WIBLF 10: Christmas Presents

AN

Special thanks to Westcoast Witchdoctor, SixSeasonsAndAMovie23, and Peefrimgar for always reviewing my chapters! It really keeps me going and encourages me to finish my chapter sooner rather than later!

Mona: Girl I feel ya, when are the campaigns for President of the Awkward Virgin Club(AVC) going to happen because if so I need to fill out the paper work NOW!

Also to: Amrywiol: My comment about being a virgin living in the bible belt was half joking. I appreciate your thoughtful response and review of my story! I hope you enjoy where the story ends up!

Thanks so much to everyone! As always favs, follows, reviews are always appreciated!

-Tay

Chapter 10:

"Jeff," Annie's faint voice called out but he didn't turn around. She heard footsteps going up the stairs and into a room on the second floor; she turned back to Doreen and then to Mr. Winger.

"Annie this is William, Jeff's father." Doreen said cheerfully, "Although I didn't expect Jeff to react in such a way, you know how dramatic he can be though."

Annie backed away from his mother almost disgusted at the lack of care she had in her voice, "This isn't right, I need to talk to Jeff." His mom tilted her head in confusion when Annie turned away and made her way up the stairs. Annie noted the various photographs of Jeff throughout his childhood that hung on the wall. At any other time she would smile at them but her mouth was formed in a straight line.

On the second floor of the house all of the doors were open except one, she assumed it was Jeff's old room, where he was probably hiding, and knocked on it. 'Go away,' he thought. He wanted to be alone, surrounded by the few memories of his childhood he had left. "Jeff open up, it's Annie."

After a few more moments of silence she knocked on the door again and Jeff finally muttered, "It's open."

Annie opened the door slowly and saw Jeff lying with his back on the bed. She crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders, "So…" she began, "Do you want to leave?"

"What?" he asked.

He felt the bed sink in when she laid down next to him, "I said 'do you want to leave?' It's ok with you do, I'll do whatever you want to do." The thing was, Jeff didn't know what to do. He could leave and be a coward or he could go downstairs and meet his father again and maybe let him know how much he had ruined him.

"What do you think I should do?" he sighed.

"I think you should at least have dinner with the guy, not because he deserves it but because you do." Annie rolled on her side facing him and Jeff naturally wrapped his warm around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder and her fingers tapped lightly on his chest. He took a deep breath, her warmth and comfort made him feel ten times better than moping up there by himself. He was glad that she was there beside him.

"I want you to do what makes you feel comfortable Jeff. If you want to leave then we will. We can go and get a honey-baked ham and we can make Christmas dinner at your apartment and open our gifts there. Or we can stay here and have one dinner with your dad then spend the rest of the weekend with your mom. It's your choice and regardless of what it is I'll be here for you."

Jeff took another deep breath and sat up on his elbows, "I guess one dinner wouldn't hurt." Annie and him smiled at each other, "Question: what word should I use in case I change my mind and I want us to get the hell out of here."

Annie bit her lip, "Hmmmm, how about 'Annie could you pass the butter' and then we'll move on from there. I'll fake a stomach ache or something."

"Or we could storm out like sensible people."

"Or that," she chuckled before frowning, "Jeff, I'm really sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault that my dad decided not to be a dad anymore only to show up twenty years later on Christmas."

Jeff already knew it was coming, "If you don't mind me asking,…" she began, "When was the last time you saw your dad?"

He took a deep breath and pursed his lips before saying, "At the courthouse. When my parents were filing for divorce they were mainly fighting about money and the house. Most kids would have been happy to see that their parents hadn't fought over them… but my dad was… well… he was my hero. And he didn't even fight for me. He didn't want to be tied down by some kid. So after the final hearing I saw my dad walk out of the courtroom after shaking the lawyers hand.

"I was sitting on this bench with my Aunt and when I saw my dad my attention became focused on him. I called out his name, but all I saw was the corner of his eye glance at me before he continued walking out the door. I scooted over to the window and just stared out at him as he walked toward his car, begging that he would please look back at me. I wanted to know what he was thinking, what he was feeling, and I thought I would be able to see that if he looked back at me. But he didn't. And that was the last time I saw him."

"Wow, I didn't know it was…

"That horrifying? It was."

