Autumn Chloe Radford

The familiar sensation of being desperately cold but still hit with the glow of sunshine refreshed me this morning as I was shockingly not in a garage, on a hospital armchair but in an actual bed in an actual home where I was welcome. Shit, I didn't even need a coffee.

I took care of myself in the bathroom before finding myself racing downstairs to the delight of Christmas day. I felt like a little kid, running, hoping to catch Santa in the act, but seeing Alex making cookies and hot chocolate was just as good.

Cookie dough on his cheeks as he juggled milk and flour was what I wanted to wake up to. I put a few things away before kissing him briefly. "How did we sleep, Ramsey?" I smiled, nudging him with my hips.

He giggled and put his arm around me. "If anyone's the Ramsey of this kitchen it's you," he retorted and passed me the bowl and spoon. I started putting little blobs of cookie dough on the baking tray.

"You can ignore my question, but it seems to me that you slept perfectly," I smirked.

"So did you, in your Christmas tree pyjamas," he smiled and I mocked him, about to throw dough at him.

"We don't waste in the Turner household," Alex says cautiously, "but seriously, what a choice of clothing."

"Shut up, at least I'm festive, boxers and a shirt doesn't scream Merry Christmas."

Sneakily, he kissed my neck. "What a Christmas," he giggles against my neck, his warm breath sending chills up and down my body. He wraps his arms around my waist and I hold his hands as we rock side to side. You framed an innocent man.

"You know, I think these should go in the oven," I say, breaking out of this little trance as I place it in the oven and start getting the hot chocolate powder from the cupboard.

Alex pulls me close again. "What happened, Autumn?" He asks gently, refusing to let me go, as if I left for a minute he would lose me forever. He wasn't wrong.

"Nothing," I smiled, kissing his cheek briefly. "Your boys and their parents will be up soon, I just want them to have a good breakfast."

"Not a healthy one at that," he laughed and got the marshmallows.

We made everything and talked as we waited for everyone to wake up.

"What if we don't wait?" Alex suggests, deviousness clear in his eyes. I prop myself on the counter as he sits next to me, his bare legs swinging from side to side.

"You wanna wake them up?" I smile, knowing that I wasn't the only one who knew how to have a good time. "Get the pots and pans, Turner."

"First," he stops me from jumping off the counter, and our legs intertwined as he strokes my cheek, my eyes parallel from his. I could feel my heart beat faster, feeling time slow down and myself going deaf with the sound of my heartbeat as he leans closer and attaches his lips to mine.

I make it more passionate, slipping my tongue and holding him closer by the nape of his neck. He pulls away, leaving some for later. "Pots," he says, breathless, and I giggle before jumping off the counter and handing it to him.

We run up the stairs and begin clinking and clanking everywhere, almost enough to wake up the whole of Boston. "Wake up!" I shout, "it's Christmas, you brits!"

Alex and I jump and down on beds and throw pillows, but run when they wake up, and this proves too hard for his circulatory system, but I remain full of both oxygen and victory. "Oh, this is pathetic, even for you," I smile and join his collapse on the sofa, lying on top of him.

I can hear his heartbeat, unhealthily fast and I trace shapes on his arms, as we both enjoy comfortable silence. "God, I wish you were always here," Alex whispers, and I feel my heart swell with warmth, as I hold his arm tightly.

Me too, I think. I kiss his hands and jump off him, pulling him along with me. "Let's set the table," I say, ignoring his affection once again.

"You tell me what's happening," he pleads gently, sitting up as he pulls me to his lap by my waist. I lean to the side to face him.

"You're being paranoid," I smile, cupping his cheeks in my hands. I kiss his forehead. "It's my first Christmas, in a long time, with family. I don't want anything to go wrong," I lied, although it was partially true, but having a merry Christmas wasn't the most pressing issue at the moment.

He puts his hands on my thighs. "Family's good at fixing things, Autumn. Especially these lot, they have a lot of love and they're always looking for more people to give it to, most likely you," he reassures me and pecks my lips.

"Why me?" I ask in curiosity.

"Autumn Radford is Boston's biggest mystery; you're so strong," he says softly, running his hands through my hair. "You're troubled, though, and people want to love and people want to help."

"That's me," I joke, "Trouble."

Alex shut his eyes for a second, like he regretted what he just said. "No, no fuck that. You're sweet, and hilarious. Insanely charismatic, and I'm so crazy for you. That's why."

I hug him and start setting the table with plates, glasses and placemats. Before I know it the boys come tumbling down. "Hey boys," I greet, and they look slightly intimidated, but more interested to poke fun at Alex. If I know Alex at all, these guys must be his confidant.

"Autumn," Miles greets, wrapping his arm around me. "Mind if we chat?" He asks as we walk around the living room together.

"As much as I love you near me, Liverpool, what's going on?" I ask.

Miles laughs. "Just be careful with my Alex," he says softly, "the last thing I need is his little heart to be dismembered again."

"It's nothing to do with you," I say, and kind of regret it, but it was true.

"I'm sorry. Yes you're right, I just-"

I pull away from him. "You know who I am, Miles," I say mockingly, "everyone does. I can't guarantee anything. After the holidays," I sigh, and felt the desire to confess something but decided against it. "I'll think about it properly."

"Alright," he smiles, "just be gentle."

I nod and he walks away as I am left alone, and I sigh once more before heading to the dining room where everyone is gathered around the table, conversing among themselves.

"Autumn," Penny smiles, "I was just speaking with Jill and the others. We would all love to get to know you."