Tim (timfletcher) wrote in mcdermott_game, @ 2011-01-03 21:47:00 |
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Current mood: | cheerful |
Who: Tim and Chloe
When: Friday December 24 (backdated)
Where: Chloe's parent's house
What: Exchanging gifts
Rating: G
Status: Complete
Last year had been just the beginning for Chloe and Tim. They'd been just getting into the swing of things, figuring out how to spend a holiday together . This year though, this year it felt like tradition to go to church on Christmas Eve with both of their families. To sing the old familiar Carols and light her candle from the candlelight service off of his. Then finally to sit with hot chocolate curled up on the couch in her parents living room to exchange gifts.
“Next year will be different” Chloe mused as she curled up next to Tim, watching the fire they’d built int he fireplace before her parents had headed up to bed. “For one we’ll be together Christmas morning... but I like that this feels... like well comfortable, you know?”
He smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah it does feel comfortable and I can’t wait until next year when we can wake up together on Christmas morning.” He glanced at the tree and the array of packages underneath and then set his mug down on a coaster. “Okay before we get started, I have to explain something. I promised you a hint about where we were going for our honeymoon. Each gift is a hint as to where it will be. The last package has the itinerary in it. You can guess as we go along but I’m not confessing anything. Deal?”
Tim had gone to great lengths to work this out and hoped that she’d enjoy it. He’d had fun picking out the gifts and he wanted her to have as much fun with it was he had. “So let me get started,” he walked over to the tree and picked up the shopping bag he’d placed there before church and returned to the sofa. “Okay, this one is first,” he told her as he handed her a small package containing a stuffed panda.
Chloe had been just about to suggest present exchanging when Tim got up and her smile grew wider as he explained that there was a game to his gifts. Chloe was extremely excited and curious about their honeymoon so to get clues to it was a big deal and she eagerly reached for the present Tim was handing her.
“Total deal.” She agreed as she shook the package and then tested it’s weight in her fingertips before finally opening it. “A panda bear?” She studied him. ‘he’s totally adorable by the way... the zoo? Are you taking me to the zoo for our honeymoon?”
He laughed. “Yes, you’ve got it. I decided that instead of something memorable, I’d be” cheap and take you to the San Diego Zoo. You’ve caught me, Chloe.” Tim was having far too much fun with with this. He knew she’d never figure it out or if she did, it would take a while so he handed her the next package. This one was a set of body lotion and bath gel . The clue was in the scent but he didn’t tell her that, curious to see if she could figure it out for herself.
“Well you never know...you are paying for it.” Chloe teased laughing as he teased her. When she took the next gift she did the same as always. shaking, testing the weight and sniffing the package and she grinned when she smelled it. ‘Well it sure smells good.” She admitted as she unwrapped it. “Japanese Cherry Blossom” She mused as she opened the container to sniff the lotion inside. “Yea... i don’t even have a guess for this one!”
“Not even a tiny one?” Tim laughed. “I could tell you that I’m taking you to the mall after we leave the zoo, how’s that?” He reached for the next package with contained two Double Happiness coffee mugs. “See if this one will give you any more hints.” He was having a great time with this and could see that Chloe was truly baffled.
“That sounds like a truly terrific Honeymoon.” Chloe deadpanned. “i can’t wait to tell the tabloids about it.” She added and then puzzled open the coffee mugs. Not that she didn’t love a good coffee mug but this gave her no clue at all. “Starbucks? Are we going to Starbucks after the zoo and the mall? because nothing could be more perfect.”
“You caught me,” he said. “Starbucks after the zoo and the mall. And the mugs are special mugs. The symbols on them mean Double Happiness which is good luck for a marriage.” This was working out so much better than he’d expected. He’d truly stumped her which was something he didn’t think he could do. “Okay, maybe this will help,” he handed her a small package which contained a jade bracelet.
"Double happiness, nice" Chloe took the opportunity to lean over and kiss him quickly."and wow Tim... Jade? This is absolutely beautiful"'she told him as she lifted the bracelet to admire it "but... Yea no guess with this one"
He was about to give up. It just didn’t seem possible that she hadn’t put it together yet but she hadn’t. It was time to wrap things up he decided and picked up the last package, Inside the package was a red kimono bathrobe with jade earrings on top. Underneath the robe was the information sheet for the Asian cruise they were taking for their honeymoon. “Be sure and look underneath it,” he instructed. “and you’ll see where we’re going on our honeymoon.”
