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 2: Christmas Plans and Revelations

Authors Note: 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".

3 HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! 3

"People signing without vocalizing, but will be mouthing all words"

'Thoughts'

"People signing and vocalizing"

Emmett and Bay were sitting and had been talking for quite a while now. Bay had told him more about the boy who had run into her just the other night. She then elaborated on how he had signed and spoke to her after realizing he'd run into a person and not a mailbox. She'd shown him the letter and sat patiently while he read it again and again. Looking up at Bay Emmett, knew that all of this had touched Bay deeply he could practically see a plan coming together in her mind. Considering the places she would have to go to find this boy and his family well Emmett wasn't going to let her go on what could quickly become a misadventure alone.

'This could turn out worse than just a few scrapes on her hands if she's not careful,' was the way his thoughts ran but what he said to her was, "So how are we going to handle this one?" Emmett emphasized the fact that he wasn't going to let her go this one alone.

Bay smiled at him so secure in the knowledge that he would always be there for her no matter what madcap idea came into her head next, "We're going to find him of course."

Here she handed him another piece of lined paper. On it she'd written the name of every family shelter she could find with a Kansas City address. It was a short list so it gave her some small measure of hope. There were at least 15 different locations listed but only 4 of those places looked after whole families. Bay had circled the ones that were closest to where she had first seen the boy.

Bay smiled at him proudly "All these places provide meals that are served by volunteers I was thinking that we could…" "Volunteer and see if you can find him." Emmett finished for her already catching onto her way of thinking.

"Exactly!" It was after that Bay went off giving him a whole spiel about how she already had some volunteer stuff set up starting tomorrow.

Emmett smiled listening to her talk outlining the volunteer schedule for the next few days. Occasionally she struggled with remembering the correct sign for something but he was always able to make sense of it all. Emmett watched as her face flushed with the passion of her conviction. Bay's eyes sparked with a fire and resolve that beckoned him nearer. Never being one to resist such a tempting impulse he leaned into Bay brushing his lips over hers softly while his thumb traced over her cheek. She responded to him her mouth moving against his, his touch banishing all thoughts of timetables and locations from her mind.

Pulling away he smiled at the even more heated appearance of her face, "Has anyone ever told you how irresistible you are when you're crusading?"

Bay looked away from him with a small smile while shaking her head in response. No matter how often he complimented her it always left her feeling thrown. It wasn't something that Bay Kennish was use to getting very much from anyone except from Emmett. It was almost like he wanted to make sure that she knew how much he thought of her. This boy in front of her took every chance he could to remind her how special she is….well in his eyes anyway.

"Well you are," is what he replied with when she finally looked at him directly again.

Bay looked at him like she wanted to say something, "You know Emmett…"

Whatever she was about to say was cut short as Bay looked at something over Emmett's shoulder. Turning around he caught sight of none other than Daphne standing in the doorway. Any and all expression fled from his face, shoulders stiffening when he saw her. Emmett fixed her with a cold glare that Bay couldn't see before turning back to his girlfriend refusing to acknowledge Daphne's existence.

Bay however didn't have the luxury of doing that, "What?"

A brief look of hurt flashed over Daphne's face. She'd known that Emmett had been angry with her earlier but he'd never out and out ignored her before. Apparently she'd done more damage earlier than she had realized. A feeling of abandonment welled up from within her as she tried to ignore it and return her attention to Bay.

"I was sent out to tell you that it's time for dinner and your Mom said to bring Emmett with you." That being said Daphne was gone as quick as she'd come.

Emmett tapped Bay on the knee, "What's going on?"

"Dinner and apparently you're expected inside," Bay shrugged her shoulders and proceeded to lead the way to the dinner table.

Dinner had been an uncomfortable affair to say the least. Emmett had continued to refuse any sort of interaction with Daphne which is what set the tone for the whole meal. In fact Emmett had gone as far as to motion Toby over to sit next to him after settling himself next to Bay all to avoid being closer to her than necessary. This however left Bay stuck sitting between the two of them with her parents, all three of them across from the kids.

'Okay awkward….' Was all Bay could think as she tried to figure out was up with Emmett and Daphne.

