Against the Odds | DAERIN

Chapter: 21

h a e r i n

Christmas Eve

I'm spending Christmas Eve with Danielle and her family, and then I'm going to my house tomorrow to spend Christmas Day with my parents. I arrive at Danielle's house with a bag full of presents for her and her family and knock on the door.

I'm instantly greeted by Archie, who shouts, "Haerin!" and hugs me. I crouch down to hug him back while gently dropping the bag on the floor.

"Hey buddy, I got a present for you," I say as he lets go of me.

"Really?" he asks, and I can see the excitement in his smile.

"Yep, but you have to wait until tomorrow."

He sighs and mutters an "aww" sound before smiling again and shrugging. "Okay." I smile back and ruffle his hair gently before looking up and seeing Danielle.

"Hey," she says, watching me as I stand up and Archie runs away.

"Hey, baby," I say, hooking my arm around her waist and briefly pulling her in, kissing her on the cheek.

"I think I fall in love with you all over again every time you interact with him," she says quietly to me as I pull away. I can't help the smile that falls onto my face from hearing that, and the way she's looking at me lets me know that she's telling the truth.

"I don't blame you; I am quite the charmer," I reply, a smirk on my face, which quickly turns into a genuine smile as I see her roll her eyes and move away from me.

"I hate you," she mutters, fake annoyance on her face while she walks away with me running after her.

"Didn't you just say you love me?"

She turns around and rolls her eyes before walking into the living room. Her Christmas tree is in the corner with various sizes of presents all wrapped differently.

I place my bag on the floor and put the presents under the tree, all apart from Danielle's, which I keep in the bag to take to her room.

"Oh! Hi, Haerin," I hear Danielle's mom say from behind me, and I turn around giving her a smile. "Didn't know you'd got here yet."

"Hi, Mrs. Marsh, I just got here a few minutes ago."

She nods and gestures to a present next to the tree. "That one there is for you." A kind smile sits on her face and I feel welcomed.

"You didn't have to," I say, not really knowing what to say in this situation. "Thank you though, I've put yours under the tree." I stand up and she walks over, enveloping me in a hug.

"Thank you for looking after Danielle, you're nothing like those boys she used to bring home to us." I smile and I'm about to reply but Danielle speaks.

"Mum, I'm right here you know."

"I'm just telling Haerin that I think she's good for you, nothing wrong with that."

Danielle rolls her eyes but still smiles nevertheless, and we exchange goodbyes before she takes me to her room.

"She is right you know," she says, as she closes the door to her room. I put the bag on the floor and sit on the edge of her desk.

"About what?" I question, as she walks over to stand between my legs.

"You being good for me." Her arms wrap around my neck and my hands find her waist like they always do. She rests her head on my chest and I smile before kissing her head and wrapping my arms around her waist.