Hey guys, it's been a while, hope everyone is staying safe. Things kept coming up and I nearly forgot about Fanfiction, but thanks to the virus, I've been staying home a lot and I need things to do. This story will be a Christmas theme, despite the date that I'm publishing it. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter One

"I'm going to my mother's for Christmas this year."

"..."

"And it'll mean the whole world to me if you came."

Earlier that day, Serenity Wheeler patiently listened to the continuous ramblings of her mother over the phone. Her body was laying on top of her king sized bed, exasperated, but she was used to it. Her mother had always been a nosy person, especially regarding her life.

"Mother, everything is fine." the redhead stated for what it seemed like the thousandth time. "He's a great man and takes care of me, forget what the neighbors will think!" She continued listening to her mother and then rolled her eyes. "No, I don't regret moving in with him. I'm happy here along with my boyfriend…...I know, I know, you think only married couples should be moved in together…..Yes, I know you married dad after only five months of dating."

"And how did that turn out?" she thought sarcastically, recalling the divorce and being separated from her dear brother. Of course, she'd never dream about saying that to her own mother.

Serenity's mother began to ramble some more before pausing. Serenity then waited for her to continue to talk before her mother asked a different question concerning her. "What about the media? They lie all of the time. Look at the celebrity tabloids, mother. It's all fake news." she defended. Since when did her mother pay any attention to celebrities? "No, he's not cheating on me and he'd never do that!...Oh mother.."

Serenity placed the phone down momentarily to sign before putting it back to her ear. This was getting old. She was so tempted to hang up the phone but she felt like she had to be patient with her mother, despite all of the guilt tripping. Her mother then asked a different question.

"I'm not sure, mother. I've been feeling off for over a month now..like warmer in temperature." Serenity answered. Lately she had been feeling nauseous to the point of throwing up. Speaking it it, she was feeling like she was about to gag but she didn't want to while her mom was on the other side of the line. It'l only make her ask more questions and force her input more. "I'm sure it's nothing, please don't worry." Telling your mother not to worry? Yeah good luck with that.

Serenity's mother continued talking, lecturing her daughter about maybe leaving her boyfriend, claiming that living with "someone like him" is causing her stress. "Now that's not true, I've been feeling this way after I moved in with Seto. I've lived with him for a couple of years and you've never met him in person. You'll soon see the wonderful man that I know, mother."

Serenity's eyes then perked up after her mother spoke again. "Christmas? Well, I was planning on just staying in the mansion with Seto and his brother Mokuba." she answered truthfully, before her mother made a suggestion. "What? You want me to bring him over this Christmas for the week? Well, I'll have to get him to take some time after work, but I'll be happy to do so…...Yes mother, he'll take time out of his schedule. He always does." she replied as she twirled a strand of her long hair.

"Good, then it's settled then. I will see you soon, mother." Serenity confirmed. "I love you too, mother. Goodbye."

Her mother hung up the phone and then Serenity placed the phone down next to her. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door, causing her to sit upright. "Come in." she called out.

"Hello Ms. Wheeler, I just wanted to check to see if you needed anything." said her maid after opening one of the twin doors. She knew her boss's girlfriend was feeling a bit under the weather and had to make sure she was extra attentive. While it was generous, Serenity still wasn't used to having someone waiting on her constantly, besides the nurses from the hospital years ago.

"Oh..no, I'm doing alright." Serenity replied. "Thank you for checking."

The maid bowed before closing the door to give her privacy. Serenity saw that it was 7:30pm, noting that it was a little later than expected for Seto to come home. They both agreed that Seto would come home a bit earlier and try not to overwork himself too much unless it was really needed to be. It was a little bit of a challenge for the hardworking Seto Kaiba, but he did want to spend as much time he could with his girlfriend and brother.

However she remembered Seto telling her that he had some very important business to tend to after work today. He was pretty vague about it, but Serenity figured he'd share more later. "I wonder what kind of business it was…" she thought

She decided to leave the bedroom they both shared and headed to the kitchen to make herself a bowl of vanilla ice cream with fresh, sliced strawberries. Sure the maids could've handled it, which was probably what Kaiba would order them to do, but Serenity wanted to do things on her own sometimes.

