Chapter 34

The next morning, I woke up smiling. I was 18 and fully a woman now. Keegan had gone back to the couch after we cuddled for an hour. Oh my god! I had sex with Keegan last night. He rubbed my back afterwards and kept asking me if I was alright. He was so caring during and after. I truly just loved this man with all my heart. I did not regret sharing that moment with him. However, I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that it was his first time as well and I didn’t dare ask him. I went to the bathroom so that I could take a shower. I had to get this smell off of me. I was too nervous to shower last night. I feared our moms had heard us and I was afraid what they would do or say if I had gotten up to shower at one o’clock in the morning. I cleaned myself as best I could with sanitary wipes and made due. My only regret is that we weren’t safe. My mom had given me a ton of talks about the safety of premarital sex, but I chose to ignore it.

I felt all kinds of feelings. I was confused, in pain, happy, scared, but mostly in love. I knew now more than ever that Keegan was the one for me. I couldn’t wait to see him. At breakfast and when we opened gifts for Christmas, I planned to sit with him.

When I got out of the shower, I could hear my dad’s voice bellowing from downstairs. His laughter filled the air with joy and hope. I always looked forward to my dad coming over. I got dressed after my shower and ran downstairs.

The living room on Christmas morning was a scene of warmth, joy, and festive chaos. Soft golden light filtered through the curtains, illuminating the twinkling lights of our decorated Christmas tree. Its branches were adorned with shimmering ornaments, delicate glass baubles, and strands of tinsel that caught the light. Beneath the tree, a sea of colorful wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons surrounded unopened presents, some stacked neatly and others slewn about.

The air was filled with the scent of pine needles, cinnamon, and a hint of hot cocoa. Stockings hung from the mantel, now slightly sagging from their overnight treasures my mom and Ms. Kyren stuffed them with. A cozy fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a flickering glow on the room’s soft furniture. There were plush couches and chairs draped with warm, Christmas blankets and decorative pillows embroidered with holiday motifs.

Laughter and chatter filled the space as our family, still in their pajamas and fuzzy socks, gathered around. The twins were laughing and playing on the VR, while mom and Alison sipped warm drinks together at the kitchen table. A classic holiday movie was playing softly in the background.

Everything looked so perfect. I searched the room for Keegan, and then I saw him. He was standing by the tree, sorting presents into piles with Baylen. His blue and white pajamas complemented his eyes just so. His hair was still pulled back from the previous night. He caught me looking at him and smiled.

“Where is Quinn?” I asked.

”She is coming. She stayed at her grandma’s house last night, since dad and Alison pissed her off,” Baylen teased.

”I wouldn’t say she is pissed, just a little embarrassed,” Alison said.

”Why would she be embarrassed?” Ms. Kyren asked.

”Cause dad and Alison wouldn’t let her stay here because they think we can’t keep our hands off of each other for a night,” Baylen said, never looking up from the presents.

“That’s not true Bay,” my dad said, shooting him a look.

”Dad you guys literally said, you two can’t be…” Baylen started.

Dad briskly cut him off, “That’s enough Baylen Henry.”

Keegan whipped his head around to look at me. No one had even suspected that we would be the one’s actually having sex. I don’t think we even thought that would happen. But I am so happy that it did. My love for Keegan grew exponentially last night.

“Baylen that’s quite enough,” my mom interjected as well.

I walked over to where Keegan was at. I smiled at him, expecting the same greeting in return. However, he was very stoic to me.

“Squirt, can you stand over there, so that you aren’t in the way?” he asked.

Squirt? How the hell were we back to that nickname. After what we did last night; he was still giving me childhood nicknames?

I brushed it off and told myself he was just really busy and that must have slipped. Presents were being handed out, but Keegan never touched mine. He kept skipping over my pile. Again I chalked it up to him being busy and distracted. However when it came time for him to open the gift that I got him, I knew he would be back to the Keegan he was last night. Loving, compassionate and caring when it came to me. He opened it and held it up to the light. He smiled warmly at me. There’s my guy.

“This is such a dope hoodie! I love it!” He said, ruffling my hair.

I felt much better. I’m not sure why I even doubted him. He pulled the hoodie over his pajama shirt. I knew the LSU hoodie would get him. He loves me and I love him. Things were going to be different now, but we could handle it. As others opened their gifts I went and sat by Keegan on the floor.

“Hey!” I said, smiling with all of my teeth.

My excitement for seeing him this morning was so different. Our connection felt different… because it was.

“Hey Squirt!” he said, glancing over at Baylen.

There it was again. Why does he keep calling me that?

“Umm, is everything okay Kee?” I asked.

“For sure. I’m a bit overstimulated from having so many people here, but I’m okay. I promise,” he said, giving a forced smile.

“B, did you decide who you are taking to the game Sunday?” my dad said, interrupting our conversation.

“I did. I thought since Keegan is home and it’s also his favorite team, maybe he would like to come along as my friend,” I said proudly.

Everyone turned to look at Keegan, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. I touched his arm and gave him a reassuring head nod. He stammered for a bit, searching for words.

“I, uh, I mean, I don’t know. Maybe you should ask Jeff or Jagger first? I think I’m having dinner with Isadora’s exchange parents,” he said.

What in the world was happening? Ask Jeff or Jagger? Two people I have been seeing romantically for months? I didn’t know what to say, as I saw everyone’s attention shift to me.