Disclaimer: I don't own the ABC family show "Switched at Birth", which will here on be referred to as SAB
Story Title: Santa I'm Right Here
Chapter 1: Christmas Wishes
Authors Note: Okay, hi all. I know, I know, I have some serious explaining to do on why I haven't put out the next chapter of "Me and Emily". First I want to assure everyone that I haven't abandoned the fic, I just was side tracked by the end of the quarter nursing finals and final papers. Then listening to Christmas music while cramming and trying to keep my daughter from hanging herself with the Christmas lights I got an idea for this story. It's an SAB Christmas story. Originally it was going to be one whole unit but I decided to break it into two parts of which this is the first. I'll post the second part before January and then get back to my other SAB fic.
This, my dear readers, is my gift to you this holiday season. Remember though, this is an SAB Christmas miracle…..this is not "Miracle on 34th Street".
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
"People signing without vocalizing, but will be mouthing all words"
'Thoughts'
"People signing and vocalizing"
Bustle, bustle, bustle, that's what the rest of the city was doing this time of year but not Bay Kennish. It wasn't that she didn't like Christmas, she loved the holiday itself. It was the way people acted that she could do without. It was the people rushing through stores searching for the best deal or grabbing that last one in stock item because they just had to have it. The over worked customer service people whose fuses were getting shorter and shorter by the hour as they dealt with people who clamored with complaints. It was the way people cared, it was all so superficial and transparent because you knew that a week after Christmas everyone would go back to treating each other with benign neglect as they lost sight of those around them.
The big day was only a week away by now and as usual her family had become the worst offenders in her eyes. Christmas with her family was a halfhearted tenuous affair at best. It's not that they didn't celebrate they did! Her Mom, Kathryn ensured that all the decorations were up and was planning Christmas dinner. Her Father John and brother Toby had spent the last couple of days crawling around on the roof putting up lights. There was always the highlight of the Kennish Christmas and that was her Mom's famous Christmas Eve party that she had started planning for two months ago. All of this meant that in less than seven days her house would be swarming with more people than she actually knew and Bay would have to put on her Christmas best…..ugh.
All this Bay could deal with, it was all par for the course by now. This year however there would be one…..well several major differences. The first and biggest one on the list was recently finding out that she'd been switched at birth. If that wasn't shocking enough, now she had to deal with competing with the other girl. Unfortunately Daphne was perfect where everyone else found Bay to be sorely lacking. Her biological Mother Regina barely wanted anything to do with her. Regina had also known about the switch from the time Daphne was three but had refrained from trying to get Bay for fear of losing Daphne. Her excuse was that the two girls both already had separate families and that it would be too traumatic or something like that. Bay thought that was all a bunch of bull. Angelo, Bay's biological Father had recently dropped out of the sky as well. He actually wanted to get to know her it seemed, but her Father was making that next to impossible.
That was another problem, no one in her family wanted to know her. Everyone was so focused on Daphne and Daphne's needs that Bay was getting pushed more and to the side. With the looming holidays that sense of separation had only gotten worse. Her Mom was so focused on what decorations Daphne liked and how did Daphne celebrate Christmas? Not that Bay minded having a…..ha ha switch-up in the routine but no one had asked her how she felt about making changes to what their family traditions had always been. Everyone expected Bay to just blithely go along with it.
Normally she wouldn't have, normally she would have kicked up such a fuss that it would have put a five year old to shame. She didn't though, "Bitchy Bay" hadn't been rearing her ugly head too much lately. She had her boyfriend Emmett to thank for that. Just being around him made everything better; his touch alone could soothe the despondent and envious feelings right out of her. Well, almost all her negative feelings anyway. It all came down to Daphne again, only this time Emmett was involved too. The two of them had been best friends for the better part of eight years. Which wouldn't really be a problem accept that a few weeks into her friendship and probably only one week into her relationship with him, Daphne had decided that she was in love with him. In fact not only was she in love with him but Bay was not good enough for him either. In Daphne's eyes Bay could never know him, not really because she wasn't Deaf and the both of them were. Ever since the other switches' declaration to get Emmett back, Bay had been very wary of the golden child. She trusted Emmett, she just didn't trust Daphne.
If all of that wasn't enough, there were still more issues to be hashed out. Like the fact that Emmett's Mom was nowhere in the neighborhood of even liking her let alone approving of her relationship with her son. Bay wasn't sure what the problem was. She figured that it was because she is Hearing and Emmett's Deaf. There was also the fact that she had to actually learn his language and culture. Whenever it came up though, he would assure her that it would pass and everything would work out. If that didn't allay her concerns then he had other ways of…..distracting her. Bay smiled, remembering the feeling of his lips on hers, his arms wrapped possessively tight around her. That would make her heart pound in a way that had nothing to do with the fear of losing him and everything to do with getting lost in him.
Of course once you compound all these issues with the weight of the holidays you had a powder keg just waiting for that stray spark igniting and blowing everything sky high. Bay sighed scuffing the toe of her boot on the ground. It was early in the evening, six-ish, but it was plenty dark and plenty cold; blessedly though there was little wind. Looking up, Bay pushed all those thoughts aside. Avoiding all those problems was why Bay was here in the first place. She was waiting for Emmett to show up; she had something special to share with him. Something that she never shared with anyone and it was the only way she ever managed to survive the holidays with her sanity still intact.
Bay smiled as she heard the familiar approach of a motorcycle watching as the machine and its rider came into view. Emmett slowed down as he pulled up to the curb, coming to a stop behind Bay's car. She watched as he got off his bike while simultaneously removing his helmet. She had no clue how he managed that one. Then again that boy could sign and eat a meatball sub at the same, so why not this? Normally he would have walked right up to her, catching her up in his arms almost immediately. He didn't though. When he approached, Bay took in the heavy look of concern.
