Faith's POV-

I had just dropped Raiya at Maisie's .They have been crying for a sleep over since the last two weeks.I wanted Maisie to come over but that little girl had apparently hurt her foot pretty badly.Poor child.

Maisie's mother Tracy was a very nice woman.She told me that i did not have to worry as she would be looking after the girls all the time.I was relieved.Raiya could be a troublemaker if she wanted to be,Maisie was no different.

The house was too quite.It's 4 days to Christmas.I fed Jack and Moose.Jack had been acting like a brat so i had to practically spoon-feed him but he got it.After that he sneaked under Raiya's bed.He loves it in there.

As for Moose,he was such a sweetheart.I gave him his boiled chicken.

"You done,buddy?"

I scratched his ear.The pup barked enthusiastically in response.I took his bowl for cleaning and gave him some water.

It was not before 8 pm that Chris arrived.I was bored out of my mind.

"Hey."

I smiled and took his bag from him.He looked exhausted.

"I finally completed the damn project.It was a mess,Faith."

I passed him a glass of water as he opened his shoes and socks.He took the glass from me and gulped the water in a go.

"Thats nice.You are finally done and now you can enjoy your holidays.You took the leave,right?"

"Yeah.For 15 days.I have been working like..god knows what.My boss,Vince was kind off happy i took the leave.Anyway,Raiya is at Maisie's?"

"Yeah,i dropped her there like 5 hours ago.They were very excited.Could not stop talking about the Harry Potter marathon."

He laughed.

"Even i used to be a geek.Harry Potter,DC comics,Archie.Oh you name it and i got it.Tris used to make a lot of fun of me because i always had my nose stuck in one of those comic books."

"I was more of a swimmer.We had a pool in the backyard.All summer,like all the time was spent there.Mom used to literally pull me out."

I remembered.That was one of the nicer times from my childhood.Mom and Dad were around.We were such a happy family back then.

"Hey,i know its late and everything but do you want to have some pizza?"

That was very random.

"Uh sure..i'll go get ready.I mean do you want to go or.."

"Yeah.I actually want to go out and eat.Its a beautiful night.Better than ordering."

He smiled and opened the window.I saw the clear night sky..yes it really was a beautiful night.

I pulled up my scarf and wore another jacket over my sweater.Tying my boots,i thought about those winter nights in Memphis.Grace and I used to make marshmallow sandwiches and Dave would just eat half of it.Lucas hated marshmallows..it was so funny when he scruched his little nose and threw a tantrum.

Sighing,i took my purse and closed the bedroom door.

"Come on,we can have hot chocolate cake too.I know just the place."

Chris grinned.He was in a good mood today.That project was disturbing him a lot,i am glad he is done with it finally.

We drove for like 15 minutes and reached a narrow street.I looked at Chris.

During these 2 months,i never visited this place.Everything looked so vintage.I felt like i had reached Narnia or something.

"This place is the heart of Maplewood.Trust me,Canton has a fair share of cozy little places but this one is special."

We entered the restaurant called "Bela's home".It was so cozy and pretty.Tapestries were hung around the walls.This place must have been a hundred years old.

"Ciao amico,Chris good to see you.Oh I see you brought someone.Ciao piccola bellezza,and you my dear are?"

The plump sweet old woman smiled at me.

"Hello Giulia,this is Faith.My wife.Faith,meet Giulia.The woman who makes the best pizzas ever."

Giulia just sighed dramatically at Chris and kissed my cheek.

" Benvenuto tesoro,your husband just knows how to sweet talk my little old heart.As this is your first time here,one extra piece of cake just for you.On the house,it is."

She smiled at me.I looked at Chris.

"Oh i have known this boy since he was in those spiderman tshirts and carried a load of comic books.Trust me,your hubby was a very laid back teenager."

I laughed.

"Giulia,now if your done teasing Chris.Lets get some damn good pizza for these two.Tesoro,I am Leonardo,Giulia's husband and i am very glad to meet you."

He kissed my hand in affection.

"Well,hello to you too Leo.I am not ordering today.Brought the wife here sooo.."

Chris winked at Giulia.He was being so cheeky today.I was having a hard time believing this was even Chris.

"Oh we are on it.The best for you too..and for now.Beer?"

They smiled and left us alone with two bottles.

"You seem so different today.I mean..its a good different."

I could not help but say it.He just laughed.

"Faith,these last few days have been tough.We barely communicated except for those late night conversations.I used to be damn tired during that time.Today,i feel so relaxed and it feels good.So,here we are.My favourite restaurant.As you have heard,came here since i was 16."

Basically,since they moved to Canton.I felt a little swirl in my tummy,this was me being shy and nervous.I dont even know why?He is not even flirting.He is just opening up..well if you think of it like that.

"I really like this place too.Guilia and Leonardo seem so sweet.This place looks like its so ancient..but there is this coziness and warmth to it."

"Its 125 years old Faith."

I gawked at him.Wow.

"Yeah.That was how i reacted when i first stumbled up here with some school friends.There was this kid bullying my friend Fred in school.You wont believe me but i was this short skinny kid with boy bangs back then.We got our arses kicked after i tried to help..then came here for pizza with Fred's girlfriend.She used to be a cashier here back then."

"No way!You are like a giant..i mean.You are so tall and .."

He just laughed.

"Yeah.Growth spurt.After high school though.I grew like 10 inches or so in an year.Tris was so surprised that i was taller than him.He used to call me short cake back then.Yeah,he has always been annoying."

He took a sip of his beer.

"You want to talk something about yourself because i am interested."

He smiled at me.There was just something going on right now.Him and I.I just cannot define what.

