A/N
The chapter will continue off from the last chapter but in Nicks point of view instead of Carols and then towards the end it will be the chapter for December third. Enjoy :)

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December 2nd, Tuesday

   Nick's Pov:

    The cold December air hits my face making me shiver. I was on my way to go pick up Bella from school since I don't like having her walk home on her own especially when it's this cold outside. Just thinking about losing Bella makes me upset I would not be able to live with myself if I let that happen to her. Ever since the accident and Bella's birth I have been extremely protective over her. I can't lose her too, I just can't.

I take one last drag from my cigarette which was suppose to keep me warm but it wasn't doing it's job very well because I am still cold and annoyed. I take one last drag before I grab the cigarette and step on the butt of it ensuring the fire was put out. 

From my position on the side walk I now have a clear view of the red bricked building that is the towns elementary school. As I get closer to the school I am slowly surrounded by little kids running around trying to get home while others are playing with their friends. I look in all directions trying to find my little sister. The dozens of children that litter the school grounds make it hard for me to find Bella but then I am able to spot her playing dolls with a black haired girl, I think Bella told me her name was Susy? I'm not entirely sure. 

I was just about to call Bella's name to let her know I was here but she notice my presence cutting me off by shouting that dreadful nickname, "Nicky!" Bella shouts in joy, I find myself biting my lip to stop from smiling so the lady's around me don't think I am approachable. Some women have no shame I even caught some of them staring at my behind as I was walking towards my sister. One teenage girl around my age even thought she could try talking to me but I made sure to let her know she could fuck off, all thanks to my menacing glare which made her scurry away.

"How was school princess?" I grab her unicorn backpack from her right shoulder and put it on my shoulder before engulfing her little hand in my big one.

"School was whatever we learned about vowels, boring! Oh and Susy got a new doll which she let me play with. I think we are friends now!" Bella says stopping her pace and looking up at me happiness shinning in her brown eyes.

"Really that's-" I started but was cut off by the sound of my phone ringing, sighing I pull it out of my back pocket and answer it without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?" I gruffly ask into the device.

"Nick I have your pay check from last week, if you want you can come and collect it I'm going to be here until six thirty." My boss Rico informs me.

'Finally I need the money!' I boast in my mind. Money is a necessity in this world... A necessity we all need.

"Oh that's great I'll be there in about... thirty minutes." I inform Rico glancing down at my watch.

I bid my goodbyes with my boss after informing him I would be on my way. When I ended the call I glanced down at Bella who was singing 'Ring around the Rosie' while walking in a straight line. I chuckled to my self as I stare at her Innocent behavior that is yet to have been tainted by the darkness this world offers. I wish I could have been as carefree and innocent as she was I sigh thinking about all the things I missed out in my childhood. I will make sure the same never happens to Bella I will try to give her everything she wants. If she wants a doll I'll get it for her, If she wants to go to college I'll get another job to make enough money to pay for her education the only thing I can not let her have will be a boyfriend. Nope not even over my dead body.

"Bella we have to go down to the record store so I can get my pay check." I tell her to which she groans in response at the realization that we will not be going straight to the house. 'Someone is eager to play with their dolls' I chuckle to myself.

"Ugh okay lead the way Nicky." She pouts.

I shake my head finding humor in her behavior, "Actually lets take the bus it's to cold to walk all the way there, come on slow poke." I call for her when I notice she is walking or should I say waddling slowly behind me.

"Nicky walk slower you know I can't walk as fast as you when I have to wear all these cloths." She wines pointing at her bulky pink snow sweater. She looks like an angry marshmallow. I laugh and pick her up putting her on my hip.

-

"Oh my gosh Nicky look that building is pink! Can we please go in there." Bella pleads giving me puppy dog eyes.

"It's a bakery why do you want to go there and it better not be because it's pink." I say looking down at her. Bella just huffs and walks ahead where the record store is at. Good girl.

I smile looking at her walking ahead in frustration. I fasten my pace and catch up to her, together we enter the record store. I bend down to Bella's height as she was looking at all the CD's in awe. "I am going to go inside the office over there-" I say looking at Bella to make sure she was listening before continuing, "-and I want you to be a good girl and don't touch or break anything but most importantly don't go wandering off, capiche?"  I look at Bella who gives me an amused grin.

