The morning sickness hits me in full effect. I threw up three times this morning before dragging myself downstairs. I'm wearing Jake's oversized hoodie and a pair of striped pajama shorts. My cheeks are flushed pink and I don't have the energy to run a brush through my hair. When I enter the kitchen, Aunt Myra gives me a sympathetic look.

"I remember how awful the morning sickness was with my two. Here, have a ginger biscuit. It should help," she slides the biscuit tin toward me.

I mumble my appreciation for her before dropping down at the dining table. My hands find their way to my face and I release a dramatic groan of discomfort.

"I already hate being pregnant and it's day two."

Aunt Myra laughs before placing a cup of tea in front of me. I rip off the lid of the biscuit tin and gather five ginger biscuits before dunking them into the tea. When I begin chewing, I'm surprised to find the nausea fading. Is there anything Aunt Myra can't do?

"You're like Super Mom... I'm going to need all your help when this baby comes," I say quietly.

I should be asking my own Mom for advice, but I haven't heard from her in almost a year.

"You're going to do great, honey. You're a natural born care-giver and you have the Melvin family right here to support you."

Her words lift me with joy and sadden me at the same time. If only the rule applied all those years ago when Jasmine's future was uncertain. I can't shake the thought of leaving Jake's little sister to live with Peggy knowing she isn't being cared for as a child should. I swirl the ginger biscuit around in my tea while sinking deep into thought. Aunt Myra gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before slipping out of the kitchen. It's like she can sense I need to be alone with my thoughts. Seeing Jasmine and Peggy yesterday caused a whirlwind of emotions inside me. Jake is right...It's in our nature to give this child the best possible life. I place a trembling hand over my stomach before glancing down at it. I've heard talking to your child can help build a bond, but I haven't tried it yet. There's something about speaking to my stomach that is going to make it wildly real for me and I don't want to freak out anymore than I already have.

The kitchen door swings open and Jake steps inside. He's wearing a shirtless vest with a pair of running shorts despite it being freezing outside. Sweat lines his forehead and his hair is damp from the intensity of his run. He looks good... He always looks good. I didn't hear him sneak out of bed this morning, but I figure the short-lived interaction with Peggy has left him with internal frustration. He's always used exercise as an escape for when he's troubled. He walks toward me, steals a ginger biscuit and plants a kiss on the side of my forehead. "Good morning, beautiful."

"Mmm. I don't feel so beautiful today. I threw up three times this morning," I tell him with a grimace.

I don't know a thing about being pregnant but I have time to figure it out. I have an appointment booked in two weeks time with my doctor. To say I'm nervous to find out how far along I am in the pregnancy is an understatement. The thought of seeing our unborn child on a scan also freaks me out. What if I'm not ready? Jake's brows knit together with concern after hearing about my eventful morning. He places both of his palms on the dining table before leaning down to stare into my eyes.

"You okay?"

"I am now. Ginger biscuits," I say before holding up the last two.

"Your Aunt Myra is a goddess sent from the Angels above."

My stomach rumbles loudly in protest for real food and Jake shoots me an amused smile.

"Do you have an appetite for my world famous pancakes?"

"Yes. Apparently now I'm starving," I say with a sheepish look on my face.

Jake pulls out the ingredients for the pancakes before washing his hands. He turns his head to look at me and his eyes drop to my stomach.

"You are eating for two now so it's understandable," he mimics Tobias' voice before rolling his eyes. "Seriously, what is wrong with him? I could have killed him with my bare hands right at the dinner table," Jake tells me.

I giggle before nodding my head in agreement. I know his frustration with Tobias is short-lived. They've come a long way from the constant arguing and hostility. It's nice to see them repair their relationship and go back to being a family.

*

The fire is roaring in the living room, Christmas music plays in the background and the tree lights twinkle. It's the middle of the day but the weather is dark and gloomy outside. I don't mind. Time should be irrelevant during the Christmas period and I love nothing more than cosying up with Jake by my side. All of Jake's family squeeze onto the sofa and we begin exchanging the last of the presents under the tree. The fight with Pops yesterday doesn't seem to have ruined the vibe too much. That's precisely what I love about the Melvin's... No matter what life throws at them, they keep going.

I gesture at a small pink gift bag sitting at the bottom of the tree.

