Forevermore

16

I wake up the next morning feeling a little better then I had last night and slide out of the bed not wanting to wake Hayden. I quietly walk to the bathroom and check my face in the mirror. God I look like a wreck. I sigh splashing water on my face, hoping that will calm my puffy under eyes and red cheeks. It gets a little better as I shut the water back off. I rub my face then pull my hair into a ponytail and walk over to the tub. I lean over it turning on the water then putting the plug in. My head slightly hurts as I stand back up straight and walk back out into the main room. I look over at Hayden as he continues to sleep then quietly grab my robe and walk back into the bathroom. I shut the door behind me then sigh pulling off my clothes. They drop to the ground at my feet then I step over them and climb into the tub. The warm water feels amazing as I slowly lower myself down and lean back against the tub. I lean my head back and sigh shutting my eyes. It's been a while since I just sat and relaxed. Lord have I needed it lately. The warm water and bubbles keep me calm and happy as I continue to just lay back and breathe. I've missed this.

~~

A knock sounds on the door as I wrap my robe around me. 

"Come in!" I call turning to the tub and pulling the plug. The door opens and I smile as suddenly arms are around my waist. I stand up straight and turn around to face Hayden.

"Morning." I say and he bends down and pecks me on the lips.

"You feeling better?"

"Yeah, just relaxed in a bathtub full of bubbles for two hours. Life's great." I say and he smiles kissing me again.

"Well, your dad called up. There's special pre Christmas Eve breakfast apparently." He says with a wink and I laugh.

"Alright, let me put on clothes then I'll be down." I say and he nods backing up then leaving the room. I walk over to my suitcase and pull out a pair of jeans and a khaki sweater. I quickly change into everything then pull on socks and leave the room. I run down the stairs and smile walking over to everyone.

"Well, good morning Christmas Eve, Eve." I say and Justin smiles looking over at me as I wrap my arms around Hayden, kiss him on the cheek, then move over to my dad and brother.

"What do we have here? I see waffles." I say and my dad smirks.

"I remembered." He says and I look over at him with a smile then grab two waffles and plop them onto my plate.

"I see." I say and he smiles as I start piling on fruits and syrup and whipped cream.

"Want any waffle with that, sis?" Justin asks and I smirk as I sit beside him.

"You should know me better then that." I say and he laughs as Hayden sits down in front of me with his own waffle.

"Where's the fruit and syrup and whipped cream?" I ask and he laughs, "all on yours I'm pretty sure." He says and my brother and dad burst out laughing.

"Good one." I say and he smirks as I gently kick him under the table. He laughs digging into his waffle as my dad sits down.

"So what's the plan today? Christmas cookies, stockings, caroling, more Christmas movies, Christmas lights, oo oo-

"Seems you've already got a plan." My dad says cutting in and I smirk.

"You all know I'm a tad Christmas obsessed." I say continuing to eat my waffle.

"A tad? That's an under exaggeration." Justin says and I swat at him.

"Fine." I give in and everyone laughs.

~~~~

I finish putting all the cookies into the oven then flop down bedside Justin on the couch. Hayden and my dad had to run out a few minutes ago to grab some stuff, so it's just Justin and I.

"So, how's my little brother doing?" I ask and he laughs, "good."

"Really?" I ask and he sighs.

"I miss mom, a lot." He says and I smile.

"I do too, but she's always with us." I say and he smiles as I throw an arm around him.

"She'd be very proud to see how far you've come. Hell, I'm insanely proud of you. You've turned your life around Justin, now look at yourself. Healthy, sober, strong, independent, I mean a little crazy, but it's fine." I say and he laughs.

"I've missed you sis."

"I've missed you." I say pulling him in for a hug then slowly moving back.

"Promise me something." He says and I look over at him then nod him on.

"What?" I ask

"Promise that this isn't a one time thing. You and I hanging out again. I don't want to go another twelve years without talking to you." He says and I smile wrapping my arms around him again.

"I don't either. And I promise you, we're gonna make this a tradition. Every Christmas, whether it be here in Chicago or back at my home, we're gonna spend Christmas together. I've missed you Justin, and I am sorry that I wasn't around much, but I am now. And I'm going nowhere." I say and he smiles as I release him and stand up.

"Besides, I've gotta claim back my big sister role." I say walking into the kitchen and grabbing flour.

"Meaning?" He asks walking in after me, my back to him. I spin around and chuck the flour at him and he laughs.

"Ohh alright, so this is how it's gonna go."

"Hell yeah it is. Bring it on bro. I've gotta get back my crown!" I shout and he grabs flour and throws it at me. I laugh as we continue to have a miniature food fight.

"Dad's gonna kill us!" He shouts dodging my handful of cookie dough I threw at him.

"Eh." I say then duck. I scream as he suddenly is dumping a ton of flour on my head and tackling me to the ground. He tickles me like he used to do when we were kids and I squirm around and laugh.

"What in the hell is going on in here!?" We stop acting up and I look up seeing my dad's face.

"Hey dadddddy." I draw out as Hayden steps forward with wide eyes.

"What the hell?" He asks and Justin and I stand up.

"How old are you two?" My dad asks and Justin and I look at each other and shrug.

"Always children at heart." I say and my dad rolls his eyes.

"Yes, I can tell. Have your fun but please clean this up." He says with laugh and Justin and I nod.

"Sorry Dad!" We call as he shakes his head with a grin then turns and leaves. Hayden steps through the mess and over to me.

"You are something." He says

"Having second thoughts about me yet?" I ask and he laughs shaking his head, "never gonna happen." He says and I smirk as he kisses me

"Okay ew. Get a room." Justin says and I laugh breaking the kiss and looking over at him. I walk over to him and pull him in for a hug then kiss him on the cheek.

"Selena." He grumbles and I smirk stepping back and ruffling his hair.

"Like old times huh? I think it's fair to say I won my crown back."

"Oh, please." He says and I smirk.

"I did, just admit it." I say and he laughs 

"Okay, you did." He says and I smirk.

"Yes I did."

~~~~~~~~~~~~