I fluttered my eyes open and roll to my left to face Phoenix in our bed. The rain could be heard slamming against the window and cars parked outside.

Phoenix's body felt great, his bare chest radiating snuggly warmth. I shoved my cold feet against his, and I automatically felt better.

His eyes opened and he groaned , stretching his muscles making them all pop and crack as if he was a 70 year old man.

"Good morning." I said at his tiered smile.

"Mmm morning." He me mumbled his eyes slowly closing again.

"Nope, you need to wake up. We have guests coming tonight for a Christmas Eve dinner." I told him sitting up seeing our clock read 5:45am.

"It's early." He pouted with his eyes still closed.

"I can see that. But we still need a Christmas tree. And it's Christmas Eve Nix! I kept telling you weeks ago, let's get our stuff now but noooo-" he cut me off with a groan.

"Please no nagging this early." He while , burying his face into his pillow.

"Phoenix!" I wined , proceeding to get on top of his back when he didn't reply.

"We need to prepare!" I said once again shaking his shoulders.

"It's just my brother coming over Mia." He said into his pillow.

"Ok?? Your point? This will be his best Christmas ever. And ours." I pointed out.

My parents honestly weren't the holiday type. Every year even as a child, their idea of holidays and Christmas was getting on a plane and flying to a warm sunny island.

This year I opted out of the vacation when my sister did. We kind of decided to let them have a couples retreat type thing.

Phoenix's father definitely was the 'work in christmas' type. From my understanding every Christmas since Phoenix's and Nicks mom passed.

So tonight we were having Christmas Eve dinner at our place with Nix, Nick and I. Nick would then stay the night and open presents at our home. But first we needed a tree to the presents under.

"Fine fine." Nix started. "Let me get dressed."

I eagerly jumped off his back and grabbed the clothes I was to wear for the day.

I pulled on a basic grey pullover with some fur lined leggings and boots.

Nix wandered back out of the bathroom with eyes barley open, wearing a white t shirt ,grey sweats , and some slippers.

I held back an eye roll and let him be.

Grabbing his keys we walked down the stairs of our apartment holding hands softly.

He opened my passenger door for me and I slid into the car, feeling a special joy that one only feels around Christmas time.

The streets were icy as we drove and the sidewalks were insanely crowded with last minute shoppers like ourselves.

After making our way through traffic we finally pulled up to a Christmas tree lot, which of course was empty of people besides workers. I mean of course everyone already has Christmas tree.

We walked around the lot, Phoenix's eyes uninterested and his body just following mine.

I gasped and stoped in my tracks making him bump into me.

"This is the one." I whispered excitedly standing in front of one of tallest trees in the entire lot. It was beautifully green , every single branch was full and plush.

Phoenix sighed at its size but nothing the less called the employee over to pay, and have him tie it to the top of our car.

I squalled with child happiness as we got back into the car.

"Decorations now! And presents for your brother." I declared making Nix chuckle.

"Whatever for the Queen of Christmas." He said pulling my face forward and letting our lips meet softly.

His gloved hands felt gentle on my face as he pulled away and winked. "We'll save more for later."

"I'll for sure remember." I replied back, while sitting back and putting my seatbelt on.

We drove down to the mall which was crazy crowded with people all scrambling for last minute toys, presents and anything you can possibly need during the holidays.

We ended up having to park a million miles away but we eventually made it actually into the mall, there I did some major damage.

We decided to split up , me getting the more clothing item gifts and Phoenix choosing the toy and candy type.

I started by getting Nick some 'cool' shirts I thought a 7 year old might like.I picked him up a pair of the classic black and white Nikes because Phoenix has a pair and I've noticed his brother taking a liking to them a few times.

To be honest I went a little over board in that department , struggling big time to carry out the multiple bags and boxes I had balancing in each hand.

A huge smile and laugh escapes my mouth when I seen Phoenix struggling to carry his load of gifts for his brother. I raised a simple eyebrow at him and his cheeks turned a slight red. "They didn't have all this cool stuff when I was a kid." He commented trying to take some of the heaviness of the bags off me.

