Aiden's POV-

I knew that it was weird.. barely decorating a tree on Christmas eve. Most people do it close after Thanksgiving. But my mom had just always been so busy with work that she couldn't ever help us until Christmas even when she finally got off for the holiday.

I was nervous that Aubry was standing there and judging. I knew that was kind of stupid... I mean it was Aubry that we were talking about. However, I couldn't help my self-consciousness. I was just so used to people judging and looking down on me and my family.

When she said that her hesitance was due to the fact that she had never decorated a Christmas tree before... I was baffled. Before, when she said that she was doing nothing for the holidays, I hadn't realized that it was a common occurrence for her. I couldn't believe that she hadn't ever decorated for Christmas, or another type of holiday close to Christmas, before... It just goes to show how different some people's lives are from others.

All of my fear of judgment quickly dissipated and it was replaced with the want to show her a lovely holiday. To give her the holiday that she deserved.

----

Soon after the tree was done, my family began showing up.

I truly hadn't been told that Grams and Gramps were coming until late the night before. I knew that Aubry was going to be uncomfortable at meeting them. I mean, she was still uncomfortable when she came into my house with only my immediate family there. So, I knew that brand new people were going to stress her out.

I just had to figure out how to keep her calm. There was no reason to get anxious, my Grandparents were as sweet as could be and Uncle Chris was fun and accepting. However, I knew how anxiety could be... it was unpredictable and completely irrational.

I just hoped that I could make her comfortable enough to get her through the immediate stress.

"Don't worry! They'll love you! All of my sane family does!" I found myself reassuring her and grabbed her hand at the sight of her panicked face. I quickly realized how much I didn't want to let go.

When everyone came back into the room, I reluctantly let her pull her hand away. I wasn't sure why I was being so clingy and crazy over her. I was being ridiculous, frankly. It was crazy how all rational thoughts in my brain dissipated when it came to Aubry. My feelings were evolving too quickly for the small girl, and I was not comfortable with it at all.

Aubry took a step back and found her way behind me. That seemed to be her go-to when nervous, just hiding behind me like a child. It used to annoy the hell out of me, but it quickly evolved into a strange sort of endearment. Not mention, pride since I was the one that she was using as a comfort shield.

That being said, hiding behind me did absolutely nothing to keep my family from seeing her. As soon as my grandparents walked into the room, my grandma introduced herself and gave her a big hug. My whole family were huggers... It was rather annoying, but it was also kind of sweet.

I saw Aubry stiffen up and I immediately remembered her awful-looking ribs. I had to get her out of that hug. I knew that Aubry was too polite to decline, and I knew that my grandma probably didn't even give her the chance to. She was hurting, I could see it in her body language.

I quickly jumped into action and pulled Aubry out of my Grams' grasp. I knew I looked crazy, but I didn't care... I couldn't stand Aubry being hurt. Everyone looked at me like a lunatic for telling my grandma to let her go so abruptly.

"Sorry, she hurt herself yesterday when we were working out. She didn't want to be rude and refuse your hug. However, I'm sure that hurt her." I clarified before everyone could get mad at me.

Everyone's facial expressions softened quickly and my grandma gasped, "Oh heavens! I'm so sorry Aubry! You should have told me."

Aubry shifted uncomfortably at the attention as my mom changed the subject, thankfully. She was talking about the sleeping arrangements.

Honestly, the genuine appreciation that Aubry had on her face, even when she was informed she was being put on the couch, was so endearing and cute. I had it bad for the girl. What was wrong with me?! Still, I couldn't help to smile at her beautiful smile.

When my mom went to go answer the door and everyone else was talking amongst themselves she asked, "where are you sleeping, Aiden?"

I couldn't help the genuine smile that tugged on my lips, "on the floor... next to the couch."

The healthy blush that lit up her face was simply adorable and one of my favorite things that I had seen to date.

She opened her mouth to retort, but the voice of my crazy uncle Chris boomed through the whole house, "you must be Aiden's girlfriend!"

Before anyone else could say a single word, he wrapped Aubry up in a way too tight hug. Her gasp was in surprise, but also extreme pain.

Shit.

"No! Chris, get off!" I said pulling Chris a bit roughly making him let her go. Uncle Chris looked at me like I was a psycho but cooperated nonetheless.

"Dude! I'm your uncle, no need to be jealous... Even though I am better looking, but that's beside the point," Chris said as Aubry basically collapsed into my arms. Chris' amused smile quickly vanished when he saw her distress.

There were a few tears falling down her face. I quickly turned her around in my arms to face me. Her face was red and her chest wasn't moving at all as more tears began to form. I ignored everyone else in that room for that moment, and placed my forehead on hers letting her feel my presence.

"Aubry, breathe," her face was getting even more red and I held her a bit firmer. "Look at me," her tear-filled, green eyes quickly found mine. "Breathe, Aub." I ordered firmly. "Take a breath, you'll feel better once you get over the initial hurt. I know it hurts, but you have to breathe."

She finally took a shaky breath in and whimpered in pain. A sob broke through her lips as her chest heaved with ragged breaths. She almost writhed in pain.

I pulled her very gently into me and let her lean on me as she caught her breath. My fingers instinctively found her hair as I ran my hands through it in hopes to keep her calm. I just let her breathe while leaning on me until she was breathing normally again.

After her breathing was calmer and more steady, she peeled her head from my chest... both of our eyes widened when we realized that everyone was watching us in curiosity and wonder at our actions. I felt like I was under a microscope.

