The weeks had slowly passed until we were only a few days from Christmas. Tillie and I had barely had any time together, mostly due to the amount of coursework we both had. Considering it was Tillie’s first year, the professors weren’t taking it easy on her. Every time I saw her on campus, she always had a sheet of notes in front of her or was sketching some ugly monstrosity of art. I could appreciate art as much as the next random person but what was the point in drawing a misshapen blob of clay. I shook my head, not understanding it.

Tillie’s heart lay in landscapes and they should have been pushing her down that path. Next year, they would be merging teaching subjects with her practical art subjects. That’s where her heart truly lay. She wanted to teach, and she’d be perfect at it. Plus, teaching would be perfect as she could do that anywhere. No matter where we were.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes at myself. What the hell had happened to me? I was now considering a life plan with Tillie in it. I couldn’t deny that she had me by the balls. I thought of her day and night. I wasn’t sure if I loved her but… I thought about her a lot. Like all the time.

Was that love? Was having someone you constantly thought about day and night, love?

I shook my head, focusing back on the present in front of me. It was for Mom. I’d bought her our team jersey, a ball, some perfume and a pair of tickets to a game of her choosing.

Sticking a fake bow to the top, I sighed. I fucking hated wrapping presents.

Sammy walked in to the kitchen, grinning. “What’s with the sulky face?”

“I’m not sulking.” I grabbed the present, taking it into the lounge.

We leave for Christmas tomorrow. Tillie’s present was wrapped and beneath the tree. It was tiny compared to everyone else’s present but I knew she was going to love it. I just hated I wouldn’t be with her over Christmas. Her father was traveling up to spend the holiday with her and Joy. It’d be a full house as some of Joy’s relatives were traveling down to spend it with her as well.

A knock came from the front door, disturbing me from my thoughts. Opening it, I grinned when I saw it was Tillie. I guessed it would be the last time I’d see her until New Year’s. She was bouncing on the spot with a red box in her arms and three smaller presents on top.

“Hi, baby.” I took the presents off her, giving her a quick kiss.

“Merry Christmas.”

I laughed when she took her hood down, seeing the sparkly red headband in her hair. The girl loved Christmas! It was good to see as I had caught her a few times a little low whenever she thought of her mother and I’d take bouncy Tillie any day of the week.

“The Christmas Nazi has arrived,” Logan joked, coming down the stairs. His description was perfect. When we’d been putting up the decorations, she had demanded we needed red, green and gold on the tree as they were the Christmas colors. Apparently.

She poked her tongue out, not caring. “I just came over to wish you guys safe travels.” She reached into the pouch of her hoodie and pulled a small box out. It was wrapped in gold paper and had a tiny silver ribbon bow on top. “This is for your mom.” She handed it to me with a shy smile.

“You didn’t have to do that.” I took the box from her, pulling her into a hug. Rocking her from side to side, inhaling her fresh vanilla scent, I didn’t want to let her go. If I’d been a bigger asshole, I’d have suggested blowing off our families and just spending it together.

“I’m going to miss you guys.” She pulled back, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “Who’s going to give me my daily insults?” she asked, looking toward Logan.

“I don’t mind staying,” Logan replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“No.” Like fuck was I leaving that horn dog with my girl.

They both laughed, obviously knowing exactly what I was thinking. I know he wouldn’t dare touch her, but I’d be jealous as hell.

“When does your dad get here?” I asked, pulling her toward the sofa. Taking a seat next to me, she kept her hand in mine.

“Oh.” She looked down at the floor before sighing. “He’s not coming.” She shook her head, looking dejected. “One of the guys he works with has been given the time off instead. His wife has gone into labor, so my dad has to work over Christmas.” She shrugged her shoulders trying to look strong, but she wasn’t.

“I’m really sorry, Tillie,” Logan said.

“It’s not your fault, Logan.” She smiled at him, acting as if it wouldn’t ruin her first Christmas away from him.

I nodded my head toward the stairs, Logan getting the message as he jogged back up them.

“Come home with me,” I whispered, playing with her fingers.

“What?” She turned her head to look at me.

“Come home with me,” I repeated. “I don’t want you here alone.”

“I won’t be.” She shook her head. “I can’t leave Joy.”

“Joy has family coming to visit her. She’s not going to be alone.”

“What would your mother think if you took me home? She’s probably looking forward to having you and Sammy all to herself.” She laughed, trying to talk her out of herself.

“Seriously?” I cocked an eyebrow at her. “My mother is the craziest person I know. She’s probably already setting a dinner place for you. Anyway, Logan is coming home with us aswell.”

She frowned, looking confused. “He’s not going home to his parents.”

I shook my head. “Logan basically grew up around my house. Short story; his parents died when he was little, and he basically lived around mine. He was always welcome, and he just became a part of the family.”

“Poor Logan,” she whispered. “That must have been awful.”

“So, come home with us. Trust me, you won’t be intruding.”