"Yes sir, don't touch, don't break a thing and don't move. Huh that's a lot of dont's." Bella says scratching her head in realization.

I let out an airy chuckle at her conclusion,"It is now don't break any of those rules and I'll take you to that pink building you wanted to go to after I am done here, deal?" I ask with raised eyebrows, my hand outstretched for her to shake on. When Bella hears what that I would take her to the bakery she gets so happy that I actually believed the smile on her face was painful. 

She eagerly grabs my hand and shakes it,"Deal!" She squeal's jumping up and down, I chuckle but was cut off mid laugh when I hear Rico ask for me from his office.

"Nick you here?" He calls out.

"Yeah I'm coming." I shout standing back up and heading in the direction of his voice but not before giving Bella a warning look reminding her of our deal. She winks and I take that as my cue to leave.

After speaking to Rico about the sales the store made this week and getting my pay check I bid my goodbye, "Alright thanks man I'll see you Friday." I shake Rico's hand before walking out of his office with my check in hand.

The soft sound of nirvana's 'Smells like teen spirit' plays in the background of the store not a single noise indicating Bella's presence, 'She sure does want to go to that bakery,' 

"Bella let's go," I call after her noticing she wasn't where I had last seen her. I told her not to wander off because she can break something.

"Bella." I call again noticing she still hasn't shown up after I had called out for her.

I tried calling her name one more time and again she was a no show, panic started to set in at the realization that she was not here, "Bella stop playing around and come here or we won't be going to the pink building." I whisper shout walking through some of the music shelf's but still I couldn't see her anywhere 'Where is she!?'

I slap my right palm against my forehead, "Shit I lost my sister!" I curse I am officially the worst brother in the universe- no wait I earned that title ten years back.

I sigh in frustration running my hands over my face trying to figure out where to look for her, "Where would I go if I was Bella?" I ask myself when suddenly a light bulb light up on top of my head. Yes that has got to be where she went of course she wouldn't wait for me to take her to the baker she's Bella for crying out loud. I groan when I realize she indeed must have left the building.

Quickly rushing out of the record store I make my way to the pink Bakery that Bella seemed to have taken a liking to. I pushed and rammed into many people as I desperately tried to get to where my baby sister could have possibly ran off to. We are going to have a serious talk about wandering off on her own when I find her.

"Finally." I huff out of breath from running through the shopping center. I was across the street from the pink bakery with a sign that read 'Mary's coffee and bakery' I squint my eyes and look through the glass windows on the front that give me a clear view of the inside of the bakery. I notice Bella sitting on the counter licking icing off a cupcake like the little rascal she is, a blond at her side keeping an eye on her. Not wasting another second I made my way inside the cozy bakery.

The second Bella notices my presence in the threshold of the door she perks up,"Nicky look this pretty lady gave me a free cupcake!" Bella beams smiling joyfully at me while all I could do was stare at the beauty besides her. I take my eyes of the girl and scold myself for acting like some love struck puppy, I avert my eyes from the blond to look at my sister with relief. Meanwhile the blond girl is shamelessly checking me out. My sister decides to cause me more problem by jumping off the counter to come at me. I quickly react and go to grab her before she injures herself but I was beat by the blond girl who had gasped after seeing Bella's sudden movement. The blond who I don't knows name grabbed Bella and places her back on her two feet. My sister smiles thankfully at her with frosting all over her tan skin mumbling a short thank you before her attention is once again directed towards me. She then runs in my direction and I grab her not wanting to drop her. Bella squeals and from the corner of my eye I notice the blond girl ogling me. Typical blond I scoff.

I can bet my life that she is like all the other desperate girls at school...sure she is pretty, okay so maybe she's smoking hot but I don't care if she is the most gorgeous girl in the world I will never be nice to her I can already tell I am going to hate her.

Despite my instincts to hate her I can't help it when I stare into her baby blue crystal eyes when we make contact. She was gorgeous there's no doubt about that but she seems to be the type that only does sex. Without noticing what I was doing I find myself naturally glaring at her. The girl notices my ice cold glare and cowers away staring a her feet. In a flash of a second I saw sadness and fear cross her blue eyes. 

