James the Christmas Grouch

5

When I heard the key in the lock, I rewound the song to the beginning and ran over to the front door. "Merry Christmas Eve Eve!" I said as soon as James stepped into the apartment. I threw my arms around the back of his neck and attacked his face with kisses.

He laughed and planted his lips against mine. "What is all this?" he asked as he pulled away.

Believe by Josh Groban was blaring through the speakers, freshly baked cookies were sitting on the counter, and I had even somehow managed to get the tree into the stand without any help. Most importantly, I had also gotten Rob to spend the night out with friends. It was the romantic night I had wanted yesterday. "It's tree decorating night," I said. "Want a cookie?"

"You've been busy." He pulled off his scarf and gloves and gave me that smile that made me knees weak. "I'd love one. What kind?"

"Chocolate chip."

"With walnuts?"

"Of course. It's dessert after all." That was one of our things. We both thought desserts were better when they had nuts. I grabbed the plate from the kitchen and lifted it up to him.

He took a huge bite. "Delicious."

I smiled up at him. "If I'm being honest, Ellen gave me the recipe. But I made them by myself."

He grabbed another one off the plate. "They're amazing. Did Rob help you make them before or after you two fondled each other in aisle twelve?"

I choked on the bite I had just taken. "Neither." I quickly shook my head. "I mean, he didn't help me. And I didn't fondle him at the hardware store."

James smiled. "I know. I'm just kidding." He kissed my forehead. "But that picture circulating is rather incriminating."

"Are you getting those alerts now too? Please turn them off. I don't need a reminder every time something embarrassing happens to me." And I definitely didn't need to see what stupid caption they came up with next.

He lifted the plate of cookies out of my hand and placed it down on the kitchen counter. "Spill it."

"Spill what? You know, speaking of spills, do you want some milk? I'll try not to spill it though."

He laughed and pulled me against his chest before I could reach the fridge. "Talk to me."

"Why can't everyone just leave us alone, James? It's almost Christmas for goodness sakes. I mean, the cashier at the store didn't even wish me a Merry Christmas. He just asked if I was the girl that slept with James Hunter. What is it with people in New York?" I sighed as soon as I saw the expression on his face.

"Penny, if you're not happy here..."

I put my finger against his lips, silencing him. "I didn't mean it. I am happy. Can we just rewind to when you came in? I'll go start the song again." I tried to squirm out of his grip but he just held me tighter.

"Let's go to your parents' for Christmas," James said. "I think maybe spending a few days in Delaware might be just what we need."

I didn't need to go back to Delaware. I just needed him. "I want to start traditions together. I told you I wanted to spend Christmas with you in New York. And I meant it."

He stared down at me with his piercing brown eyes. I could tell he was analyzing my reaction. I just wasn't sure what he was searching for.

"I know you want me to tell you what I liked best about Christmas growing up. And how we can mold our traditions together. But I don't really know what to say. We didn't decorate the tree..."

"Trim the tree," I corrected him.

"Trim? Why would you want to cut the tree?"

"It's a phrase. You know...trimming the Christmas tree."

He stared at me with a blank expression on his face. "Yeah, you just made that up. Trimming a tree is cutting it."

"No, trimming a tree is decorating it. Look it up. It's a thing."

He smiled. "Okay. I'll take your word for it. We didn't trim the tree. We didn't hang stockings. We didn't necessarily do anything out of the ordinary. All I can really think of is that my dad used to read us The Night Before Christmas. I remember sitting around the tree with Rob and Jen and trying to pay attention but being so excited about Santa coming. But that's when I was really young. It's been a long time since I believed in the magic of Christmas."

"Then let's have Rob and Jen over for Christmas. It'll be just like when you were kids again." Rob was always over anyway. I had met Jen once and I really liked her. I'd be happy to share our Christmas with them.

"They can't come."

"But you didn't even ask them. I'm sure Rob will at least say yes."

James touched the side of my face. He suddenly looked sad. "They're going to my parents'."

"I thought you said they weren't doing a Christmas gathering this year?"

He didn't have to say it. I could see it all over his face.

"They're still having it," I said. "I'm just not invited." It stung. His parents' rejection always stung.

"No. No," he said a little more firmly. "We're not invited."

"They uninvited you because of me."

He laughed. "They uninvited me because I yelled at them about being assholes. It has nothing to do with you. You, Penny, are perfect. And if they don't want to meet you, it's their loss. Not the other way around. Trust me."

I had been living in the city for a couple months now. His parents refused to meet me. It was like I was so below them that I wasn't worth their very valuable time. "Do you want to go? I mean, if you want to go for a little while, I can just..."

"Penny, I would never leave you alone on Christmas."