"Bella! Get up, it's Christmas!" I heard Violet shouting. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. The room was warm and I had two blankets over me. I was comfortable. I heard Mom calling my name Got up and put on my slippers walking outside. I had already kept the gifts under the Christmas tree.

I was supposed to buy Nicholas' and Xavier's gifts from here so I got them yesterday. I walked down to find everyone sitting on the couch. Mom handed me a cup of hot chocolate as I yawned. It was 8 in the morning and I wanted to sleep.

I sat down as Violet was the first one to open all her gifts. Mom and Dad had gotten her a new laptop and some clothes. Xavier had gotten her a gift box with a lot of things in it; candles, perfume, and his hoodies. I had gotten her a Polaroid camera, and Nicholas got her a gift card again.

Then Mom and Dad opened their gifts, and Nicholas got them a gift basket from their side. Xavier opened his. Nicholas got him an Xbox, Vi also got him a gift box that he didn't open, and I got him a leather jacket. He thanked everyone. Mom looked at me. "I am not going to Mom, I am still sleepy," I said. Vi handed me a box and so did Xavier. I put my mug away and grabbed Vi's box. There was a beautiful necklace inside it. I smiled thanking her. I then opened Xavier's gift and it had matching earrings to it. He smiled sheepishly and I hugged them both.

"Thank you so much!" I said. Now they handed Nicholas two boxes. He looked confused as he opened Violet's box. Vi gave him Gucci sunglasses and Xavier gave him an expensive watch. "Now can I go back to sleep?" I asked standing up.

"Honey! We didn't give you a gift!" Mom said facepalming. "Can we do this later?" I asked. Dad and Mom grabbed my hands and pulled me to the garage. We stopped at the door. I walked out confused and my eyes widened. "You didn't!" I shouted squealing as I walked to the car. "Oh my god!" I said touching the beautiful Audi R8 in pure white color.

I turned to Mom and Dad and hugged them. "This is the best gift ever!" I said the smile was not leaving my face. "Wow!" I said as they gave me the keys and I opened the door to get in. After ten minutes of just admiring the car, we all walked in.

"How did you know I wanted this car?" I asked. Mom and Dad could afford it but I wanted to buy one on my own. Dad's business was doing exceptionally well. "Well, we had a little help," Vi smiled looking at Nicholas. I looked at him. "What? You talk a lot," he said. I rolled my eyes but hugged him anyway. "You know I wanna kiss you?" I whispered.

He easily caught me when I threw myself at him. "This is not my gift, I want more than a kiss when you see it," he whispered before pulling away. I smiled and hugged everyone again. Then mom and dad asked us to get ready and I had to help mom prepare the dinner.

I got ready in a sweater and some leggings. Helping mom to prepare mince pie, meatloaf, and roasted chicken with mushrooms and wine sauce. There was champagne and chocolate cake for dessert. It took us almost six hours to make dinner. We took a small lunch break in between. The table was set, and everything was ready.

"I'll go get ready," I told Mom before heading upstairs. I took a shower and blow-dried my hair. I grabbed the white full-sleeved dress that ended above my knees. Matching it with the necklace and earrings I received today. I was about to do my make-up when there was a knock on my door. "Come in!" I said. Nicholas walked in and I smiled turning around.

"Hey! Thank god you are here, I wanted to" He pecked my lips. "Sorry, couldn't resist," he smiled. I just blushed, grabbing the bag. "Okay here," I said, handing him the bag. He opened it up and looked at the two frames. There were two photos I had gotten of him. The frames said, family and friends. The family had a picture of him, Xavier, and his parents, and the friends had a picture of me, him, Kevin, Xavier, and Vi that we took at the dinner.

He looked shocked at first but then his eyes softened. "Always remember that there are always people there for you," I said, hooking my arms around his arm. He then further took out another box that contained a black watch from Guess.

He gave me a side hug thanking me. I put my hands forward and he chuckled, putting a box in. my hand. It was a beautiful small intricately designed diamond necklace.

I smiled. "It's beautiful!" I said, looking at it in awe. "I am glad you liked it," he smiled. I was about to kiss him when my phone rang. He groaned. I picked it up and put it on speaker. "Merry Christmas Bells!" "Merry Christmas to you too Kevin!" I smiled and motioned Nicholas to wish him as well. "Merry Christmas Kevin," he said. "Nick! Merry Christmas!" "Isabella, thank you for the coffee machine!" he said. I laughed. "Okay, I got to go! Have fun! But not too much," he said, hanging up.

I rolled my eyes, setting the phone down. I grabbed him by the neck and kissed him. His hands went around my waist and he pulled me closer kissing me deeply, our tongues molding into each other. I groaned into the kiss when I felt his smirk. His hand started to go towards the hem of my dress when I stopped him. "Nic," I said, pulling away a little, making him groan.

