Under the First Mistletoe

Facing Reality

After she found out that Spencer had saved her life, Lizzie felt so guilty. She had been so rude to Spencer, when all the time, he was the one who had saved her life. After apologizing profusely (making Spencer's blush with pleased embarrassment…he was just so humble!) and promising that she would from now on be the best sister-in-law he'd ever have, they both headed back to the house. "Is Sally really that mad?" she asked worriedly, sounding like Lily.

Spencer chuckled, and placed an arm around Lizzie. "Don't worry, I'll talk to her."

Lizzie regarded Spencer with a wry smile. "And what would Sally think?" she asked mischievously, "That I brainwashed you and ate your brain for breakfast?"

"Nasty thought there, Liz," he replied, recoiling in disgust.

Lizzie laughed. "I know," she said, shaking her head profusely. She looked at Spencer and nudged his shoulder playfully. "Don't worry, Spence, I have no intention of eating your brain."

Spencer grinned. "I figured as much. But seriously, I will talk to her."

"And you're going to tell her everything I just told you?" Lizzie guessed. She frowned, her eyebrows furrowed together. "It makes me sound like I'm such a spoiled brat," she muttered resentfully.

And it's probably true, you idiot, she thought. With how she had been behaving for the past weeks, of course everyone would think she was being such a brat.

"Hey, you're no brat," Spencer said, pulling her closer. "And I get it, how you're feeling."

Lizzie looked up at him. She just remembered now that Spencer was the youngest in his family. She hadn't met his two older brothers yet, but she heard they were coming this afternoon along with Spencer's dad. "Did it hurt your feelings when your brothers didn't come to your bachelor party?"

"Not really," Spencer answered. "Adrian and Viktor already threw me a bachelor party beforehand," he explained. "And my dad was there."

"Any women dancing, wearing only tiny pieces of clothing?" Lizzie asked quietly. She cringed when she realized she'd said that out loud. She was still being doubtful of Spencer. He didn't seem to mind when he answered.

"Yes," he began, "but no one I was interested in," he finished with a smile at her. "You know I only have eyes for your sister."

Lizzie narrowed her eyes. "Which sister?"

"I'm not falling for that, Lizzie," Spencer said, laughing. "I know when you're teasing."

"Hey," Lizzie protested, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. "I do have two sisters, you know. And they're both beautiful."

"I only have eyes for Sally," Spencer clarified, his eyes twinkling. "And," he reached over and grabbed Lizzie's chin with his two fingers, "You're beautiful too."

Lizzie smiled shyly at him. "Thanks," she mumbled.

First, it was Lily.

Now, it was Spencer.

I'm beautiful, they say, she thought sighing.

Spencer leaned closer to her. "But I bet you're not wanting to hear that from me," he whispered, his eyes traveling to something ahead of them.

When Lizzie looked, she saw Jordan sitting on the porch swing with Lily. She turned back to Spencer, he winked at her and he walked on ahead. "I'll see you later," he called to her, as he walked up the porch steps. "Hey, Lily, come with me. There's something I want to show you."

Lily clapped her hands in delight, and ran after Spencer. Both of them disappeared inside the house.

Lizzie took a deep breath, and approached the porch slowly. She was glad to see that Jordan hadn't moved from the swing. She went up each step, taking her time, because she didn't know what to say and she was thinking of what to say to him.