They were in the lounge exchanging Christmas presents before lunch. Gregory couldn't keep his eyes off Linette, she was looking so beautiful in a navy blue dress with green polka dots.   He gave Thea, Christa, and Jake, Christa's boyfriend their presents first, it was the small diaries he bought.

Then he gave Linette her present.  He watched her while she opened it, she read the words that he wrote on the first page before she looked up and caught his eyes on her.  They looked at each other for a long time, then she said: "O, Gregory, this is so sweet, I love it, I love you."

That was just too much, he took her in his arms and kissed her on her mouth. He hugged her and looked her in the eyes as he asked: "Do you really love me?"

Her face turned red as everybody was looking at her, then she said without hesitation: "I do." Then she handed him the present she bought for him.

He opened it.  It was a large diary and on each page was a motivational note at the end of the page.  Underneath each note, she wrote: "Don't forget me, I love you."

He looked up and there was a hint of tears in his eyes when he said: "I won't because I love you too."  He took her in his arms again, this time he knew the connection between two people that reflect in their eyes when they found their soulmates.  Even if he was not sure when he wrote the words in the book: "Read this when you miss me, I love you, don't ever forget it.  Gregory."

He hugged her and kissed her and then he said: "I better ask you now, would you be my girlfriend?  We can't love each other without being boyfriend and girlfriend, can we?"

"Yes, I will, and we need to be boyfriend and girlfriend if we love each other." She smiled and kissed him back.

"You two better come to the table, we are all waiting for you," Thea said.

"Wow, this looks nice," Gregory said as they entered the dining room.  There was a spread of cold meat and salads on the table, neatly decorated with Christmas embellishments in green and red.  Christmas music was playing in the background.  This was a special day and they enjoyed it together even if they were strangers to each other a month ago.

"How does it feel to be boyfriend and girlfriend?" Jake asked with a sparkle in his eye.

"Nice." Gregory said, "Linette is the best,"  and he side hugged her and smiled at them as her face turned red.

"We are now together for six months," Christa said with a happy smile. "I really hope you will be as happy as we are."

"I know you will be happy, Gregory is a kind and hardworking young man and Linette is my adorable niece and I am so glad for the both of you.  Most of all, this Christmas turned out to be a happy one.  Happy Christmas to all of you." Thea said.

"Thank you.  Happy Christmas to all of you too." Gregory said with a smile.