Hi Readers!

Hope there are still some of you guys reading this poor neglected story…

I just want to say I'm sorry for not updating in like forever and just being a horrible writer these past two months. I promised I would finish this a long time ago.

But we are down to the last 4 chapters guys, and it would really mean a lot to me if we reached 400 or more reviews before we finish! Please!

So hope you like this next installment! It's just a cute little chapter for the Holidays.

Chapter 37: Christmas Together Again

"Angel, what did I say? Get away from the presents."

I laughed as she gave her older brother a pouted look, her arms crossing and a scowl plastered on her face.

"I'm not doing anything Fang." She pointed her noise in the air and waited for Fang to say something.

"You were checking which ones had your name on it."

Fang's blank stare was almost enough to make me laugh, but I held back and watched as Angel's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Was not!"

"Was too.

"Was not!"

"Was too.

"WAS NOT!"

"Was too."

Angel looked like she was about to explode, her face turned a dark red and I'm sure she wanted nothing more than to kill her older brother.

Well, who am I to stop her?

She quickly dashed to the kitchen counter where Fang and I were standing, her hands in small fists and I couldn't help but smile.

Fang was gunna get it…

At the last second she jumped into Fang's chest, her closed fists hitting him on the shoulder. His tan arms wrapped around her small body and he spun, making his way to the living room.

"Fang Harding, I hate you!"

I laughed as I followed the siblings and stood by the TV.

Angel's hands found their way to his precious hair and were in the process of giving him a new 'do-of-the-day.'

"No you don't." Fang's laugh filled the living room and I smiled wider, it was these rare moments that I saw from Fang that made my heart beat that much faster.

"Max! Help!"

Angel's cry was small and smothered quickly by her own laughter; Fang had found her sides and was now tickling them.

Me, deciding to be the wonderful hero that I am, decided I shall help.

I jogged over to the two and quickly jumped on Fang's back. He slightly lost his balance and shuffled to the side, dropping Angel on the sofa next to him.

She landed in a heap, her hair shielding her face and her clothes in wrinkles. I laughed at the scene, still holding onto Fang's back, "Hurry Angel, we need back up! Go get Gazzy!"

She quickly flattened her hair and smacked the back of Fang's leg, her face concentrating all her might into that tiny packed punch.

Yet Fang, being the good big brother, reached down and grabbed his thigh as if it really hurt.

Thus, ending in us falling sideways, right towards Angel's small body.

She cried out and dove under Fang's oncoming body, his weight nearly crushing her into a blonde pancake.

"Fang! Your fatness almost killed me!"

I laughed out loud and tilted my head back over the armrest, my hand coming up to clutch my stomach.

"Hang on Max! I'm getting our backup!"

I opened my eyes and watched an upside down Angel run into the hallways towards Gazzy's room.

"How clever."

I smirked to myself and leaned forward, my head coming to rest just below Fang's chin, his body slightly resting on mine.

"What ever do you mean Fangy-poo?" I batted my eyelashes and gave him a confused look.

He chuckled and did one of those to-die-for half smirks, the one that could drive any sane girl crazy.

"You just want alone time with me Maxie."

His voice dropped to a low tone, one that sounded like he just woke up, and he kept shifting his eyes towards my lips.

"In your dreams." I snorted, my shoulder slightly pushing him back as I was getting up.

"I'll pretend I'm sleeping." His mouth came alarmingly close to my ear, making a shiver run down my spine.

The tip of his nose brushed my neck and I sucked in a breath, goose bumps formed at the back of my neck.

"Fang…"

His hands found my hips as his lips touched the back of my ear, "Come on Max, just one kiss." He taunted.

I bit my lip and turned toward the hallway Angel disappeared to seconds before.

His lips traveled down to my neck, his breath leaving a cool trail on my skin.

He got to my jaw line and I could feel him smile against me, "Max."

I sighed and turned, catching his lips with my own; they were warm and soft and quickly captivated me.

He pushed me back till I was resting on the back of the sofa, his hands resting on either side of my head.

