Josh securely wrapped his arm around me while we trudged down the stairs. My footsteps heavy, Josh was my support. He keep asking me every few seconds if I was going to be ok. He even offered to leave the dinner. I couldn't let him do that.

"Reed, are you sure? You're in shock. You shouldn't have to be put through this if your in shock." Josh pointed out.

"Josh, it's fine. I want to be here. Really," I said turning so my whole body was facing him. He did the same.

"When you want to leave, just tell me. I don't mind bailing on this stupid dinner." Josh said kissing my hand.

"We are going to stay ok, but tonight..." I said seductively. Josh had a huge grin on his face and laughed. His laughter boomed off the walls. The sound filled my ears. It felt like peace wrapping around me. He walked up so our bodies were pressed together.

I smiled as he said, "I can't wait." Then he gave me a long meaningful kiss, before we parted and walked down the rest of the stairs.

"Reed!" Tess and Tori gasped. "

Are you ok?" Gia told us you didn't feel good.

Why Gia? Why?

"Ya... I'm fine." I told them forcing a smile. The let it go and backed off. They scrambled back over to their seats.

"Everyone! Aunt Sarah just called. She's going to be here in a few minutes!" Susan called through the house. Josh took my hand and brought me downstairs.

"I want to show you something." He whispered in my ear. I nodded and followed him downstairs. The basement was huge, one side was a game room and the other, I've never been in before. Josh opened the door to the room I've never been in. There was a flat screen TV, couches, a phone, a coffee table, a bar, table with chairs, and a mini fridge. It was like a mini bedroom.

"It's nice down here," I told him looking around.

"I know, and it's very private too." He smirked. I smiled. You could just shut the door and lock it. "

So why are we down here?" I asked him.

"We're down here because I wanted to do this," Josh grabbed my face and kissed me beyond belief. Electric buzz was going through my body from his touch. He finally pulled away and I could feel my huge smile and see his. "So badly," Josh chuckled. I smiled. Then my eyes drifted over to a bookshelf. I walked over to see what was there, Josh following close behind. "What are you doing?" Josh asked smiling.

I ran my pointer finger down the row of the many book spins. One said 'Family Album' on it. Then I smiled to see in small letters, "Joshua". I pulled the book out and walked over to a couch. I sat down and opened the book to the first page.

"Reed! Please don't look at that," Josh pleaded.

"What? I won't care if you're with other girls." I told him rolling my eyes.

"It's not that," He said. "What is it?" He was quiet for a minute. "Who really wants anyone to be looking at their history?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Please! I just want to see what you looked like." I told him smiling, I held the book to my chest. Josh looked at me and a smile cracked onto his face.

"Fine." He sighed and turned around, running his hands down his face.

I smiled and turned to the first page, it was Josh as a baby. I had to gasp. He had the most perfect blonde curls. And his blue eyes shone as much as his huge smile. "You where so cute!"

"Am I not anymore?" He chuckled and stood over me.

"No, you still are." I waved my hand not looking up from the page. I was skimming over kindergarten and Josh came to sit next to me. It was middle school when things got awkward.

"That's my first girlfriend Tara. We went to the dance together." There was a picture with Josh and a girl who I guessed was Tara. Josh had his arm wrapped around her waist and she was smiling bright like Josh. Tara was tan and had silky brunette hair. She was gorgeous.

"She's pretty." I told him, looking at the page still.

"Nah. I know a girl who's prettier than her." He smiled, waving his hand. I smiled, "It's you." He kissed my cheek while I flipped the page.

"Middle School graduation?" I asked him.

"Yeah, it was like this new thing at boarding school." He sighed.

"I never got one." I told him.

"You'll be graduating next year." He told me.

"And you'll be graduating this year!" I reminded him, looking at his face.

"What are you going to do there without me?" He chuckled.

"I don't even want to think about it." I sighed and shook my head. Josh laughed at me and kissed my head. I turned myself so my head lay on his chest. My legs were stretched out on the couch. Josh stroked the hair above my ear and kissed me whenever a picture of him and another girl came up.

"I still can't believe all of the stuff you get for Christmas." I told him.

"My parent's loved Christmas. Because everyone got together. But I knew Lynn loved it because he would always get presents from other girls at school." He chuckled. I smiled.

