Merry Christmas part 11

Christmas Eve day was a very busy day. Everyone was bustling around trying to get all the finish touches done to the decorations, the food, and the gifts.
Chris and Nickie headed to town to buy gifts for everyone. Nickie could not believe how much fun she was having especially after the fight with Beth. Chris was loving and attentive. When she was with him she could forget everyone around her. They were loaded with gifts when they came back. They had barely put them under the tree when she heard her name.. "Aunt Nickie, Aunt Nickie." She turned around to see Hunter toddling over and giving her a big hug and kiss. "My how big you are getting! Are you having fun here?"
"Yes, I have been helping," Hunter said proudly.
She looked at him and kept thinking how much he looked like Richard. Then her mind wandered to Italy.....She sighed.
"Are you alright?"
She looked startled and remembered where she was, "Yes, Hunter I am fine. Let's go see if your parents are ready to come down."
"Oh, Mom and dad are sleeping in."
Nickie smiled, "Let's go get a snack then."
Off they went to get a snack in the kitchen. Tyler turned around and smiled. Nickie's heart skipped a beat. Tyler gave them some cookies and eggnog. He whispered, "Tonight, in the kitchen. I will make you a snack like last year."
Nickie agreed. When they left the kitchen Hunter went running to his dad. She looked at Beth. They just nodded to each other. Nickie sat beside her at the table.
"I was wondering if he offered you the spare bedroom when you went back to the cottage?"
Nickie just looked at her and wondered what she knew "yes."
"I thought so. I really am sorry that I treated you that way. It was a shock to read about him with you. I just never thought he was your type that is all."
Nickie just looked at her for a minute still wondering if she was for real or not. "I really thought I was falling in love with him and he with me. But when we came back he treated me like it never happened."
Chris came up and sat down beside Nickie. Beth never responded to that. She smiled at Chris and Nickie wondered what she was up to. John joined them, Hunter had gone to play. She noticed that the smile changed to one of adoration when Beth looked at John. He leaned into kiss her. They just spent a moment nuzzling each other when Chris cleared his throat. John and Beth laughed. John said, "Guess we get carried away sometimes. We just have been so fortunate to find each other again."
Nickie just watched them, part of her wondered if Beth was a threat and the other part was happy for these two because they had been through a lot. Chris asked her, "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she stammered. "I was just thinking, about what they had been through."
John went to get Beth something to drink. Nickie followed to see if he needed help carrying anything. Chris moved towards Beth,"so are you toying with Nickie about us?"
"There is no us, Chris. I just told her to think of what it would be if she found me in your arms. Why did she ask?"
"Yes, last night."
"What was your answer?"
"No, of course. What should have it been?"
Beth smiled, "just that, no."
Chris leaned in and whispered, "but you have wanted to, right?"
Beth looked at him, so close, close enough to kiss, "oh more than once, but you are with Nickie and I couldn't do that to her."
Nickie had been behind them when she heard that. Her stomach fell to the floor, what an unfaithful friend she had been. She almost thought she should allow Beth to sleep with Chris. She came to her senses and cleared her throat letting them know she had entered. They looked up and smiled at her. John sat beside Beth and her attention was only to him.
That evening Nickie was dressed in the gown that she wore with Richard. Chris was drooling at the mouth when he saw her.
Beth was in a gorgeous green velvet gown that was very flattering to her figure but still gave her room to move. She moved slowly on the dance floor but she looked beautiful in John's arms. They toasted their friendship and wished each other a Merry Christmas. The evening was filled with dance, food and liquor. Hunter enjoyed himself then was asleep by ten. John and Beth said their good nights early too. Chris and Nickie stayed to dance some more. Nickie enjoyed the rest of her evening with Chris. He also removed this dress but more in a forceful way so different than Richard. While he slept she crept quietly down to the kitchen. Tyler was waiting for her midnight snack. He looked up and smiled when he saw she had the dress on, to his delight nothing on underneath it. Tyler was methodical in his removing of the dress not as sensual as Richard or rough like Chris but a steady hand, that knew just what to do. She arched her back with delight as she received him. Once again she thought there was not just one man for her.
Meanwhile, Beth had John unzipped her gown. She let it fall. He reached down to pick it up. She placed her hand on his back to steady her while she climbed out. When he stood back up. She looked intensely in his eyes. He threw the dress on the back of the couch and grabbed her. He kissed her and his hands caressed her naked back. She was running her hands through his hair. He whispered would it be okay tonight. She said the doctor said gentle lovemaking was okay. He grabbed her and carried her to bed. He climbed on top of her still dressed. She reached up and unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it out of his pants. He leaned down to kiss her she brought his body down to connect with her bare breast and his chest. She wanted him next to her. He pulled back long enough to loosen his belt and she was there taking his pants down. She giggled. He smiled. Then he laid her back down and gently made love to her. As their naked bodies united she wanted no one else, her heart was his, it always has been. He held her feeling her succumbing to his body, and he knew she loved him, and he loved her with all his heart.

Christmas morning -- Hunter came in finding his parents asleep. "Hey, wake up! It's Christmas!"
Hunter give mommy and daddy time to dress and we will go down to the tree together. Do you want to wake up Aunt Nickie and Chris?"
He went running. They all with their hair tousled made it down to the tree. The gifts were wonderful. Then Nickie remembered that she had Richard's in the room. She went to get it for Beth. She opened it quietly. It was a book of their times together on the beach, at the cottage and the lighthouse. The card was signed, "Beth, my only love, from yours Richard." Beth put the card and the book with her other gifts. She leaned back into John who was sitting behind her. She rubbed his leg, letting him know she was still with him. He caressed her arms letting her know he was still there for her. While Hunter played Beth told him that they would be back they were going to take their showers. He waved to them and went back playing. It was an hour before they all arrived back for breakfast brunch. The day was spent relaxing and everyone enjoined the day. Nickie and Beth were breaking the ice between them even more now.