Naughty Bastards

The first gift was given to Fred’s mom by the dad. It was a small beautifully wrapped box. When she opened it, there was a gold pendant necklace. The gift made everyone clap. It was beautiful! As each one of the house gave gifts to each other, the more I became nervous on how they will accept my gift to them. They were into expensive gifts while mine was so damn cheap. My fears were put aside when she received it. She was really happy.

Surprisingly, Fred’s mom had taken time to get me a gift too. It was a brightly colored small gift box with a ribbon tied to it. I trembled as I opened it slowly. I felt everyone’s eyes on me as I removed the wrap. Inside the red box, there was a ring!

“Do you like it?” She asked.

I was speechless for a moment. “Yes, very much. Thank you.”

“It’s a family heirloom. I would like you to have it.”

“What?” I mumbled

“We are honored to have you in our family.  I’ll be pleased if you accepted that.”

“I’m so honored” I said while trying to hold back my tears. I stood up and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

As the others continued to open the gifts, I tried on the ring on my middle finger. It was perfect. I showed Fred the ring while waving my hands across his face. He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.  Later on, we had a prayer before guys went to bed. I was to share the room upstairs with Fred. I felt awkward as it seemed odd that we would sleep together in his parents’ home.

“Hey, you okay?” Fred asked tacking himself into bed.

“Yes.” I said turning to face him.

He gave me a kiss but it was so good that we did it for a couple of minutes. With the intensity continuing, we started touching each other.

“Won’t your parents hear us?” I asked still holding to him tightly.

“Nope.” He replied taking his clothes off.

“You sure?” I asked.

I never got the answer.

Christmas Eve

Arriving back, we found everyone on the pouch having drinks around a tree. We joined them by sitting on the logs of trees that were laid out in a circle. Alcohol was amongst the drinks laid out but I chose some fruit juice. I didn’t want to be judged on the choice. Fred took a malt drink.

Was this family this joyful or was it the drinks that contributed to the effect? I had never laughed this hard before as the family cracked jokes on some past events. Fred and his cousin were the center of the topics and I enjoyed this as I didn’t know some of the things about him. The kids were playing some random games that involved running around and something close to hide and seek.

The awkward moment came when Polly started asking us about the wedding plans. We looked at each other with a blank stare as we didn’t have an answer yet.  Some more probing by the family on my wishes on the wedding day was tormenting enough. This is what I was going to deal with in the coming days. Fred tried to save the moment by telling them the date would be set once we go over my parents’ home and tell them about the good news but it didn’t work out as expected. My soon to be mother in law changed the subject when she noticed I was getting uncomfortable to work related stuff. I breathed a sigh of relief.

As the time moved on, it started being chilly so we all moved back into the house only to find some hot cups of tea and coffee already prepared. Each of us took a cup as we waited for dinner. The smell of chicken in the oven mesmerized me and I smiled broadly while walking to the family room. Those chefs know their work! The Christmas tree had been set up which gave the room a festive feeling. Some gifts were set up under the tree and this reminded me of mine that I had bought. I ran upstairs and got the gifts back to the tree.

We had an early dinner on the dining table after which we sat on the couches. The head of the family, Fred’s dad then started the family tradition of opening the presents on Christmas Eve.

All Smiles

After dinner, Fred's mom led me upstairs to a room where I could rest and put the bags that we had in the car. The room was tastefully done with the bed as the main focus of the room. The ceiling to floor windows on the left side of the room gave me a beautiful view of the compound and the hills on the horizon. The baby blue curtains which matched the bed covers fell gracefully on the windows. I closed the door and hurriedly got my phone out.

"You won't believe it!" I shouted at the phone as the call went through and Ann picked it up.

"What?" Ann asked.

"This guys are ridiculously rich! Very rich!" I said excited while sitting at the hedge of the bed.

"Tell me more." She asked sounding more interested in the story.

"The house is huge and they have everything that I ever wished for." I said. "And importanly, the family was really glad when they saw me."

"Awww, thats nice." She replied.

"Yes, it is but I didn't expect this much. I'm really lucky."

"You are." Ann said. "So where are you now?"

"I'm in a room upstairs that I have been given. Its twice as big as both of our rooms." I said.

"I'm jealous."

I let out a big laugh but was cut short when I head a door knock. Fred walked in.

"Girl, have to go but ill talk to you later." I said and hanged up.

Fred walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "I'm so lucky to have you baby."

"I'm lucky too and you have a wonderful family."

"They can't stop talking about you. They really like you." He said with a smile on his face while stroking my hair backwards.

I smiled back and gave him a hug.

"So, mind if i take you for a walk around the compound?" Fred asked.

"No, not at all."

"Knowing each other'

"Come this way." I heard my name called by a lady with beautiful hair tied in a pony. "I'm Polly by the way."

"Oh, I'm Kate." I said while being dragged through the house to the family room.

"We all know who you are." Polly replied smiling.

As I was adjusting myself in the seat, everyone followed and we sat around. I was realy tense and I bet Fred saw this as he stood up and started the introductions.

"Everyone, thanks for coming. Glad we are all together at this time. I brought along a special person with me. She is Catherine, my fiance." Fred started. "Catherine, you are welcomed to our home."

"Thank you." I said.

"As you can remember, my parents." He said while pointing to his left where his parents were seated holding hands. "Next to them is my Uncle Pete and aunt Mary. Ann over there by the window is the daughter."

