"I can't take the hair!" I giggled clutching onto the photo in my hands. Alexander stood with his hair clearly straightened and hanging over his forehead with a skateboard in one hand, frowning at the camera.

Andrea laughed, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, "It was such an awkward phase!"

I flipped another page and saw a picture of Bryan smiling widely as he hugged a woman in a hospital bed. She had a bandanna wrapped around her head and her arms wrapped around Bryan. The smile fell off of my face instantly. "Was that Bryan's mom?"

"It was. She was a wonderful woman. His father died when he was young so she was all he had. He used to be so full of joy and now..." she trailed sadly before glancing at me. "Alexander used to be the same, you know. I wouldn't see him for weeks at a time. He was out doing who knows what with who knows who. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."

Andrea maintained eye contact with me and I felt my cheeks flush as a result, "His friendship means a lot to me. He means a lot to me."

She smiled at me, "I know. I can tell."

Alexander barged in that moment looking suspiciously between the two of us. "You're not showing her the teen years pictures are you?"

"Every single one of them!" Andrea replied happily. "You can keep that one," she gestured to the photo of Alexander and his skateboard, "I have multiple copies!"

She stood up and closed the photo album before going back downstairs to check on the food she had placed in the oven.

Alexander stood with his back leaning against the doorframe, gazing at me. "Thank you for coming today."

"I'm glad I came. I get to leave with this piece of gold," I clutched photo of him to my chest like a prized possession.

He laughed, "It was a bad phase."

"Please. If you think that was a bad phase, you should have seen me in high school. Not my best look. Luckily for me, my mother was vehemently against picture taking during awkward phases so the likelihood of you getting your hands on one is very low."

His lips dropped downwards, "That makes me sad."

"That you can't snag a picture?"

"That your family didn't celebrate every amazing phase they had the chance to have with you."

I paused, my cheeks turning scarlet in return, "I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through yours." I stood up, still clutching the picture protectively.

We walked downstairs to see the table already set. Patrick was still on his glittered throne, the glitter somehow making it onto the front of his shirt now. He looked like he was done with the chair. Bryan was wearing oven mitts and placing serving trays of food onto the table. I noticed Andrea had put my flowers into a vase and placed them at the center of the table.

I sat down next to Alexander who handed me a plate, "Dig in," he gestured.

The table was overflowing with roasted chicken, fish, potatoes, salads, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a number of sides that I couldn't name. "This looks incredible, Andrea." I said as I piled my plate up.

"Thank you, darling." She replied finally sitting down herself.

Patrick lifted his glass of red wine and we all turned our gaze to him, "To old kin and new friends, may we always enjoy new years together. To my darling baby girl, not a day passes that I don't miss the sweet sound of your voice. Not a day passes that I don't think you'll walk in through that front door greeting me, and not a day passes that I don't shed a tear from the idea that you are no longer with us, my angel. And to all the angels we have lost. There is not a doubt in my mind that you are not seated at this table with us today." Patrick reached over for Andrea's hand and held it close to his heart.

Tears sprung in my eyes from the sheer candid nature of Patrick's speech. I felt a warm hand gently squeeze mine from under the table and I gripped on even tighter. I didn't have to look to know it was Alexander. I knew the grooves of his hands. I recognized the calloused skin and the gentle grip. Alexander was the strongest and kindest man I knew to have gone through what he had and still be the way that he was.

I glanced at Bryan to see him wiping his eyes as well and I just wanted to reach over and give him a huge hug. As if reading my mind, Andrea reached over next to her and gave him a warm embrace. He wrapped his arms around her, clearly grateful for the gesture.

"God damn glitter is even in my wine, Andrea. This chair is ridiculous." Patrick's loud voice immediately cut all the tension out of the room and we burst out laughing.

"It's tradition," Andrea asserted wiping the corners of her eyes as the tears leaked out.

We ate far too much and laughed far too loudly as the evening progressed. Even Bryan began to open up a little, cracking a smile here and there. I loved the pure joy that bounced off of the walls in Alexander's home. I felt the love and I was practically a stranger. This is what family is supposed to feel like.

I yawned as I finished off my last bite of Andrea's vanilla cake and Alexander glanced at me, "I'll drive you back if you're ready to go?" He asked.

I nodded at him thankfully before standing up. Andrea stood up and pulled me in for a tight hug, "Thank you for coming, Olivia. You're welcome anytime."

I smiled at her, "Thank you for including me."

Patrick stood up and glitter began to fly off of him as he huffed in frustration. He gave me a pat on the back before whispering, "Maybe you can help me get rid of this chair before Alexander's birthday."

I laughed, "I say we wait until after his birthday."

He let out a chortle, "Smart girl."

I turned to Bryan, "Bye, Bryan."

He nodded at me, "It was nice to see you, Olivia."

That was much more than I expected from him. I felt like he was coming to terms with me and I appreciated that.

Alexander led me outside and to his bike. He picked up the extra helmet and held it under his arm before reaching for my face to tuck my hair behind my ears. His hands stayed there, cupping my cheeks and I glanced at his soft, pink lips before looking back at his eyes. He saw the not so subtle movement and inched closer before gently tugging the helmet onto my head. I just stood there, shocked. Was I about to kiss Alexander? I knew the answer to that. I think he did as well.

We climbed onto his bike and he sped forward, driving back to address that I had given him at Avery's house. He parked the bike and got off, removing his helmet. I placed mine on the top of his bike. He leaned against his bike watching my movements.

"Thank you for bringing me today. I really had a great time. Your family's amazing."

"It hasn't felt that happy in a long time," he admitted softly.

"Alexander, I like you," I blurted out as my cheeks flushed in embarrassment at my declaration.

He grinned at me, "I like you too. A lot, Olivia. I have since the first moment I laid eyes on you."

"I just don't know what I'm ready for," I admitted to him. "I feel like I'm just figuring myself out."

He leaned forward and tugged on my fingers with his, "I'll wait for however long it takes for you to figure out how incredible you are. It shouldn't take you long. I figured it out on day two."

I laughed and he pulled me forward by my hands to wrap his strong arms around me. I held on tightly, absolutely loving the feeling of safety I had with Alexander. He knew me and I knew him.