Hang all the mistletoe,
I'm gonna get to know ya better.
This Christmas. 
And as we trim the tree,
How much fun it's gonna be 
Together...

~Chris Brown

Christmas Eve. I could be plopped in front of the TV with my parents, watching Christmas movies and drinking hot cocoa like we had done every year for as long as I could remember. But nooooo. I was in Edd's living room. Covered from head to toe in tinsel. Honestly, it was better than Christmas movies, if Nat would stop his goddamn screeching along with every song that played. "Feliz navidad, feliz navidad!" he howled as the others began to chime in. "C'mon Kevin, it's Christmas Eve! Join in on the festivities!" Johnny yelled, letting out a short laugh. I rolled my eyes, unable to stop the small smirk as I began to belt out, "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heaaaart!" Edd's giggles made me stop, though. He stood in the doorway to the kitchen with one hand over his mouth and the other holding a tray. Sarah continued to dance around me, throwing silver and gold tinsel at me. Jimmy danced with her, throwing green and red, making me look like Christmas upchucked all over me. "My, my. You look quite festive," he snickered as he set the tray aside and came over to me, kissing me sweetly. Moving my arms, and knocking tinsel all over the floor, I wrapped him up in a tight hug, burrowing my face in his shoulder. "Kevin, you're getting tinsel on me," he sighed. "I know," I replied, wiggling against him as Sarah and Jimmy continued to throw the itchy, shiny mess. "Now you're covered, too," I smirked.

He kissed me once. Twice. A third time and I was already feeling lightheaded. "Alright, lovebirds, get a room!" Nazz shouted, throwing candy at us from her spot on the couch in Marie's lap. "Don't mind if we do," I chuckled, sweeping Edd off of his feet and into my arms. Everyone laughed as Edd thrashed in my arms, his face bright red. "Put me down this instant!" he squealed. "You heard them, babe. We've gotta get a room," I teased. A small plastic ornament bounced off of the back of my head, which everyone responded to with more wails of laughter. I turned my head to see Eddy standing with another ornament ready to throw. "Put him down, Shovel Chin," he demanded with a devilish smirk. I set Edd gently on his feet, stalking toward Eddy slowly with a smirk to match his. "Whatever you say, Skipper," I taunted. He hurled the ornament at me, and I turned to the side, dodging it easily before tackling him to the ground. We wrestled around on the floor for a minute before May's giggles stopped us. "You guys are under the mistletoe!" she gasped as she clutched her stomach and laughed harder. I looked up at Edd helplessly, and was met with a shrug. "It is tradition, Pumpkin," he said. I blushed at what would probably be his new nickname for me, still holding Eddy in an armbar. "Kiss, kiss, kiss!" everyone chanted. Eddy looked at me in horror as my face neared him. I quickly kissed the palm of my hand before slapping him lightly on the cheek. In seconds I had let him go and scrambled to my feet. Sarah skipped over to him, offering her hand to help him up.

He stood, and pulled her to his chest in a tight embrace before he laid one on her. It was Sarah's turn to blush as everyone hollered and teased. Ed had a murderous look in his eyes, but was soon calmed by May's gentle touch. "I thought we were to begin the opening of gifts," Rolf complained. Edd fluttered around the living room, heading for the tree in the corner. "Yes, of course. My sincerest apologies everyone. I nearly forgot about the presents!" It went from a room full of rowdy teenagers to a room full of eager children in seconds. We all sat around the tree with wide eyes as Edd picked up one present at a time, handing them out. "To Rolf, from Johnny. To Ed, from Sarah. To Marie, from Nazz," he read aloud as each present was passed to its owner. I had a small pile of presents, from the dorks and Nazz, before my boyfriend handed me a long, thin present. I tore into it eagerly to find a framed Star Wars poster. "Thanks babe! I love it!" I grinned. "YOU like Star Wars?" Marie giggled. "What a dork!" Edd crawled over all of the wrapping paper in the middle of the floor, sitting in my lap and draping his arms over my shoulders possessively. "Well, he happens to be MY dork," he retorted, sticking his tongue out at her. "Double D, you're the biggest dork of 'em all. Maybe that's why you two go so well together," she joked, throwing a wad of wrapping paper at him. He caught it, throwing it back and pegging her in the face. "Nice shot babe," I murmured, putting my hand up. He high-fived me, flashing that 100-watt smile. Nat pouted as he sat among a pile of gift cards, clothes, and wrapping paper. "Most people never find the kind of love you guys have. It's too perfect! I want something like that," he sniffled. "You can't have it. You're too much of a ho!" Nazz shouted from the other side of the room, causing everyone to laugh again. "Oh, c'mon! It's Christmas! That's ho-ho-ho to you!"

