"I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins." 

~Elf  

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Kelsey was so wrapped up in preparations for Christmas dinner, she almost forgot about dinner for Christmas Eve. Thankfully her mom came through with sausage and potato soup.

They all sat around the living room, inhaling soup to warm their insides. They had a "Four Word Story" going, where everyone took turns adding four words to the story being passed around.

Kelsey sat cross-legged on the couch, cozied up next to Ethan, a steaming bowl of coup cuddled close to her. She caught Jacob smirking at her.

The little cousins would often say more than four words, but everyone let it slide. There was a blanket of Christmas magic that had settled over the house. Where everyone somehow felt the same amount of happiness at the exact same moment. And even though the only words exchanged were four silly ones in rapid succession, they didn't need to converse about how perfect the moment was.

Once the story got too out of hand and absurd to even continue, Ethan got up and motioned for the kids to follow him.

Kelsey's heart swelled as she watched him disappear into the hallway, the kids almost tripping on his heels. She thought Ethan and Becca would have to put up with her family for Christmas...but, as it turned out, they were thriving more than she was.

A few moments later, a curtain was draped across a row of chairs, and five puppets appeared on the other side.

It was a silly, random act, but by the time it was over, the entire family was in stitches. Even Grandma Rosamie was chuckling from her wheelchair.

Ethan presented the kids and taught them how to do a stage bow.

Afterwards, Kelsey, her mom, Aunt Josephine, and Aunt Pam all worked in the kitchen together, making jokes to one another, and laughing until they all had a headache.

The Mendoza's went back to their RV for the night, and Aunt Josephine and Becca retired early to get their beauty rest (Becca had definitely been rubbing off on Aunt Josephine, and now they were practically twins).

While her mom took a shower, Kelsey lingered downstairs on the couch, enjoying the glow from the Christmas tree and the fireplace.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was playing on4 TV and Kelsey found herself laughing out loud. It never seemed to get old.

"Hey." Ethan trotted down the stairs, dressed in a white t-shirt and red flannel pajama pants. He plopped down next to Kelsey.

"Hey." Kelsey scooted closer and draped her legs over his lap. "Before you lecture me again, I'm just waiting for Mom to get out of the shower, and then I'll go to bed."

"I wasn't going to lecture you," Ethan scoffed. "I just wanted to talk."

"Suspicious."

Ethan fake glared at her before smiling. He took her left hand casually in his and said, "I did something really, really bad, Kel." He sighed.

Kelsey frowned. "What?"

"You're probably going to hate me for it."

"What?"

The apologetic expression immediately disappeared from Ethan's face and was replaced by mischief. "You'll have to wait and see tomorrow morning."

Kelsey gasped and scowled. "You're the worst!" She playfully kicked at his face, but he dodged away.

He stood up, and leaned against the couch, coming close to Kelsey's face. That mischievous glint still sparkled in his hazel eyes. "But the good news is that you won't be able to be mad at me."

Kelsey lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed by his charm. "Yeah, we'll definitely see about that."

Ethan leaned closer and grinned. "Remember that time you got in a car accident and almost died?"

Kelsey rolled her eyes upward. "Mmm, I think I recall."

"And remember how I stayed all the hospital every night, telling you how beautiful you were, even though you looked like Dracula got run over by a tank?"

"That part's a little more foggy."

"Just remember that tomorrow morning," he said, kissing her quickly before bounding up the stairs.

"Merry Christmas to you, too!" Kelsey called after him. She shook her head and hauled herself off the couch, making her way upstairs and going into her mom's room.

Her mom sat on the bed, bleached hair in curlers like it was still the 70's, reading on her Kindle wearing a pair of pink glasses.

"Hey, you're out," Kelsey said, closing the door and going to the bathroom to wash off her face.

When she came back, she shivered and huddled beneath the covers.

"I feel like I haven't even seen you," her mom commented, blinking rapidly when she took off her glasses and turned off her Kindle.

"Yeah...I know."

They sat in awkward silence for a few uncomfortable moments and Kelsey closed her eyes. She knew this moment was inevitable, but had been avoiding it.

She took a breath to say something, but it was her mom who spoke first.

"I'm sorry, Kel," she said with a sigh. "I was hoping we could just go back to normal...that things would be the same again."

"Me too," Kelsey said quietly.

She was surprised when her mom looked at her with tears in her eyes. "I feel like I ruined everything that was important to me...and you, and your dad, and Jacob." Her chin quivered. "And I know it's my fault. I was the one who had an affair. But I just want you to know that I regret it. I regret it so much."

Kelsey sat up on her elbow and took her mom's hand. "Can I...just be honest with you?"

Her mom nodded. "Please."

Kelsey bit her lip. "It hurts, Mom. I was so angry at you, and I thought I was over it, but I guess I'm not. I was laying in a hospital bed a few months ago, not sure if I was going to make it or not, and all I wanted was to talk to you. But I couldn't, because you hadn't called, and then I got mad and didn't answer when you did call, and...it was a mess." She took in a breath to stabilize her rapid heartbeat.

"Oh, Kelsey," her mom whispered, squeezing her hand. "I want to make this right. Will you forgive me?"

Kelsey searched her mom's sad face. Her brown eyes were filled with genuine repentance, and with her makeup off, Kelsey felt like she had her mom back.

"I forgive you," Kelsey said. "And I'm sorry too. I was so petty after not hearing from you. I could've made it right with you way before this."

"There's no need to be sorry," her mom said.

"I just...I miss us. Our family." Kelsey's throat constricted and an unexpected sob escaped.

Her mom reached over and hugged Kelsey tightly. "I miss it, too, honey. I miss our family so much."

For a long while, they cried and communicated openly like they'd been needing to for the past eight months. Thankfully, the crying stopped when Kelsey made a funny comment about Roadkill, and they both cracked up, wiping their tears and sniffling.

After that, they buried themselves beneath the covers and talked just like old times.

Her mom gave a yawn and said, "I think I'm going to have to hit the hay." She smoothed Kelsey's hair away from her forehead like she used to when she was little. "Merry Christmas, sweetie."

"Merry Christmas,Mom."    

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Hey everyone! So, obviously, this isn't the last chapter...sorry XD

Monday! The finale! Be there!

~What do you think Ethan got Kelsey for Christmas?

~Are you glad Kelsey finally made amends with her mom?

~General thoughts?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch Miracle on 34th Street! (Don't forget to comment, vote, and share!}