NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This story is a one shot featuring my OC, Anna Hollenbeck. Anna is a recovering alcoholic who lives in North Carolina with her roommate Phil Brooks (CM Punk) and is friends with the Core Group. Also, she is the godmother of Matt and Lita's (yeah, they're married in this one) daughter. In this AU, Anna and Phil are going to a Christmas party at Mark (Taker) and Stephanie's, and Anna is trying to get a kiss from her crush, Justin Bradshaw. Keep in mind that Bradshaw in this story is NOT JBL, but he's Bradshaw of Acolytes and APA (Farooq and Bradshaw) fame.
AAAHHH, you gotta love AU. Enjoy, and whatever you're celebrating this year, I hope it's enjoyable:)
Mistletoe Kisses
Chapter One
"Do I look okay? I didn't have a chance to finish putting on my makeup. My perfumes not too strong is it? Does my hair look okay?"
Phil Brooks sighed and glanced over at his fussy roommate. He didn't admit it out loud, but he found Anna's current anxiety quite amusing. "You look good. That purple eyeliner makes the blue in your eyes stand out. Your hair looks fine. Perfume's a little overpowering, but it's not the sickly sweet stuff, so I don't mind."
Anna Hollenbeck sat back in the passenger's seat of Phil's car. "Well, it's the Be Delicious knock-off stuff from Wal-Mart. And it should fade a little by the time we get to Mark and Stephanie's."
Phil and Anna had been each other's roommate and close friend for nearly two years. Anna had moved in with Phil shortly after getting a job at Shannon Moore's tattoo shop in Southern Pines, and she chose to move in with Phil because she thought his Straightedge lifestyle set a good example for her (a recovering alcoholic who took her sobriety quite seriously) to follow.
The two of them were on their way to Mark and Stephanie's house to attend an early Christmas party. Mark Calaway ran a motorcycle repair and customization shop out of his home, and everyone who worked for him had been invited. Coincidentally, most everyone who worked for Mark got their tattoos done at Shannon's shop as well, so there would plenty of familiar faces to hang out with.
One of those familiar faces was Justin Bradshaw. Justin was a former college football player who worked with Mark at his shop and got his ink touched up at the tattoo place. Anna had been smitten with him the moment she saw him, and since then, she had been looking for opportunities to introduce herself properly to her crush, with little success.
When she and Phil were invited to the party, Anna immediately accepted. She knew there was a good chance that Bradshaw would be there, and she would do whatever it took to finally catch up to him. Maybe, if she was lucky and smart, she would get a kiss or something out of it.
"So what's going on with Adam and Jeff?" Phil asked, as he pulled up to a red light.
"They were gonna be at the party tonight, but Addy's in the hospital over in Fayetteville. He's got problems with his blood pressure, and his OB/GYN wants to keep a close eye on him. If it becomes a critical situation, then Dr. Nora can deliver the baby straightaway. Jeff's staying with him, and he's gonna keep us all posted."
"That sucks," Phil remarked, pulling out of the intersection when the light turned green.
"Well, there's a baby to worry about, so they have a good reason to not attend," Anna pointed out as she touched up her eyeliner.
"Well, I mean it sucks that Adam's in the hospital with pregnancy complications. Who'd a-thunk that he'd get pregnant in the first place?"
"Well, he's always been a drama queen, a diva, and a bit of a girl, so a pregnancy doesn't surprise me all that much."
"Well, speaking of drama queen, you'll be happy to know that you'll have a chance to end the drama with you and Justin Bradshaw. He's gonna be there. I talked to Mark before we headed out." Phil paused. "Everyone knows that you've been crushing on Bradshaw since you saw him at Shannon's shop. Really, it can't be that difficult for you to just walk up and introduce yourself."
Anna sighed. "I know, Phil. But every time I'm around him, it's like my brain turns off and I'm all thumbs. I turn into a puddle of goo and I'm tongue-tied. I really want to try and start something with him, and I thought a kiss tonight would be a good idea. But whenever I try to make a move, I...I chicken out."
