***Alex's Point of View***

"Kiss me." Ben said.

"No."

"Kiss me!" Ben begged.

"No!" I laughed.

"Please kiss me?" He asked softly.

"Aw, baby..." I leaned in. "When you say it like that... no." I teased him.

"You are a big jerk." He said.

"So you think I'm big?" I joked. He playfully punched my pec.

"Kiss me, damn it." He laughed.

His laugh is so adorable I couldn't help but give in to his demand. I wrapped my arms around his back and pulled him in, then dipped him back far, kissing him passionately. After a long, deep kiss, I pulled him back up. "There. Happy now?" I breathed.

He just stared at me, breathing heavily. He finally managed to nod. "That was quite a kiss." He smiled.

"It was."

"We should get going, gotta get everything ready downstairs." He said.

"I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already! I can't finally turn on the fireplace and not look like a weirdo!" I laughed.

"You've waited all year, you can finally thrive again." He laughed. "Now I have to go out the turkey in the oven. Plus, your family's gonna be here by 8 to watch the parade and the living room is still a mess."

"Babe, it's not a mess, it's spotless. But if it'll make you feel better I'll do another once-over."

"Thanks."

"Not that it matters, the kids will have it a mess in 20 minutes."

"As long as it's clean when they get here." He laughed as we walked downstairs. "And you really think they'll be alright spending Christmas at the beach house?"

"They'll love getting out of the city, going on a little trip for Christmas. They'll get to play in the snow, everyone will love it."

I was right, my sister, brother-in-law, and parents all loved the idea. We told the kids and they seemed excited too.

***

Two days before Christmas, Ben and I drove down to the beach house for Christmas and to decorate before everyone else arrives Christmas Eve. We brought up all of the Santa gifts for the kids so my sister wouldn't have to worry about it.

We bought a huge, 14 foot fake pre-lit Christmas tree and set it up in the living room. We left it bare to decorate with the whole family, the kids, James and Rebecca, will love having another tree to decorate.

"Everything looks great, thanks honey." He gave me a side hug. I put my arm around him and kissed the top of his head.

"Happy Christmas, Harry." I said in my best mock Ron/British accent.

"Let's go for a sunset walk..." he took my hand and pulled me towards the door.

"Where to? The beach? Or the land side?"

"Land side." He smiled.

We got our shoes and coats on, heading outside and towards the beautiful hilly landscape. This neighborhood is beautiful, only a few houses along the street. His house on the end, right next to stunning hills and tall grass, with over 300 feet of private beach, is definitely the best.

On our walk we enjoyed the fresh air. Surprisingly, it's not freezing tonight.

"Oh, I heard the neighbors are selling." He mentioned."

"Why would anyone want to sell a place like that?"

"I guess they wanted a change. I think they actually sold it before it hit the market, a very secretive deal according to the other neighbors."

"When did you hear that?" I laughed.

"I have friends in very high places... on the HOA." He made me laugh,

We reached the top of the highest hill, turning to look at the water and sunset. "Look at that." I sighed, sitting down.

He sat next to me. "I love the city, I really do. But sometimes this just steals the show."

"It does. It really does."

"Want some candy?" He asked randomly, pulling out a bag of M