Home for Christmas (Once and Again Version)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Once and Again characters. I'm just a fan writing a fanfic. So please don't sue me.
Rating: PG to PG-15
Part I: The Singer Homecoming
When you're young, sometimes life can seem simple. You eat. You sleep. You go to school. You spend a few bucks bowling or hanging out with your friends. You earn a few hollers from the parents now and then. You get grounded. Other than that, usually you could really care less.
It was another morning and it was also the day before Christmas. Jessie laid on her back staring at ceiling of her attic room. She felt happy and scared at the same time knowing what was in store for the upcoming days.
A bubbly face came across her line of sight, green eyes staring down at her lovingly. Her long hair was touching Jessie's cheek. Cupping that person's head, Jessie pulled her closer. With a smile on her lips she closed her eyes as she felt the other person's lips touch her own.
They pull apart. The person who owned her heart still hovering above her, a smile still pasted on her face.
"Your brother told me you'll be up here." The voice, though so familiar to Jessie's ears sounded like music to her heart.
"When did you get here?" Jessie asked caressing the cheeks of her lover.
She missed the softness, and the smile that could never leave her lips. A year apart was too much for Jessie but they had to endure. They believed in their love that much.
"I begged the Dean to grant me week long excuse slip so I don't have to get into the holiday rush. I just felt the need to be home Jess. I needed to be with you."
"Katie Singer… You say the sweetest things…" Jessie smiled pulling Katie into a kiss once more.
The kiss was slow but with their hearts yearning for more, it progressed and grew more passionate. Katie skillfully repositioned herself to lie beside Jessie without breaking it. Gasping for air, Jessie could only pull away, tugging the collar of Katie's blouse to fill the need of her aching. She ached to be close to Katie, closer than she had ever been.
"Way to be greeted…" Katie grinned and placed a tender kiss on the blonde's forehead.
"Was your flight alright...?" Jessie asked.
"Yes…"
The blonde felt like she was so intoxicated by Katie's scent. She endured a year without her warmth, her scent, her embrace. But Jessie knew too well Katie was coming back for her. Jessica Sammler knew Katie Singer would only come back to her.
She stood at the airport, desperately trying to hide her aching heart. She couldn't stop what was happening. It was for Katie's future. She couldn't deny the love of her life the chance of a lifetime.
"Take care ok?" Jessie whispered.
Katie was just in front of her. Katie's parents were behind her, waving their goodbyes. Karen was also there, trying to be all supportive though her mother didn't know how much Jessie was aching now.
"I'll be fine Jess. I'll write to you everyday. Check you email alright?" Katie pulled her into a hug.
She felt the taller girl whisper to her ear making tears that were welling up to fall.
"I would only love you Jessica Sammler. I would only come home to you. I promise you that. I love you."
Yes. Though they have promised once they get back to Chicago they would let their parents know, Katie and Jessie's relationship remained a secret as of present time. Katie already had finished high school and was about to go to London for the scholarship grant that was awarded to her. The secrecy was something Jessie regretted now. And even though Katie was nothing but supportive to whatever Jessie decided on, the blonde felt she could have done better. They should have been honest to everyone who cared about them.
Before Katie could decipher, Jessie looked up towards her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. With eyes wide-open, Katie Singer had received a kiss from Jessica Sammler in front of a crowd that included their parents.
"I love you. And I'm not letting you leave till I let you and the rest of the world know that I do. I love you."
"Jess…" Katie smiled and leaned down to kiss her again.
Nothing else mattered that day. Katie had to board her plane. And Jessie had to face curious parents around her. But Jessie didn't mind the barrage of questions. She never felt better.
"What time will they arrive?" Jessie asked snuggling closer to Katie.
"They weren't able to take the last flight out. They would probably get here by the 27th already. Hope you don't mind me hanging out with you on Christmas day."
With a giggle, Jessie gave Katie a peck on the lips and a hug.
