Context: The night Jamie realizes just how much Cathy means to him.

(Written by Gina)


Leaves Tend to Change in the Autumn (Halloween) - Part I

Fall, in his opinion, had to be one of – if not the – best of the four seasons. It wasn't freezing cold, it wasn't scorching hot. It was perfect cuddle weather, perfect tea weather, perfect stay inside and watch movies weather. Perfect invite-a-bunch-of-your-friends-over-your-new-beautiful-flat-on-Halloween-to-celebrate-stuff weather.

While Cathy was more concerned with trying to get his flat presentable, what with the minor mess he had created already, he was in a fold-up chair by the island table that came with the flat (although, his chair was so low that he could just barely see over it), looking at catalogs and checking online for nice furniture to make his new soon-to-be-even-more-gorgeous-and-perfect home more comfortable.

Cathy had very generously offered to come over and help him look through the magazines and surf the web in search of the "perfect coffee table". She usually ended up doing most of the design work, as Jamie really spent most of his time hyperactively interrupting her and pointing to some couch with a dome that was way too expensive and had a pattern that didn't at all match that of the vibrating chair that stuck to the wall or the TV that was too large to even fit on the ceiling that he had also picked out. Cathy should have suspect as much, as most of her boyfriend's Google searches today had been things like "crazy awesome yet comfortable beds" or "epic furniture pieces that defy the laws of physics".

But, even then, Cathy had a bit of trouble choosing between paint colors, or throw pillows, or wall designs. And Jamie had some good ideas himself – even if most of his better choices were his more unenthusiastic ones – and they simply couldn't decide on some things. They decided, perhaps, another opinion would be useful in making their decision. Or maybe even two. Or seven.

"Jamie, get your feet off the wall of the table, you're going to leave a smudge."

He made a noise of dissatisfaction and took his eyes off the king-sized waterbed on page 8. "It's not my fault this chair is so low and I have nowhere to put my legs." But he complied and crossed his legs in front of him on the floor, putting the catalog down and stretching his arms. "Besides, it's only 3:45, yeah? They shouldn't be gettin' here 'till 'bout 5:30." He yawned and closed his eyes.

Cathy sighed and went to the living room, which branched right from the kitchen, so she could watch her boyfriend's peaceful form. She sat on the new couch they had gotten together yesterday. It was really one of the few things they actually agreed on buying, other than a few toiletries, the refrigerator and a little coffee table from Stuart's mom's house. (Which reminded her that they still needed polish that and, at the thought, she sighed again, rubbing at her temple.)

The fabric of the couch was soft and comfy and she sank right into a cozy position the second she sat down. She folded her arms and stared at the ceiling. "There's still stuff to be done."

"Cathy–"

"I could be sweeping up–"

"Sweetheart, you don't have to–"

"Oh, maybe I should go water that fern–"

"Cathy, you need to just relax!" Jamie laughed, lifting himself from his chair and heading over to sit next to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her to his chest. "You watered that fern two minutes ago, okay, you're spoiling it. I don't want it to get snobby."

Cathy sighed and relaxed into Jamie's arms, putting her cheek to his shoulder. He brushed some hair from her face and she sighed. "I don't know what's up with me lately," she admitted. "I feel fidgety, like there's so much work to be done around here – around everywhere – even Emma thinks so. She says it's like I'm turning into one of those old ladies that's always trying to give hard candies to her grandchildren."

"Oh my God, you're becoming my mother."

"Jamie–"

"Have you been experiencing pains in your hip?"

"Jamie–"

"The urge to nag?"

"James."

"Must we perform an exorcism?"

Cathy giggled at him and kissed him quickly, cutting off his sentence and shushing him. "I think these furniture catalogs are messing with your brain," she joked. "You need to get outside in the fresh air instead of inhaling all this 'new flat smell'."

He stuck his tongue out at her and she laughed again. He watched her with a smile as she brought her head back to his chest before peering up at him. She gave him a little teasing look and poked him playfully in the stomach.

"What is it, Bradley? Never seen a girl laugh before?"