"What's wrong?" That was the first thing he said to her.
Bay rolled her eyes at him. She should have known that he would be at least mildly concerned seeing as how she had changed their original plans at the last minute. Emmett was supposed to be picking Bay up from her home, not meeting her on some seemingly random city street. Little did he know that there was absolutely nothing random about it at all.
"Nothing's wrong, I just needed to get out of there sooner than I thought." Bay signed the words she knew.
Emmett just stood staring at her, the look on his face was not convinced in the least.
Bay tried again, "Honest I'm fine. Besides I didn't ask you here just because I needed out of the house." She just smiled at him coyly waiting for his curiosity to get the best of him.
Slowly that unsure look faded, leaving in its place one filled with speculative interest, "Then why?" His brow creased with thought as if he were trying to figure it out for himself.
"I want to show you where I go to escape my family's version of a festive holiday." Bay had an almost shy look on her face when she told him this.
Emmett gestured to his bike, "Do we need to go far to get there?"
Bay wasn't sure of all the sign but when he indicated his bike she understood what he was getting at, "No we're actually really close."
Bay held out her hand to him. His hand folded easily around hers before they started walking. Emmett flinched slightly, feeling how cold her glove-less fingers were. While in contrast his were warm enough for the both of them. Then again Bay had noticed that her boyfriend always seemed to run hot no matter what the temperature was. Just touching his warm skin brought on goose bumps; he was so heated.
Emmett squeezed her hand briefly, waiting for her to look up at him, "No gloves?"
"No…." Bay gave him a sheepish look, "I sort of forgot them on my way out of the house."
Emmett gave her a mildly disapproving look before turning and tugging her in the direction of her car. Apparently he had every intention of taking Bay home for the sole purpose of getting her gloves. She managed to pull her hand free of his grasp, standing a mere few feet away from him. Turning, he gave her an eye roll and a look of exasperation, while she returned it with a look of resolve stiffening her stance.
"You need gloves." He stated as matter of factly as he could, trying to appeal to her better senses even though he knew that would never work.
Bay stepped back again when he reached for her, "No I'm not going back there; I'll be fine, it's not that cold out anyway." Her annoyance caused her to not only mess up some of the signs but make her sound like a petulant child, "Besides where we're going I promise there will be time to be indoors.
"Tell me what happened then," Emmett wasn't stupid he knew that if she was this reluctant to go back then something must've happened that caused her to flee.
"Nothing…nothing that I want to talk about right now," Again, he didn't look sold on the idea. "If you want to know that badly we can talk about it…later," Bay finally conceded.
At the end of her statement she used the sign for finish indicating that she had nothing more to say on the subject. Bay had learned a little while ago that there were some signs that were quite versatile and were used for many things. Finish just happened to be one of those signs. It was used for things like ending a story, telling someone to stop doing something or as how Bay had used it, closing off a subject. This was one subject that was definitely no longer open for discussion, as far as she was concerned anyway.
Again he gave her an uncertain look as if he were measuring her words against the situation. When his shoulders dropped slightly, Bay knew that she had won. She resisted the urge to break out into a victory dance right there on the side walk. She did however give him a slightly smug look to which he just raised his eyebrows. He knew that she would tell him what was up. She always did. He just hated the wondering and waiting part of it, but with Bay he knew that you had to be patient. She always did do things in her own time and no one else's.
A sly smirk crossed his face "Before we go anywhere, first I'm going to…."
One, two quick strides and he was suddenly in front of her. Without warning he pulled Bay into him, wrapping her arms around him beneath his unzipped jacket, enveloping her in his warmth. Just as she looked up at him in surprise he caught her lips with his, bringing his hands up to warm her cold cheeks.
'So much better than gloves…' came the hazy thought, Bay's eyes fluttering closed.
Emmett relished the feel of her pressed against him. Even though her lips were cold and chapped he couldn't recall ever craving anyone more than the girl shivering and warming in his arms. Emmett's fingers trailed down her neck, the tips dancing over the thudding pulse in her throat. He sought as much skin as her coat would allow. His tongue slipped out to tease her lower lip until she opened to him. One of his hands was now holding onto the back of her head and neck as he felt her hands trail to the hem of his shirt teasingly.
Bay whimpered against his mouth as he deepened the kiss and she opened more than willingly to him. Her fingers trailed down his back, following the length of his spine; she could feel him shiver against her the lower she got. Her fingers hooked teasingly into the belt loops on his pants. Emmett bit her lip gently then soothingly ran his tongue over it; at the same time his fingers ran over a spot just behind her ears. Bay stiffened and then sighed softly, melting against him, completely forgetting they were in public. Seeking more of him, her hands slid under his shirt wanting to feel his skin against hers.
Once Emmett felt her hands trailing under his shirt, a searing heat came with it and things farther south began to twitch to life while leaning back against Bay's car, pulling her with him, against him. One of his legs slipped between hers to get them as close as possible. Releasing her lips he trailed kisses from the corner of her mouth down her neck. He felt the rumble of her breathing as it hitched in her throat after he latched on to a bit of the soft skin beneath her pulse, intent on leaving a mark.
