The final week of school came and with that, winter break started.

Yuri received on the very last day of school, a text from her parents that said the following:

Yuri, I am afraid your mother and I cannot return home in time for Christmas. I am deeply sorry but we will send you some extra money so you can buy yourself something nice as a present and again, please forgive us.

The shy girl read it like it was nothing, as this wasn't the first time this happened, however that didn't mean it didn't make her sad in the inside, after all, nobody enjoys spending Christmas alone, or at least not her, but she tried to not let it bother her.

A few days later, Christmas Eve came and in the early morning of that Saturday she woke up with the usual pretty sight next to her.

Yuri remembered for some reason what day it was and it kind of made her feel down. The purple haired girl wrapped her arms around her lover and buried her face in the crook of her neck looking for some comfort.

Natsuki's eyes opened when she felt some of Yuri's hair tickling her neck and then she noticed her girlfriend clinged to her, presumably awake already. "Morning purple apologiser", Natsuki said returning the embrace and planting a soft kiss on top of her girlfriend's head. "Good morning darling", Yuri said trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Are you okay? You sound weird?", Natsuki asked running her fingers caressing Yuri's hair. "Yes, I am just still a little sleepy", Yuri replied. "Hmm okay, then try to sleep a little bit more", Natsuki said feeling a little worried, and with that Yuri tried to do as her girlfriend said, hoping that would help to forget about what made her feel down that morning.

Later that day, Natsuki was cooking breakfast as usual, wearing a pink apron Yuri got her last month. The taller girl meanwhile, was setting the table and then decided to speak. "S-So, what are your plans for today, love?", Yuri asked. "I told you, my dad said we'll have some Christmas dinner with my uncle and my grandma who are coming over", Natsuki said turning her head a little to glance at Yuri. "A-Ah, yes, part of his therapy, right?", Yuri said, remembering what Natsuki told her some days ago. "Yep, he has to rebuilt his relationships with all of those he pushed away because of his drinking problem, starting with the most important people, this was a very good and convenient occasion as well", Natsuki explained. "I see", Yuri said trying to sound nice. "And this is the first time in years we actually are gonna spend Christmas as a family too", Natsuki added smiling. "I am happy for you", Yuri said smiling back. "Your parents are coming back today, right? Maybe I should come and introduce myself properly...", Natsuki muttered that last part. "Yes, they should be home anytime soon", Yuri said of course knowing she was lying, like she did a few days ago when Natsuki asked her about it, after all she didn't want to spoil her first family reunion in years just because of her selfishness, she thought.

Around noon, Natsuki was about to leave, as she had to be home and help her father to get everything ready for that night when her family shows up. At the front door, after a nice goodbye kiss Yuri held Natsuki by the wrist just when she was about to walk away. "What's up? You forgot something?", Natsuki tilted her head in her lovers direction. "My parents are not coming back today", Yuri said unable to look her girlfriend in the eye. Natsuki made a concerned expression that quickly change to a smiley face as an idea crept to her mind. "Let's go back inside then", Natsuki said dragging her girlfriend back inside the house. "W-W-Wait! I do not want you to miss your family reunion because of me", Yuri said as Natsuki dragged her. "I ain't missing anything, you're coming with me, let's go get anything you need before we go, come on", Natsuki said smiling sweetly at her girlfriend as they stopped in the living room. "B-But what will your family think...", Yuri said looking to the ground worried. "Well, we already have my dad's blessing, so that's not a problem! And for what I remember about my grandma, she was a very sweet person, I'm sure she'll love you! My uncle, well I don't really know him that much but he'll have to accept you anyway", Natsuki said flashing a toothy smile at her lover. "Y-You really think so?", Yuri asked shyly. "Of course! Now come on purple worrier, let's get your stuff ready!", Natsuki said squeezing Yuri's hand reassuringly while the taller girl smiled warmly at her lover.

Later that day, the couple arrived at Natsuki's home and were received by a much better looking Naoto. "Welcome back, kid. Oh if it isn't Yuri!", Naoto said as he got up from his precious couch and went to greet the purple haired girl properly. "Good afternoon, sir, I mean Naoto", Yuri said politely. "That's more like it, what brings you here today kid?", Naoto asked with a smile. "I invited her to spend Christmas with us, papa", Natsuki said still holding her girlfriend hand. "You're more than welcome! Now please, umm sit down, do you want something? Water, coffee?", The pink haired man asked. "No, I am good, thank you", Yuri replied politely. "Well sit down anyways let's chat for a bit, it's been a while since I last saw you", Naoto said excited. "Alright, alright, papa, give her a break at least", Natsuki said rolling her eyes smiling. "Haha sorry", the now not so skinny man said rubbing the back of his neck.