"No," Annie shook her head; "I didn't mean it like that. I know it's always been complicated when it came to talking about your dad. I just don't understand how any parent could just abandon their child."

"That's why I've never wanted to get married or be a dad, I didn't want to hurt someone the way my dad hurt me and my mom."

Annie's hand found his shoulder, "Oh Jeff don't ever say that, you could never do that. You're nothing like him." Jeff liked seeing her get all-defensive of him, but even he knew she was wrong.

"Annie," he smirked, "You don't even know him."

"Well…" she hesitated, "I know you, and you would never do what he did."

Jeff shook his head, "You don't know that Annie."

"Yes I do! I know you would never hurt me intentionally."

"Most people when they hurt someone it is unintentional."

Annie raised her eyebrows, "You know what? I'm not even going to have this conversation with you right now. Do you want to know why? Because you're wrong Jeff, and you're trying to change the subject. Do you want to go downstairs or not?"

"Just give me five more minutes." He said.

Annie got up from the bed to get a good look around Jeff's childhood bedroom for the first time since she came into the room. She raised an eyebrow and points to a poster hanging on the wall, "That's a uh…. Nice Blondie poster you've got there."

"Well excuse me for growing up in the eighties and having two ears connected to my heart." She rolled her eyes and continued to walk around the room. There were some old star wars action figures and various cassette tapes sitting on the desk. "I don't think this room has really been touched since I moved out." He confessed.

"You haven't slept in your room since you moved out?"

"No," he shook his head, "I usually just got here on Christmas day and then drove home. I didn't really want to spend the whole weekend here, until now, and now I know I'll never make that decision again."

"Come on Jeff, I'm sure your mother hand your best interests in mind. But she should have at least told you that there was the possibility of you meeting your father again." Annie pursed her lips, "Don't you think you can at least give it a shot? Maybe he's changed… you certainly have."

Jeff groaned knowing she was right, "Fine, one dinner." Annie smiled at him before raking her fingers along his scruffy cheek, "But mark my words the minute it gets uncomfortable we are getting the hell out of here, and I don't care if Christmas dinner means buttered noodles with Troy and Abed."

"Agreed!"

Annie held Jeff's hand as they walked down the stairs and into Doreen's kitchen; she was now sitting at the bar opposite Mr. Winger. "Jeffery," His mom said.

"Let's get one thing clear, I'm very angry at you at the moment." Her eyes widened as Jeff turned back to his dad, "And now you, you get one dinner. That's it. No mushy gushy stuff and I don't care why you're here, are we clear?"

"Crystal." Mr. Winger said.

"This is Annie," Jeff finally said. It was the first thing that had brought a smile on his face since he had gotten there. "My girlfriend."

"It's wonderful to meet you Annie." Doreen said. "Are you hungry? Dinner is all ready to go!" Once they all had gotten their food Annie sat next to Jeff and squeezed his arm giving him a reassuring smile. Jeff smiled back and tucked his head in looking down at her hand.

William and Jeff were sitting opposite each other; Annie saw even more similarities between them. The way they ate, the confidence that eradicated off of both of them and more importantly the way they looked. Mr. Winger was well into his sixties and he hadn't lost his hair, which Annie took that as a good sign, not that that actually mattered but it was good to know Jeff had a greater chance at keeping his great hair.

"I'm a lawyer in Denver," Jeff said, "I'm weeks away from making Partner."

Annie could tell that Jeff was trying to accomplish two things; one to show his dad how well he did without him. And two; to try and get his dad to say how proud he was of his son.

"Lawyer, that's a good profession" was all William said.

Annie's heart ached when she saw the hard expression Jeff had on his face, "And what do you do Annie?" Doreen asked.

"I work in a forensics lab operated by the FBI." Annie said tearing her face away from Jeff's.

"That sounds interesting, what do you do there?"

"Mostly toxicology occasionally we work with ballistics or drug use. But most of what we do deals with poisons and such."

Jeff's hands twirled his fork; "I also made Summa Cum Laude when I graduated from law school." He blurted out.

Annie raised her eyebrows, "Yes, Doreen showed me the chords that are hanging in the hallway."

Jeff was biting down on his lower lip; he thought if he had done it any longer it would have bled. Annie placed her hand on his thigh. She placed it there so that Jeff's dad wouldn't see the gesture. Jeff stopped biting his and looked at her in awe, he felt somewhat relieved, relieved that she was there.

