AUTHOR'S NOTE 2012: I'm re-uploading the chapters to sort them as I originally intended. It's well after Christmas, I realize that but I will be finishing the story within a week. Oh and thank you all as always for your continued support!
Author's Note: I blame all the Christmas movies on the TV for what I've written and am about to write. This is just a quick 3 part story (most of it written by the way) that spreads the Christmas cheer set in the Skins world (duh!). I am writing another story at the moment but I have not forgotten about it, quite the opposite actually. So enjoy this holiday treat from me to you :)
Summary: Naomi Campbell just wanted to enjoy her holiday break from work but when an emergency arises and she steps in to help, she finds herself learning the true meaning of Christmas with the help of fiery red headed elf.
Disclaimer: I don't own Skins...seriously now, were you shocked?
Part 1- I have to what?
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5:30
Finally! Getting up from my desk I grab my coat and scarf and walk out of the office and heads towards the elevator thinking of nothing but getting home and heading out. Its Friday night and after the week I've had I need a release, not sexual mind you, although that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing either. Pulling my phone from my pocket I send out a short message to the only person who would be readily available for a night out, James Cook.
I need to drink, dance and perhaps get lucky ;) N
Looking down at the screen I fail to notice the other person walking around the corner. Dropping my phone, I scowl and look for the idiot that bumped into me only to realize it was my friend, Effy. She crosses her arm and quirks an eyebrow at me.
"Is that any way to treat your employer ?"
"Technically Effy, your mum is my employer so unless she's somehow inhabited your body, I can push you around if I want."
I push her shoulder softly to demonstrate my point and gain a smile from her.
"Going out tonight Naomi?"
"Yes that's the plan Stonem. Interested in joining me?"
Uncrossing her arms I noticed the large folder she was carrying. Gesturing to it I raised an eyebrow silently asking her what it was for. She straightened from her relaxed pose and opened the folder and grabbed a sheet of paper revealing it to be a list of names.
"Eff unless those are the names and number of women interested in shagging, I'm not interested."
Stepping away from her and picking up my phone from the floor I noticed the little red light flashing indicating a new message. Opening it I smiled seeing Cooks response.
Blondie! Finally we get to wiggle waggle! Name the place and my cock is there :)
Funny Cook :P Me muff muncher not cock cruncher. I was thinking maybe drinks at Keith's and clubbing perhaps? N
You're breaking my heart Naomikins! Alright then be at Keiths then. 8 yeah?
Agreeing with Cook, I look up towards Effy and smile at her.
"Sorry Eff, Cook's offer was slightly more enticing then whatever you had planned. So if that's it, I'll be off. Enjoy your weekend and-oh Merry Christmas."
Smiling at me but shaking her head Effy placed the paper back in the folder. "Shame, there was a Christmas bonus in it for you." She turned away from me to walk back to her office. "Merry Christmas to you too Naomi."
She walked away slowly from me, the words Christmas bonus running through my mind. Shit. I could use the extra money. But the thought of working even more just made me irritable. Sighing in frustration I cursed Effy mentally. She always knew how to trap me.
"Stop right there Stonem."
Pausing she looked over her shoulder and looked at me innocently. "Yes?"
Sighing again I walk towards her and cross my arms. "Just exactly how much did you plan on offering?"
Smirking she handed me the folder.
"The names on that list are chidrens name. The information provided indicates the age of the child and interest or hobby they enjoy."
I open the folder and glance at the cover sheet and frown in confusion.
"Effy why exactly do you have this?"
Looking through several sheets of paper I notice some names circled in red.
"And why are some of the names circled?"
I close the folder and hand it back to her motioning for her to take it. Ignoring my outstretched hand, she walks around me and motions for me to follow hef. Rolling my eyes in frustration, I follow her and arrive at the reception area of Stonem Industries. She stops and motions with her head to the corner where an obscenely large Christmas tree stood decorated.
"Last week Naomi you called that the Giant Green blob."
"Its huge Effy," I interrupted.
