Chapter Fifty Nine
-Alyssa-
“Daddy, I’m fine,” Rebecca said as she finished placing the ham in the oven.

“Ok, Alyssa, do you need help?” dad asked as he walked over towards me and looked over my shoulder to see me making some scalped potatoes.

“I’m good, but thanks. Why don’t you grab a beer and go watch some TV, I’m sure the guys will be here soon,” I said and my dad sighed and nodded his head.

After another half hour, my phone went off, Milan had texted me saying that he and Tyler were on their way up. I walked over towards the front door and unlocked the door and then walked back into the kitchen to throw the potatoes into the oven.

“Ok, there’s not more room in the oven,” I laughed and looked towards Rebecca to see her smirking towards me.

“I got the kitchen, you want to set the table?” Rebecca asked and I nodded my head, “Set for six,” she said and I looked at her confused.

“Why six?”

“Marshy didn’t go home,” she said and I nodded my head, “Hope you don’t mind.”

“No, it’s no problem,” I smiled and then grabbed some plates out of the cabinet and walked over towards the table and set for six people.

“Honey, I’m home!” I heard Tyler call as he walked into the condo and I laughed.

I stood up and looked to see Milan smirking towards me as he walked into the kitchen. I walked over towards him and placed my hands on his chest, reached up and pressed my lips to his.
“Merry Christmas,” Milan said as he smirked towards me and handed me the bag in his hand.

“Awww, you didn’t have to, but Merry Christmas,” I giggled and then kissed his cheek, “Come on.”

I laced my fingers with Milan’s and then walked through the kitchen and saw my dad standing with Rebecca, he was being introduced to Tyler. I walked over, dragging Milan behind me and saw my dad look towards me.

“Dad, this is Milan,” I said and saw Milan step forward and shake my father’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Milan said and my dad gave him a smile.

“Nice to meet you as well, heard a lot about you,” he said and Milan smirked.

“Hello?!” I heard and we all looked at each other.

“Probably Marshy,” I said and Milan looked at me, “He ended up not going home.”

“Oh,” he said and my dad turned around.

“Brad! Nice to see you again, been a long time!” dad said as he said Brad walk into the kitchen.

“Nice to see you Mr. Brace,” Brad said and then shook my father’s hand.

-Milan-
“So have we heard anything about this lockout?” dad asked as he looked at Brad, Tyler and Milan.

“Nothing yet, sir,” Milan said and the guys continued talking about sports while Rebecca and I worked on dessert.

“Hey Red!” Tyler called and both Rebecca and I turned around and he realized that we both were red heads, “Oops, um, AJ.”

We smirked and I rolled my eyes, “Yes?”

“Is Horty coming over?” Brad asked.

“Not today, but he is tomorrow,” I said and the guy nodded their heads, “Which reminds me, I need to wrap Dylan’s present.”

“What’d you get him?” Milan asked and I had to remember.

“I got him some of the ‘How to Train your Dragon’ toys,” I said and the guys looked at me confused.

“That look right there, that makes me feel a lot better knowing that you don’t know what that is,” Rebecca said and I laughed.

“What’s for dessert, Alyssa?” dad asked and I grabbed the cake that Rebecca and I had worked on and walked into the dining room.

“Sugar shock,” Tyler laughed as Rebecca sat back down next to him.

“It’s not that sugary,” I and looked towards Milan, “I talked to Pat, he says that it’s ok to eat.”

“Who’s Pat?” dad asked and I looked towards him.

“The team’s nutritionist,” Milan answered and dad nodded his head.

-Alyssa-
“Nice meeting you Mr. Brace,” Tyler said and then waved towards everyone, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow around four?”

“All right, see you then,” Rebecca said as she walked Tyler to the door and kissed him goodbye.

“What’s going on tomorrow?” I asked as Rebecca walked back over.

“Tyler’s introducing me to his mom and sisters,” she said and Brad smirked.

“You’ll like them, they’re pretty cool,” Brad said and I looked towards him.

“I forgot, the bromance,” I said and Milan and Rebecca laughed.

“Well, I’m going to head to bed,” dad said as he stood up from the couch and looked towards us, “Good night.”

“Night daddy,” Rebecca said.

“Night dad,” I said and watched as Brad and Milan wished him goodnight.

Not long later Brad left and Rebecca went to bed, leaving Milan and I alone on the couch. Milan’s feet were on the coffee table and mine were draped over his lap, while my back was leaning against the arm rest.

“Well tomorrow is our big day,” Milan said and I smirked and nodded my head, “Our year anniversary.”

“Hard to forget that we got together on Christmas,” I giggled as Milan started to rub my jean covered legs.

“What time tomorrow?” Milan asked and I pushed myself up and placed myself on his lap.

“Lunch is at one tomorrow,” I said and Milan nodded his head, “We’re just having seafood.”

“No problem,” he said and I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his
cheek.

“Told ya that meeting my dad wouldn’t be bad,” I said and Milan smirked and I felt his hands on my thighs.

“No, it wasn’t, he’s nice,” Milan said and I nodded my head, “I noticed that he’s closer with your sister.”

“Yeah, when my parents got a divorce, I went with my mom- not my choice,” I said and Milan nodded his head, “It’s only been a little over a year that we were back in contact.”

“Have you talked to your mom since-“

“No,” I said sharply and Milan nodded his head, “I don’t want anything to do with her.”

“Understandable,” he said and then reached up and pressed his lips onto mine, “Nothing wrong
with that, she hurt you.”

Milan and I sat on the couch for a little while before it got late and Milan said that he should
probably go, “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said as I walked him to the door and opened it.

“All right, I’ll be here around one,” he said and I nodded my head, “Love you,” Milan said and then leaned down and pressed his lips onto mine. He pushed me against the wall and placed his hand on my neck and waist. I groaned and rubbed my hips against his, “God Alyssa,” he chuckled and I smirked and leaned forward and kissed his neck.

“Love you too,” Milan left and I sighed and locked up the front door. I walked up the stairs and to my bedroom and opened the door to see Duke waiting by the door, wanting to come out, “Come on boy, let’s go for a walk.”

I hooked Duke to his leash and then walked towards the front door, seeing that it was almost eleven at night and then opening it. We walked towards the elevator and then out the building. It was a cold Christmas Eve and there was snow on the ground.

Duke and I walked down the street and I waited for him to do something because I was cold. I hugged my jacket closer to me and then sighed when he finally stopped and looked like he was going to do something.

“Come on, Duke, it’s freaking cold out here,” I muttered and looked at my dog to see him sniffing the pole. For some reason, Duke’s head perked up and he barked, “Duke?” he ran forward and pulled me, but I held my ground and pulled him back, “What are you doing?”

Duke pulled against and I stepped forward to pull him back, but slipped on some ice and fell to the ground and watched as Duke got out of my grip and started to run down the sidewalk. I called for him, but he didn’t stop. I growled and stood up and followed after him.

“Duke!” I called and turned the corner to see him heading down the alleyway, “Duke wait!”

I followed him down the alleyway and stopped when I saw Duke waking behind the dumpster. I tried to catch my breath as I walked over towards him and grabbed onto his leash, “Got you now,” I breathed and then looked to see that Duke was looking at something, “What is it, Duke?”
I bent down and looked to see that Duke was sniffing at a box on the ground. I hesitantly opened the box and looked inside to see four little kittens looking cold and hungry. I pet Duke and then stood up and grabbed the box.

“Come on Duke,” I said as I held onto the box and headed back home.