It's Christmas Eve and since we always spend Christmas day in Long Beach with dad's family, it has become a tradition that Sebastian and I get our presents on this night every year. Mom and dad never let us buy them presents because according to them we're the biggest gifts that they could have ever received. And they always share each other's gifts in a private moment.

I'm dressed in the sweater that mom's mother or 'nanna' as I call her sent over from Switzerland last year. It's white cashmere with a braided style down the sides. I've paired the sweater with dark blue jeans since for this year's Christmas photo mom chose white and blue as the color scheme.

Yes, that's another tradition: color-coordinated pictures every Christmas and since I've loved dressing up ever since I was little, this tradition is a personal favorite.

I watch mom decide on the spot where she wants the picture and then dad sets up a tripod and camera. We have had several official family portraits, professionally taken over the years but this picture is one that feels too personal to have someone else take it.

The camera's all ready when Sebastian walks into the living room, tugging at his sweater and I realize that all four of us are dressed in nearly identical outfits except for variations in jeans shades and sweater designs.

"Alright!" Mom claps her hands, "Hazel stand here."

I stand where she positions me and then Sebastian comes to stand to my left with mom on my right and dad next to her once the camera timer is set. I blink the first time and then Sebastian sneezes the second time.

"Sorry." He says, sheepishly as dad resets the timer until we get a picture that we all approve of.

We already had dinner but I suddenly begin to crave hot chocolate so I announce that I'm going to make some and instantly everyone wants it. I make everyone a mugful since the chefs are all on leave for Christmas and then carry them back to the living room.

"Alright. Time for presents." Dad says and I see that he has two envelopes in his hand.

"Shall we do it one at a time?" Mom says resting a hand on dad's shoulder.

"Okay, eldest first or youngest?" Dad asks, looking at us.

"Youngest." Seb and I say at the same time.

"So modest of you." I shake my head at Seb who just smirks and takes the envelope that dad holds out to him.

Seb opens it and pulls out a picture of a German Shepard puppy.

"Uhh...?" Sebastian looks up confused and I'm confused too as we both look at mom and dad.

"You've always begged us to let you have a German Shepard. We had Vanessa before and in recent years you have proven yourself to be responsible enough to keep a pet. You can pick him up next week, once he's been vaccinated by the vet." Mom explains.

"For real?!" Sebastian exclaims.

"Yes." Mom smiles and nods. "And Hazel...Bunny are you okay?"

I have tears streaming down my cheeks. I try hard to reel them in but they won't stop so I just shake my head as the tears turn into sobs.

"Bunny, what's wrong?" Mom asks, sitting down next to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"I miss Vanessa so much." I sob, clutching a hand to my heart. That's how much it hurts.

Dad sits down on the arm of the sofa next to me as mom pulls me into an embrace and rubs my arm.

"Will I ever stop missing her?" I finally manage to say, not meaning it for anyone in particular.

Mom says, "You'll always miss her from time to time. She was your sibling when you didn't have one. She was your best mate. And she loved so much."

I feel dad's hand on my back, "She always kept you so happy, she wouldn't want you to cry over her."

I nod and wipe at my tears, willing my heart to stop hurting and it takes a few more minutes before I manage to keep myself from crying.

"Do you want your gift now?" Dad asks and I nod, sitting up.

He hands me the second envelope as I wipe away the last of the tears and then take a deep breathe before opening it and pulling out some legal documents.

"What...Oh!" I'm surprised at what the papers say and as I read through them, the sadness from before is slowly replaced by awe, "Is this a lease to an apartment?"

"Mhmm." Mom nods as dad explains, "It's only a fifteen minute drive to the Stanford campus and you'll have your car, so commute won't be any problem."

I'm too stunned to speak and when I pull out a page from behind the stapled lease papers, my jaw nearly hits the floor. My parents are extremely rich but they've never spoiled Ben and me. They have made us work for anything they gave us and now I'm looking at pictures of a breathtaking penthouse.

"It's a penthouse." I breathe.

"Yes. Your accomplishments in school call for this little treat. Of course, as long as you promise to be responsible." Mom smiles at me.

My face breaks into a smile, "Thank you so much."

"Do you like it? We went over five different options, you can always change." Mom says.

I shake my head, still beaming with joy, "I don't want anything else. This is your gift to me and I love it. Thank you."

"Anything for our Bunny." Dad says, kissing my head and then mom pulls me into a hug.

"Hello." Sebastian says as I rest my head on mom's shoulder and look at him, "I'm part of this family too."

"Come here then." Dad says and Sebastian engulfs us in a big group hug.

"Please no." I groan, making everyone laugh.

I was tearing up the entire time that I was writing this chapter. That's how much I loved Vanessa too :') Anyone else who became attached to Vanessa in Cool Mom or was it just me?

-T