With all this tension dinner was a fairly forced affair. Emmett and Toby appeared to be trying to converse about the band. Daphne tried to engage in conversation with Kathryn, John would occasionally interrupt them while he listened intently. Wonder of all wonders was that Regina was actually talking to Bay of all people. She asked Bay about school and when she was less than forthcoming she switched topics. Moving on Regina asked about Bay's art and wanted to know what kind of art she liked. Bay was amazed that she seemed like she truly did really want to know more about her.

The best part was that even though she didn't need to Regina signed and spoke at the same. This small change was Regina's way of aiding Bay in her endeavor to learn the language. Slowly Bay started to speak and sign to, with her biological Mother correcting her subtly as they went. For Bay all the tension just melted away…..it was wonderful.

Of course reality came raining back down only to shatter the stillness of the time Bay was sharing with Regina as dinner drew to a close. With all that reality came a suffocating feeling created by all the clashing emotions around her…well more like the vibes her boyfriend and Daphne were giving off. Next thing she knew everyone was getting up, chairs were being nosily pushed in as wood grated against wood on the floor.

Bay and Daphne stood at the same time and that's when it happened. Ignoring Bay, Daphne walked around her towards Emmett whose back was currently to her while still vainly engaging Toby. Bay watched as she hesitantly tapped him on the shoulder practically bouncing on her heels while she waited for him to turn around. Turning around at first Emmett had a sincerely grateful look on his face as Toby walked away. Once he caught sight that it was Daphne standing behind him his expression went blank on the spot.

Emmett stepped around Daphne like she wasn't even there. Taking Bay's hand he pulled her towards the door without so much as a nod to the room general. Looking over her shoulder Bay saw the crestfallen look on Daphne's face and felt a pang of guilt in her suddenly hollow stomach. She was sure that she was the cause of the normally very close friendship Emmett and Daphne shared sudden and unexpected estrangement. Bay didn't comment on it though and allowed him to lead her out of the house.

Bay didn't say much when he left her standing by his bike only to reappear seconds later with her coat in hand. Taking her jacket from him she slipped it on. Emmett moved away from her mounting his bike and she followed suit grabbing the spare helmet and getting on behind him holding on tightly. She could feel the tension in his body as they pulled out of the driveway not knowing just where he was taking her.

It didn't appear that Emmett had any particular destination in mind because they'd been riding around aimlessly for an hour by now. Bay tightened her grip on her still tense boyfriend trying to offer him some silent comfort with her head resting on his shoulder. The only indication she got that he was still aware of her was when he tipped his head to the side, his helmet bumping hers.

Looking around Bay realized that they were passing Carlton school by for the fourth time tonight. She figured that he'd take a left here just like he'd done before, instead though he surprised her by hanging a right this time. It seemed as if Emmett finally had a destination in mind and Bay was pretty sure that she knew where they were going.

'I was right,' Bay thoughtas they pulled into the graveled lot of a nearby park, their park.

They couldn't actually go in the park because it was closed after dark and they'd already been kicked out by the cops twice before. So instead of heading for the gates after dismounting and removing their helmets the twosome headed over to a small patch of grass that was dimly lit by the very same pathway lights that were used in the park. There was enough light and it was private enough for instances like today.

Tapping Emmett on the shoulder Bay got right to the point, "What's wrong?"

Emmett looked at his girlfriend as she gave him a helpless questioning look, wanting to support him. Though even with an hour long aimless ride he wasn't ready yet, his head just wasn't cleared enough to get into all that. It suddenly dawned on him how he could side step her curiosity.

"You first," Emmett gave her an equally concerned look.

Confusion wafted over Bays face, "Me first? What do you mean me first?"

Emmett tilted his chin down as he gave her an, are you honestly going to ask me that, look, "Last night having me meet you on a street in the city instead of picking you up from the house like we'd planned." Bay gave him a sheepish look, "Come on you said you'd tell me what chased you out of the house."

Bay chewed on her lip, "Do you really want know? Because I guarantee that it was nothing and it probably shouldn't have bothered me…..but it did."

Emmett just stared at her clearly not willing to give any ground on this.

"Fine but I warned you," she huffed and rolled her eyes, "They put up the tree without me, they being Mom and Daphne." Emmett raised his eyebrows at her, "See I told you it wasn't worth bringing up"

Bay attempted to deflect him but Emmett was having none of that, "No, no, no, no, I want to know why this is important to you."

