It was Christmas morning and Joshua made me get up at five in the morning because he forgot to wrap some presents. I honestly couldn't believe he forgot, but that was just the way he was, I guess. The most outrageous thing he did was wake me up. I didn't know why he wanted me to help. I wanted to sleep more.

"Hold still, Grace!" he said, chuckling. "I'm trying to tape this together!"

"You are the worst at wrapping!" I said, steadying my hands so he could continue.

"You think you can do better?" he asked, a challenge in his voice. "Wrap the gift I got for you, and I'll wrap this one."

I sat there, staring at the red box he had in his hands. "You got me a gift?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding.

"But I didn't get you anything!" My heart dropped when I realized that. He went out of his way to get me something for Christmas and I didn't get him a single thing. Not even chocolate.

I jumped up and exited our room before he could get to me. I was literally going to go out to his car just to buy him something. He grabbed my hands, forcing me to stop walking.

"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to wriggle free. Curse him for being stronger than me.

"You don't have to get me anything," he whispered, glancing around at the sealed doors around us. "You have been enough."

"But I feel bad!"

He shushed me by placing a hand over my mouth. His other hand was on my shoulder, pushing me into our room. Somehow, I was against the wall, and he was right in front of me, holding me captive. But I didn't mind.

"You have nothing to worry about," he whispered, his breath hitting my face. I couldn't help but shiver. "I just got you a little something for being . . ."

"Being?"

"One of the best people I have ever known."

His hand had let go of my mouth but I wanted something else on my lips. My hands gripped his pajama shirt, and I whispered, "I have to do something to make up for it."

"I wish I could say I didn't want it."

His lips were soft under mine. I could barely kiss him without having my heart race like I just ran a mile. I broke away quickly, definitely surprised I did that. "Joshua," I whispered, my voice thick. "We still have to wrap presents, right?"

"I'd rather focus on you," he whispered against my lips.

I wrapped my arms around him, nuzzling my head into his neck. His head leaned against mine, and it slowly made all my problems leave my mind for the minute.

"You can open your gift now, if you want," he whispered.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

We untangled from each other and sat back on the ground. I grabbed the box, staring at it.

"It's not going to bite," he said, chuckling. "Well, unless this happens."

He took it from me, opening it and closing around my fingers. I giggled, trying to take it back. But he kept closing it on my fingers and my arms, so I just let him. He finally stopped as he laughed too and handed it back to me.

"This reminded me of you," he said as I opened it.

The necklace was a simple gold chain with a little pendant on it. But it was better than anything I have ever gotten on Christmas. I lifted it closer to my eyes and saw that the pendant was a little cookie with a bite out of it. I laughed, holding it closer to my heart.

"This is beautiful," I whispered, pulling him into a one armed hug. The other cradled the necklace against our chests. "Thank you."

"Of course."

I held him tight, wanting to stay in his embrace forever. He took the necklace out of my hand, and I turned around so he could put the necklace around my neck. He gently moved my hair to the side, and I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his hands on my back. But we both heard the sound of children and knew we had to wrap as fast as we could.

"You get that pile, I'll get this!" he said frantically.

"Why did you only get one thing of wrapping paper?" I exclaimed.

"I thought I would finish before now!"

"Do you ever plan things out?"

"Not really!"

Thankfully, we got all the presents wrapped and under the tree before anyone could see. I had a feeling Jamie knew we were rushing because she was cooking breakfast for all the children. I wished I could've been at that stove, helping her, but Joshua had other plans.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we approached the back door next to the kitchen.

"It snowed!"

"It's been snowing this whole vacation!" I said, trying to stop getting closer to the back door.

"Yes, but it is pretty. Won't you come out and see it?"

"Joshua . . ." He already had his jacket on and was trying to shove mine on. "Just for a second. You know I hate the cold with a passion."

He chuckled, and I allowed him to slip my jacket on. His fingertips brushed the back of my neck. I definitely couldn't say no now. I zipped it up to my chin and stuffed my hands in my pockets. The air was frigid but Joshua had on the brightest smile. His eyes traveled across the land that his family owned, but I kept mine on him.

I guess I was too distracted to see the snow flying at me until it hit me. Right in the cheek. I jerked to the side as another flew at me.

"Joshua!" I yelled, brushing the snow off of me. "What did you do?"

His mouth was in a perfect circle and I nearly burst out laughing. "I didn't mean to! I just wanted to throw one snowball!"

"Well, so do I."

I bent down, trying to keep my laughter in. He looked so upset that he hit me, so why not play on it a little more? My hands were almost numb when I was finished building my snowball. I looked up and chucked it at him. Unfortunately, it missed by a long shot.

"Did you try to hit me?" he asked, a mischievous look in his eyes.

"No," I said, holding onto the 'o' for a little longer than I should have.

"You need to work on that throw," he said, chuckling.

I growled, scooping up more snow. I stepped closer to him, holding my hands behind my back. "Maybe someone could teach me," I said, staring into his beautiful eyes.

"Sure. Right now?"

"Yeah." When he stepped closer to me, I threw all the snow in his face, laughing at how shocked he looked. "Serves you right for hitting me with a snowball!"

"You are ruthless!" he said, his eyes wide. "Ruthless Wilson! That's what I'll call you from now on!"

"That's what I've always wanted to be called!" I said, laughing. "Thank you!"

He took one look at me before running directly toward me. "What are you doing?" I asked hesitantly.

"Well, if you're Ruthless Wilson," he said as I dodged him, "I will be Cruel King."

I jumped to the side but his arm caught around my waist. I let out a little yelp as we fell down in the snow. I was already freezing and that didn't help. I hated how the cold seeped into my body.

"I'm gonna kill you," I muttered, standing up. I turned on my heel and started speed-walking inside when Joshua grabbed my hand.

"Slow down a little," he said, smiling.

"My hands are numb," I said, trying not to smile. "I thought you were the runner, but here I am going faster than you."

The door opened right before we got there, and Joshua's cousins fled out, cheering about playing in the snow. I definitely wouldn't join them, so I walked inside. Joshua trailed after me, and Jamie was in front of me.

"I see you two had some fun out there," she said, smiling.

"I hate the cold," I muttered, but I smiled as well.

"I set your gift on your bed," she said, stopping me in my tracks.

"How come everyone is getting me gifts and I haven't got them anything?" I asked with a sigh.

Her grin was a little mischievous, and my heart started racing. What in the world did she get me?

I was in our room before Joshua, and I saw a brown box on my pillow. It was bigger than I thought. I frowned as I pulled the tape off and opened it up, my frown deepening. Yellow feathers stuck up so I took it out of the box. I unfurled it and nearly yelped in surprise. A chicken costume was in my hands. Who in the world would buy me a chicken costume?

"Jamie!" I yelled. She was in the room in a minute, probably waiting for my reaction. "What is this?"

She laughed. "Just thought I'd start your collection now."

"My collection for animal costumes?" I asked, trying not to laugh. "I don't think I'm ever going to dress up as a chicken."

She snorted, taking the box from me. "I thought you wouldn't want it," she said. "So I got you a pair of slippers instead. They match Josh's."

"Thank you," I said, giggling. "Who are you going to give that to?"

"Shannon," she said, nodding. "She will hate it so much that she'll throw it away."

We laughed together. She handed me the slippers and I said another thank you. She nodded in response and left me alone. The smile seemed like a permanent fixture while I was in that house. I liked that.