Page 38 of The Merriest Christmas

"Nowhere," I said, yawning again."Seriously though, you don't have to get me anything.All I wanted was for my family tobe together, and thanks to this storm, that's not looking like it's going to happen."

"Never say never."

"Besides, that kiss was pretty good," I said sleepily.

"Pretty good," he repeated."Such high praise.My ego's never felt better."

"You know what I meant."

"Yeah," he said, placing a kiss on the top of my head."I do.Now, get some rest."

"Okay, but only for a little bit."

As I was drifting off, feeling Seaver settle in beside me, I hoped he knew I meant it.

I hoped he felt the same way I did about what happened.

He didn't need to get me something.

He already had.

That kiss was like all the best Christmas gifts I'd ever received rolled into one.

#

"Should we wake her?"

"No, let her rest.She did a lot yesterday."

I recognized the voices, though they seemed to come from far away.

"But it's after twelve."

A sigh."Finn, it's Christmas."

"Exactly, Mom.We never sleep this late.And Emmy wouldn't want to either.She said she had a lot to do. I bet she just forgot to turn on her alarm."

A new voice spoke, and I recognized it too.

"Makes sense.She and Seaver had a long night."

My brother groaned."Rose, please."

"What?"Rose released a gusty sigh."They looked so cute.All cozy and curled up like that."

I frowned in my sleep.

Who were they talking about?

"I may be traumatized for the rest of my life," Finn said, "but yeah, it's cool."

"Finn, come on."

"She's my sister."

"But it was so cute," Rose said again.

My mom sounded amused when she said, "So cute I had to get a photo."

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