Alyssa

"Ally, wake up, it's Christmas!" Oliver yelled in my ear. "Let's go open presents!" I groaned, stretching my body out on the bed having just woke up. "Ally!"

"I thought we were going to open those presents when everyone gets here." I reminded him.

"But that's too long. I can't wait till then, can't I just open one?" He bargained.

"Olly, you promised your Gran gran you'd wait." He grumbled something after I said that and presumably left the room.

It was Christmas day and Carina, Matthew, Sophia, Cassy and Ivy were coming over to spend the day with us. Carina and Matthew were coming from London and we're going to stay with us till New Year's. Nathan wasn't back yet, in fact I haven't really heard from him since yesterday morning. I guess he's really busy.

"Ally!" Oliver came back into the room. "I want hot chocolate. Can you please make me hot chocolate?"

I was still sleepy, my eyes were still shut even. "I want to sleep a little longer. I'll make it when I'm awake."

"Last I checked, you have to be awake to talk." I can't deal with his sass this morning.

"People talk in their sleep, Olly." I countered.

"I want hot chocolate and I'm gonna keep saying it until you come make it for me." I heard a thud, I think he sat on the floor. "I want hot chocolate! I want hot chocolate! I want hot chocolate! I want hot chocolate! I want hot chocolate! I WANT HOT CHOCOLATE!!"

Oh, God, why me? "You know you are very annoying, Oliver."

"I get that a lot." He giggled. "Are you coming to make it now or do I have to keep saying it?"

I groaned once more before I dragged myself out of the sweet comfort of the bed to make him some hot chocolate. I made some for myself as well since I was already up and put some tiny marshmallows in them.

"Yay, marshmallows!" The boy who dragged me out of bed cheered and took a sip out of the cup. "Mmm, yummy. Thank you, Ally."

The smile he gave me was enough melt all my annoyance away. He sure knows how to tug on my heartstrings.

I took a shower after finishing my hot chocolate and put on a Christmas themed sweater and jeggings. They're sorta like jeans but soft and incredibly comfortable. I decided to scroll through social media in the hours left for people to arrive. It's been a long while since I checked my Instagram.

I was surprised to see that in the few days since our interview, I'd gained over a hundred thousand followers. I didn't realize I had become a public figure so quickly, it was exciting yet nerve-wracking. I didn't like the idea of everyone's eyes on me.

I didn't want to take the risk of checking my private messages. I knew people would be sending me messages on how I didn't deserve Nathan and other things like that. I didn't want to see that today.

Fifteen minutes before everyone was supposed to arrive, I started on enough hot chocolate for everyone. We had snacks coming from Sophia's bakery. Turns out there was no family discount and everything we ordered was paid for from the money Nathan sent. I still felt a little bad when I used it for anything but I pushed the feeling down.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, someone knocked on the door. It was Sophia along with Carina and Matthew. I guess they stopped by at her place. I help them put the snacks in the kitchen and soon after everyone was here. I was surprised to see, Ivy's dad, Philip. I didn't even know he was coming but I was still happy he was here.

There was some light Christmas music going on in the background and everyone was getting along great. Julia came over as well, Nathan told her she could come over and with her came Steven, Maria and Mason, Nathan's stepbrother. I don't think he'll be happy he's here.

The mood dampened a bit after that. Carina, Matthew and Sophia didn't want to socialize with them and so it became a bit awkward. I don't blame them though. Talking with the man who cheated on your daughter was not something anyone would want to do. Even I avoided them.

I knew the moment she had the chance, Maria would comment on my outfit. I had put a little make up before everyone got here to look presentable but if my face wasn't caked, it wasn't good enough for her.

I was still cautious around Julia, she may seem to be nice but it might just be an act. And Mason and I were never friends, I'd like to keep it that way.

I was in the kitchen giving Oliver what I told him was his last cup of hot cocoa today when Ivy came to announce. "You're uncle's here."

What? Oh no. Why is he here? I've paid him, he should leave me be. I can't deal with this today.

"Just him?" I had to ask.

"No, your aunt and Heely are here as well." She mentioned.

"Heely?"

"Isn't that your cousin's name?"

"It's Hailey." I corrected.

She shrugged. "Whatever. I didn't like her enough to know her name. Come to think of it, I didn't like her at all."

I let out an airy chuckle. "I'll be out there soon."

"You have an uncle?" Oliver asked when Ivy walked out.

"Yes, I do. He's the one who invited us for Thanksgiving." I replied.

"Oh, so they're the ones that poisoned you and got you sick. I'm going to give them a piece of my mind." He dropped his cup and rolled up his sleeves.

I stopped him when he started marching to the living room. "There's no need for that, just be the good boy I know you are."

"Okay." He took his cup back and held my hand as we walked out.

