Pre-holiday jitters [rp for lapsedsaint]

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte was a wreck. Shopping with Farah had been a wonderful way to spend a long day, but they hadn't accomplished all Charlotte felt she needed to. Her plans for Christmas day still felt awkward and incomplete. Never mind they'd be spending half the time in church, she knew she would end up disappointing somehow. She was an intelligent, competent professional. How could she feel so lost?

It didn't help she wasn't sleeping. A good portion of the night was spent staring at the ceiling and she was always up early. Very soon she was going to start drinking, which would be a bad, bad choice. The kittens were starting to shy way from her because they were tired of blinking away when she petted them too hard.

Up early, again, she flopped onto the long couch and groaned. "Maybe New Year's will be easier." Vivianne looked at her from under a chair and meowed softly. "Thanks, that's encouraging."

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[lapsedsaint]

John was not oblivious to these things. In fact, he was probably more aware if them then she might have thought him capable. So, when she got up, he gave her a little time before he got up, too.

He walked out of the bedroom with a faint, tired, smile on his face. "You know, New Year's is only ever easier if you get drunk."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She looked over at him, quirking an eyebrow in mock annoyance. "Are you trying to tell me I can't get drunk on New Year's?" She raised herself up a little on one elbow. "I already ordered the champagne."

[lapsedsaint]

He walked over to the couch and sat down next to her. With a smile, he took her hand and kissed her palm. "Now, now. I did not say that. Don't you dare be putting words in my mouth."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She suppressed the shiver from his kiss, but that only made it run deeper along her spine. "I was asking. Preparing myself for the big fight, just in case." She wiggled her fingers, asking for another spine caressing kiss. "I know I'd have come up with something good."

[lapsedsaint]

He kissed her palm again and smiled. "Now why on earth would I say no to champagne on New Year's? Unless you're pregnant and you just haven't mentioned it yet."

[aesthetic_mojo]

To say her jaw dropped could not possibly convey the shock on her face. Her whole face went slack and she made a gurgling noise. Not only did she religiously take the pill but she did extra magic to keep that from happening. "I-I-- No. Not pregnant."

[lapsedsaint]

He nodded and smiled. "Thank God." Nudging her over some, he laid down with her on the couch. "So, baby, tell me what's wrong?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She snuggled in close, wrapping one leg over his hips and hid her face against his neck before answering. She needed all the contact just to get past his 'joke.' If she wriggled a little more than was strictly necessary, that was his own fault for scaring her. Even with all that, she still spoke right against his skin at the speed of light. "I don't know what to give you, I'm going to ruin Christmas, and I'm scared to death."

[lapsedsaint]

He hugged her tightly and shook his head. "Charlotte, you are not going to ruin Christmas. You could not possibly ruin it. I promise."

[aesthetic_mojo]

"I could, too. You don't know." She snuggled more, feeling like a cranky child. The lack of sleep was getting to her. "I'll blaspheme or knock the tree over or something."

She knew how she sounded and she didn't care. She desperately wanted him to say it again, to say that everything would be all right.

[lapsedsaint]

He did not want to laugh, but he could not help the chuckle. "You will not ruin Christmas. You cannot do it."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She tried to think of the worst thing she could do, the most off the wall thing. The image that came to mind actually made her blanch a little. "I could dance with elementals during Mass." She bit her lip. "Can't tell me that would go over well."

[lapsedsaint]

He silently stared at her, just shaking his head. It didn't look upset or anything, just amused that she had even suggested it.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She glared at him, but couldn't keep it up for long. "You know, this doesn't work very well when you don't believe me at all. I might do it."

She sounded so unconvincing that she half sat up and looked down at him. "You broke me. How did you do that?"

[lapsedsaint]

He smirked and shrugged. "I have no idea how I did it. But I am very proud of myself for it."

He pulled her back down against him and grinned. "You are too nice to give the Father a heart attack like that."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She blew a raspberry against his neck. "So unfair. And to think I was called the seductress. You are just as bad. Enticing me with...with..." She nipped his throat and gave him a phantom touch across his crotch. "You're right, though. No heart attacks for the priest. He's been patient with me."

[lapsedsaint]

He groaned softly and shifted, then whispered against her forehead. "He told me he hopes you'll agree to marry in the Church."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She swallowed hard, but kept up the light touches where she knew they'd do the most good. They'd discussed a church wedding very early on, with much teasing and sputtering, and decided against it. "Oh, does he? And what did you say to that?"

[lapsedsaint]

He didn't answer her for a few moments, enjoying the touch. "I told him that I would not pressure you. That it would be your choice where we married."

[aesthetic_mojo]

It thrilled her that he could just enjoy it when she used her magic to touch him now although she did almost miss the funny looks he'd get when counting hands. She nibbled on his neck for a little while as she got his pants open. Not that having them open mattered at the moment, but it would soon. "You'd like it, though, I know." She sighed. "I wish I could give you that, but I don't think it would take, if that makes sense."

[lapsedsaint]

He sort of glanced down at what she'd done to his pants, an eyebrow raised. "Yes. I know what you mean. And I understand. But I feel bad telling him no. He's been so understanding."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She slid a hand along his side and down toward his hip, pressing harder than the phantom fingers that returned to his crotch. "He really has. Never minds when I snore while you are in the confessional, which is nice." She nuzzled up to John's ear and sucked lightly on his earlobe. "I'd say tell him we'd raise children in the Church, but that's a bit of a cop out." Particularly considering her sputtering a minute before.

[lapsedsaint]

He actually raised an eyebrow, then started laughing. "Sweetheart, you are killing me, here. Just killing me."

He growled softly and kissed her deeply, holding onto her and keeping her against his body.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She wasn't entirely sure what he was laughing about, but it felt good to hear. Letting him take control of the kiss, she slipped her hand off his hip and into his pants. It occurred to her that the more stressed she was by the conversation, the faster she was to grope him.

She made her own soft, victorious noise when she got her hand low enough to cup his balls.

[lapsedsaint]

He groaned when her fingers found him and shifted again. He wanted to give her better access to his balls. One day, he might ask her why it was that she used touching him inappropriately whenever she was stressed. But right now, he was enjoying it too much.