Tongue Tied

Alex couldn't get the smile on her face to fade. She listened to the guys conversing with Dana. Nathan had an arm around her as she leaned against him. He'd look over at her once in a while to give her a peck. Zach made gagging noises every time. Darcy told a story about him and some girl that was stalking him. Alex had helped him get out of it by calling her and pretend to be his girlfriend. Nathan whined and asked why he couldn't have used someone else. That's when Alex realized how much was missing.

Leah had disappeared from everyone's lives. Alex had tried to contact her recently but she had been blocked on all Leah's social medias. Marina had moved away for school and fallen into the wrong crowd. She was into a lot of drugs and although Alex tried to keep contact, Marina was having none of it. Denise had just faded. There was no real reason why. Bridgette had lost her place in the group after she cheated on Cam, with his own teammate. Alex tried to talk to her about that to see what had happened, but there was no real reason. So they stopped talking to her. Melissa was too busy planning a wedding to come but she sent her best wishes.

"I ran into Melissa a while back!" Zach exclaimed. "She's put on some weight."

"Really? She was always so in shape. I envied her in high school." Dana huffed.

"I wanted her body so badly." Alex laughed.

"You were perfectly fine in high school." Nathan argued.

"You have to say that because I was sleeping with you." She rolled her eyes.

"He still is." Darcy smirked.

Nathan winked at Darcy. Alex saw it and whacked his chest. He smiled and kissed her. She squeezed his face while he did so. Dana cooed. She always wanted a relationship like Nathan and Alex. Everyone did. Jo frowned. It made him miss Leah. She was the one girl he actually loved and she just left him. Stefan noted the tension and pulled the couple apart.

"Where's Norma?" Dana asked.

Alex shrugged. "Probably out buying food for tomorrow."

"She's my favourite." Darcy sighed. "Total milf."

"Darcy!" She gasped. "That's my aunt!"

"Just being honest." He grinned.

She shook her head. The rest of the night the group just sat together. Nathan and Alex were back to their normal selves. Everything seemed like their time back in Halifax. She was laying against his chest, his legs spread so she could sit between them. His arms were around her, holding her hands that were holding her phone. She was playing a game and he was helping. She made a move and he groaned, yelling about how dumb it was. She argued. Jo was watching them. Not to be creepy, just to admire them. Alex noticed and smiled at him.

She sat up, extending a hand to him. "Come with me, please."

He nodded, grabbing her hand. She led him to the back porch. She rested against the railing, staring at Jo. He knew she was about to investigate the break up. He just kept his hands in his pockets and looked around. She rolled her eyes, pulling him over to her. He sighed. She cocked a brow at him. She knew that he was fully aware of what she wanted from her.

"The truth please." She spoke, crossing her arms.

He took a deep breath. "I don't know! We were good, I was always texting, calling, video calling her. She seemed happy! I didn't see anything wrong!"

"Jo, it's okay." Alex frowned, grabbing his hand.

"She started ignoring my calls, replying really dryly to my texts. I assumed she just missed me so I flew out to see her after my game in Detroit on her birthday. She was just kinda blah but she was being touchy and lovey with me. She cried when I left and everything." He continued.

"Then what happened?"

"The day before I was leaving for the wedding, she told me she was leaving. Didn't say where or why, that was all I got. I just told you that story because I knew Nate did the same to you and I saw how well you two we,"

Alex cut him off by wrapping her arms around him. They were both crying. Neither were very emotional but it had sparked both of their heart strings. Once they finished their blubbering, they say quietly. Alex was watching Jo. She was mad he lied at first, but after she really thought of why she understood. Nathan and her were just getting back to a good place and Leah doing the same to him might have made Alex change her mind. He was looking out for everyone.

"I want someone to be like you and Nathan with. I want that more than anything." He confessed.

"Jo, I promise you'll find it." She breathed out. "It takes time and a lot of hurt but you'll find her."

"It's hard being in this thing alone. Nathan's lucky to have you." He reassured her.

"I'm always here for you, Jonny." She squeezed his leg with a smile.

"Yeah, but you aren't in Tampa." He huffed.

"Mack's only, what, four hours away?" She grinned, shoving him.

"I just want a girl, Alex. I think I'm a pretty decent looking guy, and I have hands." He rambled.

"You know, some girls go for personality over you hockey ability or appearance." She rolled her eyes.

"You're gonna tell me you're with Nathan for anything other than his pay check?" He smirked.

"Hey, keep it down." She joked. "But believe me, you'll find some babe from Tampa with a rocking bod and a killer personality that reminds you of me, and who loves you for your snarky comments and caring nature."

He smiled. "You're a good friend, Al."

"I try." She flipped her hair.

The two went back inside. Nathan watched as Alex walked over. She smiled and sat back where she was. He pressed his lips into the top of her head. She turned to face him and pecked his lips. He smiled when she turned forward. He was scrolling down twitter with his arms around her. She could see his screen. She stopped him at a tweet that caught her eye. It was from Mack. She clicked the picture attached.

"@Weega52: Name one couple less annoying"

She laughed at the picture of Nathan and her how they were currently. Mack smiled, knowing she had saw the picture. She favourited it on Nathan's account. Nathan smiled against the top of her head. Slowly, one by one, the group started heading to their rooms to sleep. They had put on a movie and as it neared midnight, Alex and Nathan were the only two left. They were cuddled up on the couch. Alex knew he wasn't staying the night since he had to go home and get ready for Christmas dinner at her aunt's house. He took a deep breath right as the clock turned to midnight.

"Merry Christmas, baby." He whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"Merry Christmas." She smiled, looking up at him.

"Glad I'm not spending it without you. This is the best gift I could've got." He admitted.

She rolled her eyes. "Please don't get sappy." She sat up.

"Alex, seriously. I didn't have anyone out here and now you're here and always with me and it means so much to me. I couldn't ask for anything more." He rambled.

She smiled at him. "I don't plan on leaving again either."

He looked up at her, silence among them. "I should probably go home so I can wrap your present and get ready for tomorrow." He explained as he rose.

She copied his actions. "And I should probably go to sleep so I can help my aunt tomorrow." She sighed.

Nathan walked to the door with Alex trailing behind him. He stopped at it and looked back at her. She was smiling at him. He smiled back. A light flicked on and Aunt Norma walked into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw the couple before her eyes trailed up. She chuckled. The couple furrowed their brows before they looked up. Mistletoe. They both shook their heads and laughed.

"Rules are rules." Norma sang before she walked out of sight.

Alex stepped forward. Nathan grabbed her waist, connecting his lips to hers. The kiss was passionate and messy and everything both of them were feeling. If Norma hadn't have been awake, they'd be heading up to Alex's room in a second. His arms were wrapped around her waist while she balled her fist around his shirt. Neither understood why both a heated kiss was occurring but neither minded. They slowly broke apart, both panting but smiling.

"I love you." Nathan breathed.

"I love you." Alex responded.

He pecked her lips once more before he walked out the door. She watched him walk to his car and climb in. He waved as he pulled out of the drive way and drove off. Alex closed the door with a sigh. Her aunt appeared as she walked towards the kitchen entrance. Norma had a smirk on her face. Alex rolled her eyes, walking towards the stairs. Her aunt followed.

"So young and in love." Her aunt chuckled.

Alex nodded. That she was.

Notes