AN// Inserted above is a picture of Josh, isn't he so adorable?

*Aris's POV*

Oh my God, it's Josh.

My eyes remained frozen in shock as my brain struggled to get a grasp on who was standing in front of me. My fingers slowly wrapped around the door handle as I opened the door, a whiff of frigid air abruptly entering the room. I took a step back to examine my oldest brother along with his wife and daughter who were in front of me.

"Josh," I muttered under my breath as I gave him a quick once-over," I had no idea you were attending the party."

"Ha, to be honest, me neither." He sighed as he shot an irritated look at his wife, Gabriella.

Despite Josh's comment, I knew there was a part of him that wanted to be here. Whether he hated me or not, he prioritized his family. 

"Josh, honey, it's about time you see your brother anyway," Gabriella returned the glare as she set her daughter on the ground.

"Who that, daddy?" Cameron asked as he pulled on the hem of my shirt impatiently.

"That's my big brother Josh," I replied as I pointed towards Josh who hesitantly waved down at Cameron," and that is your cousin, Eliday. You met her a long time ago."

"Hi big brother Josh," Cameron giggled as he stuck out his tongue before shoving his head in between my legs.

Josh let out a hearty laugh,"Call me Uncle Josh." He replied as he ruffled Cameron's blonde hair.

       Josh's remark about not wanting to come to the party had me doubting his usual ways, but seeing him act so kindly towards my son brought a smile to my face. Maybe this was what all of those stories meant about Christmas spirit. I might as well write a story of my own now.

"Okay, Uncle Josh," Cameron replied as he shook his head in between my legs, releasing himself.

"Damn, he looks just like you did when you were a kid," Josh laughed as he nudged my arm, attempting to get my attention.

"Yeah, I have been noticing quite a lot of similarities between us recently," I replied as I smiled at my son.

Cameron began to run around the room aimlessly for a moment before strolling over by Mikayla who was setting up several platters of food. He stealthily snuck behind her, attempting to grab a piece of chocolate. 

     "Cameron!" She scolded as she snatched the chocolate from his hands, his mouth already covered with chocolate.

     Gabriella turned to Josh," I am going to go chat with Mikayla," she explained, her large blue eyes turning to me," I really would like to get to know her better."

     Josh nodded and itched the back of his head. His blue and white cap shifted on his head a bit when he bent down.

     "So, uh, how's your other kid doin'?" Josh asked forcefully as he slid off his black and white sneakers.

     "Rose? Yeah, she's doing great. Then again, I don't get to see the kids that often anymore since I'm off at college," I explained as I watched him unravel the warm blanket around Eliday's Santa themed shirt and her jeans.

     He slowly picked up her and she began to squirm a bit, her eyes squeezing shut as she let out a small wail. Josh set her on the floor and waited until she stood up on her own.

"So, you're attending college at the moment?" He questioned as he continued to eye Eliday who was still rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah, I am. I know, huge shocker, but I know it's for the best. For Mikayla, the kids, and I." I informed as I watched Josh adjust his cap to ease the uncomfortableness.

"Hey, are you and Mikayla dating again? I thought the relationship was long over with." He asked as he glanced over at Gabriella and Mikayla.

As he looked at them, I couldn't help but to look over too. Mikayla and Gabriella were laughing while drinking a tall glass of wine.

 I could feel a large amount of heat rush up to my cheeks once I thought about his question,"Oh God no. I just got home today, and she has been watching the kids for the last few months obviously. As far as I'm aware, she is leaving tonight."

"Ah" He responded, lacking any sort of enthusiasm. 

"Hi Ewiday, do you like to color? I love to color, it is one of my favorite things to do." Cameron explained as he pointed to the sky blue colored crayon and his green one in his hands.

"Yeah!" Eliday squealed as she reached to grab the crayon out of his hand. Instead, she toppled over on to her belly, not knowing how to stand up for a long period of time yet.

"No, no Ewiday!" Cameron scolded as he pulled his crayons away from her, making Eliday give him a nasty look.

~

I could sense that Cameron was feeling slightly overwhelmed with the amount of people at the house. I have never hosted Christmas or been to Christmas with my family since Cameron was a baby.

I was about to grab a piece of pizza, when I felt immense amount of pressure on my shoulders.

"Aristotle!" She exclaimed as she engulfed me in a huge and welcoming hug, " I've missed you and the kiddos so much! Speaking of the kids, where are they?" She asked, a huge smile plastered on her freckle-filled face.

  I cringed at the sound of my full name, but attempted to ignore it.

"I've missed you too, Liz." I laughed, "All of the kids are over there in the playroom down the hall. 

"Alright, I will go and say hi to them. I will talk to you later." She waved as she ran over to the playroom, her white cardigan billowing around her.

