| December 25 | Monday Morning |

~ Sam's POV ~

"Oh Megan, come on," I plead while holding up one of my gifts, which was unfortunately still wrapped. "Let me open just one."

I watched Megan's blue eyes disappear behind her lids in annoyance and a hint of humor.

"I said no, Sam, now come on, we need to leave if we don't want to be late," she advised.

"Please."

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"Samantha Marie Carson," Megan scolded. "You can open them tonight when we get back from celebrating with our families."

"But I can't wait till tonight!" I said as she took my hand.

"You don't have a choice."

As much as I wanted to continue to protest, I knew better. Arguing with Megan was like trying to smash a brick wall with your bare hands. Besides, I knew she had a point.

We would spend lunch and afternoon with our families, and later this evening Blair and Tony would come over and we would exchange gifts with each other. I just had to be patient.

But I'd be lying if said Christmas wasn't my favorite holiday, and not just because of presents. Although, they were a big part of it.

Also, I really couldn't wait for Megan to see what I had gotten her.

After we made sure Charlie was comfortable in her pinned-off area, we left for the day. This year would be great because we didn't have to go through the whole "Hi, I'm Megan's girlfriend" introductions and because Megan's family absolutely loved me.

I mean, how could they not?

"Who do you think is more excited to see me? Your mom or dad?" I boasted.

"Dad's been asking about you a lot," Megan informed.

"What about your mom?"

"Her too." She looked at me from the driver's seat. "She wants to know why we haven't visited, so I blamed it on you because she won't be as mad."

"Megan!"

"I'm just kidding." She smirked. "Kind of."

"Your parents love me."

"Thank God."

I slipped my hand into hers. "Were you worried about them not liking me?"

"A little."

"Why?"

"Because you're a little... out there."

I scoffed. "I am not."

"You are."

I frowned.

Megan laughed. "But it's a good kind of out there. It makes you, you."

I smirked. "Did your parents like Nikki?"

"You would ask that."

"Well, did they?"

Megan tilted her head. "They didn't despise her... but, I'll just say she wasn't their favorite."

"That's because I'm their favorite."

"Could you put away the arrogance for a second?" Megan joked. "I'm trying to answer your question."

"Okay, I'm sorry." I smirked. "Why didn't they like her?"

"I don't know," Megan said. "I didn't bring her around often because we were both so busy, so maybe that's why."

"Or because your parents are very intuitive."

"Mom can sense bullshit from a mile away."

"Nikki was all up in the bullshit."

Megan squeezed my hand. "But the point is, yes, my parents adore you and they're happy I'm happy."

I couldn't help but smile to myself as I rode shotgun next to Megan. It was a fantastic feeling to have everyone on our side after so long of having no one. The fact that both of our families supported and loved us made something in me warm.

And it made me appreciative.

"Oh, and one more thing," Megan said.

"What?"

"My aunt Gigi is going to be there."

"You call her Aunt Gigi?"

"Her names Grace, but... that didn't come out well as a kid."

I didn't quite get why Megan was warning me about this so-called aunt, but it seemed important.

"Okay? And?"

"She'll probably get a little too drunk and say some inappropriate things," Megan informed.

I laughed to myself. "I think aunt Gigi and I will get along just fine."

* * *

As we stood outside Megan's grandfather's house I vividly recalled the first time I had been here. Of course, it never felt the same after he passed, but his daughters were convinced he would still love Christmas being celebrated here just like every other year. And the wicked step-grandmother absolutely loved boasting around the small mansion in his memory.

So, this is where they celebrated, at least on her mother's side. We would stay for about an hour before moving on to her father's.

But I was looking forward to finally meeting the infamous aunt Gigi.

Megan knocked as she side-glanced me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Nothing. It just never feels the same without my grandfather."

I felt my heart sigh in pain as I reached for her hand. It was all I could offer her for comfort.

"I think if he were still here, he would answer the door with a big smile knowing that you were still with me," I joked. "And then probably ask us when we were getting married."

She laughed. "He really thought you were my girlfriend the first time we met."

"Of course, he did."

That's when the door opened, and Megan's mom came into view. It was almost scary how much they resembled each other. But one thing was for sure...

Megan would still be smoking hot twenty years from now.

"Megan! Sam," her mother greeted us with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "It's been so long!"

"I've missed you," Megan said in her greeting. "I'm sorry we haven't come around more often. Sam's been so busy with Jinx..."

I rolled my eyes. "Lies! It's Megan's fault, Ms. Adams."

"I believe it," Megan's mom agreed. "And Sam, please call me Beth. We're all adults now."

"How about Ms. Beth?" I smiled. "Is that a fair compromise?"

Ms. Beth blushed. "Fine."

