Boyd and Grace are sitting on her couch, sipping tea, and looking at the Christmas tree. Grace's mother is sitting in an armchair nearby and her girls are in the kitchen washing dishes from Christmas dinner. Boyd smiles contentedly. "Dinner was very good Grace." Boyd softly kisses the top of Grace's head.
"Thank you, Boyd. Do we need to take anything to your mother's family dinner tomorrow? I forgot to ask earlier." Grace asks.
"No, I bought some wine to take with us, but she told me not to let you bring anything. She was quite adamant about that." Boyd says teasingly.
"Would she be terribly upset if brought some of my candy cane shortbread as a peace offering for dating you? I want her to like me." Grace sounds nervous.
"She will like you, but a little candy cane shortbread might not go amiss. My brothers would appreciate it. Don't be nervous. I'm right here with you." Boyd reassures Grace.
"So, you're off to the Boyd family Christmas tomorrow, then? That ought to be interesting. Did you get everyone a present?" Grace's mum, Eileen, asks her daughter.
"Yes mum, we did get everyone a present." Grace tries not to be upset with how not reassuring her mother is being. Her mother hasn't been very supportive of this relationship from the start.
"You'll be fine, sweetheart. Just relax a little bit and let Peter take the lead. That's the safest and trying to bribe his mother isn't such a bad idea ether." Eileen smiles at her daughter.
"Grace, look at me for a minute. Mum is really excited to meet you. Everything will be fine tomorrow. I have faith in you. Mum will like you better than my ex that's for sure. Besides, my brothers will protect you too. They're good that way." Boyd sets his empty mug down and holds Grace in his arms.
"I like your brothers." Grace smiles against Boyd's chest. Boyd's brothers are very similar to Boyd.
"I know you do and they like you very much so you are pretty much safe with mum." Boyd smiles down at Grace.