"Christmas back in Croton isn't this much fun." I told him.

"Christmas without you isn't that much fun either." He smiled. I pulled my chin up so I could kiss him.

"Reed! Josh! Come upstairs!" Susan Hollis' voice rang in the intercom.

"I bet Hunter's here." Josh sighed and dropped his head back on the armrest.

"Are you ready to introduce me?" I smiled sitting up.

"No," Josh said bitterly and got off the couch and paced in a circle around the space between the TV and couch.

"Why not?" I asked surprised Josh wasn't the first to introduce his girlfriend to his cousin.

"I don't want him to be hitting on you all night." He sighed.

"Isn't he bringing a date?" I asked.

"Most likely, but even if he did, he still would be all over you. You're beautiful." He told me.

"It's ok, I'll just stick by your side all night ok?" I asked him. He smiled.

"That didn't work out last time remember?"

"We can try to make it work!" I sighed and walked up to him. I quickly snaked my arms around his neck and kissed him before he could say anymore.

"Ok, it'll work." Josh said half out of it when I pulled away. I laughed at him.

"Ok." Josh rested his forehead on mine.

"Ok."

We walked up the stairs and into the kitchen. Everyone was scattered around the room, Tess was looking through American Cheerleader, and Tori was talking on the phone. Gia and Lynn were cuddling on the couch. I was so happy she was feeling better, but my breakdown was so embarrassing. I sat on the couch we were on previously. Josh sat next to me and we both laid back against the backrest. Josh of course put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. I scooted closer and rested my head on his shoulder. He rubbed my arm, moving his thumb in circles. We did that whole clicking thing again.

"Who's Tori talking to?" Lynn asked.

"This guy," Tess smiled bashfully.

"What's his name?" Josh asked.

"You guys, just leave her alone." Gia told Josh and Lynn.

"Hey, she's our little sister. We have a right to know." Lynn pointed out.

"Whatever, she can go 'love' a new guy every week for all I care." Josh sighed.

"Isn't that technically want she's doing now?" Lynn asked. Josh just shrugged.

Both brothers sighed at the same time. Causing me and Gia to look at each other before we started laughing. Josh squeezed my shoulder and I looked up at him. He was smiling down at me. I felt something vibrating on my hip. I sat up, getting off of Josh. He looked at me confused and then heard the vibrating. he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He opened it and looked at the screen for a few seconds. "It's Trey," He sighed before he got up and left the room the talk to his roommate.

"Trey's his roommate right?" Gia asked.

"Yup," I nodded. Starting to feel Josh's body heat suddenly gone. The smell of his shirt still lingered in my nose. I smiled when I saw him walk across the little hall between the living room and the foyer. He had a smile on his face while he talked to Trey.

"Ok, ok, I'll call you back and tell you. Bye." Josh said as he walked back into the room. He took the phone from his ear and ended the call. "I'll be right back," he told mainly me before he walked off to the kitchen.

"I wonder what that was about." I sighed.

"It's probably not that bad." Gia teased I smiled and shook my head.

"Reed?" Tess asked. I forgot she was in the room she was being so quiet.

"Yeah?" I turned my head her way.

"What did Josh get you? I mean, no one could top your gift! But, what did he give you?" Tess smiled. I smiled bright and looked down at my wrist.. I wore Josh's bracelet, I knew people would want to see it. the heart diamonds shone in the light. Gia saw the shine too and gasped. She quickly got up from Lynn's arms and sat next to me.

"That is gorgeous!" She gasped and cleared her throat.

"I wish I could get things like that!" Gia looked at Lynn with a teasing look.

"Hey! How about you show them those earrings I bought you last year!" Lynn scoffed taken off guard.

"Exactly, last years." Gia giggled. I smiled at her ability to say that to Lynn.

"What did you buy her this year?" I asked him.

"A weekend at a Spa… and yes, I'm going." He sighed and picked up a New York Times from the magazine rack next to him.

"A spa sounds good right now." I sighed. The feeling I had last year when Noelle and the other Billings girls forced me to go to a spa. It was just after Thomas' death and I was in depression basically. That was the day I was supposed to go with Josh and Lynn and Gia to Boston. It was before Josh and I where even dating.