I tilted my head to the side and began sucking on his bottom lip. He smiled against me again and one hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling me closer to him. Both my hands landed at the nap of his neck and I began pulling at the loose strands of his dark hair. Suddenly, he parted from my mouth and began leaving trails of kisses across my check.

"Fang, we need to stop, Angel will be back any second." My breath came out shaky as I glanced at the empty hallway again.

He stopped at the base of my neck and let out a sigh, his breath chilling my flushed skin.

"You worry too much, you know that?"

He picked his head up and looked me in the eyes, his were so dark, they looked black and so mesmerizing.

I smirked and kissed him one last time on the lips, leaving him a longing of wanting more.

I know, I know, I can be bad when I want to.

"Max! I got Gazzy!"

Just then the twins appeared, both in PJ's and a look of craze in their eyes.

I ducked under Fang's arms and stood, straightening my hair and shirt semi-casually.

"He's all yours." And with that, I walked away, leaving Fang to deal the wrath of the twins.

…

"Oh Maximum, you are not wearing jeans young lady."

I slumped my shoulders and looked to my dad for support, my mouth stuffed with yet another brownie.

He turned from the stove and opened his mouth to say something when my mom cut him off.

"Don't you dare say a word Marcus, you are just going to side with her. Max, upstairs. Now."

I made a face at the back of her head as dad shrugged his shoulders.

Did I mention she never once turned around to even look at me. Or my dad.

I swear that a woman has eyes in the back of her head or she's psychic.

As I passed the living room, I heard the front door open, "We're here!" Iggy called.

I quickly ran to the front door and ripped Marilyn from Iggy's side, already dragging her up to my room.

"I need help." I squeaked.

I shoved her into my room and locked the door; already knowing my mom would follow and surely pick something humiliating for me to wear.

Marilyn smiled and walked toward my closet, throwing open the two doors.

"First things first, is Fang coming?"

I sat on my bed and watched as she rummaged through my clothing.

"Yes."

"Then this is perfect." She threw me some sort of fabric that was teal.

Greeeaaattt.

About an hour later, my family, the Harding's and Marilyn were having dinner in our dinning room.

"Well, before we eat, I would like to make a toast."

My mom stood with her champagne glass.

"I just want to say thank you Marilyn, for joining us on this night. I know it makes every single one of us so happy to see you and Iggy together and you as part of the family. As well as this probably being one of the last Christmases together before you guys go to college."

She smiled to her son and the girl sitting at his side, her face radiating love for the two.

"And to Jeb, Fang and the twins for being here, joining us for Christmas like old times."

Everyone was silent and I snuck a glance at Fang who had his head down, no doubt thinking of his missing family member. My mom cleared her throat and continued.

"Even though I know, someone very special to everyone is not here to celebrate with us in person; but I know she is here in spirit. Lori is and always will be missed, for she was the backbone of our two families. But we did not loose a loved one, for we only gained an angel who will watch over us tonight and for as long as we live. She was a wife, mother, friend, and a person who we shall never forget.

I pursed my lips and took in a breath; Angel sat quietly to my right, clutching to Gazzy's hand tightly.

"So on this wonderful Christmas night, we toast to the one and only, Lori."

The adults help their glasses up and the kids held their own.

We all cheered and drank, clearly remembering the wonderful memories we all shared with Lori.

However, this Christmas turned out to be a one of kind. Though we were missing a special person, we all gained a part of us that was missing for what seemed like forever.

It was a Christmas that we will all remember for many years to come.

I knew that this was it, the people I loved most around me, filling my ears with laughs, my eyes with memories and my heart with love.

They are my other half, mine to cherish forever.

They are unforgettable.

Ok, so before you all think this is the last chapter.

It. is. Not.

There are still 3 more chapters left people!

Anywho, hope you liked and that you review, please. I would love you all so much if we reached my goal!

And by any chance, I no longer get like alert emails when I get reviews or even when someone updates, is that like something new?

Hope one of you can answer my question and help me!

Peace out for now!