"Alright everyone, if you will assist me in repairing the damage we have all done to my den, we can start the Christmas movies," Edd announced, trying to stand up. I pulled him back down to my lap. "Just a second, mister. You didn't open my present," I whispered, shoving a large box into his hands. "Kevin, what is it?" he murmured, looking at the box like he could see through it. "Open it and you'll know," I replied. He tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a wooden crate filled with books of every genre (including a copy of A History of Western Philosophy), a laserpod room light, a pair of SuperMario pajama pants, a box of assorted herbal teas, a Rubik's cube coffee mug, and a Hogwarts Ravenclaw cardigan. "Ta-da! It's your own, personal Dork Care Package, made by me," I grinned proudly. He set the crate aside, burrowing his head into my chest and nuzzling against me. "Thank you so much. It's wonderful," he sighed happily. I stood carefully with him in my arms, setting him gently on his feet. "Nat, put on something other than Christmas carols. It's time to clean house," I called. "On it, Sweet Cheeks," he replied. "You heard the man! Up and at 'em, you guys!" Ed shouted, grabbing handfuls of wrapping paper. Sarah scurried off to find a broom to clean up the tinsel while the rest of us gathered up all of the garbage that flooded the living room. As we joked and danced around, Edd didn't seem all there. His smile may have been because of us, but by the look in his eyes, it was clear he was a thousand miles away.

"I'm going to make some popcorn. Help yourselves to the confectioneries, cocoa, and eggnog," he said, gesturing to the tray on the coffee table. Grabbing a candy cane, I followed him curiously. "Double D?" I called, standing behind him in the kitchen. "Doooork," I tried. No response. "Babe! What's wrong?" I asked, hugging him tight from behind. He stopped his movements, his shoulders slumping. "My parents...they won't be here for Christmas again. It's the third year in a row," he mumbled, his voice cracking at the end. "Aww, babe," I sighed, turning him around to face me. "Don't get sad. You've got a family that wants to spend Christmas with you. They're all out there," I said, pointing to the living room. "You don't need them around for you to be happy. You proved that already. Besides, I'm not going anywhere. You've got me, always." He looked up with watery eyes. "Always?" he whispered. I leaned in close, pecking him softly on the lips. "Always," I repeated, sticking the candy cane in my mouth and turning to walk away. "Hurry up, Dork. We're all waiting on you," I added. His laughter trailed after me as I walked back into the living room. I couldn't help the smile that spread to my face. That laugh, it made my heart flutter. I sat down, still grinning like a fool...until Marie hit me with a pillow. "Why ya smilin' like that, Lover Boy? Did Double D promise you an early Christmas present?" she taunted, waggling her eyebrows. "I don't know, Marie. Did Nazz promise you one yet?" I shot back, taking pride in the embarrassment on her face.