Very slowly he pulled away from her neck, satisfied with the mark he made. He loved the thought of having it there for all the world to see. He wanted absolutely everyone to know that she was his and no one else's. He pulled a panting Bay in to rest her head on his chest, pulling his coat tighter around the both of them. His arms wound around her possessively while he looked down at her. His gaze occasionally flicked up to glare at any passerby who looked on at the two with disapproval. He felt her breathing start to slow and even out. When Bay finally looked up at him, her face was still flushed but her eyes were more focused; Emmett gave her a cocky smile.
Raising one hand from Bay's waist he asked, "Warm enough?"
Here Bay rolled her eyes at him, pushing away from him smiling at Emmett's smug look, "You seem awfully sure of yourself. Do you really think you're that good?" Bay attempted to retort sternly but failed miserably as a thoroughly satisfied smile tugged at her lips, only complimenting her mussed hair.
"Yes," came his simple reply as he reached his hand out brushing his fingertips over the already darkening mark.
Bay reached her own hand up to touch the newly tender area, her eyes widening briefly. She didn't really care that he'd left another hickey. In fact the boy seemed to have a thing for leaving them in some of the most obvious places. Bay actually kind of liked showing them off. What she didn't like was how her parents, well two thirds of them anyway, reacted. Regina really didn't say anything expect to smile behind her coffee mug. She also took issue with Daphne's snide remarks about her morals or lack thereof. She gave Emmett a halfhearted glare. He in turn only rocked back on his heels and chuckled quietly at her, still looking quite pleased with himself.
She tilted her head at him trying to look annoyed but only managing mild amusement, "Well if you're done strutting can I show you what I asked you here for or are we going to stand here some more?"
Bay didn't bother waiting for a reply, but turned and started walking. She'd only taken a few paces before she heard Emmett turn and follow. The girl couldn't help it, she smiled triumphantly knowing that he would never let her get far alone. She was more than willing to admit to him anyway that he turned her to butter because no matter what, he'd always be with her. She could be herself with him. By now Emmett had caught up and was walking beside her, wearing an amused look of his own.
Suddenly she didn't care what Daphne had to say when Bay got home because Emmett chose her again and again, 'Bring it on Daphne.'
"What is it?" Emmett had noticed the sudden confidence that Bay was exuding.
"Oh nothing," Bay smiled at him grabbing onto his arm as they walked towards the street corner.
Bay grinned widely as they turned the corner, coming onto her favorite street in the whole city during the holiday season. Coming onto this street was like leaving the city behind. It was one of those historical streets that some grass chewing activist had lobbied to have protected and preserved. So lining this street were all the Mom and Pop shops of old. It was normally a pretty quaint looking street. You could come here and buy nickel candy if you wanted, or walk through a retro pharmacy, after that if you were feeling adventurous a guy could go and get an old fashioned shave with a straight razor, while a girl could sit in the salon gossiping like a gaggle of geese. You could do all this and more with a Star Bucks only a stone's throw away.
Of course, a street that was merely about remembrance was like nostalgia on crack whenever Christmas rolled around. A quiet looking street turned into a melody of light and sound filling the air with good feelings. It came to life with an entirely different kind of bustling, the kind Bay could lose herself in. This is where she came when the holidays became too much too fast and she needed to get away. This year was no exception as she watched a group of carolers that walked from store front to store front making their way down the side walk. There were families walking hand in hand, bundled up for the weather. A Santa Claus rings his bell outside of the General store. Truly though, the real magic of this place came after Christmas because this was the only place she knew of that after all of the fanfare had died one could still come have someone smile at them and know that it was real. Looking out the corner of her eye she watched as a slightly awed look covered his face.
She tapped Emmett on the shoulder to get his attention, "You like?"
"Yes. When did you find this place?" Momentarily his gaze flicked away to look up the street again, then back to his girlfriend.
Bay looked at him, lines of concentration forming as she repeated some of the signs back to him before it clicked in her head, "I found it a couple of years ago. I love it here, in some ways everything's more…..just more real…"
Bay looked up the street wistfully. Without warning she grabbed Emmett's hand in hers and started dragging him up the street with her. She started pointing out all the various things offered here. This little street had everything, a General store, post office, Daycare with a small attached playground, a little church and a toy store too that boasted mostly handmade toys. Her favorite place though was a little diner that she pointed out to him excitedly. Looking around though, Emmett caught sight of one of the store fronts, an idea forming in his mind. After gesturing to Bay to wait right there he took off from her side. He did look over his shoulder though to reassure himself that she would be fine alone.
Bay gave him a confused look but was willing to wait. Once he left though the group of Carolers caught her attention again. They seemed to be a few different families that were clumped together just going from place to place singing together. They had no sheet music and a few of them even held hands; some were singing off key but they looked so happy. Bay found herself feeling slightly envious of the harmonious sight, as corny as it was. It's not that Bay wanted to go caroling or anything, she just wished that all of her family could look that happy with one another all at the same time. Wishful thinking she knew but still she wondered what it would be like if the Kennishes, Vasquezes along with Angelo, Wilke, Melody and Emmett could all feel that way, even if it was just for five minutes. Would it change anything between their assorted group?
She was so caught up in her thoughts and the performance that she didn't notice the child that was ziging and zaging down the street. She became very aware of him though when he crashed into her, sending Bay falling to the ground butt first. Bay braced herself managing to avoid hitting her head but still ended up on the cold sidewalk despite her best efforts. Opening her eyes she saw a boy of about ten years old in front of her, looking around dazed and clearly in need of a scrub down too. When his eyes cleared all his attention focused on the person he'd ran into.
"Ma'am I'm so sorry I didn't see you there," Immediately he started apologizing, with Bay slowly realizing that he was signing and speaking at the same time.
