I rang the doorbell to Francy's house.Or is it Ace's house. This is so weird.

Their dad opened the door.

"Oh Elric. I didn't expect to see you here." He smiled and opened the door. "Come on in."

"I came to see Ace. I need his help with something. Sorry to come on such short notice."

"I didn't know you were coming at all." His dad shrugged.

"Didn't Ace tell you? I texted him this morning." I took off my shoes and coat and made my way inside.

Ace showed up with an innocent grin. "Sorry I didn't say anything. If I did, they would make a fuss about it since we have to work."

His dad gave him a look and then ruffled his hair. "Fine then. Elric will help too."

Both Ace and I nodded and waited for him to leave.

"It's weird to hear him call Elric. I'm so used to Lucy." Ace whispered.

"yeah." I smiled as we got into the living room. "Hi."

Everyone was on a different side decorating. Kai was over to the windows. He gave me a slight nod and kept working. Rehan was decorating the wall next to Kai. He waved at me. Wait, are those goggles on his head?

Their mom was taking out the decorations for the tables and shelves. She smiled at me. "Oh hey dear. We have another helper this year it seems."

I smiled and then.... I saw Francy. She was on the opposite wall on a ladder, attaching some lights. This family really went all out for Christmas.

"You can help me with this wall or..yeah sure.. help her..." Ace pointed at his wall but I was already making my way to Francy.

"Do you need help?" I asked her slightly, touching her hand.

"Um yeah. Thanks. I actually really hate being on this ladder." She smiled and got down. As we switched places we lightly brushed shoulders.

"Okay people. The faster we finish the faster we're free this weekend. Let's go. Chop.Chop." Ace clapped his hands.

"How about you shut up and just work." Kai answered.

"You're just jealous because I have something to do later other than homework." Ace snorted.

Kai kept decorating "Why do you have to be so annoying in the morning?"

"Yeah. why?" Rehan joined in.

This might be wrong but I found all of this amusing. Francy kept passing me on lights looking at them completely indifferent.

"What did I do to you?" Ace raised his arms shocked.

"Nothing. You're just really annoying sometimes. " Rehan said smiling. I was pretty sure he said it on purpose to rile up Ace. And it worked.

Ace had his mouth open insulted. "Mom. Do you see how ungrateful your other children are? Do you understand now how hard it is for me with not one but two brothers."

"Try having three." Francy added.

Pfff...we all laughed.

"Lucy. You have to support me here." He begged.

"Umm sorry dude. You can be a little bit annoying." I said making everyone laugh.

"I'm just..wow...wow... really guys.. wow." He sat down on the couch sighing. "I'm so disappointed in all of you."

"Chop. Chop. The wall isn't going to decorate itself." Kai added.

Ace gave him such a glare I laughed so hard I almost fell off the ladder. Francy pushed me back on and grabbed my hand. "Be careful." She smiled.

"Mhm." I squeezed her hand before letting it go.

I glanced around nervous that everyone could hear how fast my heart was beating.

***

After the majority of the room was ready and all there was left was the tree, Ace's mom let Ace and I take a break so we can work on my excuse for being here. Well it was partly an excuse, partly a legitimate reason.

We were in his room and Ace was swirling on his chair playing with a rubik's cube.

"So you said you needed me to do something?"

"Um yeah, to start preparing for this..." I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a paper I printed out this morning. I passed it on to Ace.

He took it unaware of what it was on the piece of paper. I watched him reading it, the calm features on his face changing.

"Oh my god..." He kept on reading. "Oh my god Lucy. This is..." He glanced up at me.

I grinned.

"Are you telling me that you kept this quiet for..?" He took a look at the date on the email. "Yesterday? Dude you could have called me!" He got up frustrated but also ecstatic.

Yeah, if I called his yesterday then I wouldn't have the excuse to come over today. Honestly it was the best timing to get the news.

"I think this is the progress we were waiting for." I smiled.

Ace kissed the paper and looked at me. "We need to get things started. There is so much work to do."

"I know. We have a few weeks to get things ready."

Ace suddenly opened his wardrobe and started taking things out.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm moving in with you. I can't waste precious time going back and forward to your house and mine."

I laughed and got up stopping him. "How about we leave that for after the Holidays. Lets go and tell Kai the good news."

"You're right. I got a bit too excited." Ace took a deep breath and then hugged me. "We're gonna be rich and successful. I just know it."

I tapped his back laughing. "You bet."

We got back downstairs. Everyone was taking a break.I gave Francy, a wink and sat down on the couch. Ace's mom walked in with a tray carrying a few mugs of what looked like a cappuccino.

Francy got up to help her mom.

"That's for your dad." Her mom said glancing at a red Santa mug. Francy took the mug to her dad.

"This one is for Ace." Her mom pointed with her head to a reindeer one.

"You made me the chocolate one right?" Ace asked.

His mom smiled. "Yes.Yes. It's chocolate."

Francy gave the mug to her brother.

She came back and took another mug. "I know this one. This one is Kai."She passed it to Kai.

"Thank you." He took the mug taking in the scent. "Ahh pure black coffee."

"These two are peppermint."Her mom pointed at the two red mugs. " For Rehan and I."

"I'll put yours on the table." Francy told her and passed the mug to Rehan.

"Strawberry one is yours." Her mom smiled. "And I didn't know his preference so I made Elric a caramel one."

"He doesn't like caramel. I'll take that one." Francy said and took the mug.

Oh no Francy. Shit.Shit.Shit.Shit.

The room was silent.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know you disliked caramel." Her mom apologized.

"Yeah. I didn't know either. " Ace glanced at me and then Francy. " How do you know he doesn't like caramel. I don't even know that."

Francy stopped in her tracks realizing. I could see it in her eyes, her mind was trying to come up with a lie.

"I told her." I said trying to save the situation. "Last time I was here, she offered caramel coffee to me and I told her I disliked it."

They all nodded like they understood. Francy smiled awkwardly and then passed me a mug, her eyes saying thank you.

I gave her a smile to calm down. I was really happy she remembered something I told her only once months ago.