NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: OOPS! This WAS supposed to be a one shot, but it's become bigger than I had expected. BTW, I do plan to write a Jedam m-preg in the future, but I have a few things in the pipeline that I want to write down first.
Chapter Two
"So, Jay, do you and Evan have a ring and a date yet?" Anna asked as she, Evan, and Jay sat at a card table downstairs in Mark and Stephanie's rumpus room eating dinner. The rumpus room was big and spacious, with big comfy furniture, a big-screen TV, and a pool table in the middle of it all.
Dinner was a casual relaxed affair with a fantastic spread. There was KFC chicken and barbecued brisket and slices of roast turkey breast. There were salads and potatoes and baked beans and chips and veggies with dip (John Morrison supplied the veggies and dip, which surprisingly, went quickly). There were cheese cubes and fruit and Jell-O and a sheet cake with whipped cream frosting, as well as Anna's pumpkin gingerbread trifle (which earned Anna some raves, as well as requests for the recipe). It was the perfect demonstration of Southern hospitality.
"Well, I have a ring," Evan beamed, showing a simple white gold band with channel set diamonds and an aquamarine in the center. "But we don't have a date yet."
Anna sipped at her Diet Pepsi as she admired Evan's engagement ring. "Well, to do this properly, you need at least nine months of preparation."
"Nine months?" Jay cocked his head and set his beer down. "We're planning a wedding, not a childbirth."
"It's kinda like a birth," Anna pointed out. "It's the start of a whole new life together-"
Anna's spiel was interrupted when a big hand lay on her shoulder. She glanced up. "Mark, hi!"
"Glad you could make it," he smiled. "I have to kiss you now, right?" he asked, referring to the mistletoe.
"You can if you want," Anna smirked.
"Well, I'm already married, and Steph would throw a fit if I kissed another woman, so..." Mark set a blue gift bag down in front of his guest. "Here's the next best thing. Merry Christmas," he said before he headed back upstairs.
"Thanks. How cute!" Anna showed her friends the bag and lifted out the silver box with the giant Hershey's kiss inside. "Now I need some peanut butter so I can eat this properly."
"Peanut butter?" Jay shook his head. "Anna, you've filled your plate like three times already, and you're still talking food? Where do you put it all?"
"Hollow legs." Anna put her gift back in the bag. "Hey, Guys. I need you to help me with something."
"Sure."
"I'm trying to find Bradshaw so I can get a kiss from him. That's why I'm wearing this," Anna explained, pointing to her headband. "Legend says that you have to get kissed when you stand under this."
"So that's what the mistletoe's for. I thought it was part of the outfit."
Evan smacked his fiancée on the arm. "There's a reason why you hang mistletoe during the holidays!" he spat. "And it's not necessarily for aesthetic reasons."
Anna bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at Jay's cluelessness. "Anyway, I need you to be on the lookout for him. We have each other's cell numbers, right?"
"Sure, yeah," Jay and Evan answered back.
"Well, if you'd be so kind, would you fire off a text to me if you see him."
"Consider it done," Jay smiled.
"Thanks. I appreciate it, guys. You know what he looks like, right?"
"Yeah," Evan answered. "He's not hard to miss."
"Yeah. Big tall strapping guy, longish dark hair, goatee." Anna sighed, her eyes suddenly becoming starry. "He's got the cutest smile, and an awesome laugh. And these big hands that'll make you feel so safe-"
"That's not the only big thing about him. You see his feet? His feet are almost as big as Mark's! That guy is massive."
"Of course he's massive. He played football in college. Right tackle."
"How'd he wind up in North Carolina?"
"How should I know? I haven't asked him," Anna fired back, slightly annoyed. "Anyway, find him, text me. Simple as that. Capiche?"
"Capiche, loud and clear," Jay answered as they all got up from the table. "Hey, Anna. You know what they say about guys with big hands and big feet and big ears, right?"
Anna snorted. "Well, if the answer's what I think it is, he'd better be packing, 'cuz that's gonna be one goofy looking guy! Now go!"
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
"Anna, we need the bathroom. Come on!" Miz complained as he knocked on the bathroom door.
