First Christmas Traditions

Note: This is set in the modern day For Law and Love universe (but is not part of the series) in which Anna and Ernest create their own new Christmas Traditions by revisiting the old ones. It’s basically a fluff and smut sandwich.

Anna slips on her blush pink halter dress, the pleated chiffon skirt hitting at mid thigh. She puts the finishing touches on her hair and makeup as she anxiously awaits Ernest’s arrival. Exams are finished, and she and Ernest have one more night together before they go to their respective hometowns for Christmas break. She’s not looking forward to spending their first Christmas apart, but is thankful they get some time alone to celebrate tonight. Ernest has told her they are going out and to wear something nice, but beyond that it’s a surprise.

Ernest picks Anna up right on time, as he always does, and they visit a cozy Italian restaurant with dark wood furnishings, crisp linen tables clothes, and glowing wall sconces. Like many places they go, she’s never been, but Ernest has and he recommends the ricotta cheese gnocchi. It is to die for, melting in her mouth and paring perfectly with the bottle of tart, crisp pinot grigio they share.

Anna sets her fork down after clearing her plate. “Now that I’m sufficiently stuffed, can you tell me what’s next?”

Ernest smiles warmly. “I was going to wait until we got there…but I guess we’re close enough. You can thank Harry for this idea.”

Anna tries to think of what Harry would have to do with anything she would be doing with Ernest and comes up empty. “I’m not sure I follow.”

“We heard last year that Harry had gone to see The Nutcracker the past two years. Luke and Hamid gave him a hard time, teasing him about going just to check out the dancers until he told us the reason why.”

Anna’s mouth is agape as realization washes over her. “Because he took me.”

Ernest nods. “He said you used to go every year with your mom, but she could never get your dad to go. Harry wanted to carry on the tradition for you, so he took you even though it wasn’t his thing.”

Anna chuckles, remembering how out of his element Harry was, and then tears start to well in her eyes. “He was still grieving too, but was more concerned about trying to make me happy.” Suddenly the floodgates open as she’s both touched by Ernest’s thoughtfulness and remembering for the first time in awhile that this is her first Christmas without Harry.

Ernest’s smile turns upside down, concern in his eyes as he reaches across the table to take Anna’s hands in his own. “I’m so sorry, Anna. I should have thought more before surprising you with this, we don’t have to go.”

“Ernest, it’s a wonderful gift, and I am thrilled to be going with you.” She squeezes Ernest’s hands. “I just got emotional about Harry, but it means everything to me that you cared enough to remember this and wanted to make Christmas special for me.”

“Of course I do. You are so special to me, Anna, and I would do anything for you.”

She smiles through the tears. “Should we get going before I make even more of a fool of my self?”

“You could never look like a fool.” Ernest tosses the tip on the table and stands, extending a hand to Anna as they get on their way.

The performance is nice and just as Anna expects since she goes every year. Ernest watches attentively, and if he’s bored he doesn’t show it. They lean into one another and Anna rests her head on his shoulder for a while. She recalls the first time that happened, not all that long ago. How they had drifted together without even thinking, like it was always the way it was meant to be. Now she can picture the future and it’s always with him. She can see them starting their own tradition and bringing their kids here year after year. She knows it’s only been a few months, but they’ve been through so much, and it just feels right. She can only hope he feels the same.

“So, how agonizing was that?” Anna asks when the final curtain closes.

“It was actually mildly enjoyable,” Ernest replies. “Actually, I was a dancer too when I was younger.

Anna looks at him incredulously. “Are you just messing with me?”

“I’m serious. I took ballroom dancing lessons as a child through my middle school years.”

“Oh my goodness. I can’t even imagine how adorable little ballroom dancer Ernest was. Please tell me there are home movies of this. How is it that I haven’t gotten to see your dancing skills yet?”

Ernest drapes an arm around her as the walk out. “If I remember correctly, I tried to dance with you at the Gala, but you weren’t having any of it.”

Anna scrunches her nose. “You know why…but next time we get the chance, I expect a full performance.”

“You know…I’ve see you dance, but not any of your classically trained dances. You need to show me your moves too.”

