Running around the truck, he pulled her door open before she had a chance to touch it.  The smile on his face remained in place even as she glared at him.  Was it weird that he found her glare cute?  She was like one of those ferocious cats, who only really wanted to be petted. 

“Don’t worry,” he told her with a smile.  “Soon enough, I’ll have you purring.”

She froze in her place and looked at him with complete disbelief on her face.  “You did not just say that.”

“I think I did.  Come on; we don’t have all day.  My mom will be busting out of the house if we don’t hurry.”

As he walked past her, he snagged her hand.  His once cold ones turned warm at the contact, and his thumb made circles on her hand.  If felt strangely right.  Tugging her towards the door, he let out a chuckle when she groaned in frustration.  Her angry act was definitely cute.

His steps were careful, making sure that Faith didn’t slip on the small patches of ice on his parent’s sidewalk.  Stepping up the stairs, his free hand reached for the doorbell, but before he could touch it, the door swung open.  His mom pulled him into a hug.

“I missed you so much,” she mumbled into his ear.  “Don’t stay gone for that long again.”

He pulled back from her with an amused expression.  “I saw you two days ago.”

“Too long,” she insisted, her eyes darting towards Faith.  A large smile crossed his mom’s face as she looked at their entangled hands.  Faith attempted to tug hers away, but he wouldn’t let her.  She could try to run later.  Right now, he was bringing her into his family home, whether she liked it or not.

“Hello, I’m Faith.”

He glanced out of the corner of his eyes to see Faith send his mom the same smile he had seen earlier as she worked with the people.  It was genuine, happy, and had a little bit of something that he couldn’t put his finger on.  Was it caring?

His mother made a small squealing sound before wrapping Faith into her arms.  His mother’s brown curls slapped him in the face as she squeezed Faith.  “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted him to bring someone home.  For a time, I thought he didn’t like women, but was too afraid to tell us. I would love him no matter what.  Wait, I take that back.  If he would have been married to a man and didn’t adopt me some grandchildren, then, I would be a little inclined to be angry with him.”

Strong arms freed Faith from his mother’s grasp.  Smiling at his dad, he tipped an imaginary cap at him.  “Hey, Dad.”

His dad nodded before looking at Faith will slight suspicion.  “He didn’t pay you to come, did he?”

A blush bloomed on Faith’s face as she tugged her coat lower to cover her legs.  “No, I promise he didn’t, and the outfit can be explained.”

“Outfit?” his father asked.  “What’s wrong with your outfit?”

“Um,” she mumbled uncomfortably.  “It’s meant for a woman two feet shorter than me.”

His parents laughed while motioning them inside.  “Hurry up inside before you freeze to death,” his mother said before mumbling, “Too short, who would have thought.”

Faith sent him a panicked look that he just shrugged at.  She was about to meet what a whirlwind his family was, and he honestly believed she would enjoy it.  He wouldn’t have brought her here in the first place.

First to spot them was his cousin.  The man jumped from the couch, his little wife right next to him.  They approached him with smiles on their faces.  “It’s good to see you,” his cousin mumbled before raising an eyebrow towards Faith.

“This is Faith,” he paused, not remembering her last name.

“Anderson,” she supplied.  “Faith Anderson.”

“You don’t even know her last name?” his father asked in disbelief.  “If you’re going to hire someone to be your date, you might as well get your stories straight.”

“I did not hire her,” he said in a clear tone, hoping his father would understand.

His father just winked at him.  “Sure, you didn’t, son.”

“Anderson,” his cousin mumbled.  “I know that name.  Hey, you wouldn’t happen to be the one whose father used to own the mall down the road?”

Faith’s grip tightened on his hand, and he looked down at her in concern.  Her once free smile was now tight around the edges.  The rosiness on her cheeks had turned pale.  “Yes, he was my father.”

His cousin winced.  “I read about what happened.  I’m sorry for you lose, and who would have thought that-”

“Okay,” Faith interrupted a little too loudly.  “Where is the eggnog?”

His mother popped to her side.  “Oh, I’ll show you, dear.  Plus, this way, I can get to know my future daughter in law better.”

His mother grabbed Faith’s arm to lead her away, but Faith wouldn’t let go of Nick’s hand.  “You’re coming with me,” she whispered.  “There is no way I’m answering all your mother’s questions without you there.”

“They would be good questions,” he promised. 

“Maybe for you,” she mumbled, “but being called a daughter in law when I’ve only known you for a day is not something I want.”

His mom gently tugged on Faith’s arm, making them both turn quiet and follow her to the kitchen.  He looked down at his hands.  It may not be what she wanted, and it may not even be what he wanted, but he made a promise to himself right then.  Before they went their separate ways, he was going to show her how great Christmas could be.  From now on, he was going to be her own personal Santa.