She then sat in the family room, enjoying the sweet cream combined with the juicy berries that popped in her mouth. Soon, Mokuba came into the room, yawning loudly before collapsing on the couch next to her.

Serenity smiled at the young teen. "Wanna talk about it?"

Mokuba shook his head. "Too tired...must sleep." he muttered. "Seto's coming by the way, he had a call to answer." he added.

Serenity remembered that it did snow badly earlier before which caused traffic. "You must be cold, want me to make you some hot chocolate? She asked as she placed the book down.

"Nah, it's okay. I'm really, really tired..can't even eat or drink right now. Work kicked my butt." Mokuba replied. He never understood why she wanted to do all these things that the maids usually do, but he did appreciate that she cared tremendously for the Kaiba brothers.

Serenity nodded her head, before speaking. "By the way...are you still planning on staying home for the holidays?" Serenity questioned.

Mokuba nodded. "Yeah...Becky is going to spend Christmas with her grandpa" he replied, regarding his girlfriend. "So you two are stuck with me." he answered with a playful smirk.

"Well good, because I wanted to ask if you wanted to come with me and Seto to my mother's house for Christmas." Serenity asked. She figured maybe having his younger brother along will put Seto even more at ease with spending time at her mother's, besides she never wanted Mokuba to be left out during Christmas especially.

Mokuba gave it a thought, he always had spent Christmas in the mansion and never really at anyone's house, however it seemed like it'd be fun. Christmas at the mansion could happen next year. "Sure, I'm up for that! Although.." he paused. "How did you get Seto to agree?"

Serenity frowned, remembering that other part. "Well...I haven't exactly...asked him... yet."

"Asked me what?" said a deep voice.

They both turned around and saw Seto Kaiba holding a briefcase looking curiously at his girlfriend. Serenity panicked inside. "Oh no..I wonder how much he heard?" he asked herself.

"Ah, nothing!" she replied immediately. Mokuba averted his eyes while Seto arched an eyebrow. Serenity saw this and laughed nervously. "Ah I mean, it's nothing really. I'm glad you're home safe."

Seto knew something was up, but he decided to give it some time. Besides, he had to make another call anyways. "Okay...well I'll be in my home office just for a bit, then I'll be all yours." he replied before giving her a kiss and then ruffling Mokuba's hair. Then the CEO headed to his home office which was on a different wing of the mansion.

Serenity sighed in relief. "That was close…I almost told him." She had no problem talking to Seto about anything..well almost. They both knew her mother didn't approve of Serenity's choices in life, such as moving in with a boyfriend and dating a very powerful and influential man, which pissed Seto off.

Mokuba shook his head playfully with his arms crossed. "Serenity, you know I love you like a sister that I never had, so that's why I'm going to give it to you straight. You need to tell him tonight."

Serenity bowed her head in shame. "I know..I know..it's just-"

"I know." Mokuba interrupted. "Yeah..I bet this is something Seto would definitely say yes to." he commented sarcastically. "Is Joey, Mai and their kid coming?"

"Possibly, I'll have to call him, but Joey's never been close to mother." she recalled. "I'm sure he'll go if he knew that I was coming."

"Well..that might make it less likely to get a yes from Seto." Mokuba commented. Joey and Seto still could never get along and be civil with one another. If they were in the same room, believe that someone will hurl an insult. For one thing, Joey couldn't stand that Serenity lived with Seto, much like their mother. "But in all seriousness, it'll always be no if you don't ask. You never know."

Serenity started to feel inspired, maybe there was a slight chance he would say yes but she was holding back. There were things that Seto surprisingly did for her happiness and vise versa. "I'll never know unless I ask...you're right. Thanks Mokie."

Mokuba beamed a smile and got up from the couch. "Great! Now if you will excuse me, I'm gonna maybe take a nap and then maybe play in the arcade room!" he announced. "You got this, Serenity!"

