The next morning I woke up to a gentle kiss on my head and a voice buzz, "Happy Christmas, my darling Daisy."

"Hmmm?" I slowly opened my eyes and fixed them onto the image of Pol's bare face smiling down at me.

"It's Christmas my love."

I look around the room to see no signs of Ada anywhere.

"Where is Ada?" I say, my voice hoarse.

"She went to go visit Freddie and to bring him here for gifts and breakfast."

I nod and close my eyes, placing my hand on my throbbing head.

"Are you feeling any better?"

"Physically, yes. Mentally, no."

Pol looked at me dearly with pity growing in her eyes. She leaned down so our faces were now level and wrapped her warm hands around my body.

"I'm so sorry, my dear girl."

"You have no reasoning to be sorry, Aunt Pol. No one does." No one but me.

She smiles widely and lifts me, carefully from my bed. 

"The boys are downstairs with Finn and Esme, waiting by the fire. Ada should be home soon with Freddie. Why don't you put on a nightgown and we will join everyone. I know Finn is quite excited to open gifts from everybody."

I change into a lovely pink, satin nightgown and place some comfortable slippers on my freezing feet. Pol brushed my hair into a high ponytail and left it to rest, carelessly on my right shoulder.

My body hurt, but definitely not as atrocious as it had yesterday evening. The gashes and bruises were healing already. Quite rapidly as well. I was content.

I slowly stood up, my inner thighs aching, and made my way to the hallway, not daring to loosen my grip on Aunt Pol's arm.

We slowly, but efficiently made it down the stairs and into the lounge where everyone, including Ada and Freddie, sat looking wide eyed at the gifts. The fire was burning, leaving the smell of wood and pine throughout the cold air. From outside, I could see the trees blowing ever so slightly, brushing the freshly fallen snow off its dead arms. The Christmas tree was sparkling with paper mache hanging from the prickling branches as well as a few lit candles.

Dean looked up at me and smiled brightly. He ran over to me and hugged me tightly, but not tight enough to hurt me more than I already was.

"Happy Christmas, my wonderful sister." He whispered into my ear.

"The same to you." I laughed and smiled, not wanting to let go from the loving embrace of my brother.

Sadly, he let go of me and led me to where he was sitting next to Tommy. I sat down as Tommy gave me a warm smile and Dean sat on the arm of the sofa.

"Everyone's here, Aunt Pol. May I open my gifts now, eh?" Finn pleaded with beading eyes and a warm smile placed on his face. Though he was almost a grown man, he acted as though he were a small boy.

"Go ahead you impatient boy." Pol rolled her eyes and laughed, placing herself in her lounge chair.

I looked at Finn with a small smile upon my face, watching his eyes light up with excitement from every gift he opened. The joy that boy had was much greater than I ever had or even will have someday. He never ceases to amaze me with his upbringing and ecstatic spirit, even on his most troublesome days. I was enjoying watching him. But I hadn't dared to look at Ada. Not after last evening. It simply hurt too much. She was enjoying the company of Freddie anyways. I don't blame her though. If somebody loved me that much, I would never let them go. I'd spend all the time in the world with them. For they would  be my world. And maybe, just maybe, for once in my life I'd be as happy as Finn. But that'll never happen. And even if it did, I would never tell Ada what she said to me. I would not have the audacity and or courage. I would never be able to comprehend with the fact that I had hurt her so much and tore our friendship into bits and pieces. Though, who even knows if she cared as deeply for our relationship than I did. She is the one who is easily willing to throw it all away for some man whom impregnated her. Our friendship was greater than their love. But not anymore. Only my pain can out stand their lust. Pain is the strongest emotion, for it is impending. 

"Daisy!"

I was awoken from my daydream by the sounds of Arthur's voice. I look up to see faces looking at me, attentively.

"Yes?" I respond quickly and hide my thoughts with a smile. 

"Would you like to open a gift?" Arthur asks.

"Oh, uhm well, has Finn finished his gift opening? I wouldn't want to interrupt him." I stutter.

"It's well alright, Daisy. The gift is from me anyways." Finn suspiciously smiles, handing me a box wrapped in deli paper and a straw string.

I raise an eyebrow at him and smile.

I start to unravel the string, letting my fingers untie the incredibly tight knot Finn had tied. Soon enough, I managed my way through it and opened the deli paper slowly. Knowing Finn and his mischievous ways with gifts, I made sure to open the box so only I could see it.

In front of me was a gorgeous yet quite trashy piece of lingerie as well as some knickers and well supporting bras. I quickly shut the box and tried to hide my laughter, but could not contain myself.

"Finnley Shelby, you cheeky bastard!" I laugh.

He smirk and winks at me.

"Well, what is it?" John asks nosily.

"She can't tell you John, it's a secret." Finn shrugs.

"Now we have to know what it is!" 

"Daisy come with me. And bring the box, love." Pol says standing up and leading me to the kitchen.

She leans against the stove, arms crossed.

"What is it?" She whispers to me.

I open the box towards her direction and she chokes up.

She tries to act serious, but laughter dethrones her.

"Oh my goodness! What a perverted bitch."

"That's what I thought. He is such a disgusting man. Like most men." I giggle while preparing myself a cup of tea while Pol searches through the box, inspecting all of the items.

"Perverted but tasteful." She says in awe.

"Yes, they are quite beautiful, I must admit." I take a sip of my tea while grabbing the box.

We make our way back into the lounge and I sit back down, placing the box snug between my body and the couch. 

As I sip my tea, I witness Ada and Freddie conversing back and forth. Ada nods and smiles. She rises and clears her throat. Here we go.

"Uhm, excuse me everybody. I have a very important announcement that I believe needs to be known by all of you. You are all my closest family and friends," She looks at me. I look down, focusing my sight on the brown tea in my mug. "And I love you all so dearly. That is why, with the decisions I have made and am currently about to tell you, I hope you will accept them and be kind hearted. Well, uhm, I guess I should tell you now... Freddie and I are to be married privately in two days. The reason being is because, well, I love him and I am carrying his child. The same day of our marriage I will be moving in with him so our child can live in a comfortable environment with a loving family."

Anger rose in her brothers eyes as excitement filled Esme's.

"You're pregnant?" Tommy says angrily. 

"Yes, Tommy. I am."

"Well get rid of it. You are too young. And you do not even have my blessing to run off and get married, so think again."

That triggered Ada. I could tell by the way her eye was starting to twitch.

"I am not getting rid of my own creation. And I am to do what I'd like. I am happy. I love Freddie. He loves me. And at least I am loved Tommy and I just don't fuck around with everybody I meet." Ada yells.

Silence.

"Get out of the fucking house. And bring your piece of shit fiancee with you." Tommy growled.

Ada left with tears escaping her eyes and Freddie chasing after her.

Esme and I looked at each other as if we were compelled to do something.

I stood up as well as Esme and ran to the opened door, looking down the street to see what was happening. Ada's head was dug into Freddie's shoulder as he was kissing her head gently over and over again.

"Is she alright?" Esme questioned quietly.

Soon enough her and Freddie were making out and nearly stripping in the street. There was never a time when they weren't making love when near each other.

"She's fine. She has Freddie. That's all she needs."