“Maybe when we get back to my place, I can show another style of dance you haven’t seen me do before.” Anna winks and snakes an arm around his waist.

“Oh?” Ernest cocks an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Anna stands on her tiptoes and strains up to whisper in his ear. His eyes go wide while his cheeks redden, and Anna laughs. She loves that she is still able to affect him so. “Unless you have more plans for us this evening.”

Ernest clears his throat. “Nope. I think it’s time we head back.”

The twenty minute ride home seems to take much longer. Anna squeezes her hand on Ernests thigh as he drives and she has to resist the urge to push it up higher – to unzip his pants and do something that could be a major distraction. She decides she’d rather make it back in one piece, so she restrains herself, even when she inches a bit to close and she notices his cock twitch in his pants.

They reach the elevator at Anna’s apartment building and no sooner do the doors close and Ernest is pinning her up against the wall and kissing her fiercely. He brings his lips to her neck and nips and sucks the sensitive flesh. She breathes in the scent of wood and citrus from his loose, dark curls, and she shudders beneath his touch. The door dings and he composes himself as if nothing happened while they march hurriedly to her apartment.

Anna tosses her purse on the counter and looks to Ernest with smirk. “What got into you back there?”

“Don’t act all innocent with me.” Ernest’s lips quirk upward. “Between what you said at the end of ballet and your seduction tactics in the car, I’m surprised we made it this far.”

Anna feigns offense. “I was doing no such thing. I don’t know what you are expecting, but this will be a wholesome dance.”

Ernest chuckles. “I don’t know if the words wholesome and lap dance belong anywhere near one another.

“We’ll just have to see about that. Now sit” Anna commands with authority.

Ernest quickly obliges and lowers himself onto the couch. Their coats already removed, Anna teasingly unzips the back of her dress and drops it just past her shoulders. Ernest’s gaze is fixed on her, his blue eyes nearly black now with need, waiting patiently to see more. No matter how she’s feeling about herself, the way he looks at her makes her feel like the most desirable woman on earth, and she’ll give him anything he wants because of it.

She inches the fabric down over her breasts and lets the garment fall away, revealing a surprise of her own. Ernest takes it all in and she’s rendered him speechless as he surveys her sheer lacy bustier and thong in the same blush tone as her dress. She does a little twirl and puts her hands on her hips, waiting for a response.

“Is that new?” is all he manages to say, but the growing bulge in his pants tells her it’s had the desired effect.

“If you are asking if I bought it for your eyes only, the answer is yes. You like it?” Even though it’s clear from his reaction, she wants to hear him say it.

“God yes. Come here,” he pleads.

Anna sashays over to Ernest like she’s in no hurry, but in reality she wants to tear his clothes off right now. She gingerly straddles his lap, and as he reaches towards her, she swats his hand away. “Rule number one of lap dances: you don’t get to touch me unless I tell you that you can, understood?”

Ernest groans. “Understood. Just don’t make me wait too long.”

Anna brushes his lips with her tongue and draws back with a smirk. “But the anticipation is half the fun.” She loosens his tie and then begins to unbutton his shirt. Ernest gets impatient and works from the bottom up, tossing his shirt to the side once they meet in the middle. Anna peels off his undershirt, and he shivers as she traces her fingers up his sides along the way. She braces her arms against the back of the couch and starts to work her hips, gyrating and grinding against him. Ernest moans and pulls her closer.

Anna suddenly jumps off of his lap and shakes her head. “You aren’t following directions very well.”

“How do you expect me to keep my hands off someone as sexy as you,” he whines.

“Hmm,” Anna gets an idea. “Maybe I’ll have to help you out with that. Lean forward and put your hands behind your back.” Ernest complies, and Anna picks up his tie, knotting it tightly around his wrists. “There. That should hold you for awhile.”

Earnest narrows his eyes but a smile plays on his lips. There’s no doubt he’s loving every minute of this. She turns around, wriggling her hips and then bending at the waist to give him a show before popping back up and resuming her position atop him.

