I clutched my cup of coffee tightly in my hands while Lucas and Daniel drove me to my train stop. Daniel sat in the back with his arms crossed across his chest, an annoyed look on his face, which was surprising since he had asked to come with us when Lucas offered to drive me to my stop.

Daniel sighed loudly for the umpteenth time. "I just don't get it. Why do you have to leave for Christmas?" He whined.

I saw Lucas's lips raise the smallest degree at Daniel's complaints. I turned around to look at Daniel, "I can't get out of Christmas with my dad, but I promise to spend New Years with you guys."

"Humph," Daniel protested, looking out the window.

Lucas pulled up at my train stop and parked the car. "Thanks for driving me," I smiled at him. I opened my door and walked around to the trunk waiting for Lucas to unlock it.

To my surprise he stepped out of the car as well and lugged my bag out of the trunk for me as though it weighed nothing. I had seriously overpacked for this trip since one never really knew what to expect with my aunts Greta and Betty. I had gone to visit my dad last year for Christmas where they had dragged me out of bed at two in the morning to take me to a concert.

I reached for my bag, but Lucas held onto the handles, "I'll walk you over," he stated softly.

I nodded gratefully, moving to the side of the car to talk to Daniel. He opened the window for me and I leaned against the door frame, "I'll see you in two days?"

"If I'm still alive," he stated dramatically. "Seriously, is no one worried that my well-being is in the hands of Kyle?"

I laughed, "You'll be fine. Don't forget to remind Lucas to give you your gift tomorrow."

He perked up immediately, "You got me a gift?" He asked excitedly.

"Of course. It's Christmas."

"In that case, I got you something too." He shuffled in the seat next to him before pulling out a small box that was clearly wrapped by him and messily tied with ribbons.

"Aww, Daniel! That's so sweet." I clutched the box delicately in my hands, touched that he would think of me.

"I know. Are you reconsidering going now?"

"Sorry," I chuckled. "I'll see you in two days, I promise."

"Fine," he huffed, "Have a safe trip."

I waved at him and walked towards Lucas who was still waiting, my bag in his hands. I could hear Daniel shout out "I guess I'll just wait in here then?" Lucas ignored him and walked me to my train stop.

I reached for my bag, but Lucas held onto it, looking behind him for a moment before turning back to face me, his free arm pulling me close to his body and wrapping around my waist. I looked behind him quickly to make sure Daniel wasn't in eyeshot.

"I'm going to miss you more than Daniel," He spoke huskily.

I grinned up at him, his height so contrasting from this angle, my head barely reaching his chest. "I'll miss you, too," I admitted.

"Be safe, please," Lucas's eyes showed his worry. "Call me when you get there?"

I nodded at him, "I'll be fine."

He looked behind him again to make sure no one could see before leaning down and placing his lips against mine gently but passionately. I returned the emotion I received fervently. I really was going to miss him more than I assumed I would. He broke apart after a moment, "When you get back, we have to tell people. I'm sick of not kissing you when I want to."

I grinned at him getting on my tippy toes to kiss him softly one more time. My head was getting woozy from the lack of oxygen, but his presence had a tendency to do that to me even without the making out.

"Please be careful at your fight tonight," I cautioned him.

He let go of me reluctantly and I waved my goodbye to him. I stepped onto my train and chose a seat near the back, depositing my bag on the chair next to me and awaiting my four hour train ride. I could see Lucas waiting for the train to take off and as it did, his figure got smaller until I could no longer see him.

I realized I was still holding Daniel's gift and I carefully unwrapped the mistletoe wrapping paper.

Inside of the cardboard box sat the pendant bracelet that I had helped Daniel choose out for Rebecca, except the pendant on it was a symbol of a heartbeat. A small card was attached and I tugged it out. It read Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what. Daniel signed the bottom of the card with To my sister, Emily, though this is reluctantly signed since you're ditching me on Christmas.

I felt tears grow at the corner of my eyes as I read the note a second, a third, and a fourth time. It was beyond touching to me.

By the time I had reached my hometown, I was physically and emotionally drained. I slowly grabbed my things and made my way off the train, only to see my dad next to my aunts who were holding up a sign for 'Emilia and boyfriend'. They were both dressed in long, loose maxi dresses, their hair piled on top of their heads messily. My dad looked irritated beyond belief. My twin aunts were a good deal older than my dad, both 70 to my dad's 55, and they used their age wisely to irritate my dad beyond belief.

"Emily!" My dad gushed, running forward to pull me into his embrace.

"Hey dad," I grinned up at him, having missed his kind face and balding hair.

Greta and Betty pushed their way past a crowd of people, who they could have easily walked around, to grab me into a three-person hug.

"Emily!" Greta squealed, "So you remember us, at last?"

Betty cackled, "Who could forget us?"

"Very true," Greta confirmed.

"Nic-" I began before getting interrupted by Betty.

"Though there was that realtor who kept forgetting us that time? What a dick." Betty frowned in disgust.

"As though he didn't remember us? He just couldn't remember which one of us he had sex with," Greta fired back.

"Isn't that always the case?" Betty laughed loudly.

"Um-" I began again before Greta spoke.

"But did you see him at that open house two weeks ago? Aged like a grape."

"No!" Betty gasped in surprise, "Shows the bastard right."

"For the love of God, let the girl go," my dad snapped, pulling Greta and Betty's arms off of me.

"Well," Greta gasped in irritation, "What's up his butt?"

"Ryan's always got a stick up his ass. Comes with the occupation," Betty snickered.

I interrupted them before the three siblings got into a fight, "Hi Aunt Greta and aunt Betty! I missed you two."

"Please, do not-" Greta began.

"-call us aunts," Betty finished.

I laughed, "Sorry, force of habit."

"It's because you're spending too much time away from us. We missed you, honey." Betty spoke sincerely.

"Now, this sign clearly states that a plus one was required. Where's your boyfriend?" Greta inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Just me," I laughed uncomfortably.

"Oh," Greta sighed.

"Well, that's fine," Betty trailed, "a single woman on the market. I can get used to that."

For two such perpetually single women, they sure were intent on matching me up.

"Ryan, let's stop by a bar on the way home," Betty chimed excitedly.

"Oh! We could go to La Lune," Greta exclaimed jumping up and down, her salt and pepper hair bouncing with her.

"The men there?" Betty used her manicured hand to fan her face.

"Perfect for twenty somethings on the market!" Greta cried out.

"No one is setting Emily up while she's here for two days. Especially no one that you two nut jobs choose," my dad chimed in irritatedly, grabbing my bag from me and leading us to his car. This was going to be a long two days.