A Bride for a Merger
Chapter 27

A few days after being sick, my flu finally went away. A month after and I was finally alright once again, the reason I was able to go shopping with Tasha. We had gotten close over the time since Christopher and I were sort of officially together for about a month. After he had taken care of me so much in that week when I was sick with the flu, I had decided to just say thank you by giving him the second chance he had been asking for so long. I don't know, but I thought he had earned it.

However, we were taking things slowly like a traditional couple would at first--even though we were technically already married. We were taking things slow like a new boyfriend and girlfriend would. Tasha and I had gotten to know each other more and started hanging out more since she was Clint's girlfriend and Clint was one of Christopher's best friend.

Christopher's birthday was coming up and his family and I were planning on throwing a surprise party for him at their place. His mom had called me to join her for lunch quite a number of times. We were trying to get to know each other more since Christopher and I were trying to make things work. His mom had ran the idea passed me about them planning the surprise party. They were planning to make it look like just one of the ordinary family dinners but his friends and such would be there. I had offered to help in whatever way possible but she just told me they'd sort everything out and I just needed to get him to show up by eight pm.

So, I was basically supposed to pretend that I was being fashionable late so that they would have enough time to get all the surprises ready. I didn't think I would have much trouble with doing that though. Christopher was already aware that we would have to go to this dinner but he was dreading it. He even suggested that we should just cancel because he knew that his entire family was going to be there since it was on his birthday.

According to him, he just wasn't prepared for all the gushing they'd be doing and telling him it was just the other day he was a cute little baby. He obviously had to be around his family and relatives for a birthday before and knew what to expect. I told him we couldn't just cancel because he was afraid of sentiments and it'd be insulting for him not to show up. Especially since it was his birthday and they just wanted to show how much they appreciated his birth. I was nervous as well but I made it through things like this before.

Tasha and I were dress shopping and I was also trying to replace a gift for Christopher. However, I honestly didn't know what to get him. I also already had plenty of dresses at home that I had never worn before but I just wanted to buy another especially for Friday night. I wanted something not to formal but not to casual. Something that I think would be perfect for this occasion, something sexy but decent. Tasha and I had looked on a couple dresses, she even tried on a few but I still didn't see any that totally grabbed my attention as yet.

"I don't even know what to get him." I said to Tasha as I looked at some dresses.

"Just get him something you think he'd like." Tasha said to me.

"That's the thing, I don't know what he'd like." I replied. "I mean, what do you give a guy that already has everything?"

"I could think of a few things you could buy him that he'd like." Tasha shrugged.

"Really? And what are those?" I asked curiously.

"Come on, I'll show you." Tasha said pulling me by the hand to follow her to the other side of the store.

"Where are you even taking me? This is mainly a female store, so what in here could he possible like?" I said him her.

"A lot of things are in here that you could get him." Tasha said still pulling me with her. "For example these, I'm sure he'd love these."

My eyes widened and my face heated up with embarrassment. After seeing what Tasha was showing me, I was shocked. I quickly tried composing myself and clearing my throat a bit.

"Tasha, I don't think Christopher wears lingeries." I said to her playing oblivious.

"Obviously he wouldn't be the one wearing it, you would. But it would be a perfect gift to him that I'm sure he'd love." Tasha said to me not noticing my discomfort with this topic. "Definitely not, I'm not wearing a lingerie for him. Christopher and I aren't on that level yet." I said to her.

"Why not? And what do you mean you and him aren't on that level yet? He's your husband for Christ sake, don't tell me you've never worn a sexy lingerie for him before. You see why I think one of these would be a great gift to him, he'd be definitely surprise and love it." Tasha reasoned.

"No, not happening." I said to her. "Come on, let's go back to shopping for dresses then I'll replace some gift for him that's not from this section."

"Don't tell me you're shy of spicing up things for your husband Allison." Tasha said to me.