'He's…..but why,' Bay had wondered vaguely if he'd seen her conversing with Emmett, she was just about to ask the boy about it, looking over his shoulder though, she caught sight of Emmett walking towards them.
The boy saw her movement and looked over his own shoulder. After catching sight of Emmett his whole body went rigid. The dirty kid pushed himself from the ground and took off down the street as if trying to avoid another run-in. Bay turned to call down the street but she didn't get any response; not that she expected one mind you. Looking back to where he'd been sprawled out she found a folded piece of paper that was about to blow away.
Reaching out, Bay snatched it before the slight breeze could take it elsewhere. Her once again cold fingers held onto the folded paper gingerly and she was just about to open it but was distracted. Emmett was kneeling in front of her, one hand on her knee with a look of concern apparent on his features. Once she registered his presence, the lined paper seemed to be of a little value so it was shoved into the recesses of her coat.
"What happened?" His concern causing him to sign it a bit more forcefully than he'd intended. 'I shouldn't have left, I leave for five minutes and I come back to find her on the ground….' His mental rant continued on, wondering if this was something that he could have prevented.
Before she could answer, Emmett had pulled her to her feet and appeared to be looking her over. Emmett looked her up and down searching for any evidence of injury. In his mind he flashed back to when Bay and him had crawled over barbed wire and how she'd cut her hand. The fact that it happened while he'd been there hadn't set right with him then. So finding her on the ground didn't set any better with him now either. It wasn't that he thought Bay was a wilting flower, he just wanted to be there for her, as much as two teenagers can be anyway. It struck him yet again how strongly he felt for her, considering that they'd known each other for such a short amount of time.
Emmett turned his full attention back to Bay just in time to catch her saying, "It was nothing some kid just ran into me is all. I'm good though,"
"Good," he nodded to her, satisfied that all was well and then he held out a small brown paper bag to her.
Bay looked at him wonderingly but took the bag anyways, "What….," Emmett cut her off shaking his head and smiling, just gesturing to the bag.
She opened up the bag eagerly to find a pair of multicolored gloves, not mittens, gloves. Most people wouldn't be thrilled with them, but Bay was. Emmett was always doing little things like this. She knew that he was just trying to look after her and it touched her heart. Sometimes though it could get on her nerves during those times she tried to just chalk it up to him being a guy and that caring for their girl must be genetically encoded or something. This time though she threw her arms around his neck hugging him tightly, her eyes sparkling under the lamp light. Once they pulled apart Emmett took the gloves and put them on her hands, corny he knew but he wanted to do it.
"Thank you," once again using the first sign he'd ever taught her, this sign she knew would always be special to her because he had taught it to her.
Emmett shrugged and smiled not taking any credit for himself, he never did, instead he continued with, "Is there anything else you wanted to show me?" He gestured towards the street in its entirety.
Bay grinned widely and continued taking him on a tour of this little world within the city. They'd spent hours going up and down the street. She'd insisted on showing him everything and he insisted on taking pictures every few steps. Most of them involved Bay, only a select few didn't. Emmett even stopped a couple different people to take pictures of him and Bay together. They'd stopped at the little diner the street boasted and ate together. By the time they were done, it was late and Bay was exhausted.
The two had finally made it back to their respective transportation. Bay had climbed into the driver's side of her car after Emmett had informed her that he would be following her home, just to see that she got there in one piece. Bay had tried to protest that it wasn't necessary, Emmett disagreed. Bay just rolled her eyes at him indulgently conceding. This was one of those times that she chalked Emmett's behavior up to genes that every male possessed, some just responded to them more than others. By now they were pulling into the Kennish drive way.
Emmett parked more towards the end, not wanting his presence here this late at night to be noticed. It also wouldn't bother him if Daphne didn't notice either. Sometimes he wasn't sure why he was even still friends with her. With the way she treated Bay, if it wasn't for their shared history…..well let's just say things would have been very different. As he walked up the drive he caught sight of Bay waiting for him. Watching her he decided that if Bay started complaining about Daphne that he would have a serious talk with her. If that didn't change things with her, than he would…for good.
What the two didn't know was that a certain strawberry blonde had spotted the couple sneaking in. Daphne had gotten up and come into the main house for a midnight snack. She almost lost her appetite though when she turned to head out the door only to find Emmett sucking face with that little tart by her studio door. She could feel her face heat as it was flushed by anger, a jealous sneer soured her lips. She was positive that Bay was putting out for Emmett. As far as she was concerned that was the only possible reason Emmett could be staying with her. A sense of loss washed over her as she watched Emmett, her Emmett, gently, tenderly caress Bays face before walking away.
'I could satisfy you too…' Daphne thought dejectedly, remembering a time not too long ago when Bay had pointedly told her that she knew how to keep a guy interested.
After Bay had completely lost sight of Emmett, she let out a contented if not a bit frustrated sigh. Touching Emmett and having him touch her always brought on that sudden flame of heat. That heat brought with it desires, desires that they'd never acted on, hell they hadn't gotten any farther than her removing Emmett's shirt. Bay sucked in breath thinking about Emmett and what he looks like shirtless, then she imagined him not wearing much else. Would the fantasy match the reality? She didn't know but she wanted to.
Turning she walked into her studio shutting the door behind her. After removing her jacket Bay walked over to the mirror affixed above the sink. These were both things that she'd spent a considerable amount of time convincing her parents to install for her. After pulling her hair back she turned it to the side and examined the black and blue mark of possession he'd left on her.
