"You are late."

Those were the first words out of my moms mouth when Olivia and I finally got to the festival. The baking competition was almost over even though my mom said we had to be there before it started.

"Sorry last minute rush at the bakery." I lied sharing a glance with Olivia.

After learning about their parents Olivia and I spent the rest of our time talking about everything and anything. I told her stories about growing up with two brothers. She told me stories about Knox before he went into the Marines.

I'd always wanted a younger sister that I could be close with and have fun with, and I got that today with Olivia. Sure I had Leah who was basically my sister but with Olivia being only 17 I already felt protective of her.

But the reason we were so late was because I needed Olivia's help getting Knox's present. I already had one in mind but I wanted something else more personal. So with Olivia's help we compiled a bunch of photos of their family. Pictures of Knox and Olivia, Olivia and her parents, Knox with their parents. I even searched their Facebook's to get pictures to use.

Getting the pictures printed took the longest but while we waited we got stuff to make a photo album. We had it all ready to put together in her room when we got back. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve so hopefully with the two of us we can get it finished and wrapped in time.

"Everything went smoothly at the bakery?" My mom asked although she didn't take her eyes off of the contestants in front of us.

"Yep. Every order was picked up and we had to make a few batches of cookies so there were some extras for Katie to bring to the shelters."

"Good, good." Mom waved me off not really paying attention. Feeling a pair of eyes on me I glanced to my right and found Knox staring at me. What made me raise my eyebrow was seeing Charlotte in his arms. Charlotte who was usually iffy around new people.

She had her arms wrapped tight around his neck and was laying her head on her shoulder with her thumb in her mouth, her eyes glued to the people in front of us. The sight made my heart squeeze.

Heading towards him I said hi to everyone, including Sophie who was sitting on Jackson's shoulders grinning widely. Coming up to Knox's side I smiled at the girl in his arms.

"Someone likes you." I reached out and gently fixed her cute little beanie on her head, her blonde curls escaping from the back.

"We had a little skirt incident where the bottom got ripped and someone started crying. As soon as I bent down to make sure she was okay, she grabbed onto my neck and hasn't let go." Knox looked down at the girl in his arms. "That was twenty minutes ago."

There was a slight panic-y look in his eyes as he spoke that made me grin.

"Well its an honor because she doesn't like being held by anyone other than the five of us." I looked at Charlotte's outfit as she snuggled deeper into Knox's arms. She was wearing a pair of thick leggings along with a bright purple tutu and a thick jacket with a matching beanie. No doubt the tutu was her idea.

"How was the bakery?" Knox asked.

"It was good. I kind of forgot how much fun it is to bake." I admitted. Being back in the kitchen brought back so many memories. Good memories.

"And how was my sister? She can talk a lot sometimes."

"She was great, don't worry. She is actually quite the baker." I glanced over to the side and saw Olivia and Annie animatedly chatting together. I swear you can put her in any crowd and she can make friends.

"She's really loved coming here." I saw the way Knox's eyes lit up as he watched his sister laugh with Annie. "She seems happier too. For awhile there I was beginning to worry she wouldn't be like her old self."

Now that I understood everything I knew what he meant and I now understood the extreme protective side he had towards Olivia. As someone who has lost someone and who hides what she is feeling, I could see that Knox was holding everything in so Olivia wouldn't know. He had a strong facade to where he seemed okay, but he really wasn't.

"Don't worry she'll be okay." I squeezed the side of his arm. You both will.

"We definitely have to go check out the ice-sculpting. I swear each year they get better and better." I said as we walked down the path in-between booths. The sun was starting to set and the air was getting colder.

Once the baking competition was over and my mom announced the winners she gladly let us all leave and do what we wanted. We just had strict orders to not be out too late. So I was currently leading us to get some hot chocolate before hitting some of the booths and little competitions they had going on.

"Maybe we can enter the snowman contest." Jackson suggested. "Aubrey and I won three times before." He told Knox.

"That's because you cheated once." Annie butted in.

"We did not!" I defended. "We won fair and square."

"You two started before they even reached one and then stole Lucas and I's clothing." Annie shook her head.

"Not our fault you left your clothing right beside us." Jackson pointed out to which I agreed.

"Competitiveness runs in the family it seems." Knox commented.

"Better get use to it brother." Lucas slapped Knox on the shoulder. I shook my head as I watched Sophie and Charlotte ran a little bit ahead of us, Olivia right behind them.

It took quite a bit of convincing and crying to get Charlotte to let go of Knox's neck. He held her the entire baking competition and she still wouldn't let him go. She was practically a boa constrictor as she clung to him. It was only when Knox whispered in her ear that he'd win her a teddy bear at one of the booths did she finally let him go. After everyone had turned away I caught Knox shaking his arms out and groaning under his breath. No doubt his arms tired from holding a 3 year old for well over an hour.

While the boys hung back to talk Annie and I walked beside each other.

"The girls are so grown." I said while smiling at the two little girls who were running around us.

"They really need to stop growing."