"I'm almost finished. Don't get your underwear in a bunch!" Anna fluffed out her blonde curls, spritzed her bangs with some hairspray and nodded at her reflection in the mirror. It was three hours into the party, and she was pleased at how well her makeup was holding up. "And there's a bathroom downstairs. Go use that one."
"But there's a line!"
"Ugghh! Gimme another minute." Anna fumbled through her wristlet for her lip gloss. "I could have sworn I brought that," she said to herself. "Maybe I dropped it in the car." Luckily, she still had her lipstick, and that was peppermint flavor as well. It drove her friends crazy, but Anna refused to wear any lip color that wasn't peppermint flavored. She was just really picky like that.
After touching up her lips and re-powdering her nose, Anna opened the bathroom door. "Okay. I'm done!" she announced, stepping out. "Knock yourself—" Before she could say more, Miz grabbed her shoulders and gave her a cheeky smile before planting a big wet one on the cheek. "Aack! You colossal sneak!"
"What did you expect?" Miz smirked, as Anna shook her head and laughed. "You loved it and you know it."
"If you were anyone else but you, Mizzie, I'd slug you in the jaw." If Miz didn't tease you, it meant you weren't his friend, simple as that. If you were his friend, he'd step in front of a bullet for you and razz you endlessly. "Now, do you really need the bathroom?"
"Actually, I do."
"Don't let me stop you then." Anna fired back as she wove her way down the hallway.
So far, the mistletoe headband was working well. Too well, as a matter of fact. After instructing Jay and Evan to text her if they saw Bradshaw, Anna had been kissed by almost every available guy, not to mention a couple of available girls, at the party. Luckily, they weren't gross or sloppy kisses, just polite, friendly pecks on the cheek for the most part. Anna was rather flattered by all the attention, but it wasn't coming from the one guy she wanted it from.
Anna's cell phone chimed, signaling a text. She pulled her phone out of her jeans pocket and glanced at the screen. Bradshaw's in the shed where Mark does his prefab work. Go get 'em! Luv, Jay:)
"Yes!" Anna gave a small fist pump in triumph and headed out the backdoor.
Shivering and rubbing her arms, Anna made her way to the prefab shed. Lights were on, and she could hear conversation inside. She knocked first before opening the door and walking inside. "Hi, Guys!"
Mark, Farooq, and Shannon looked up from the table where some drawings were laid out. Farooq was the first one to speak. "Hey, how's the party?"
"Good, so far. I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Anna stepped inside.
"Oh, no." Mark smiled. "I'm just showing the guys here some new designs I've been commissioned to build. You're welcome to take a look if you want."
"It's freezing out there," Anna complained, as she gazed at the drawings. "I like these. The wheel designs look dangerous, though," she critiqued, gently. "Like they could gut someone if you're not careful."
"They're not gonna be sharp or anything," Shannon pointed out. "But they'll look amazing once they're built. And check out the designs on the fuel tank."
"Me likey. Me likey very much."
"That design is my creation, believe it or not."
Anna whistled softly. "I believe it. You ever thought of doing bike designs like this as a second career?"
"This is gonna be my first. If this bike goes over well, then I'll do more of these."
"They're really good." Anna paused. "Ummm, you guys haven't seen Bradshaw anywhere, have you?" She didn't want to be too direct because she didn't want to come across as being too desperate.
"Last time I saw him, he was going to the house for a beer," Farooq said. "Oh, by the way…" He kissed Anna on the cheek. "I missed you earlier."
Anna laughed. "I'll go inside, too. Thanks for showing me your work."
Anna shivered as she got back inside the house. Her eyes scanned the kitchen, only to find that Bradshaw wasn't there. "Rats," she sighed, deciding that she needed to take a break. A cup of hot cider sounded appealing at the moment, Anna poured herself a cup. She was adding a cinnamon stick when she noticed an athletic looking woman approach her. "Hi, Nattie."
"Hey, haven't seen you in a while, Stranger. What's up."
"Nothing much. Enjoying the party?" Anna noticed that Nattie was swaying a little. Must have hit the eggnog a little too hard, she thought.
"It's been fun so far..." Nattie's words trailed off when she noticed the headband. "You don't mind, do you."