"Because everything's different," Bay took a deep breath trying to gather her thoughts as he waited for her to explain, "We never put up the tree early, Mom's always too busy planning the party. I love putting up that tree but party planning always and I mean always came first. So what we ended up doing is Christmas Eve morning the day of the party…well since everything was planned by then and set in motion that's when the tree was put up," Bay had to resist urge to start pacing while her rant continued to pick up steam, "and it was sort of just a me and Mom thing. Dad and Toby would get everything ready the night before and the two of us would get up early and spend all morning on it. This time though not only was it done differently but no one bothered to include me." Bay looked at Emmett just daring him to comment on how childish that sounded.

Emmett looked at his now fidgeting girlfriend taking in what she'd just told him. Truth was if this had happened six months ago he would have told her that it wasn't that big of a deal; however an Emmett that is six months older is also six months wiser. He understood how she felt with the divorce and everything it didn't really feel like Christmas at his house this year either. Mom tried to keep things the same, Dad was even coming around more, with the switch things he would do with Daphne weren't being done. Nothing was how it should be this year, his family was breaking apart and Bay's was trying to come together so he could get her frustration. He was glad though that in the midst of all the chaos he had Bay and they could take this time of change to make their own Christmas traditions together.

With all this in mind instead of commenting on the validity of her hurt he asked, "Did you tell anyone how you felt?"

Bay gave him a sideways look, "Uh no….I kind of just left."

"You need to tell them,' Emmett pressed, "If you don't and you let this build we both know what's going to happen." Emmett mimed a massive and impressive looking explosion.

"I know…." Sometimes it shocked Bay how well he understood her, "So what about you? You know what was up with me, so explain the scenic tour of the city we just took and why you all but carried me out of the house."

Now it was Emmett's turn to try and gather his thoughts while Bay waited to hear what he had to say about his….odd behavior. He wasn't quite sure how to put it. How do you tell your girlfriend that your best friend who is also a girl just asked about his sex life, add to that his best friend had accused Bay of being a whore. This was all compounded by the fact that a few weeks ago Emmett had kissed Daphne…..he had yet to tell Bay about that little transgression and he wasn't sure that now was the best time to go there.

Since the direct approach was probably best, "Daphne came over earlier today and asked if we had been….if we were having sex." He wasn't entirely sure if she knew that last sign but he was hoping so when Bay looked away her face red and embarrassed he couldn't help but smile with amusement, 'Guess I got my answer.'

'I knew this was all my fault,' Bay thought with a fair amount of guilt and dejection as she looked away and then back at Emmett. "Really...any idea what gave her that impression?" the amusement she noted on his face was something she found really confusing and not at all what she expected.

"I was hoping that you could tell me." Emmett replied flatly even though he was unable to keep the mirth from showing in his eyes.

"That I could tell you?" When Emmett merely nodded to her Bay knew she'd understood him correctly, "Well I might know a thing or two about that…" she was clearly nervous almost squirming under his gaze. "Well as it turns out Daphne saw you dropping me off last night at my door. After you left she decided…."

Bay went on to explain how Daphne had barged in unannounced into her personal space. That after seeing the mark Emmett had left on her neck Daphne had started in about how she hoped that the couple was using protection. Blushing Bay also told Emmett about how unfortunate Daphne thought it would be if he were to father a child with her because his Mother would never approve after all.

"So I didn't exactly tell her that we had been together like..…that. I just told her that we were always responsible which we are," Bay wasn't sure if she should mention this part but in the name of honesty she threw it out there anyways, "Then I gave her a box of condoms for her and Wilkie…." Bay trailed off not sure what to add after that.

On one hand Emmett was thoroughly entertained by the idea that a very honest statement from Bay is what had completely sent Daphne off the deep end earlier today. Darker thoughts overshadowed any light hearted feelings as he realized something else too. Daphne hadn't just come pounding on Emmett's door defacing Bay's morals but Daphne had done it to her face as well. Suddenly he found himself angry at her for a whole new reason and couldn't help but wonder just how long had Daphne been sniping at Bay for no good reason.

