"So, we should do this again sometime" Mark declared as we walked along the hallway leading to my apartment

"Definitely" I said with a smile.

We paused momentarily outside, and before I even had a chance to wonder if he would, Mark leaned down and kissed me.

I'll be honest, it felt a little weird. I hadn't kissed a guy since Josh.

He pulled away quickly, probably cause he realized I wasn't kissing him back.

"Well,... um guess I'll see you around" He said, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah, see ya" I said with a smile. I started to walk toward the door, then stopped and turned around. I leaned up and kissed him, so quickly it seemed likeI pulled away before I started. "See ya" I repeated, as I walked inside.

I closed the door behind me, a goofy expression most likely on my face. "Who ya calling?" I asked when I managed to focus on Josh who was standing in the hallways with the phone to his ear.

He put it down guiltily "No one. How was your date?"

"Great!" I said happily, not bothering to correct the fact that he said 'date'.

---Christmas Eve---

---Mary-Kate---

"So are you taking Michaels calls yet?" I asked Mel.

She andI were at Ashleys for Christmas eve. Yes, I was with my closest friends but yet,completely and utterly alone.

"He finally stopped calling me" she forced a smile, though it was 100% obvious she wasn't as happy as she was letting on.

I glanced over at Ashley. She was sitting in a lazy boy with herlegs over the side, staring at the cieling, obviously bored.

Josh was sitting over in the corner bopping his head to the music playing on his headphones. It was the fartherest he could get from us, as of course we are in his room...well Ashley's lounge/Joshs room.

"Well!" I said with a forced cheerfulness, clapping my hands "How about we open a present?"

"But it's not Christmas yet!" Mel interjected.

"Old family tradition" Ashley supplied.

Vic walked in from the kitchen and distributed hot chocolates.

"We're opening presents!" I explained "Well, one each"

"Cool!" Vic exlaimed and skipped over to the tree.

The doorbell chimed. "I'll get it!" Ashley said as she lept up. I couldn't help but notice how Josh's eyes followed her till she left the room and were on her the moment she returned.

"Who was it?" I asked.

She looked like she was going to burst out of her skin and Josh mouthed 'Mark' with a scowl and a roll of his eyes, thinking no one was watching "Have I ever got the best present for you!" She sang, bouncing over to me "Someones here to see you!"

---Zac---

I was nervously waiting at the door when Mary-Kate finally came out. She walked into the hallway, still looking over her shoulder and saying something to someone, she finally looked over at me and froze in place.

"Hi Mary-Kate" I said quietly.

She blinked rapidly as if trying to decide if I were really there. Seeming satisfied I was, she walked over and past me, motioning for me to follow her outside.

I did, and closed the door behind me, but never once took my eyes off her.

She turned to face me "So, I'm guessing since you're here you've made your decision?" She looked so nervous I thought she'd throw up. I guess she figured there was a possibility I might want to give her a divorce.

"Yeah" I walked over to her "I want you, Anna and I to be a family again. If you'll have me"

Before I could even finish my sentence she launched herself into my arms.

"YES! YES!" She exlaimed, squeezing me so tightly it actually hurt.

I laughed and hugged her equelly tightly.

A door down the hall opened and a lady in curlers glanced out to see what all the shouting was about. She smiled when she saw us then closed the door again.

I pulled back just enough to lean down and press my lips to Mary-Kates

I don't know how I was ever so stupid as to think or even consider that I could live my life without her.

---Josh---

It was way later that night and everyone had left. Zac and Mary-Kate couldn't have looked happier, but I noticed how nervous Melanie looked, she was going to be the third wheel till she could find a place to stay.

Oh boy do I know the feeling!

I was just setting my bed up on the sofa when Ashley walked past my door to the kitchen.

We hadn't exactly talked much in the last couple of weeks. Well, we'd had 3 fights in which we both did a lot of talking... and insulting. They were such stupid things too. Arguing over the fact that I won't let her drink coffee (which she always insisted she hated anyway), debates over the toilet seat being up or down.. and fighting over the remote for the tv.

You'd think we were bickering syblings!

She says I'm always in a bad mood and looking for a fight. Though I deny it to her face... I think she's right.

I'd just finished my bed when she walked in with a cup. I raised an eyebrow accusingly.

"Don't worry! It's just hot milk" She said teasingly, as she walked over and sat down next to me on the sofa/bed. She glanced over at the remaining gifts under the tree then back at me. She grinned mischeviously.

I glanced at my watch "It's still one to midnight"

"I know... we could just... open our presents from each other?"

"You seriously can't wait to see what I got youhuh?"

She nodded angelicly.

I sighed and nodded my head slightly. She lept up and raced over to the tree, then returned with two small packages, she handed me one then sat down with the other.

"You open yours first!" She said, almost bouncing out of her chair.

"Ok" I unwrapped it and pulled out a small box. Inside was a small snow globe of Chicago. When I shook it, little heart shaped snow would fall down on the city. I smiled "It's adorable. Thanks Ashley"

"No Problem!" She smiled "Can I open mine now??"

I laughed. "Sure"

She tore off the silver wrapping paper and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. She unwrapped the tissue paper and something silver fell onto her leg. She picked it up "Josh it's beautiful!" She breathed.

It was a silver strand with these little glowing beadsspaced all over it like they were floating. The jewelry person called it a 'floating bead necklace'.

She was trying to put it on so I offered to do it.

She turned away from me and pulled her hair up away from her neck. I brushed a few stray strands away and once again was struck with how soft her skin was. I reached around her, stringing the necklace around her neck. Then fiddled with the clasp needlessly, for awhile. Just lingering in the moment when I was so close to her. Finally I did it up and brushed her hair back into place "Done"

She lept up and ran over to the mirror "It's so beautiful!" She declared turning from side to side to watch it change in different light "Thank-you!" She ran back over to me and threw her arms around my neck. She quickly kissed me on the cheek, causing a chill to run down my spine.

---Ashley---

Why are my lips still tingling? It's like an hour since I kissed him but this eletrical tingle is still running through my body...

Weird. It's probably just my imagination.

Chapter 25: