The snow started to gently fall. Christian's mom announced from the door, "They're finally here!" Shelia waved to her and then helped Christian get the bags from the back of the rental car.

"This is so cool that the entire family is going to be here for Christmas!"

Christian rolls his eyes. "You're only saying that because you haven't spent a weekend with my entire family."

Sheila gave him a shove. "Would you stop? Your little sister is the last one I haven't met and so far I've loved them all."

"That's because they all gush over you." Christian pretends to pout as they walked up the few short steps to the wrap-around porch.

"They do not," Sheila said but as she walks in the door there is a chorus of "SHEILA!" heard throughout the house. Christian laughs. "You were saying?"

Sheila giggles, as she gets tackled by a few of the younger nieces and nephews the moment she stepped through the door. "Hey, guys! What have you been up to? I've missed you all too much."

The littlest one takes Sheila's hand and leads her away to tell her all about her losing her first tooth and the visit she got from the tooth fairy and the rest of the group follows right behind her wanting their turn to tell their latest tale.

An older gentleman with greying hair at his temples comes up and slaps Christian on the back. "Hey, son."

Christian smiles and gives his father a hug. "Lost her already?"

"Looks that way. We've been away for some time so she may be awhile."

"That's okay. I'll catch up soon enough. Let me help you with those bags." Christian's dad takes up a suitcase and follows Christian up the stairs. When Christian looked back his dad offered, "Third door on the right will be your room."

"Thanks, Dad." Christian opens the door and deposits the bags inside.

"So, how are you doing?" His father asks giving him that assessing parental gaze.

"Good." Christian said, "Business is doing well, just finished up and East Coast Tour and my book just hit #1 on the New York Best Sellers List."

"Yeah, yeah all that I can learn from the paper. I mean you and Sheila?"

"Me and Sheila? What about us?"

"Well with you on your tour and her on hers with her ballroom dancing... well when do you two ever find the time to... you know, be a couple?"

Christian chuckles. "We do just fine, Dad. Sheila and I have worked it out." Christian left it at that as discussing his relationship with his father wasn't exactly a comfortable conversation.

"You two need to settle down, Son. You're not getting any younger and neither is she. Don't you want a family?"

Christian sighed. Here they go again. If it wasn't his Dad it was his Mom telling him how she isn't going to live forever and she wants to see those grandbabies before she passes on to the great beyond.

"It's been over a year, Christian. Don't you think it's about time you make an honest woman of her?"

"Of me?" Sheila said smiling, and both men break apart looking guilty that they were caught talking about her.

She walks up to Christian's father and kisses his cheek. "Hello, Joe. You should know that's never going to happen."

"I ... ah...I didn't mean any disrespect, Sheila. I know you're a good girl. I just think it's about time my son did the right thing, that's all."

Sheila flips her case to the bed and opens it to put her clothes away. "I'm sure he'll get around to it someday."

"It's a modern-day and age you know. You could always ask me," Christian said smiling, with teasing eyes.

"Oh! I can't even stand to hear this. No son of mine is going to let a woman propose. It's your God-given right Son! And you're just going to throw it away? Nope, I'm not sticking around to hear another word." He reaches the door and pauses. "Sorry, Sheila it would seem my son has no romance in his soul."

Christian throws a pair of balled-up socks at the doorway and his Dad holds his hands up in surrender. "Just sayin'."

Christian shakes his head in dismay at his father who leaves shutting the door behind him. He frowns.

"Now that's a face," Sheila said coming around to his side of the bed.

"You don't believe that do you?" Christian asked.

"What that you are without romance in your soul?" Sheila's smile grows into something far more mischievous and downright sexy.

"I can think of a way for you to prove him wrong." Sheila winds her arms around Christian's neck and pulls him close. His hands rest casually on her hips.

"You can, can you? Are you certain we have time for that? You know my Mother may burst in at any moment demanding when I'm going to produce her another grandbaby."

Sheila giggled. "Well, then won't she be pleasantly surprised if she caught us 'in the act'?" Sheila said, using finger quotes behind Christian back and he captured the laugh on her smiling lips.

Sheila's eyes closed and she leaned into him. His hands traveled up her back and into her hair. He held her there as she opened up to him. He sighed and lazily explored her mouth. He could get lost in her kisses.

When he felt her fingers exploring under his T-Shirt he laughed. "Shelly, you know we're expected for dinner." Her hands traveled up further still. "You enjoy driving me crazy don't you?"

Sheila just nodded her head, yes before reclaiming his lips. He lifted her up and her legs went around his waist and he walked with her back to the bed and l laid her down upon it. God she was beautiful and God how his body, his entire being wanted her.

He took only a brief moment to lock the door before joining her once more. He started by lifting up his shirt to remove it. He loved how her eyes were glued to his body but then there was a knock on the door.

"Uncle Christian? The door is locked. Aunt Dee Dee sent me up to say dinner is ready."

Christian sighed and collapsed upon a giggling Sheila. "Okay! Be right there!" Christian hollered back.

