The loss of family.

I push past everyone, dodging Jake's attempt to reach me. I feel the tears building up in my eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. My vision blurs and I release a small sob, feeling my lungs tighten.

What if Pops is right and I can't raise this child?

I'm only seventeen, still a child myself. My feet continue until I find myself in the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I slide down the way and pull my legs into my chest, cradling them. The overwhelming feeling of loneliness hits me and I continue sobbing into the fabric of my dress.

How is it possible to feel so alone in a world full of people?

After the death of my father, I'd lost my entire family. My mother didn't care about me and chose her abusive partner over her own flesh and blood. It was times like this where I wish I had a guidance and a motherly figure to help me through the tough times.

As if he knew how I felt in that exact moment, I hear shuffling behind the bathroom door before there's a knock.

"Emily?" Jake says softly from the other side. I close my eyes and exhale deeply, his voice soothing the erratic thoughts inside my mind. Just like that, I'm not alone anymore. I sniffle and reach up to wipe at my eyes, knowing I've probably ruined my makeup.

"Muffin, let me in. I'll make it okay for you." Jake says through the crack in the door. I slowly slide up and head for the door, unlocking it. The handle drops down and when he pushes it open, his eyes fall on me immediately and fill with a sadness. He stretches out his arms and I fall into them, my body overcome with silent sobs.

I feel his arms wrap around my, enveloping me into his warm comforting scent. His presence has always had the same effect on me and I hold onto him tighter —

"I've got you." Jake murmurs, his hand caressing my hair.

"He's gone," I whisper, the image of my anger filled Pops entering my mind. I've never seen him look so disappointed in me before and I question whether he's right. . . Would Dad be disappointed too?

"He'll calm down, give him time." Jake responds, holding me close. He pulls back slightly, moving the hair out of my face to search my eyes. I blink through my blurred vision, trying to clear it again. Jake cups my cheeks, reaching up to wipe away the tears falling.

"Let's go to my room. Christmas is overrated anyway." He murmurs, gesturing for me to follow him. I nod my head, still too choked up with emotion to respond with words. We both head for his room and as soon as we enter, Jake searches through his drawers for one of his hoodies before throwing it in my direction. I smile faintly and catch it, loving how well he knows me.

"I figured you'd want to get out of that dress." He explains, a small smile on his lips. I nod my head and begin to undress, pulling his grey oversized hoody over me. The softness mixed with Jake's scent immediately calms me down and I feel my shoulders relax. Jake walks forward, taking my dress before handing me a packet of makeup remover wipes.

"I'd do it for you but you always complain I don't take it off properly." He grins, handing it to me. I laugh quietly, nodding before tackling my face.

"You leave black eyeliner running down my face every single time and wonder why I have to re-do it afterwards." I respond playfully. Jake rolls his eyes, walking towards me before bending down and resting his arms on his legs. He looks up at me from under his dark lashes, blue eyes searching mine.

"You're beautiful Muffin and I'll always be your family no matter what. Family isn't blood... It's the people who love you no matter what. It's the people who support you and annoy the hell out of you from time to time but you wouldn't have it any other way."

His words cause my lips to stretch out into a smile and I nod my head, agreeing with him.

"You're the sweetest, I don't deserve you." I smile through my pain, feeling my heart swell with love for him.

"That's right, you deserve the world." He takes hold of my hands, his fingers running over the shapes of my knuckles. I glance down at my hands in his and know that's where they'll always belong.

"You always know how to lift me from the darkest moments Jake." I mumble. He releases one of my hands and places it on my cheek, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"That strength is all you. I just remind you that you're capable of it. You're stronger than you know."

His words hit me and I realise he's right, I am stronger than I feel sometimes. I've been through numerous traumatic experiences and came out the other end smiling. I lean forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and enveloping him into a tight hug.

"Thank you." I whisper down his ear, breathing in his warm scent. We spend the next few moments in silence, holding one another. I hear Christmas music playing from downstairs and feel guilt settle in.

"Did I just ruin Christmas for everyone?" I groan, pulling back and covering my face with my hands.

"No, I told you Christmas is overrated. Besides drama enfolds every single Christmas in this household. It's tradition." Jake reassures me jokingly, standing up and taking a seat on his bed next to me instead.

"What would happen if we told Jasmine she has a family?" I ask suddenly, my thoughts turning towards the little girl who must also experience loneliness. A pang of guilt and sympathy hits me as I realise she's in the exact same boat as me yet she doesn't have a clue about the family life she's missing out on.

"I always figured Peggy would stop me seeing her if I told her the truth. I didn't want to risk it." Jake adds before sighing deeply from the loss of his sister. I gaze up at him, feeling my own heart ache for him.

"Maybe one day she can spend Christmas with us?" I say optimistically. Moments of silence pass before he finally replies, his voice soft and lost in thought —

"Yeah . . . One day."

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