"I wouldn't mind having you for Christmas Miss Singer."
"I'm sure you don't Miss Sammler."
----
"So…" Eli mumbled on as he and his sister shoveled the snow.
Katie helped in the kitchen as Karen prepared lunch. Much to Jessie's dismay, they would have to put their longings on hold for a while. It was a family day. They had to wait for their so-called alone time in the evening.
"So what?" Jessie asked huffing a little.
She realized how long it had been since she had a regimen of exercise. She should rethink about it since she had to be in perfect shape. You can't lose the weight battle when you have a pretty hot girlfriend running around the streets of London. Luckily, Jessie didn't have to resort to a dreadful disease this time.
She was two years away from graduating. After that she had to think of which college to go to. She did thought of a college in London. It was impossible not to.
"Are you going to do IT this year?" Eli smirked, earning a snowball on his face.
Since their vacation in LA, Eli was either badgering her about some other single girls Jessie knew, or their sex life. Katie and Jessie had been taking their time though. Something he couldn't comprehend since the two were now out and about.
"Eli. Shovel." Jessie glared, threatening him with another snowball.
He lifted both his hands in defeat, smiling at the thought of his sister growing to become a lady.
A few hours later, the siblings tiredly lounged on the couch. The aroma of the roasted chicken that was coming from the kitchen seemed to ignite that familiar fire in Eli's stomach.
"Man that chicken has to be good!" Eli closed his eyes and continued to enjoy the scent of what could be their lunch meal.
"Hey there..." Katie came out of the kitchen with two cups of tea in her hand.
She handed one to Eli and another to Jessie.
"Katie…" Eli began.
Realizing what line of questioning Eli was about to start with Katie. Jessie promptly diverted their attention.
"Katie, can you help me in my room? I need to fix something."
With those words uttered, Jessie mentally kicked herself. She realized what type of fixing there was needed in her room, in context with Eli's brain. She turned to her brother, mouthing three simple words.
Not a word.
----
The sky was clear and somehow Jessie wished there was a bit of snow falling. They have gone back to Rick and Lily's after lunch and were now preparing for the great Sammler-Manning Christmas party. Of course it included dear Katie.
"You've been thinking a lot lately… I'm starting to feel jealous about whatever it is that occupies your mind…" Katie whispered.
Jessie smiled as she felt the brunette's arms wrap around her waist. Pulling her into one of those embraces they usually share on the very same attic.
"No need to fret. My thoughts are of you…" Jessie replied tilting her head.
This allowed Katie's lips to linger on her neck, softly placing kisses from its base to her jaw line.
"Katie…" The name came out of Jessie's lips which somehow sounded like a moan in her ears.
They were points in their relationship that they were sure to delve into the unknown at any second. But somewhere along the way, they knew they were a little young to give in to their desires. Of course, both knew that there will come a time they had to cross that border. For now, maybe they could wait a little more.
"I know…" Katie replied resting her head on Jessie shoulder.
She felt the blonde's hand caressing her head reassuringly.
Jessie turned to face her. And there was some unknown element in the blonde's eyes that Katie could not make sense of. It was a look she hadn't seen before. But she could feel Jessie's embrace a little tighter now. It seemed Jessie would want to be closer that humanly possible.
"Jess…?" Katie asked.
As if snapping out of a daze, Jessie just smiled and rested her head on Katie's chest.
It was one of those one week vacations Katie took after three months. And Jessie had it all planned out. She had to make sure that the two of them would be spending each moment together, memorably. Jessie wanted to send Katie off to London with fond memories of the two of them happily together.
"We don't have to go to all these…" Katie spoke snapping Jessie out of her trip to Lala-Land.
"But I want to make the most of the time you spend here." Jessie explained.
"I know, but I need to be with my family once in a while too. I can't stay with you all the time…" Katie replied earning a pout from her girlfriend.
"Don't do that…" The brunette closed her eyes pretending not to have seen the infamous Sammler pout.
