"(y/n), you should talk to him." The girl who had greeted me, Jackie, said softly. I held onto a mug of hot chocolate she had given me.

Memories just flashed through my mind. "But he-he hates me..."

Jackie sighed. "Honey, the way he has been talking of you and how excited he was, I don't think he does." She said gently.

I kept myself from crying as I looked over. Garroth was sitting at the table, Hope sitting on his lap, reading a children's book.

"But I'm scared... He broke up with me 2 1/2 years ago..." I was stopped by Jackie.

"When that jerk Mariah was around. She was here up until Garroth told me of apparently you going to the hospital. After that, she disappeared." Jackie explained.

I bit my lip. "Who are you to Garroth?" I asked softly.

She smiled. "Garroth is my cousin. He actually went to me after you left and, well, after your baby." She explained again.

I softly nodded as she continued. "I've been helping him out ever since he got fired a few months ago as well."

"He lost his job? At the donut shop?" I asked.

She nodded. "Again, apparently Mariah ratted him out about something that he did and, he go to fired. It's too bad, he was their best baker."

I softly nodded before she smiled and stood up. She walked into the kitchen. I bit my lip as I stood up and walked over to the table, sitting beside Garroth and Hope.

The rhythmic spouts of air to Hope's breathing went every other time she giggled. Garroth chuckled as they finished the story. Hope squealed as she looked up. "I read book!"

I smiled when her eyes sparkled with happiness. Garroth looked at me before saying, "Hey. Go talk to miss Jackie for a few minutes, okay?" to Hope.

Hope nodded before going into the kitchen with her bag on her back still. It was quiet between the two of us for a bit.

"Charming?" I asked softly, looking up at him. "Look, um..."

"You don't have to say anything, Princess." He moved his hand to beside mine. He had a gentle smile on his face.

"I guess you know everything." I said softly.

"Other than your daughter... our daughter's name..." He said softly.

I was quiet before smiling. "Hope Maria." I gently said. "HM."

He chuckled. "It suits her very well." He looked into the kitchen.

My gaze followed as well. Jackie was holding Hope, making pretzels and other treats. Hope held the dough in her hands as she mushed and squished it.

"Yeah. Just... I feel horrible about everything..." I looked down, my fingers right on the mug as tears threatened to spill.

"Why?" Garroth asked softly, his expression soft.

"Because I had her two months early and she has weak lungs and  was lighter than six pounds and I keep cutting and I can't keep up with work and I feel like I'm just failing her..." I said as tears started to glide down my cheeks and drop into the cup.

Garroth got up out of his chair and hugged me gently, his warm embrace was something I've missed being able to feel. Years slid out of my eyes.

"(y/n), it's okay. it's okay." He soothed before lifting my chin up 18th his hand gently. "Look, I've known you for a year over that website. You've talked to me if all your problems. You are doing amazing and you are trying your best." He softly said.

I bit my lip. "But how can you look at me after knowing what I did..."

"Because honestly, I was sort of the same after you left, (y/n)..." He gently rolled up his long, blue, plaid sleeves, revealing scars. I was mesmerized.

"You never talked about you going through anything even though I talked about it all the time..." I quietly said.

"Well, I saw you as a friend. I didn't want to worry you with my problems. I wanted to help you without you bring worried." He compassionately smiled at me.

I sighed softly. "You've changed a lot since I left, huh." I softly said.

He nodded softly. "And you," He moved his hand to move back my bangs. "You've grown since that day I saw you in the park." He gently smiled. "Stronger, braver, smarter, kinder," He rambled on about how much was different about me.

By the time he was done talking, I was blushing fairly pink. He chuckled with a smile.

I sighed. "Only you can make me blush from compliments."

He chuckled. "I've told you so many times during the last year," Gus hands were soft as they held onto mine. "You are my princess. And I love you for you, and everything." He smiled.

I giggled softly as we continued to talk. He told me all about he had heard about Mariah driving me away. It made me feel better when he told me of Mariah being a friend who in the end, ditched him.

Hope cOme over, squealing. "Mommi! They open pesents!"

Garroth and I looked at each other with a laugh before following the excited Hope.

Everyone eventually gathered in the living room. Hope sat on Garroth's lap as I sat next to the two. Jackie and Aphmau giggled as they say by the tree, presents underneath it for friends.

It surprised me how everyone treated me even after our past. Presents were passed around, even Hope got at least a dozen presents.

"Garroth, you talked about Hope?" I softly asked. He chuckled with a nod.

"There's one for (y/n)!" Aphmau cheekily smiled.

I, for one, was surprised as she handed it to me. The wrapping paper was of small Christmas Angels.

I opened it after a moment. There was a card and a small box inside. "I recognize the hand writing..." I said softly as I looked at Garroth. He had a cheeky grin.

The box had a ring in it. I giggled, the stone for December. "A ring?" I questioned.

Garroth nodded. "It's a promise ring that you lost a while back.. He held his right hand up, the ring on his finger to show his. I smiled lightly before looking at the card.

I really want to tell you
Just how precious you are to me
My every thought of you
is as loving as can be.

My heart is totally filled with things
that words alone can't say
this comes especially for you
With love on Christmas Day.

Love you Now and Always.

I read it aloud, my voice choking by the end. Ugh... It's so cheesy, it's making me cry. The girls let out this fangirl squeal when I looked at Garroth. Garroth smiled before we hugged each other.

"Stop making me cry dude. Seriously."  I whispered.

"Momma! Wait!" Hope pulled her backpack off and opened it. Everyone watched her curiously as she pulled a card out. She gave it to me.

I opened it as well. Love you Mommy!

My eyes teased up again, the bottom a picture she tried drawing. Hope giggled. "Mary Chistmis!" She giggled out as everyone smiled.

I gently hugged her. "I love it, baby girl." I whispered to her, my breath apparently tickling her ear. She giggled.

The night went on until nine started rolling by. Aphmau out Hope upstairs to sleep so she wouldn't be bothered.

"(y/n)! Come here for a sec!" Garroth grinned.

I giggled lightly before walking over to him. "Yeah? What is it?" I asked.

"Ever been under a mistletoe?" He asked curiously.

"No..." I shook my head in response. "Why?"

He motioned upwards. My eyes looked up to see.

Low and behold, it was mistletoe... I blushed before he chuckled.

I softly looked at him as he gently pulled me closer. He softly you get his lips to mine in a kiss. My hands gently sat on his chest as his held my waist gently.

Everyone laughed brightly, gladness and cheer tending to their voices. Blush increased in color on my cheeks before we both pulled away. He softly touched his forehead to mine.

"I love you, my princess." He whispered.

I smiled contently. "Merry Christmas, Prince Charming." I whispered back, my eyes sparkling with hot as I looked up at the person I had lost a long time again.

And had found in more ways than one.

The end.

Thanks for reading this pt. 3! More one-shots coming your way.