"I think he'll most definitely be set for a loooong while Nix." I giggled.

We were eventually able to get back to the car and shove al the gifts in the back seat and trunk.

Home awaited us, and Phoenix being Phoenix fell asleep wrapping his brothers gifts, leaving me to do much of the work.

I pulled out my cell phone and snapped a picture of Phoenix curled up next to some wrapped and unwrapped gifts along with random rolls of wrapping paper, looking very peaceful and child like.

I covered his body with a throw blanket while I went to get ready for the night.

I straighten my hair and left it simply down with a side part. I went all in for the Christmas vibe look with red lipstick and everything.

I originally had a dress picked out but I decided on a light red long sleeve paired with a black high waisted skirt that had buttons all down the front.

Eventually Phoenix woke up and changed into jeans and a quarter zip sweater.

The final touches of the dinner were made when we heard a ring of the doorbell.

Nix opened the door and I happily and excitedly smiled setting all the silverware out.

Nick walked in, wearing jeans and a long black sleeve, and his resemblance to his brother was striking. They were basically the same person , one just older and one younger.

"Hey nick!" I began hurrying over to him to engulf him in a strong hug.

He immediately smiled and wrapped his arms around me.

"I've missed you so much, we're gonna have a ton of fun tonight, come sit down I made dinner! It includes lots of desserts , mac and cheese, a ham, mashed potatoes and gravy,tamales , beans and rice!" I let out in one large breath.

To be honest I didn't know what Nick liked so I went a little over board on what to make him.

He smiled and ran over to the table immediately grabbing a plate.

Phoenix smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist."You are honestly amazing." He whispered in my ear, nibbling on it some making me laugh.

"Phoenix stop bothering Mia so she can come eat too!"Nick declared at his brother making Phoenix raise his hands in defense.

I happily too a seat and served my self a bit of everything. We ate in a delicious silence for a while before I broke it. "So Nick, how has school been?" I asked.

Nick thought about it and shrugged after a while."Alright I guess." He shortly answered.

"How was your last report card?" Phoenix spoke up noticing his brothers strange attitude for the topic.

"Wellllll..." his brother started with a mumble. "I mean I've definitely done better before." He said while shoving a spoonful of macaroni in his mouth.

"What do you mean?" Phoenix replied with a slightly raised voice. "You've never gotten anything less than an A in your life."

Nick's cheeks turned a slight rose color and I can obviously see he was getting flustered with the conversation.

"Ok it's Christmas Eve! We'll save this conversation for another time in the future." I declared giving Phoenix a pointed look.

Nick gave me a small 'thank you' smile and I returned it.

We ate happily after that only with hilarious conversation that had water literally coming out of my nose by the end.

After finishing dinner, dessert and playing a few rounds of Monopoly, Nick fell asleep on the couch while we were watching A Christmas Story.

Phoenix gently picked him up and laid him down in our guest bedroom , where we could hear his soft snores from our room.

Phoenix and I were in bed, and I was almost asleep when Phoenix sat up and turned his attention towards me.

"Yes?" I asked through a yawn.

"Thank you Mia, for giving my brother a real Christmas in a while , and for also giving me a real Christmas." He told me while running a hand up and down my arm.

I smiled and my heart felt like it was going to explode with pure love, giving me a warm sensation of giddiness all over body.

"Well, you have to repay me." I told him.

"Oh and how's that?" He smiled raising an eyebrow.

"I mean...earlier we had a small kiss and I was promised more and seeing as it's almost Christmas Day...." I trailed off.

How smile grew wider as sat up higher now, instead of being propped up on his elbows.

"I guess you're right." He shrugged leaning into a kiss and dimming the lamp besides us.

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"Guys!! Guys! Wake up! It's Christmas and Santa came, he brought so much! Come on!" Nix screamed while jumping on our bed, waking us for the most magical day in earth.

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