manufactured.” He ripped the paper off of the last blue box and held it in his hand. He pulled her close. He felt his breathing speed up with anticipation. “Karen,” He began as he looked into her eyes, they were as green as the Alexandrite she wore around her neck. “In the short time that we have spent together, I just want you to know that I have had the best time in my whole life.” She smiled. “You are so different from anyone that I have dated or even spent a good amount of time with. You are so patient and kind. You are my best friend and my truest lover. When you’re near I am at peace, when we’re apart I feel like there’s a large chunk of me missing but I can sleep well at night knowing that you’re not that far and that I will see you again and you will be there for me like you always are. I trust you and I trust myself when I’m not with you. You love me for me, and unlike any relationship I’ve had in the last six years I know you don’t love me, the singer, but you love me, Josh. And, as girly as it sounds, it’s nice to be with someone who doesn’t always look to me for the answers, or to make the decisions. It’s refreshing. And even when I look my crappiest you don’t care because you don’t love the Josh who wears a suit and sings Italian love songs, you love the Josh who belches after drinking beer and who isn’t always eloquent or diplomatic. The stupid Josh who almost hit his cousin …” His cheeks tinged pink and Karen smiled. “And, like the mature, intelligent, confident woman you are, smartly talked me out of it.” She giggled. He opened the box and took her left hand. On it he slipped an Alexandrite ring. It slid easily onto her middle finger. Karen felt tears brimming onto her lower eyelid, her bottom lip trembled. Josh’s eyes were slightly damp as well. He curled her hand into his and attempted a smile, it ended up lopsided. She giggled again. “This ring is my promise to you that we will be together always, in friendship and in love. Because Karen,” His eyes searched hers for any sign of discomfort but found repose. “I love you.” He whispered. Karen lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. She kissed his mouth, his nose, his cheeks, his forehead, his neck. He laughed while she went on a kissing spree. They tumbled over onto the bed and he climbed on top of her. He leaned down and kissed her again, this time slowly and with feeling.
“Josh,” Karen said as he pulled back.
“Hmmm?” He asked.
“I love you, too.” She said. He smiled.
“That’s good to hear.” He said and raised his eyebrows at her. She giggled. “Now what do I get?” He asked. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Anything you want!” She said.
Josh pulled his sweater back down over his head and tried to smooth the curls that struck straight up from his head, electrified with static. He frowned into the mirror.
“What the hell is going on here?” He asked and smacked his head a few times. This time the hair stuck to the bottom of his hand. While Karen snapped and zipped her jeans, out of the corner of her eye watched as Josh played with the hair that stuck straight up from his head onto the palm of his hand. “This shit’s crazy!” He laughed. Karen giggled and pulled a Henley over her head.
“You are a nut.” She said coming up behind him, licking her palm and smoothing down the curls. He made a face in the mirror.
“Thanks, mom.” He teased. She squeezed him tightly. He pretended he was going to throw up and she released him.
“I wish you could stay and come with us tomorrow.” Karen said heading out to the living room. Josh followed.
“I know but I have that Christmas concert tonight otherwise I would.” He checked his watch and saw that it was a quarter to two. The limo would be there in fifteen minutes to pick him up and take him to the airport. He sighed and pulled Karen into his arms.
“Thank you for coming.” She said quietly. He raised one eyebrow and winked.
“At least four times.” He said and then laughed. She smacked his shoulder.
“You goof!” He leaned forward and kissed her, his mouth lingering. She pulled back. “Don’t start that.” She warned. He grinned.
“But I could do it again.” She held his arm up and shoved his watch under his nose.
“Not in ten minutes you couldn’t.”
“Wanna bet?” She shook her head, her earrings dangling against her chin. Josh smiled and then remembering something he ran back to the bedroom. He found the long, slim box on the bed in the covers and brought it back out to Karen. He held it up to her.
“Not another one?” He made her kiss him before he would give it to her.
Just then the limo pulled into the driveway. Josh grabbed his coat and put it on. He pulled Karen into his arms and kissed her once more, very deeply.
“Yes it’s another one, but it’s cheap.” He headed towards the door. Karen followed him. Before he walked out he turned and hugged her tightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner.” He kissed her and with that he was gone. She watched as he climbed into the limo and backed out the drive. She held the box in her hand for a long time before tearing into it. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the bracelet he’d given her.
“Oh my God!” She gasped. It was a tennis bracelet adorned with ¼ carat diamonds. She pulled it out of the box and slipped it on her wrist then she grabbed her phone and called Josh on his cell. He answered it laughing.
“Cheap?” She cried. He laughed again.
“Yeah, it was cheaper then the other stuff. It’s something you can wear everyday.”
“Oh God, Josh no!”
“Oh God, Karen yes! It’s not diamonds. I know you think they are.”
“They aren’t?” She turned her wrist backward and forward. The stones shimmered.
“No! They are white sapphires. Aren’t they beautiful?” She looked closely at the stones and they were even more beautiful then diamonds.
“Josh, you are so awesome!” He chuckled.
“I know.” She sighed.
“I packed all your gifts. You’ll get them tomorrow.”
“MmMMmm …” He moaned. “I got what I wanted today.” She sighed again.
“You’re impossible!”
“Am I?”
“Yes. And thank you again, it was the best surprise seeing you today.”
“I thought you’d like it. I even wore a green sweater for you.” She giggled.
“It was awesome. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” He sighed.
“Me too.” They hung up after a few more minutes and Karen bounded into the bedroom to finish packing her suitcase.
