"Steph and I are going to do our gift exchange early, too. I got her this really pretty necklace and earrings. I haven't wrapped them yet, you want to see them?" I asked.
"Not really," he said, smirking at me.
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Fine, but I think she'll like her presents. I hope you'll like yours, too," I called over my shoulder as I went into my room.
I came back out with the stuffed stocking and a big square box wrapped in SpongeBob paper. He smiled, finishing his cookie, and took the presents from me. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," I said, smiling.
"Which one should I open first?" he asked.
"Either one," I said.
He sat the stocking down on the couch and started opening up the box. When he saw the work boots he smiled. "I didn't say that so you'd buy them."
"I know," I said. "But I knew you wanted them, so..."
"Thank you," he said, leaning in and kissing me.
I beamed, feeling like I had done a good job. Then he opened his stocking, eating a couple pieces of candy as he read the coupons.
When he was finished, he kissed me again, informing me, "I hope you know that I'm going to redeem every last one of those coupons. And do you know how to make lasagna?"
"Oh yeah, my lasagna pretty much rocks," I said, not bothering to be modest.
He chuckled. "Well, that's what I want for dinner."
"See, I didn't do so bad, huh?" I said.
"Nope, you did pretty good, I think."
That made me pretty happy, and I felt pretty good about what I had given him.
"Is it my turn now?" he asked.
"Yep," I said, eager to see what he got me. I was really hoping for a book. I had thrown out a few hints about wanting either a book with all of Jane Austen's novels, or one with The Odyssey and The Illiad. I had even shown him where to find them at the store.
But what he pulled out of his pocket was an envelope, and it wouldn't fit a book in it.
"I'm not much for wrapping presents," he said apologetically.
I grinned, taking the envelope. "That's okay, it doesn't matter what it's wrapped in." I ripped open the envelope and saw a yellow bumper sticker that said in red writing, "If you're going to ride my ass, at least pull my hair."
"I thought of you when I saw it," he said, his eyes twinkling.
I clasped my hand together, laughing. "This is absolutely perfect for me, thank you," I said, reaching over to hug him. "I'm going to put this sticker on my journal."
"You could," he allowed. "I thought you might find a better use for it though."
"Well, I don't know if Alex would want it on his car, and if he would... I'm not sure I would want to know that."
Derek nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a key, dangling it in front of me.
My smile froze and my jaw dropped as I gaped at the key. I quickly looked up at him, staring, finally saying, "You better be kidding."
"It isn't a very nice car, it definitely isn't a new car, but it does run now, it's safe to drive, and it'll serve its purpose. You don't have to work at Wendy's because it's within walking distance."
"Derek!" I said, jumping off the couch, torn between excitement and utter disbelief. "You did not buy me a car."