"Its not a blob, " she continued ignoring my interruption. "Its the Giving Tree. Had you read any of the emails I sent you, you would have known that we have partnered up with local community programs that help provide toys for the less fortunate. There were little ornaments on the tree with those names from the list. Whoever took a name was supposed to bring a present and place it under the tree. Today was the cutoff day for the presents and when we did the inventory for the gifts, we discovered that we were missing 12 gifts. The 12 gifts represent 12 names. The same names you saw circled in red."
She paused and I shrugged my shoulders. "What do you want me to do then? Everyones left. If its a bollocking you wanted me to give, there's no one left."
"Naomi for someone so smart, you are incredibly daft. I need you to go shopping for Christmas gifts."
I bug out my eyes and almlst drop the folder. "No fucking way Stonem. I hate shopping. You bloody well know it."
Shaking my head I motion for her to take the folder. Standing with her arms crossed she smirks before responding to my outburst.
"The company will provide you with a credit card to make the purchases and any expenses you may incur. As well as providing a car for you."
Pursing my lips I shake my head at her.
"And we'll pay you an extremely generous bonus for your hard work."
I cock my head at her. "How gorgeous?"
"Brad Pitt gorgeous," she deadpans.
I snort and she smirks. "Or in your case, Angelina Jolie gorgeous."
I laugh at her and shake my head. Fuck knows I need the money and it only would be buying the gifts. I mean even I can't fuck it up. I have a list for Christ sakes and if anything I'll just buy the boys something with lights that make loud noises and the girls pink frilly things.
"Fine Stonem. I'll buy your gifts tonight and call you so you can pick them up."
She looks at me and suddenly I'm filled with the fear that there's something she's not telling me.
"Spill it Eff."
"You'll have to buy the gifts, wrap them and deliver them to the coordinators of the event tomorrow morning."
She grinned at me when I screamed in frustration at her.
"Jesus Christ its the 23rd Effy! How the fuck am I supposed to do all that in one night?"
"You won't be alone. There's a girl from one of the organizations we work with that volunteered to help. She'll assist you with the shopping and anything else you need her to do-with the shopping of course."
She looked at me pointedly before leaning over the receptionist desk and pressing a buzzer.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Crossing her arms, we both looked towards the an opening door and I couldn't help but gape at the petite red headed woman that walked in. The way her hips swayed as she she came closer. Her face lit up with a smile and her warm brown eyes twinkling with joy.
"Naomi Campbell may I introduce you to Emily Fitch, your little elf for the night."
She stood before me and smiled politely. I stared, probably a bit more than I should have earning me a jab in the ribs from Effy. Clearing my throat, I extended my hand towards her.
"Naomi Campbell nice to meet you."
She seemed amused and I was hoping it was my formal gesture that she was laughing at and not my name. Chuckling softly she grabbed my hand and shook it.
"Emily Fitch." God her voice was husky. Suddenly the thought of shopping doesn't horrify me as much as it did.
Her hands were so soft. I squeezed it slightly and smiled brightly at her. Noticing a slight blush to her cheeks, I let go of her hand and winked at her. She shook her head and laughed, toying with the hem of her coat. Smiling I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow at Effy.
Is she single?
Maybe.
Is she gay?
Maybe.
Don't you know any other words?
Maybe.
Emily cleared her throat distracting me from my . God she was irritating, Effy not Emily of course. I smiled at Emily and she smiled back. I took in the way her hair fell around her face accentuating the curves of her cheeks which were still slightly rosy. Her nose was small and cute-like a button. Looking further down I noticed how soft and red her lips were. They were so inviting just asking to be kissed. I couldn't help but want to jump her.
"Right," said Effy interrupting my train of thought. "You two have very little time as it is. So I'll leave you to it."
"Hold on," I said. "Why aren't you doing this?"
I was embarassed to ask her the question in front of Emily, I wasn't opposed to the idea of spending time with her but I was confused as to why she didn't handle this herself.
Tutting at me she smirked and pushed my shoulder.
"Because Naomi this is a business transaction an area I am proud to admit you excel at. So treat this like you would treat your job; with care, patience and a sense of hope."
Leaving me slightly confused she handed me the car keys and turned to Emily.
"If this one" gesturing to me " gives you a hard time, just hit her on the nose like a dog. She can act like a bitch sometimes. Merry Christmas and thank you again."
"Merry Christmas Effy," she replied excitedly. Jesus she was one of THOSE Christmas lunatics.
