Page 4 of The Merriest Christmas

Finn's jaw ticked once then he pulled me into a hug."Thanks, Em, I think I will."

I frowned, calling out to him as he ran up the stairs, "Wish you would've waited till after the shower to give me that hug!"

"Love you too, sis!" he called back.

I chuckled under my breath as I pulled out the other item I'd gotten specifically with him and Rose in mind.

Mistletoe.

Now that would make my baby brother's year.Rose was my only original roommate who hadn't fallen head over heels for one of my brothers—yet—and honestly, I got the impression that she was in love with Finn, but the two of them were doing this strange dance between friendship and love that was just so cute and yet so frustrating.Although I was loathe to lose yet another one of my friends to The O'Brien Brothers Effect…I wanted this for Finn.And for Rose.

So, I was going to do what I did best.

Hanging the mistletoe in the optimal spot, I already had a plan for the best way to get Finn and Rose beneath it, therefore leading to their first kiss, and hopefully, their HEA.

That done, I went to work on the rest of the house.

Yes, Finn did a wonderful job of getting things started.

But the decorations weren't doing anyone any good inside those boxes.And there was still so much baking to do.Not to mention preparation for all the holiday festivities.

"Alright," I said, turning up the volume on my phone and cranking my Cozy Christmas Playlist."Let's do this."

#

An hour later, I had the living room looking like something out of aHallmarkmovie; the tree was strung with lights, garland, and several ornaments—though I left some off because decorating the tree had always been a family affair, and I knew my brothers would want to put up a few; I also hung garland strung through with lights on the mantle; several of the gifts I'd wrapped were placed under the tree; and the whole house smelled like cookies because I'd been baking non-stop.

Was it wrong to pat myself on the back for a job well done?

Maybe.

But when Mom walked in and gave me the brightest smile, I knew I'd accomplished one of my goals.Surprise her with a house that's warm and inviting and full of Christmas cheer.Check to all of those.

"Emmy," she said and pulled me into a hug."When did you find time to do all this?"

I shrugged."All in a good day's work."

"I thought you just got home.

"I did, but that's what planning is for."

Finn came down the stairs then and said, "Plus, she had help."

"I did," I agreed.

As Mom pulled us both in for another hug, I held her just as fiercely.

"I'm so glad you're both here," she said then cleared her throat."It'll be a little strange without your brothers, but we'll try to have a good day regardless."

"I know we will, Mom," Finn said.

"Me too," I said, not giving anything away.

If I could pull this off, it would bethesurprise to end all surprises.But if I couldn't, I didn't want to get her hopes up.The flights were booked—I should know; I'd found and booked them.My brothers and I had been in contact for the last several weeks, ironing out the details, coming up with backup plans.Still.Disappointment was the one thing I wouldn't be giving anyone this Christmas.If it didn't work out, that emotion would only be felt by me.

"How was your drive back?"

"Fine," she said, "we hit some bad traffic but not nearly as much as we thought we would.This weather isn't fooling around."

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