By the end of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we were out of eggnog and candy. We were quickly going through the hot cocoa and popcorn; by we, I mean Johnny, Rolf, and Ed. My boyfriend got up to put on Scrooged when Rolf bust out the champagne bottle. "Smart Ed-Boy, where do you keep the glasses?" he asked. "In the cabinet above the sink," he answered absentmindedly as he rewound the VHS. "I'be gotit!" Jimmy lisped, skipping off to the kitchen. "That boy is gay as hell, guarantee it," Nat proclaimed. "Jimmy? Nah, he's just a little in tune with his feminine side," Johnny defended. Edd pressed play and settled back into his place on my lap comfortably as Jimmy returned with several different cups. Rolf poured out the champagne, and Jimmy handed the cups out. Edd held one of the few champagne glasses, swirling the bubbly liquid around and staring into it thoughtfully. "Alright dudes, Christmas is a time we appreciate what and who we have in our lives. I appreciate my awesome girlfriend who has been through all my hardest times with me the last few months, especially coming out to my family. What are you appreciative of, Double D?" His bright blue eyes snapped up to my best friend before scanning the room carefully. "I-if I'm being honest, I appreciate all of you. I do not have to be lonesome during the holidays, nor do I feel lonely because I have such lovely friends," he answered before looking at me. "What about you, darling?" I rested my chin on his shoulder, thinking long and hard about my answer. "I appreciate you, Double D," I murmured, "because you make me truly happy." He flashed his gap-toothed smile, taking my breath away. "Sarah, your turn," I coughed, ducking my head behind Double D's shoulder to hide my blushing face. "I'm thankful to have such a sweet, protective brother, even though he is a dummy sometimes," she said. I peeked up to see her give him a tender smile. "Your turn, big brother." Ed bit his tongue, thinking long and hard about his answer. "I appreciate that Rolf lets me come play with the chickens all the time, and he teaches me to be gentler with people," he replied. Rolf sat up straight, looking at us seriously. "Rolf is glad he is here celebrating a fun but strange holiday with all of you instead of in the Old Country. Johnny-Boy, whose head is like that of grandpapa's polished bowls, what is dear to you?" Johnny sighed happily from his seat on the recliner. "I'm glad I passed my finals this year. Making it through high school is what's dear to me," he laughed, nodding to Marie. "I'm sooo grateful that we can have a good Christmas instead of being at home. Right sis?" May looked down at her lap, and nodded a little. "Yeah. It's good to be around people who care about you and like you for who you are," she murmured. Ed wrapped his arms around her, pecking her on the cheek and making her show her crooked smile again. May looked at Eddy curiously. "What about you?" Eddy looked back and forth between Double D and Ed. "I'm grateful to have such amazing best friends who support me through all of my ideas, even if they aren't the smartest ideas, and help me when I need it- even when I can't or won't admit it. Double D and Ed are the best friends a guy could have," he confessed. Double D put a hand on his chest and cooed, "Aww, Eddy. I'm touched." Ed dove across the floor, squeezing Eddy into a bone-crushing hug. "We love you too Edd-ahy!" he shouted. Nat was rolling on the floor laughing as Eddy struggled to get away from the lovable oaf. "Alright, Lumpy! Knock it off!" he huffed, wriggling out of his arms and shooting Nat a nasty glare. "Your turn asshole." Nat swooned dramatically. "I'm thankful for all of the beautiful asses out there- the ones I've had the pleasure to see, and the ones I've yet to discover, but especially all your perfect asses!" he exclaimed. Jimmy was the only one left, staring down into his champagne quietly. "I'm grateful for Double D and Kevin," he mumbled. "They've taught me that it doesn't matter what other people think, and I've decided to come out to everyone. I'm choosing happiness over other people's prejudice, and it's because they give me the courage to." Everyone got up, wrapping the small boy in a group hug. "Called it!" Nat cheered. "Shut up Nat!" every one yelled.

Double D raised his glass. "To happiness and good company!" Marie followed his lead. "I'll toast to that," she giggled. Everyone else raised their glasses, and we drank cheerfully. One bottle of champagne and two corny Christmas movies later, and almost everyone was asleep. Johnny was on his stomach in the recliner, snoring loudly. Nazz and Marie were curled up together on the opposite end of the couch. Eddy and Sarah were beside each other on the love seat, whispering in the dark. May, Nat, Rolf, Ed, and Jimmy were sprawled across the floor. Double D was still on my lap in the corner of the couch, his eyes drooping with exhaustion. The clock on the wall read midnight, and I leaned in close, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. "Merry Christmas, Eddward," I whispered in his ear. He looked up with a sleepy smile. "Merry Christmas, Kevin," he yawned. Laughing softly, I gently pressed his head into my chest, playing with his hair as he slowly drifted to sleep. I let my head fall back, my eyes slipping shut as I replayed all the events of tonight. "Best. Christmas. Ever," I breathed.