"It's about time you did something, Anna! I couldn't stand you giving him the angst-y lovesick look any longer. It was getting really pathetic."
Anna shot a dirty look at her roommate. "Thanks, Phil! Way to make me feel lousy about myself. I knew it was bad, but I didn't think it was that obvious."
"Well, don't be too hard on yourself," Phil advised her gently. "There's word going around that Justin's got his eye on you as well. He just hasn't made his move yet."
"How long have you know about this?" Anna questioned as she pulled her powder compact out of her wristlet purse and powdered her nose and forehead. "You and Mark and Justin run around in the same crowd, so you must be in the know."
"He's had his eye on you for quite some time, Anna. A couple months, actually."
"What?" Anna nearly dropped her compact. "And you never said anything?"
Phil shrugged. "You never asked." He slowed the car down and pulled into a parking lot. "It's a good thing Christmas is a week away, or this place would already be closed. "
"Hey! Where are we going?"
"Wal-Mart. If you and Justin are both waiting for the other to make the first move, neither one of you will get anywhere. Someone has to do something, might as well be me." Phil threw the vehicle in Park and climbed out. "Come on. We're getting something that'll guarantee you'll get a kiss from your big crush."
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
"Can't believe I'm doing this."
"You look cute."
"I look desperate. This looks goofy and ridiculous." Anna frowned up at the headband that now graced the top of her head. It was covered in black satin, with a fake sprig of mistletoe that bounced and bobbed from an extension in the center of the band.
"Anna, if you're standing under mistletoe, legend says that you have to get kissed. This way, Justin will see you, he'll see the mistletoe, and he won't have an excuse not to come up to you and make the first move. It'll work. Trust me."
"Alright. But if this doesn't work, I'm blaming you."
Phil and Anna got out of the Suburban, Phil carrying a bottle of sparkling pomegranate juice, and Anna carrying the trifle she'd made the night before (there would be potluck at the party, and Phil and Anna were drafted to bring drinks and dessert respectively). Carefully, the two of them made their way to the front porch of their hosts' house.
Mark and Stephanie lived in a farmhouse situated in a small valley just outside of town. It wasn't so much a home as it was a compound, consisting of the house, a detached garage, two outbuildings where Mark did most of his bike work, and a single-wide trailer used as an office. Tonight, the place was decked out in Christmas lights and decorations complete with cheesy plastic Santas, a plastic light-up nativity set, and a big inflatable snow globe in the front yard.
"Oh, it's Charlie Brown and Snoopy!" Anna couldn't stop the smile that spread across her lips. "That's so cute. I love these decorations."
"Thanks. Mark and Jeff and I did all this a couple of days ago—oh, watch out! There's ice to your left." Phil grabbed Anna's arm so she wouldn't slip.
"Thanks, Philly. Last thing I need is a faceplant."
Phil knocked on the door, and Stephanie answered, decked out in a green velvet broomstick skirt and a black long-sleeved leotard top. "Phil, Anna, hi! Merry Christmas!"
"Thank you!" Phil kissed Stephanie on the cheek and handed her the juice. "This is for you and the kids."
"Set it on the dining room table. That's where we've got all the food set out. And Mark got a case of Coke just for you."
"That's blasphemy!" gasped Phil in horror, though the twinkle in his eyes, and in those of his roommate, gave him away.
"Oh, I'm just kidding. We got Pepsi for you. It's the Throwback variety, the one without the corn syrup. It's in a big tub of ice next to the fridge."
"You got the good stuff. Thank you. I'll set this in the kitchen."
After Phil disappeared into the house, Stephanie smiled. "Anna, I'm glad you made it."
"Good to be here, thanks. Here's the trifle. Pumpkin gingerbread. Family recipe."