I sat down on the dressing table quickly doing some light makeup. The necklace looked beautiful. Nicholas just sat down typing away on his phone. Once I was done I walked to him. "Let's go?" I asked. He nodded and kissed me again. He was wearing a dark blue buttoned-down shirt with black jeans. "Why are you hiding my hickey?" he asked. "Cause I'm pretty sure Mom and Violet saw it yesterday!" I said hitting him.

We both walked downstairs. Amelie and her family were already there. She hugged me and we greeted everyone. Soon everyone was busy with conversations. Amelie's younger sister who was 12 years old was playing with Violet. Nicholas, Dad, and Amelie's father chatted about business. Mom and her mother were gossiping and I just sat down on the couch.

"Did you like the car?" she asked. "Like? I loved it!" I squealed. "I knew it! Nicholas knew exactly what you wanted," she smirked. "Can you leave it alone?" I groaned. "Come on, you guys are both hot! You guys would make some beautiful babies!" she said. I rolled my eyes. I looked at Nicholas and he was already looking at me. He winked and I blushed and looked away.

"Awww!" Amelie squealed loudly, making everyone look at her. My eyes widened when her mom asked what happened. "Oh, we were discussing a movie story. The hero got her a gift and they have these cute moments where they look at each other and he winks at her and she blushes," she said smiling. "Awww!" Mom, Vi, and even her sister!

I just sank in my seat and Nicholas smirked. Soon we all sat down at the dinner table and Everyone dug in. Amelie was sitting to my right and Vi was on my left. We had a fun dinner. Everyone was sitting around as Mom brought in the dessert. I cleared everything. And stood up only for the doorbell to ring. I walked to the door and opened it to find Aaron standing there. "Oh My Gosh! Hi!" I said pulling him in for a hug. He was our neighbor and one of my childhood friends. We grew up together. His sister and Violet were best friends and so were we, his family walked in and greeted everyone.

"I heard you were back," he said sitting down beside me. He was a year younger than me. So when I moved out for college we lost contact. "Yeah, every year," I smiled sitting down. "So how is New York?" he asked. "It's amazing! Guilty, but I love it more than London," I said. It was true. It was my home now."Bella!" Xavier said, pulling me out of the conversation and dragging me to the game they were playing. Violet grabbed Nicholas and Aaron and his sister joined in with Amelie. Nicholas sat beside me and I smiled at him to which he just scowled. I rolled my eyes. Really? We were fine like ten minutes ago!

"So understood?" Vi said. "What?!" I asked if I hadn't paid any attention. "It's Never Have I Ever," she said, handing me champagne. I grabbed the glass.

"Never Have I Ever went Skinny Dipping," Xavier, Vi, Amelie, and Aaron drank and so did Nicholas.

"Never Have I Ever Slept with a coworker," Amelie said, smirking at me. I looked at Nicholas but no one drank.

"Never Have I Ever Thought my crush's sibling was hot," Xavier said. Violet drank, making Xavier scowl at her.

"Never Have I Ever Kissed my coworker," Violet said. Everyone drank. Violet looked at me to explain but I just ignored her.

"Never Have I Ever liked someone and never told them," Everyone drank when Aaron said that.

A few questions later I was tipsy. "Isabella, honey please come here," Mom said I got up but stumbled a little but Aaron caught me. "Aaron, I'm fine," I said. He let me go. I looked at Nicholas to find him staring at me angrily. "What are you looking at?! Get up!" I said to him. He got up immediately holding me against him.

"Nicholas? Who let her drink? She is lightweight!" Mom said and I moved forward hugging her. "Momma!" I said. "Nicholas, dear, take her to her room," Mom said, passing me to him. "Nicholas!" I said hugging him. "Ela," he said as he picked me up bridal style. "Why didn't you tell me you can't drink?" he asked. I smiled, poking his cheek. "You have a well-defined jawline," I smiled.

"Of course," he smirked. "I hate it when you smirk, you know you don't have to pay taxes to smile," I laughed at my joke. "Shut up and go to sleep," he said entering my room. He placed me on the bed and was about to get up when I pulled his hand and he dropped beside me. I laughed at his cute face and placed my head on his chest.

"I want to see your abs," I said, poking his hard torso. "Isabella," he warned, grabbing my hand and placing it back down. I pouted a little before closing my eyes. I placed my hand around his torso. He pulled me closer and I smiled. "I like Nicholas," I said drifting off to sleep.

I woke up the next day feeling fresh as ever. I got up and showered. Getting ready and sat down at the dining table when Mom gave me some juice. "What happened last night?" I asked. "You got drunk with champagne!" she said. The others sat down at the table. Xavier high-fived me and Dad kissed my forehead before sitting down. Vi was half asleep. "Honey, I was going to the office today, you wanted to tag along?" Dad asked. I nodded. "Why don't you take Nicholas with you guys?" Mom said. "No Mrs Kingston, I have work, I wouldn't want to intrude," he said.