Yuri couldn't help but notice how different Natsuki's father was from when they met. The man was skinny, sloppily dressed and well, not in the best mood. Now he looked healthier and was a really nice guy. "So how have you been, Yuri? Does my daughter treat you well?", Naoto asked with a cheeky smile. "Papa! Stop embarrassing me!", Natsuki said blushing. "What? I just asked her how she has been!", Naoto chuckled. "I have been well, thank you. And yes, Natsuki treats me very well, better than I could ever ask", Yuri replied with a happy smile which made Natsuki blush and look away embarrassed. "I'm glad, told ya she's a good kid", Naoto said proudly. "The best", Yuri said smiling warmly looking at the cute girl next to her. "Can you two stop embarrassing me for a second?!", Natsuki said blushing madly. "Okay, okay, geez", Naoto chuckled along with Yuri.

"You look, umm, healthier now", Yuri said smiling politely. "Yeah, therapy does wonders, not a single drop of alcohol in my body in a while", Naoto said proudly as they continued their little conversation. "Well, let's start getting everything ready for tonight, care to give me a hand Natsie?", Naoto said to her daughter. "Yeah, no prob", Natsuki said standing up. "I-I will help too!", Yuri said following Natsuki. "No, no, no, you're our guest", Naoto said waving a hand. "Papa, please, just let her help me okay?", Natsuki said looking at his father in the eye. "Hmmm fine then, thank you girls", Naoto gave in.

Yuri and Natsuki set up the relatively small Christmas tree together. It was a little bit shorter than Natsuki and not as fancy as the one she had somewhat stored at home but she definitely preferred this one, because there was actually someone else to see it with her.

Later, they helped with cooking the dinner after Naoto came back from the store with some pasta ingredients and some chicken to cook, all while Natsuki's dad did some cleaning.

Finally, the three of them had some time to rest and talk before around 8, the first guest had arrived.

Natsuki ran to the door after hearing the door bell ringing and was met with an elderly woman with short and white hair, dressed in a beige coat  to protect herself from the cold outside. "Nattie! I can't believe it's you! Look at you all grown up!", the old woman said hugging Natsuki the instant she saw her. "I'm happy to see you too, grandma", Natsuki said patting the old woman's back.

The old woman then came inside after hugging her granddaughter for almost a minute, only to meet her son and a new face with long purple hair. "Hello, mother", Naoto said standing in front of her mother who hugged him as well. "Nao, I'm so glad to see you well", the woman said sweetly. The man couldn't hold back a couple of tears.

"And who this pretty one here might be?", the elderly woman said now smiling sweetly at Yuri. "H-Hello, I am Yuri, it is a pleasure to meet you", the taller girl said blushing lightly a little nervous. "She's my girlfriend, grandma", Natsuki added clinging to Yuri's arm and resting her head on her shoulder. The old woman stared for a bit with eyes wide open only to then smile sweetly again at the two girls. "My name is Yoshiko, and it's a pleasure to meet you too, Yuri, welcome to the family! Now come and give your grandma a hug you two!", Yoshiko said inviting the two girls to her open arms. Yuri and Natsuki smiled blushing lightly and then proceeded to do as she said.

After sitting down and catch up for a while, the door bell rang again a few minutes later, this time Naoto standing to receive who was probably his brother.

Natsuki glanced curiously at the short man with red hair in a bun and the man almost the same height with short blue hair entering behind him. "Hello, everybody!", the red haired man said waving a hand. "Good evening", the blue haired man followed. "I'm seeing new faces here, what's your name girl?", The red haired man said smiling at Yuri. "My name is Yuri, sir. It is a pleasure to meet you", Yuri said bowing her head a little. "My girlfriend", Natsuki added holding Yuri's hand. "Wooo! You're on team gay too Nat!", the red haired man said with a wide grin on his face walking towards the couple offering them a hi five. "What", Naoto looked confused. "Allow me to introduce to you, my husband. His name's Taro", the red haired man said wrapping an arm around the blue haired man's shoulder. "It's a pleasure to meet you", Taro said. Naoto's eyes were wide open still while Natsuki and Yuri were now smiling at each other. "Why don't you look surprise mother", Naoto finally asked. "I have met him before, I was quite surprised when he told me the first time though", Yoshiko replied. "So that's why you weren't so surprised when you met Yuri", Natsuki pointed out and her grandma nodded. "I'm Homare by the way, nice to meet you Yuri", the red haired man added waving at Yuri.

With Natsuki's family now reunited, everyone went to the table to eat the dinner Yuri and Natsuki had cooked while they continue their talk and catch up. "So, when's the wedding girls?", Homare asked grinning at the pink and purple couple. Natsuki then almost choked on the piece of chicken she was eating, with her face a mix of red and purple while Yuri patted her back face red as well.