"Could we please not talk about this? Anything else but this topic." I said to her.

"You're shy. I don't believe it. How could you be shy of something like this unless..." Tasha's eyes widened with surprise and confusion."...you've never slept with him before. How is that even possible? You guys are married." "We are taking things slow." Was my excuse.

"Really really slow I presumed. You guys have been married for months now, you live together yet you've never had sex before? How does that even work?" Tasha said confused. "I thought people only take things slow when they're just getting to know each other and dating before getting married. And then at the marriage stage things would be way passed slow."

"Christopher and I are just getting to know each other more " I said to her before continuing seeing her confused faced. "Christopher and I only met briefly before the wedding. Our wedding was apart of the whole merging of our dads' companies, we never intended for us to be a real deal but we've decided to give us a chance to see if things are going to work between us."

Tasha was obviously really shocked by this news. I guess to her we were a normal married couple. She didn't see us as being just business associates.

"Oh wow. I had no idea things were like that." Tasha replied. "But the way he looks at you Allison he's definitely into you. I can tell you, he does not see you as a business deal, I can tell. He's in love with you Allison and I know you like him too, if not even love."

I blushed at hearing her said this. And she was right, I had started to really like Christopher.

"I don't know if I would say that we're at the love stage yet but that is why were giving this a chance because we are obviously attracted to each other. And since we're already married, it just seems like the right thing to do." I said to her. "I think so too." Tasha smiled and nodded in agreement. "And I know you guys are going to make it together."

"Well that would be really nice." I chuckled."But right now, we need to replace a dress and I need to get him a gift... Which isn't lingerie by the way. A lingerie would be a gift for myself, not for him."

"Alright then, " Tasha laughed. "No lingerie then."

"Great," I laughed too. "Now back to replaceing the perfect dresses."

I was in my room taking my own sweet time getting ready. Nathan was driving us to Christopher's parents place and my job tonight was to make sure that Christopher and I didn't show up at his parents house until after eight pm. I was ready but I figured that I should try to stall a few more minutes, so that we could reach just that time.

"Allison, you were the one who begged me to go to this dinner and now you are making us late. Oh, wow." Christopher said after walking into my room and seeing me.

"Too much?" I asked him referring to the dress.

"No, definitely not. You look really beautiful Allison." Christopher said as he walked nearer to me.

"Thanks, you don't look too bad yourself." I smiled at him before turning around looking at myself in the mirror once more.

"You look amazing babe." Christopher said to me before hugging me around my waist from behind.

"Yeah?" I smiled before leaning back more into him and holding onto his arms that were wrapped around my waist. I turned my head slighty to look at his face.

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"Yeah." Christopher smiled before leaning down and capturing my lips with his.

I smiled as I returned his kiss. Our lips moved together in a sync before I pulled back breaking our kiss.

"I have something for you." I said to him with a smile.

"Really?" Christopher said letting go off me.

"Yeah," I said going to my drawer and taking out the wrapped square box and gave it to him. "Happy birthday once again."

"Thanks Ali." Christopher chuckled before taking the box from me. "What is this?"

"You are going to have to open it to replace out." I smiled at him.

"Alright then." Christopher smiled as he looked for the tape to start pull away the wrap.

"No, maybe not now." I said stopping him. "You can do that later but right now, we are late. We really have to go now."

"Gee, I wonder whose fault that is." Christopher said sarcastically.

"Oh come on." I said rolling my eyes at him as I picked up my bag before pulling him out with me. "I'm sure Nathan is waiting."

*******

The minute we had reached and parked in front of Christopher's parents house, Christopher looked around at all the cars parked in front of the house with a confused and annoyed expression on his face. I figured that the surprise was about to be ruined a few seconds too early. I thought that the first rule of having a surprise party for someone was to make sure that the person didn't figure out that you were throwing them a party until they have entered the building. But all these cars there in plain sight at the moment-- that were all parked in the yard--didn't allow the elements of surprise to be retained. Which made me say to myself that Christopher's family were not very good at surprises then if this was their idea of surprise.

