Liam slid his arms gracefully around Essie's waist, sliding one hand up to her back and dipping her slightly just before his lips made contact with hers.

Essie felt electricity pass from her lips all the way down to her toes. She expected the kiss to be short and sweet, but when Liam pressed his mouth more firmly against hers, she felt like she was going to crumble in his arms. He continued to pull her tighter, deepening the kiss until she felt just the mild teasing of his tongue against her mouth.

Oh, he was so cruel to make this kiss so good when she knew what his true intentions were.

She finally heard Abigail say, “Get a room!”

Essie started laughing and Liam followed suit. When he pulled away from her, Essie saw something in Liam's eyes that she hadn't seen yet. But she couldn't quite figure out what it was.

Essie resumed her hasty retreat from the kitchen.

She rushed outside, her feet clad only in slippers, and she took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

“Holy shit!' She breathed. “What did I get myself into?”

When she went back inside, everyone was finished eating breakfast. She was thankful for a few moments to eat in peace.

“Hey, kiddo,” Louis said.. “Do you want to play football with us?” It was a Richards family tradition to play flag football whenever they were all together.

“In the snow?” She asked. She finished washing the last dish from breakfast.

“Sure, we've played in the snow before,” Louis reminded her.

“Yeah, but it's like snowmageddon out there.”

“Well, if you're not up to the challenge, I understand,” Liam said as he entered the kitchen. “I told you, I'm pretty good, so if you don't want to get massacred, I understand.”

“Oh, I'm playing,” Essie said defiantly. “I'm definitely playing.

The game was intense with both sides putting up a good fight, but Liam eventually led his team to victory. And Essie was on the other side.

As they headed back to the chalet, Essie packed together the biggest, tightest snowball she could, and she ran up behind Liam, nailing him square in the back.

He stopped dead in his tracks. Essie thought that maybe she had pissed him off, but then he turned around with a wicked grin.

“So, you didn't get enough of being defeated at football. Now you need me to teach you a lesson in the art of snowball fights?”

“You're from England; what do you know about snow?” Essie challenged.

“I know enough to do this!” And he pulled her easily into a headlock and started throwing snow into her face.

“Stop!” She squealed. She wriggled out of his grasp and taunted. “A face wash! Is that all you got?” Then she took off running, diving behind a small row of snow-laden shrubs. Soon Abigail joined her, and Louis joined Liam around the side of the chalet. The girls came up with a strategy; they would belly-crawl until they were out of the boys' sight. They stashed several snowballs into their coats and then laid siege on Liam and Louis' fortress from behind. The boys were totally blindsided.

Essie attacked Liam while Abigail ran after Louis. Essie smashed snowball after snowball into Liam's face. He was laughing in between snowballs and finally gained the upper hand against her. He grabbed her wrists, the way he had done when he took the cell phone from her. Except this time, there was mischief in his eyes.

“You are so going to regret that,” he said with a devious smile on his face.

“What? Another face wash? I can handle that, I'm pretty tough,” she challenged.

With that, she tore away from Liam and raced towards the house with Liam only inches behind her. He finally tackled her into the snow and gave her the face wash of the century.

Liam ducked inside the chalet while Essie squeegeed her face.

When she got inside, she glared at Liam. “This is not over.”

“Oh, yeah, darling. It is so over,” he laughed and then hurried upstairs to change into yet another set of dry clothing.

Essie changed too, and then she sat down at the piano in one of the living rooms. She warmed up a little bit and then started playing a random Christmas carol. She didn't realize that Liam had come in until he sat down on the bench next to her. She finished the song, and Liam proposed, “Heart and Soul?”

Essie wagged her head at him. “Cliché much?”

Liam ignored her and start playing the low part, so Essie joined in with the high part. Then Liam surprised her by singing the words, which she didn't even know existed. But the surprising part was his smooth, lyrical voice.

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do
madly
Because you held me tight
And stole a kiss in the night

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored,
Lost control, and tumbled overboard,
Gladly...
That magic night we kissed,
There in the moon mist.

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling,
Never before were mine so strangely willing.

But now I see, what one embrace can do,
Look at me, it's got me loving you,
Madly...
That little kiss you stole,
Held all my heart and soul.

They finished the song with Liam belting out the last few lines. Essie laughed and said, “You have a really good voice. I'm impressed.”

“Thanks,” he said humbly.