Funny how things work out.

Josh came back in the room and sat down next to me. "Ok, so Trey and Astrid are going to be here for dinner. Then leave after. They didn't want to be alone the whole time." Josh shook his head smirking.

I smiled, happy that Astrid would be here as a distraction from all of the drama Hunter seems to cause. She would be great to spend Christmas with.

"Are you ok with that?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, it'll be nice to see Astrid again, even though we just saw her last night." I smiled looking into his blue eyes. He was smiling back at me.

"What time are they going to be here?" Gia asked while she was walking back over to the couch Lynn was on.

"In a few minutes." Josh said looking at his watch.

Feeling of excitement filled my stomach. Maybe this dinner wouldn't be so bad after all.

"So what are you two doing for New Years?" Lynn asked us.

"I don't know," Josh sighed. He looked at me. I just shrugged.

"I think we where supposed to go downtown with Dash and Noelle. Maybe Astrid and Trey will come too." I said lifting a shoulder taking a guess.

"Oh right," Josh nodded remembering our plans.

"Kids! There here!" Mrs. Hollis shouted from upstairs.

"Hey everyone!" A voice said loudly from the foyer. We all looked in the direction of the sound.

"Speaking of the devil…" Tess sighed and put her magazine down on the ground with a loud plop.

I was taking it that Josh's family didn't really like Hunter. I looked over at Josh who just got up to greet his family. He put his hand out for me I took it and got off the couch.

"Tess!" Lynn shouted, it sounded like he was hugging someone.

"It's Tori!" Tori snapped back. I looked behind me to see Tess rolling her eyes at him.

"I'm Tess," She said putting a big fake smile on her face before Hunter hugged her.

"Lynn…" Hunter nodded his head as in saying hey in their awkward silence.

"Hey," Lynn replied dourly.

"Gia…" Hunter raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Hunter," She walked over to him to and gave him a stiff hug.

"Josh," Hunter smiled and Josh smiled just as fake as his sister and gave him a hug.

"Who's this?" He asked raising his eyebrow at me, just like he did with Gia.

"This is my girlfriend, Reed." Josh said introducing me, I could see his eyes light up on the word girlfriend. I gave him a small smile and then focused my attention back on Hunter.

He had shaggy blonde hair, it wasn't like Lynn and Josh's his hair was wavy with a small curl at the end.

"It's nice to meet you," He smirked. And before I knew it he was hugging me, gripping onto me for dear life. I finally pulled away from his before he could start breathing on my ear.

"You too." I said flatly.

"Didn't bring a girl this year?" Lynn asked with a smile.

"No, I did. She should be here in a few minutes." He told Lynn. "Now where's aunt Susan and Uncle Alan huh?"

"Their upstairs, where's your mom?" Tori asked him.

"She's in the car trying to put all of Lily's things in the trunk. She think's I'll be sleeping to there tonight because of how wasted I'm gunna get!" Hunter whooped.

"Riiiiiight." Lynn replied.

"There you guys are!" A woman who had a short blonde bob. She hugged everyone and then landed on me last.

"I don't think we've met! I'm Sarah, Josh and Lynn's aunt. Are you here with one of these boys?" She asked giving me a smile.

I smiled back at her, she was a whole lot better than her son. "Yeah, Josh."

"Is he being a gentlemen?" She asked.

"Yes he is," I smiled and looked back at Josh whole was behind me. He smiled and looked to the side shaking his head.

"That's great to hear!" She smiled. "Where's your mom kids?"

"She should be down any minute," Lynn replied.

"Sarah! Oh it's so good to see you!" Susan gushed while she walked down the flight of stairs. Sarah and Susan hugged. Soon everyone was reuniting and greeting.

It was a ½ hour later and Astrid and Trey we're here yet. I sighed and looked over at Josh. We where all sitting at a huge table—that wasn't in the dining room—while the adults talked about the economy and other stuff I had no interest in at the moment. He looked just as tortured as I must of.

Finally a doorbell rang and Josh sprung up from his seat to go answer it.

"Trey!" He greeted his friend loudly.

"Hey man!" Trey greeted back.

