The family Christmas dinner was supposed to be perfect. I had it all figured out. I made a very thorough list weeks ago. That thorough list got updated frequently. Yet my plans were already ruined due to me not waking up on time this morning or should I say this afternoon. When I did wake up I panicked. Rushing to freshen up and change my clothes took longer because I stumbled around. Cursing and huffing and puffing made me lose focus and it definitely didn't help getting me in the Christmas spirit. I stumbled down the stairs, putting on my fluffy socks and met the confused gazes of Mrs. Quake and Jacob.

"What's going on?" Jacob asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

He wasn't the one who was allowed to be all suspicious of the situation. The man was wearing an apron while filling up the glass tray with the broccoli and mozzarella stuffing. All he needed to do was cover it up with the spicy flattened boneless chicken and place it in the oven. As I flickered my eyes to Mrs. Quake I realized that she was already working on the main course.

They got it covered.

"What's going on?" I asked confused, folding my arms across my chest.

Jacob focused on his dish again, "I think I asked you that question first."

Mrs. Quake laughed, "Mister Blackwood, there is no need to tease your fiancée like that." The older woman smiled at me, "Grab some coffee sweetie." She pointed her wooden spoon at me, "I also made you breakfast." She shrugged her shoulders and laughed again, "Well, it's lunch now but it will fill you up and make you feel better."

"What's for breakfast?" I asked, taking a seat at the kitchen island which was loaded with dishes for the Christmas dinner I had been organizing for weeks.

"Pancakes," Jacob answered.

He placed the tray he finished up in the oven and set the heat and timer. He washed his hands and dried them off with the towel. It looked like he felt at ease in the kitchen even though I hadn't seen him move around like this and prepare dishes like a pro before. He was good though. It surprised me and I honestly couldn't move because of it. All I could do was stare at my fiancé and wonder what other hidden talents he had.

Jacob chuckled when he noticed how confused I was.

He grabbed the notebook which looked familiar to me and held it up, "You wrote your recipes down along with very detailed instructions. I think my fiancé knows a thing or two about backup plans." He spoke quietly, pride clear in his eyes and voice which made me shift uncomfortably in my seat, "I admire that." He said loud and clear, "You'd do well at the office." He joked, "Are you interested?"

"In a job at your office?" I asked, shaking my head when his face lit up, "No, thanks. That's a recipe for disaster."

He chuckled, "A great sense of humor too." He walked around the island and stood beside me, kissing my temple softly, "I'm so going to marry you."

"We're already planning the wedding so that point is moot."

He seemed to be in a very good mood because he laughed and joked around. He pulled me in for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around me while he held me to his chest. He rested his chin on my head and spoke quietly to me.

"You're in quite a mood this afternoon, sweetheart."

"I overslept, Jake!"

Christmas dinner was supposed to be perfect. I promised myself that Nick wouldn't ruin it yet I was the one who ruined it. I was upset with myself.

"And we took over." He answered calmly, "According to Mrs. Quake everything is fine. We're right on schedule. There is nothing for you to worry about."

I leaned my head against his chest, listening to his calm heartbeat. It was very calming along with his deep breathing. It almost lulled me to sleep which would be a disaster. Pulling away from my fiancé and glared accusingly at him.

"Stop trying to make me fall back asleep. Get me coffee and breakfast, please."

He looked amused with my orders but he didn't protest against it. He moved away to prepare me coffee and heat up my pancakes for me. He was being a very considered fiancé which made me hate myself even more.

"If you want to go back to sleep, you can." He told me quietly as he handed me my mug filled with coffee, "Mrs. Quake and I got it handled. It's actually quite soothing cooking up a storm and preparing meals for people to enjoy. I didn't think I'd enjoy it." He then placed my plate filled with pancakes in front of me and grinned, "Eat up, sweetheart."

He was being considered yet I was highly suspicious of this man. I sipped my coffee and watched him place a knife and fork beside my plate. He was definitely zen looking which didn't apply to me at all at the moment. I was still the woman who stumbled around and didn't know what to do with herself.

I highly disliked her at the moment.

"I feel like the Grinch right now," I muttered.

"Look like it too," Jacob told me as he sat down in the stool beside me.

"Shut up." I glared at him, "I look like this because of you."

That inflated his ego, the smug look on his face was charming but not what I needed right now.

"Then your fiancé did a good job last night."

"Subject change, please." Mrs. Quake told us, "You're not alone in this room right now."

We both apologized to her. She grinned at us and continued her work. It smelled so good in the kitchen, my stomach rumbled. Jacob gave me a pointed look.

"Breakfast." He said, "Eat up and make yourself feel better."

He grabbed the mug of coffee from me and sipped it while I filled up on pancakes. They were good and it definitely helped me feel better. I wasn't in this spiral of self-loathing anymore. Jacob noticed. He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"There's my girl."

