I spend all day Christmas Eve baking and enlist Emmett's help. But honestly, he's probably more of a hindrance than a help. I'm covered in flour because he thought it'd be funny, and a quarter of the cookies look nothing like stars, trees, and snowmen.

But we have fun—quite a lot of fun, in fact.

He makes me smile more than I have in weeks, and we even share stories of Christmases with our parents. Even with the massive age difference, he was always a great big brother. He digs out a photo album from when I was a little over a year old, and I grin, seeing his teenage self helping me open presents.

"I got some flowers for Mom and Dad," he says. "Do you want to go see them today?"

I nod, wanting nothing more. "I'd really like that. Let me go get cleaned up since there's more flour on me than in the cookies."

He smirks, wiping down the counters. "Accidents happen, Bells. I told you I'm not good at this."

I just laugh, leaving him on clean-up duty as I head to the shower. I manage to get all the flour off of me, and then put on some leggings and a fleece. It's in the forties, so Emmett makes sure I'm bundled up in a coat and scarf before we leave.

The drive to the cemetery isn't too far, and we quickly head to Mom and Dad's graves. He's clearly kept up maintenance and puts the new flowers in the holders before brushing his fingers across each headstone.

"Hey, guys," he says, smiling sadly. "The munchkin is here with me this time. It's Christmas Eve, and we wanted to see you. Bells made me help her bake, and we made a huge mess in the kitchen that Mom would have yelled about."

I sit down in front of the headstones with tears in my eyes. What I'd give to have them back.

"Hi, Momma. Hi, Daddy," I say. "I miss you both so much."

"They're watching over us, kiddo," Emmett says, rubbing my back.

I nod, wiping my tears. "Remember the pickle ornament Dad would hide?"

He laughs. "Weirdest fucking tradition. What I remember most about it was helping you find it every year until you were about six, and then insisted you could find it yourself. It took you two days."

"He hid it high up!"

"Because he knew I'd help you!"

I smile, leaning into his shoulder as I nod. "You've always been there for me. Honestly, weren't you mad to have a baby sister at thirteen?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. They had me so young, so it wasn't a huge shock because they always said they wanted another. It just didn't work out until you. You were the best surprise, Bells. Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for you. I'm not sure I could have gotten through their passing without you on this earth, to be honest."

It's my turn to hug him as I notice tears cloud his vision. "We'll always have each other."

He nods. "Always. I love you."

"I love you too, Em. Thank you for being the best big brother in the world."

"I am pretty great, aren't I?" he teases, forcing me to smile.

I'm the luckiest girl to have a brother like him.


Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.