"Astrid," You could hear Josh greet them.

"Excuse me, I'll be back in a minute." I smiled politely, got up and headed over to the foyer.

"Ok!" Hunter called after me.

I rolled me eyes when I got to the foyer Astrid's face lit up. She ran over to me and gave me a hug.

"Merry Christmas!" She said in her British accent.

"Merry Christmas! Did you get anything yet?" I asked pulling back from the hug.

"Yeah, I got these earrings," She flashed her huge diamonds at me. "And Trey got me these shoes that I was eyeing at Bloomingdales for a while!" She told me excitedly while we looked down at her shoes. "What about you?"

"Josh bought me a bracelet," I smiled and showed her my heart diamond bracelet.

"That's so pretty, I love it." She smiled.

"Thanks." I could feel a small blush working it's way up my spine.

"We better get back in there before they get mad," Josh said.

"You're right," Trey said, he got Astrid's coat and put it in the closet before we all walked back into the room we where previously in.

"Trey! Astrid, it's so great for you two to join us!" Susan smiled.

"Thanks for letting us come over." Astrid smiled back at her.

"Anytime,"

I smiled, thankful I would have Astrid for the rest of the day.

A while later we where all seated at a long table in the dining room. The table was decorated with candles, and center pieces.

"It sucks we couldn't make it to the Christmas party yesterday." Hunter said as he smacked a spoonful of mashed potatoes on his plate.

"I know, I just love watching the big tree lighting." Sarah said. Sarah was wearing a black dress, heels, and a simple diamond necklace.

"It was the same as always," Lynn shrugged.

I thought it was great. The lights where the source through the whole room.

"Did Reed and Gia go up there this year?" Sarah asked. Smiling at me.

"Yes, they both did." Susan answered for us smiling. This family just always smiled. I gave them a smile back, even though my jaw was starting the hurt from laughing and smiling so much.

There was a ring from the doorbell. I had no clue who it could be. Everyone was here.

"That's my girl." Hunter smirked and got up to get the door.

Josh took my hand under the table and squeezed it. I smiled at him, all I wanted to do was go back to our townhouse and fall asleep in his arms. We haven't even got to desert and I was exhausted.

"Have you heard from Noelle today?" Astrid asked me. She was sitting on my right, and Josh was on my left.

"Yeah, she called earlier. She said she had a great Christmas." I told her, and took a bite of my food.

"That's good, Cheyenne's mom called me." Astrid mumbled. I could still hear her though. I stopped moving for a second and slowly finished chewing my food. I gulped it down and took a sip of my water. "Why?"

"She wanted to tell me that they where spending Christmas down at my parent's cottage. And she was having a great Christmas. She wasn't sure how is was going to turn out after… Cheyenne…" Astrid trailed off and quickly filled her mouth with food. She didn't want to say anything more. I didn't want her to.

"Oh." I said quietly.

Josh grabbed my hand again and rubbed circles on the top of my hand with his thumb. His touch slowly soothed my stress. I looked up at him and said thank you with my eyes. He nodded and took a sip of his water.

"Everyone! This is my new girlfriend, Rose." Hunter introduced Rose to us. She had long blonde hair, and a smile that I knew every guy would love. I looked like a rat compared to her.

"This is, My aunt, uncle, mom, dad, cousin, cousin, friend, cousin's girlfriend, cousin, friend, cousin cousin's girlfriend." Hunter said going down the line. Not even mentioning out names.

"It's nice to meet y'all." She smiled. She had a western accent. Shock filled my body. I tried my best to keep my cool.

And trying to forget about Ariana for the rest of the night.

Ok, a lot of paranoid-ness coming from Reed right? Yeah, I'm not sure if Im feeling the magic anymore... But I will continue to update. I got a snow day today! So I was typing this all last night and today. I'm extremely tired now though, and I want to go to sleep! I'm super sorry for the spell errors! I hate it when people do that, but yet I do that to. Sigh.

Review! Tell people about my story to help me get more views and that kind of stuff :]

And... one more thing! I promise. You guys need to update your stories! I was here re-reading my own story for a while! Then I stopped myself, thinking, this is my story. I already know what's gunna happen. Sigh sigh.

review!

peace out,

Lauren