A/N: KP does not belong to me in any way, shape, or form. Thank you.

"Merry Christmas, Miss Sullivan!" Kari smiled at her students as they left her room, waving.

"Have a good break!" She let out a soft sigh, resting her head in her hand as a few stragglers hurried out. It would be a matter of minutes before the next batch came and she would go through the same process of collecting the final papers and worksheets, turning on the smart board as they watched movies for the last class of the year. Not too bad, if she did say so herself. A few days of easy grading and then she was free to do whatever else with her time that she wanted.

And attend a Christmas party, hosted by the Gregorys.

It had surprised her, at-first, when the Twins had paused by her desk before leaving homeroom, the both of them a little awkward in their approach, Walker not meeting her eyes. A party, Warren had said, that their mother wanted her to come to. Tessa would be there and since the both of them lived together…Well. She told them she'd love to and they left quickly.

It was in a few days, just before Christmas Eve. Tessa was leaving to spend the holidays with her family—something that was apparently killing Hal—and Kari herself was travelling back to Middleton to be with her own family. Shannon was coming back, but she wouldn't be there until Christmas Day. She liked Shannon, really she did, but it seemed the older woman just wanted to antagonize Mark and did a fairly decent job at it. The stories were funny though…

"Miss Sullivan?" Kari smiled at the younger Gregory Twin quickly.

"Walker, hey," he poked his head around her door, "what's up?"

"I just… um…" he looked around cautiously and she raised an amused brow. "The Principal hasn't… since, you know… has he?"

"No?" He offered her a relieved smile. "Is everything alright?"

"I—we—were just, I mean, me and Warren were just—worried?" She grinned at his thoughtfulness. Heat rose to his cheeks and he pulled back. "I-I have to get to class!" He bolted and she rested her chin in her hand, losing sight of him as he passed by her door.

"Mae, hi, how—" Kari tilted far to the side as Hal practically pushed her aside to get to Tessa. Mae covered her smile with a dainty hand as she helped Kari to right herself, bringing the younger woman into the living room. "—are you? Wow, I didn't think the boys were serious…" Mae took her coat, tossing it to Mark before pulling Kari into the kitchen.

"I think it's adorable!" Mae gushed, taking her hands tightly. "Just think when they get married! They're so in-love already, but just—"

"Mom?" Mae peered at her youngest holding onto the phone. "Shan just called and said the roads are supposed to be bad," Mae pouted, her fingers tightening around Kari's, "and she might be here earlier than she thought. Or," Warren paused, glancing at his brother, "A day late."

"Oh. I… Okay, well, tell her to be careful, alright?" They disappeared and Warren's voice was heard from the other room, conveying their mother's concerns for their sister. "Well, I wasn't expecting that…" Mae bit at her lip, finally letting go of Kari. The brunette twitched her fingers to return feeling into them. "Well, if she's early, no harm~" She smiled and Kari smiled back.

"I hope it all works out." Mark slunk into the kitchen, eyeing the living room. "Ah, hey Mark." He looked over at her, his lip twitching upward in what she thought was a smile. Mae wasn't amused. "Is… everything—"

"Marcus, are you here to help with dinner?" Mae's eyes narrowed but Kari didn't notice.

"Anything to get away from Hal." Kari leaned over, peering through the doorway to where Hal was seated with Tessa on the couch, the two close together and talking quietly.

"They don't seem too bad," she looked back over at him, raising a brow. "What? Are you jealous?" Mae perked while her second eldest colored.

"A-as if! I just can't stand that stupid look on his face!" Kari smirked, placing her hands on her hips and striding close, standing right before him and gazing up at him with a brow quirked. "W-what?"

"You are."

Mae held in her squeals as Mark looked away, cheeks crimson and lips pursed in what he assumed was annoyance.

"Why would I be jealous of him?"

"Because he's happy." He scowled at her. "You could be too, you know." He paused, jaw inching open. She reached up, ruffling his hair a bit. "Smile more and you'll be fine~!" She grinned up at him, her eyes closing as he hurried to comb in hair back into a presentable fashion.

"Hey, Kari~!" she shared Mark's look as she heard Tessa's singsong voice. "Come here, will you~?" But she stood, moving towards the doorway to the living room. Mark followed after her, leaning against the other side with his arms crossed. Tessa smirked, clasped her hands together daintly in her lap.