“I don’t know.” She nibbled her lip. “Let me go and talk to Joy.”

I nodded, letting her escape. Joy would push her out the door. I grinned, jogging upstairs to finish packing. Things were looking better.

Hours later, we were on the road. Just me, Logan, Sammy and a sleeping Tillie. Her fingers were dusted with the smudge from her pink pastel. Tillie had had no clue what to get for Joy for Christmas, so she was working on a pastel flower sketch for her. She had become obsessed with flowers in her sketches lately and I was sure it was linked to Joy. She always referred to Tillie as ‘flower’. I knew she was going to love it.

Chunk had let us borrow his car, yet again, with the promise that we wouldn’t return straight away. Our house was no doubt going to become party central for the next few days and he didn’t want a stupid, loved up couple getting in the way.

Pulling up outside the house, I chuckled when I saw the curtains move. Mom had probably been sitting by that window waiting all day long. Turning the engine off, I grabbed Tillie’s hand, leaving Sammy and Logan to see mom first. I had never seen Tillie look so nervous.

“Relax.” I pulled her hand to my lips, pressing small kisses to each of her fingers. “She will love you.”

She took a deep breath, nodding her head determinedly.

Climbing out of the car, I grinned, opening my arms wide. Mom jumped into my arms, squeezing me around the middle.

“Look at you,” she said, beaming up at me. “You’ve gotten so big.” She pulled back, stepping a couple of paces away.

I laughed at her comment. “Yeah, the coach has been training us hard.”

Tillie walked around the back of the car and I immediately held my arm out for her. Tucking her at my side, I smiled over at Mom. “Mom, this is Tillie. Tillie, this is my mother, Gill.”

“Hi, Mrs. Baker.” Tillie gave her a small awkward wave, shuffling her feet on the spot.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Mom walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. “She’s gorgeous,” she mouthed to me over Tillie’s shoulder. She pulled back, taking Tillie’s arm in hers. “Let’s go and get you settled.” She began leading Tillie up the path before turning her head. “Fetch the bags, boys.”

I grabbed Tillie’s bag and my own, leaving the boys to sort their own luggage out. Tossing the keys to Sammy, I left him to lock up. I took the bags straight upstairs, wondering where Tillie would be staying. Every room was officially taken, and no way was she bunking with Sammy or Logan.

Walking back downstairs, I smiled when I saw Tillie sitting on the sofa. I sat next to her, taking her hand in mine.

“Your mom is really nice,” she whispered.

I grinned, giving her a quick kiss just as mom walked back in the room.

“Aw, look at you guys.” She smiled, carrying in a tray with five mugs. “I don’t know how you did it, Tillie, but I thought Johnny would never settle down.” She handed a hot chocolate to Tillie, leaving the coffees on the tray on the coffee table.

Logan and Sammy joined us, sitting on the floor on either side of Mom, grabbing a biscuit each and dunking it in their cups.

“Disgusting, isn’t it?” Logan laughed, getting an elbow in the ribs from Mom.

“Thank you for letting me crash your Christmas, Mrs. Baker. My dad had to work and…” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Don’t be silly. You’re welcome, sweetie.” She grinned at me before her eyes went back to Tillie. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name of the girl Johnny’s been going on and on about.”

I rolled my eyes. You’d swear there was a biological link between her and Logan. They were so much alike.

Tillie yawned, blushing when everyone stared. “Sorry.” She giggled, setting her mug down on the table. “It’s been a long day.”

Sammy cleared the table, taking everyone’s mugs out to the kitchen.

“So...” I cleared my throat. “What’s the sleeping arrangements?” I hated to have this conversation so openly, but Tillie had to sleep somewhere.

“Tillie is welcome to stay in your room. But remember...” She pointed her finger at me with a kind of stern expression on her face. “My walls are thin.”

I groaned, nodding my head. Taking Tillie's hand, I led her up the stairs after saying good night. My mom trusted me, but she sometimes had a big mouth.

She smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Can I have your shirt?” Her eyes trailed down to my chest.

I grinned, pulling it off and held it out to her. Without any warning, she lifted her top off until she was standing in only her jeans and white, lace bra.

I groaned, adjusting myself. We’d only had sex once, but her confidence had grown loads in the last few weeks.

“You’re testing me.” I smirked down at her, watching her slip my tee over her head.

She smiled, inhaling the collar and letting her eyes drift closed for a few seconds. “I like smelling of you.”

Watching her slide her jeans down her legs, I wanted nothing more than to christen my bed with her, but I never would with my mom in the house.

She climbed into bed, looking right at home. Doing a quick change, I slipped some basketball shorts on over my boxers and joined her in bed, turning the lights off as I did. Spooning her from behind, I sighed at the feeling that coursed through me.

Complete. Bliss.

This was where she belonged. Right there. In my arms.

