Honey // A.I (completed)

twenty-nine

< Saturday 25th, 2021 >
< Christmas Day >

{ Holland }

It's Christmas Day and Ashton and I are heading up the the lake house to celebrate with my family. Christmas has been a little hard on Ashton this year. We switch off on who's family we see during the holiday and this year it was supposed to be Ashton's family.

Ashton tries to act unphased, but I know he's sad and he misses his family. He hasn't seen them in two years and I know he just wants to be able to hug his mom.

After he and I woke up and ate some breakfast, we made our way to the couch and FaceTimed his mom on his laptop. It rang a few times but she finally picked up,

"Merry Christmas Mum" Ashton beamed, the frown no longer present,

"Merry Christmas baby, and Merry Christmas to you too Holland" Anne laughed,

"Merry Christmas" I smiled back, "What are you all doing for Christmas?"

"We're heading to my parents. We wish we were there with you all" Anne frowned,

"Me too Mum" Ashton sighed, "But in a few months you will be here for the wedding"

"We will be" Anne about busted, "Oh I'm so excited for that day. I can't wait to officially have you in the family Holland"

"I can't wait to be in the family. I love you all" I told her.

We talked for a good while, but then I got up and went to get ready to give Ashton some privacy to talk to his mom.

I walked into our bathroom after getting dressed and began to straighten my hair while trying to calm my nerves about seeing my family. Things have just been weird lately with all of them. Every now and then they used to talk to me, but recently it's been almost no communication except for yesterday when my grandma told us we could come up for Christmas.

Just as I finished up my makeup, Ashton walked into the bathroom dressed for the day,

"You look beautiful" he smiled, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek,

"You look pretty good too" I smiled back and turned in his arms, my arms going up to his shoulders. Ashton lightly giggled and pecked my lips before he pulled away so he could finish up getting ready.

While he did so, I headed downstairs and loaded the car with the presents we had gotten for everyone. I loaded the last one as Ashton came out of the house with the car keys. He opened the passenger door first and let me slide in before running around and hopping in the drivers seat.

"Off we go" Ashton let out a breath, making me mumble sarcastically,

"Can't wait"

****

We got to the lake house and hauled the presents inside. When we got into the view of my family, everyone got quiet and looked,

"I didn't think you two were coming" my mom's eyes widened, "I thought this was Ashton's family's year"

"Uh it is but they're stuck in Australia" Ashton cleared his throat,

"We'll spend it with them next year" I added. It got quiet again before my grandma spoke up,

"Well, food is ready. Let's go eat"

We all headed to the kitchen and grabbed plates, filling them with food. Ashton and I took seats at the very end of the table, planning on minding our business, but that didn't last long because my aunt started talking again,

"Is everything for the wedding done?"

"Yeah. We just have to turn in the RSVP's to the caterer. Which, speaking of, none of you all have RSVP'd" I spoke,

"We shouldn't have to. We're family" my mom corrected,

"We kinda need you all to so the caterer has a correct count" Ashton spoke,

"We're telling you all that we're coming. There's the RSVP" my dad said. I took a breath and felt Ashton's hand on my knee, telling me it was okay and we can handle it.

****

Everyone was sitting around while presents were being opened. Ashton and I didn't get any but that's okay. We don't need anything anyway. It was awkward though because nobody was even acknowledging us. I was shocked my sister wasn't considering I thought we were on good terms now,

"Can we leave?" Ashton whispered. I nodded and smiled at him. We both stood and headed out, nobody even noticing, getting in the car and heading home,

"I have no idea what's going on with my family" I sighed. Ashton let out a small breath and took my hand,

"I don't know honey" he spoke, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand, "but we can't keep putting in the effort to be a family if they don't put in the same amount"

I nodded and then suddenly one thought was in my head,

"What if they don't come to our wedding? I'll have no family there"

"Honey" Ashton sighed, "They'll come. They may not act like they like us all that much, but you're their daughter and granddaughter, they'll want to see you get married"

"I hope"

"Don't worry about it too much Holland. It'll work out"