** REBEL SIMMONS POV **

I spent this horrid Christmas Eve morning wrapping gifts then replacing the windshields and windows of my car, the somber melodies of Led Zeppelin striking chords in my uneasy soul. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You started playing on my phone as I sighed as I finished installing the passenger window. I've successfully avoided Dante all day yesterday, and started the process of completely forgetting about him.

His words hit me to the core. Granted, I wasn't asking for exclusivity, more so just a direction we are headed in. After analyzing and over analyzing, my heart began to ache at the realization that Dante will always be his cold menacing self.

In the span of a month and a half, I went from being a poverty ridden Stanford student, to having millions in the bank, to working for the Italian Mafia, being shot, killing two Russian members, and throughout that entire time, I found myself under the mesmerizing trance of the ruthless Don himself. I wouldn't want him to change, he's incredible just the way he is, but I wanted more stability in my already unstable life. A stability he could not offer me.

My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it from my pocket to see that Stephan was FaceTiming me. I put down my tools and answered the call.

"Stephan! To what do I owe the honor." I said smiling.

"I was just thinking about you and wanted to see you. Merry Christmas, gorgeous." Stephan said with a charming smile. He was sitting in a luxurious leather seat in a bright room.

"Merry Christmas, Stephan." I smiled a half smile back at him. "Will you not be joining us today?" I asked curiously. I haven't seen him since the fight erupted between him and Dante.

"Unfortunately not. I've been in France working on getting everything settled for the ball in February." He shrugged. "Duty calls, I guess." He said as he laughed.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." I said frowning.

"Well I'm sorry I won't be able to give you your gift on Christmas. Guess I'll just have to do it when I get back." He said smiling.

"Stephan, you really didn't have to do that." I said smiling at the thought that he got me a gift.

"Now why wouldn't I want to get such an exquisite woman a gift on Christmas?" He said raising an eyebrow and making me laugh as his silly expression.

"When will you be back?" I asked, now feeling obligated to get him a gift.

"I'll be back by New Years Eve. But I do have to go, I can't wait to see you when I get back." He said smiling. We said a quick goodbye and wished each other a Merry Christmas before hanging up. I sighed and walked back to my car picked up where I left off.

Any woman would be absolutely swooning over Stephan. He was handsome, charming, thoughtful... but not Dante.

I heard a soft knock coming from the garage door, and I looked at it as I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Um... come in?" I said in a confused tone, unsure how to respond to this situation.

"Rebel, honey. Are you okay?" Florence asked as she opened the garage door slightly.

"Hey, Florence." I said as I smiled at her. "Just fixing up my car before the festivities." I said as I put down my tools again and she entered the garage. She was dressed casually in white silky pajamas. The collared shirt had red buttons on them, and the pants were loose around her ankles. Apparently it's a tradition to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas in your pajamas in the Vino mansion.

"Something you do to escape, huh?" She laughed as she walked over with two fresh baked blueberry muffins in her hands. She extended out one to me and gave me a gentle smile.

"Something like that." I uttered, smiling as I took the delicious pastry in my hand.

"I used gardening as my escape from reality. There's something about planting life into the soil, and nurturing it as it grows into something extraordinary." She said as she took a bite of her muffin.

"So I'm assuming you planted the garden outside?" I asked her, leaning against my car and taking a bite of the pastry. The blueberry and pecan flavors melted in my mouth.

"It took me many years, but yes." She said as she looked out the garage doors into the garden in the front yard. "It was my reprieve, especially after my husband passed." She said as sadness crept up in her eyes.

"But I always went there to get away from the stress, this lifestyle, the violence, the heartache, everything." She said as I ate my muffin in two big bites, my soul sang in tranquility at the delicious treat.

"So what're you escaping from dear?" Florence laughed as she noticed my full mouth and face full of crumbs. I quickly swallowed the remaining muffin.

"Well, everything really. I love doing things that require my full attention and focus. It eases my mind in a way. I have the horrid habit of overthinking and over analyzing just about everything." I said shrugging.

"You wouldn't happen to be escaping from my oldest son, would you?" She asked as she smiled at me. I looked at the floor as a response.

Was I that easy to read?

"Oh honey, it's obvious. He's been sulking around the house since yesterday." Florence laughed as if she read my thoughts. She walked over to me and placed a perfectly manicured hand on my shoulder.

"His father, much to my disagreement, raised him to be a ruthless, cold hearted Mafia leader. His father thought it would be better for us in the long run." Florence said as she looked down at the floor.

"But you bring the good out from him. Well, whatever good is left." She laughed as she leaned against the car with me and took her hand off my shoulder.