Waking up the next day, I groaned when I saw Tillie wasn’t there. Her side of the bed was cold, so she had obviously been up for a while. Climbing out of bed, I pulled a pair of sweats on and a black tee before brushing my teeth. Going downstairs, I laughed at the sight in front of me. Sammy and Logan were both on their phones, Mom was in the kitchen and Tillie was sitting by the tree. She was dressed in a red dress, white cropped leggings and a festive Santa hat.

It looked like everyone’s presents had been separated into piles. This was a first. Usually everyone’s presents were beneath the tree. I guess the Christmas Nazi had been unleashed.

She looked up, beaming at me. She jumped up from her spot, coming toward me. She wrapped her arms around me until she was in my arms, her feet dangling inches from the floor.

“You’re looking very festive today.” I laughed at her. She didn’t care that people would think of her as strange. She was who she was, and nothing was going to change her.

She giggled before pressing her lips to mine and untangling herself from me. As she took her seat back by the tree, I wanted nothing more than to have her curled up on my lap but there was another lady I had to give my time to that day. She came in with a tray of five flutes of buck’s fizz before everyone dived into their presents. We all wished each other a merry Christmas before taking our seats around the tree.

Tillie looked over, smiling at me. Sipping her flute, she turned to look at Sammy, laughing at the excited expression on his face. He’d gotten the new Yankee’s jersey. Anyone would swear he had the winning lottery ticket in his hands instead.

A few presents later, Mom handed Tillie’s present to me and nodded her head toward her. I grinned, moving closer to Tillie and handing her a small box wrapped in red paper.

She smiled at me before grabbing a medium sized box wrapped in gold from behind her.

“Open mine first.” She held it out to me, fidgeting.

“Nervous, T?” Sammy asked.

“Very.” She sat back, waving me on to unwrap it.

I ripped the paper off, revealing a red box. Opening it up, I took out a brown football, much like the one I used on the field. On the ball was the printed stamp of the NFL.

“Turn it over,” she whispered.

I did just that, smiling at the badge imprint on the other side: #1—just like her jersey.

“I love it.” I took her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips. “Now, it’s your turn.”

She grinned, unwrapping the small box. It was tiny, but I hoped the gift inside would mean as much to her as it did to me. She turned the small green box in her hands and flipped the lid. She gasped, her eyes filling with water.

“Johnny…” The tears spilled over her lids, leaving marks on her dress.

“We’ll give you both some time.” Sammy tapped me on the shoulder before the three of them left us alone.

“Turn it over,” I whispered, repeating her words from earlier.

She did so, and I saw her bottom lip tremble in response. “Do you mean it?” she asked, lifting her head to look at me.

“Every word, baby.” I held my hand out for hers and pulled her over to me. She sat across my lap, holding the box close to her. “You are my missing piece,” I replied, repeating the words that were inscribed on the back of her necklace: a silver jigsaw piece.

I took it from her, fastening it around her neck. I smiled, loving the way it fell in the centre of her collarbones. She really was it. My missing piece. In every way.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, baby.” I pressed lips to hers, loving the way she melted against me.

* * *

The next day, we were all in the lounge watching some stupid cheesy film that Tillie had demanded we watch. Logan was snoring, and Sammy and Mom were cuddled up on the sofa. My phone rang with Joy’s number. Excusing myself, I moved Tillie’s legs off my lap, heading out the front door to take the call. I didn’t like the dreaded feeling that filled my gut at seeing her name flash on the screen.

“Hello? Joy? Is everything okay?” I asked, firing all the questions at her.

“Hello, sweet boy,” she replied, sounding okay. “How is your Christmas going?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Good to see Mom.” Silence. “Is everything okay?”

“I feel so silly calling but…” She sounded worried.

“What is it?” I was starting to worry now and really needed her to talk faster.

“We have a little problem.” She sounded apologetic.

“What kind of problem?” This didn’t sound good.

“I just don’t want Tillie to worry.”

“Okay.” I nodded before realizing she couldn’t see me.

“I’m just calling to say…”

Before she could get any further, I was shocked from behind by Tillie.

“Johnny!” She yelled my name and then came shooting out the front door. She had tears streaming down her face and was holding her phone out to me.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, holding my phone out.

“Joy. The hospital… she’s in the hospital.”

“What happened?” I asked, holding the phone back to my ear.

“This is silly,” she mumbled before continuing. “I had a little fall and Chunk called an ambulance. I’m fine but they want to do more tests.”

“Okay.” I sighed, frustrated. Just when things were starting to look up. “One second. Here’s Tillie.”

She took the phone off me and started firing questions. “Are you okay? What happened? Why didn’t you call me?” She ended with, “I’m coming home.”

A few minutes later, she disconnected the call before moulding herself to my chest. Looking up at me, her eyes filled with water. “I have to go home, Johnny.”

She didn’t want to, I could see it in her eyes, but Joy had taken Tillie into her home in her hour of need. They were family. Much like Mom and I were.

I nodded, before leading her inside.