Anna crashes her mouth against his, encouraging him to return her fervent kisses which he does. She kisses across his jawline over to his ear and bites gently, then descends upon his neck. Guttural sounds emanate from his throat, and he writhes beneath her. She wants him to touch her, probably even more than he wants it himself, but she’s having too much fun torturing him to give in yet.

“You’re killing me, babe. I want you so bad.” He gives her those pleading eyes that are so hard to resist, but she continues on. She leans into him, her chest at eye level, and he buries his face in her cleavage, her breasts almost spilling out of the cups of her lingerie top. She rubs against his hard length and whimpers which is the first outward indication that her resolve is crumbling. Her core is aching for him and she wouldn’t be surprised if he could feel how wet she through his pants.

“Okay, I think I can let you have your hands back now.” Anna reaches around and undoes the tie. “I need someone to help me out of this top after all.”

“Oh, it’s all about practicality now, is it?” He questions, his tone unconvinced.

She pushed him back playfully. “Just get me out of this thing.”

Ernest wastes no time, his fingers fumbling, eager to get her naked as soon as possible. “Who designed this thing? Why are there so many hooks?” He finally frees her and admires what’s underneath before cupping her breasts in his in his hands. “Totally worth the effort though.” He tweaks her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers and it sends a surge of electricity straight through her and she’s done drawing this out.

Anna stands up and slips off her thong. “Take of your pants,” she instructs, and he undresses his lower body completely, his cock standing at full attention. She kneels back on the couch hovering over him and takes him in her hand, stroking lightly up and down his shaft.

Ernest follows her lead and plunges two fingers past her slick entrance, letting out a strangled noise as he does. “You are just as wet as I suspected.”

Anna bucks into him, and as good as his fingers feel, she wants more. “I need you inside me…now.”

Without hesitation, Ernest withdraws his hand. Anna guides herself onto him, moving impossibly slow. It elicits the response she was aiming for, and Ernest grabs her ass to push her down as deep as she can go, with Anna gasping at the overwhelming sensation. Ernest throws his head back as she finds a perfect rhythm. “You feel amazing, Anna…Dont stop.”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Anna kisses him deeply and then grabs the back of the couch for leverage. Their rocking motions hit her clit just right and the concentrated pleasure starts to expand through her core like a bubble that’s about to burst. Ernest caresses a breast and takes the stiff peak in his mouth and she she can’t take any more. She bites down on his shoulder to muffle her scream, her whole body tensing and stars appearing as her wall contract around him. A euphoric feeling envelops her with each rhythmic pulse.

Anna’s thighs start to shake and she collapses on Ernest, trying to catch her breath. He takes the hint and flips her onto her back. He pushes back into wet heat, and locks his eyes on hers. His thrusts start coming faster and his moans louder. “Oh God…yes, Anna!” he cries out as he spills inside her. He turns Anna onto her side and wraps her in his embrace until they are ready to move again.

Once they are cleaned up and ready for bed, Anna grabs a package from her closet and hands it to Ernest. “I got you a little something too.” He tears open the paper to reveal a leather portfolio with his initials embossed in in the lower right corner. “I know it’s not much, but I thought it would be useful for job interviews and in the courtroom.”

“It’s perfect Anna. I love it.” He hugs her tightly and kisses her sweetly on the lips. “I have something for you too.”

“I thought the tickets were my gift. You didn’t need to get me anything else.”

“It’s nothing big and kind of goes with the theme.” He retrieves a small box from his coat pocket. Anna lifts off the top to find an ornament of Clara the ballerina holding a nutcracker soldier in her arms. “When I was growing up, my family exchanged ornaments every year that were meaningful in some way, and I wanted to the same for you.”

Anna lifts up the delicate ornament and is overcome with emotion once again. Written on the bottom is ‘To Anna, Love Ernest 2018’ as if he plans on this being the first of many. “Thank you so much. It’s beautiful.” She walks over to her small pre-lit tree and hangs it on a high branch. She hugs Ernest and rests her head on his chest as a few tears roll down her cheeks. Wiping them away, she looks up at him. “I think I’ll need to get some more ornaments now. That one looks pretty lonely.”

Ernest smiles down at her and kisses the top of her head. “We’ll get there,” he says, and these three simple words tell her all she needs to know.