"He may be an irrational oaf sometimes, but please, don't give up on my son. You and him are more similar than you think, and I have a feeling that he needs you more than he lets on." Florence smiled.

"I just don't know what to do about him Florence." I sighed as I slightly smiled at her.

"Oh honey, love is a disaster that takes you by storm. It's never the typical love story portrayed in movies or novels. Love is painful is the most beautiful way. It will crush your soul yet be your only reason for existence. It'll make you feel the worst pain imaginable yet incomprehensible joy, all at the same time." Florence explained with a smile on her face.

"But like I said, just don't give up on Dante just yet. He's quite smitten with you." Florence said as she linked arms with me and led me inside. "Come on, lunch is almost ready." She said smiling. I couldn't help but look at Florence as a mother-figure. Her wisdom is beyond her years, and she always is able to tell what I'm thinking... it must be her motherly intuition.

The entire Vino mansion was decorated with glimmering Christmas lights and ornaments. The aroma of fresh baked pastry's and turkey filled the air while Christmas music was gently playing throughout the halls.

The dining table displayed a feast fit for a King. Turkey, ham, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, lasagna, four different kinds of pasta, dinner rolls, and a wide array of desserts.

"Merry Christmas Eve!" Natalia and Isa squealed as they ran over and embraced me in a tight hug. Natalia was wearing a large red t-shirt that said "Thing 1" and Isa wore a matching black shirt that read "Thing 2". They both wore Santa hats and fluffy red pajama pants.

"Merry Christmas guys." I laughed at their outfits. I looked around the room to see Angelo sitting next to Damon at the dining room table while Giana and Harry were kissing under a mistletoe. I couldn't help but cringe at the extreme display of affection they showed. I let out a breath of relief realizing that Dante was no where in sight.

"Alright children, settle down." Florence said as she pointed to Giana and Harry and smirked. "Lunch is served!" She smiled widely as everyone proceeded to go to their seats.

"Aren't we going to wait for Dante?" I asked the twins curiously. They both looked at me with their eyebrows raised.

"Dante never joins us for holidays. For Thanksgiving he joined us for 3 minutes before excusing himself to his office." Natalia scoffed.

"Yeah it was a Thanksgiving miracle that he even stayed for 3 minutes." Isa laughed.

"Rebel, dear. Maybe you can try and talk him into joining us this year?" Florence asked, hope beaming in her eyes.

Fuck, who can say no to her?

"Um... sure. I'll be right back." I said hesitantly as I left the dining room and walked towards his office.

I was about to knock on the large wooden double doors, when I paused. Nervousness consumed my body, as I took a deep breath, and knocked gently on the door.

"Go away." Dante spoke out coldly.

"...Okay then." I uttered under my breath as I turned around.

I walked about two steps before the massive wooden doors flung open. Dante was wearing grey joggers than hung low on his waist. His black v-neck shirt was tight on his body, displaying his muscular physique. His blonde hair was messy underneath the black beanie he wore.

"Rebel? Is everything alright?" He asked in a gentle tone. His face was soft... looking almost vulnerable.

"Yeah... everything's fine. I just wanted to see if you were joining us for lunch?" I asked curiously. He paused for a moment before he leaned up against the door frame and crossed his arms.

"No, why would I?" He scoffed. His soft demeanor melting like ice on a summers day.

"Because it's Christmas Eve?" I said obviously.

"Your point?" He said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Your family wants to spend time with you, Dante." I said rolling my eyes.

"They see me everyday." He shrugged. "Besides, I'm sure no one wants me there. I'll just ruin their holiday." He scoffed. Growing annoyed, I turned around and started to walk. I took two steps before I paused.

"Well, I want you there." I said above a whisper, before I started to walk back towards the dining room.

I walked down the long corridors of the hallways, analyzing what I just said to Dante. There was an irresistible and destructive pull I had towards him, and as much as I was pushing him away, I part of me wanted him there, next to me.

I made it to the dining room and gave Florence a sad smile, which she returned when she realized I came back alone. Damon took my seat, so I sat next to the empty chair at the head of the table.

We started to eat when the sounds of footsteps echoed through the hallway. We all stopped and looked to see Dante gracefully crossing the dining room and taking his seat at the end of the table, his eyes locked on mine. I gave him a slight smile as he sat down next to me.

"Dante!" The twins exclaimed in unison.

"Oh son, I'm so glad you're joining us." Florence said, clapping her hands together making her bracelets clink together.

"Yeah thanks for gracing us with your presence, brother." Angelo smirked.

"Whatever. Let's eat." Dante said as his hand gripped mine under the table.