That thought stuck in her head. Was this about possession? Did he want people…well, other boys in general to know that she was off the market? Not only did the primitive thought cause her body to heat responsively but it made a funny sort of sense as she thought of the other couples in her school. The guys at Buckner would openly make out with their girlfriends in the hallway as a way of marking their territory almost. She and Emmett didn't go to the same school so they didn't have the same convenient arrangement. Bay could feel a quick liquid heat pooling in her body at the thought of Emmett pressing her up against the lockers at her school, her uniform skirt hitching up her thigh while he….. Bay didn't get to finish that thought as Daphne came into view in the mirror behind her.
"Knock much?" Is what Bay asked when the other girl was close enough to read her lips through the mirror.
Daphne pretended not to understand her question, a scornful look settling itself on what is normally a very pretty face as she spied the blemish on Bay's creamy skin, "I hope you two are using protection," she deadpanned, "I doubt Melody would appreciate you being the Mother of her grandchild after all." Daphne smirked, knowing that Melody was a sensitive subject.
Bays eyes widened, an indignant anger sparking to life within the dark orbs as she turned to face Daphne, "Not that it is any of your business but….," Bay was about to tell Daphne that they hadn't been together like that, until a thought crossed her mind and she decided that for once she was going to mess with her, 'Let's see how you like this one Daph.'
Bay turned and walked over to her purse looking through it while Daphne watched from by the couch, 'What is she up to?'
Bay turned back to Daphne, smiling sweetly, knowing that she was going to pay for this later but, "We are always prepared and responsible." Bay held up an open box of Trojan condoms, now grinning wickedly at her blue eyed counterpart.
Bay thoroughly enjoyed the gaping shocked look on Daphne's face. Apparently she hadn't really believed her opening jab could have some truth behind it. Funny thing was that it didn't. These condoms weren't technically hers. They were Simone's; her best friend had insisted that she keep them when she realized how serious she and Emmett were becoming. That little fact was something that Daphne didn't need to know just yet or ever for that matter.
"But here," she tossed the open box at Daphne who caught it, "From the way I hear it you and Wilke need these more than I do. I have a whole other box upstairs." The second box part was a lie, the point about her and Wilke was not.
"We've never…." Daphne sputtered at her pale, curly haired rival for Emmett's affections.
"Please Daphne, you do remember that night don't you? The night that Emmett had to pick you up from the back of his car," She watched the disbelief cover the other girls face so she pressed on, "Oh come on Daphne, don't look so surprised. Who do you think he was with that night before you? Why do you think he was ignoring his phone?" Bay let her statement hang in the air between them allowing the other girl to make of it want she wanted.
Daphne lost her balance and fell back heavily onto the couch, "There's no way…..he didn't…how…." Bay took pity on her, cutting off her rambling, "Honey, Emmett tells me everything. We have no secrets." True, Emmett had filled her in a few days later on what had went down.
"F…Fine but even if that's true there's just no way that the two of you would have…..he wouldn't touch you like that, he has stronger morals than that." Is the rebuttal the best friend ultimately settled on.
Bay almost felt guilty, but when Daphne said that Emmett wouldn't be with Bay like that ever it hurt more than it angered, "Morals? Please Daphne he's a teenage guy. Granted he's a lot more mature than others I've known but still a guy." She watched as a sick sort of understanding that bordered on belief took on life in her eyes, so Bay took a deep breath deciding to drive her point home.
"No…just no!" She still protested weakly.
Walking up to Daphne, Bay looked at her point blank, making sure to have her attention and said, "But if the thought of him touching me or the fact that I was the one to touch him first bother's you so much…." Bay pulled a sympathetic expression on her face, almost as if she was trying to soften the blow, "well you might not want to be sitting on that couch."
"Ugh…er…." Daphne made an odd sort of grunting sound as she tried to formulate a response.
Bay gave her a look that was all sweetness and smiles before walking out, leaving her there on the couch with a box of rubbers, 'That's going to come back and bite me in the ass,' an image of Daphne's face flashed through her mind, 'but so worth it!'
The next morning came far too fast for Bay's liking. So upon waking, she rolled over to try and go back to sleep. However when she did roll over something cold and sharp dug painfully into her arm causing her to jerk upright sharply. Rubbing her arm she looked around her room. Suddenly her stomach dropped out of her body, she couldn't possibly be in her room. This room was cluttered with boxes, bags and piles of clothes that were in no way hers. Bay looked around for anything that she recognized. It was when she looked at the wall that she became less worried and more pissed.
"Nope I was wrong, this is my room," Bay said out loud as she looked at the wall behind her bed where she'd painted her philosophy on life and reality.
Bay crawled out of her bed carefully, trying to look for the source of why exactly the house had vomited crap into her room. Slowly she began to realize that this looked suspiciously like one of her Mom's holiday pet projects. As if her thoughts had summoned the overly perky woman, Kathryn suddenly stuck her head into the doorway.
"Oh Bay, honey, you're awake," she smiled brightly not bothering to bring any attention to the disaster that was currently her room.
Bay just stared at her, clearly nonplussed by her greeting, "Uh…..yeah, Mom I am but I just have to ask. What's up with all…?" Bay gestured to her room in general.
Kathryn gave her a look like that was the oddest question that she could have asked, "Well, you know Bay, every year I go through the house and get rid…donate all the things we're not using." Kathryn put her hands up defensively, "Now I know I normally do all this in the guest room but since we've given that room to Daphne…well I just didn't want to impose so I just thought that I'd do it all in here instead."
"Uhhh Mom, just in case I missed something but isn't Daphne, oh, I don't know, staying in the guest house still?" Sarcasm was dripping not only from her voice but her body language as well.