Serenity watched the younger brother leave before reflecting things upon herself. She knew what she needed to do or this would be eating her alive for a long time, not to mention that her mother will find a new thing to guilt trip her over. 'Your boyfriend can't even take time for the holidays? What were you thinking being with him, Serenity? You need to move out!' or something along those lines.

"Yeah..I'll go to ask him right now!" she said, before leaving the living room with her new found confidence. How bad could it be?

Meanwhile Seto ended a business call he had, it was a bit shorter than usual but at least it was straight to the point like he wanted. Now he could retire for the night and spend time with his girlfriend. He considered himself lucky to have so much stamina throughout the day, being a man of so much power and responsibilities. However, even Seto Kaiba sometimes wanted a vacation deep down, as much as it troubled him.

He then heard a knock on the door which made him avert from his thoughts. "Seto? It's me, may I come in?" Serenity asked from the other side of the door.

"Actually I'm coming to you, I just finished the call." Seto replied. Serenity then waited until her boyfriend came out of his office, shutting the lights off and closing the door behind him, to meet his girlfriend. "Missed me?" he teased with a smirk.

Serenity smirked back "Mmm...maybe." she replied. The taller man slightly chuckled before the two shared a kiss and started to head back to the bedroom with his arm around her. "So how are you?" Seto asked. "Is work going okay?"

Serenity nodded. "It was fine, since it's getting close to Christmas, there wasn't much to do and the kids are getting ready for Christmas break." she replied.

After moving into the Kaiba mansion, Serenity resigned her job as Seto's secretary and now did online tutoring for children struggling in English and Literature class. She tutored Mokuba before in person, which was why they got to know each other more, but it seemed like everything was becoming digital. Plus for safety reasons now that she was Seto's girlfriend, she had security guarding her at the mansion just in case. It didn't pay much, but since Seto was insistent on paying for everything, she didn't mind too much. Besides, she got to help her students and had noticed progress with them. She got to work from home in the mansion and Seto even helped set up the technology to do so.

"And you? How was everything going in your end?" Serenity asked. "I know you had some important business to attend to."

"Heh, it's under wraps right now." Seto answered as they entered their luxurious bedroom. "But you will soon know."

"But why can't you tell me now?" Serenity pouted as he started to take off his trench coat and shoes.

"Because it's my secret." he simply replied, ignoring that playful pout she gave. "Besides, you will know soon." he added. It wasn't that he didn't trust Serenity...no far from it, it was because Seto had a surprise that regarded her, not Kaiba Corp. However, being that it was getting close to Christmas, he wanted to wait a while to make the surprise more special to her.

"You trust me?" he asked softly, cupping her face lightly as he stared into her warm, honey colored eyes that he fell in love with. Serenity nodded, looking into his blue ones that she got lost in. He smiled warmly, which was something so rare for him to do. "I'm glad, I would never hurt you...it's just the timing is not right."

"I understand and I know you'd never hurt me. I was just curious. " Serenity replied. Seto was satisfied and kissed her forehead and then lips before parting.

"I should tell him now while the mood is like this.." Serenity thought.

"Hey, want to shower together tonight?" Seto interrupted her thoughts. Serenity looked over and saw the man smirking, he was in "the mood" probably. However she couldn't wait any longer to say what was on her mind.

"Wait Seto..sit down." she commanded, feeling nervous. Seto arched an eyebrow, knowing something was up. "Are you okay?" he asked, he asked with concern in his voice.

"Yes..just please sit with me." Serenity repeated hesitantly. The man shrugged and sat next to his beloved girlfriend on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to talk.

"Well..you know Christmas is coming up?" she asked.

"Of course." That was obvious. He didn't want to rush her, but he was eager to know what was troubling her.

"And, you know...you spend time with family during the holidays." she continued, twiddling her thumbs. "I'm going to my mother's for Christmas this year."

"..."

"And it'll mean the whole world to me if you came."

To be continued…