"Okay!" And they heard the child run down the hall.

"So not fair," Christian said before stealing another kiss. Sheila pushed him away slightly so she could sit up and shrugged.

"We have all weekend. I'm sure you'll find time to show me just how romantic you can be."

Christian grumbled. "Heaven help me."

They get down the stairs and the moment Sheila enters the kitchen, Christian's mother squeals and hugs her. She pulls her away slightly taking Sheila's hands in her own. "Oh let me look at you. You look so beautiful!" Her eyes discreetly glance to her hand and she frowns.

"Still no ring, Christian. I thought for sure..."

"Mom, please don't start again."

"I'm not getting any younger you know sweetheart. I want to see my grandbabies."

"What are my children? Chop liver?"

Christian laughs. "Hey, Dee Dee." He gives her a kiss on the cheek and places his hand on her pregnant belly. "Don't listen to mom little one, Grandma can't wait to see you too."

Dee Dee swats her big brother's hand away. "No, touchie! Just because I'm this kid's Uber doesn't mean you get a free ride. So rumor has it your girl is here?"

Christian beamed ear to ear. "Shelly I would like you to meet my littlest sister, Dee Dee."

"He meant to say his favorite sibling!" Dee Dee said holding out her hand, "Nice to finally meet you, Shelly. You're all this family talks about."

"I am?" Shelia said finding it hard not to sound surprised.

"Well we all hated Debs so when we heard Christian was dating again, you can't help us for being curious. You did good Big Bro. She's stunning."

Sheila blushed and Christian winked at her.

"So, did she get the little one's seal of approval yet?" Christian's older brother asked coming into the kitchen to steal a cookie. His mother smacked his hand. "Mom?!"

"We are about to sit down to dinner!"

Christian steals two cookies from behind his mom's back and tossed one to his brother. "Steve catch."

"Christian Marian Orloff!"

"Marian? You said the M was for Michael." Sheila snickers and Christian gives her a sheepish look with a shrug. "It's a family name."

"You two boys had best behave yourselves. What kind of example are you setting for your nieces and nephews?"

"Don't worry, Mom. I promise it won't spoil my appetite," Steve said grinning and taking a bite of the delicious chocolate chip cookie.

"So, has he proposed to her yet?" Steve whispers to Dee Dee and she shakes her head no grinning.

"That's it!" Steve reaches out and grabbed Sheila by the arm and pulls her towards him. He does so, so quickly Sheila doesn't have time to react.

"I've said this more than once Shelly. I love you! When will you ditch him and run away with me?"

"Look, guys!" Dee Dee said giggling. She points above their heads. "Mistletoe!"

"At last! My one and only chance!" Steve dips Shelia who is laughing hysterically at his antics.

Christian quickly rescues her. "I don't care that you're gay. Get your mitts off of my girl."

Steve chuckles. "Man, outted in front of the entire family! Harsh, Bro!"

Steve's partner enters the kitchen. "Is he trying to run away with Sheila again?"

"He almost got to kiss her this time, Harper," Dee Dee said putting her arm around the young man and pointing to the mistletoe.

"Well, I guess it's up to Christian to keep up tradition now," Harper said, and the entire family groaned when Christian chastely kissed Sheila's cheek.

"I almost feel so sorry for you. Even I want you to run away with Steve," Harper said, tsking for added effect.

"I know right?" Steve said, "Lame little, Bro."

"What?! We're in the middle of the kitchen. Half the family is here. There are little kids everywhere," Christian defended.

"We weren't telling you to make love to her here in the kitchen. Although we all will be going to bed early tonight since Santa won't come until we do. So later..."

"Dee Dee!" Christian's mother admonished shocked by what her daughter was about to say. "I swear the lot of you were raised by wolves. You most certainly were not raised by me." And the entire group laughed.

"I'm going to get your father and tell him it's time for dinner."

Slowly the kitchen emptied out and Shelia was left standing there alone with Christian.

"Sorry about all that," Christian said, but Shelia didn't look the least bit offended. In fact, her eyes sparkled with laughter.

"I honestly can say, I don't know when I've had more fun. I love you! I love your family. I really couldn't be happier."

"You so sure about that?" Christian asked and Sheila frowned with wonder.

Suddenly in his hand was a velvet box and Sheila gasped. He got down on one knee and opened the box. Tears filled her eyes. "Sheila Galloway, will you do me the extreme honor of becoming my wife? I can't imagine another I would wish to share my life."

Sheila couldn't speak she just simply nodded yes as a single tear slowly glided down her cheek.

"Did she say anything?"

"She's probably in shock!"

"Well can you blame her?"

Sheila started giggling hearing the family commenting from somewhere nearby. "Yes! I said YES!"

"LORD BE PRAISED!" Christian's mother yelled.

Sheila couldn't stop laughing. He was right. Now, she couldn't be happier. Christian slid the ring on her finger and captured her lips. The two intertwined and quite forgot they had an audience until they heard Steve say; "Now that's a kiss."

THE END