Kathryn gave her daughter a clearly thrown look, "Well, yes she is but you know things have still been so tense lately what with Angelo showing up and hanging around. I just, well…I just wanted Daphne to know that she has a safe place here if she needed to get out for a little while," the clueless Mom gestured to her teenage daughters room, "and you're never really home much on Christmas vacation your always out and about so I just thought….'
Bay stopped her Mom right there, "You just thought it would be okay to take over my room like some kind of Fascist dictator," Bay tried for conveying amusement but only managed disbelief.
"Well uh no, Bay, that wasn't my intention I just was thinking about, I just thought that you wouldn't mind. If it bothers you I'll clean it up and do it somewhere else." The suddenly confused Mom's hands hung limply at her sides.
Bay shook her head irritatedly, an annoyed smile on her face, "Ya know what Mom, don't bother. Its fine, I'm cool with it," she maneuvered her way around Kathryn, " You…You keep the room, Daphne can have her space and I'll…well you know what I'll just go sleep in the garage, or hell I'm sure I could even get a motel somewhere in case Daphne needs that too." Bay continued down the hall leaving her Mom in the dust.
Unfortunately though Kathryn wasn't done talking, "Bay…Bay, now you know that's not fair, Daphne.…."
Bay picked up speed till Kathryn's voice faded behind her. It was just way too early for the "Daphne hasn't had the same opportunities as you" speech. With that in mind she headed out of the house still wearing her pajama bottoms and a tank top. Bay darted quickly across the concrete, getting into her studio as fast as she could to avoid the cold morning blast of December air.
She angrily slammed the door to her studio behind her, stalking over to her electric space heater and switching it on. After that Bay let out a frustrated screech, throwing herself forcefully down onto her couch. With her hands covering her face, the angst ridden teen laid herself out flat trying to get a handle on her emotions. Suddenly though, all those feelings of resentment for Daphne faded leaving an insane giddiness in its place. In fact she was suddenly so grateful to the girl she could probably kiss her.
Bay had just realized two things. First if she was staying in the garage then she wouldn't have to worry about sneaking Emmett in or out of the house on those late nights. Secondly she was currently laying on the couch where she had quite effectively taunted Daphne the night before, laying out a false trail. In that instance Bay felt very much like the crow from the story "Hansel and Gretel". Only difference was that after eating the trail that Daphne had laid, Bay had left a false one littered with half truths in its place.
"Emmett," she whispered a loud in a voice laced with need as those thoughts turned from Daphne and towards the boy they both craved.
Bay found herself suddenly regretting giving her only box of condoms to Daphne. The truth was that even though she and Emmett haven't been together like that doesn't mean that she didn't want to be…..with him. Bay wanted him, God did she want him. She just wasn't sure if she was ready or if both of them were really ready for that matter. They'd come so close to taking that next step a week ago.
Bay could remember it so clearly. Everything had started out simple enough; a heated make-out session had ensued. The two of them had been on this very couch, with Bay straddling his lap running slender fingers through his hair. She'd pressed herself down firmly against him and could feel the evidence of his attraction pushing up against her through his jeans. Bay had moaned softly, feeling him there beneath her. It hadn't been the first time she'd felt her boyfriend get hard for her and still it caused her to jerk against him.
Her hands trailed to the edge of his shirt, her fingers fisting the hem, tugging insistently. Emmett pulled away from her swollen lips and removed the offending article of clothing. Bays hands traveled the length of his chest, her mouth following in their wake. Grinding herself down on his erection, eliciting a rare groan from Emmett, caused her to smile against his skin. Her tongue circled one of his nipples while his hands clutched at her waist with his fingertips just beneath the swell of her breast.
Emmett had turned them, suddenly pushing Bay down into his couch, one hand hooking beneath her jean clad thigh, easing himself between her legs. He hovered above her and everything in the air had changed; it was suddenly filled with a nervous energy as if the two teetered on the cusp of something. Emmett looked down at Bay with fevered eyes as he ground himself down into her arching center. Her neck bowed as she let out a surprised moan. He'd never done anything like this before and it made heat pool low in her body as she jerked responsively pressing up against him.
Leaning down, Emmett kissed her, softly cradling her head with one hand. His other slipped down the length of her shirt. The tips of Emmett's fingers brushed just underneath, grazing her now quivering stomach. Feeling this, Bay's eyes flew open, her gaze seeking his. His eyes looked questioningly back at her, asking permission. Her heart galloped in her chest with need and want but also nervousness. Bay knew if she said yes that there would be no turning back. She could feel it tingling in the air and was sure that he could to. Feeling the heat that poured off of him, his touch curling her toes, she was about say yes, that is until…
'Toby walked in,' Bay thought with trace amounts of bitterness mingled with embarrassment still lingering from two weeks ago.
As pissed off as she was that her brother had barged into her personal space unannounced a part of her was grateful too. It's not that she hadn't wanted him, she did, but Bay realized that she hadn't wanted it to be like that. It wasn't the location that bothered her. After meeting Emmett she finally understood why her Mom said that it didn't have to be all rose petals and wine. All she needed for it to be perfect, for it to be right, was him, her Emmett.
However what she didn't want was for it to happen without talking to him first. After the whole Ty debacle she didn't want her first time to be purely hormone or angst driven. Bay wanted, no, she needed to know that they were both on the same page. So with that in mind, Bay rolled off of the couch. After grabbing her laptop and a stack of ASL books she set herself to the task of learning all of the signs she would need to have this discussion with Emmett. Bay was leaving nothing to chance when it came to this, her heart and her body.