His smile changed to a smirk and she knew what he was going to do before he even moved. He took her face in his hands and kissed her in such a passionate way that she found her mind dizzying and her arms around his neck with her hands finding their way to his hair. But, as always, she had to have some reminder that he was still Jamie Bradley, and that reminder came in the form of a pinch on her bottom which made her jump and let out a squeaking noise. She separated from him and shoved him lightly on the shoulder while he grinned cheekily.

"Cocky little bastard," she murmured, folding her arms.

Jamie laughed and kissed her temple lovingly, but she nudged away from him, hiding her blush and small smile. Noticing he'd gone a little too far, Jamie resulted to pouting and apologizing in an attempt to get another kiss. After a small while of reasoning, they came to the agreement of cuddling. They remained in silence, and he listened as her breathing calmed as she seemed to be dozing off. He closed his eyes for a split second until Cathy spoke suddenly.

"You know what we should watch?" she asked. She sounded so peaceful and serene and Jamie couldn't help but smile at how relaxed he could make her. He felt proud of himself.

"What's that?" he asked back.

"The Corpse Bride." She grinned.

His own smile grew and he shrugged his shoulders, checking the clock. "We got time."

"So can we?"

"Yeah, totally."

Cathy beamed triumphantly and grabbed him by the arm. "The TV's in your room, c'mon!" She started dragging him out of the living room and he laughed.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Let me just make us some tea first, I'll meet you there."

Jamie turned towards the kitchen but stopped in the entrance in time to see her toddle away. He shook his head and chuckled. It was quite a pleasant change having Cathy be the childish one for once. It was nice.

He opened a small cupboard by the refrigerator, which was mostly empty save one box.

"Gee, so many choices."

He looked around the rest of the kitchen and then at the rest of the empty flat. He really needed to get a move on with this furniture and designing thing. He stared back into the cabinet and sighed.

"Decisions, decisions." He removed the box and set it on the island table and began to prepare two warm cups of tea. After all, he did only have one season of the perfect cuddling, tea drinking weather.


Cathy yawned and sat up, immediately stretching her arms until she hit an unknown stubble-covered obstacle with her left hand. The obstacle just so happened to be her boyfriend's face, who grabbed her wrist with his own left hand.

"Ouch. You could just tell me to leave, no need for violence."

She giggled, kissing Jamie's cheek and running her right hand – her other wrist and hand were still wrapped in Jamie's larger one – through his hair, lightly massaging his scalp. He smiled tiredly and kissed her wrist, causing both of their smiles to widen.

She yawned again and her eye caught the TV screen, muted and playing the selection menu of their movie. She must've dozed off after they'd finished it, though she vaguely remembered instructing Jamie not to allow her to do so, since she wanted to be wide awake when everyone started to pile in for their little party.

She looked up at Jamie, who looked like he was dozing off himself, and realized she still had her hand in his hair and her chin on his shoulder. She dropped her hand to his arm and he opened one eye at her, smiling. She smiled back before turning over so she could face the side table, picking up Jamie's phone to check the time.

5:32.

Shit! They should be here any minute now!

She glanced back at her boyfriend, who was scratching along his jaw. She saw that they were on their sides, snuggled against each other. A thought of mild revenge came to her mind, and she smirked slyly feeling devious, oh so devious.

Cathy must've been making a questionably smug expression, for Jamie raised a curious eyebrow and smiled lopsidedly at her. In response, she bit her lip and leaned in close enough so their lips were almost touching. He responded instantaneously, taking her in his arms and giving her the familiar smirk and pleasant half-lidded eyes she usually saw right before they kissed.

She moved her hand up and down his arm and then to his back and sighed in contentment, closing her eyes. They were so close to one another that their lips brushed as she whispered, "Jamie?" She took the collar of his shirt between her fingers and smiled.

She felt his smirk grow against her mouth. "Yeah?"

And not even a second after their lips touched Jamie jumped nearly an inch, separating, and she grinned cheekily at him. "You're a little shit."

"Ouch!" Jamie rubbed once at his backside, before seizing his girlfriend's wrist once again. "What was that for?"

She laughed and kissed him swiftly. "For not waking me up," she said simply before kissing him again a little longer. "And for being a little shit. Which you are."

He pouted like an eight year old, releasing Cathy's wrist and folding his arms. "You're mean."