"Are we the last ones here?" Megan asked.

"Actually, yes. Even aunt Gigi beat you here, and you know how she is." Beth rolled her eyes. "I think she's already emptied her not-so-secret 'secret flask'."

As we walked in there was the clatter of something metal falling over and clattering over a hard surface. Then a loud laugh and apology.

"That's aunt Gigi, alright," Megan said. "You did tell her...?"

Ms. Beth nodded. "She's very... eager to meet Sam."

I raised my brow. "She's eager?"

Megan led me further into the house with our hands intertwined. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also eager to meet aunt Gigi. I had heard so many stories and she sounded like my kind of gal.

In terms of having a good time, of course. Although, it was clear good looks ran in the family.

As Ms. Beth walked away, Megan stopped before we entered the main room. Then she faced me.

"Prepare yourself," she said, "Oh, and please don't flirt with my mom."

I laughed. "I did not flirt with your mother, Megan."

"You made her blush!"

"I make everyone blush."

She shoved me in the chest.

I caught her hands in mine and planted a quick kiss on her painted lips before pulling back slightly.

"But I have to admit..." I whispered. "You're gonna look sexy for a long time."

That's when Megan herself blushed.

"Shut-up," she replied.

"See." I smirked. "I make everyone blush, but you're my favorite."

"I better be."

"So, this must be the new girlfriend!" an unfamiliar voice all but hollered next to us. "God, you two are hot together!"

I turned my head only to see a petite brunette with a shoulder-length hair cut. Tight jeans, a sequined blouse and tall heels made aunt Gigi look as if she was ready to party at any time, especially with the wine glass accompanying her in her right hand.

"This is mom's younger sister, aunt Gigi," Megan introduced. "Aunt Gigi, this is Sam."

"Hi," I greeted politely. "Nice to meet you."

"Yeah, we missed you last Christmas," Megan included.

Aunt Gigi proceeded to hug us both and plant a kiss on each of our cheeks before responding.

"Ugh yes, I know but I just couldn't turn down a trip to Costa Rica." She sipped her wine. "Plus, Costa Rica is great during December."

"Who'd you go with?" I asked.

"Boyfriend," she said. "Well, now ex-boyfriend. Men are kind of like underwear to me, you know? Oh, I'm sorry. No, you wouldn't know. Ha!"

It took me everything to stifle my laughter as Megan tensed next to me. She was right about one thing... Aunt Gigi was definitely out there.

Or more accurately, outspoken.

I leaned closer to aunt Gigi. "Yeah, and I don't really like underwear, so..."

Aunt Gigi laughed loudly as she slapped her hand on my shoulder. "Girl, me neither."

"Sam!" Megan scolded.

"Oh babe, that was a joke," I defended.

"Yeah Meg, it's a joke," aunt Gigi said with a wink. "Is she this uptight in bed?"

"Not at all."

"Sam," Megan hissed.

"Okay, okay we'll stop." Aunt Gigi laughed. "But seriously, don't be so... Beth. Honestly, you're just like your mother."

That's when we slowly began to gravitate away from aunt Gigi as Megan's grip on my hand tightened with anger.

"Told you aunt Gigi and I would get along," I said.

"Yeah, over making fun of me."

"You're just too easy sometimes."

Megan just shook her head.

I sighed. "You know it's like, illegal to be mad on Christmas day, right?"

Megan rolled her eyes. "I'm not mad..."

I raised my brow.

Megan raised hers in response.

"Megan..."

"Sam."

I poured her a glass of wine. "Here. You're not you when you're sober."

Then she laughed and took the glass from me. "God, you're so dumb."

"It's why you love me so much."

"Of course," she said. "Now let's mingle with the rest of the family and actively avoid aunt Gigi's roasting sessions."

"I hope she gets drunk enough to roast the evil step-grandmother."

"Honestly... so do I."

So, Megan and I continued to mingle with her other family members who were boring in comparison to aunt Gigi. Really, I would eavesdrop on her conversations because aunt Gigi's clap-backs were really just pure entertainment.

"Do I look pregnant to you, Jim? You wish your wife looked as good as me!" and "Yeah Rose, everyone knows you spent all your will-money on a face lift. Stop bragging."

Eventually it was clear to see why Megan had been nervous about me meeting her aunt, but I was having fun just being around her. I think she made the get together a hundred times better.

It was after everyone had eaten and we were cleaning up when I followed Megan into the storage closet to save plates.

"I think aunt Gigi is my new favorite."

"You say that until she's plastered drunk and hanging all over you asking if you know anyone who sells coke," Megan replied.

"Has she done that before?"

"Many times."

I scoffed. "Holy shit."

"Hey, language..." Megan said. "It's Christmas."