Mrs Richards came in and said, “Liam, would you like to lead a Christmas carol sing-along?”

“Mom, I usually do that!” Essie whined.

“Oh, Essie, don't be so selfish. We can change up tradition once in a while,” her mother said.

Just before Liam started to play, there was a knock on the door. Essie rushed to open it and found her 87-year-old grandmother, shivering dramatically.

“Could this place be any further out in the wilderness? I had to stop at three bars in order to get here.”

“To ask for directions?” Mr. Richards asked, taking his mother-in-law's coat.

“No, nimrod, to have a few drinks so I didn't go crazy finding this place!” She snapped.

“Grandma, you can't drink and drive!” Essie exclaimed.

“I can. I'm 87 years old and who knows how much time I've got left. I plan to live every day to the fullest...And don't call me Grandma!”

Grandma Madge was Mrs. Richards' mother and she was the most ornery, obstinate and opinionated old lady in the world.

When Grandma walked into the living room and saw Liam sitting at the piano, she suddenly turned on the charm. “Well, hello there, I'm Madge,” she gushed as she held out her hand to Liam.

He stood and took Grandma's hand, kissing it gallantly. “Liam. Charmed, I'm sure.”

“Well, aren't you a looker?” She said.

“Grandma!” Abigail yelled.

“Don't call me that!”

“Mom, we were just about to do the Christmas carol sing-along.”

“I'll be ready after I have some of your famous eggnog,” she said, heading toward the kitchen. “Where's the bourbon?”

“Mom, there's already bourbon in the eggnog.”

“Yeah, but not enough!”

When they got back to the living room, Liam started playing and singing and everyone was mesmerized by his smooth, velvety voice.

Every round of applause pissed Essie off more and more until she was sulking in the overstuffed chair by the fireplace.

Liam noticed she was feeling left out, so he said, “Hey, Essie, come on over here. Let's play something together.”

“No,” she grumbled. “Nobody wants me to play the piano and sing now that you're here.”

Mrs. Richards snapped, “Essie, stop being a baby! You are being very rude to our guest and boyfriend.”

“Fine,” she grumbled, dragging her feet like a 5-year-old to the piano bench. She plopped herself onto it and slouched down, flopping her hands onto the piano keys.

Liam laughed loudly and put his arm around her, tugging her closer to him. “What are you doing?”

“I'm being a baby, apparently.”

He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her temple. Then he said, “You're my baby.” Everyone “awwwed” again while Essie suppressed a gag. Not that she didn't like Liam's lovey-dovey act, but it was too over-the-top.

And it hurt because she knew he meant none of it.

He started playing a medium-tempo, jazzy number and a smile of recognition crossed Essie's face.

“You know this one, then?” Liam asked, still playing.

Essie nodded.

“Okay, then you have to start,” he nudged.

I really can't stay
        Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away
        Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been
        Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
        I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry
        Beautiful, what's your hurry?
My father will be pacing the floor
        Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry
        Beautiful, please don't hurry
Maybe just a half a drink more
        Put some records on while I pour

It wasn't long before Essie was singing her heart out, forgetting that her parents had jilted her yet again. Her voice melded together with Liam's in a divine way, even if it was a fun and light-hearted song. She enjoyed hearing their voices in harmony.

I've got to get home
        Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat
        It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand
        Thrill when you touch my hand
Why don't you see
        How can you do this thing to me?

There's bound to be talk tomorrow
        Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied
        If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay
        Get over that hold out
Ah, but it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside!

They finished with laughter and everyone applauded wildly. Liam even got caught up in the moment and gave Essie another little peck on the lips.

“That was wonderful, Liam! Just fantastic!” Mrs. Richards complimented him.

Essie widened her eyes and cocked her head, looking at her mother as if to say, What about me?

“Oh, Essie, don't be an attention hog.”

Essie stood up, pursing her lips, and left the room quietly. She hated her parents most of the time, but she was a grown up and could handle it. She could keep her distance and limit her contact with them. But it was at times like this when she felt like a small child again, desperately wanting her parents' approval, but only ever receiving their criticism.

She wandered up to the hidden stairs that led to a cupola at the top of the chalet. It wasn't really meant for people to inhabit, it was just big enough for Essie to curl up with her thoughts.

 If I go to prison, I will tell them not to let my parents visit, Essie thought.

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"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is my all-time favorite Christmas song. This version is sung by James Taylor and Natalie Cole. :D