Lincoln's parents are really nice, but it feels like Jasmine is just waiting for me to slip up and point out any flaws. Or even just twist my words back to me.

"So Lincoln tells me you're studying law?" I try and be friendly towards her, even though it doesn't feel like it's being reciprocated.

"Oh we're so proud of her," Angela says cheerfully, smiling at Jasmine.

"Yes. I study at Yale," she answers calmly in contrast to her mom.

I slightly choke on my tea. My eyes widen as I turn to Lincoln. He joked about Harvard but it's Yale?! He gives me a sheepish smile and pats my leg under the table. "O-oh I see. What type of law?"

She chuckles a bit, probably the first time since I've met her. "Personal injury law, ironically. What about you?"

"Well originally economics, but I've changed my major to psychology recently." It took a lot of thought, but I decided it felt right. Plus I'm only one semester into university, better now than in four years.

"Clinical or research?" she asks.

"Clinical. Both of my parents are medical doctors, I want to follow in their footsteps and help people," I say with a smile. I'd like to see what negative thing she can manage to find in that.

"I see. Decided med school would be too difficult?" she asks in a smug tone.

My grip around my glass tightens and I bite my tongue to hold back what I really want to say to her. I don't understand what her problem with me is. Lincoln doesn't hold back though. "For fucks sake Jasmine," he growls.

"Lincoln, language!" Angela scolds him.

"Sorry Mom," he grumbles. I'll have to admit, that was a little cute.

"No it's alright. I don't deny that medical school would be a challenge, I have a friend who is studying to be a doctor and I see how much work she's putting in," I explain calmly, "I just prefer the neurological and mental side of health." I can't help but notice her expression relax a bit.

It's a relief when the server comes over and takes our orders. We all order pretty classic brunch foods. Waffles, french toast, eggs benedict, avocado toast, and an omelet.

"So Katie, are you from here?" Angela asks.

"Oh no, I'm from Toronto. I moved here for university. What about you? And John?"

"I'm from here, I think it's a nice place to live," John chuckles.

"I'm from Japan, moved here a couple years before John and I got married over two decades ago," she smiles at John.

Jasmine leans over to mumble in Japanese to Angela, "I wonder if she's as uncultured as most white people."

"Actually, I visit my dad's family in Japan every summer," I respond smugly in Japanese.

Jasmine turns red while Angela laughs.

"It must've been scary moving all the way here," I point out.

She nods. "It was a big decision, moving so far away from my friends and family to be with a guy I met while on vacation, but I'd say it was worth it." I hope Lincoln and I will have a relationship like theirs, they seem so sweet and happy.

"Oh wow that's so sweet," I gush.

"Would you make sacrifices for Lincoln?" Jasmine asks after recollecting herself, raising a perfectly penciled eyebrow.

I bite my lip. "Well relationships are a two way street, right? I assume you're reasonable enough to not expect me to change my entire life for him. He and I are a team, and we'll both make sacrifices to make things work." I smile at Lincoln who places his hand on mine and smiles warmly back.

The rest of brunch is fine. Just small talk for the most part, but I still feel uncomfortable around Jasmine. I just really want to go home now.

"Will you be joining us for dinner tonight Katie? We'd love for you to come!" Angela says excitedly. My stomach drops and I swear I hear Jasmine scoff.

"Oh, I, um." I look at Lincoln with a panicked look on my face. Help me!

"You don't need to be nervous, everyone will be nice," John says reassuringly, "you should've seen me the first time I met Angela's family. I was a nervous wreck, they all thought something was wrong with me, but they still liked me." Angela laughs, patting his shoulder endearingly.

"You don't have to, I don't mind," Jasmine says, with a devilish smirk.

"I'd love to come," I say, smiling sweetly at her. I don't want her to get the satisfaction of scaring me away.

"Lovely! You should head back with us now." Angela waves to the server for the bill.

Looks like I don't have time to mentally prepare.

__________________

As soon as we get back in his car, I bury my face in my hands and groan in exasperation. "I was horrible," I whine.

Lincoln leans over to kiss my temple. "Aw it was fine! I'm really sorry about Jasmine though," he says sympathetically. I sigh, tonight's probably going to be rough.

I'm overwhelmed as soon as we enter Lincoln's house. If Christmas were a person, they pretty much just punched me in the face. There are decorations everywhere. The Christmas tree is huge with tons of ornaments, lights, and tinsel; there are stockings hung along the chimney; a little model train loops around the entire living room; fake snow, giant nutcrackers, an inflatable Santa, wreaths on every door, and it smells like gingerbread and candy canes. I swear I hear Christmas music playing somewhere too.

Lincoln laughs at my shocked expression. "My mom really likes Christmas." Yeah, I hadn't noticed.

Lincoln's parents and Jasmine enter the house a little bit after us. "Make yourself at home Katie," Angela kindly says as she hangs up her coat and takes off her boots. "If you have time later you can help me wrap the last couple presents if you'd like!"

Her cheerful aura she seems to always be giving off is contagious. "Of course I'll help."

"I hope you can wrap well, mom's presents always look amazing," Jasmine says, side eyeing me, "I'd hate for her reputation to be damaged."

"Actually, I volunteered as a present wrapper for three consecutive Christmases to raise money for local charities," I retort.

I might be imagining it but I think the corner of her lips slightly tugs upwards, before she quickly heads upstairs.

__________________

Angela helps me settle into one of the dining room chairs, and unloads a box of wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape onto the table. There are an insane number of things that still need to be wrapped, especially considering how many gifts are already under the tree.

"There must be a lot of people coming," I say, my eyes wide.

She laughs, "Yes, I have four siblings, and John has five. All of them have partners and kids, a couple have grandchildren as well. A few family friends are coming as well, luckily our house is big enough to host everyone."

"Oh wow, I'm an only child, and so are my parents." I really wish my family wasn't so small. Things were a bit lonely as a kid, especially with my parents being so busy with their careers.

"Oh hon, luckily you have us now!" she says cheerfully and pats my hand.

It feels like we're elves at the North Pole as we get to work, cutting, taping, tying, ribbon curling, and labeling while Lincoln and John are in the backyard, cutting up some wood for the fireplace.

Christmas is coming out of my ears by the time we're done.

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Writing about Christmas in September is great.

Thanks for reading!