***Christmas Eve***

"Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way..." Nick sang through the hallway.

"Aren't we happy?" I said.

Nick and I were at his house. I was going to spend Christmas Eve with Nick's family and Christmas day with mine. My parents were a little upset that I was staying with Nick for the holidays, but I really didn't want to hear my mom tell me over and over again how stupid it is for me to marry Nick. I was enjoying myself and I wanted to keep it that way. I spent time with Heather and we talked about the wedding for hours. Jane took all of the girls and me shopping for dresses while Bob took Nick and the guys for tuxes. The rehearsal dinner was next week and I was so happy. That meant I would be getting married soon!

"Yes I am happy. It's Christmas and I get to spend it with you."

"Good. And I am happy I get to spend it with you."

Nick and I kissed before heading downstairs to help set the table for dinner.

"You need any help mom?" Nick asked.

"Yeah." she said handing us some place mats and dishes. We placed them on the table along with the napkins and silverware. That night we had a wonderful Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. I helped clean up and then I plopped down on the couch. Nick sat down next to me and said," Tired?"

"Yeah, just a little. Too much excitement for one day."

"The fun part hasn't even begun yet." He smiled.

We sang Christmas carols and boy did I love it when Nick sang. He had such a beautiful voice. I could listen to him all day. We all sat down around the Christmas tree late that night. I sat down next to Nick and he wrapped his arms around me. Everyone opened their presents, but I told Nick I wanted to give him his gift when we were alone. Around midnight everyone was falling asleep so they all went to bed. Nick and I went into my room and sat down on my bed.

"Ok, now you can get your gift." I said.

"Goody," he said with a smile.

I went into my closet and pulled out a medium size box. I sat back down on the bed and handed it to Nick. Nick grinned as he pulled out the items that were in the box.

"Thank you Lisa. I love it."

I had bought Nick a basketball jersey from his favorite team, a Journey CD, and a gold chain. He embraced me in a hug and gave me a kiss.

"Glad you like it," I said.

"Now you get your gift. I'll be right back." Nick said grabbing his gifts and heading off to his room. He came back with this huge box.

"Whoa Nick. What did u get me? A person?" I said laughing.

"No, maybe next year."

Nick placed the box right in front of me and said, " Open it."

I pulled off the huge green bow, and carefully took off the wrapping paper.

"Why are you so careful taking off the paper?" Nick asked me.

"Cuz I save it- for memories."

"Oh."

I opened the box to find 3 little boxes inside. I laughed lightly and pulled out one box. I opened that box and found bags of Skittles in it.

"Awwww, how sweet. My fave candy. Yummy."

I opened the other box and inside was a Christmas bear. It was white and it had a red bow around it's neck. When you pressed it, it would sing Christmas songs. I loved it. There was one last box and carefully took it out. I pulled off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful heart locket. It was silver and I opened the heart to see a picture of Nick and me inside. It was taken from one of our very first dates.

"Oh my gosh Nick. I love it." I scooted closer to him and gave him a big hug.

"Here, let me put it on you." Nick took the necklace out of my hand and put it on my neck.

"I love you so much Nick."

"I love you too Lisa."

***The Next Morning***

Nick and I woke up very early the next morning. We told my parents we would be over there at 11. We said Merry Christmas to everyone, had breakfast, opened the gift from Santa *lol*, got ready and left. It was about a half an hour drive to my house from Nick's. Nick and I were a little scared to go. I had my gifts I was going to give to my parents and some cookies Nick and I made yesterday. We arrived at my house and walked up to the door. Before we could knock someone opened the door. It was my dad.

"Merry Christmas!!" he said to us.

"Merry Christmas Daddy."

"Merry Christmas," Nick said.

We walked in to find my mother in the kitchen. I went up to her and gave her a hug and said Merry Christmas. Nick did the same. The atmosphere in my house was not good at all. I could tell my mom wasn't that happy, but my dad seemed just fine. I gave my parents the gifts from Nick and me and they loved them.They gave Nick and me a box and we opened it together. We were a little confused by the object sitting in there. It was a key. I took it out and my mom said, " That's to your new apartment, both of you."

"Are you kidding?" I asked.

"No were not." my dad responded.

"We put the down payment on it and payed the first rent. It's right by the college so you don't have to drive so far to get to school."

"Thank you so much." Nick and I said at the same time. Everyone laughed. Hugs went all around and my mom told me she wanted to speak to me in the other room. I got up and followed her into the kitchen.

"Lisa, I'm so sorry about the way I've been acting. I'm very happy for you and I'm glad you are marrying someone as nice as Nick."

I just looked at her. I knew she wasn't telling the truth. She wasn't happy for me at all. "Did Dad tell you to say that?"

She was shocked I said that. "How could you think something like that?"

"Because I know you're not happy about this whole thing. You don't want me to marry Nick."

"I am happy for you. I just think you are too young to get married."

"See, I knew it, you don't care." I got up and walked out of the room. Nick and I spent part of the day there since it was Christmas. It wasn't as nice as I thought it would be, but I kinda knew it wouldn't be a great day. Nick and I left around 9 to go see Heather.

We walked up to the door and knocked. Heather came to the door and smiled when she seen Nick and me. "Merry Christmas" went around as did hugs. I gave Heather her gift and she gave Nick and me ours. She told me to open it in private. I knew what was in there then. Nick's eyes grew larger when she said to open it by myself. I think he knew what was in there too. We stayed a little bit, talked and had some cake. Around 11 we left to go back to Nick's. I was so tired that I just went straight up to my room and fell asleep in no time.