Christmas dinner at the Hood household was always exciting. In the 7 years you'd been dating Calum, this was something you'd come to learn. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, Calum had finally worked up the nerve to propose to you. You'd decided to tell both of your families at their Christmas gatherings. The morning would be spent together, then you'd go see your family, and then go to his' for dinner. His family wasn't as large as yours, seeing as most of his mum's family was in New Zealand and his dad's was spread out across the country. Every other year Calum's parents would go to Joy's side, which left you, Calum, Mali and her husband alone. Those dinners usually ended up a disaster, but luckily this year wasn't a New Zealand year. Joy made some traditional fish dish you didn't know the name of but were totally in love with. It seemed like Calum more than enjoyed it as well, so you made a note to ask Joy for the recipe.
Throughout the night, Calum had introduced you to family members who somehow, even though you'd been present every year since 2013, didn't know your name. Others thought you were just his friend or one of Mali's. Calum didn't like that nobody could seem to remember his long-term girlfriend, the only long-term girlfriend he'd ever had. Nobody ever had a problem remembering Mali's husband, and there were a few times when he'd almost blown up at family members when they'd ask, "Oh, Calum, is this your girlfriend?" You'd told him it didn't matter who remembered you, even though his grandparents and a handful of other relatives asking how you'd been since last year always felt good.
After exhausting hours of catching up with family, everyone but Calum's immediate family had left. Mali was leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, looking ready to fall asleep. You and Calum were sitting across from each other on the floor, recalling some stupid handshake from high school. No, you hadn't been 'high school sweethearts' with him, only acquaintances. Calum was only ever the person who you sat next to or partnered with when you didn't know anyone else. It wasn't until he returned from the Take Me Home your with One Direction that you'd reconnected. He'd came into the discount hair salon- that really shouldn't have been discount because it was run by the top of your hairdressing class and, if you did say so yourself, you were all pretty damn good- with his friend Michael for a considerably extensive hair repair session. You'd been working counter that day, so of course while waiting for Michael he'd struck up a conversation with you. And, as he liked to say when explaining how you met to someone while wrapping an arm around your shoulders, the rest was history.
"Whitebait's so hard to clean off these plates." Joy sighed, sitting down on the couch. David followed not too far behind, a plate of mugs filled with hot chocolate in his hands. He set it down on the coffee table, and as soon as he had, Calum lunged for it. Steam was still wafting from the cups, and you knew he couldn’t stand hot drinks that were still that hot. He was nervous, you could plainly tell. Soon you were all sipping the cocoa, not saying a word. Joy and David looked at each other, wondering why their normally conversationalist children were dead silent.
"Alright, you guys, what's up?" David said after a moment, looking between the two couples. You gave Calum a look, wordlessly asking if now was a good time to tell them about the engagement. It didn't make sense why he was so worried, your family had already approved and there was no reason for his not to. He gave you a small nod, clearing his throat and setting his mug down.
"Mum, Dad, I have something to tell you." Calum finally spoke up at about the same time Mali said, "We'd like to tell you all something." The two siblings looked at each other, heads titled in question. It was like a mirror was placed in between them.
"Um, alright," Joy nodded, wiping her mouth. She carefully placed her mug on the table beside the couch. "What is it?"
It was clear that neither Mali nor Calum knew who their mother was talking to, because they both started talking at the same time. Even though you were sitting next to Calum, you couldn't even make out what he was saying.
"Excuse me?" David furrowed his eyebrows "I heard premarital sex and I don't think either of you said that. If so, I don't want to hear about that, thank you very much." Both siblings started talking at the same time again, making Mali glare at her brother.
"Dammit, Calum," She sighed
"Sorry, uh, you can go first." Calum blushed, looking down at his almost-empty mug of hot chocolate. You subconsciously moved closer to him.
"Alright, so Josh and I- um, no I mean I-" She fumbled over her words for a moment, pausing and then restarting "What I meant to say is I'm pregnant. Yeah, that's it."
"Wow, uh, I'm glad I let you go first." Calum laughed "Congrats, by the way. That's so cool."
"Thanks, what'd you have to say?" Mali asked
"Well, I'm- I mean we, Y/N and I, we're getting married." Calum smiled down at you, pulling you into his side. Joy and David looked between their kids blankly for a moment before David spoke up.
"Eventful new year, then," He laughed "You guys are all grown up now. I feel like an old man. Hell, I'm gonna be a grandpa and we all know it's not gonna be long until Y/N has one."
"Aw, Dad," Mali got up, hugging David tightly. She pulled away, studying his face. "Dad, are you crying?"
"No, no, I'm alright." He wiped his eyes
"Mum?" Calum looked at Joy expectantly, entwining his hand with yours. She gave both of you a faint smile.
"Welcome to the family, Y/N." She said "But seriously, could you two have not planned this out any better? A baby and a wedding, that's so eventful."
"At least we'll all keep busy, I guess." You smiled back at her, making her laugh
"Well, a second dessert, anyone?" Joy laughed, and of course, you all followed her in the kitchen. You spent the rest of the evening celebrating the new addition and yours and Calum's engagement. At about half past midnight, it was obvious Joy, Mali, and David could hardly keep their eyes open. Calum suggested calling it a night, which nobody argued. It'd been a long day and truth be told, you were all ready to go home. Luckily your house wasn't far away, so it really didn't matter that you'd started falling asleep in the car. Calum carried you into the bedroom before heading into the bathroom to get ready for bed. You quickly did your business and slipped under the covers, your fiancé joining you minutes later. He did what he did every night and pulled you into his chest. This was arguably one of the best parts of the day for both of you, when he'd hold you close to him, both of you talking about your days. Tonight and last night had been different than most. Calum had started talking about your future more than usual, now knowing that you did in fact have a long life together ahead of you.
"So, you're gonna be an uncle." You looked up at him, smiling. He shrugged, nodding slightly.
"Yeah, it's cool, I guess." He told you nonchalantly "I don't really know what to think, y'know? Like, it's been so crazy. I know it's supposed to be the older brothers who are protective, but Mali's just so close to me. It was kinda weird to me when she got married and I wasn't the only guy in her life besides Dad. And now that she's starting a family… I just don't know what to think, Y/N."
"You don't want to let her go, do you?" You put a hand on the side of his face, slowly tracing down his jawline. He shook his head, avoiding your glance. "I get it. Remember when Y/B/N moved out before I did because he wasn't going to a university near home?"
"How could I forget?" He laughed "You called him so much, it was ridiculous. And the stupid time zones killed me."
"Oh, shut up," You smiled, nudging him playfully "The point is, sometimes you just gotta loosen the reigns a bit. Mali's always gonna be there for you, and even if she's growing farther away from you, you've got me now. I don't want to replace her, but I'm there for you, too." He nodded, kissing your forehead.
"I want a baby with you, Y/N." Calum said, searching your face for a reaction. You raised an eyebrow questioningly, holding up your left hand to show him the engagement ring. He laughed, lacing his fingers through yours. "No, not right now. But someday."
"Oh, alright," You nodded "I mean, we are still kinda young and we just got engaged and it's just not the right time and you-"
"You're cute when you babble." He laughed, kissing your cheek "One day, okay?"
"Mhm," You nodded, laying your head on his chest. It was going on one in the morning now, meaning you were both tired. He started playing with your hair, something he'd learned you loved over the years.
"You look tired, sweetheart," He commented, almost whispering. You nodded half-heartedly, feeling his chest vibrate as he chuckled. "It's alright, you don't have to stay up. I'm about ready to fall asleep myself."
"Goodnight, Calum." You mumbled, leaning up to kiss behind his ear