By the time she was done with her research, Bay's face was beat red. She'd looked up not only the more polite signs, but some of the more…..earthy terms that had relatively easy to understand signs that appeared to be a bit more than suggestive. It was the latter that had Bay's face glowing like a stop light. She had only looked those ones up just in case. Bay hoped fervently that she'd be able to keep her cool enough that she wouldn't forget any of the less obvious signs and be forced to resort to others….. Not that she intended on talking to him about this in public. She just wanted to be as mature about this as she could.
With this in mind she went over to where she always kept a change of clothes for just in case purposes, 'Just in case Emmett and I ever have a "sleepover"…' is what trickled through her mind as she took in her appearance in the mirror, 'Just one more thing..'
She ran over to where she'd left her coat the night before. After picking it up, Bay couldn't help but grin to herself when underneath it she spied a jacket that Emmett had left there a while back. Or rather her boyfriend had covered her in it on a particularly cold day late in fall. She'd been feeling stubborn that day and because of Kathryn's incessant nagging, Bay had left hers behind. That was okay, she thought, because Emmett had come to her rescue, allowing her to stay warm while not having to concede the win to her Mom. Vaguely she wondered if it would be wrong to wear your boyfriend's jacket while talking to him about getting it on, or if it would just be hot.
'Could be fun,' Bay thought to herself, pulling it on and around her, she could still vaguely take in his scent clinging to it.
Picking up her coat she riffled through the pockets pulling out her keys. Reaching back in she dug down deeper only to pull her hand quickly back after feeling a sharp pain slice through her finger tip causing her to hiss in response. While inspecting it she watched as a single drop of blood beaded on the surface of her skin. After popping it in her mouth she reached back into the pocket with her other hand cautiously. Pulling her hand back for a third time she came back with a folded piece of paper.
Vaguely she remembered picking it up the night before, after that boy had gone tearing off down the street. After opening it carefully, Bay found words written on the lined paper. The handwriting was haphazard and a little difficult to read, typical little boy handwriting. The pencil markings were a bit faded but she managed to read through it all. What Bay read there stopped her cold, forcing her to read it through a couple more times.
Dear Santa,
I've been good this year. I mean like really good. No matter how good I am bad things keep happening. Like there are these people who told my Dad that he couldn't work for them no more. Then some people in suits came and said I couldn't sleep in my room either. They took all our stuff Santa. Me and my parents are living in this place with lots of people who were told they couldn't have their rooms anymore to.
Dad says he doesn't think you'll be able to find us. It's okay though cause I know you will. You found us the last time we moved so you can find us now. I just know it. What I want for Christmas this year is a lot different.
My Mommy needs a coat, the one she got now is full a holes
My Daddy could come and work for you. I know that you got loads of Elves but he could tell them what to do for you. That's what he use to do, boss people around.
There's other kids here they need you to, please help the other kids
I know it's a lot to ask for but we really need it. I know you can do it. You can do anything.
Love
Daniel
PS please don't give the mean people who took my Daddy's job and my room coal. I'm sure they didn't mean it.
Bay looked at the heartfelt plea for a long time. She kept picturing the little boy sitting on the cold sidewalk in front of her. His clothes were torn and dirty as he shivered from the chill in the air. Even then she'd wanted to reach out to him and pull him into a hug as he hurriedly apologized to her. She couldn't though because when he caught sight of Emmett coming towards them, he'd taken off like a fired shot down the street.
'What could I possibly do for him,' she gripped the letter tighter in her hands.
Shaking her head, Bay carefully folded the scrap of paper and set it atop a pile of books. After deciding that there was really nothing that she could do for the boy, Bay made her way towards the door. She was following her earlier intent to go track down that oh so handsome boyfriend of hers to have a very serious talk. Images of that boy kept flashing through her mind, his harried appearance becoming clearer and clearer with each step that she took.
Finally though, she'd reached the door and with her hand on the door knob she suddenly became aware of the look on his face the night they had collided. He'd worn the expression for just a second before he'd realized what had happened. He'd looked so very tired, like the world had just worn him down to the bone. When she looked in his eyes they weren't filled with child-like glee. It was the world weary gaze of an adult that looked back at her. Underneath all that was this deep well of sadness and hopelessness that Bay just couldn't ignore. That sadness called to her, tugging her back.
Bay couldn't help it; she felt tiny tears track down her cheeks as that boys face remained fixed in her mind, seeming to beg her to see him, 'I have to do something…
It was with that single thought that she turned around and sat back down on the couch. After peeling off Emmett's coat she fired up her laptop again. Bay had one goal in mind and that was to find a desperate and lonely little boy named Daniel.
Emmett sat back in his chair at the kitchen table content to watch Daphne flit back and forth all around his kitchen. He hadn't been expecting Daphne today. In fact he had just been about to drop in on Bay with a surprise when the doorbell rang. At the time he'd not been so pleasantly surprised to find Daphne on the other side, especially after she'd pushed her way in to talk about Christmas plans and parties. Emmett had tried to get her to understand that he had plans, Daphne didn't seem to hear him as she made herself at home in his kitchen. It was only then that he noticed she was carrying a Ziploc bag full of…..dough? Now his curiosity had been peeked. Watching her pull other ingredients from various places he decided to give in and let her have her way. She'd never stop if he didn't because Daphne could be like a force of nature when she wanted to be.
Daphne peeked over at Emmett from time to time while she worked. She knew that it was rude of her to barge in unannounced. She knew that it was wrong to lie to Emmett by telling him that she was here because of last minute changes to Christmas plans. She knew that what Emmett did and didn't do with Bay was none of her concern. Trouble is, she just didn't care and she would step on whatever toes she needed to, to get to the bottom of it all. With that goal in mind she'd gotten up that morning and made some quick rising pizza dough from scratch because she knew that like all teenage boys pizza was his weakness.
