Hearts on the field

Christmas roadtrip

The day before Christmas Eve had finally arrived, and it was time for Emily and Jake to embark on their four-hour road trip to his family's home. Emily decided there was no better travel attire than a cozy pair of tracksuit bottoms and Jake's oversized hoodie. Not feeling like styling her hair, she simply threw on a baseball cap, ready for the adventure.

Jake met her at the door, already grabbing her bags with a grin. "Ready for the best road trip ever?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Always!" Emily replied, her heart fluttering as they headed down to the truck.

Once they were on the road, Jake pulled into the first gas station just off campus. "Go grab some treats while I fill up the tank," he instructed, tossing her a playful smile.

Emily skipped off into the store, scanning the shelves for goodies. She spotted Jake's favorite blue bonbons and her go-to sour patch kids. Grabbing two bottles of water, she felt satisfied with her haul and made her way back to the truck, where Jake was waiting with the gas pump in hand.

"Nice choices!" he grinned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the bonbons. "You know me too well."

"Of course! I have to keep my boyfriend happy during the road trip," she teased, climbing into the passenger seat as he finished pumping gas.

With Christmas songs blaring from the radio, they hit the road, the atmosphere filled with laughter and conversation. After a while, Emily decided to ask a question that had been gnawing at her. "Hey, can I ask you something? What happened to your niece's dad? I don't see him around at all."

Jake sighed, his expression turning thoughtful as he focused on the road ahead. "He died in a motorcycle accident when my sister was seven months pregnant," he explained, his voice steady yet tinged with sadness. "He was a great guy. They were really in love, and it was just... a freak accident. My sister was devastated."

Emily listened intently, her heart aching for Jake and his family. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been for her. It must've been rough for you, too," she said softly.

"It was. But my sister is strong, and she's surrounded by a lot of love, especially from my family. We all stepped up to help her through it. And then there was Lily, who's just the light of our lives," Jake replied, a small smile creeping onto his lips as he mentioned his niece.

"That's good to hear," Emily said, squeezing his hand. "Family is everything, right?"

"Exactly," Jake replied, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. They shared a comfortable silence, the bond between them deepening with each mile they drove.

After a while, they turned down a familiar driveway. Emily could see Jake's family already gathered at the door, waving enthusiastically at them. A warm feeling spread through her heart as she realized just how much she loved being a part of this family.

Jake opened her door as soon as they parked, and before Emily could even step out, Lily, Jake's niece, ripped herself from her mom's arms and ran toward Emily with open arms.

"Auntie Em!" Lily squealed, her little face lighting up with joy as she launched herself into Emily's embrace.

"Hey there, little superstar!" Emily laughed, lifting Lily off the ground and spinning her around.

"Look what I got!" Lily said, holding up a shiny ornament she'd made in school. "It's a Christmas tree!"

"It's beautiful! You did such a great job!" Emily exclaimed, giving Lily a big hug before finally setting her down.

They all headed inside, and Emily took in the stunning Christmas decorations that adorned the house. The air was filled with the warm, inviting scents of pine, cinnamon, and freshly baked cookies. It felt like a scene out of a holiday movie, and she couldn't help but smile as she embraced the festive atmosphere.

As they settled in, Emily glanced around at the bustling family, her heart swelling with gratitude for the love and joy surrounding her. Christmas was here, and she couldn't wait to make more memories with Jake and his family.

After a delicious dinner filled with laughter and stories, everyone settled into the cozy sitting room, the warm glow of the Christmas tree lighting up their faces. The air was thick with the smell of cinnamon and pine, creating an atmosphere of pure holiday joy. Jake's mom soon entered, her arms laden with boxes that looked festively wrapped in shiny paper.

"Alright, everyone! It's time for our first Taylor family tradition—matching pajamas!" she announced with enthusiasm, a playful twinkle in her eye.

Jake groaned dramatically, but Emily couldn't help but laugh at his playful annoyance. His mom handed out the boxes, and when Emily opened hers, she was greeted with the cutest pajamas she had ever seen. They were a soft beige with little gingerbread men all over them, making her giggle uncontrollably at the thought of her muscular boyfriend squeezing into such adorable attire.

"Can you imagine Jake in these?" Emily teased, nudging him with her elbow. He rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a smile.

"Hey, you're wearing them too, you know," he shot back, feigning indignation while a grin crept onto his face.

After everyone changed into their festive pajamas, they gathered in the living room to pose for photos. Jake's mom insisted on taking a ton, capturing the moments of joy and love. Emily felt a warmth in her chest as they all squeezed together, Jake's arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder.

Once the photoshoot concluded, they settled into their spots on the couch with mugs of eggnog, indulging in lighthearted conversation about childhood memories and holiday mishaps. Laughter echoed through the room, filling Emily with a sense of belonging that she had longed for.

Eventually, as the evening wore on, Jake's mom announced it was time for bed. "Tomorrow is a big day, after all!" she said, ushering everyone to their respective rooms.

As soon as Jake closed the door to his bedroom, Emily couldn't hold back any longer. She jumped into his arms, kissing him with all the passion she had built up throughout the evening. His lips were warm and inviting, and she felt as if all her worries melted away in that moment.

When they finally pulled apart, Emily looked into Jake's eyes, feeling an overwhelming rush of gratitude. "Thank you for making me feel like a part of a real family again," she said softly, her voice sincere.

Jake smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You are part of my family, Em. You always have been. I'm glad you're here with us."

She smiled back, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace. The warmth of his body and the love in his eyes made her heart swell with happiness. They spent the rest of the evening wrapped up in each other, whispering sweet nothings and sharing dreams for the future, knowing that this was just the beginning of their holiday adventure together.