I peeked my head into the doorway of my mom's room to see her actually standing up, looking at herself in the reflection of her mirror. I remember when I was little, how many hours I would spend staring up at her in amazement as she got ready, wondering what it would be like to get to wear such beautiful clothes one day, getting to wear makeup and knowing how to do my hair so perfectly.

I was so excited to grow up.

"Are you sure you feel well enough to go? I.. I really don't mind stay-"

"I'm okay." She said cheerfully. "Don't you worry. It'll be fun. And.. I want to see everyone again." She turned to me, giving me an excited grin. I could only hope she wasn't forcing it for my sake. I didn't want to push her, I just didn't want her missing out on another thing, especially since it was right next door; it would be no trouble to leave if she didn't feel well.

"You look so beautiful, Jaime." She said, I'm sure now trying to take the attention off of her. I couldn't help but smile, feeling my cheeks burn as I spun around, playing along. She had insisted that I go out and treat myself to something pretty for tonight; a gorgeous sparkly red dress with black suede boots and of course, the gold locket that Josh had given me.

"You can go finish getting ready, if you still need to." She said. "I'll be okay, I promise." I nodded, lingering in the doorway for a little bit longer before finally heading back down the hall to my room.

On my bed sat three perfectly wrapped gifts, brown paper tied together with bright red string, each with their own card; I don't know who's I was more nervous to give. I placed them all into a bag, and brought them downstairs, patiently waiting for her to be ready to go. Josh hadn't told me a specific time, just to come over whenever we were ready, so there was no rush.

I was just excited to see him again, wondering if maybe this time, tonight would finally be the night. I could only imagine, with everything he had said, what better time could there be? What else was he waiting for?

Eventually I heard my mom slowly making her way down the stairs. I listened closely, staying aware of any sign that she might need help, but she made it down on her own, flashing me a smile when she saw me standing by the door.

"You ready?" She asked, going over and grabbing her coat, draping it around her. I nodded, continuing to watch her as I grabbed my own. She shook her head, giggling to herself.

"Jaime, I'm okay. I promise. Please don't let this distract you from your night. I want you to have fun, not babysit me, okay? It's nice enough you're inviting me to Christmas Eve with your boyfriend, but-"

"He's not my boyfriend." I muttered. She smirked back at me.

"Whatever you want to call it. But.. I want you to enjoy yourself."

"Okay." I sighed, forcing a smile as I lead us out the door and across the lawn over to their house.

Before we even made it up their steps I could hear the Christmas music blaring from inside, the gentle roaring of loud talking and laughter, making me wonder just how many people were invited tonight.

"You okay?" She asked, gently touching my hand that held the bag of gifts. I nodded, knocking on the door with my other, feeling my heart start to beat faster. She knew how I got with large crowds. But even still, I felt silly. They were practically my family, why did I always get like this?

"It's gonna be okay. Just have fun." She said simply.

"You too." I added. She nodded, giggling to herself.

"I'll try my best."

And soon enough, the door swung open and we were greeted with a clearly already intoxicated Sam who didn't hesitate to reach out and pull me into a tight hug.

"Jaime!" He called out, rocking us back and forth. Before I could react, he backed away, moving on to Mom, pulling her in and squeezing her tight.

"Mrs. Adams! We're so happy you could come. It's been forever. You've always the life of the party." She smiled, this one appearing to be much more genuine, hugging Sam back as tightly as she could.

"Oh, I missed you, honey. Look how tall you've gotten. Not our little Sammy anymore, are you?" He shrugged, he eyes jumping from me, back to her.

"I guess not." He said shyly. "Oh, um.. sorry. Yeah. Come in." He laughed, moving out of the way, letting us in, holding his arm out to me.

"I'll take your coat." He insisted, holding his stare on me for a moment before seemingly snapping out of it, turning towards my mom next, holding out his other arm.

"And your's too, of course."

She slid hers off, carefully placing it in his arms, reaching out and gently pinching his cheek.

"You are such a sweetheart." She said, now looking around. "Where's Leah? Is she here yet?" Sam then instantly shot me a look, as if wondering how she could have even known about Leah. I shrugged, giggling to myself as he shook his head, smirking back at me.

I had mentioned her a few times when I was telling her about my flight, how nice it was to have someone else there with me, someone I could see being a potential friend in the future. But after Sam and I's last conversation, that dream suddenly became short-lived.

"Yeah, um.. she's.. she's not gonna make it tonight. Um.. family stuff. But.. m-maybe tomorrow!" He said, as convincingly as he could managed. But the look in his eye told me that he had already made up his mind.

And that she wouldn't be coming over tomorrow either.

It made me sad, knowing that Sam deserved so much, but also relieved to know that he knew that too. So many people settle for the wrong person to spend their life with, and I was thankful knowing that that was never something he would do.

Whoever he ended up with, it would be meant to be.

"Anyway!" He said, wanting our attention to be taken off of that as quickly as possible. "Drinks are out! Food is out! Gifts are out! So, go have fun!" He motioned into the kitchen, keeping his stare locked on me.

"Well, don't mind if I do." Mom said, making her way, now leaving Sam and I alone. His eyes shot down to the bag in my hand, his smile growing.

"Are those for me?" He asked, his smile growing as he reached out for the bag. I quickly pulled it away, shaking my head as I tried to hold in my laughter.

"One of them is." I said. His eyes instantly lit up.

"Really? You got me something?"

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" He shrugged, his eyes still never straying away from mine. I was suddenly starting to become aware of the fact that I had never really stared into his eyes for this long, never noticing how his deep share of brown sparkled once it hit the light in such a way.

"Are you saying you didn't get me one?" I joked. He shook his head.

"Of course I did, Jaime." He said softly, his cheeks now burning red.

"You really did?"

He had never gotten me a present before.

"Mhm.."

"What is it?" He playfully rolled his eyes, scrunching up his face.

"You know I'm not gonna tell you that. You'll see when it's time."

"Okay, well, when is that?"

"When I decide it is, now come on. Let me get you a drink."

"I don't know, the last one you made for me was a little dangerous." He shook his head, laughing as he now lead us both down the hallway and into the kitchen, bee-lining for the bar on the other side. I stayed close, not wanting to lose him in the large crowd of people that I hardly recognized. Then I felt him reach back, gently grabbing onto my hand, guiding me the rest of the way.

"Wine, right?" He asked, grabbing a bottle of red and pouring it into a glass without even waiting for an answer.

"Mhm.." I said, now looking around, trying to catch a glimpse of someone I knew, and then I saw him.

Josh made his way through the crowd stopping and greeting everyone he passed with wide grin and a slap on the back, until his eyes finally met mine. He was so handsome, his hair freshly cut again, wearing a dark green button down and white jeans, somehow managing to look so simple but so put together. It was impossible to take my eyes off of him as he made his way over, reaching up and holding my face in his hands, pulling me into a long kiss.

My heart jumped, now instantly made aware of everyone that could be watching, but just as quickly, they all faded away and it was like we were the only two in the room. I grabbed onto his shirt, kissing him back before he finally moved away, flashing me a toothy grin.

"You are stunning." He sighed. "And look at us, so festive together. It was meant to be."

And he was right.

It was meant to be.

And I was going to make sure that it happened.

Tonight.