Hailey was the first to spot us. She glared at me hatefully then rolled her eyes when she saw Oliver. Being polite, Oliver waved shyly at her but when she sent him a disgusted look, he looked away.

She'd better stop with the looks or she's gonna have an eye full of forks.

Christopher and Rebecca were a lot kinder than she was but I knew it was all for show. I wouldn't let them have a moment alone with me, I won't be hurt or threatened today.

"We got something for you." I heard Christopher say to Oliver, handing him a present. "This is for you, Alyssa."

"Huh?" I was confused.

He held out a smaller box, like the ones you put watches in. It clearly had a lid so I could just pop it open and a blood red bow on top. "Merry Christmas."

"Thank you." I said in a voice barely above a whisper.

He went back to talking to Steven probably about business. Rebecca was talking to Maria and strangely Hailey was with Mason, flirting by the way her eyes looked and Mason was loving the attention.

In a short while, everyone had formed their little group. Cassy, Philip and Sophia were with Nathan's grandparents and Ivy and Julia were laughing at Oliver's antics.

Despite the unwanted visitors, it was nice. I had joined Ivy and Julia's conversation with Oliver who wanted to hold off on opening presents for some reason. I had asked him a bunch of times but he still wanted to wait. Strange for the boy who wanted to open them so bad this morning.

"Oliver, come on, everyone's here now, let's go so we can see what you got." I tried to convince him.

He was adamant. "Let's just wait a bit, it only two o'clock and I doubt no one wants to leave yet."

I sighed, not saying anything else. I had the feeling that he was waiting for Nathan. Carina had mentioned that it was their tradition to open presents together, I don't think he's ready to break it. But Nathan wasn't coming and he wasn't picking up, Oliver would just have to accept it soon.

"Did Dad mail my presents yet?" He had asked, looking around the tree yesterday.

I felt bad because I knew I was going to disappoint him. "No, he hasn't."

His shoulders dropped. "Oh, okay then."

To cheer him up we went out for ice cream but he still wasn't happy. He missed his dad and I couldn't change that no matter how much ice cream I give him.

The sound of the doorbell got all of us quiet and I went to check who it was. I wasn't expecting anyone else, not that there's anyone else to expect so who could this be?

I looked through the screen next to the door that was connected to the camera, letting me see who was standing outside. Mr. West, Nathan's friend, waved at the camera and there was someone else closer to the door. The person's face was covered by he presents stacked in his hands. Despite my better judgement, I opened the door.

"Can I get some help with this, please?" The voice was very familiar, almost like... wait... Nathan? I removed the topmost gift from the stack to see his face.

"Dad!" Oliver jumped from his seat and ran to hug is dad's legs.

Nathan, who had been able to put the gifts down before the boy came running at him, picked him up with a laugh. "Good to see you too, buddy."

He put Oliver down and came to hug me. "I missed you." He laid a kiss on my cheek.

"I missed you too." I returned.

He pulled away just in time for Carina to pull him into a hug. The next few minutes were filled with introductions and welcomes. Seeing his father, Maria, Mason and Christopher and his family was a surprise to Nathan but he didn't let it show. Though he was displeased, he managed to be civil.

Oliver was so excited to see his dad back and wouldn't leave his side even after we had helped him take everything inside.

"Did you also get something for my birthday, Dad?" I heard him ask as we all sat around the tree.

"You'll just have to wait till tomorrow and see." Was Nathan's vague reply.

Wait, Oliver's birthday is tomorrow? I thought. Why didn't anyone tell me? I have to get him a present before then.

Oliver was so excited to open all his gifts and there were quite a lot. He had lots of toys already but after today I believe his room would be overloaded with things to play with.

I was thankful I had two options for a gift for him and bought both because I couldn't decide. At least I had something I could give him tomorrow.

We all sat down around the Christmas tree shortly after so Oliver could finally open those presents. Everyone else had gifts too but he had the most. I got things from Ivy, Cassy, Sophia, Nathan grandparents and even Oliver. He gave me a simple black bracelet with my name spelt out in letter beads. Of course, he put 'ALLY' not Alyssa but I still loved it.

Everyone went back to chatting afterwards and Oliver pulled me to the kitchen saying he wanted more hot cocoa. I was in the process of refusing when Hailey sauntered in, closing the door behind her.

"You must think you're something, don't you?" She sneered.

"Hailey, I don't think it's best if you do this here." I advised. Someone might hear her.

"Shut up!" That made me jump. "You have no right to tell me what to do and where I should do it. This shouldv'e all been mine, not yours. You're ugly, worthless and a waste of space..."

"Shut up!" I heard someone cut her off. It was Oliver, I forgot he was even here. "You cannot talk to her like that!"

Her malicious glare fixed on him. "How dare you talk to me like that? You're just a child so you better stay quiet and out of this conversation or else."