"I'm sorry Annie, what were you saying?" he smirked at her.

Whenever he smirked at her like that she would look down and pull the ends of her hair to the front. She did it then as she continued talking about lab procedures and Jeff couldn't help but give that small smile that was filled with so much he hadn't told her yet.

"To be in as big of a leadership position as you are at such a young age is so remarkable Annie" Doreen said.

"Oh no," Annie said modestly, "I had an internship with the FBI my junior year in college and they really liked me. So when I graduated they offered me the job in Denver."

"It sounds like you're one hell of a forensic toxicologist." William said.

"She's the best." Jeff said, "She's the best at what she does. The FBI knew she was something else when she walked in the door."

"And it appears you did too." William said.

Jeff looked at his father and then back at Annie that small smile still playing on his lips, "Yeah, I did."

"How did you two meet anyway?" He asked.

"Oh it's a long story!" Annie laughed obviously a little embarrassed.

"Oh honey," Jeff laughed, "We have plenty of time." Annie gave Jeff a deadly glare but he continued anyway. "So I walk into this restaurant with some coworkers of mine. We've just won this huge case, but we can't get into the restaurant because it's booked. So the hostesses tell me that this poor, sweet and beautiful woman has just been stood up and is still holding out hope that this total tool will show up. But he didn't so I graciously stepped in and saved her dignity." Her death stare had softened into somewhat of a smile at the memory. "And the rest as they say is history."

"Until that changes," Mr. Winger muttered.

"Excuse me," Jeff snapped.

"Jeff," Annie said, "It's ok."

"No it's not," Jeff turned back toward his father. "You don't know a damn thing about Annie or me, especially me. And you come here acting like everything can go back to the way it was but it can't. The last time I saw you was when I was seven. So don't sit there and make cynical judgments as if you know me." There are moments in life where everything is silent, you could hear a pin drop from across the room or hear whatever was going on in the next room. This was one of those moments and no one thought it would end before Jeff stood up, "I think you should leave."

"Jeffery," Doreen said.

"No Mom, either he leaves or Annie and I do." Annie knew he was serious, and Doreen thought so too because she gave William a nod to the door. They both got up from the table and walked towards the front door. Jeff ran his hands through his hair as he began to pace around the dining room.

"Jeff everything is going to be ok." Annie told him.

"Yes it is because I am never going to see him again," he said, "Jeff," Annie began but was cut off by Doreen walking back into the house. Jeff walked towards her and asked if they could speak privately, leaving Annie alone in the dining room.

They came back almost half an hour later by then it was almost eight o'clock and Annie had already cleaned up the kitchen. She hadn't heard any shouting from upstairs but she assumed by their delay return that they were in a heated discussion. "Sorry we took so long," Jeff sighed.

"It's okay," Annie said.

"Dear you didn't have to clean up the whole kitchen by yourself, you're my guest."

"It's alright Ms. Winger. I don't mind!"

"Doreen," She smiled.

"Doreen…" Annie hesitated.

The three then retreated to the couch where Doreen had recorded Meet Me in St. Louis earlier that day. "This is one of my favorites!" Annie exclaimed.

"You do kind of look like Judy Garland," Jeff commented.

"Stop it," Annie giggled.

Jeff would have enjoyed the movie more if he weren't so frustrated with his mother and angry with his father. But he suffered through his mother singing 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' wayyyyy off key and he thought if he could live through that he could live through anything.

As Judy and Doreen sang, "From now on our troubles will be miles away" Annie reached over and squeezed Jeff's hand. They glanced at each other thoughtfully as they heard, "Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow."

Annie closed her eyes and a few tears trickled down her cheek. Jeff would have kissed her if they had been anywhere but sitting on his mother's couch, so he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it before wiping some of her tears away. Their little moment was disrupted by Doreen's sudden wailing, Jeff watched as Annie began to comfort his mom as she too cried.

When the movie ended and the Smiths stayed in St. Louis, Jeff was ready to pass out. Annie yawned in response, "I'm about ready too," she said.

"Annie I can show you up to the guest bedroom if you're ready to go to sleep."

"Why would she need to sleep in the guest bedroom?" Jeff asked his mom.