Chloe eagerly reached for the next box, opening it up and smiling as she saw the earrings. ‘Wow these are so pretty Tim.” She exclaimed, then fingering the bathrobe “and this is beautiful.” She was still trying to piece it all together as she pulled the robe out to look at it and then saw the paper underneath. As her eyes scanned the page she slow realization of all the gifts he’d gotten came to her and Chloe laughed at the fact that she hadn’t seen it. “Oh My God Tim, Asia? Really?” She squealed as she pounced him for a hug. “That’s amazing! that’s really where we’re going???”
He grabbed her as she pounced, having learned the art of catching her in mid pounce over the time they’d been together. “Yes, that’s really where we’re going! Thanks to the money your folks gave us and some that I put back, we had more than enough to do this. I’ve always wanted to do something like this and you father said it was one of the few places you’d never been.” Tim sat back a little to look at her. “Is it okay? Do you like it?”
“Like it?” Chloe kissed him soundly as her answer. “Tim I love it, It’s perfect. I’ve never been there and we can experience it together. i can’t wait!”
Tim was relieved that she liked it. He’d thought long and hard over where to take her and this had seemed like an impossible dream until Scott and Elizabeth had stepped in. “I’m happy you like it. We can sit down before we go and look at the shore excursions and things that we have to choose from. I think it will be amazing!” He kissed her again. “Okay so now that we’ve done that, do I get any presents?” Yes, sometimes he could be a little kid at Christmas time.’
“It is going to be extremely amazing” Chloe agreed and then laughed at his question. “yes, you get presents” She assured him as she pulled back from him to cross to the tree and select a few wrapped gifts from under it. She had bought him a few clothes also that she was leaving under the tree for him to open when they all exchanged gifts after dinner the next day but for now there were a few special things she wanted to give him. “Okay first” She handed him a wrapped box that contained a Frame that was already engraved with their names and the wedding date. “I know this one is sort of premature but.. I thought it was a cute idea”
He smiled as he looked at the date. It made it seem even more real. “It will look amazing on my desk,” he said and kissed her. “Thank you.”
‘I sort of figured that your new desk.. when you start at USC we don’t have to hide things, you know?” She smiled as he kissed her and then reached for the next package. The truth was she only had two special gifts to give him but this next one had been probably more than he had expected her to spend on him and she didn’t want to overwhelm him but she was beaming as she handed him the wrapping which held the Fox 75th anniversary collection She’d seen an advertisement and knew it was something she just had to get Tim.
When he opened the box, his mouth nearly dropped open. It was the type of thing he’d been looking at but would have never bought for himself. “Oh my god,” he said and looked over at her with a smile. “I’ve been looking at this in the store and on line and well everywhere. It’s amazing, thank you so much.”
“You are very, very welcome” Chloe told him, grinning with the absolute pride she felt in the fact that he seemed to truly like what she’d gotten him. “For once I actually shopped for you without asking Jeremy for advice, so I’m super glad that it’s something you wanted!”
“I love it!” he said. “although you might have to find ways to distract me while I’m locked in your father’s screening room watching all of these with him.” Tim grinned and leaned in to kiss her. He knew full well that Chloe wouldn’t let him ensconce himself in front of the TV and ignore her.
“Trapped in his screening room watching movies with dad” Chloe rolled her eyes, laughing as he kissed her. “I admit Dad was jealous when i told him what I was getting you, so you get one day this week to hide with him. “She teased. “Then it’s all about Chloe again.”
“I will gladly let it be all about Chloe again,” he said and laughed. “Speaking of..we’re going house hunting on Thursday right? And then the party on Friday night?” Tim was a little nervous about the New Year’s Eve party that he and Chloe were going to. It was going to be an industry thing and the news of their engagement was set to break earlier that day. He didn’t doubt his decision to marry her for a moment but he was nervous about being the center of attention.
“Good, and actually I wanted to talk to about that.” Chloe admitted. “I went to have Julie make the hotel reservations and talk to a real estate agent for me and it looks like Saturday is the better day for the agent I’ve been told I should use.” She explained. “So I was thinking we head up to LA Thursday afternoon, check into the hotel, enjoy an evening alone and then go to the party Friday and then do the househunting Saturday and probably Sunday also?”
It all sounded good to him even though a part of him felt a little overwhelmed. “That works for me,” he replied. “It’s all starting to see real, you know? Looking for a house, everything. I’m not going to lie to you, Chloe. I’m a little nervous about the party on Friday. Especially since it’s the first big one we’ve been too since we’ve been engaged. I don’t want to make a fool out of myself!”
“I kind of figured you might be.” Chloe admitted. “Which is why I sort of thought Thursday night to ourselves might be a good idea... Time to relax before the first big official thing since the engagement... don’t worry though, you’re not going to make a fool out of yourself”
He kissed her lightly. “Thank you. Time for me to gather myself before the craziness, huh? Well I know that I’m in good hands with you and Nadine.”