"It looks delish. You can set it on the table, too. By the way, you look great. Love the top."
"Thanks. Thrift store special."
"You're kidding."
"Dead serious." Anna wore a camisole top in eggplant purple crushed velvet. It had sequins and beads across the bust, and the top itself had a scattering of sequins throughout. The bust line was emphasized with matching lace trim, and the spaghetti straps showed off Anna's shoulders. Teamed up with tight black jeans, ankle boots, and simple jewelry, it was dressy and casual at the same time.
Stephanie grinned as she ushered Anna inside. The atmosphere was warm and festive, full of laughter and conversation. Rock n' Roll Christmas music was on the stereo. "Thrift store or not, I love it. And you're wearing mistletoe! Smart girl."
"I'm hoping to get lucky tonight," Anna chuckled as she set the trifle down and took her coat off to give to Stephanie to put in the guest room.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"Well, I'm either gonna be lucky, or I'll look like a jackass. It was Phil's idea."
"You definitely don't look like a jackass. I think it's cute. Anyway, we've got coffee in the kitchen, cups are all laid out, and milk and sugar is next to the cups. We have pop, sparkling water, juice, and hot cider, so help yourself..."
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
"Hi, Tiara!" Anna cooed as she picked up Matt and Lita's little girl, who was decked out in a red velvet dress. Tiara Megan Hardy was a little girl version of Matt, complete with the pouty lips, the curly hair, and the dark eyes. "Ooooh, you're so big now! Just a year old and you're already walking!"
"Daa-da!" Tiara answered back, smiling and showing two brand new teeth. Tiara had been born on Anna's birthday last year, and Matt and Lita chose Anna to be their daughter's godmother.
"She calls everyone Daa-da these days," Lita laughed from her spot on the living room couch. "She even calls me Daa-da. She's been vocalizing like crazy; it's just gonna be a matter of time before she really starts talking."
"Did I tell you about the time I spoke my first word?"
"I don't think you did."
"Well, my mom said I was a year and a half old. We were in the car, and there was an old truck in front of us. We pull up at a red light, and out of the blue, I said, 'Dodge'. You could have knocked my folks over with a feather, they were so shocked."
"I'd be shocked too! Not because you said a word, but because you apparently read it and knew how to say it!"
"Rumor has it that I said 'thank you' after my dad fed me a spoon of strained peaches when I was eight months old, but of course, that's debatable if I actually said it or not."
"Even if you didn't say it, that's one helluva story."
Anna smirked as she scanned the living room. "Everyone and their brother's here practically," she chuckled as she situated herself on the couch, Tiara securely in her arms. "Look at all the people." Anna was impressed by the turnout. Shannon, Shane, and the rest of the crew from the tattoo shop were there, as well as Matt and Lita (and their little girl), Nattie and Beth, Jay and Evan, Drew and Tiffany, Ashley, Victoria, Bradshaw, Farooq, Mike (who went by Miz because of his last name), and countless others. "I'm really glad you guys made it."
"We couldn't not show up," Lita explained. "Just wouldn't be right. We're probably gonna head to Fayetteville tomorrow morning. Matt wants to support Jeff and Adam and welcome our first niece, and I don't blame him at all. This pregnancy's been difficult for both Adam and Jeff."
"Any news on them tonight?" Anna wondered, as Tiara reached up to play with the fake mistletoe.
"Dr. Nora's gonna do the C-section on Monday, if she's able to get Adam's blood pressure down. Jeff's hanging in there."
"Speaking of Jeff, I sent him a gift. Big box of Skittles and a pack of Skittles flavor Lip Smackers. I overnighted it so it would arrive at the hospital."
"That's sweet of you, he'll appreciate it." Lita reached up and gently took her daughter's hand off the fake sprig dangling off of Anna's headband. "I guess that mistletoe is working already."
"Ya' think?" Anna laughed.
