AN: Merry Christmas (if you celebrate that sort of thing)! Life has been crazy, but I'm on vacation for the next 9 days! I'm going to spend some quality time with my computer after the holidays, so hopefully, my next update will be soon-ish. Someone asked if I have a schedule, and if you didn't realize it by now, I really, really, really don't.
I try to write in the mornings when I get off work before I have to wake up the monster for school, but work has been crazy. Basketball is in full swing and that takes up most of my Saturdays (when I get most of my writing done), but they're on break until mid-January, so long story short, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 2 updates in the next 2-3 weeks.

Hopefully, you're all still here! As always, I appreciate the reviews, follows, faves, love. I try to respond to reviews, but it's sporadic at best. So if I responded before and didn't the last time you reviewed, it's because I'm scatterbrained, and if I have never responded to you, it because I'm scatterbrained.

Storytime!

December 24th

Riley stood in front of the Christmas tree, decked out in black leggings with Christmas trees on them and a red over-sized sweater as she put the finishing touches on the decorations.

Things had changed a lot over the past week. Missy was very happy in California, so Riley kept her promise to Lucas, inviting him into their circle at school, much to the shock of all their classmates. They were still keeping their relationship somewhat under wraps, but Maya had walked in on them kissing in her room a time or two, now that she wasn't avoiding the Matthews apartment.

Josh had facetimed his brother before he even left the city last week, making everyone swear to chill out on pressuring Maya. With promises from the entire Matthews' clan, Josh assured his soulmate she could resume her regularly scheduled Riley time, which pleased both girls. Josh and Justin made it to and from Ohio in record time, Josh anxious to be back around Maya.

To their credit, Topanga and Cory did everything they could to act like normal, but the rest of the Matthews were another story. Everyone had come for dinner tonight, including Maya's mom, Katy. Katy, Amy, and Topanga spent the majority of the evening huddled up in the kitchen, making plans.

Maya finally had an outburst, screaming out that there would be no grandchildren if the parents didn't back off. It was enough to bring things back to normal, which Riley was extremely grateful for.

Now that her family had gone, her friends were getting together tonight for their annual Christmas movie night tradition. It used to be just the three of them, but Smackle, Josh, and Lucas were all coming over. Lucas sent her a text saying he was bringing someone, but for the life of her, Riley couldn't figure out who.

She was determined to enjoy whatever time they had left together no matter what. For the first time in her life, she was actually hoping she wouldn't get her scar on her birthday, which both excited and terrified her. She didn't want to say it out loud, but to herself, she could at least admit, she was falling for Lucas Friar. Hard.

Another intriguing development from the evening was the sparks flying between her Uncle Shawn and Maya's mom. Riley and Maya watched on with vested interest when Shawn helped her with her coat and offered to walk her to the subway. Katy agreed, and after they left, the family's attention was diverted from the newly mated couple to speculate about the potential for a new love match.

Riley could already see the cogs turning in her parents' and Maya's heads as they tried to play matchmaker. What they didn't know was she was already two steps ahead of them, having asking Shawn to meet her for coffee at the end of Katy's shift the day after Christmas. She hoped she could get Lucas onboard with interrupting her uncle/niece time with a fake emergency. Maya would be too obvious, and Farkle couldn't act to save his life, but she had a feeling Lucas would be the perfect partner in crime, especially for this particular scheme.

The idea of helping her poor, lonely, scarless, uncle find love at Christmastime left a smile on her face that wouldn't go away. She was still beaming when Farkle, Smackle, Lucas, and his friend showed up, a smile that got even larger when she realized Lucas walked over with her friends.

She skipped to the door, giving each of them a hug in turn, squeezing Lucas extra tight, before coming to stand in front of the new person before her.

"Riley, Maya, this is my best friend from Texas, Zay. He's come to stay with me for a few days," Lucas said, making the introductions with a grin. Zay turned sixteen two days ago, and to his own surprise, his mate lived in New York. Instead of bombarding her family during the busy holiday time, he decided to come stay with Lucas until plans could be made for the future.