"Nonsense, you can work there in her cabin!" Mom said pointing at me. I just shrugged. "You know what you should come, let's see what you got," Dad said. We got done with breakfast and we all walked out. "Let's take my car!" I squealed. "I'll be going for meetings. I have to take my car honey," Dad said. "Okay," I sulked.

"I could drive your car, you can go in with her," Nicholas suggested. Dad looked at him suspiciously before handing him the keys. My dad and I got in and Nicholas followed us to the office. We jammed to our favorite songs. My dad and I would always do that when I was young. It was our tradition. I loved how comfortable the car was. I parked and Nicholas parked beside me. We all got out. Dad's company was on the 6th and 7th floors of the building.

The day had gone by very quickly, Nicholas told Dad his strategies and how he could expand his business. Dad was very impressed and I was bored. They had been sitting in the cabin for the past hour and a half. I was here to enjoy not get bored. Violet and Xavier were sightseeing around London. More like a date. I rolled my eyes. I groaned, putting my head on the desk. The door opened but I did not attempt to move. "Ela?" Nicholas said. I looked at him angrily. "Oh you know I am alive?" I asked. He chuckled while sitting in front of me.

"How can I forget?" he asked, grabbing my hand. "Done talking to dad?" I mocked. "Yeah, he is gone for his meeting," he said. "Oh, so I am second preference?" I asked. He got from his seat and pulled me to the couch. "Of course, not. He said you would be fine. I didn't know you were bored!" he said, pulling me close.

"Can we go somewhere?" I asked. He nodded. "Come on! Show me what the city has got!" he said. I nodded and pulled him up with me as we left.

"Let's go to the Harry Potter Studios!" I said. He groaned. I glared at him and he complied. We were soon walking in Diagon Alley. "Do you remember this place?" I asked. "Yeah this is where he got his school stuff," Nicholas said. "Yes! Now let's go, there is a gift shop here," I said, pulling him in.

I was looking around for something to take with me. When he pulled me to a counter. "It should fit her," he said pointing at me. The salesman nodded gulping and handed me a bracelet. It had Harry Potter charms on it. It had 15 charms on it. Sorting Hat, Nagina, Hogwarts Express, Gryffindor sword, Platugler, Nimbus 3000, Hogwarts, Hedwig, Harry's Glasses, Sacr, scarf, Dragon, Wizard.

I smiled at it. "This is so cool!" I said. He paid for it and we walked out to explore around. Soon we came to a bakery. "BUTTERBEER!" I said pulling Nicholas with me. "You aren't drinking!" he said, pulling me away. "It doesn't contain alcohol," I tried to reason but he just ignored me. After some time we just walked around the streets.

"You like walking a lot, don't you?" he asked. "I do! I mean if you live in New York or London, it's worth it!" I said. We walked back to my car and we got in driving back to the house. My coat was keeping me warm and my boots were cold from the outside from all the snow. I parked my car and was about to get out when Nicholas stopped me. "You remember what happened yesterday?" He asked. I looked at him confused.

"When I was drunk?" I asked. He nodded. "No?" I said. "You like my jawline?" he smirked. My eyes widened. Oh No! What did I say? I just got out of the car and so did he. "Ignore me all you want, Ela, the truth is out," he said as entered the house. Everyone was already in there sitting and talking. Aaron and Amelie were also there.

"Oh Hi!" I said hugging her. "Freshen up!" Mom said. I smiled at Aaron before walking to my room. Changing into some warm clothes I walked downstairs. Mom handed me two cups of hot chocolate and I sat down beside Nicholas handing him one. "So Isabella, I was thinking-" "You think?" Nicholas muttered I looked at him shocked. Okay. "That we could go out like old times," he said. Vi rolled her eyes.

"Umm... I would love to but I have to stay at home. I have very little time to spend with my family," I explained. "Next time?" I asked. He nodded awkwardly. Nicholas placed his arm on the armrest behind and smirked at Amelie who slightly cheered his cup.

I looked at them confused. Aaron's phone rang and he excused himself. Amelie burst out laughing. "Poor guy," she said. "He is just wasting his time," Nicholas replied. I just drank my chocolate. "So how was the office?" Amelie asked. "Oh, it was fine," I said. Aaron came back and said he wanted to leave so he left and then we continued talking.

"What are your plans for New Year's?" She asked. "Nothing as of yet," I said. "What? Come on! There is a party at Jessica's!" she said. "Then absolutely not!" I said Jessica was the queen bee of our high school. Gosh, I hated her.

"Come on!" she said. I just ignored her and helped Mom set the dinner table. Soon everyone walked in. "I'm not staying for dinner but let me know," she said. I nodded as she hugged me and went back to her house. The dinner went by smoothly and I went back to the room tired, I slept off the minute my head hit the pillow.