Turning around Eff said, "you'll find what you need at the back of the folder in an envelope plus your compensation." I nodded and she looked at me before narrowing her eyes. "Behave."
Sticking my tongue out at her she smiled and left leaving me with a bewildered looking Emily.
"Everything okay?"
"I don't really have to hit you...do I?" she asked nervously.
Shaking my head, I laughed at how adorable she was. "No I'll behave I promise. We should get going though. Shall we?" I asked motioning towards the exit.
She nodded her head and walked towards the door as I grabbed the folder from the desk and followed.
After finding the company car, which was almost the size of a small house, damn gas guzzlers, Emily and I decided it would be best to go to a place where we could brainstorm about our shopping trip. Deciding I could have my cake and eat it, I drove to Keiths hoping I would run into Cook and somehow make a getaway. After finding a spot to park I turn to Emily.
"This is a pub I come to, its not posh mind you but the drinks are good and most importantly free."
Removing my safety restraint and getting out, I walk towards the pub and hear Emily do the same. so she can catch up. I look at her from the corner of my eye and refrain from laughter when I caught her wary expression.
"Like I said, its not a five star establishment but it is good."
"Right," she said dubiously. "I suppose I'll take your word for it."
"Trust me Emily Fitch," winking at her.
She grinned at me before looking at where my hand was grabbing the handle.
"We'll see," she said.
xxxxxx
It had been two hours since we'd arrived at Keiths and we were both slighlty buzzed though by no means were we impaired. We had discussed our jobs, Emily was a teacher, which I couldn't help but laugh at which she found slightly offending. But I quickly redeemed myself when I told her that it suited her because she was so nice and all. Interestingly enough I discovered that the organization Emily "volunteered" for was founded and run by her parents and she had single handedly managed this years Christmas donations. (Which included donations from Stonem Enterprises and 5 other major international companies) A fact that genuinely surprised me. I mean using up all of her free time just so other people, or in this case children, could be happy just blew me away. Then again Emily Fitch blew me away. She was just so-so alive. She was a force to be reckoned with and I found myself prolonging the pub session so I could spend more time with her.
"Alright!" Emily exclaimed after chugging the last of her beer. "No more messing about. We have business to tend to."
Her slight pout had me burst into giggles and she smile at me.
"You're beautiful when you smile Naomi."
The laughter ceased when I heard her compliment and I could feel my cheeks redden.
"I made you blush!" she squealed excitedly.
I shook my head at her and went to reply but the sound of the door being slammed open startled me and I turned my head to look when I heard the voice of .
"Blondieeeeeeeee!" he yelled when he saw me and ran towards the table picking me up from the chair and hugging me. "Glad you could make it babe."
Letting me go, I smoothed out my blouse which was now slightly wrinkled from Cook's bone crushing hug. Noticing Emily he grabbed a chair from another table and sat down.
"Please join us Cook," I said sarcastically.
He grinned at me and faced Emily
"Evenin' Red. You're looking fucking mint. Fancy tending to my sugar plums and candy cane?"
Cook wiggled his eyebrows and grabbed the front of his pants suggestively and Emily looked at me with a horrified expression. I suppose to a stranger, Cooks forwardness would be appaling.
"Cook, this is Emily Fitch. She's helping me waste money."
I giggled but Emily frowned at me.
"Is that really what you think Naomi?"
The look Emily gave me was enough to even make Cook shift in his seat uncomfortably. He grabbed my drink my drink and chugged it down placing the empty glass in front of me.
"Well," I started unsurely, "that is what we're doing Em. No point in calling it anything else is there?"
I ignored the way I shortened her name and she crossed her arms.
" We're not wasting money. Its a donation."
I snorted. "Okay Emily."
Cook gave me a look before glancing back at Emily and then me again. I furrowed by brow in confusion.
"Forgive her Emilio man. Our Naomi's a bit of a Scrooge."
He laughed loudly at his own joke and I grimaced when he burped afterwards.
"Forgive him Emily, Cooks a bit of a pig," I smile at him and he grins.
"You love it Blondie."
I smile. Good old Cook, never changes. He stood up and made to leave.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Naomikins, as fit as Red 'ere is, I don't think she's wants to see my chimney spout. I'm off to find my own little elf."