She couldn't help it, a smug look crossed her face, 'This is something Bay could never do for him.'
Pulling the pizza from the oven she let it sit out to cool, one half of the pizza was vegetarian the other half was all meat meaning all Emmett's. Not even his Mom could tolerate that much greasy fat all at once, but Emmett would inhale the dripping mess like it was nothing. The thought of watching him eat it curled her lip and turned her stomach.
A thought slowly trickled through her mind though, as she wondered if Bay would share that heart attack on bread with him? Would she eat off of the same piece as him? Would he let her? Daphne's shoulders slumped, of course he would and of course she would eat it. Daphne pushed those feelings aside deciding that answers were worth watching him eat it even if she could never, would never share it with him.
By now, they were both sitting at the table across from each other. The pizza spread out between the two of them. Daphne had one piece of pizza untouched on the plate in front her, while Emmett was taking directly from the pizza itself. He didn't need a plate, the pizza never lasted long enough to bother with one.
"What changed about the Christmas schedule that was so important that you had to rush over here before noon to tell me," Emmett asked signing with one hand and eating with the other as he eyed her with suspicion.
Daphne looked up at him, a bit unsure of herself now, "Nothing changed really I just needed to ask you….."
Emmett looked at her expectantly, making a "Come on, out with it" gesture while still eating his pizza, not anticipating what she would ask him next.
"So exactly how good is Bay in bed or should I say on the couch…does she give you everything you want?" Daphne asked defiantly staring him down, a smirk playing across her lips.
'WHAT!' Emmett's eyes about popped out of his head as he choked and sputtered on his food just barely able to force it down after taking a drink from his pop can, 'She didn't honestly just ask me what Bay's like in bed?' One look at Daphne's face was all the answer he needed, disgust practically radiated off of her, making the room more oppressive by the second and that just pissed him off, "How is my sex life any of your business? Last time I checked you weren't my Mother. I have no reason to answer to you for what Bay and I do together," he continued on, finishing with, "Hell, for that matter my Mother doesn't even have the right to ask that question." His signing was rapid and angry but his body was stiff with control.
'So it's true….' Daphne felt a small piece of herself die inside, she'd really been hoping that Bay had been messing with her but the proof was fuming before her, "You did? I can't believe that you would lower your standards for that whore!"Daphne used Bays name sign to make her point after calling her a whore, a sneer marring her features.
Emmett shot up from his chair so fast that the table shook; Daphne had managed to push him passed pissed and into a fury he'd never directed at her before, "Oh yeah that's rich especially coming from you."
"What are you getting at," she snapped off, instant confusion warring with revulsion.
Here his face was humorless as he chuckled quietly, "You, Wilkie, the backseat of his car outside a construction zone at night. Ringing any bells or do you need even more clues"
"I did nothing with him!" "That's bull and we both know it!" they both were standing by now and answered at the same time, expressions contorted with anger.
"Well why don't you go and ask Bay if Liam was better than you, I'm sure he could give you some tips!" throwing in his face one of Bays implications and officially crossing an invisible line insulting not only the girl he loved but his manhood as well.
"You know what Daphne why don't you just…." He was about to throw her out but changed his mind at the last minute, "No…you know what, you stay, I'll leave I have better things to do. He stalked off towards the door grabbing the hoodie that had his camera stashed in it and pulled it on; turning to her he had one thing left to say, "Don't forget to clean up before you leave because your messes aren't my responsibility anymore!" Emmett slammed the door behind him as it sent a sense of finality echoing through the empty house leaving Daphne alone, regret her only friend.
Emmett stopped after reaching his bike, breathing as if he'd just ran a marathon instead of walking all of twenty feet. He couldn't even begin to fathom what had just happened. It had been so fast and unexpected but yet he'd been expecting something like it. He'd been expecting it since that day in his room where Daphne had learned the truth. He just hadn't thought that it would come this quickly and that it would be over, his and Bay's love life together.
Not that they had a love life, not that he didn't want one, but they just hadn't crossed that line. Emmett wanted to make sure that it was right for her. He'd been planning to talk to her about it but he didn't know how. He did know one thing though, as he looked over his shoulder at the house he didn't regret giving up eight years of friendship for Bay…must be love. He did however intended on asking his feisty girlfriend exactly why Daphne thought that they had a love life to begin with. Emmett pulled his helmet on and mounting his bike he headed for the Kennish house.
A short time later Emmett had pulled to a stop in the Kennish driveway. For the first time he parked closer to the main house instead of outside Daphne's door. Stepping back, he located her window to her room. Pulling some stones out of his pocket he chucked them at her second story window. When Bay didn't come to see what was going on, he figured that she was in her studio and turned to head in that direction.
He didn't bother with knocking as he entered her personal space, the two of them had grown beyond such pleasantries. Emmett smiled when he spotted her with her back to him. Bay was hunched over her computer studying something closely. Reaching into his pocket Emmett intended on pulling out his camera to snap a shot of Bay while she worked. Although before his hand could reach what it wanted, his fingertips brushed over the hard velvet box that was stashed there too. He'd been carrying it around for weeks. Emmett had been waiting and waiting for the right time to give it to her. Maybe now was that time. The prospect of it made him nervous.
'Or not,' he thought as Bay stood turning to find him standing behind her, watching as her face went from determined resolve to surprise, only to melt back into resolve, 'Apparently something's up…'
Okay all, please read and review and I'll post Act II as soon as it's finished.