Bella pinches my cheeks bringing me out of my daze, "Nicky isn't she nice." Bella ask liking off the icing covering her face. A small smile makes its way onto my face when I notice her dirty face.

I don't say anything back to her and instead I pull out my wallet taking out a five dollar bill and slamming it on the counter making the blond whose name tag read 'Carol' flinch at the action. Did she think I was gonna hit her? I get that I am an asshole and intimidating but I would never lay a hand on a women however for man I can't say the same I don't care who they are or how strong they say they think they are, I will gladly kick their ass and leave a scar if they ever piss me off or say shit about my sister's.

I give her a calculating look before clearing my throat, "Here keep the change," I tell the girl in a monotone. I turn around ready to leave with Bella on my hip when a hand on my forearm stops me. I look down and see a girl hand that isn't Bella's I growl in irritation and turn around to face the girl that clearly didn't get the hint that I want nothing to do with her.

"It's on the house," The blond quietly says biting her bottom lip avoiding eye contact with me. She better be scared of me no one touches me without my permission.

I shove her lightly before angrily gritting out,"Don't touch me." Which causes her to hastily move her hand from my forearm.

"Sorry" She hastily says her voice cracking. I could laugh at how scared she looked right now she almost resembles a scared bunny after seeing a wolf.

"Nicky won't hurt you, he's just a butt hole. What's your name?" Bella pitches in noticing the blonds fear. Leave it to Bella to try and make the atmosphere less tense. 

By the forced smile on the girls face I could tell she wanted to laugh at what Bella had said regarding my attitude but for her own sake she holds her tongue when noticing my challenging look, "Erm... Carol," She says looking up at Bella with a welcoming smile but when we make eye contact with each other once again she looks down at her shoes avoiding my piercing stare.

"That's a pretty name."Bella smiles in return and taking a bite into her cupcake successfully getting crumbs on my shoulder. I groan when I feel the crumbs seeping inside my shirt from the collar.

Both Carol and Bella seem to find my annoyance amusing and I soon hear Bella's soft giggles while Carol now sports a soft smile on her heart shaped lips, "Ha ha very funny laugh it up dork," I tease Bella tickling her stomach which makes her giggle louder than before. I notice the Carol girl nervously biting her lips unsure of what to do so I decide it's time for me to take Bella home before darkness sets in.

"Anyways Carol is it, look just take the money as a thank you for watching her." I tell Carol who opens her mouth ready to disagree with my offer but I cut her off," Just take it." I grit out getting annoyed. I do not have patience that is all I'm saying.

"I can't, I promised her I would give her a free cupcake if she told me where you where so I could bring her to you but seems like you came to her, but either way a promise is a promise so here keep your money." She says emphasizing the word 'free' she then slapped the money onto my chest. I smile at the sudden boost of confidence in her but I turn it into a scold before she could see my lips curve upwards.

I grab the money from her but in doing so my hand lands right on top of hers that was still on my chest holding the five dollar bill against my chest. Her hands where something small, soft and very warm the complete opposite of my big rough cold hands. She shivers from the contact of our skin, she then quickly pulls her hand from under mine allowing me to get the money.

I awkwardly cough after noticing our intimidating posture, I take a look at my sister only to see her grinning at me and Carol, "Ready to go Bella?" I  ask hoping she was content now that she saw the pink building.

"No I don't want to leave, Carol is nice I don't want to leave her." Bella pleads quivering her lips trying to persuade me. 'Just what I needed. Now she's attached to the blond.' I inwardly groan.

"Oh no princess it's fine I'm not that fun to be around anyways. I'm sure you would rather go home and play with your dolls then stay and be with boring ol' me." Carol says caressing Bella's cheek lovingly. I was shocked to say the least usually the girls I have come across when Bella is with me always ignore her or make some rude remarks about her being an annoying child.

Bella pouts looking between me and Carol, "I don't care about my dolls I want to be with you." Bella whines ready to burst into tears. She must really like Carol I think to myself staring at my sister near tears at the idea of never seeing the girl in front of us again.

