I'm happy to be with Reyah on Christmas Eve and my family is on their way over to eat with us.

Reyah looked beautiful in her green dress and had her fixed half up and the rest hanging down her back.

I walked over to her and kiss her lips. "Merry Christmas Eve Reyah. I love you."

"I love you too and I never dreamed we would be here together when I walked into the shelter and saw your dimple."

"That's why you love me right?"

"It helps." She laughed.

I smacked her ass and we went downstairs and Libby had the dining room table full of food. Not an empty spot.

"Wow Lib this looks so good."

"Thank you, Madden! I want it to be perfect since it's my first Christmas without Russ." She said tearing up.

I hug Lib and she smiles. "Thank you for making my baby happy."

"Oh, she's the one who makes me happy Lib. I appreciate all of this and to entertain my family when you probably want to be alone."

"I don't want to be alone then I will just cry." She smiled.

The doorbell went off and Jerrick opened it and Mom and dad were standing there smiling holding gifts.

"Come in guys! It's time to eat." Libby said.

"Oh my gosh, you made so much food!" Dad said.

"I'm so hungry," Reyah said.

We sat around the table and dad said the prayer and then we eat and talked and laughed until we were stuffed.

After dessert mom suggested we go to the living room and open gifts.

It was nothing expensive but the thought that counts. Reyah got Jerrick an apron with his name on it and he loved it and his own mixing bowl set.

"What can I cook." He laughed.

Mom got me socks and thermal shirts and dad he smiled like he bought them.

"Aren't you two exchanging gifts?" Libby asked.

"We want to wait until morning," Reyah said.

"Well, here I got you both some pots and pans so you can cook for Madden."

"Thanks, mom these will come in handy since I'm moving in with him."

"Oh, you are?" Cheryl smiled.

"Yeah, I am always there so after the new year I will move my stuff over."

"Now you are still welcome to stay with us anytime you want." Libby smiled.

Mom handed over a gift to Reyah and she opened it and it was a beautiful snowflake pendant.

"Oh, it's beautiful! You didn't know but my dad left me a snowflake necklace and it will go perfect." Reyah smiled.

"I'm glad you like it, sweetie." Mom said.

"Anyone up for more dessert?" Libby asked.

"Yes!" I said.

"Will you get me a sweet potato muffin Madden?"

"Sure babe!" I got up and went to the kitchen and Jerrick was standing there like he was serving. "Can I have two sweet potato muffins please?"

"Sure but tell me what you got Rey for Christmas?"

"A snowflake bracelet to match what her dad got her and the pendant mom just gave her which I had no idea about."

"She will love it."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure about you calling her Rey."

"I will try it on her and see how it goes." He laughed.

We walked back to the living room and Jerrick sit down beside Reyah and put his arm around her. "At some point, you will probably be my sister in law so can I call you Rey?"

"Ray?" Spelled how?"

"R E Y." Jerrick laughed.

"I will try and warm up to it." She smiled.

"I told him you would say no but I'm surprised." I laughed.

Before my parents went home Libby filled their arms up with leftovers and I helped them out to the car.

"Merry Christmas Madden I love you." Mom said kissing my cheek.

"I love you guys too be safe getting home."

"Nite son!" Dad said.

I walked back into the house and Reyah was on the couch with Jerrick and both cats.

I walked to the kitchen. "Do you need any help in the kitchen?"

"Oh, I'm good Madden thank you for asking though." Libby smiled.

"It's no problem I hate to see all of this and you cleaning it up on your own."

"Fine, you can help me get the rest of the leftovers into different bowls. Thanks again for my cashmere scarf I love it."

"Your welcome! I wasn't sure what you liked and Reyah told me that you liked scarves."

Reyah and Jerrick walked into the kitchen. "We came to help since we made this mess," Jerrick said.

"Yeah get over here and help knucklehead." I laughed.

Reyah walked over and kissed my cheek and wrapped her hand around my back squeezing me.

I looked down at her and smiled "I love you."

"I love you too Madden."

"I need me a girlfriend who I can say mushy stuff too." Jerrick laughed.

"Oh hush and leave the lovebirds alone. It will happen at some point for you Jerrick but until then you can stay and keep an old woman company."

"You aren't old Lib!" He laughed.

I looked over at Reyah and wiggled my eyebrows.

"Are you ready to go home?"

"I like the sound of that and yes."

"Mom we are heading home. Thanks for the delicious meal and presents I love you."

"I love you too Reyah so much. Thank you for making this Christmas as special as it can be without your dad."

"He's here with us mom. He's in our heart." Reyah smiled.

I hugged Libby and helped Reyah put her jacket and toboggan on and we headed out to the truck.

"I think we had a great time."

"We really did but I kept waiting for my dad to walk in the door."

"I'm sorry babe I saw you looking at the door a couple of times."

"Yeah I was trying to be happy but inside I just want to break down and cry."

"Well you can cry all you want and I will hold you," I said squeezing her hand.