The entire household and friends are out back, skating and having hot chocolate, laughing and having a good time.

I'm waiting just inside the front door for Austin, who said he'd be here around five, which should be any minute now. The emotions running through me are overwhelming, and each passing moment I get a little bit more anxious.

I've never felt this way about someone before.

I've never loved someone this much before.

When I see the flash of headlights pull into the driveway, I straighten up and flatten my hair. Austin pulls up the driveway, parking his truck out front and gets out. He's dressed in a pair of jeans with a black winter jacket and hat over his head, covering his ears.

I wait until he's coming up the steps to unlatch the door and open it for him.

"Hi, Emma," Austin says, smiling as he holds the door.

"Uh, come on in," I say, stepping aside to let him in. Austin steps past me, letting the door swing shut and follow Austin into the kitchen. We face each other, staring at each other.

"I'm sorry," I start. "I shouldn't have freaked out on you like I did. I understand that it was just as hard on your family as it was mine."

I take a deep breath, staring at Austin as he stared back.

"It's okay, you don't need to be sorry," he finally says, stepping closer. "I should have told you, whether it was hard or not. I promise I won't keep anything from you ever again."

"So..."

"So?" He asks, grinning widely.

"What are we?"

"You're my girlfriend," he says, "and I shall be your charming, handsome boyfriend."

I chuckle. "Sounds perfect."

Austin reaches into his pocket, about to take something out. "Emma-"

The door opens, cold air rushing in. Tucker steps through in, shivering. He glances at us, looking from Austin to me, back to Austin again. He raises his brow, smiling.

"Am I interrupting something?" He asks, gesturing to the door. "Maybe I should leave."

Austin opens his mouth, but I cut him off.

"No, stay," I say, smiling. "Austin and I were just talking. Everyone else is outside."

Tucker nods. "Right, okay, I'll be out there then," he says, a little bit awkwardly. He goes back out the door and I feel Austins eyes burning a hold into the side of my head.

"What's he doing here?"

I sigh. "I invited him," I say, shrugging a shoulder. "His parents are in England in a business trip."

"Oh." He smiles a bit. "So, you want to go outside? I can carry you," he says, his lips pulling back into a grin. "And call you my little snow princess."

I roll my eyes, slapping his arm. "So, are we good now? Is there anything else?"

Austin looks as if he's going to speak, but shakes his head. "No, let's go outside. I want to see Aidan fall on his face a few times."

I laugh. "Don't be a - okay, come on," I say, making my way through the house to the back door. Austin follows me. We go outside, the cold nipping at my face.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were going to have surgery?" he asks, helping me down the snow covered steps.

I shrug. "I don't know, it was a sudden choice. And, I was angry."

Austin doesn't say anything more and we walk towards the lake. Its lit up by lamp my dad buried in the snow, there are a few chairs and a table with a large pot of hot chocolate. Everyone is skating on the ice; my dad helping Joey who wobbles and falls every few minutes. My brothers Jude, Logan, Ben, and Owen are playing a miniature game of hockey with Aidan, Tucker, Henry and Quinn.

Looks like Tucker isn't as bad of a skater as he said.

"Austin!" my mom shouts, waving us over to her. We walk over to where she's handing out hot chocolate. Austin wraps his arms around me. "It is so wonderful to finally see you two back together again."

I blush. "Mom," I hiss but can't help the smile that forms. She rolls her eyes.

"I'm glad to be here," Austin says, squeezing my arm.

"Have some hot chocolate," she says, pouring us both a cup. "It'll warm you up."

I sit down in one of the chairs, unable to hold myself up and drink the coco at the same time. Steam rolls off the hot chocolate and I take a sip, closing my eyes to savour he taste.

Austin sits down beside me, pointing up at the stars. I follow his gaze, looking up at the billions of stars that light up the night sky.

"They are so beautiful," I say, smiling.

"Not as beautiful as you," he says, and I look at him. Austin kisses my cheek and pulls back, grinning. "I should be careful, huh?" He's referring to the watchful eyes of my dad and brothers, who no doubt would make a comment if they saw us.

I forgot how much I loved Austin's touch.

I chuckle. "I don't care what they say or think," I say and kiss him again.

"Oh yeah, my mom wanted me to mention that she's inviting you all over on New Years," he says, leaning back and sipping his hot coco.

"Sounds great," I say, faking a small smile.

The truth is, I don't know if I'm ready to face the woman who hit Tyler. I know it was an accident, but its still hard to face.

"Can we just get out of here already?"

Andrea stands beside me, her hands on her hips. 

We're at the mall, outside the book store. I shove Austin's present at the bottom of the bag so he won't see. 

"Come on, they're waiting for us," she says, hurrying me. I'm in a wheelchair, my leg aching. I roll my eyes.

"Do you think he'll like it?"

Andrea snorts out a laugh. "I'm pretty sure he'll love anything you buy him," she says, walking beside me as I push the wheels. "Do you want me to help you?"

I shake my head. "No, I can do it."

"You're so stubborn," she says, laughing. We make our way outside, where Aiden and Ben are waiting with Austin.

Andrea helps push me past the curbs of snow, picking up speed as we go down the isles of the parking lot. Laughter bubbles out, Andrea joining in as we slow down, coming to a stop beside my brothers beater.

Austin gets out of the back. "I'll put it in the trunk," he says, referring to Frank. Andrea helps me stand up, and Austin plants a kiss on my cheek.

My cheeks flame but I kiss him back, making Andrea groan. Aidan beeps the horn, making the three of us jump.

"Come on, it's fucking freezing," he says, glancing over his shoulder.

I roll my eyes and get into the back. Andrea scoots in beside me, leaving Austin to sit beside her.

"Now what?" Ben says, and Austin gets in.

"I'm starving," Austin answers, getting in beside Andrea. Everyone one agrees and we begin the short journey to the Dinner.

"Ah, shit," Andrea mitres, getting out of the car after arriving at the Dinner. I turn to her.

"What's wrong?"

Andrea points to the window. "We have company."

! ❤

😉😜