She laughed again, kissing him for a third time, just as the sounds of knocking rang through the flat and into Jamie's bedroom. Cathy got up immediately, dashing straight out the door and into the living room. Jamie followed her, folding his arms, just as Cathy grabbed a mop and got to work on a stain that just refused to come out of the hardwood floor.

"Do you want me to get the–" he began to ask, just as Cathy cut him off.

"Jamie, could you get the door for me real quick?"

"Sure, but I think the floor is clean enough–"

"I think it's Denise and Rodney, I hear the puppy scratching."

"Hun, we can just buy a nice rug–"

"Jamie, the door!"

"Cathy, you're going to take the finish off the tiles–"

The knocking on the door sounded again, and Jamie threw his hand up in forfeit, heading towards the door. Cathy must've given up as well, as she threw the cheap mop back into the closet, sitting herself on the couch. The clattering of the mop caused him to turn. Cathy looked up at him with innocent eyes and he grinned, and her expression changed to mild confusion.

"Well, are you gonna get a move on then, they don't have keys!"

Jamie sighed, smiling and rolling his eyes playfully, turning the knob.

Like all dogs that have just spotted a human being, Denise's puppy was the first to enter, frantically wagging her little tail and jumping at Jamie's legs. He laughed, scratching behind her ears while she struggled to keep her tiny body balanced in a standing position.

"Oh, don't worry by the way!" Denise assured. "She's house broken!"

Jamie laughed, shaking his head nonchalantly. "Hey Denise. Rodney," he said, still petting the little wiener dog, whose pink tongue was stuck out of her mouth.

"Hi there, Jamie," Denise greeted. "Great to see ya!" She took of one of her mittens and pulled Jamie into a hug. Rodney smiled to him, and he returned it, allowing them into the house.

Denise shivered, hesitantly removing her heavy coat and scarf, and rubbing her arms up and down as she entered the flat. "It's freezing out there!" She shivered again before shifting her attention to the living room. "Oh, wow," she awed. "This is a nice place you got!"

"Yeah, I was lucky! Nice pricing, too, just within my range." Jamie placed a hand on the small table by the door. "Perfect, right?"

Rodney nodded, grinning. "How did you find this?"

"Well, Cathy was really the one who found it."

Denise had just made her way over to Cathy, wrapping her in a hug. "It's so nice to see you!" Cathy commented.

Denise smiled. "Oh, you too, sweetie. How's it been lately?"

The excited puppy struck once again, head flicking from her inspection of the coats on the wooden hook and flocking to the latest person. Despite seeing her before several times during visits, she treated Cathy to the same friendliness as her boyfriend, licking her hand affectionately.

"Oh, she is just too adorable!"

"Innit' she though?" Rodney commented, making his way over and scratching the dog behind the ears as Jamie had. "The missus has got good taste." He smiled, wrapping an arm around Denise, kissing her temple.

Denise's face tinted pink, and she swatted him lightly on the shoulder. "Oh stop it, you cheeky little thing."

Rodney kissed her lightly, this time on the mouth, and Cathy giggled. "You guys are adorable."

The two of them laughed, smiling at each other. No one had even noticed Jamie had left to the kitchen until he called, "So, I know this little one's eager for something, but would you lot fancy a drink?" He smiled while the small dog struggled to get onto the table, pawing at the sides and wiggling her little behind at every attempt to jump it. Jamie laughed, picking her up with one hand and placing her on the surface of the granite, watching as she slipped for a while, gaining her balance.

"I'll have one, yeah," Rodney answered. Denise and Cathy called their "Yes!"s as well, and Jamie began work on the four cups.

Just as he started, he paused to watch the dog slip a little, falling to a sitting position. He chuckled. "So, what do we call this little one, anyway?"

The trio made their way into the kitchen. Denise shrugged, retrieving her cup with a small "Thank you", warming her hands a bit. "Rodney and I haven't really talked about it all that much." She blew on her tea. "We've had a few names, but none of them have stuck." She took the first sip of her tea, right before a thought struck her, and her expression changed. "Oh, Jamie dear, I'm so sorry," she apologized. "Totally forgot me gift for you. Wanted to wait and see what you already had–"

Jamie waved a hand at her, "It's completely fine!" he dismissed, taking his own mug. "Completely fine. Don't expect a thing from you anyway." She looked like she was about to start again, but he smiled and made the same gesture with his hand. "Really, it's fine."

