*** Matt's Point of View***
I wake up early, Eric is nestled into me. It's the perfect Christmas gift, that's all I'll say about that. And he told me I'm his best friend last night. That makes me feel so warm and gushy on the inside. Love as a lover and love as a best friend are very different, but I'm lucky we have both kinds with each other.
I decide to make this cute boy some breakfast. I slip out of bed and get cooking. Eggs sunny side up, toast, and bacon. Hot chocolate and orange juice. Everything to make him a lovely meal. I grab the bed tray, putting everything on there and paying more attention to the little details than I've ever done before. I even grab a flower from the bouquet he brought me and put it in a cute little vase. It's held up pretty well, but it's probably going to die in the next day or two.
I bring it into the bedroom, he's just coming out of the bathroom. "You're up!" I place the tray in the bed. "Happy Christmas, my love."
"Merry Christmas, Matty." He wraps his arms around me and we share a long, sweet kiss.
"Eat up. We've got a busy day. Are you ready?"
"I'm so ready. I can't wait to meet your family."
"They're looking forward to meeting you, they're in for a surprise though."
"I hope they like me." He looks a little nervous, it's cute.
"They'll love you to bits." I reassure him.
A few hours later, I'm knocking on the door of my family home.
Eric has his hands full of presents. My brother opens the door. "Happy Christmas, Matt." He welcomes me with a hug.
"Happy Christmas, James." I reply. "This is my boyfriend, Eric."
"Lovely to meet you, Eric. Please, come in, it's cold out there."
Inside, James' kids are in the living room. So is my father. Lizzie, my sister, and her fiancΓ© Charlie, are in the kitchen along with my sister-in-law Carrie and my mother.
"Happy Christmas everyone!" I say cheerily, greeting them one by one with hugs. "This is my boyfriend, Eric." I introduce him to the group in the living room.
"Lovely to meet you, Eric." My father shakes his hands.
"It's so nice to meet you, Mr. Lewis."
"Call me Chris. No need to be so formal."
We place the gifts under the tree and I lead him to the kitchen to meet the rest of the family.
"Happy Christmas, Matt!" My mum gives him a hug and kiss as I enter the kitchen.
"Happy Christmas, Mum." I hug her back. "You too Lizzie." I hug her. "And Charlie." I shake and hug him. My pregnant sister-in-law makes to stand up to greet us. "Don't stand, love. Happy Christmas Carrie." I hug her, keeping her sitting at the table. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, just tired, my back hurts."
"If you need anything, just let me know, I live the closest to you, you know." She waves me off.
I turn to introduce Eric, but my mom had already got a firm grip on him, hugging him tightly. "Lovely to meet you, my dear. I'm Kate."
Lizzie looks at me quizzically. She recognizes him. Carrie pinches me. I think she knows too. Lizzie whispers to Charlie, his eyes widen.
"Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Eric."
"So nice to finally meet you, Eric." Lizzie is still a little shocked, but manages to greet him. "You're Eric Bennett." She declares.
"Yes. I am." He says.
"Matt did not tell me." She pauses. "Not that it matters, I guess. Well, I'm a fan." He greets the others, my mother still not aware.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" He offers.
"No, please go sit in the living room, we'll have snacks soon."
"My Mum has never liked sharing kitchen duties." I explain, it's probably best we leave her be.
Back in the living room, we rejoin my brother and father. The kids are running about. I'm pretty sure I hear whispers from the kitchen. "So, Eric, you're American. Where in America are you from?" My father asks.
"Yes, I grew up in Pennsylvania, now I spend most of my time in California." He answers.
"I've been to New York and Florida, lovely places. Never California though."
"What do you do there?" My brother asks.
"I'm an actor." He answers casually, looking at me.
"Oh, wonderful, wonderful. Is it difficult? I mean, you hear such stories for some people, barely scraping by and all that."
"It can be, yes."
"What type of acting?"
"Films, mostly." He answers.
"Oh, very well done. And you're able to support yourself with just acting?"
"Yes."
"Oh, splendid. So many have to wait tables or work multiple jobs to get by and keep pursuing it. Would we recognize you from anything, what was the last film you did?"
Considering I know they're both massive fans of the film project he just finished, I think they'll figure it out once he answers. I watch their faces as he tells them.
"Bloody hell." I see it click with my brother. "You're Eric Bennett?!" Eric nods his head.
"Who is Eric Bennett?" My father asks James.
"Dad, Eric is Eric Bennett. Like from the movies. The actor."
"You're pulling me leg." He waves it off.
"It's true." I add.