Ana

I slid a glass of water to Dad and hopped up onto the stool across from his. "Nice place," He nodded around the large apartment.

"Yeah, I like it here."

Tight-lipped, he nodded. "And you can afford a place like this? You're eighteen years old."

"Gavin's family friends with the Super so we get reduced rent. Gavin pays more than me but this is only temporary. Maybe I'll start waiting tables when I start school and get a place of my own."

"Or you could move back home. Where you belong."

"And sit back thinking about all of my screw-ups while watching you with your new family? No thanks." It was more malicious than I intended but it was true.

"Is that what this is about? Ana-"

"No, no, Dad, that's-that's not what I meant." I paused. "Lisa and Oliver, they're my family too. But I sat in that house, all summer, hating myself. I like this. I like taking care of myself and Gavin is really great. It finally feels like everything's falling into place."

"And where do I fit in this puzzle?"

"Dad," I sighed. "It was really stupid and immature of me to just leave that night. Justin needed me but I handled it all wrong. It's just, you weren't listening to me and I didn't know what else to do."

"Looks like we both have communication issues." Dad grinned blandly. "I'm just scared, Ana. It was unbearable to see how...unresponsive you were for months. Justin needed you but wasn't there when you needed him."

"I love him, Dad." I blurted out. "He makes me happy. I don't know how else to put it. He has no one left. No one but me."

There was silence for a few moments. Dad finally looked up, smiling as he reached over to grab hold onto my hand. "Wanna talk to Justin about spending Christmas with us?"

--

Justin was stiff for the first hour he was at the house on Christmas. His sweater was buttoned up to the top and he clutched onto my hand like it was his lifeline.

Grams laughed in his face when she tapped him on the shoulder and he jumped. "It's Christmas. Loosen up, kiddo." She grinned. "We don't bite."

"Thank you for having me today." Justin said when we sat down for dinner. "I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Justin, you've always been welcome here." Lisa smiled down at him.

Then, Dad surprised all of us by saying, "No one should spend the holidays alone."

Justin visibly calmed down then. He joined in on some of the conversation, even got Dad to chuckle a few times at stories of sports he played as a kid. I sat back, watching Justin from across the table. It was scary how well he belonged. How part of the family he was. And how badly I wanted him to stay right where he was forever.

--

Justin

I stayed back to help Ana's dad clear the dishes while the ladies took Oliver into the living room to set up all of his new toys for him. There was tense silence in the kitchen but I stayed anyway, braving it out.

"I don't ever think I've had one bad meal here." I commented, loading up the dishwasher.

"That's my wife for ya. Best cook I've ever seen." Paul chuckled. "What a year this has been huh?"

I swallowed. This was my chance to clear the air. I turned away from the sink. "I love your daughter, sir. I know I've hurt her and I know I've hurt your relationship with her and for that, I am so sorry. But please don't blame me for any of the things that happened last year. I take full responsibility. Hell, I destroyed your house. But I'm trying and I'm doing a lot better. I've never wanted anything but for Ana to be happy. I love her." I repeated.

Paul swallowed, not saying anything at first. "I thought it was me at first. Any parent's first thought when they're child's hurting is, 'what could I have done to prevent it?'" He clapped me on the shoulder. "I trust Ana and I trust her judgment. I'm glad you're doing better, Justin. And I'm glad you came tonight."

--

Ana and I stood under the spray of the shower back at my house, Ana tucked under my chin with her face hidden in my shoulder.

I ran my hand up and down her back. "This is the best Christmas I can remember having." I murmured into her ear.

"I'm glad." She said sleepily.

"Richard and I would sit in the living room reading all day and then sit for a silent meal. He told me the Christmas after Mom passed that there was no Santa. Never even bothered to humor me." I couldn't help the venom in my voice. Talking about him brought on a fire that I don't think would ever die down.

"Shh," Ana hushed me, sliding a hand up into my wet hair. "We don't have to talk about him anymore. It's over, okay? It's over."

I pressed my cheek onto the top of her head. "I'm gonna go grab your present."

She nodded, stepping back to let me hop out. I dried off and pulled on a pair of sweats before bounding down the stairs to get the wrapped box behind the couch. Lights shined on the front window and moments later, the doorbell rang.

I threw the gift onto the coffee table and opened the door. Gianna stood on the doorstep with trays in her hand and a huge smile on her face. Nate stood behind her, looking less than happy to be there and Dimitri was walking from the car. For a second, I considered slamming the door in all of their faces. Did this man ever quit?

"Merry Christmas!" Gianna said, shoving the food into Nate's arms and wrapping hers around me. She jumped at me hard so I had to throw my hands around her waist to keep my balance.

"Justin? I can't find the toothpaste." Ana called down. Fuck, fuck, fuck. She came down the stairs in wet hair, one of my sweatshirts, and nothing else. She froze when she saw Gianna pressed up against me. "Um..." She glanced behind me.

"Nate?" She said at the same time he said, "Ana?"

"What the hell is happening here?"

--

Let the games begin :)

Hope you liked this chapter! I'm going to try and update faster next time, I promise.

And today's my birthday! I started writing fics when I was 12 so it's really weird that I'm 17 now haha

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