Mistletoe (Chapter 1)

"Excuse you!" Nick huffed, tripping over his dog. Mikey yelped, then scurried underneath the dining room table. Nick blew a blonde bang away from his eye. He set the small platter of cheese and crackers onto the table. "Mickey, so help me God you even THINK about jumping up here and eating this food, I will beat you within an inch of your life!"

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful," Frank Sinatra's voice sang from Nick's stereo. Nick glared at the large entertainment system, as he passed the living room.

"Oh, yeah an 80 degree Christmas is horrible, isn't it, Franky?" Nick asked sarcastically. He flopped onto an over-stuffed recliner. He layed his head against the back of it.

"Tsk, tsk, Nick," a voice spoke up. "Where's your holiday spirit?"

"Hey, little brother," Nick greeted, waving tiredly. Aaron leaned against the doorway, his arms folded across his chest.

"What hospitality you have," Aaron rolled his eyes. "Again, I ask. Where's your Holiday spirit?"

"I don't know. I lost it half a block past insanity, a few houses approaching total lunicity," Nick grinned crookedly. "Where's your girlfriend?"

"It's his fiancee, now, thank you," a female voice called into the house. A brunette pushed past Aaron, carrying a large set of bags.

"Hey, Rae!" Nick greeted more enthusiastically. "So, he finally popped the question?"

"Yes, he did," Aaron replied, wrapping his arms around Raeanne. "And can you please not talk about me like I'm not in the room? It's rude."

"Like you have the best manners," Nick scoffed, raising his head up. Aaron helped his future wife arrange the bags on a table that was set up for that exact purpose.

"Where's my cousin?" Raeanne asked, brushing a curly strand of hair away from her face. Nick shrugged. "God, Nick, I leave Laura in your care for 24 hours and you lose her. Imagine how you'll be if she ever marries you!!"

"Yeah, IF. If Nick ever proposes. He's too chicken," Aaron taunted, sitting in a chair across from Nick. Raeanne sat on his lap.

"Hey, why haven't you proposed yet?" she asked, leaning back into Aaron's arms. Nick shrugged again.

"I don't know. I'm only 26. I don't need to get married, yet," he replied non-chalantly. "Laura's 19. She's too young."

"Hello, Clueless Party of Blonde. I'm 21," Raeanne reminded him. Nick rolled his eyes impatiently. "Boy, you better not roll your eyes at me again!"

" Besides, there's a big difference between 21 and 19. Like the legal drinking age is one. The other has been able to smoke for a year.What are you going to do about it?" Nick asked, leaning forward in his seat. He ran a hand through his golden locks.

"I won't give you a Christmas present, so, nah," Raeanne stuck out her tongue. Nick folded his face into a stupid face. "That was ugly."

"Not as ugly as you," Nick retorted. Raeanne raised her eyebrows. She lurched toward Nick.

"Children!" Aaron scolded, latching his hands together to stop Raeanne from attacking her best friend. The 20 year old squeezed her waist gently. "Please. Get over yourselves. I swear you two should get married. You fight like an old married couple. I should just give you up now, huh, sweety?"

"Like hell I'll get married to Nick!" Raeanne cried, turning her head toward Aaron. She kissed him on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you more, pooky," Aaron gushed, kissing Raeanne's nose. Raeanne's eyes crinkled as she beamed brightly.

"I love you the most, snookums," she warmly adored. Nick made a loud gagging noise as he stood up. Aaron shot him a dirty look. Raeanne burst into a fit of giggles.

"Hello, people!" a voice shouted. Nick rushed over to the door, then ushered his girlfriend in. Laura wrapped her arms around his neck. They shared a kiss.

"Oh, barf," Aaron mumbled, slouching back into his chair. Nick's eyes were the ones that shot daggers, this time. "Okay, so when is everyone else getting here?"

"Have patience, AC," Laura smiled, entering the living room. She hugged Raeanne and Aaron. "You're early."

"Not the only thing I'm the first at," Aaron muttered, taking Raeanne's left hand in his. He fiddled with the large diamond. Nick glared at him, silently willing him to shut his little mouth.

"Oh, my Gawd!" Laura shouted, yanking Raeanne's hand away. She gawked at he engagement ring. "This is so awesome!"

"Yeah, I know!" Raeanne squealed, jumping up from her perch on Aaron's leg. The two relatives scurried into the kitchen.

"Oh, my Gawd you have to tell me how he proposed!" Laura demanded. Nick and Aaron exchanged a look. They chuckled.

"Lunacy. It runs in the family," Aaron stated. Nick gave him a worried look.

"Don't say anything about me proposing, okay, Air Boy?" he whispered, fidgeting around with his golden cross necklace. Aaron nodded, then bumped wrists with his older brother. "Alright. I'll propose when the moment is right. I promise."

Show all stories by   Author:  20746 ( Click here )