It was several hours later now and it had gotten dark. After wandering around for hours and hiding from her friends and family, Amelia had somehow winded back up at the park. It was completely deserted now and the only light came from some distant street lamps and the moon. She sat down on the swings again, staring at the ground and feeling, well, pretty crummy.

She felt a warm tear slide down her cold cheek and watched it land on her boot. She couldn't believe she'd done and said those things. Julchen wasn't the one who ruined Christmas, she'd managed to screw it up all by herself. She'd never felt so ashamed.

"Hey." The sudden voice startled her and she jumped. Looking up, she saw Maddie standing in front of her. Amelia felt her shame stab through her again and averted her gaze, choosing to look at the ground again as another tear fell.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you. I didn't mean what I said. I was just…"

"No, it's okay. I'm sorry too." Madeline sat down on the swing beside her. "I read the card."

Amelia cringed as Madeline held the card out to her. She took it and read over her own writing.

'Maddie, you've been in my life as my best friend since we were kids. Now I want you to stay in my life, but as my girlfriend. Merry Christmas'

She sniffled and wiped at her eyes, trying to keep from sobbing.

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

Amelia shrugged and kicked at the snow. "I was going to. I was gonna give that to you today. But that was before I found out Julchen was gonna be here. And I heard you guys talking. You said you saw me as your sister and that you liked someone else. So I decided not to give you the card."

Madeline was silent for a long moment. She traced her foot through the snow, drawing shapes. Amelia could tell she was thinking of what to say next.

"You're wrong."

"What?"

"I didn't say I liked someone else. I said it was complicated. And it's complicated because we're like sisters. Or at least, that what I thought you saw us as." Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink and Amelia could feel her own face heat up too. "So um… Yes."

"Yes?"

"Y-Yeah. I'll be your girlfriend. If you still want me too."

Amelia didn't know what to say. She opened and closed her mouth a few times. All of a sudden, it didn't seem as cold out. She looked away and tried to hide her smile. "Okay…"

They sat there quietly for a moment. Amelia glanced over at Maddie who was looking bashful and staring at the snow on the ground. Amelia reached a hand over and tentatively grasped Madeline's hand. Maddie smiled and looked up at her. "I-"

"There you guys are! Oh my god! We've been worried sick about you! We looked everywhere!" Julchen ran over and panted, trying to catch her breath. "Jesus, Arthur was just about ready to call the cops! We thought-" Julchen's eyes landed on the clasped hands. Amelia could swear she saw gears turning, or maybe a hamster running extra hard on it's wheel inside Julchen's head before it seemed to finally click and the girl grinned wide.

Julchen glanced up and pointed.

The other two looked up and spotted the mistletoe. Someone must have climbed all over the playground and tied it in different places. Madeline let out an embarrassed squeak and Julchen turned her back to them to hide the smug smile on her face.

Amelia felt the corners of her lips pull into a smile. Nothing was gonna ruin this Christmas for her. Not even Julchen.

"Hey, C'mere."

"Hm?" Julchen turned back around.

"All three of us are standing under it, aren't we?" Amelia grinned and pulled Julchen closer, locking lips with the girl and giving her a kiss before turning to Madeline and pulling her into a much gentler embrace.

"Merry Christmas, Maddie."

Madeline blushed and and spoke in a soft voice, "Merry Christmas, Ame."

Amelia closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to Madeline's. She tasted just as sweet as she'd imagined, if not sweeter.

By the time Julchen had snapped out of her shocked state, Madeline and Amelia were already across the street and walking home hand in hand.