Doreen's eyes widened as she leaned in a little bit and whispered, "Well dear… You're not married."

Jeff gaped at his mother, who he knew for a fact had had multiple flings throughout the years was telling him that Annie couldn't stay in his room because they weren't married. He wanted to blurt out, "You've got to be fucking kidding me," but he didn't. Instead Annie said, "That's ok! I don't mind." When Jeff looked back at her she gave a small shrug before following Mrs. Winger down the hall. "Good night," she said.

"Goodnight." He said back.

Jeff reached for the remote and turned off the TV. He walked upstairs and changed into a pair of sweatpants and an old Ralph Lauren t-shirt. He rolled back the sheets and laid down thinking that he would just sneak into the guest bedroom in about an hour. By that time he knew his mother would be asleep and he'd get some privacy with Annie. But before he knew it he had already fallen asleep.

He felt the sheets beneath him move back and he was startled awake, "Ah!" he half screamed.

But it was only Annie, "Sorry," she whispered, "Did I scare you?"

Jeff rubbed his eyes, "No that's why I screamed." He smirked and felt the need to roll his eyes when he saw Annie in her blue polka dot pajamas.

She reached out and poked his arm, "Scoot over,"

They made eye contact and she raised her eyebrows and poked him again before he pulled the quilt back and made room for her. Annie's head was immediately pressed against his chest and her small arms wrapped around his waist. Likewise Jeff placed one of his hands on the back of her head and the other arm was slung around her waist. "What brought this on?" he finally asked.

"It's hard to sleep without you," she confessed, "You're so warm."

"Your feet always feel like ice." He complained, "Hey!" he exclaimed when he felt her tiny toes attach to his calves.

She giggled into his chest before suddenly stopping, "I was also kinda worried about you after the whole dinner thing." He knew that she felt him tense up, "… Are you ok?"

Jeff sighed and ran his fingers through her hair, "For now," he felt her fingers curl up in his shirt, "I'm glad you're here. I can't imagine how thing would have turned out without you."

"Me too, I can't fathom what it would have been like for you to have faced this all alone."

"I was by myself for a long time Annie, I'm a big boy I can handle things on my own." But she saw right through him. Jeff was trying to play it off like he didn't care, like his dad returning and then leaving again didn't bother him. He had spent his whole life not having someone care about him or his feelings. Annie could feel Jeff building the wall up around her again; she had taken it down the first time she could do it again.

"But that doesn't mean you have to." She whispered.

All of a sudden his throat felt thick as he felt himself take a shaky breath. Annie's had reached up to cup his cheek and he was staring into her blue eyes, "Promise me that when things like this happen you won't deal with them by yourself. I don't want you to be alone Jeff, ever again and I don't want you building your walls around me because I care about you Jeff. I want to be there for you, so please promise me." Jeff felt something wet trailing down his cheek, a single line from his eyelid to his jaw. The tear was thrown off its course by Annie's finger and the rest of them dissolved when her mouth made contact with his.

He wasn't crying about his dad or how his mom had tricked him into spending the whole weekend with her. He was crying because for the first time in his life he realized someone had known the same pain he felt. Sure he and Annie had different backgrounds and stories but they both craved to be loved and cared for, and they both were scared to do it. He felt himself deepen the kiss before whispering, "You too," against her lips. "You have to promise too,"

"I promise," she cried.

"I promise," he said before kissing her again. It seemed like hours that they lay there just kissing each other. His hands were still in her hair and her fingers were still laced into his beard by the time they fell asleep against each other's lips.

Christmas Eve passed quickly, Doreen had invited one of her widowed neighbors over to eat supper with them. Jeff and Annie had repeated the 'sneaking into the others room' again that night but when Annie woke up Jeff was nowhere to be found. Yawning loudly and running her fingers through her hair she realized that she smelt hazelnut coffee coming from the kitchen. She followed the scent and found Jeff making waffles in his bathrobe.

She walked over and kissed him, "Good Morning," she murmured, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too." Annie was trying to be sneaky and grab a piece of bacon from the plate he had it sitting on but he slapped her hand away, "Not yet stingy!"

Annie's jaw dropped, "Well I'm sorry, I'm hungry."

"Aren't you Jewish? You're not supposed to eat pork."

"Let me live a little, it's Christmas morning." Jeff rolled his eyes, "You don't even celebrate Christmas," He mumbled.