"Hey, Mikayla, this is really great." I awed as I took a swig of cold beer.

Mikayla turned to face me, her soulful brown eyes searching deeply into mine as she thought of an answer. Her  lovely red dress and contrasting black heels looked stunning on her and only heightened her prominent features.. Now that I think about it, it is the same dress that she wore when I invited her over to my house a few months back when we discussed babysitting.

"Thanks, Aris." She smiled, her eyes doing me a once-over," I worked my ass off for this really, and it seems as if everyone is having a great time, do you agree?"

"Definitely," I smirked as I gazed into her eyes," We can talk more later, but Josh wanted to talk with me more, so I better head downstairs before he gets too anxious." I excused, offering her a small beam as I grabbed my beer and headed down to the basement.

Josh was already sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand while his eyes were glued to the TV screen. Tyler was playing a game of pool with my other brother Christopher.

     "Hey, Josh. What's up?" I asked as I sat down on the couch adjacently next to him. He turned off the television before turning to face me, his face stern and emotionless.

     "Look, I'm really sorry about everything that has happened in the last three years of your life. Seriously, Aris, I am truly sorry for being a complete dick about you and your life choices. I get it, we all make wrong choices that we sometimes regret, but that doesn't mean I should have treated you the way I have for the last three years. I mean you are an adult now, Aris. When I heard your girlfriend was pregnant, I couldn't help but to have a reaction like that. Please forgive me Aris, I want to be close again . . . like we used to be." Josh confessed as his head hung low.

   The way that my life was slowly piecing back together in one night was mind boggling to me. I was silent for a few moments as I digested everything I just heard," Josh, of course I accept your apology." I nodded as I patted his thigh before watching him pull me into a tight brotherly hug.

      "Thanks, man. I knew you would forgive me." 

     A huge smile appeared on his face as he spotted Liz approaching with Rose in her arms and Cameron and Eliday trailing behind her.

      "Look who I have with me!" Liz laughed as she proudly showed me everyone who had followed downstairs.

     Cameron was banging on a drum that had a strap wrapped around his neck while Eliday was belting out a made up song as she played the xylophone. Liz made a strange face at the two kids before she bursted out laughing. I looked down to where Liz's arms wrapped around Rose; the warmth of her arms slowly making Rose drift off to sleep.

      "Hey, who's creating a new hit single over there?" Christopher shouted, his deep masculine voice echoing the room as he ran his fingers through his thick dyed-blonde hair.

     Cameron looked up from focusing on his drum, "I am making a song with Ewiday! We gonna make a band and then daddy is gonna make us famous! Right?" 

     "Aris is going to make you two famous, huh?" Tyler laughed as he began collecting the pool balls that had fallen in the pockets, of spring for another game.

      "Yeah!" Cameron exclaimed as he pumped his fists in the air as began to jump around crazily.

   Once Cameron and Eliday marched back upstairs with there instruments and her loud singing, I had to tell Liz something before she followed them up.

     "Wow Liz, you'll be a great mother one day, you know." I gaped as I examined Rose who was completely knocked out in Liz's arms.

     "I know!" She laughed, her face glowing with pride, "Why do you think I am an elementary school teacher? I wouldn't be doing it if I hated kids."

     "It's obvious, trust me. It fits your personality." I commented, watching as she put her loose hand to her heart.

     "Oh, stop!" She replied as she slapped my shoulder playfully.

    I watched as Liz strolled up the stairs making sure Rose stayed still under her watch. After she had disappeared, I turned back to Josh who was currently on his phone.

      "I feel like getting together today was actually a really smart idea." Josh commented as he slid his phone back into his pocket.

     "If you had said that forty-five minutes ago, I would beg to disagree." I responded as I rested my head against the couch. "You have Mikayla. to thank for all of this. 

      "Hm. I very well may have to thank her." Josh nodded as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

      "Yeah, she will be thankful that you commented. She loves when people do that kind of stuff." 

      "Aris, we need to grab a beer," He added with a smile," or get the kids together or something. I mean, they get along so well and I'm sure Mikayla and Gabs could talk for hours."

    "Anytime." I responded as I scanned my parents and everyone else who was eating and munching on the assortments of snacks on the counter.

    Thinking about how Josh and I were not even on speaking terms just hours ago was crazy to me. I can barely imagine what that was like anymore.

      I guess I have Mikayla to thank for that one.

     AN//Yay, so happy that I finally managed to get this chapter up. Are you guys happy that Josh finally talked everything over with Aris? Personally, I am since I dint like the whole sibling rivalry. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter and look forward to see a new chapter by possibly this Friday or the sometime over the weekend.

    Love you guys!

     ~SDS