"Riley, you won't believe it! Zay got his scar, and his beloved is Sarah!" Smackle squealed.

"Congratulations!" Riley said, giving the boy a hug. "Sarah is really great. Have you met her yet?"

Zay shook his head. "We spoke on the phone. Once I got to the city and realized Lucas knew Sarah, he gave me her number. She's excited to meet me, but not so excited for her whole family to be breathing down our necks. I'm going over there tomorrow night after her grandparents leave."

After gushing over his mark, Riley pulled him to the bay window, excitedly telling him everything she knew about Sarah, which was a lot since they had been in the same class since kindergarten. To his credit, Zay listened just as intently, asking questions and nodding along.

Lucas observed his best friend and his... girlfriend? Yeah, it felt good to call Riley his girlfriend, if only in his head. He observed the two of them closely. When Zay contacted him out of the blue for the first time in years, he was a bit unsure about how their reunion would go, and he was even more nervous about him meeting Riley. He should have known that Zay would fall under Riley's spell like everyone else did.

At the same time, seeing Riley's excitement over Zay's scar was bittersweet. He had allowed himself to start believing that he could make her so happy she wouldn't care about her soulmate, but he was starting to see the only chance he had was if she didn't get one. How could he ask her to give up a future she had been dreaming about her whole life for him?

He couldn't, Lucas decided, but that didn't mean he wouldn't enjoy their time together while it lasted. He went over to the window and sat next to her, not saying a word. Her eyes lit up as she gave Zay gift ideas to surprise Sarah with tomorrow.

"Sugar, you know it's going to be impossible to get her anything amazing. All the good places will be closed," Lucas heard Zay say as he finally tuned into the conversation.

"I've got it!" Riley said, rushing over to the tree. She studied the presents underneath before plucking a small package. Twirling around, she presented the brightly wrapped gift to her new friend. "This is the perfect gift!"

Zay quirked an eyebrow. "This says To Riley From Aunt Nebula. How do you know what it even is?"

"I have magic powers," Riley stage-whispered. "This is the perfect gift for Sarah. We just have to change the tag. Lucky for you, I have some great name tags in my possession."

"Look, Riley, there's no way I'm going to give a present I've never seen to my soulmate who I have never met. Also, I don't feel right about taking your gift."

"But it's my gift to you!" Riley insisted. "If you don't believe me, we can open the present and I'll rewrap it for you, but trust me, this is exactly what Sarah needs from you. It's obviously a beautiful necklace."

Riley shook the box enticingly. "Please, take it. Maya, make him take it!"

Maya walked over, Josh trailing behind her. "If my little elf tells you to give a gift, you give it, Cowboy. She's a Christmas expert!"

Josh examined the gift. "Oh! Nebula! If you don't want to give it to your soulmate, I'll give it to mine!"

Maya grabbed the collar of his shirt pulling him into her. "You're trying to give me a re-gifted gift?!"

Releasing him, she took the box. "I mean, I'll take it, but at least re-gift behind my back next time."

Riley grabbed the box, leaving the room and returning with a fresh name tag. "There it's done. See- to Sarah from Zay."

"What about me?" Maya pouted.

"You'll just have to be happy with the two gifts I already got you," Josh teased.

"Two gifts?" Maya asked with wide eyes. "Gimme, gimme, gimme!"

She bounced on the balls of her feet as Josh rolled his eyes, grabbing her hand and taking her to his room.

"Lucas Lorenzo Friar! Tell him to take it!" Riley whined.

"That's not his-" Zay began before Lucas interrupted him with a shake of his head.

"I don't know why she does that. Just say thank you and take the gift," Lucas said, finally joining the conversation. "I trust Riley."

The girl in question beamed at him.

"Thank you and take the gift," Zay parroted, accepting the small package from her.

Riley clapped her hands. "Yay! Oh, I wish I could see the look on Sarah's face when she opens it!"

"Where are your parents?" Farkle called from his spot in the kitchen.

"They went over to Ava's. She and her mom are having a tough time."