The four of them continued on in a similar way – sipping tea, chatting, playing with the dog. It was the four of them for a while, until Joyce came next, struggling, as always, with thousands of grocery bags.

"Mum, you really don't have to do that." Jamie took as many bags as he could in both hands. "I'm a big boy now."

"Well, a 'You're welcome, Mum' would be nice!" She pecked him on the cheek and brought the rest of the bags to the table. "Besides, it's just a few things."

"Just a few things?" Jamie commented, scoffing, "This is enough to feed, like, at least three Jamie's."

His mom gave him a look, and he watched her step outside the door, coming back with two more bags.

"Yeah, add one more Jamie to that little equation."

"Oh, stop it. At least you won't be hungry!" She patted him on the stomach, opening the shelves and starting to pile things in. "Still waitin' on that welcome!"

"So Denise, Rodney, you remember my mother." Jamie changed the subject, gesturing a hand to Joyce, and the two smiled while she placed a hand to her hip, glaring at her son. She then turned to the two at the table and mirrored their smiles.

"Hi there, you two. And Cathy, of course!"

"Nice to see you, Ms. Bradley." Cathy grinned politely.

Joyce mimicked Jamie's previous movement (Family habit?) and waved her hand. "Oh, sweetheart, you know you can just call me Joyce." She grinned, continuing with the groceries.

And then the talking resumed - conversation after conversation, drink after drink. Luckily, Joyce bought crisps and other snacks, as well as an assortment of drinks.

"Nothing very strong." She placed the milk in the refrigerator followed by a pack of soda. "I think Stu's bringin' the kids."

A moment later there was another knock on the door. It was a quiet one, and almost went unnoticed over the sounds of laughter and cans being opened. Denise and Rodney's puppy had been the one to hear it, lifting her small head and dashing for the door. It was Joyce who received it, heading swiftly for the door. ("I can open my own door, dammit!" "She's just trying to help, now shush!")

"Stuart!" Joyce's voice rang through to the kitchen as she hugged her eldest son tightly. "And Leanne, honey, how are you?"

"Gran!"

This whole exchange was picked up from the kitchen, and everyone moved to the living room to greet the newest guests. Jamie was last to make it there and saw Jack and Daisy separating from their grandmother with large grins. Stuart said his hello's too, though the only thing directed to Jamie was a nod and half-wave. He nodded back and waved halfheartedly.

"It still freezing out there?" Denise asked, separating from her own hug with Leanne. "I got here an hour ago, it was brutal."

"Oh, not really," she answered, adding her coat to the hanger. "It was earlier, but it's gotten much better."

Conversation was sparked instantly, and laughter and chatter filled as high as the ceilings. Jamie sat next to Cathy on the couch and listened to everyone talk with a smile. He leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a moment before he felt something jump onto his lap and curl up. He pet the unnamed wiener dog behind the ears just as Daisy came running towards him.

"Uncle Jamie!" She jumped to his side and hugged him around the neck.

"Hey Daisy." He laughed as she stood and, after balancing herself on the soft cushion of the couch and holding onto his head like a control stick, jumped up and down in a fit of giggles.

He grinned and grabbed her hands. "C'mere you little –" He scooped her into his arms, startling the dog, which fled from her position on Jamie's lap and was now watching the two play. Jamie tickled the giggling child, and the puppy pawed lightly at his arm.

"U-Uncle Jamie!" Daisy laughed. "Let g-go!"

"Alright, alright," he complied with a chuckle, kissing the top of her head. He leaned back into the couch, arms behind his head, getting relaxed again. It wasn't until he tilted his head back that he felt the eyes on him. He looked across the room to his left, at his brother. Stuart's hands were buried in his pockets and he was stood right next to Leanne, who was sitting on a chair from the kitchen, chatting animatedly with Denise, Cathy and Joyce. Stuart blinked after a small moment and looked down once Jamie caught his eye, but after a split second looked back at him. He nodded again in acknowledgment and half-smiled. Jamie returned it, but was then distracted by four paws walking across his lap again.