I waved and smiled at her. She waved back.

"This is Polly and Charlie, my cousins and the kids who are outside Kitty and Sean." He said. "You will know the others who are not here as time goes."

Fred's mom directed us to the adjacent room where the dinning table was. The long mahogany table which filled almost the entire room was decorated with cutlery and food served in bowls placed in the middle. I went to the corner of the room and washed my hands at the sink before joining the others at the table. I sat next to Fred and Polly on my side but directly opposite Uncle Pete and the wife Mary. A prayer was made before we started eating.

This family was not without drama. From the laughter that went around during the entire time, to the insults (Sean to his sister Kitty) and the welcome that I was given severally, it all seemed that this was a very tight family. Glad I was joining them!!

The Visit

Ever wondered why days go faster when you don't want them to? Yea, that's my case right now. It is already Friday and my heart is already beating faster as we are going to visit Fred's parents tomorrow for the holidays. I have been packing clothes for the last one hour but kept returning and replacing some clothes as I wasn't sure if they were appropriate for the visit. My phones rings. Its Fred.

"Hey, you home?" He asks.

"Yea. Whats up?"

"Is my blue Polo shirt over there?"

"I think so." I reply with a quized look.

"Mind packing it for me?"

"No problem." I say while walking across the bedroom to search for it.

"Thanks. So ill see you tomorrow. Ill be picking you up by nine thirty."

"Okay, see you."

I hang up the phone and text Ann about our trip to Fred's place. She is still at her parents place for the festivities. She will be coming so back early next year but was glad that we were making this trip.

Saturday morning and the trip starts to his home. Fred had hired a car and we were going to use it until we come back. It was a three hour drive from my place but with the weather being so beautiful, I was really enjoying the whole drive.

As we approached the compound, the view of the house was superb. They had a beautiful house. A lady was standing at the door but I quickly identified her as his mom. She was smiling as we packed the car at the garage and came to open the door for me. I was given a hug and a kiss on the cheek while being welcomed in the house. As Fred opened the door, we were surprised as there were many people inside. Handshakes were passed around but most of them were kind of fixated on me. I felt uncomfortable.

Wise Words

Monday's are never my best days. The alarm rang fifteen minutes ago and still didn't feel like waking up. On the line was my new found job ( I was only a month old) which I could easily loose and on the other side, was this warm bed giving me the warmth I desperately needed on this cold morning.

As I prepared myself to go to work, I kept thinking of how life was about to change for me. Yes, it all seemed too dreamy at this stage but it was going to be so real in the coming days. I was so songle last week but now things have already gone a step higher.

It seemed like everyone had gotten the memo of me being engaged at the office. From the receptionist to the head of IT department congratulating me on the big news. The HR manager immediately gave me the answer that I desperately needed. It was Fred who shared the news! Whatever happened to keeping out personal life out of the office?

After the smiling session that I managed to give to people on the congratulations, I texted Fred on when he gave word out on us being engaged. He replied a second later informing me that after dinner, he had texted his buddies over at the IT department on the news. Apparently to protect the 'territory' since Edwin was on my back on wanting me to go out with him. Men!!

Tina and I hooked up later in the day and went to the mall to get something for Fred's parents. Jewelery was not the best option same for some sweaters on display over at the sale section. Finally after about two hours, we both agreed to get a flower vase. At least it would be the best option than wine incase if one of them does not drink. As the shop attendant took time to wrap it up for us, I decided to ask Tina about the whole marriage thing.

"Marriages are not the same dear sister." She started. "What I have experienced in mine will definately not what you will have so just be positive in this."

"Are you sure?" I asked not convinced.

"You love him, right?"

"Very much." I replied.

"Then focus on the good things he offers you and not the negative. That will keep you guys together for a long time."

"Okay. What about the parents?"

"The parents always have an opinion in this but remember it's about you two. You have to fight for your love sweetheart. Just be real when you go meet him and they will love you for whom you are." Tina said then gave me a wink.

"The shop attendant interrupted us with the already wrapped gift and we left the store. Who would have guessed I would leave the store with a present and some wise words?

All about the Parents

"Are you sure?" he asked. "You are the first chick I have met who has no interest in such."

"Yes, I have never thought about it."

"You are wierd."

"You can say that again. Was thinking we can just do a small ceremony where we get to invite few friends and family. I think that will be okay for both of us."

"Yea, that will be okay. When do you think we can arrange the ceremony?"

"I don't know. For now we can concentrate on visiting the family first then tell them." I said.

"Can we go this weekend? They will be home as its the holidays and you will get to meet all of them at once."

"I'm not that busy so guess we have a date then. You think they will like me?" I asked nervously.

He put his hands over me and gave me a squeeze. "They will be very happy to meet you."

"Okay, you can call and inform them you are going over home with me." I said and gave him a kiss on the lips.

"That will be done." he said and we resumed watching the movie.

My head was spinning on what to get Fred's parents as gifts. The weekend that we were going to visit was the Christmas weekend and it won't be good showing up empty handed. I didn't want to call my mom and ask about it as she would go on and inform me on the clothes, hairstyle to have on and other things so I chose to call my cousin Tina for assistance. She was readily willing to help so we organize to meet in town the following day after work for some shopping. Phew, at least that was all sorted out.

Ann later called in the evening to check on me and how things were going on. I updated her on the new plans on going to see the parents and waiting until we finish the discussion so that we set a date. she was thrilled and asked I keep her updated on things.