"Or else what?" Oliver dared, giving her a glare of his own.

"Don't test me kid, I could kill you right now and nothing would be done about it."

I can't let this go on. She could threaten me all she likes but she had no right to say those things to my son. "Leave him alone." I started but Oliver stopped me.

"I got this, Ally." Was all he said before he let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Everyone was in the kitchen in less that three seconds. Oliver had somehow gotten behind me in that time and was clutching my leg tightly, sobbing into it.

Is he hurt?

"What happened here?" Nathan was the first to ask.

"Dad!" Oliver began tearfully. He came out from behind me, cradling his casted arm and basically ran to his father. "She hit me." He pointed an accusing finger to Hailey who was just as surprised as I was.

"What? I didn't..."

Oliver interrupted her as Nathan picked him up. "I was only trying to be nice to her and offered her some hot chocolate then she hit me for no good reason, on my arm." He extended his left arm, the one that was broken. "Ally was trying to protect me from her then she started saying horrible things to her. She's so mean."

Nathan's anger was clear in his eyes but he tried to mask it as he listened to Oliver's account of what happened. "Why don't you stay with your Gran gran while I take care of this, hm?"

"Okay." Oliver let himself be slid into Carina's awaiting arms.

Seeing that the situation was under control, people filed out of the room, leaving just Hailey, Nathan and I. On his way out, I saw Oliver smirk evily at Hailey before burying his face in Carina's neck.

Once the door shut, Nathan went off. "I don't know who or what gave you the right to come into my home and hit my son and talk trash to my wife but this should never happen again. I don't want you within five feet of my wife and stay further away from my son. And if you have even a quarter of a brain you'll keep your distance." He turned to me, his expression softening. "Come on, Love."

I followed him out not even sparing a glance at Hailey. We joined everyone else in the living room. Carina and Sophia were doting on Oliver giving him whatever he asked for no matter how sweet it was. Christopher left along with Rebecca and Hailey who I was sure nobody liked anymore, not that they did before.

Hours later, the house was empty and cleaned up and it was time for bed. Carina help us put Oliver down, saying that we should get our rest. I walked into where I've been sleeping, completely forgetting that it wasn't my room.

"Have you been sleeping here?" I heard Nathan ask from his closet.

I forgot I put some clothes there. I joined him in the closet, taking my clothes off the hangers. "Um, yeah, I'll move these things out of here for you."

He stopped me, placing his hand on mine. "No, it's okay, I like that you're staying here."

I can't deal with this right now. "I think I need to stay in my room from now on." I voiced.

"Why? Don't you like staying here?"

That's not it at all. "I do but..."

"Then there's no reason why you shouldn't. My gran is here so you do have to stay here anyway."

"Maybe you should tell your gran the truth." Came out of my mouth faster that I could stop it.

"What? Where is this coming from?"

"I don't want to keep lying to her and you shouldn't be either. She should know the truth, she deserves it." That was part of the reason why I didn't want to stay here. I'd rather not say the rest.

"That's not the only reason, there's something you're not saying." How did he know? "Just be honest with me."

"There's no point pretending to be in a relationship with someone who doesn't actually want it." I told him what I had been thinking for weeks.

I expected him to let me go after I said that, knowing that I was right but he said something that I wasn't expecting. "Maybe I want to relationship with you, Alyssa."

"Yeah, right." The disbelief was obvious in my voice.

"I know you don't believe me because of what I said but I'm being honest. I want to try a relationship with you." He confessed.

This is what I've wanted for a while but why did it feel too good to be true? When I didn't say anything he pulled a box out of a drawer. He delicately picked a good chain with diamonds at the end.

"This is yours. It was supposed to be a wedding gift but with my trip and all, I didn't have the chance to give it to you. I hope you like it."

It was beautiful. The gold chain was slim and looked so delicate as if it would break if I held it too hard. The diamonds looked carelessly placed but they perfect as they were. I knew they weren't fake and this necklace cost thousands of dollars but decided not to comment on it. It was a gift.

"Thank you." I said barely above a whisper.

He cupped my cheek in his large hand and lifted my head, closing the space between us. "It was my pleasure."

Our lips weren't even two centimeters apart. If I move slightly they would touch. It was as if he had the same thoughts and leaned in, slipping his hand to my waist. My hands were around his neck in seconds.

The kiss was slow and filled with emotion. I wouldn't have pulled away if I didn't need to breathe. Our eyes bored into each other as we caught our breaths.

"Merry Christmas, Love."

"Merry Christmas, Nathan."

Author's Note:

Hi, guys. I just want to thank you all for your support. It's because of you that this book has reached ten thousand reads. I was so surprised when I saw it this morning. Thank you all so much.

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-E