He walked towards the bar and I noticed Emily staring after him.
"Christ is he always so-so" she gestured wildly with her hands and looked at me.
"Yeah, its part of his charm," I smirk bringing a smile to her face.
She drinks a bit of her beer and looks at me opening her mouth and then closing it again. She does this, to my amusement before I intervene.
'Go on, spit it out."
She looks at me shocked before her face relaxes at the my own.
"Why did he call you a Scrooge?"
I tense at her question and her expression tirns curious and then apologetic.
"Sorry, that's none of my business."
She wraps her hand around the glass in front of her and stares into the cup embarassed.
Fuck it. I'll tell her my sob story. Even though I can tell she feels bad for asking me she seems like the type that will wonder and not let it go.
"My prick of a father left my mum and me during Christmas when I was younger."
She looked up from her glass and reached out to cover her hand with mine.
"I'm so sorry Naoms."
I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach and a tingly sensation when her hand squeezed mine. Looking into her eyes, I could see the sorrow in them and believed her. I mean let's face it, people just tend to say sorry as a reflex. Nobody ever means it. But Emily did and suddenly it was okay. I felt confused that two words uttered from a person I just met could have the effect they had on me.
"Thank you," I say smiling. "But it was a long time ago."
"Still, you're hurt by his actions."
I scoffed and removed my hands from hers. "Really I had no idea."
I bit my tongue. I really was a sarcastic bitch sometimes.
She looked at me with an expression I couldn't read. She pushed the glasses aside and leaned over the table slowly and I did the same. She held my gaze and licked her lips, tilting her head to the side. Slowly moving in I closed my eyes when she reached out and felt her fingers touch my jawline.
I licked my lips and moved closer-Shit. Fuck. Fuck.
I recoiled and grabbed my nose gingerly. She flicked my nose. Emily Fucking Fitch just bopped me on my schnauzer. I rub it and make.a spectacle of inspecting .blodd.
"Christ Emily. What was that for."
She laughed and the delicious sound of her voice filled my ears. I forgot that I was supposed to be upset and laughed along with her.
"Well Fitch explain yourself."
She paused to look at me and there was a twinkle in her eye I didn't see before. I must have looked like a complete fool sporting an ear to ear grin but Emily really is incredible to look at.
"Effy said to hit you square on the nose if you gave me any trouble. So I..." trailing off we laughed again, she at my facial expression and I at how adorable she was. Her red hair falling over her face and her fringe covering her eyes. Those eyes. Before it I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. She stopped laughing and gulped slightly when I let me fingers fall along her neck. Her neck was smooth and it took all my to jump her. Again.
Leaning in, her eyes looked at me with slight trepidation but desire as well. I grinned and bumped with her enjoying the sound of her breath hitching with the action. Now that her eyes were closed I decided to return the favor.
Bop!
Her eyes opened wide with surprise and her hand went to her nose..
" You bitch!"
"Not very nice is it?"
She laughed at me. "Fair enough Campbell. " She glanced at her watch and stood up quickly.
"Its getting late. We need to make a dash for it if you want to get this over with," she said in a tone I couldn't quite place.
She stood up and put her coat on. I did the same and waved goodbye to Cook who waved back. "Some other time Blondie eh?"
I nodded and walked towards the door with Emily in tow. Reaching out and opening the door I motioned for her to exit first. Surprised my exactions she smiled but walked out.
The cold air hit me and I shivered. We walked towards the car and I turned on the car, turning on the hot air.
Emily broke the awkward silence that grew between us.
"Ready to waste money?" she said sadly.
I sighed. No need for two Scrooges this Christmas. Emily deserved to be happy if she was forced to be with me.
"Let's buy some presents Ems," I finish with a smile.
Emily looked back at me with so much mirth in her eyes I looked away embarasssdly. She reached out and grasped my hand which was fidding with the gear shift. Emily's smiles should come with a warning. I've always heard the expression about someone lighting up a room with their smile but Emily's was enough to light up all the Christmas lights worldwide.
"Let's go then," she said, the smile still on her face.
For the first time in a very long time, I looked forward to Christmas shopping and I don't think it had anything to do with the children waiting anxiously for their presents.