Farkle nodded understandingly. It was a well-known fact that Ava's parents were divorcing, despite being soulmates. They had become a cautionary tale around the neighborhood, spoken about in whispers. Even soulmates could have skeletons in their closets.

"Auggie used all of his cuteness and Christmas spirit to convince Mom and Dad to even stay the night there, so Josh and I are all alone until morning," Riley expanded, trying to keep her focus on Farkle. Lucas' eyes were burning her, and she wondered if her explanation felt like an invitation to him. It sure felt like one to her.

Josh nervously flitted around his room, shoving dirty clothes in his hamper and throwing his comforter haphazardly across the bed. Maya had been in his room before, but this felt decidedly more intimate. He anxiously rubbed the back of his neck as he gazed around the room, searching for anything that made the room look too gross.

He had covertly talked to his brother and Katy this evening about Maya spending more time with him, particularly alone and in his room. Since they were soulmates, it wasn't considered improper to spend nights together, but he didn't want to be presumptuous enough to make a decision on Maya's behalf. He simply wanted to make his intentions known, out of respect for his brother's home and Katy's piece of mind. Both appreciated the gesture, and neither offered up any serious objections, especially after he reassured them that he was trying to get closer to Maya emotionally, not physically.

"Okay, so I didn't have a lot of time, and I had already bought you a gift, but it didn't feel very relationshipy, so I wanted to get you something more... I just wanted to get you more," Josh rambled nervously as he produced two neatly wrapped gifts.

Maya clapped, grabbing the smaller one first and quickly tearing into it. Inside the box was a white gold necklace with a diamond shooting star dangling from the chain. Maya had never owned something so nice, but she was sure the diamonds, while small, were very real.

"Do you like it?" Josh asked softly.

Maya nodded, never taking her eyes off the necklace as she asked him to put it on her.

"I'm glad you like it, but I wish you would've opened this one second. The other one I got you before we were soulmates, so it isn't really romantic or anything," Josh explained sheepishly.

"You got me a Christmas present before my birthday? But that was like a month ago!"

Josh shrugged handing her the package. "I saw it and I thought of you."

Maya stared at the package for a long time, plopping down on his bed to run her hand over the top of it. When she finally opened it, she gasped. It was an extremely nice art set, filled with graphite and charcoal pencils and all the tools used to create with them.

"You told me you wished you could experiment with charcoal more, and I wanted to know what your mind could come up with if you had all the tools you wanted. I'm sorry if they aren't what you wanted, art isn't my forte."

"They're perfect," Maya said softly in an awed voice as she pulled out each item to examine them before carefully placing them back in the slot they belonged in. "I can't believe you remembered I said that."

Josh took a seat next to her. "I remember everything you say, Maya."

"Thank you, Josh," Maya said sincerely as she closed the art set, refusing to put it down. "I didn't get you anything."

"I didn't expect you to," Josh replied simply, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "But there is something you can do for me... Two things actually."

Maya raised her eyebrow.

"Draw me a picture."

"And?"

"Spend the night here. In my room. With me."

Maya laughed. "I'd love to, Boing, but I'm sure the rest of the Matthews would object. Also, my mom might kill you."

Josh took her hand, gently removing the art set and putting it on the ground. "I already got permission from Cory and your mom."

Maya glanced down at his arm, tracing her name with her fingers. "It's funny how one little tattoo changes everything. Matthews and Mom agreeing to co-ed sleepovers," she scoffed.

"Well, they can't really stop us, and I told them we weren't going to be doing anything," Josh replied, his eyes never straying from her fingers.

It amazed Josh how he kept finding different parts of her to be mesmerized by. Her delicate fingers with their wine-colored nails caught his attention today. He always knew Maya was beautiful, but lately, it seemed like every single inch of her was gorgeous. He grabbed them, pulling her hand up to kiss her fingertips. How did he get to be so lucky?

Maya didn't respond, studying him as he studied her hands. Her gaze wandered back to the art set. He bought that before he got his scar. That had to mean something right? He had to have cared about her a little bit without the scars influence to give her something so thoughtful. She felt a small bit of hope springing up inside her, but she quickly squashed it down. It didn't do her any good to look back now. She couldn't change what had happened, she just had to try to be happy with things the way there were.

