"Dunk, you've gotta tell me more!"
"It's nothing, really! I think he's cute. He might be interested. That's it!" She smiled.
You were spending quality, sister-time with Janet. You often found yourself torn between Michael and Janet. Though the whole family loved you and wanted some time with you, Janet was more persistent with her demand for girl time.
"You've gotta tell me about you two! He's being good to you, right?" She asked, referring to you and Michael.
"Yes, we're great. Amazing, actually. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me! I can't believe we've known each other since we were kids and it just escalated into . . ."
"Into playful days and busy nights," Janet finished.
"Dunk!"
"What? I'm just saying."
You blushed and face palmed.
"Anyways, I'm glad you two are doing so well. You two are an inspiration for me and my love life. You never fight!"
"Well, I wouldn't say that."
She narrowed her eyes and leaned back.
"What is the last thing you two fought about?"
"Whose turn it was to make the bed."
"Y/N, you've got to be kidding me!" She exclaimed.
"I know! It was his turn, but he insisted that it was mine!"
"Y/N, just stop. Please. You're not providing any information to prove your point. You two don't fight. Period."
The bedroom door opened and Michael poked his head in.
"I thought I heard you two up here," he smiled.
"Michael!" You smiled brightly.
"Mike, can you leave?" Janet asked.
His eyes narrowed as he faced his little sister.
"Nice to see you two, Dunk."
He opened the door completely and leaned against the doorframe.
"We're kind of having sisterly bonding time and your presence ruins it."
"What? How?" You asked, staying neutral as you glanced at both siblings.
"You guys get all cuddly and mushy, and I don't need unpleasant dreams tonight so . . ."
"You love her so much, but you wouldn't know her if it weren't for me," Michael challenged.
"How about we have a brother-sister-girlfriend bonding day?" You smiled.
"Not necessarily, Mike. Since she was a child star, I still had the chance of meeting her on the red carpet anyway," Janet replied to him, ignoring you.
You rolled your eyes, preparing for the petty sibling fight that was escalating.
"Just go, Mike. She's mine right now," Janet smiled.
"She was mine before she was yours," he mumbled.
"Michael, Janet, please. Janet, I'll finish my girl time with you this evening. Michael, I'll see you tonight when it's time for bed," you intervened.
They both stopped and looked at you.
"Okay, but try not to be too loud tonight," Janet smirked.
"Janet!" You and Michael gasped.
"Janet, that isn't us and you know it. Tell that to Jackie," Michael said.
"Okay, enough about our intimacy," you said, standing up.
"I love you, baby. I'm glad you're home. Go downstairs and bond with your other siblings," you stood on your toes and kissed his lips.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around your waist.
"I love you, beautiful."
He deepened the kiss.
"Okay, adios," Janet grabbed your hand and pulled you from him.
Michael simply grabbed your waist and pulled you back to him. The two of you began kissing again.
"You know what, let's have a girls night some other time. Maybe when he's on tour or something. Both of you, out."
You felt Michael smiled against your lips and pull you out the room. As the door closed, you broke the kiss and looked up at him.
"You are so bad," you giggled.
"You know it," he replied.
"Come on, let's go downstairs," you pulled him.
"Wait, Y/N. My family is downstairs. They'll just try to take you from me, just like Dunk."
You smiled, butterflies forming in your stomach.
"Okay, Michael. Then, let's go in the bedroom. I want to spend some quality time with you too. At least we'll be left alone in there."
"Don't you get quality time with each other 24/7?" Janet asked.
You jumped and turned your head. You couldn't see Michael's face, but Janet's attitude suddenly changed dramatically.
"You know what? I'm gonna go downstairs," she laughed nervously and skipped down the hallway.
You scrunched your eyebrows, confused by her quick switch.
"What was that about?" You asked, turning back to Michael.
"I silently threatened her."
You paused.
He smiled and kissed your neck. You giggled and pushed him back.
"We need to get out of the hallway, Michael."
"Oh, right."
He pulled you into the nearest bedroom and closed the door.
"This isn't our room," you laughed.
He shrugged and sat on the bed. You smiled as he reached his arms out for you. Immediately, you settled on his lap.
For a while, the two of you sat in silence. You played with his curls as he rubbed your back.
"The holidays are coming up," he broke the silence.
You looked at him, eyes displaying confusion.
"You don't celebrate the holidays," you replied.
"But you do, right?"
"Well, yes. I do it with my family though. I don't want to disrespect your family, especially your mother."
"I want to do something for you."
"You do enough for me."
"Shh," he put his finger to your lips, "I want to do something with you. We won't consider it a Christmas thing, just some time together. Christmas is also about family and the people you love. I'm shooting a short film in New York and I'm sure the city will be elaborately decorated. Come with me. We can tour the city, see a broadway show, or even ice skate!"
You furrowed your brows in thought.
"Please, Y/N."
"Are you sure it won't upset your family?"
"We won't consider it a Christmas thing."
A smile slowly spread across your face.
"Then I don't see why not! Oh, and I can't ice skate."
He giggled.
"I'll teach you!"
"No, you don't understand. Gravity is against me. I can't balance on a blade!"
He kissed your lips.
"Have I ever let you fall?"
"Do you mean that in a literal way?"
He rolled his eyes. You laughed and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his hands around your waist.
~~~~
"Mm, dinner sure was good. I-"
Tito stopped in front of his bed.
"What are y'all doing in my bed?" His voice boomed.
Michael sat up quickly, rubbing his eyes.
"You are too loud. What time is it?" Michael groaned.
"Half past eight. If you two just wanted to do it, why did you have to do it in my bed?"
"We didn't do anything, Tito," Michael glared, "we went to sleep."
"Fine, fine. Just get outta here, will you? You two have your own bed."
Michael sighed and looked over at you. You were sound asleep.
"I don't know how she slept through your yelling," he said.
"Maybe Dunk tired her out with all that talking she does," Tito suggested.
Michael smiled softly, rubbing your head.
"Uh, Mike?"
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving."
He stood up and walked to your side of the bed. Gently, he tucked his hands under you and picked you up.
"G'night," Tito said.
"G'night," Michael mumbled.
~~~~
You stirred as you felt a new, cold bed.
"We moved?" You asked.
"Tito kicked us out."
You mumbled in reply and scooted closer to him.
"It's cold."
He pulled the blanket tighter and wrapped his arms around you.
"How's that?"
"Better," you smiled.