"You know I can't stand you looking like that…" Katie added as she felt Jessie tug her arm.
Katie looked down to the smaller girl and gave in.
"Ok… Ok… We'll go together. Wherever. Whenever." Katie sighed giving in to the Sammler pout.
Triumphant, Jessie tiptoed to place a gentle but passionate kiss on her girlfriend's lips.
That was a reminder for Katie Singer. Losing isn't so bad… Sometimes.
The two watched the snow starting to fall once more. Both thanking the opportunity that was given to them. Pulling apart, they smiled at each other and began to rummage their clothes for something suitable to wear.
"I'm sure Grace will keep us entertained…" Katie mumbled as she pulled a pair of jeans.
"Sorry to disappoint, but Zoe created the program this year." Jessie smirked knowing pretty well that Katie was Zoe's number one victim for all occasions.
"Cool…" Katie replied sarcastically as she plopped herself on Jessie's bed.
----
Gifts exchanged, laughs shared, the Sammler-Manning plus a Singer party was practically a blast for everyone. By now, most of them were in their rooms. Though weary, everyone was happy.
The girls, Grace, Zoe, Jessie and Katie were in the kitchen. They were about to retire to their rooms but something hung in the air.
"Have you talked to Tad yet?" Zoe asked earning death glares for her sister and stepsister.
She mouthed "what" then shrugged.
"I don't believe you!" Tad yelled as Katie stood stiff watching her friend go ballistic on her.
"I like her Katie. And I dated her. How could you just go under my nose then take her away?"
"I didn't take her way. Things just happened!" Katie replied defiantly.
The girl knew that she didn't do much to gain Jessie's affections. She even wanted to conceal them. But the harder she tried the deeper it grew. So much she couldn't keep it inside anymore. It had to get out. By the eve of their first kiss, Jessie was so confused that she didn't realize she was feeling the same thing. They were both scared of losing each other. And when that faithful day arrived, it was only that kiss that could soothe them.
"Things don't just happen, Singer. You're a damn back-stabber." He angrily pointed his finger on his now ex-best friend.
Katie didn't respond anymore. She knew pretty well that if more words were uttered, more pain could be released into the air. She stayed silent and Tad could no longer hold his ground. He turned around never looking back.
"I immediately went here after I got to the airport. I didn't really have time to drop by his place or mine. Considering my family are still on their way here." Katie replied not tearing her eyes from the dishes she was putting away.
"But you will right?" Grace asked earning glares for Zoe and Jessie.
Katie turned around to the three and could just respond with a faint smile. She didn't really know if Tad was ready to fix their friendship. But Katie did hope, everyday of the year that they would. Tad was a pretty big person in Katie's life. She can't just give up on him.
----
She lay on her side and watched Katie's chest heaving. Her lover seemed to far off to dream land but Jessie couldn't find the urge to fall asleep. She let her fingers linger on Katie's cheek, stroking it gently. She was careful not to wake the girl beside her, Katie was a little tired from the things they did all day.
Suddenly, Katie stirred giving Jessie a questioning look.
"What's wrong?" Katie asked propping on her side in order to face the love of her life.
"Nothing's wrong…" Jessie replied her smile glimmering against the moonlight.
"I just…" The blonde continued.
She placed her finger on Katie's lips which curved into a smile.
"I just find you beautiful…" Jessie finished leaning to place a kiss on the other girl's lips.
"I get that a lot…" Katie joked earning a light slap on her shoulder.
She pulled Jessie into a hug and sighed.
"I'm sorry you couldn't see Tad…" Jessie mumbled in Katie's chest.
It was a sincere apology since Jessie knew the duo would have been best friends for life if she hadn't come into the picture.
"Don't worry about it… Everything will be alright…" Katie reassured her.
A finger made its way to Jessie's chin urging her to look up. She found Katie staring at her, lovingly. They kissed one more time then just held each other through the night. Not long after, the two fell asleep in each other's arms.