"Uh...go for it, I guess."
Nattie went to kiss Anna, and it looked as she were aiming for Anna's lips. However, Anna turned at the last second, and Nattie wound up kissing her on the cheek instead. Yup, Anna thought, smelling the alcohol on Nattie's breath. A little too much to drink. She began scanning the kitchen—subtly—for the nearest exit.
"Hey, listen...uh...I was wondering if may you and me and Beth could get together sometime and maybe...uhmmm...uhm, hang out."
Anna took a sip of her hot cider. "Well, it depends on what you guys mean by hanging out."
Nattie blushed. "Well, uh, what I meant was, well..."
"Nattie, there you are!"
Nattie glanced over her shoulder to see Beth standing in front of her. "Beth, hi!"
"Come on, Nat, you've had too much to drink," Beth ushered her girlfriend away from Anna and towards the living room. "I'm cutting you off. Anna, I'm so sorry. Nat's a bit out of it."
"Awww, but I like Anna." Nattie moaned as she leaned on her girlfriend's shoulder.
"I do too, but she's straight," Beth admonished, as she led her inebriated girlfriend out of the kitchen, casting an apologetic look over her shoulder on the way out.
Anna scratched her head. "Did I just get propositioned?" she wondered out loud before drinking her hot cider.
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
While Anna was busy chasing Bradshaw down, Phil had found his boyfriend, and the two of them were curled up on the loveseat in the living room, almost oblivious to the revelry around them.
"I wonder if Mark and Stephanie will let us stay the night."
"Maybe," purred John Morrison (JoMo to everyone) as he rested his head on Phil's shoulder. "I can't get enough of you, Philly."
"I kinda doubt it though, about staying the night," Phil answered him, his hand slipping underneath JoMo's shirt. "Anna and I drove here in the Suburban. Knowing Mark or Stephanie, they'll probably ask us to drive home anyone who's had too much to drink."
"Naah. I heard her say that she'll be happy to let anyone stay over if they don't wanna drive home," JoMo said, before he and Phil drew close for yet another makeout session. "Mmmm. Your lips taste so yummy."
"I have a confession."
"What's that?"
"I borrowed Anna's candy cane lip gloss."
"So that's what happened to it!"
Phil and JoMo glanced up at Anna, who stood in front of the loveseat with her hand out. A knowing expression was on her face. "I was looking for it earlier and I thought I left it in the car." She paused, and then gestured with her fingers. "Give it back, Phil."
"Alright, here. " Phil plunked the tube of lip gloss into Anna's outstretched hand. "Killjoy. And don't freak. I used a q-tip to put it on."
"Next time, ask me please. And why don't you guys get a room or something?"
"Hey, I thought you said seeing two hot guys make out was a turn-on for you," Phil exclaimed, with a smile.
"I thought you liked to watch," JoMo added.
"Not in front of everyone! Hey, have either of you seen Bradshaw around?"
"Last time I saw him, he was getting a beer from the fridge."
"I looked there, and he wasn't around. Can you guys help me chase him down? He's like Houdini. Now you see him, and now you don't."
"Sorry, but we're a little occupied at the moment."
"You guys are no help!"
"Hey, I got you the headband, didn't I?"
Anna made a high-pitched whining noise and stomped her foot before stalking off in frustration. The night, which had started off with so much promise, was turning into a bust. Bradshaw was nowhere to be found, and Anna felt like giving up.
Might as well take this headband off and call it a night, she thought sadly, just as her cell phone rang again. This time, it was a message from Evan. Bradshaw's downstairs playing pool.
Anna squealed and texted back, Stall him!Ask him if I can join in.
Done and done, Evan texted her in reply. Jay's joined in on the festivities, and he's a sucky player. Now get down here!
Anna checked herself out in the bathroom mirror before high-tailing it downstairs.
~~~MKMKMKMK~~~
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: If the dialog between Jay and Evan sounds a lot familiar, it's from my story Southern Comfort With A Twist, my take of the movie Out At The Wedding. It just struck me that Jay and Evan should be engaged in this one. Maybe there's a recurring theme in the stuff I write. Starting new lives together, a new family, a new romance...hmmm.
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