"Well,there is not much to tell..i have been pretty simple i guess."

"You are anything but simple Faith.You are a counsellor.You draw like a damn professional artist..how did you find Canton?I mean,so far away from home.For a school teacher's job?And dont even forget that cat of yours.That guy is something."

I laughed at his dramatic tone.

"Jack is special.Anyway,i dont know why i did it.You know,Memphis has given me a lot of things.Its home but i think i wanted to explore the limits.My childhood was not very eventful.If it would not have been for Grace and David,i dont even know where i would have ended up.Our parents left us to ourselves Chris..and James just disappeared.It was not easy."

"I am sorry.James and I met just few days after he escaped.He will tell you all Faith.Its not pretty but its not my place to blabber."

I understood what he was saying.I sighed.

"I know.So,what are they gonna feed us?"

"Oh its a surprise.Just wait.Giulia and Leo are just damn good at making stuff.You are gonna lick your plate clean.I can bet."

When the pizza arrived,I was in awe.It was a large pancetta pizza with lots of tomatoes,cheese and olives..that juicy bacon.Mmm.Three dark chocolate cakes with a bowl of ginger breads and mayonaisse.

I looked at Chris.He just grinned.

"So,ready to dig in?"

"This looks amazing.I dont think i am going to stop eating now."

He just laughed.

After we were done,i was so full.

"I dont think i can even have a glass of water right now.I am so full."

"Yeah?You get used to it.Hey Giulia,are you done with the pasta?"

We had ordered some pasta for Raiya.She loves pasta and Chris told me that Raiya just adores this place.

"Yes yes.I am done.So bella,did you like the food??"

"It was so good.I dont think i have ever had Italian food that was so good.Seriously."

She smiled me and handed me the pasta.

"Chris,keep bringing Faith.I like her."

"You like her?After this!Faith loves you."

Chris hugged Giulia.It was obvious he treated her like a friend.

I laughed.

As we got out of the restaurant,Chris's phone started ringing.

"Its Nysa.Why is she calling now?Its so late.Damn."

"Hey Nys?Are you alright?"

Chris had a panicked look on his face.All the playfullness gone.

"What happened?Is she fine?"

He looked at me.

"There was a damn electric failure in her building.They sealed the building.There was a big fire, Faith.Some people got heavily injured.She is sitting in our frontyard right now."

"Oh my god!Lets go.Come on.She must be so scared."

"Yeah.Fuck that's my baby sister."

When we reached home,Chris just got out and ran.Nysa looked terrible.She was crying bitterly.

"Hey.Its alright.Come on,lets get you inside."

I hugged her.She just broke down.

Chris had to lift her in his arms.Her leg was in a very bad shape.

"I fell down the stairs.There was so much going on.People were just panicking.Some one just pushed me in chaos.I could not think of anything so i just hired a cab and came here."

"You could have called Nys!I would have came and picked you up.Damn.You need stitches."
Chris was looking at her leg.

Yeah.She did.

"I'll call 911.Did you inform mom and dad?Tris?"

She just shook her head.

Chris kissed her forhead.

"Its ok.Its alright now.You are safe."

He picked up his phone and went outside.

"Faith,i have never been so scared in my life.It was like..death was taking me.You know,the appartment next door just..it just exploded!"

She started crying.I rubbed her shoulder.

"Hey,you are alright now.Julie and Henry will be at the hospital too.I understand,Nysa.Its difficult but it will be alright."

She just hugged me.

I went with her to the hospital.Chris followed us.

It was a rush.Julie and Henry arrived after two hours.They looked like they just ran.Julie was still in her night gown.

"That's my baby!Chris,what happened?Is she alright?She is fine,right?"

"Mom!Mom!Calm down.Nysa is fine.She just messed up her leg so she got some stitches.Other wise,she is good.Ok?We can see her.Come on."

Julie just smothered Nysa.Henry looked like he was about to cry.Chris had told me that Nysa was the baby of the family.

"Henry,get us a room.We are staying here.I am not leaving my daughter."

He just gave a quite nod and left the room.

"Mom,you can go stay at Chris's.I am good now.They are just keeping me over night."

"No way!You are coming home tomorrow with us.I dont know anything.And yes,your dad and I are staying here tonight."

"Mom!She can stay at our place.Its holidays ma.Raiya loves having Nysa around and i can take care of my sister.You know that."

Chris said.

"Dad's a heart patient mom.He already looks tired.I cannot..not in this condition."
Nysa mumbled and took Julie's palm in hers.
Julie just sighed.

"My kids are just suffering.I must have done some terrible things."

"Thats just nonsense,ma."

"Julie,Nysa is gonna be fine.I am gonna take care of her.Dont worry.And its Christmas soon,i am throwing the party anyway.Lets make it a happy time.The best thing is that Nysa is safe now."

I told Julie who smiled at me.

I pulled Chris outside the room.

"You need to talk to Henry.He looks very upset."

He sighed.

"Nysa's birth parents also died in a fire accident Faith.They were dad's bestfriends.Its tough for him..i'll go check on him.You stay here with mon and Nysa.Oh and Tris is coming tomorrow morning,as soon as he found out about the situation.He just booked a flight."

Tristan was in Vermont for some photoshoot.He was supposed to come home just a day before Christmas..looks like he will be coming earlier.

I went inside and joined Julie and Nysa.Its going to be a long night.I am just happy and relieved that my sister in law is safe.

God,look over my family.Its the only thing i want this Christmas.

Pheww..poor Nysa.Atleast she is safe now.

Looks like Chris and Faith are getting comfortable around each other though:)

Next update-Tues(might be earlier too*fingers crossed*)
Happy reading!

Until next time

WimpieKid:)