"Mom, do you want us to help?" Isaac asked as Mrs. Hanson shoved a load full of plates into the dishwasher.
"Nah, I got it honey." She replied, wiping her hands on a dishtowl.
"I'm stuffed." Shirley said, leaning against the counter.
"Me too." Taylor said, walking over to where she was.
"I take it the meal was good?" Diana asked.
"It was great." Zac answered from the doorway.
"Very." Shirley answered.
"I"m glad you liked it." She said.
"Are we coming back here tomorrow?" Zac asked.
"Sure." Mrs. Hanson replied, closing the dishwasher. Her eyes caught Quinn. "So how does it feel to be back?"
Quinn grinned. "It feels great." She replied.
"I'm glad you're back." Diana said. "I don't think I'm the only one." She said, looking pointedly at Zac, who had just snaked his arm around Quinn's waist.
"What?" Zac asked with a grin as his brothers and their girlfriends and his mother smiled at him.
"You're such a goon." Shirley said.
"He is, isn't he?" Diana said. She suddenly smiled and looked up.
"What?" Taylor asked, looking up. "Oh." He said with a chuckle.
"What?" Zac asked.
"You're under the mistletoe." Diana said with a giggle.
"So I am. Guess I know what that means." Taylor said with a grin, pulling Shirley over to him. Before she could protest, he had her locked in a short but sweet kiss.
They pulled apart and Shirley giggled. She looked over at Quinn and Zac, who were standing near them. Zac had his arm slung casually around Quinn's shoulders, and hers was around his waist. "Aren't they under it too?" She asked.
The doorway they were standing under was extra wide, and the two couples were standing relatively near one another, although Taylor and Shirley were closest to it.
"We're not really underneath it." Quinn said.
"Aw, come on. Go for it!" Shirley replied with a sly grin.
"It's Christmas." Diana added.
Quinn looked at Zac. He looked at her and bit his lip. "Well, we are under the mistletoe."
"I guess." She said with a nervous smile. Zac looked at the room. His father, Avie, Zoe, Diana, Isaac, Angela, Taylor, and Shirley were all standing right there. This wasn't the way he had planned it, but it was better than nothing.
"Go for it." Taylor said.
Zac took a deep breath and leaned in. Quinn felt her heart speed up and her stomach flutter with anticipation and excitement. Everything seemed to slow down for a second as her eyes met Zac's as he leaned in. His blonde hair fell into his face a little and tickled her cheek as he finally pressed his lips against hers.
She had never expected his lips to be so soft or feel to right on hers. She could feel his breath on her cheek as he kissed her. It only lasted around two or three seconds, but to her it seemed longer. He pulled away slowly locking his eyes on hers.
Zac looked at Quinn as he pulled away. She had a strange expression on her face. He looked at his family, unsure of what to say. One word came to mind.
"There." He replied, forcing a grin onto his face.
Everyone exploded into laughter for a moment, and soon they were all talking again. Zac pursed his lips that had just been connected with Quinn's, and looked at her. She gave him a shaky smile, then looked at the floor. They stood in the doorway for another few moments, Zac still with his arm around her shoulders and one of hers wrapped casually around his waist. He wasn't quite sure what to say.
Zoe's shrill voice broke his thoughts. "Hey, it's snowing!" She exclaimed, pointing out the sliding glass door to the back patio.
"So it is!" Taylor said with a laugh, walking over to the window. Everyone migrated over to the large window, and sure enough, a steady stream of white, fluffy snow was falling.
"That's so cool." Zac said, his voice just above a whisper.
"I know." Quinn said, watching the snow with an intent look on her face.
"Snow on Christmas." he said.
"Yeah." She replied. Zac instinctively looked down at Quinn, who was gazing up at him. He smiled dreamily and wrapped both of his arms around her in a tight hug.
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