She rested his head against his shoulder, pushing all her doubts away and forcing herself to enjoy this moment that she had been yearning for for over half her life.

Maya and Josh meandered back to the living room, taking a seat next to Riley and Lucas on the couch. Smackle and Farkle had squeezed themselves onto the chair next to the door, and Zay was sitting on the one closest to Lucas. When blankets were draped over everyone, the popcorn was popped, and drinks passed out all around, Riley put on the first movie.

When Farkle tried to explain the scientific inaccuracies of the movie, everyone shushed him, except for Smackle, who nodded along in rapt attention. Maya and Zay took turns making jokes about the flimsy premise of the love story, but Riley just rolled her eyes, wondering how two people who had found their true loves couldn't see the magic.

Riley herself was having a hard time paying attention. Maya sat next to her in the middle of the couch her legs tucked to the side, leaning into Josh who had his arm casually slung around her. Lucas was on the other side, his large frame spread out so their bodies were pressed against each other, close enough that she could feel his body heat, but not so close to arouse the suspicion of their friends.

About 10 minutes into the movie, his hand landed on her thigh, squeezing it gently under the covers. She clamped her own hand over his, stilling his movements. Lucas smirked wickedly at her and turned his hand over, entwining their fingers. He stroked his thumb over her inner wrist, causing her pulse to quicken.

She felt his eyes on her, watching her watch the movie. She was aware of every movement, every look, every breath he took. Riley tried to pull her hand away, to regain some semblance of control, but he just held on tighter, placing their joined hands in his lap. She couldn't say how the movie ended, but all too soon, Zay was standing up and announcing he was going back to the Friars.

"You're leaving?" Riley questioned Lucas, feeling a lump of disappointment settle in her throat.

He shook his head. "No, Zay has to go facetime his parents. They are in California for the holidays, so they should be just starting their holiday festivities."

"Yeah, Sugar, my mom isn't very fond of Lucas, so it looks like you're stuck with him."

Zay said his goodbyes to everyone, and Riley offered to walk him to the elevator. "I'm glad I met you, Zay."

"I'm glad I met you, too. Thank you for the gift," he said, gesturing to the box in his hand. "And thanks for taking care of Lucas. He seems... happy around you."

Riley blushed. "He tries to hide it, but he's a good person."

"A really good person," Zay confirmed.

Riley gave him a quick hug, smiling as she said, "I can tell we are going to be great friends. I hope you stick around for a while."

"Whatever Sarah wants to do, we'll do."

"You already know that? Even though you haven't met her?"

Zay shrugged as the elevator dinged. "She's my soulmate."

Riley chewed on her bottom lip, deep in thought, as they began to watch the second Christmas movie. Zay's willingness to go along with whatever his soulmate wanted left her feeling unsettled. Didn't she feel the same way just a few short months ago? What if her soulmate lived several states away? Would she be able to just pack up and leave her whole life behind?

She stole a glance at Lucas out of the corner of her eye only to realize his focus was on her and not the movie. Having been caught, he leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You're killing me, Riles."

"What?" Riley asked with a shiver at the feeling of his warm breath.

"Biting that lip, making your mouth look all swollen and sexy, when I can't do a damn thing about it." He spoke softly, but with a self-assuredness that made his voice take on a sense of determination.

Making sure no one was paying attention to them, Riley rested her hand on his thigh as she whispered, "Who says you can't?"

Lucas groaned softly. "Want to have a sleepover?"

"I can't. Maya-"

"Will be sleeping with Josh and you know it."

Looking around the room self-consciously, Riley bit her lip again, nodding. Lucas laughed in triumph. "Too bad I forgot my PJs."

Giggling, Riley blushed as she started to pull her hand away, only to be stopped by Lucas' firm hand over top of hers.

"Lucas-"

"Shhhh. Pay attention to the movie, you're missing it," Lucas teased, not releasing her hand.

After the second movie, Smackle and Farkle left, heading toward the Minkus residence, where the Smackles were spending the night. Over the past few months, their parents had become fast friends, both families extremely pleased with the match and doing whatever they could to encourage their children.