Everyone in the room then laughed and waited for Natsuki to recover. "Hahaha, just be sure to invite us when it happens", Homare added. "I'm banning you two from my wedding!", Natsuki said extremely embarrassed pointing at her two uncles. "What did I even do?", Taro asked followed by another laugh in the room.

Yuri had her face red as Persephone's hair, looking at the ground unable to speak. Natsuki then noticed and was about to ask when she realized what she said, as she didn't even denied the idea of marrying Yuri. "I-I-I didn't-", Natsuki started muttering. "Do not say you didn't mean it please", Yuri muttered in a barely audible voice which caused Natsuki to blush even harder. "Yuri, what are you planning to do after you graduate from high school", Yoshiko asked to break the tension between the girls. "E-Eh? A-Ah, umm I want to go to college and study to become a writer", Yuri said shyly trying to recover her cool. "That's interesting! Do your best", Yoshiko smiled sweetly.

Eventually both girls went back to the conversation normally, trying to forget about the marrying thing for the moment.

The family then returned to the small living room after finishing everyone their dinner.

They all sat down continuing their conversation while everyone drink some punch. Yuri then shyly wrapping her arm around Natsuki's waist pulling her closer as she had been keeping some distance since the wedding topic was mentioned. Natsuki didn't protest and rested her head on Yuri's shoulder, both smiling warmly while they listened to Homare talk about all kinds of stuff.

Around midnight, everyone wished each a merry Christmas, hugs everywhere and finally called it a night.

Yoshiko hugged the pink and purple girls one more time before saying goodbye. "It was so lovely to see you again Nattie, and a pleasure to meet you Yuri, please come visit your grandma sometime you two", the old woman said headpatting both girls. "We will, grandma", Natsuki said smiling sweetly.

"You two make a great couple, keep in touch with your partners in crime huh, girls", Homare said hugging the couple as well.

"I can see there's true love between you, keep it like that", Taro said as he said goodbye to the girls, and finally the three members of Natsuki's family left.

Despite some embarrassing or awkward moments, Yuri had really enjoyed the night of that Christmas Eve. For the first time in years she felt the warmth and love of a family characteristic of these festivities and was never more grateful for having met Natsuki.

The couple then headed to Natsuki's room to get some sleep after saying goodnight to Natsuki's father.

Natsuki's bed was smaller than Yuri but it was enough for both girls to fit there, although a little bit too close to each other. Not that they cared really.

Yuri wrapped her arms around Natsuki and started giving her multiple soft kisses on her cheek that made the pink one giggle quietly. "Feeling happy, babe?", Natsuki asked. "It cannot be any other way when I am with you", Yuri said nuzzling her face against Natsuki's soft pink hair. "Cheesy dummy", Natsuki said kissing Yuri's lips lovingly. "Thank you for letting me spend this special day with you, I-I... I really hope it is the first of many yet to come", Yuri said shyly. "Of course, my blooming violet", Natsuki said rubbing Yuri's cheek. "I really like that one", Yuri said rubbed her nose against Natsuki's. "Of course you do", Natsuki giggled. "I will forever love you, please let me be by your side", Yuri said closing her eyes as she felt the relaxing soft breathing of Natsuki. "Always and forever, I love you too, Yuri", Natsuki said kissing Yuri's forehead softly as the two traveled to the land of dreams in each other's arms.

As the sun rose and entered trough Natsuki's window, Yuri was the first one to get up and quietly walk to her bag in the corner of the room, pulling out a small box wrapped in red paper. The taller girl then went to put it under the tree where she noticed another present, presumably from Natsuki's father.

A few hours later the three reunited again in the living room ready to exchange some presents as the tradition dictated.

Natsuki first opened her father's present as her face of astonishment said it all. "I, umm, I thought you didn't like me reading this", Natsuki asked confused as she stared at the manga volume that was her first ever one and her father had ripped off the day he found it. "That's in the past, I, umm really hope I got the right one", Natsuki's father said. The shorter girl then hugged her father for the first time in years. "Thank you, Papa", Natsuki said. "Thank you, kid", Naoto said hugging back her daughter with some tears rolling down her face. Yuri simply stared in silence happy for her lover.

Going back to business, Yuri then handed her present to Natsuki who eagerly opened it only to see a couple of heart pendants, one pink and one purple. Yuri then took the purple one and put it around Natsuki's neck while the shorter girl stared with sparkling eyes and light blush on her face. "You have my heart, now, will you give me yours?", Yuri asked as she put the pink pendant on Natsuki's hand and waited. Natsuki then smiled sweetly and put it around her girlfriends neck, sealing the deal with a loving kiss on Yuri's lips. "That answers your question?", Natsuki said pulling away from the kiss, holding Yuri's hands and smiling warmly at her lover, and with that the couple spend their first Christmas together, the happiest the had ever been.