"So... Aiden under exaggerated a while ago. When he said that I got hurt yesterday, what he meant was that I broke three ribs while training," Aubry explained and feigned sheepishness.

"What?" My mom gasped.

"It wasn't that big of deal," she supplied quickly. "I was sparring with someone and I took one too many steps backwards then I fell off the platform."

My mom's eyes widened at her explanation.

"It's really not that bad!" Aubry tried to placate. "I asked Aiden not to say anything because I don't like people knowing when I'm weak," she added when my mom's heated glare turned to me. "We both just didn't want to worry anyone. I'm fine, just sore... ya know, broken ribs suck." The way she so easily talked was amazing. If I hadn't known the truth for sure, even I could have believed her.

"I'm so sorry," Chris said immediately looking at her apologetically.

"It's okay... You had no idea."

Everyone looked at us for a while before my mom finally spoke up, "I thought you were going to tell me when things happened at the gym?" She looked directly at me with a frown. Before I had a chance to defend myself, she turned to Aubry with concerned eyes. "Do you need me to examine them? I am a nurse."

Aubry shook her head at once, "no thanks. I went to the doctor, he said they're healing. I just have to be careful..." She was sure to give a reassuring smile making my mom relax a little.

Everyone looked around awkwardly for a few minutes not knowing what to say.

"By the way," Aubry finally spoke. "I am not his girlfriend."

Chris snorted out a laugh and clapped me on the shoulder. "Dang dude, you need to step up your game."

And just like that, the awkwardness was lifted from the situation and everyone was at ease... including Aubry.

-----

We did our normal Christmas eve thing that night. We ate a big dinner, caught up and told stories, we ate cookies and watched movies while drinking hot chocolate. Before long it was past eight in the evening and mom was telling us it was bed time.

She always made us go to bed early on Christmas eve. She always said that it was because Santa wouldn't come if we were awake, but we all knew it was because children, or Cece in that case, always tended to wake everyone up before six in the morning. She didn't want anyone to be cranky that early in the morning.

My mom ushered everyone back into the living room with a big smile, "Okay, on Christmas eve we all can open one gift."

It was a long running tradition in our family to open a pair of PJs the night before and wear them to bed.

"Come here," She said as she handed out presents to everyone.

Everyone got up and grabbed their wrapped gifts except Aubry. Mom just handed me hers as well, and I went back to the floor by the fireplace. I smiled at Aubry who looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

"I could have sworn your mother said one gift," she teased.

"She did." I told her with a smile. "This one is for you."

Her eyes widened at my words. "F-for me?" She asked, eyeing the package slowly with a look of disbelief.

I nodded and sat it in front of her.

Everyone opened their pajamas calmly with smiling faces. I watched Aubry as she slowly tore her gift open. The look of wonder on her face was so pure and loving in that moment. Her eyes widened when she saw the clothes that were waiting for her. Her PJ set consisted of polka dot green and red pants and a long sleeve bright red shirt. She smiled softly as she touched the clothes gently. She looked so genuinely happy at the gift.

"Thank you Dana! You didn't have to," Aubry said clutching the fabrics in her hands.

My mom smiled warmly at the girl. "Don't be silly!" My mom reassured her. "Okay everyone! Put the pajamas on and then off to bed! Santa won't come if you're awake!"

Aubry laughed at the saying. I helped her stand up as carefully as possible.

"I hope you don't mind sleeping in here, Aubry." Mom fretted again. Aubry instantly denied with a smile. "Aiden insisted on sleeping in here on the floor... However, if you're not comfortable with that in any way, I'll make him sleep with me or Chris. Just say the word, Aub."

Aubry chuckled at my mom. "Oh no, it's okay. He'll be fine in here. He doesn't bother me." She then lowered voice in a stage whisper, "But don't tell him that... He already has too big of an ego!"

My mom laughed heartily at her words and my mocking of them. "Okay, but there better not be any funny business... Aiden." My mom spoke sternly making me roll my eyes.

When she walked away, I looked over at Aubry and chuckled at her reddened face. It was cute how awkward and shy she could be, but so fierce and honest at the same time. It was all just so purely Aubry.

We both changed into our pajamas. By the time Aubry had come back into the room, I was just getting done setting up my pallet next to the couch. It was an involuntary reaction to smile at how cute she was in her too-big PJs. I wanted to chuckle at how much they swallowed her up and how innocent they made her look.

"Ready for bed?" I asked even Though I already knew her answer. The girl was always tired. It made me worry about her, but I had to trust that she was okay... I had to trust that she'd ask for help if she needed it.

She nodded eagerly and practically jumped onto the couch covering herself up with gusto.

I laughed at her reaction and settled into my spot.

"Goodnight Aubry..."

Aubry yawned and then sucked in a breath. "Aiden, thank you," she whispered. "For all of this... You're a good friend."

I grimaced at the word friend. It mocked me. Had I really been friend-zoned?

"Goodnight," she said sleepily as her hand grazed mine gently.

The thing was... her touches didn't feel friendly. They felt like much more than that... I couldn't be the only one that thought that, right?

No, that simply wouldn't do... I had to get myself out of the friend-zone. I had never been friend-zoned before, and I surely didn't want Aubry to be the first. I hadn't ever felt the things that Aubry made me feel before... I certainly didn't want to lose those feelings to a simple friendship. Aubry and I could be much, much more if we allowed it.

Was this me accepting my feelings for her?