She flopped down, after an hour of cleaning the house around to have family over for Christmas. She hadn't been able to focus on the holidays in four years, due to intense training for the Olympics and now, almost a year following her big win, she was able to soak the holiday fun in. When her mother, Chloe, was conflicted on what they should do for Christmas, it hadn't taken much for Emily to suggest having it at new townhouse . It would be so much fun she said, and Damon could come over.

But that was three months ago, before she even discussed what their plans would be for the holidays and Damon apologetically declined, saying that him and a bunch of his band mates had chipped in together to rent a house for a week in the mountains for skiing and snowboarding . He asked her repeatedly, "please babe. It would be so fun."

But Emily was a woman of her word, and said no. She had promised her family she would host for the holidays and she wasn't going to let them down.

Running around finishing the course meal, she was regretting her decision. It would have been so special to celebrate their first Christmas together as a couple without her training , seeing that it was hard enough not seeing each other on a regular basis.

It wasn't like her to mope around. She rarely did. After all, she had so much to be grateful for. 2012 was for sure her best year. She had done something most people can only dream of: achieving an Olympic gold medal for the team event, uneven bars and all around. And she won a Grammy soon after with her duet with Damon, while performing for Stars of gymnastics. And on top of that, she won the athletics of the Year award. She was America's sweetheart, something she worked hard for. But one of the best things was her biggest supporter and her boyfriend, Damon Young . Too bad he wasn't with her.

Emily sighed, getting up from the breakfast bar to pull out the turkey. Damon loves turkey, she thought, trying to ignore the sad part of her heart.

The sudden buzz of her phone snapped her out of her thoughts, as she placed the turkey down on the counter and hurried towards her cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Emily, honey," her mother's voice chirped through the phone. "I'm sorry to let you know so late, but your brother and I will be a bit late for dinner. We had a little food disaster and now we have to remake the food."

Oh, that's okay," she sighed, plopping down on the couch. "I'll just busy myself with something to do while you're fixing the food."

"Sorry sweetie. Try calling Damon to see how he is," she suggested. "I'll see you soon though. Love you."

"Love you," she echoed back, staring at her phone as the call ended. Groaning, she leaned back into the couch, sinking in and grabbing a red checkered blanket to cover herself. 'Now what?' she asked herself.

Scanning the room to find the remote to turn on the tv for background noise, she felt a buzz vibrate through the couch.

She glanced down at her phone, a smile growing from ear to ear.

Damon: You busy? I miss you. Can you talk for a few?

She quickly unlocked her phone to dial his number that she had trained in her head.

"Hey you," his smooth voice greeted her. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Damon," she said softly. "I miss you." She toyed with the fringe on her blanket, trying to get a grip and not be over emotional over the fact that her boyfriend wasn't going to be around for their first holiday together.

Even miles away, Damon immediately picked up on her emotions. "Hey now, don't be like that babe. I'm really sorry I couldn't be with you today," he gently said. "But you'll have so much fun being able to relax and not have to be stressed for once.

She let out a steady laugh, breathing heavily. "I know… But now my mom and Brian are going to be late and I'm alone and this isn't fun." She didn't want to come out and say that she really wished he was with her though. It would have seemed selfish of her to want him to be with her when he had made plans before knowing she was going to be hosting dinner.

"But I'll see you soon enough," he promised. His attention suddenly seemed to be anywhere but on Emily, as he spoke quickly into the phone. "I've got to go, but I'll call you again tonight after your dinner. Love you Mustang," and with that, he hung up the phone leaving her alone in her living room.

What a crummy way to start Christmas dinner, she thought bitterly, as tears began to puddle in her eyes against her will. Turning off the tv, she threw the blanket off of her and walked to her room to get dressed and ready for dinner.