After many Merry Christmases were said, and lots of champagne and food was consumed, I was starting to feel tired. We gave the guests their gifts, sent them on their way and once everyone had left, I crashed on the couch.

Fin and Ace were fighting over what the best game character is while Kai and Elric were cuddling with the cats watching Fin and Ace debating passionately.

Dorian was cuddled up on Elric's lap, while Momo was sleeping on his sexy broad shoulder. Kai was hugging Pierre as usual.

Suddenly Rehan tiptoed over to me, shushed me and pulled me off the couch.

Everyone noticed that and immediately got up to see what was so interesting. Rehan stopped in front of the kitchen and we peeked over the wall to see what got his interest.

Mom and Dad were slow dancing, so close to each other and dad was whispering something to mom to make her smile. They looked so romantic and cute.

I took a step back nudging everyone behind me to take a step back.

"Guys we have to do something about this? You know...let them have their moment." I told them.

"Wear headphones?" Rehan suggested earning himself a hit from Kai.

"I meant like letting them have their moment while we clean some of the mess ."

"I like that idea." Rehan said, taking off his suit. "Fin and Lucy can help."

"We can't make the guests clean." Ace complained. "Even still, there is so much work to be done."

"Anybody home..?" The front door closed.

We turned around to see Remi coming over with bags of gifts. She dropped the bags down and grinned. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." I ran over hugging her happily. "You made it."

She hugged me back jumping on her heels. "I begged."

She then took off her coat and passed it to me.

Oh my god. I almost dropped her coat.

She was wearing a little black dress and looking so hot. Kai was too shocked to say anything.

"Merry Christmas." Ace and Rehan came over to hug her and help her bring the gifts under the tree.

"Food?" I offered.

She raised her hands."If I have any more, I'll pop like a balloon. I just came over to hang out and maybe help you guys clean."

"Nonsense." Mom and Dad joined us in the living room. "We'll go and change and clean, you kids enjoy yourselves."

"Actually.." I came over to them whispering.. "We were thinking of cleaning everything ourselves. That way we can have fun more relaxed rather than our parents over our heads. You can go to bed. I'll make sure we clean up."

"You sure?" Mom asked.

"Yeah yeah. You can go and rest." Or whatever you two might do that I don't wanna know.

"Okay." Dad kissed my head. "Goodnight everyone. Merry Christmas and see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

"Merry Christmas."

They all waved them away.

"Okay guys let's clean." I said.

Ace sighed ."Do we have to?"

"Yes." I crossed my hands.

"Here is the deal." Ace pulled up his sleeves. "We finish up all the alcohol, play a game or two and then we clean. The loser gets the grossest job. The winner does nothing"

"Deal." I put out my arm and shook his hand. "Let's play fair though. Someone else should choose the game."

Ace turned towards Kai. "You pick the game."

I nodded in agreement.

Kai turned towards Rehan. "Go and bring out monopoly."

It was in that moment we realized, we fucked up.

Kai was always playing referee or other neutral positions in games. Always.

Except monopoly.

He was brutal. Merciless. It was the great depression all over again. He could make people weep.

Maybe, just maybe if Remi plays, he might go easy on us.

Like he read our minds, Kai turned towards Remi. "Remi, can you be the banker?"

Ace, Rehan, Fin and I shook our heads violently.

Say no. Say no.

But the girl did not even break eye contact with Kai. "Sure."

We were definitely in trouble.

***

45 minutes later I was bankrupt in monopoly, brutally thrown out of the game after spending time in jail three times along with Rehan, Ace and Fin. We were all giving Kai the evil eye.

The only one who lost without being bankrupt was Elric and he was standing over the game while Kai explained to him how he managed to beat him.

At least my boyfriend wasn't a sour loser.

"Okay. Let's clean up as much as we can before going to bed. Or we can do something else other than monopoly again" I was still bitter.

"We can watch a movie afterwards." Fin suggested.

"Yes I love that idea." Remi agreed.

"Do you have anything I can change into?" Fin asked Kai.