"I certainly do," said a new voice behind the couch. Anna and Lita looked up at Matt, who was smiling and holding his cell phone. He leaned down and kissed Anna on the cheek, and then kissed his wife. "You guys staying out of trouble?"
"We are, Babe. I was telling Anna about Adam being in the hospital."
"Oh, speaking of which," Matt announced, holding out his cell phone. "Adam's on the phone. You guys wanna talk to him? And you don't mind if I take Tiara from you, do you? I wanna show her off."
"Sure!" Anna handed Tiara off to her daddy. "Lita, I'll give you the phone when I'm finished." Anna smiled and put the phone up to her ear. "Hi, Addy! How's it going?"
Adam's voice sounded thin and tinny over the cell phone. "I'm hanging in there. Tasha's doing okay.-"
"No Addy! It's Tyler!" Jeff's voice shouted in the background.
"Hold on a second. It's Tasha, Jeff! It's a girl."
"No, it's a boy, and his name's Tyler!" Jeff exclaimed.
"Sorry, Anna. Jeff's still convinced we're having a boy."
"Do you guys know if Baby's a boy or a girl yet?" Anna asked.
"Just the doctor knows, and we asked her not to tell us—ow!"
"You okay?"
"Oh, Tasha's restless."
"It's Tyler!"
"Jeff, I said it's Tasha!" A pause. "Sorry, Anna. Jeff's being a pain."
"I am not!" Jeff fired back.
Anna laughed. Even in the hospital, Adam and Jeff were too entertaining. "Adam, it doesn't matter if Baby's a boy or a girl. As long as he or she is healthy and has everything in the right place, that's all that matters. And you sound strained. Ask the nurse to bring you some chamomile tea, then turn on some classical music, and put some headphones on your tummy."
"I don't want chamomile tea. I want Popsicles."
"Popsicles are all sugar, Addy. Chamomile's gonna calm down Baby."
"Okay. But headphones won't work. The baby doesn't like classical music. She likes White Zombie and KISS-"
"It's a he, Addy!" Jeff exclaimed. "Gimme the phone." A pause, and Anna heard Adam whine in the background. "Hi, Anna! Tyler says hi!"
"Tell him—or her, hi back! You get my package?"
"I did, thanks! I just finished the Skittles."
"Jeff! That was supposed to last you a while! You're gonna be wound up all night now."
"Well, you know me. I'm a Skittle magnet. What can I say?"
Anna shook her head. "I don't know. But don't tell me you used up all the lip gloss I got you."
"That's ours. It's our lucky lip gloss"
"What do you mean, it's our lucky lip gloss? That's for you. The baby gift basket was for Addy."
"Well, when one of us wears the lip gloss, the other one will be lucky!"
Anna busted up laughing. Jeff was just weird and crazy, but she—and her friends—wouldn't have him any other way. When she calmed down, she said, "Hey, Jeff, be serious for a moment. You guys doing okay?"
Jeff sighed. "Wait'll I step out of the room." A pause. "Yeah. I'm worried. This pregnancy's been really tough on both of us. If we weren't cutting up like we are, we'd be freaking out."
"Jeff, we're all pulling for you and Adam, okay? And it doesn't matter if Baby's a boy or a girl."
"Really, it doesn't. Thanks."
"Any time. Hey, you wanna talk to Lita? She's gesturing over my shoulder to hand her the phone."
"Well, yeah. She's my sister-in-law and an aunt-to-be, so lemme talk at her."
"Okay. Take care of yourself, Jeff. Here's Lita." Anna gave Lita the phone and made a graceful exit off the couch. She was here for a reason, and that reason was nowhere to be found at the moment. I need to find him, she thought. But first I need something to eat...
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Tiara Megan Hardy was a name I found in a lovely piece of fanfic called Baby Mine, written by Archangel, aka Devlin V1. BTW, the story about Anna's first word actually happened to me in real life, according to my dad.
REVIEWS = LOVE