"Good doggy!" Daisy praised, offering a dog treat Denise must've given her. She pet the dog twice before Jack sprinted over with his cowboy hat on. He jumped at Jamie just as Daisy had and the two children continued their "oh so evil" torture of their poor uncle. Jack was climbing on him just as his ears caught Joyce's quiet suggestion of cookies under her breath.

"Cookies!"

"Yeah, let's make cookies!"

The two of them ran to their grandmother's side, pulling her into the kitchen, and she laughed all the way. Jamie watched with a grin before turning his attention to the other adults, who were all sipping their drinks and talking with enthusiasm. He glanced at Stuart, but he wasn't watching him this time, but rather Leanne with a peaceful, faraway look in his eyes. Jamie's mouth turned up into a bigger smile for a mere second but fell just as quickly. He played with the rim of his soda can, staring at it, until he felt a hand on his arm.

Cathy smiled at him, leaning her head on his shoulder and hugging her boyfriend around the waist. "And what about you, Bradley?" she asked, shifting so she could look him in the eye from his shoulder. "You haven't been in conversation lately. I'm not used to you being quiet, it's scary."

Jamie laughed, kissing his girlfriend's temple. "Missing my sarcastic, teasing remarks already, are we?"

"Only because it gives me good enough permission to hit you." She grinned sweetly, kissing him, and he smiled back against her mouth. When they separated, Cathy resumed her position against Jamie's shoulder and closed her eyes for a moment. She was on her side, snuggled against him, and on her face was the most beautiful smile. She looked so peaceful.

Time to ruin it.

"Hey Cathy?" Jamie whispered, trailing his thumb over her cheek bone.

She made a soft noise in response, which translated to, "Yes, honey?"

The sound she made next was much harsher.

"You little bastard!" Cathy whispered the last word just as Daisy and Jack zoomed by the couple. She sat up, attempting discreetly to rub her backside while still glaring at the completely guiltless smile on her extremely annoying boyfriend's face.

"That's for pinching me for pinching you!" he stated proudly, taking a final sip of his drink.

Cathy punched him in the arm, folding her own.

Jamie rubbed the spot, pouting. "Well, ow."

"Is this going to become a recurring thing?" Cathy tried her best to keep a solid evil glare going, but it was pretty much ruined what with her mouth twitching to a smile every so often.

"Oh, c'mon! It wasn't even that hard a pinch." Jamie slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side.

She kept her arms folded, not looking at him, but with a pink stain on her face. "I hate you."

"I love you."

Cathy gave in, grinning, and looked into Jamie's eyes, as he smiled back at her. She played with the front of his hair, combing it to the side and tilting her head. "Awww." She squeezed him in a tight, loving hug.

Jamie chuckled, kissing her forehead. He smirked into her hair. "Nailed it."

"What was that, honey?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Jamie felt another pain in his arm, on top of the last, right where Cathy decided to swat him again. "Jerk," she mumbled.

But she kept smiling, hiding her expression in her boyfriend's shoulder. She tilted her head so her cheek was still rested, but her mouth facing his neck. She nuzzled her nose into him and he chuckled, pulling her close and kissing her head again. She rubbed his arm (ironically, right over the place she had hit him twice) and then his shoulder, pulling him down by the back of his neck to meet her lips. "I love you too, Jamie." She grinned cheekily.


He knew that he'd feel awkward being here. He was just hoping he'd have Leanne to distract him. But, as he also expected, she got sucked into the party atmosphere and the friends and the chatter, and he was left to stand uncomfortably in the corner.

Sure, he joined the conversation every so often, had a few laughs. But for first half of the party, he was left looking around (it was a pretty nice place) or just eating. He felt …uninvited.

As the night went on, he kept himself from looking too uncomfortable – Leanne left a lot of openings for him to jump in with his little stories. She knew how much he liked to crack cheesy jokes that make even his mom and kids laugh and, later in the night, he found himself getting – actually – relaxed.

He was standing by Leanne (who was sitting in a kitchen chair) and was just leaning back, enjoying himself with a glass of ice water. He admired the color of the living room walls and his shoulders slumped in relaxation. He put his drink down on a side table and stuck his hands deep in his pockets and sighed. He watched the conversation, something about what he assumed was shopping, with a small smile.

