"I love the smell of chimney smoke during the holidays," I inhale a deep breath of the chilly air and let it out. "It makes it feel like the holidays. Don't ask me why because I don't have the slightest idea why."

"That's so funny because I've always thought the same thing," Harry says as we take the final step up to the porch.

"Just another thing we have in common," I offer and he grins in acknowledgement.

Gemma knocks a cute little rhythm on the door and it's only seconds later that Anne opens the door, greeting us with her lovely smile.

"Happy Christmas, my lovelies. Come in, come in."

I gesture for Michal and Gemma go in first since they're carrying most of the food bags and with Harry's hand on my elbow, I guide us inside.

"Happy Christmas, Anne," I greet her with a kiss on the cheek.

"You as well, love. And Happy Christmas, my dear, sweet boy," she coos, cupping both of his cheeks.

Harry groans with a tight-lipped smile, no doubt from being embarrassed by Anne's show of affection in front of me, "Happy Christmas, Mum."

Anne beams with pride and turns her attention to Maggie, "And Happy Christmas to you, too, good girl. Okay, why don't you all hand me your coats and I'll hang them up. Is everyone is ready to eat? I just took the roast out of the oven not ten minutes before you all arrived."

"I'd say that's perfect timing and yes, m'ready to eat. It smells divine and I'm starving," I place my hand on my belly for emphasis, earning a grin from Anne. The sweet and spicy aroma from what I assume are the candles that are lit on the decorated fireplace's mantel makes it feel warm and welcoming and the minimally decorated tree adds to the holiday ambiance. "You have a lovely home. It feels so . . . homey."

"Thank you, JJ. I just love the holidays and what it brings. I'm a sucker for everything holiday related."

"Oh me, too. I need a whole box of tissues when I watch a sappy romance movie that takes place during the holidays," I quickly realize my mistake and I clear my throat in the awkward silence. "Would you like me to put the presents under the tree?"

"I can do that, darling. Why don't you, Harry and Maggie go into the kitchen with Gemma and Michal? I'll be right there."

Nodding with a smile in acknowledgement, I place my hand on Harry's shoulder so I don't startle him and I slide my hand down to his hand. "Ready, love?"

"Lead the way," he says and I start walking us into the kitchen. With Michal and Gemma busy with unpacking the bags of food, I come up with a brilliant idea.

"I can help by getting the beverages."

"That would be lovely. The glasses are in that cabinet to your left above the wine refrigerator," Gemma points across the kitchen and Harry gently squeezes my hand.

"I can help you, if you'd like."

"Yeah, I would like that," I reply and his grin widens, making his dimple pop in his left cheek and I start leading us over to the cabinet. "I'm guessing everyone wants wine?"

"You're at our family's holiday gathering, so your guess would be one-hundred percent correct," Gemma says, earning laughter from all of us.

"I don't blame you, but I'm a bit surprised."

"Why's that?"

"Well, because your family is what some would call the 'perfect family.' Whereas my family . . ." I trail off, wishing I hadn't said anything and I clear my throat. "Uhm, Harry, love, would you mind showing off one of your many talents by pouring the wine with your special technique, please?"

"Of course. If you hand me the wine glasses and bottle of wine, I'll start pouring."

I'm grateful he has taken my cue to not continue on with what I said and I reach down to get a couple bottles of wine for us to start with.

"Here you go. I'll just pop off the corks and . . . then I'll guide your hands . . . here's the wine bottle and the first glass."

"Thank you, JJ, and prepare to be amazed."

"Hmm, I already am."

"Oo," Gemma's taunting tone earns our attention. "It appears that my baby bro isn't the only sweet talker in the relationship, hey?"

My cheeks instantly warm in embarrassment which only makes Gemma and Michal continue with their teasing noises.

"What did I miss?" Anne asks and I smile nervously.

"N-nothing," I squeak out, immediately clearing my throat. "Since Harry's pouring the wine, can I set the table?"

"I've already done that, love. You just enjoy yourself. But, if you would like to do something, you can help me bring the food to the table."

"Yes! I mean, yes," I repeat at a softer level, walking over to the island and she hands me two knitted pot holders. "Oh, these are lovely."

"Thank you. My mum made them for me, before the arthritis became too much for her."

"That makes them all the more special then, for the memories," I offer and she smiles in acknowledgement.

"Gram knitted anything and everything under the sun," Gemma says, almost as if she's reminiscing.

"It's lovely to have nice memories of those who aren't here with us any longer. I felt that for my uncle who passed not two months ago. It was strange not having him around the dinner table or opening presents with us. But I know he's in a better place now."

"That's right," Anne sympathetically says. "Our loved ones will always be in our hearts and memories."

"Yes," I nod with a smile and blow out a breath. "Okay, before my mascara is completely ruined, let's get this food to the table."

She smiles knowingly at me and places a covered dish on the pot holders in my hands. I wait for her to get a dish and I follow her into the dining room. Once we set the dishes in the middle of the table, I head back into the kitchen and I accidentally bump into Michal.

"Oh my gosh, m'sorry."

"It's okay, although I'm glad I'm not wearing this pâté."