A much more confusing thought ran through his mind and blocked out all else, 'Did Bay say that she gave Daphne condoms?' Looking back at Bay he made eye contact wanting to make sure he'd understood her correctly, "You gave Daphne condoms?" Bay only turned a darker shade of red, 'Okay that answers that question,' looking at Bay silhouetted by the soft park lights he couldn't help but wonder, 'has she got any more condoms at home?'

Bay watched as Emmett became lost in his thoughts his stance stiffening somewhat. Now that the whole condom thing was out in the open she wondered if now would be a good time to bring up the rest of the conversation she'd been planning on having with him. Just the thought of such an intimate talk with him had desire rushing through her. Walking closer to him Bay tapped him on the shoulder.

The look Emmett gave her was so heated she had to swallow the sigh catching in her throat and try to keep her hands from shaking, "That's something I actually wanted to talk to you about, not Daphne I mean," Bay rushed on not sure how best to approach this subject, "but about protection and us, us using protection and…." Bay trailed off as she could feel the urge to ramble building within her.

She wanted to get her point across without sounding like a head case so she did the first thing that came to mind. This was one of those rare occasions where Bay decided to take control reaching up she pulled Emmett down to her kissing him passionately pouring all her need into him. Taking one of his hands in hers she guided it inside her jacket to her breast. Bay moaned against his lips feeling him cup her flesh his thumb grazing her nipple through the flimsy shirt she wore. His other arm came around her waist pulling her lower body against his. Her arms slipped around him pressing herself up against Emmett until she felt him stiffen against her.

Breaking the kiss Bay made sure she had Emmett's attention before raising one shaky hand to say, "I want you….all of you."

Emmett was shaking as he looked down at her as the meaning of her signs sinking in for him. Reaching down he took her back in his arms kissing her passionately. He let his hands roam freely over her body as Bay responded to his every touch. He could feel the vibrations as she made a sound of pleasure against his mouth. Even feel the heat that started to radiate from her a heat he wanted to wrap himself in completely. Emmett knew that he couldn't though.

'I can't, I can't, not like this,' He pulled away abruptly leaving a panting Bay standing behind him running frustrated fingers through his hair.

Bay stood behind him as if she'd been stunned. She couldn't understand why he was trying to pull away. Especially considering the she'd just offered herself to him and then he just walked away. It was getting colder now that her boyfriend was no longer holding her. After buttoning her coat back up she walked over to him wrapping her arms around his waist leaning against him wondering what was wrong.

Emmett felt Bay's arms circle his waist and he breathed out the tension with the help of her touch. He wanted her so badly but he knew that this wasn't the time for it and not even close to the right place. Then there was the problem of the kiss. He knew that he wouldn't touch her like that until she knew or he'd never forgive himself. Emmett knew that he would have to face her sooner or later.

So he turned around in her arms and smiled at her as reassuringly as he could, "I'm sorry for pulling away."

"What's wrong?" Bay gave him a bewildered look.

Emmett just looked down into her pale angelic face and the words stuck on his hands. How could he just tell her? Was now even the right time? No it wasn't, with the way things were going with her family it probably was not the ideal time to spring this on her.

"Nothing's wrong," when Bay gave him skeptical look he continued to insist that everything was fine, "I just don't want the first time I really touch you to be out in the open like this where anyone can see. I want it to be special because your special and most definitely worth waiting on."

A smile twitched slowly onto Bay's face as he watched the tension just drain out of her, "Really?"

"Yes really." Emmett marveled at the trust sparkling in her eyes and it was almost too much for him.

The wind kicked up and Bay shivered in his arms. A flush touched her face that had nothing to do with him holding her. The night was turning colder and he'd already kept her out for what felt like hours now. He could see the tiredness tugging at her features as they stood enjoying the silence and swirl of the night air.

Leaning down his lips covered hers in a chaste touch before pulling away, "Let's get you home alright?"

Bay swallowed hard she didn't want to go home because she knew what going home would mean. She knew that Emmett would go home and she would be forced to spend the night in the garage since her room was probably still overrun with cast off's. He was right though she was getting chilly so she had no choice but to concede.

"Yeah you're probably right." She gave him a sad smile before pulling out of his arms and walking towards the bike.

