The Missing Gem

48 | A Christmas To Remember... Forever

Lucas

Our house looks like everything I ever wished my house would look like on Christmas Day.

Christmas music playing in the background, people talking and chatting away, the smell of fresh made cookies that came straight out of the oven, the house looked warm and cozy with the Christmas lights on and the soft fairy lights coloring the hallways and the stair rail. The colors red and golden are decorating our home on Christmas day.

I zoned out of my thoughts as the loud giggle of my niece, Lexi, snapped me out of my thoughts.

I smiled instantly at the view in front of me. Lexi was holding hands with Nicole, both of them swirling around the room, dragging one another as they looped round and round. Melanie was watching from the back, sitting on the couch while she drank some eggnog.

Diane and Trevor texted us saying they were stuck in traffic, but were supposed to be here soon.

Sparkles was laying on her back, her belly totally showing for Nicole's parents who were more than happy rubbing her belly and giving her treats.

This was our very first Christmas together, hosting it at our lovely home, with both our families joining us, and it couldn't be going better.

My parents have decided to not speak to me still, they don't want me in their life anymore because of the life I chose for myself. Nonetheless, I called them and left a voicemail, telling them the news about Nicole and I being engaged and expecting a baby. I also invited them for Christmas at our new home, but they didn't accept that invitation, nor did they bother to reply or call back. All I know is that they invited Melanie and Lexi for Chrismtas at their house, in Bristol, like always, and she told them no, because she wished to spend Christmas with me and Nicole. They didn't say a lot but they obviously hated her answer.

The bell ring caught my attention and I rushed to the door. Once I opened it, Diane and Trevor were standing there with a bottle of wine in their hands.

"Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too!" I said with a smile. "Come in."

I found it really amazing that after a couple of years of dating Nicole, our worlds had collided and blended so well that her best friend and Trevor were like family to me, as much as my sister and niece were like family to Nicole, even before I proposed to her.

"Sorry we got here a little late, we stopped by my parents' house first, and then the traffic..."

"That's okay."

I slided to the side so they could walk in the house and then closed the door behind them, making my way to the living room, taking a seat next to my sister. Her blonde hair was tied into a french braid that fell along her shoulder.

"I'm so glad you came here for Christmas."

"Of course! There's no way I wouldn't come. Plus, I'm pretty sure Lexi would hate me forever if I didn't let her spend the holidays with her favorite uncle and auntie." She nodded her head towards Nicole and Lexi who were still engaging in their own little play.

I simply smiled at the view, a gesture that wasn't unnoticed by my sister.

"You're so in love."

"Shut up."

"No, I won't. I like seeing you this happy though."

"You seem awfully happy too. May I know why?"

She finished her drink and put it down on the centre table before turning back to me.

"I met someone."