He suddenly heard the childish giggles of his daughter – the kinds of giggles he heard when the "Tickling Monster" decided to strike before bed. By instinct, he searched for the sound with a grin. His face fell blank as he watched Jamie and Daisy, laughing on the far end of the couch. Jamie gave his niece a kiss on the head and sat back while Daisy played with Denise's dog.

His mouth twitched with a smile before he forced it off. Just as he did, Jamie caught his eye, and Stuart didn't process that he was still watching him until a second after. He blinked, looking down at his right shoe. He tilted it upwards. Jamie was probably still watching him, and he started to get uncomfortable again. But he knew he should do at least something of greeting, so he looked back up and smiled halfheartedly. Jamie did the same, and Stuart felt himself internally sigh as his brother got distracted by the puppy running across his lap.

Stuart tried to look away, tried not to listen in on Jamie's conversations, but for some odd reason he couldn't ignore him. He felt a pang of guilt, of unresolved tension in his gut every time he caught Jamie's attention. Even when his kids were climbing all over him, being their adorable selves, he couldn't douse the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. That was what this night was starting to feel like.

Uncomfortable.

He suddenly felt a nudge at his side and nearly jumped.

"What'cha looking at?" Leanne grinned playfully at him.

He snaked an arm around her waist. Despite the small smile on his face he sighed, and he stared at the ceiling for a moment. "Nothing really."

Though he wasn't looking at her, he knew Leanne was looking at him. But she glanced away for a moment, and that's when he brought his attention back to her. She was watching somewhere across the room, somewhere near the couch, and he followed her eyes to where his brother was sitting. She glanced back up at him with soft, sympathetic eyes, rubbing both of his arms lovingly. She tilted her head onto his shoulder, and they remained silent for a few seconds before Leanne finally spoke.

"Are you gonna talk to him at all?"

Stuart played with his drink for a moment. Was he going to? He should, shouldn't he? It would probably be best if he–

No. Tonight was supposed to be a great Halloween night in, and he didn't want to ruin it for Jamie or for anybody. No, he'd pick a later day for talking. He didn't want to get Leanne wound up – she didn't deserve it. He'd just push the guilt down until the relaxation and contentment overpowered it.

"It'll be fine. Don't worry about me," he answered.

"You sure?" Leanne gave him another look – not of sympathy this time, but just a nice, comforting look. He smiled at her and tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her close to his side. She smiled and looked down sheepishly, adjusting Stuart's shirt.

"I love you," he whispered.

She looked back up at him. He forced a smile, though it was difficult to do with the spontaneous wave of emotion that had decided to take over. He wanted to look away sheepishly himself. He always thought he seemed pretty awkward whenever he broke out the "L Word" in a public place.

But Leanne simply grinned. It was a large grin that reached to her eyes, and Stuart couldn't help but widen his own.

"I love you too, Stu." She leaned in, kissing him deeply, and he held her close. Once they separated, they watched each other with a smile, before laughing and loosening their hold on one other a bit.

"Hey." Leanne smiled. "That rhymed."

Stuart chuckled, spinning her around and hugging her from behind, kissing her temple. "Now, don't let me keep you from having a good time," he said.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Leanne kissed him again, grasping his hand and giving it a small squeeze, before sitting back down on the side of the couch, rejoining the conversation. Stuart couldn't fight the smile on his face as she immediately got invested in the chatter once again. Everyone broke into laughter after a while, and the kids zoomed around the living room with their toys again, which caused Stuart to laugh himself.

He stayed half in the chatting, half out. He preferred to sip his drink and listen, watching Leanne's face light up when she laughed, or when she remembered a funny story, or when she shared that story. He was in a peaceful daze, and the nerves in his stomach, as he had predicted, died down a little.

That was the moment Jamie looked away with a fleeting smile on his face. The moment he watched his brother with that familiar expression of serenity that he hadn't seen in the longest time as he watched the woman he loved laugh and smile.

Jamie and Stuart didn't get to have their serious conversation for a long while. But they did get the chance to talk, if even a little bit, later that night around the time of a much unexpected arrival.