"Soon they'll be grown up and dating."

"Oh god no." Annie shook her head. "These poor girls when they get older. Lucas is going to run off any boys that come their way." I grinned and nodded.

"They are never going to get boyfriends with Lucas and Jackson around." I laughed.

"Speaking of boyfriends...how are things going with Knox? The fact that you brought him home means things are getting serious."

"Things are going....good." Which wasn't a lie. We actually were doing good and after last night I feel like things may have changed between us a bit.

"You look happier." Annie commented. "And the way he looks at you." She nudged my side.

"He doesn't look at me in any way." I shook my head.

"Yes he does. Like right now." She gestured with her head over to my side. I followed her gaze and found Knox staring at me. I held his gaze despite wanting to duck my head. The way he stared made me tilt my head to the side and sent him a questioning look. He just sent me a half smile.

"See he is smitten with you. Add in the fact he came home for Christmas with you and brought his sister." I felt guilt settle in my gut. She thought he came on his own but in reality I bribed him and his sister to be here.

I turned my gaze away from Knox feeling beyond guilty that I was tricking my own family and using Knox and Olivia. I was basically using Knox for my own gain.

"I don't think you need to worry if he likes you or not. A guy doesn't look at a girl like that unless he likes her and trust me Aubrey I've been around enough guys to know."

I couldn't lie when it came to Annie's words I wanted them to be true. I wanted Knox to like me and more than just as friends. Maybe it was the fact it was Christmas or that I haven't had a boyfriend in so long but I found myself drawn to Knox. Yes he was very, very attractive but there was something else that drew me in. Maybe because we both share the pain of losing a loved one.

"Sophie no put that down!" Annie sent me an apologetic look before taking off after her daughter.

"Hey little sis." An arm came out of nowhere and landed on my shoulder. I craned my neck back to see my older brother Lucas grinning down at me.

"Oh man what do you want."

"I can't come talk to my little sister without needing anything?" Lucas acted offended. "Shame on you." He shook his head at me.

"Uh huh." I waited for him to continue.

"I actually don't want anything this time." He sounded so sincere I felt my eyebrows raise. "I'm just glad you are home. The girls really missed you and so did mom." Me ignoring my family over the past year means I have also ignored my two favorite nieces, which just added to the guilt even more.

"I know. I'm sorry I haven't been around much."

"It's okay, you needed time. I think we all did." He shrugged. The two of us came to a stop in front of the booth selling hot chocolate, two other people in front of us. "By the way I like Knox. He seems good for you." Lucas leaned down to talk into my ear.

"Good for me?"

"He can handle all the sass that is Aubrey Lynn. You need someone like him, unlike the past dipshits you've dated. Someone that you can butt heads with and challenge you." That was probably one of the nicest things my brother has ever said to me. I was honestly surprised. "Plus he's been trained to withstand torture so you guys will be fine together." And there it is.

"Geez thanks Lucas. You basically said being around me is equal to being tortured." I deadpanned.

"Anything for my baby sis." He sent me a cheeky grin before making his way towards his family. I glared at his back. Oh how I love my family.

"You do know you can't kill someone by glaring at them."

"Doesn't hurt to try." I muttered. I finally looked away from my brother and glanced up at Knox.

"If you are plotting murder I will gladly stand off to the side and wave at you through the police car window."

"Wow what kind of boyfriend are you that you won't help me murder someone." I exclaimed, dramatically clenching my chest.

"The kind that doesn't want to go to jail. It isn't pleasant."

"Wait...you've been to jail?"

"I did some stupid shit when I was younger." I waited impatiently for him to elaborate. "I got caught underage drinking at some party when I was 16. I was so drunk I couldn't run when the cops came so I got arrested. My dad knew the police chief so I was able to go home without it on my record but only after I sat there puking my guts up." Knox chuckled under his breath as he told the story. "My parents were so pissed at me. I was grounded for 5 months."

My lips quirked into a smile as I watched him tell the story. He had a small smile on his face and his chuckle. It was a sound I wanted to hear again.

"And here I thought you were a golden boy." I smirked.

"I am far from golden babe." Knox leaned down, his lips grazed my ear and sent a shiver down my spine. The way his voice dipped lower made butterflies erupt in my stomach. And don't get me started on the fact he called me babe.

"N-no?" I stuttered out, mentally slapping myself at the fact my voice came out all breathy.

"Guess you'll have find out just how bad I actually am." I could have sworn I felt hit teeth nip at my ear before Knox pulled away, sending me a smirk before stepping up to the booth leaving me standing there dumbfounded.

Did he really just flirt and tease me?

"Do you want anything?" He then had the nerve to smirk at me over his shoulder. Gritting my teeth I made my way over to him. Little does he know I practically invented teasing

Yessss Knox and Aubrey flirting! Ugh they really are a perfect couple, they just need to embrace it already!!

Do you guys do any fun family traditions for Christmas? Or if you don't celebrate christmas what do you celebrate???

See you lovelies tomorrow!