"Sorry." I moved closer to her. "Remember the first time we were in here together?"

She blushed as she faced me. "How could I not? You stole a check for me."

"Yeah..." I agreed. "But we almost had our first kiss here too."

"That's what you call it?"

"You definitely almost kissed me."

"Sure Samantha."

I stepped closer. "Except this time... we have an excuse..."

That's when I lifted a piece of mistletoe I had found on the mantle over our heads.

"You're so cheesy."

I smiled. "You love it."

She grabbed my face. "You're right."

My arms snaked around her back as I deepened the kiss. There was something about celebrating the holidays with Megan that never got old. The warmth and love I felt throughout the day from family was great, but Megan was always the cheery on top. I believed she always would be.

Then the door to the storage room opened.

"Found... them!" aunt Gigi slurred. "They're just... makin' out."

Then she winked at us and closed the door.

Megan's head stayed against mine. "I love my mom to death, but let's go to my dad's."

I could do nothing but agree with a laugh.

* * *

"God I'm so glad to be home," I complained. "Don't get me wrong, I love visiting... but all day?"

"I know," Megan agreed. "But you know Blair and Tony are still coming over, right?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, but it's just Blair and Tony."

As Megan let Charlie out of her pin Blair herself busted through the door.

"It's just Blair and Tony?" she said. "If that's the case, I'll just keep your presents."

I sat up. "You know I love you right?"

"Yeah." Blair sat down on the couch. "That's what I thought."

"How was the visiting?" Tony wondered.

"Awesome," I said. "Megan's aunt honestly was the best time."

"No, she wasn't," Megan disagreed.

"Was to."

"Why?" Blair wondered.

"Imagine the old Sam, fifteen years older," Megan said.

"That's terrifying."

"Hey!" I defended.

"Anyways..." Megan stood next to the Christmas tree. "Let's open presents."

We all settled near the tree as Charlie curled up in my lap. Megan eagerly passed out the presents we had gotten for each other as we talked and caught up on the rest of our day. This was always my favorite part of Christmas because there was no stress of weird family members threatening to ruin our time.

The four – now five – of us were just friends enjoying each other's company on a special day.

"Here." Megan handed me my last gift. "You can finally open it."

I smiled as I was handed my final gift. The one I had been dying to open since it made its way under the tree. I would never admit this to Megan, but my absolute favorite part of gift giving was the look on her face when I seemed to love the things she got me.

Just like the look I probably had on my face right now.

"Shut up." I looked at Megan who had the biggest smile on her face. "Shut up! I can't believe you got them."

The fact that Megan had bought the noise-cancelling headphones I had been drooling over since they came out over half a year ago had me near hysterics.

"You can say it," Megan bragged. "I'm the best girlfriend ever."

I crawled over to her. "You are the best girlfriend ever."

Then I planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

"Now open yours."

Megan gave me a nervous smile before beginning to remove the wrapping paper. And I was way too excited.

"Oh... wow...?" Megan studied the large wooden map. "What is it?"

I smiled. "So, my idea behind it is that, every time we travel somewhere, we can take a picture together and post it on the board."

"You got that from Pinterest," Blair accused.

"Shut up."

"It's still cute though."

Megan laughed. "It really is cute, babe. Thank you."

That's when Blair stood. "Okay, my turn!"

She handed Megan hers, and then two similar boxes to me. One was labeled Charlie, while the other Loser Sam. I just rolled my eyes with a smile.

"Okay, open them."

We did as we were told, but when I removed a Christmas sweater with my name on it, I couldn't help but frown.

"You didn't," I complained.

"I did," Blair said.

"These are so cute!" Megan exclaimed.

I looked at Megan. "Of course, you would like it."

"I love it!"

"Good," Blair boasted. "Now put them on because I want a picture."

Megan basically forced the sweater over my head as she eagerly put hers on before picking up Charlie.

"Help me put it on her," she asked.

"She's not gonna like it."

"She'll love it."

"Doubt it."

As predicted, Charlie struggled into her sweater, but to my surprise, absolutely adored it.

"Looks like she's truly my kid," Megan said.

"Whatever."

"Get in front of the tree," Blair demanded as she held up her phone.

Megan pulled me close to her as Charlie squirmed in my arms. And as much as I hated this gift, the thought behind it really caused something inside to glow with an undeniable warmth, which made me smile.

"Alright, say 'merry Christmas'," Blair said as she held up her phone.

"Merry Christmas!"

The warmth spreading through my heart forced a wide smile to spread from cheek to cheek as Megan pulled me close. Everything about this moment, except for the hideous sweaters, made something in me feel whole. Those moments seemed to come often now.

And I couldn't deny how much I loved it.