The entire walk home, both geniuses traded opinions about the inaccuracies in the two movies they watched, each teen delighted when the other discovered one they had missed.

Farkle was feeling on cloud nine when Smackle took his gloved hand in hers, trying to seem casual, as they walked hand in hand the rest of the way to his home.

The little moment wouldn't be seen as a big deal to most people, but knowing Smackle the way he did, he knew how hard it was for his soulmate to initiate contact, how much she had to trust him to be able to do that, to want to touch him. The action boost his confidence and made him all the more certain it was time to give Smackle her present, so when they reached his home, he guided her past her guest room and to his own.

"I know our parents said they didn't mind if we cohabitated, but I'm not quite ready for that, darling," Smackle said uncertainly.

"I'm not either. I just wanted to give you your Christmas present."

"Christmas isn't until tomorrow."

"So you don't want your present tonight?"

"In the words of Maya, gimme gimme!" Smackle deadpanned.

A smile spread across Farkle's features as he said, "I was hoping you'd say that."

He led Smackle to the loveseat, disappearing into the bedroom. When he returned empty-handed, Smackle furrowed her brow in confusion. He took a seat next to her, capturing both of her hands in his. The action only caused her eyebrows to deepen.

"Is everything alright? You're shaking," Smackle asked, the worry evident in her voice.

"I'm nervous."

"You never have to be nervous around me," she reassured him.

"These past few months have been the best of my life," Farkle began.

"Mine, too," Smackle cut in.

Farkle released her hands to run his own through his hair. "Please, let me say what I need to say."

Smackle nodded solemnly, pursing her lips firmly together to show him she would keep quiet.

"These past few months, getting to know you, have been the best of my life," Farkle began again, sounding a bit like he did during a debate, as if he had rehearsed this speech before. "I never realized my life was missing something until you came along. We fit together."

Smackle nodded eagerly, opening her mouth and closing it as she gestured for him to continue. She didn't want to interrupt him again.

"I know when this first started, we agreed to take it a day at a time to see if the universe was right about us," Farkle said as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring box.

He slid off the couch, bending down on one knee as he opened the box to reveal a solitaire ruby white gold infinity knot ring. Smackle gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes flew to meet his.

"This isn't an engagement ring. It's a promise ring. It's my way of saying, I believe our experiment is a success. I don't need further testing. I know we are meant to be together, someday, when we're ready, when we've accomplished the personal goals we've set out for ourselves, I will propose to you."

Tears welled up in Smackle's eyes as she realized for the first time her true feelings for the man in front of her.

"The ruby is your birthstone, at least that's what Riley says, because even if we didn't realize it, this all started when you were born, and we both know the infinity symbol means the potential to be infinite. The way I feel about you is forever and will continue to grow towards infinity."

He took a deep breath before continuing hesitantly, "Will you wear my ring, Isadora?"

After the longest moment of his young life, Smackle raised her eyes from the ring to meet his. "May I speak now?"

He nodded encouragingly.

"I never really wanted a soulmate. I always preferred my own company to that of my peers. Until I met you. You changed everything for me, Farkle. You changed me," Smackle's voice broke as the emotions overwhelmed her and the tears fell down her cheeks. "I don't need to test our hypothesis any further. The universe knew exactly what it was doing by bringing us together. We're a perfect match."

She held out her left hand to him. "Of course, I'll wear your ring, Farkle, and I'll make the same promise to you, to be with you and support you forever, and when the time is right, we'll take the next step together."

Despite himself, Farkle shed a few tears as well as he slid the ring on her finger. "A perfect fit," he whispered, clutching her hands.

"A perfect fit," Smackle confirmed. "I love you, Farkle."

Farkle's whole face lit up, and he could no longer hold back his tears. "I am so in love with you, Isadora Smackle."

Placing both of her hands on his cheeks, she brushed away a few tears as she pulled his face to hers, their lips meeting in a sweet kiss.

After the third movie, Maya pulled Riley into the kitchen.