"Me, too. I was looking forward to trying it sans your jumper."

We exchange awkward smiles and I move away from the doorway so he can get by since he's carrying the food. Gemma follows right behind Michal with the basket of bread rolls and I notice Harry pouring wine into the last glass. I decide to wait until he's finished as to avoid another potential disaster.

"I know you're right there, love," he says somewhat smugly, taking me by surprise.

"How-"

"I could sense your presence," he simply says, holding up two glasses of wine. "Could you carry these for me, please?"

"Yeah, of course," I readily say, walking over to him and Maggie huffs out a breath. "Would you like to help, too, good girl? Yeah?"

Harry smiles at my interaction with Maggie and he sets down the glasses, "C'mere, love."

"What?"

"Nothing. I just want to hug my girlfriend."

"Hmm, okay, but if this is some kind of ploy to get me close-"

He fake gasps, "I'd never."

"I was right from the start; you are trouble. But I've always liked trouble."

He smirks, holding out his hand for mine and I place my hand in his. He guides me closer to him and as I wrap my arms around his shoulders, he places his hands on my hips. In this moment where we have some privacy, he leans down and I meet him halfway for a kiss.

My lips part at his request and he grips my hips even tighter to pull me closer to him. I inhale sharply through my nose, carding my fingers through his hair on his nape and I let out a moan.

"There's no need for mistletoe when it comes to you guys snogging, hey?" Gemma says and Harry and I lean back, looking over to see her smiling smugly. "We can't very well have Christmas dinner without the wine, now can we?"

"Y-yes, we were uhm, just about to uhm," I hum in thought, scratching my head and searching for an excuse, "ah, we were going to bring the glasses a-and wine. Right, Harry."

He smirks, "No. We were snogging. I had no intention of bringing the wine right now."

"Thanks for backing me up, boyfriend," I sarcastically say, rolling my eyes.

"Okay, okay, since it's the holiday, I won't tease you two anymore. That can be my gift to you, Baby Bro."

"Gee, thanks," Harry lets out a laugh. "I hope you didn't go over your budget or sprain anything while shopping."

"Alright, that's enough of that," Gemma says with a smile. "I'll grab these two glasses. C'mon, let's eat."

"Oh my God," I glance up at Harry, unable to hold back my laughter now. "Okay, let's just forget about this embarrassing moment and enjoy the rest of the evening."

"Yes, let's," he readily agrees.

"Do you want to carry two glasses or the bottles of wine?"

"I think it would be best for the flooring and my Mum's rugs if I carry the bottles, corked, of course."

"You're so thoughtful. I'll guide your hands and . . . there you go. I'll grab these glasses and if you link your arm, I can still guide you now."

"I like when you guide me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he smiles and I start leading us into the dining room.

Everyone is in their chairs at the table, with Maggie in her designated food area next to the table and I lead us over to the two empty chairs together.

"Here's the back of the chair," I quietly say, guiding his hand there.

"Thank you, love. Are you going to sit next to me?"

"Mm, I think I'll sit next to Maggie."

He laughs at my joke and our laughter seems to attract attention.

"I think you've found your match, love," Anne says in a teasing tone and I smile nervously at her as I take my seat. "Now that everyone is here, I'd like to make a toast."

I guide Harry's hand to his wine glass on the right of his plate before taking mine and we all hold our glasses up.

"Here's to the season of love, hope and new beginnings. May this upcoming year bring us new blessings and opportunities for us to grow individually and closer together. Cheers, my darlings."

"Cheers," we collectively say before taking a sip.

"Now let's eat," Michal says, reaching for the dish closest to him.

As I take a spoonful of mash, I lean in close to Harry's side, "Do we want to do this like we usually do?"

"If you wouldn't mind," he replies with a grin.

"Of course I don't mind. Here's some mash and the butter dish is somewhere, I thought I s- ah, here it is."

"JJ, love, I'll trade you the green beans for the mash bowl."

"Sure thing, Gemma. Here you are and thank you. Mm, I love a good green bean. I'd say it's my favourite vegetable," I say, spooning some onto mine and Harry's plates. "What's your favourite vegetable? I don't think we've mentioned that before."

"I'd have to go with sweet corn."

"I do believe I saw-," I pause my words to rephrase. "Ah here's the bowl of sweet corn. I think I'll have a scoop as well. Yum. Now for the roast, which smells divine . . . there we go. Alright, and to top it off with a dinner roll. And we have meat at noon, mash at three, veggies between three and nine."

"Thank you, JJ," he quietly says, matching my volume and I look over at him with a smile. "I appreciate you doing that for me."

"Of course. I love you."

He grins, "I love you, too."***

A/N: The crazier this world gets, the more I wish I were a character in a fanfic. If you could be any character, movie or fanfiction, who would you be?

If you liked this chapter, you can press the star to vote ⭐️ and/or comment your lil hearts out. I appreciate it 🤗

I'm hoping my headache and body aches are just from the stress of everything that's going on and deep cleaning/sanitizing my apartment lolololol 😭 It's 8pm on a Saturday night and I'm ready for bed lololol

Stay safe.

Much Love.
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