"How about this, you tell Nicky-" She starts but I cut her off, no way in hell am I letting her call me that.

"It's Nick." I correct causing her to look up at me and nod apologetically.

"Right sorry, why don't you ask Nick to bring you back on Thursday and you can help me bake and decorate some cupcakes." Carol tells Bella who now seems much happier at the idea of frosting cupcakes.

"That's two days from now but I'm sure I can wait, So Nicky can I come?" Bella pleads turning her head to look at me from her position on my hip.

"Fine" I huff wanting nothing more then to go home. Bella squeals in excitement hugging my neck when I agreed to letting her come back on Thursday.

"Thank you, thank you! You are the best big brother in the world!" Bella beams making me smile. If only she knew about my dark past.

We then part ways from Carol who had promised me it would most likely be okay with her boss if Bella came and helped bake on Thursday.

Me and Bella were currently sat in the bus on our way home when Bella turns to me and gives me a grin. Oh boy what now. 

"So Carol...She's pretty huh. Do you like he-" Bella starts but I cut her off no letting her finish the sentence.

"Stop it Bella, don't even start." I warn leaving no room for argument. She huffs in disappointment crossing her arms over her chest and doesn't say another peep the whole ride home.

-

December 3, Wednesday

Carol's pov:

   Steam follows after me as I walk out of my hot shower and into my cold bedroom to get ready for another dreadful day in my awful life. I haven't been hurt by Jake or Robbie since Monday which is a relief for my bruised body which needs to heal from all the previous abuse I have received the past week.

Today I had accidentally woken up a few minutes later then usual but not enough to piss Jake off. I was so tired that getting up from bed was not something I found myself willing to do considering I didn't come back home until early morning yesterday. After Bella and her hot yet very intimidating brother Nick as he so rudely told me to call him, left the bakery I found that the rest of my day at the bakery was boring and uneventful. I couldn't wait until it was time for me to lock up the bakery at eleven Pm. When the time to lock the store did come I made sure the entire bakery was closed up and that all the ovens were turned off to avoid a fire from igniting the building over the night. Once everything was closed I had walked to the nearest bus stop which was about a ten minutes stroll from the bakery. The bus took me to Red land's which was the town I live in, after getting off the bus I walked the few blocks home and when I did make it to the house it was dark and cold just like the people that live inside these four chipped walls.

After putting some clothes on for the day I couldn't help myself when remembering how cute the little girl I had meet yesterday was. Bella really did make my day all the more better, she was adorable and radiated happiness which I adored her for. I can't wait to see her tomorrow I just hope her brother doesn't cause me more problems especially since work is the only place I am really safe from the constant bullying and from the looks of it  Nick doesn't seem like the type of person someone would want to be associated with even if he was hot.

I huff looking into my reflection seeing nothing I like, for today's look I wore some dark blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt as well as adding my coat and a scarf on top to keep warm from the snow that was progressively gathering on the outside floor- that reminded me, Christmas is slowly approaching us. That time of year was slowly catching up to us making spirits glow and smiles form. Even though I spend my Christmas alone while both my brother and dad go get dead drunk at their friends houses I still manage to enjoy Christmas by myself which always consists of me watching the old home videos which I had secretly stored in a dark corner of my closet in a shoe box that way Jake wouldn't find them and take them from me, he can't take what he doesn't know I have.

Every Christmas I love spending my time watching the happiness and love my family once had when my mom was alive the videos always seem to make me feel closer to her when I hear her voice or see her smile at the camera oblivious to her fate. Another reason I watch the home videos is because Christmas is about being close to those you love and considering the fact that my two other family members on earth don't care or love me then I tend to stick to watching us all love and care for each other in those precocious videos of the past, a much happier past.

I hurriedly wipe the tears that had fallen from my eyes and exit my room feeling the sobs building up in my throat. I walk downstairs and into the kitchen to make my dad and brother breakfast, god forbid they beat me again I will not be able to handle it anymore, I feel weak and light as it is and adding punches to the mix will only cause more harm on my body then their already is. 