He trailed after noticing a considerable lack of spring to her step. Once they got to his bike Emmett gave her a questioning gaze but she ignored it and instead focused her attention to putting on the spare helmet. He knew that Bay had shared with him all that she was comfortable sharing for now. So he put on his helmet the two got on the motorcycle. Bay snuggled up to him as they rode feeling secure as long as he was near she knew that she couldn't really be hurt.

Emmett tried to make the ride drag on as long as he could. The truth was they really weren't that far from her home. So he circled the block a few times feeling the tension that radiated from Bay behind him. He finally pulled into the driveway idling to a stop. She still held onto him refusing to let go she didn't want him to leave.

Slowly reluctantly she loosened her grip on him and slid off the bike. Emmett followed suit standing to face her. Bay looked so tired. He took her hand moving to lead her in the direction of the main house but surprisingly she tugged him in the other direction. Wordlessly she pulled him into her studio with her.

The garage was still toasty warm from earlier since she hadn't gotten the chance to turn the space heaters off earlier. After Emmett shut the door behind him she pulled him to her. His lips locked with Bay's in a heated caress. Even with him barely touching her Emmett made her burn like no other.

Reaching up she pushed his jacket off his shoulders letting it fall to the ground. His hands came between them trying to work the buttons on her jacket. After only getting a few Emmett got frustrated just pulling her coat open sending buttons flying. There was a reason that he shouldn't being doing this with her. He just couldn't think straight with her arms around him her body pressing against his.

Bay pulled Emmett back towards the couch wanting him so desperately to take what she'd offered earlier. She needed to feel him to know he was there with her. She just didn't want him to leave. His lips were on her neck making her gasp and whimper as she fell back on the couch taking him with her. The feel of his weight pressing against her was delicious and she shivered.

Emmett's hands moved down her sides holding her waist trying to keep his weight from crushing her. Bay only held onto him even tighter her hands moving over his back. Her touch, the feel of her beneath him wanting him offering herself made him so hard and ready to take it. He pulled away abruptly feeling frustration race through him.

He stared down at the girl panting beneath him any guy would call him crazy for wanting to turn her down, 'But she doesn't know and I can't tell her now.' Emmett looked down at her one last time before groaning internally and lifting himself off of her and the couch, 'I must be outta my mind.'

Bay felt rejected…..again, "What? What is it this time?"

"Earlier when I said it wasn't the right place I meant that tonight is not the right time either," Bay gave him an annoyed look, "Especially since something is bothering you."

"What…uh nothing is wrong with me. What would even make you think that?" Bay was simmering again but this time it had nothing to do with anything below the belt.

Emmett gave Bay a pointed look laced with concern, "Because you've never jumped on me without so much as a word before. In fact I'm normally the one coming at you without warning."

"I did not jump on you," Bay looked thoroughly taken aback by the accusation.

Emmett was amused by the look of indignation on her face, "Oh really?"

Bay pinkened just a little bit under his gaze, "Okay maybe a little bit."

"It's okay I liked it," Emmett sat down next her after she pulled herself to a sitting position, "Now what's really bothering you."

"I…..I don't want you to leave yet," Bay suddenly felt like a pleading child.

'Is that all?' He grinned at her, "That's not a problem I can stay a little longer."

"Actually I kinda want you to stay more than a little longer," Bay looked down almost afraid that he'd turn her down, "Could, would you want to stay for the night…to sleep just to sleep."

'Wow Christmas morning came a week early,' Emmett looked at her he could see loneliness and need pooling in her eyes it made his heart ache, "Yeah I can stay I want to stay." With that he leaned over kissing her forehead.

Bay relished the thought that he would be here with her, holding her and it spurred her into action, "Okay then I'm gonna change into something that I can sleep in."

Bay went running to the other side of the garage throwing open the lid of an old trunk. It was filled with almost anything she could need for long days and nights spent in her studio. She picked out a few things and a blanket before walking back over him. A nervous smile was plastered on her face. Emmett seemed thoroughly amused by the whole situation.

"Here…um I found a pair of sweatpants Toby must have left lying around at some point," She blushed a bit handing him the pants, "I'm just gonna change."

"You want me to turn around or I could always…." Emmett questioned cheekily leaving the idea to hang in the air.

Just like that the tension was broken as laughter came bubbling out, "Oh No, I offered you a free show earlier and you turned me down. Now you're just going to have to wait till you've earned it."