"Why the hell are there so many cars here?" Christopher said opening the door and stepping out.

"I have no idea." I said taking his outstretched hand, allowing him to help me out of the car.

"Let me guess, my parents are throwing a surprise party for me right?" Christopher said looking intently at me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I don't know anything, you told me that your parents are having another family dinner at their place but it is on your birthday so you don't feel like going. And I said yes we should go because it is a family dinner." I said to him playing innocent.

"Don't lie Allison, you are not very good at it." Christopher said to me.

"What? I am not lying. Isn't that what happened?" I asked him with a raised brow.

"That look on your face says it all. You don't have a very good poker face You knew about this. Let me guess, my Mom probably got to you and informed you about this surprise party she want to throw for me. She knows that I would probably not want to show up like the last time, so she got you to try convincing me to come because she knew I that now I'd probably listen to you." Christopher said to me.

"Wow." Was all I could say.

He was either a mind reader or I was just an opened book. Either way, he was good and very perceptive. His theory was right on point. And I guess he really knows his mom too well.

"I'm right aren't I?" Christopher chuckled. "I guess the surprise just got ruined a minute ago."

"How about we just go inside Mr. Know it all?" I said to him.

"Don't be mad because I'm smart. You should be in love with me for this." Christopher chuckled pointing to his head. "For my brain, it is quick."

"No wonder your head is that big. You're so full of yourself at times." I said shaking my head.

"No need to start being offensive because I have figured out you and mom's secret." Christopher chuckled before taking my hand in his. "Let's go be surprise then."

When we reached up to the front door, Christopher rang the doorbell before opening the door. I didn't know why he must always do that whenever we visited his family house. If you are going open the door and let yourself in anyway, why bother ringing the door bell? Although I understand his theory. Apparently, he was making his presence known before hand.

His dad was the one to greet us once we were inside.

"Hey Chris, hi Allison you're finally here." Mr.Lee said hugging me before going to hug Christopher. "Happy birthday son." "Thanks Dad." Christopher smiled.

"Come on, the others are in there." Mr. Lee said to us before walking off in the direction where the others were.

The minute we stepped into the room everyone there yelled out "SURPRISE!"

"Yeah, surprise indeed." Christopher chuckled as he looked around.

His mother came up to us pulling me in a hug then hugging Christopher. It was then I just noticed that lately, I always seem to get hug first. Even on a night when it was Christopher's birthday. I chuckled inwardly about that. "You guys are here, I'm so glad that you made it. Happy birthday honey." His mom said excitedly.

"Yeah, mom. I wouldn't miss your surprise party for the world you know?" Christopher chuckled.

His mom looked at me confused as if saying what the hell? He is not really surprised. I just shrugged before saying, "The cars outside spoiled the surprise a few minutes ago."

After that, everyone else came up to us and wished him a happy birthday and such. Theu were also wishing him the best and happiness and continued success. Alot of peole were there at the house. In addition to his family and relatives, his friends that I already knew including Clint, Jake and Tasha as well as a lot more that I wasn't too familiar with, were there. Christopher however, introduced me to them. There was music playing and people laughing and seemingly having a good time. There were champagne, and a self served buffet etc.

Christopher had to be going around socializing with people but he never once allowed me to leave his side. Even though I had told him that the night was his night and I didn't need to be where he was all the time when he was trying to talk to everyone, he inssited that this was my punishment for not telling him about the surprise party. Christopher held on to my waist so I had no choice but to follow him around. I had been smiling most of the night when people had came up to us but my smile just immediately fell when I saw the next person who was coming up to us with a stupid grin on her face.

*What the hell was she doing here tonight?* I thought to myself.

I hadn't seen her in months, so why was I have to be graced with her unwelcomed presence at the moment?

This is all just great! Just fantastic.