I playfully pushed him away, "So Christmas dinner is going to be perfect."

He tilted his head to the side and smirked, "I mean it's going to be fine. When you're aiming for family dinner around Christmas to be perfect you'll be left with tears and heartache. So don't focus too much on it being perfect and try and just have a good time."

"Nick showed me that," I muttered.

Jacob brushed my hair to the side, the playful smirk never leaving his face, "You're still pissed about that?" He asked.

"I'm filled to the brim with emotions, Jake." I let him know, "I can't turn them off just because it's Christmas and I hate it."

"You're turning into the Grinch again."

I was so turning into the Grinch again.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." I admitted to my fiancé, "My emotions are all over the place. I'm mentally exhausted and it just hit me out of nowhere."

Jacob placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, "How about you take some time to yourself. Take a nice hot bath and drink some peach tea while Mrs. Quake and I finish things up here? Then when our family arrives we'll only focus on the good things."

He spoke quietly, using a calming tone which would soothe a toddler. I might have the emotional control of a toddler so I couldn't hold it against him.

"That sounds pretty good right now."

Doing as suggested I left the kitchen so Mrs. Quake and Jacob could finish up with the preparations. It felt selfish of me but I was doing everyone a favor by recharging myself emotionally. Christmas dinner wouldn't get ruined because of me.

Around five Jacob and I greeted my parents who strolled in with presents of their own. They both had their hands full. My face lit up while Jacob chuckled. He rushed over to my mother and helped her with the presents. They placed them by the tree which was already surrounded by presents. We'd be here all night, unwrapping our presents.

Mom turned to me once her presents were settled by the tree and hugged me tightly, "Merry Christmas." She sounded cheerful which made me smile and hug her back.

"Merry Christmas."

She let go of me which made my dad pull me in for a hug. His hug was just as tight and loving, "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

I giggled, "Merry Christmas."

They then moved on to Jacob. While they were being cheerful and loud I made my way to the kitchen to grab the party snacks Jacob and Mrs. Quake made together. This Christmas I prepared none of the dishes and snacks. It was weird at first, it made me feel useless. But when I observed the work of my fiancé and Mrs. Quake I couldn't help but smile.

You could feel their love, almost.

I put the kettle on for tea and also turned on the coffeemaker. Jacob was being weird about alcohol. I noticed it yesterday but brushed it off then. It could be that he didn't want Christmas to become a nightmare. Alcohol did make people brave enough to speak about the things they've buried deep within. Maybe Jacob was onto something here. Grabbing the first tray with party snacks I strolled into the living room, placing the tray on the coffee table.

"I saw the video of you two decorating this place." Mom gestured around the room, "But it's so much prettier in real life." She looked amused with me, "You've gone all out with Christmas this year."

"The space is a lot bigger and I wanted our first Christmas to be memorable." I glanced at Jacob who smiled in response.

"You're a great singer." Mom complimented Jacob.

I sat down beside my dad on the couch and gestured to the tray. They were fruity snacks to start of light. There were a lot of snacks and dishes we had to go through so we needed to be careful not to overstuff ourselves.

We'd all be in a food coma if we weren't careful. That was the Christmas spirit though.

"What about me?" I asked mom.

She shrugged, "You were okay."

I couldn't help but to laugh, Jacob tried to hide his laugh by clearing his throat. Nick said the same thing which I thought was hilarious. Speaking of Nick he arrived at the penthouse at the same time as Joshua. They were deep in conversation when Jacob and I greeted them by the elevator.

"I see you've met my brother already, Joshua this is Nick. Nina's older brother."

Joshua smiled, "He introduced himself. Then we started talking about our favorite Christmas movies."

They shared a laugh, they already had their own inside jokes which was amazing. Sometimes you met people you hit it off with instantly. I was sour about it since I was still upset with Nick. I didn't try to show it though. Instead, I greeted them both with a bright smile.

"Come in, you guys." Jacob and I stepped aside so they could enter the penthouse.

Jacob helped them settle in while I made coffee and tea for everyone. The living room was filled with laughter and our family talking about their favorite Christmas movies and songs. Then they discussed the video of Jacob and me.

I was used to people complimenting Jacob's voice and finding me mediocre. It made me smile every time I looked at him. My fiancé, however, showed me he could be embarrassed because he looked away and I could have sworn his cheeks were slightly tinted pink.

Mom was fawning over Joshua. He was cute, the light version of Jacob. He was also more approachable. I handed Nick his coffee, he eyed me trying to be subtle about it. Maybe he tried to figure out if I was still upset. Which I was but I wouldn't show it today.

Not during this day which was supposed to be filled with laughter and smiles.

"Thank you."

I smiled at him, "You're welcome."

