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“Nah.” Ethan leans up and kisses my nose, but then brushes his fingers through my hair anyway.

“Oh, you two are so cute,” Anne giggles.

“Come on, there’s hot cocoa ready,” Greg says once he returns from putting the gifts away.

I head to the kitchen with Ethan, feeling him slide his hand into mine, and I tangle my fingers in his. His hand is so much colder than mine, even though he’d been wearing gloves, too.

“He needs it, he’s freezing.” I motion to him.

“Our boy has always been sensitive to the cold.” Anne nods. “Let’s get you both warmed up.”

She pulls out a couple mugs, and Greg pours the hot chocolate. Richard is checking on something in the oven. The entire kitchen smells like rosemary and butter, with a hint of chocolate, of course.

“It smells so good in here, Mom.” Ethan smiles and lets go of my hand to hug her, and she squeezes him back.

“Ah.” He hisses slightly when he pulls back.

“Oh, is it your shoulder, honey?” she asks. “Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m okay. The pain is worse when it’s really cold,” he explains.

I sigh. “I told you we should’ve brought the heat pack.”

“We have one,” Richard says as he takes the oven mitts off.

“I don’t need the hot pack. Not right now, anyway. Can we just…settle in?” Ethan says, looking tired, but there’s a soft, loving look in his eyes.

“Of course, of course. Here.” Anne slides us our mugs across the island counter.

We all move to the living room.

I sit beside Ethan on the couch and wrap my arm around him. He snuggles in close to me, and I almost forget where we are. I want to lean in and kiss his shoulder, his neck…he smells so good, even after several hours in the car.

“So, how’s school?” Anne asks.

Saved by the mother-in-law.

“Good. Really fuckin’ exhausting, but good,” I tell her.

“Do you think it’s worth it?” Greg asks. “I mean, moving up from EMT?”

I blow on the hot cocoa. “Yeah. I like being an EMT, but…I want somethin’ more.”

“Med school is no easy task,” Anne comments. “Especially while you’re still working.”

“Yeah, he works long hours,” Ethan says. “But I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.” He leans his head on my shoulder.

“We’re all proud of you both,” Richard insists. “My son, team lead in a science lab, and my son-in-law, soon to be a doctor!”

My chest and face feel warm, and I know I must be a little tense, because Ethan pats my thigh comfortingly.

“Y-Yeah, thank you,” I say before sipping my drink.

“Dante’s still not used to how supportive you all are, and how…open,” Ethan explains.

“After five Christmases, you’d think he would be,” Greg chuckles. “Guess it’ll take another five.”

All three parents laugh, and Ethan and I share a glance.