A look of mock hurt flashed across his face as he held his hands to his chest as if her words of denial had wounded him.

Bay just rolled her eyes at him, "You are not cute," 'You're HOT….but I'm not telling you that.'

Stepping away from him she situated two of her tallest easels a few feet apart. Picking up a paint splattered drop sheet she placed it over them creating a makeshift barrier. She swallowed hard thinking about the fact that Emmett was only feet from her as she started to shed her clothing. Then she heard the rustle of cloth behind her. Bay's heart rate doubled jumping in her chest realizing that Emmett was doing the same thing. She could see the outline of him as he took off his shirt his arms reaching above the sheet.

'Oh God, oh God. Don't look, don't look and don't think about it just focus on getting dressed,' she did her level best to do just that.

Emmett smiled watching his feisty Bay disappear behind the sheet. It was when he realized that he could see her slender silhouette through the thin divider that his throat went dry. He couldn't help but watch as her clothes fell to the floor. He felt his body get hot and hard realizing that she was only feet away from him naked or pretty close to it. He wanted her but he couldn't have her, not yet. Emmett managed to tear his gaze from the sight of her movements and focus on changing his own cloths. He decided to forgo his shirt just so he could play with her a little bit.

Once he was finished he tapped on the sheet gently to let Bay know. Apparently she got the meaning of his action because next thing he knew the sheet was in a pile on the floor and Bay was standing before him wearing yoga pants and a tank top. Bay was giving him a shocked smile. Her eyes had instantly been drawn to his chest. Bay was starting to wonder if a sleepover was the best idea as she felt things low in her body tighten and respond warmth flooding her body.

'Oh my…..that's nice…that's more than nice,' that's when she noticed how he radiated smugness enjoying the fact that she was staring, 'Okay Bay time to stop drooling and put your eyes back in your head.' Licking her lips she finally said what was probably the most obvious thing ever, "So you decided not to wear a shirt."

"Was that a bad choice?" He asked clearly pleased by the fact that her eyes kept being drawn back to his chest.

He walked towards her as she answered, "No not a bad choice…..it was a good…uh surprising choice." Bay was mortified by her reactions, 'Great Bay just great now he's gonna think you're a prude or something.'

Emmett cradled her jaw in his hands kissing her gently, "Just breathe."

Bay nodded to him that simple phrase seeming to set something in motion. Emmett grabbed the blanket heading back over to the couch. While Bay fiddled with the heaters so it wouldn't get too hot during the night. Looking over her shoulder she could tell that he was comfortable and just waiting on her. She smiled nervously again before walking over to the light switch. With one flick the studio went dark. Bay slowly worked her way back over to where he was not wanting to trip over anything.

When Bay was close enough and he could sense her Emmett reached out placing his hands on her waist trying to guide her. Bay stiffened at first feeling him touch her in the dark. She shivered against his hands when she finally relaxed. Slowly he pulled her down with him. His arms slid easily around her lithe frame as she followed his lead

Bay curled up with him nestled against his chest. The thump, thump of his heart was a soothing balm for her nerves. Emmett reached down picking the blanket up and pulling it over them. She shifted lower tucking her head under his chin that's when she felt it. Bay could feel his hardened length pressing against the pants he wore into her soft stomach. She didn't react she just waited for the situation to start feeling weird but it didn't. Oddly enough what should have been awkward was as natural to her as breathing. Sleep tugged at her relentlessly letting her eyes close Bay smiled against his skin.

After covering them up Emmett held Bay loosely in his embrace still reveling in the fact that this was even happening. Whether they did anything or not didn't matter. All that mattered was she trusted him enough to not press it and just be together. The feeling of her pressed against him was a blessing and a curse as he felt his body react to all her heat, softness and nearness. It was when she shifted lower that he froze knowing that she could definitely feel him now. He waited with baited breath for her reaction. She didn't freak out; if anything she relaxed even more into him contentment radiating from her.

'I'll never let anything like that kiss happen ever again,' Emmett kissed the top of her head letting the feeling of her even breathing against his skin lull him to sleep.

Yeah I know this was only supposed to be two parts but the plot bunnies got together and plotted against me. So there's more where this came from and it's coming your way.