"What's up?" The Twins started snickering and she raised a brow at them. "Walker, Warren, what're you two—" Warren raised a hand, pointing above his head. "—laughing… at…" She looked directly above her and Mark copied her.

They paled at the little sprig of green floating above their heads.

"Come on, you know the rules!" Mae pressed her hands against her mouth, tears appearing in her eyes. Her happiness could not be measured right now. Tessa grinned cheekily, shifting a bit on the couch. Hal wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to his side.

"Go on, Little Bro," and if looks could kill, they would both be dead. Tessa made little shooing motions at them, urging them on.

Kari glared, lips pressed firmly in a frown. Mark was still staring up at the plant above them in horror. She huffed out a quick breath, turning abruptly and raising her hands, physically turning the brunette's cheeks so he was looking down at her. He blinked. She pushed on his shoulders a bit to bring him closer to her level. His face turned red to his ears.

"K-kar—"

She leaned up, kissing him square on the mouth, her eyes sliding closed. They ignored the shrieks and hollers. No one registered the front door opening and closing.

One second. Three seconds. Five seconds.

"Aw, that's cute~ Don't worry, I'll print copies." Mark pulled away quickly, eyes glazed over as he registered the smirking form of his sister. Holding up her phone. "Hey guys. Guess I'm a little early, but hey, I got a great picture~! Aahhh, it's a Kodak moment!" She waved the phone briefly before tucking it away, beaming triumphantly." Kari raised her hands to her cheeks, partially covering the redness as she stared at the floor. "You guys make a cute couple. Have I missed a lot?" The twins rushed forward to greet her and fill her in on everything that had happened. Kari slipped away while Mark began striding towards his younger and only sister, intent on confiscating her phone and deleting the evidence.

Only Tessa saw her disappear. And only Tessa smiled softly after her, twining her fingers with Hal's.

"You okay?" he murmured, leaning in close.

"Yeah. This is fun, we should do it more often, Hal," he beamed at her. "Your family seems interesting," a look she couldn't identify flitted across his face and his smile drooped for half a second before he righted it.

"You have no idea." She laughed lightly and turned to her left when she felt weight there. "Ah, Shan, this is—"

"Tessa. I know. Mom keeps me in the loop. One month with this dork, huh? How have you managed?" Shannon leaned in a little and Tessa patted Hal's hand lightly.

"It's not that difficult. It just feels… natural~!" Shannon shook her head in disbelief. She didn't know anyone who could put up with the idiot, but apparently he found the only woman on earth that could. What luck he had.

"So. When's the wedding?" she meant it as a joke, but she didn't miss the panic that lit Hal's eyes. As if… he had been found out? "Hey, don't—"

Hal broke.

"TESSAWILLYOUMARRYME?!"

The silence stretched on as everyone stared at the couple and Tessa stared at Hal, unblinking. He swallowing thickly and offered her a wobbly smile.

"Hal, you—" both Shan and Mark began the familiar line, but were cut off by their mother:

"Hal, really—"

"Yes." Silence reigned once more in the Gregory household as Tessa smiled prettily up at him. "Unless that was supposed to be a joke too and the both of you planned this in advance. In which case I—"

"No! Not a joke! You will?!" that last part was echoed by everyone present.

Mark was twitching.

Tessa shrugged just a little, still smiling. "I know it's only been a few weeks, but…" she looked down at their hands, blushing. Hal was close to tears, as was Mae.

"I hate to ruin the moment, but, uh, are you sure Tessa? I mean, this is Hal," Shan felt compelled to remind the girl of what she was getting into.

"My parents probably won't agree with me, but, engagements are a time for people to get to know each other, after-all. And…" she pursed her lips, looking up at her new fiancé through her lashes. "It feels right."

Mae burst into tears, her younger sons moving to comfort her as Shan congratulated the new couple. Mark offered congratulations as well, but he looked dubious, as if the entire thing was destined to fail. From the stairs, Kari smiled lightly at her friend, leaning against the rail.

She also highly doubted this would work out, but she would keep that opinion to herself and support her friend in whatever way she needed.

Ah, I do apologize that this is so late! I know it's been a couple of months, it just went and got away from me! And it's short! I'm so sorry!

Gaaah this ending though~! I'm not sure if I rushed it, or made it too soon, but yes! I did plan on Hal proposing early in their relationship! Perhaps not this early, but early!

Please, I haven't deserted this yet, but I'm still trying to work out all the kinks in my original timeline! Please stick with it and don't leave it yet!