Jai and I have been at his parent's place for three days and today it's Christmas. Jai's entire family is going to be here and he told me that some of my family will be here as well.

Nate flew out last night and he didn't come alone. He was with Teresa and they told us that her family didn't want her to come home for Christmas and they think she's ruining her life by being with my brother.

I feel bad for the girl being given an ultimatum by her parents. All I can say is that it's good that she's following her heart.

Jai's family start arriving at the house. He looks at me. "Are you alright?"

I give him a weak smile. "I'm okay. I just need a few minutes alone." I walk into the backyard and take a seat on the porch swing. I look at the swings and remember the first time I was at this house with my family.

Aleysa jumped off the swing. "Can you do that?" She said to the little girl, as she lands on her feet in the sand.

The girl jumped off the swing and instead of landing on her feet she falls on her knees.

Aleysa helped her up. "I want you to meet my sister." she walked over to me with the girl. "Chloe, this is Maggie."

I kneeled at the girl's height. "Hello,"

She stepped behind Aleysa and hid from me.

A tear falls down my face and I wipe it away.

"Is this seat taken?" Someone asks.

I look at the person and a smile spreads across my face as I see Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte."

She takes my hand. "Are you alright, Chloe? I know that it must be hard being back here the first time since you're sister..." she cuts herself off.

I squeeze her hand. "It's okay, to say passed away. When I first got here it was hard. It still is. I look around this house and yard and all I can think about is the first time we met. The kitchen is where Aleysa collapsed, the swings are where Maggie and she jumped off the swings, the trampoline is where she showed your Dad some tricks."

She wraps her arms around me. "I didn't know your sister for long, but from what I saw she was an incredible girl and I was lucky enough to get to know her thanks to my brother dating you."

"Can we open presents?" One of the kids yells.

"Not yet," is the reply.

Nate and Teresa walk onto the decking and they walk over to us.

"What are you doing out here, Chloe? I thought you would be inside helping Veronica with lunch? She's making duck, prawns, lobster, crabs for lunch." Nate pulls a chair out for Teresa and she sits. He looks at me. "Oh, and our brother and cousin are here. They both want to see you."

I might as well see what they want.

"Charlotte, I will talk to you later. I need to find out what my cousin and..." I choke on the word "brother, wants."

It's weird to call Drex my brother.

*

Last week Drex went to the hospital with me. He decided that he wanted to know if we were related and it turned out that we were.

I have spent time with him, but for some reason, I don't feel comfortable around him.

Jai has been around the house when he's been around.

If I get scared or anything all I have to do is press an alarm and Jai would be with me in an instant.

Jai got things set up once I told him that I wasn't comfortable with him. He told me that he's glad that I told him about it.

As soon as I enter the kitchen Carter and Drex turn towards me. They have matching smiles on their faces.

Drex moves forward and he gives me a hug. "Merry Christmas, Chloe." He pulls a small parcel from his pocket and gives it to me. "I got you this."

Carter pushes his hand away. He looks at him. "It's my turn to say hello to my cousin." He pushes Drex and he falls to the ground.

Drex rises from the floor and he walks towards Carter with his fist clenched. "You're going to pay for that." He throws a punch and it hits Carter's face.

"Stop it," I yell.

The guys ignore me and they throw more punches.

I can't get out of the kitchen as they have caged me in with them. I put my foot on the cupboard handle and I climb onto the bench. "Jai," I yell.

Carter shoves Drex and he hits the table where I am. He just misses landing on top of me.

"Help," I yell again.

Veronica and Ricky are the first ones to arrive.

Where's Jai?

Ricky pulls them apart. "I want you two out of this house. You're not welcomed here." He looks at me. "I don't think those boys should be in your life. They seem troubled."

I have to agree, but I can't just let them go when they are part of my family.

I touch my belly. "I wonder where you're father is." I climb off the bench and make my way into the living room. I see a girl with her arms around Jai and he's slow dancing with her.

That's cute.

The little girl looks at me. "Auntie Chloe." She runs over to me and hugs me. "I'm glad you're here."

I kneel at her height. "Hey, princess."

She holds a doll out. "Look at what Santa got me."

A smile spreads across my face. "She's pretty, just like you."

"Can you play with me?"

Ricky drags my cousin and brother to the door. "I don't want you two anywhere near my daughter-in-law. She doesn't need to see you two fight." He slams the door. He looks at Jai. "Didn't you hear Chloe screaming for help?"

Jai goes stiff and he looks at me. "What's my Dad talking about?"

"I was trapped in the kitchen between my cousin and brother while they fought. I had to climb onto the table to get away from them. I called for you, but you didn't hear. Your Dad broke up the fight."

He wraps his arms around me. "I didn't hear anything because of the music and the children screaming.

Veronica walks into the living room. "Can someone please set the table?"

"I'll do it." I walk toward the kitchen.

Veronica grabs my arm. "You're not setting the table." She looks at Jai. "Son, can you?"

"Yes, Mom," he walks to the kitchen.

"I want him to see the mess that your brother and cousin made in my kitchen. I was surprised that my son wasn't with you when you were in the kitchen."

I touch her arm. "He didn't know I came inside. I was outside the last time he saw me."

***