Life Will Out

Chapter 18: Holidays

Monday, December 16

Christmas was in a week and 1 day. Atticus had already shopped for his entire family and his girlfriend- he thinks. He wanted to properly ask Amelia to be his girlfriend on Christmas. He wasn't quite sure what she wanted so he bought a little of everything. Flowers, candy, jewelry, clothes, money and a car. He had bought her a car. He bought a simple car in a simple color and if all else failed she could just ask for another color. He had chosen a white Range Rover- simple and could keep her safe. He didn't want her driving a flashy car that wouldn't protect her from the other idiots on the road.

Amelia however was panicking, her mother and her sisters were coming to see Derek and Meredith and her. They didn't know her and Owen had broken up and they didn't know about Link. The house was ready and Meredith and Derek were ready, you couldn't say the same for Amelia. Zola, Bailey and Ellis were excited to get presents from Santa and everyone else. While Amelia had just been informed she had to go to family dinner with Link's parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and his grandparents. Panic time, families hated her.

Atticus had called Kate- she was practically family and he knew the rest of his family was itching to have her at family dinner again, she hadn't been in at least two years since they broke up. But she was like a 4th child to Eric and Maureen so he gave her a call.

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Wednesday, December 18

Tonight was the night- family dinner on Atticus' side of the family. He had his best dress shirt on and the house was decorated top to bottom in Christmas decor. Amelia had on a nice top with dress pants and high heeled booties. They were sitting in his office while he was explaining who all would be joining them tonight.

"My mom and dad who you've met, Anastasia and Austin. His wife and his kids then my grandparents." Atticus replied happily, he was just excited for his family to meet his girlfriend- girlfriend. It dawned on him that he wanted to ask Amelia to officially be his girlfriend. Christmas Eve, that's when he wanted to do it. He now had a sort of proposal to plan.

-

Hour 1
This was the most mellow hour of the entire Lincoln Family Dinner. Link and Amelia had no idea it would only go downhill from here.

The food was being cooked and Amelia and Atticus sat on the balcony wrapped in a fur coat with Atticus' arms around her. He smiled up at her and she asked "is there a nick name I can call you? Kate calls you Atty, short for Atticus. Is there a name I can call you?" She asked hopeful.

"My last name is Lincoln, and Atty is already used so if you can find something you like sure Atticus smiled at Amelia. He leaned in and kissed her softly. She smiled wide at him and he said sweetly "you're so beautiful Amelia Shepherd."

Hour 2
"Oh look at you!" Amelia and Atticus heard Maureen exclaim from the kitchen. They walked into the kitchen and saw Maureen hugging Kate who had a black jumpsuit on, it had thin straps and her hair was curled. She paired it with gold jewelry and blood red heels.

"Is that Kate Miller I see?!" Eric happily exclaimed while side hugging Kate. Austin and his wife were on their way with their daughter. Anastasia came down the stairs rejoicing that Kate was at their house again. Anastasia practically jumped into Kate's arm like a young child. Kate laughed and gave Ana her moment to be happy before she put her down.

"I brought food and other things because if I remember correctly we have a long night ahead." Kate joked while everyone laughed softly. Amelia felt uneasy, she was his girlfriend yet Kate already knew everything about the family dinner dynamic. Kate came back in the house with homemade apple cider and some different dishes she made. She had brought gifts for Atticus, Anastasia, Maureen, Eric, Austin, his wife and kids and what no one had expected- she had brought Amelia a gift.

Hour 3

Atticus' grandparents Juliette and Robert arrived. They brought gifts as well and were just as surprised to see Kate in the house as his parents were. They all sat down at the dinner table and began to eat. Everyone was enjoying dinner and Maureen sweetly asked "Kate have you met Amelia? She is wonderful." Amelia gave Maureen a kind smile.

"Actually I have, I met her a little bit ago but Amelia it is lovely to see you again." Kate smiled across the table at Amelia. They finished up dinner and the entire time Ana glared at Amelia. Amelia tried to ignore her because she wasn't going to have her night ruined by the 14 year old dictator.

It was gift time, Eric and Maureen went first. They gave Atticus a brand new watch and it was so classy which matched Atticus' fashion sense perfectly. They gave Austin and his wife a few things for their new house they had just moved into. Their granddaughter Gracie Lynn who was 5 got dolls and clothes from her grandparents. Anastasia got a pair of Golden Goose shoes, Amelia got a Swarovski crystal necklace with matching earrings and bracelet. Kate was given a pair of shoes from Eric and Maureen. Amelia had survived Lincoln family dinner or Lincoln Family Dinner with Kate.