"That's for you, Ivory. It's from me and Jake," I tell her.

She grins with excitement before lunging for the gift bag. Jake slides an arm around my shoulders before pulling me into his chest. He presses a kiss on the center of my forehead before breathing me in.

"I still think we should have bought her condoms," Jake mutters to me under his breath.

I giggle before swatting his chest.

"It's too late for us," I hit back at him.

His blue eyes ignite with an amused sparkle.

"You bought me a necklace? Oh my god, I love it," Ivory gushes as she removes the necklace from the box.

I beam with pride because I spent hours searching for the perfect Ivory stone.

"Thank you," Ivory says before walking over to me. She gives me a quick hug before moving over to Jake. When she pulls away, I'm surprised to find Tobias standing by the tree with a small boxed gift in his hands. He looks sheepish, almost as if he wishes he didn't have an audience for this. He walks over before holding his hand out toward me. I blink with surprise. The gift is for me?

"This is for you. Merry Christmas, Em." Tobias says quietly.

I feel the silence envelope the room like an uninvited guest. My eyes drop down to the small box wrapped in shiny black paper. Beside me, I feel Jake stiffen for a brief second before he pushes the emotion aside.

"Y-you didn't have to get me anything, Tobias."

"Why not? You're part of the family now. Besides, I saw it at the store and I immediately thought of you," Tobias says to me.

I smile up at him before taking the box from his hands. His words leave behind warmth in my chest and I reach up to wipe my eyes. I didn't anticipate being accepted so warmly by Jake and his entire family. Especially not Tobias. I spent so many years wishing I could have a family just like the Melvin's. My Christmas was spent locked away in my room so I didn't have to face Mom or risk being abused by Trevor. He'd drink excessively on Christmas which meant the violence became worse for me. I dreaded Christmas day and I thought I was destined to fear it for the rest of my life. I know this Christmas hasn't gone to plan, but I'm sitting with people who love and support me unconditionally. Safety, a warm home and a loving family is true wealth in my eyes.

"That's sweet of you, honey," Aunt Myra says to her son.

He shrugs casually but I don't miss the way his lips tug upward into a brief smile. He spent a long time feeling excluded from his family, mainly due to his own obstacles. It's a relief to know he no longer feels alone. Tobias' actions may be controversial most of the time, but I still care about him. I know how much he means to Jake and he helped me through a dark time when I needed someone who truly understood.

"Aren't you going to open it, Muffin?" Jake murmurs down to me.

His fingers draw circles on my shoulder and I nod my head before peeling off the corner of the wrapping paper. I feel all eyes on me as I slowly begin to unwrap the present. The doorbell suddenly rings and I exhale a sigh of relief before jumping up from my seat.

"I'll get it!"

I pull open the front door before coming face to face with a girl I've never seen before. Her dark hair is curled to perfection, she's wearing a perfect layer of makeup and her green eyes sparkle with light. I suddenly feel incredibly underdressed standing in front of this model. My lips tug upward into a smile.

"Hi, can I help you?"

She glances at my outfit and her lips tug upward with amusement. I feel my warm aura beginning to fade when she stands up on her tiptoes to look past me into the house.

"Excuse me?" I question her with a subtle frown on my face. She turns her attention back to me before forcing a smile on her perfectly glossy pink lips.

"Hi! I'm looking for Jake or Tobias Melvin. They still live here, right?"

"Who's asking?" I question her further.

Maybe she's a distant relative of the Melvin's. I hear Jake laugh loudly from inside the house and the girl's eyes light up with excitement. She takes a step forward with interest.

"Is that Jake? Can I talk to him?"

She continues to step side to side in an attempt to look over my shoulder into the house. I close the door over slightly with a hint of frustration. Hearing her light up at Jake's laugh doesn't sit well with me.

"Who are you?"

She releases an exaggerated sigh, almost as if I'm the inconvenience for questioning why she's standing on Jake's doorstep. Her eyes dart back to me and she plasters another sickly sweet smile on her face.

"I'm Violet," she introduces herself before sticking out her hand.

I stare back at her in shock and confusion. Violet, as in Jake's ex-girlfriend? Violet, as in the girl who broke his heart by cheating on him with Tobias? Violet, the girl who's responsible for ruining Jake and Tobias' relationship for years? Oh, hell no.