When everyone had their preferred hot drink I also settled in the living room, joining in on the conversation Jacob had with my dad. Dad tried to convince him that the fruity chocolate box was going to be popular in twenty-nineteen. Jacob wasn't convinced.

"People usually prefer the original flavors." Jacob pointed out.

"Yes, I think they appreciate a new flavor every once in a while but it will never be better than the original Merigold chocolate box." I agreed.

Dad flickered his eyes between Jacob and me and shook his head, "You guys are crazy, the fruity box will do well. I can feel it."

Jacob and I shared a look, trying hard not to laugh. Jacob's eyes were warm and glittered playfully. He was enjoying this Christmas dinner with the family already which made me sigh in relief. I thought he'd hate it. Jacob didn't look like someone who'd enjoy social events like this. We were all proven wrong which happened a lot lately.

We settled in the dining room around seven and served dinner. Well, Jacob did while he let me take charge of everyone's preferred drinks. I was serving everyone wine. Joshua preferred water and Jacob subtly told me to serve us water too. I suppose he was being really cautious tonight. He had been right about all his decisions so far so I did as suggested.

"This is really good," Joshua told us, enjoying his dinner.

Mom smiled, "Yes, you've outdone yourself, honey."

I nudged Jacob who shook his head at me, "I didn't do a thing this year. Jacob did everything together with Mrs. Quake."

Everyone in the room was stunned. Of course, they were because no one expected my dear fiancé to cook up a storm. Jacob managed to surprise the people close to us once more. I already knew, but the people close to us now needed to accept that Jacob Blackwood is a big softie.

"You did all of this?" Nick asked confused, gesturing to the table filled with dishes.

"Well, not alone." Jacob said loud and clear, "I did have help from dear Mrs. Quake." He then glanced at me, grabbing my hand which got everyone's attention, "And Nina did write up her recipes like she wrote a book. Things couldn't go wrong."

"Sounds like Nina." Nick chuckled.

Joshua grinned at his brother, "You're obsessed with Nina." He whispered.

I laughed, meeting my fiancé's eyes, "Are you obsessed with me?" I asked him.

"He so is." Joshua continued, "The only person in this world he isn't annoyed with is you. He mentions you in every conversation we're having. He can't have a conversation without mentioning his dear fiancée Nina."

That was news to me and I quite liked it. I didn't want to make Jacob feel too embarrassed so I tried to lighten the mood.

"I also know he likes my dad quite a bit." I joked.

Jacob rolled his eyes, not liking being cornered like this, "I admire passionate people. There is nothing wrong with that."

"There is definitely nothing wrong with that." Dad agreed.

He was just over the moon because he now knew Jacob Blackwood enjoyed his company. This conversation was getting weird and I couldn't even blame the alcohol for it.

"Nina is quite a passionate person." Nick agreed.

Jacob flickered his eyes to my brother, "She is." He didn't look like he was joking then, "She cares a lot about her family and now also my family." He glanced at his brother who flashed us a shy smile, "She makes sure everyone is happy and keeps her own feelings locked up most of the time."

He was definitely mentioning the argument I had with Nick. He acted like he didn't care when I talked about how upset I was due to Nick and Joy. Now I knew Jacob did listen and just tried to calm me down by being so nonchalant about it.

He wasn't obsessed with me, he cared a lot. Dare I say he loved me very much?

"I know," Nick said tightly.

He sipped his wine, probably trying to ignore the little statement Jacob tried to make. My fiancé, however, wasn't going to let Nick off that easily.

"So how is Joy doing?" Jacob asked.

"She's fine," Nick answered, narrowing his eyes on my fiancé.

I didn't have to do a thing, Jacob had my back apparently. He was trying to be subtle, not saying much but just saying enough for mom and dad to catch on. Nick was in trouble.

"Who is Joy?" Mom asked curiously.

I met her gaze, "She's a friend." I answered, "I met her when I dated Lucas. She's the little sister of Lucas' best friend." I was not leaving anything out so mom and dad were well informed about Nick's dating life, "Nick is dating her now."

"What?" Mom asked.

She didn't sound happy at all. Nick rarely informed mom about his life, he liked to keep things private and I respected that most of the time. But he upset me yesterday so this was revenge. I wasn't the one who came up with this revenge plan.

Jacob did.

I grabbed my glass of water and shared a smile with my fiancé. While we enjoyed dinner a lot more mom was interrogating Nick about his dating life. Nick looked uncomfortable and he flashed a knowing look to Jacob. He knew what my fiancé did there.

Jacob raised his glass at my brother and grinned at him.

It was a silent threat. If Nick dared to upset me again Jacob wouldn't be so subtle. We both understood the subtle gesture of my fiancé. Nick sighed and answered all of mom's pressing questions.

Christmas dinner wasn't perfect, but it was pretty damn enjoyable. No wine was needed to make this night more special for me.

All I needed was Jacob.