After cooking them breakfast to get my mind off the depressing thoughts that were slowly engulfing my mind, I wipe the counter top placing the full of food china plates on the dinner table. Today I made the pigs some pancakes, egg, and hash browns, I of course stashed a hash brown for myself in my bag since my stomach wouldn't stop making whale noises as I cooked the food. The aroma of the breakfast was making me drool as well as causing me to feel lightheaded, I didn't eat dinner yesterday or lunch for that matter so that explains my illness.

I rubbed my aching stomach and quietly close the front door behind my back. I make my way towards the bus stop lowly getting out of breath due to how out of shape I am. When I started to wheeze in pain I slowed down my pace to catch my breath as well as avoid slipping on any patch of ice. 

The trip to school on the bus was like any other, it consisted of name calling, kicking and rude remarks. When I did arrive at school after the bus ride I ran straight to the school bathroom holding in my tears for when I was behind the bathroom stall. I did made it inside the safety of the bathroom stall and I sat down on the toilet seat desperately trying to get the hubba-bubba gum out of my hair that this girl in the bus decided would be fun to throw at the back of my head like it were some paper ball. It took me a good fifteen minutes to get the stupid gum out and wash the strand of sticky hair. Afterwards I wipe my tears trying to clear my sight from the fogginess the tears brought to my sight.

After getting the gum out and composing myself I made my way to my intervention class, I walked through the door the exact moment the tardy bell range. I was luckily on time so I didn't have to worry about getting yet another detention. I would be limping for the rest of the month if Jake found out I had to stay for detention a second time this week.

Mrs. Jordan walks through the threshold a stack of envelopes in hand and a smile on her thin lips making her raggedy appearance glow in happiness. She hums the tune to 'deck the halls' while passing out the secret Santa letters to the person they were to go to. When she gave me mine I was too afraid to witness the rejection of another empty letter so much so that I decided not to open it. I bet that when he got my pathetic letter and read it he laughed at how I had Ironically got the assumption he wouldn't write me back correct.

With a frown on my face I take a look around the room seeing everyone happy as they read their letters, envy grows within me as I see all their smiles, why can't I have that?  Oh right I am an abomination that shouldn't be walking on earth. My stare then catches Mrs. Jordan's questioning glace. She gives me a raised eyebrow that is silently telling me to read the letter that I know is blank inside but I don't tell her that for everyone would laugh when they hear my confession.

I find my self hesitantly opening the envelope and pulling out the familiar white paper. I was gobsmacked at the sight of a dark ink bleeding through the paper showing me that there was writing inside after all. I quickly fold the paper open not believing what I was seeing. I wasn't sure if I had got the right letter so I checked the front of the envelope and sure enough there was my secret Santa's number written across the front in the familure black ink. He actually wrote back! Jokes on you Koko! I boost happy to prove one of my bullies wrong.

Not wasting another second I read the nice writing.

Dear secret Santa,

I'm sorry I didn't write back to you I wasn't planing on doing this stupid thing but when I read your letter I felt inspired to give this a try. I may come off as rude but it's my personality and you'll just have to deal with it. I'm just as confused and lost on what to write to you so I guess answering your question and giving you one of my own would be a smart idea to do. I'll start by answering your question on what my favorite color is, I would have to say my color of choice is the opposite of yours, you like the color of peace, purity and good while I like a more darker color, I like the color black and no I am not emo I just like the color in fact I only wear dark colors. I think I have a fascination with black because of how raw it is and it shows the truth behind the world we live in and those that walk among it. The color really does represent me as my friend has mentioned many times before, it's a mysterious color which is what I am known for and it just gives off a vibe of power and fear which is what all men want to hold including me. Anyways that's my answer now I have a question for you 'If you could be with someone again who would it be and why?' If I could choose someone it would be my younger sister Kimberly who I lost back when she was six and I seven. I guess I just want my sister back, my life has changed for the worst since the accident. I hope you aren't too upset that I never wrote you back the last time, I truly am sorry.

Sincerely,

Your secret Santa

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A/N
Thanks for reading I hope you enjoy until tomorrow
xxx

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This is what I envision the bakery to look like minus the blue coloring on the building :)