Where The Lines Overlap [CTH]

[36] Sparks

"Of course we did, love." My Mum laughed, before setting her arm on Calum's shoulder. "Calum actually rang us before his flight and told us all about his little surprise."

"He even rang up your sister and asked about your work schedule and everything, so everything would go according to...um...well, plan." My Dad added before my Mum shot him a suspicious look. "Silly boy."

"Surprise!" Calum smirks, before wiggling his fingers in the air once more.

"You're unbelievable, you are." I replied, shaking my head at him in complete amazement.

*                  *                     *                  *

The drive home was not as awkward as I thought it'd be. My parents and Calum conversed for the most part, about mundane things like his journey here from America, how Luke, Michael and Ashton were and how work was coming along. I really didn't mind this, although I made a face once or twice. Inside, I felt glad knowing they all got along and I think Calum could tell, as he squeezed my hand once or twice. At one point, "Amnesia" even came on the radio once and funnily enough, my Mum knew all the words by heart.

It was ridiculous.

"Lillian!" My Dad let out a yell, as he unlocked the front door and let us all in. "Your sister's home!"

The sounds of Lily's familiar footsteps echoed from the stairwell, before I caught a peek of her face, followed by a shriek and her jumping down almost a flight of steps to eagerly to greet me with a hug.

"ALEXIA!!!" She exclaimed, before greeting Calum as well. "CALUM!!!...um, where's Luke?"

"It's just me, I'm afraid." Calum laughs, before finally taking off his cap and showcasing his messy curls.

"Hey, don't be rude." I interrupt my sister, before lightly punching her on the arm.

"I know!" Lily grins cheekily at both of us, before turning to me and saying: "I'm just trying to wind you up! I miss you, you cow."

"I miss you too, you bit-"

"Now, who wants dinner?" My Mum's voice happily called out from the kitchen.

Christmas Eve dinner left the five of us with mouths dry from funny conversations and stomachs ready to burst. There was an assortment of hearty dishes laid out on the table: a salad, pumpkin soup, warm bread rolls, roasted lamb with mashed potatoes, a vegetable casserole and a giant fruit tart for dessert.

Later that evening, we all crowded around the living room by the red and gold Christmas tree and tuned into the annual Christmas comedy shows before we greeted Christmas Day.

From the windows, I could see snow falling quietly outside.

My Mum and Dad were cuddled up on a sofa with a glass of wine each. My sister was laying on the carpet, hands glued to her phone and Calum and I sat on the loveseat with my legs sprawled across his thighs. Somehow, as we sat there, our hands found their way to one another and we secretly clasped them together, as we pretended to watch TV.

As midnight approached, my Dad began to doze off and snore in the corner. My Mum took this opportunity to take his arm off around her and take him upstairs to rest. Because of this, Calum and I offered to help clean up. Lily, on the other hand, snuck off to the hallway to ring her friends to greet them ahead of time.

Calum was wiping the table while I was fixing the position of the presents under the glittery tree, when I saw a small box on the edge of the carpet with my name on it. I was certain it was neither my parents or Lily's handwriting. Upon realizing this, I gulped nervously before I kneeled onto the ground and carefully put it in its place.