"Okay, Riles, our relationship is changing."

"You breaking up with me, Peaches?" Riley teased.

"No, but I'm going to do you a favor."

Riley raised her eyebrows at her blonde friend, gesturing for her to continue.

"I'm going to make the supreme sacrifice of sleeping in Boing's room, so you can sneak Romeo over there into yours."

"Sacrifice, Maya?"

She glanced at the two men, appraising Josh in his pajama pants and a ribbed tank top. "What can I say? I'm a giver."

Riley pulled Maya into a hug. "I don't want you to do anything you aren't ready for, but I won't stand in your way if you are ready. I'm okay with you spending your nights with Josh, but my bed is always open to you."

"Except for tonight," Maya insisted, pointedly gazing at Lucas.

"Except for tonight," Riley confirmed softly. "But you're wrong about one thing."

"What's that?"

"Our relationship will never change. No matter where we sleep. You'll always be my peaches."

Maya nodded. "Forever."

The blonde began to jump around, shaking her arms. "Okay, enough with the mushies. Boing, it's bedtime."

"You head on back. I'm just going to see Lucas out first."

Rolling her eyes, Maya grabbed Josh's hand. "First things first. If we're going to be soulmates, you're going to have to curb your protective uncle impulses. We're Riley's friends, not babysitters."

She pulled him to the back of the apartment, firmly shutting the door to his bedroom behind them as he complained, "If we're soulmates? You're stuck with me, gorgeous."

"So..." Lucas said when they were finally alone.

"So... I guess we should head up, too," Riley said nervously, not waiting for him to follow as she headed to her room.

When he got there, she was already pulling down her bedspread.

"Do you still want me to stay?"

Riley nodded. "I don't know why I'm nervous. It's not like we haven't done this before."

"Yeah, but you're not drunk, and I'm not in crisis. This time is different."

Riley nodded again. "Yeah, it is."

"So..." Lucas said, coming over to the bed to stand in front of her as he turned her to face him. "Do you want me to stay?"

"I do, Lucas. I try not to, but I always want you to stay."

He turned off the lights before pulling her down onto the bed, situating himself underneath her. When Riley rested her head on his chest, he began to stroke her hair.

"Don't try so hard," he said.

"I'm not. Not anymore."

He kissed her forehead, enjoying the stillness of the moment.

Riley giggled.

"What's so funny?" he asked, not opening his eyes.

"Zay is going to flip out when he gives Sarah that necklace."

"Why's that?"

"My Aunt Nebula has a little Etsy shop, and every year she gives me a necklace. Every year, Sarah comments on how much she loves it. One year, she even borrowed one, and I never got it back," Riley revealed.

"So you aren't a magic Christmas elf?" Lucas teased.

"Nope," Riley responded, popping the p at the end of the word. "I just know Sarah, and I know my aunt."

Lucas laughed. "You tricked Zay! I love it."

"I didn't trick him, per say. I helped him. Sarah is going to go nuts when she sees the box, let alone the necklace."

"Thank you for helping my friend, and thanks for including me in your Christmas traditions."

"From now on, you're included in all my traditions," Riley said earnestly, sitting up to look him in the eye. "I told you you weren't alone and I meant it. Please say you believe that."

Lucas stared deeply into her eyes, reading the sincerity there.

"I do, Riley. I believe you," he replied, trying his hardest to be as genuine and open as she was being.

Satisfied with his response, she settled back down into his arms, closing her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" she asked sleepily.

"I better not," he replied, reaching over to his phone to set an alarm. "I don't want your parents to catch us."

Riley sighed pitifully, not thinking about what her words, she said, "If we become soulmates, no one will care what we do."

Lucas felt his heart stop at her words. She wanted him to be her soulmate? He assumed she was just passing time until her day arrived. Riley took his silence as a sign of his discomfort.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that," she mumbled, pulling away from him. She turned until her back was to him, but that did nothing to deter him, turning his body so he could spoon her.

"If... if we were soulmates," Lucas began uncertainly, entertaining the thought was like a knife to his gut, a dream just out of his reach. "Your father would still come in here and kick me out. I have to be out before they come back."

Riley nodded, glad the darkness hid the tears in her eyes. "Wake me up when you leave?"

Lucas moved her hair off her neck, kissing her nape as he nodded, before saying, "Maybe some day we won't have to sneak around."

Hope blossom in her heart, thinking of a day when his name could be written on her arm, not realizing he was hoping for something completely different. If she wanted him to be her soulmate, maybe he could convince her that they belonged together, no matter what the universe thought.

"Riles," Lucas whispered as the sun began to rise over the horizon. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her eyelids. "Riley Matthews."

Somewhere along the way, she had woken up, but she kept her eyes closed, feigning sleep.

"I know you're awake," Lucas sang, kissing her lips. Her mouth twitched as she tried not to laugh.

He tickled her sides, kissing her jaw as she pressed her lips together, trying to keep up the charade. He lifted her shirt, exposing her belly to blow raspberries on her navel. After the first one, Riley couldn't hold it in any longer, opening her eyes as she laughed, looking down at his grinning face, resting on her stomach.

"Shh! I think your parents are home," Lucas urgently whispered.

"Well, I would be quiet if you'd stop tickling me!" Riley whisper-shouted back, pulling him up her body, until he was laying flush on top of her. They shared a soft, simple, kiss.

"Good morning," Lucas whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

"Good morning," Riley replied, her lips rubbing against his as she spoke.

He tried to move off her, but she brought her arms around him. "I'm going to crush you!"

Riley shook her head petulantly. "I like having you on top of me."

She blushed as she woke up fully, realizing what she had just said.

"This is definitely a better way to wake up, then just sneaking off in the night," Lucas chuckled.

The sound of cupboards opening and closing in the kitchen intruded on their private moment, causing Riley to sit up on her elbows. Lucas sat up on his knees, still straddling her waist, careful not to put his full weight one her.

"I better go," he said reluctantly.

"I don't want you to," Riley pouted. "Just stay. We can hide under the bed if they come."

Getting up, he pulled her up with him, wrapping his arms around her as he rested his head on top of hers. "As much as I would love to lock that door and forget the world, it's Christmas. I'm sure you have some picture perfect, made for tv, family bonding time that's so sweet it will rot my insides."

Looking up at him, she asked, "And what about your family?"

Lucas scoffed. "Not the kind of thing you'd want to take a picture of."

Riley pressed her forehead into his chest, looking at his arm.

"Maybe one day you could be a part of our picture. Then you wouldn't have to leave," she said as she allowed herself to envision her name written in his flesh.

Lucas kissed the top of her head. "Maybe."

She beamed at him as he pulled his shoes and coat on. He squeezed her hand, trying to escape out the window, but she held firm.

"Give me a real kiss," she whined.

Lucas laughed at her antics. "You want a real kiss? I'll give you a real kiss."

He pulled her firmly in his arms and kissed her soundly, only releasing her minutes later when Maya knocked on the door. With a final kiss on the corner of her mouth, he slipped out the door, just as the blonde entered.

Riley sighed dreamily, closing her window as she stared after the teen.

"Oh, Maya, I am in trouble."

AN: Christmas fluff! I have never written Smarkle so romantical, so hopefully, that was believable to y'all. I love Zay, so I had to include him, and the only reason I paired him with Sarah is because that's who he is holding hands with in Riley's fantasy during Ski Lodge. A lot of stories put him with Vanessa, but I was pretty indifferent to her.

There won't be a lot of Sarah/Zay stuff, just because I already have so much going on with the other couples, but I felt like Lucas would need a friend later on.

Someone complained about too much Maya stuff, and the past few chapters were Maya heavy, because she got her scar. It's a HUGE deal in this universe, so of course, everyone would be talking about it.

Without giving away too much of what I'm planning, the main story is Riley and Rucas, but if you're just here for that, and you skip over the Joshaya, you might miss out on something.

Anyways, I swear one of these days my ANs won't be rambling messes. Enjoy your families today, and if you're like me and the holidays are difficult, know that you aren't alone in feeling that way.

See you soon!