All American: Winter Break

Chapter Twenty One: A Christmas Dinner (Part Two)

"Tonight's the big night, you ready?" Simone asked excitedly.

She followed Olivia around the table setting the silverware beside the plates. Olivia sighed deeply giving her a slight nod. "You know what? I am. I think it's time. Spencer and I are in a good place in our relationship to withstand what our parents might throw at us. I think our mothers know but my father might be the one to be shocked. He's a bit oblivious when it comes to these things. But I'm hoping if he was okay with me dating Asher, then Spencer should be a walk in the park right?". Simone smiled warmly reassuring Olivia that everything was going to be okay.

"Liv you're overthinking again. It'll be fine. It can't be as bad as me blurting out to your parents that Jordan and I got married over the summer without their permission. You're not getting married right?" Simone asked when Olivia immediately shook her head. "Please no. I'm not ready for all of that. We are talking years down the line, ready. First, we need to get through tonight before even thinking of marriage. Besides, I'm not my brother,". Simone winced at Olivia's words.

"Ouch, burn. Okay, I see you,". Olivia swiftly apologized. I didn't mean it like that...I'm sorry. Sore subject,". The both of them stayed quiet for a brief moment when Olivia cleared her throat. "How is that going by the way? You and my brother I mean? Are you both good?".

Simone bit the inside of her cheek when she nodded looking through the glass window. Her eyes caught Jordan walking in carrying a tray of desserts laughing at something Spencer had said. "Yeah...we're good. I think some time apart while I went to Bringston definitely helped. I love him, but sometimes...well you know he's Jordan,". Olivia laughed at her friend's words. "I know exactly what you mean. How was Bringston by the way?". A small smile spread on her lips, thinking back to her trip to Atlanta.

"Amazing! I wish the three of you would've come to see the campus filled with snow. It was beautiful Liv, and I can't wait to go back soon. I'm telling you Liv if you thought it was beautiful during the fall wait until you come when it's snowing. It's pretty magical, to say the least,".

Olivia caught the hint of glimmer in Simone's eyes just talking about her trip. "Seems like you had a great time. You even light up at the thought of it,". Simone sighed. "Los Angeles will always be home, but Bringston...just feels right, you know?". Olivia smiled warmly giving her an understanding nod.

"You found your home away from home,". Olivia set the last of the dining ware when she lit the candles in the middle of the table, smoothing out the table cloth before stepping back to make sure everything had been perfect. Olivia's words sat with Simone when she took her out of her thoughts wrapping her arm around hers. "Come on, we should go save the boys before my dad starts talking about football for the rest of the evening,". Simone laughed knowing it would be true. "Good idea,".

Everyone shared a laugh around the dining room table, after dinner, letting the food settle in before making room for dessert. "I'm telling you I thought I almost broke my back that night. Never again would I ice skate. I thought I was trying to be cool and impress you by doing some moves I've never done before. Little did I know the girl that ended up taking me to the hospital that night after a hard spin landing me on the cold hard ice below, would be the girl I'd end up marrying,". Laura pouted her lips, thinking back to that same evening. Chuckling under her breath.

"A hospital nineties romance love story, if I ever saw one,". Billy squeezed her hand underneath the table when he caught her lingering gaze. "The best idea I've had since it worked,". Grace laughed. "Billy a romantic? I would've never seen that one coming,". Billy agreed.

"It takes the right girl to change your heart, and Laura happened to be the girl that did just that,". Laura leaned back in her chair gently caressing Billy's hand with her thumb. "You'll never forget your firsts together as a couple and ours happened to be the first Christmas we spent together. Nothing like jello and some pudding to bring in the holiday cheer," Billy softly laughed. Laura nodded.