"Me too." Remi said.

After changing into normal outfits, we got to work.

We threw the garbage out, Fin and I got the disgusting job as the first to go bankrupt. Then we had to sweep and wipe the floors clean while Rehan and Ace washed the dishes and Remi and Elric put the rest of the untouched food in the fridge. Kai of course did nothing.

At the corner of my eye I saw Kai checking Remi out. I can't believe it. I've never seen him show interest so openly.

Suddenly Remi glanced at him but he didn't look away. She instantly looked away because she got caught.

They're so cute oh my god. Where was the popcorn when you need it?

After we were done cleaning we all crashed on the couch dead tired. Rehan didn't even make it to the couch. He was on the ground sleeping over a pair of abandoned slippers.

We played something random on the history Chanel, but slowly everyone was falling asleep.

"I think Fin is leaving us." Elric said pointing at Fin who was sitting up straight but his head was leaned back, mouth open and he was going in and out of deep sleep.

We barely managed to contain our laugh.

"Maybe we should just go to bed." Kai suggested.

"No. I still have energy." Ace yawned.

"Oh come on. Let's go to bed and wake up earlier tomorrow to open presents. " I suggested.

"I'm in." They all agreed simultaneously and left for their rooms.

***

I was rushing to get everyone in bed. The plan was to spend some time with Elric and give him my present.

I texted Elric to meet me in the kitchen two hours from now which was around 5am. I waited until everyone fell asleep to sneak out of the room. Elric got the guest room upstairs and Remi ended up with me.

I couldn't sleep out of excitement in the meantime and Remi kept me company.

Since my makeup was off I only added some concealer before leaving my room. It was easy to put on and take off and with the lack of sleep I had I didn't want to look like trash.

Remi gave me thumbs up as I left.

I tiptoed in my slippers and somehow I made it to the kitchen. Outside it was already starting to get bright.

I was in the kitchen first.

Elric walked in wearing his white sweater and Ace's pajamas underneath. He looked so cozy. His eyes were puffy and half closed.

Without saying anything he just ambled over sleepily with open hands and hugged me.He nuzzled his nose in my neck.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

After a while he pulled away and kissed me so softly I melted.

"I needed this." He said over my lips and hugged me again. "You looked so good in that dress I almost forgot we were hiding."

I kissed his neck. "Merry Christmas baby."

He kissed me again pressing me on the counter.

"We should go to sleep before someone wakes up and catches us." His words completely contradicted his actions as he couldn't stop kissing me.

"I know. I just wanted to give you this aside from the other presents."I pulled away and handed him the little box I prepared beforehand.

He gave me a disapproving look. "I told you I don't want any gifts."

"It's not that kind of gift." I told him with a smile.

Intrigued, he opened the box and took out the stainless steel bracelet. It was plain and simple.

"There is an engraving."

He turned it around to read it.

"Great now, bound to become magnificent"

He was staring at it for a few seconds. He seemed really touched. I've never seen that look on his face before.

"No matter what you went through, or the problems you have with your dad, or the struggle you'll have to go through in life I want you to remember that. " I smiled.

He hugged me again really tight.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too" I hugged him back.

He pulled away and handed me a box. "I couldn't give this to you yesterday, but this is my gift."

I took the box and opened it. There was a small and delicate necklace. It was silver and the little accessory that hung on it was a pair of skates.

"It's beautiful." I touched it gently. "It reminds me of our date in Wintertown."

"That was the inspiration." He smiled.

"Thank you." I smiled back. "It's gorgeous. Thank you."

"Also this." Suddenly he took the box from my hands and revealed a separate bottom in the box. He pulled out a mistletoe.

"A promise is a promise."

I gasped.

"You said you wanted a kiss under the mistletoe." He smiled and raised the mistletoe over our heads.

He kissed me so lustfully that I took a step back and then grabbed his shirt leaning in to seal any distance between us.

Suddenly I heard slippers coming down the stairs. Chills ran down my back. Oh no!

I pulled Elric close to me, hoping we could avoid whoever it was.