Noticing that Jeff had only made enough breakfast for two, Annie looked around the kitchen and saw no sign of Doreen, "By the way… Where is your mom?"

"She went to Christmas Day service with her neighbor."

"Aw Jeff! I would have gone! I even brought some nicer clothes in case we did go."

"No that's ok, I told her that I wanted to make you breakfast and open presents with you." He said handing her a plate.

Annie's blue eyes lit up like one of the lights on the Christmas tree, "Presents!" she exclaimed.

"That's kind of the whole thing about Christmas, you know Santa Claus breaks into your house and leave you a bunch of goodies if you're nice."

"Or coal if you're naughty." She teased before taking a bit out of her waffle.

"Annie Edison if you are implying that I was a naughty kid than I am more than offended and I am taking your bacon back." His hand reached over but Annie poked him with her fork, "I am not afraid to use this Jeff Winger, so back up and leave the bacon out of this."

He laughed at her, "Bacon really is important to you,"

"Unhealthy breakfasts are when you're in a relationship with Jeff Winger." She took another bite out of the piece of bacon Jeff had just tried to steal.

"Come on," he complained, "I'm not that bad."

"Jeff," she said, "The first time I spent the night with you, your idea of a good breakfast was a protein shake. Just a protein shake. Lucky Charms would have been a better choice than that."

"What do you have against Lucky Charms?"

"Nothing!" she signed, "I'm just saying that most girls when they're in love fantasize about waking up to a hot pot of coffee and a cheese omelets…. Not a protein shake or raw eggs."

"Well I made breakfast this morning, how is it?" He really was curious about her opinion on it because she was right. If she didn't make breakfast 'the morning after' he would offer her one of those two things, maybe a nutrition bar if he had one."

"It's delicious." She confessed. "Seriously though you should make this more often."

"Dually noted."

Annie finished her breakfast quickly and cleaned up the dishes as Jeff was still eating. She sat next to him tapping her fingers on the counter urging for him to finish. He laughed and started eating slower before she decided he was done and pulled him onto the floor next to the Christmas tree. "You first," She exclaimed handing him the box wrapped in snowmen wrapping paper.

Jeff could understand Annie's excitement, he too felt like a five year old waking up on Christmas. Adrenaline was pumping through his veins as he pulled the wrapping paper apart before lifting the top of the box off. "No. Way." He said lifting up a Marc Jacobs leather jacket.

Annie giggled, "I thought that the next time we go to Shirley's or L Street you could look as cool as you act when you play pool." She moved the box off of his lap, "Try it on silly!"

Jeff put both of his arms through the jacket and sure it looked ridiculous with his sweatpants on but oh my god it was so comfortable, and it looked great on him too, "Annie don't get jealous, but I might be falling in love with this jacket."

"We can share you," she laughed. "Unless you get weird about it then I'm definitely taking it back."

"Also noted." Jeff pulled out a larger box from behind the tree, "Now here is your present.

Annie noticed how nervous he looked, despite knowing that she would love anything he got her, it still made her heart flutter to see him riled up like that. "Shirley helped with the wrapping, I'm completely useless when it comes to things like this."

"It looks great," she laughed as she began shredding away the wrapping paper. On the inside of the box was a beautiful hand carved wooden jewelry box. "Jeff it's so beautiful!" she exclaimed.

"I know you have anxiety about losing your jewelry when you stay the night so I thought we could put it on top of my dresser so you could have a place for it."

"Jeff it's perfect! Thank you so much!" She leaned forward and kissed him. When she took the jewelry box out of the package and placed it on the carpet in front of her, she noticed that he was still wearing that nervous expression.

"Why don't you open it to see what's inside?" He almost whispered.

Annie's eyes widened and her heart was fluttering while at the same time it felt like her heart had stopped working completely. Her eyes left his and returned to the jewelry box and he hands lifted the lid, when Annie saw what was inside she gasped. Inside the box was a beautiful vintage sapphire ring.

"Jeff-" She began.

"Don't say anything until you hear what I have to say. I've known you for almost a year now and everything about my life has changed because of you. You are the strangest, coolest, most genuine person I've ever met. And the thing that scares me about you is how good you make me wish I was.

"I know a couple of weeks ago you said that you wouldn't marry me right now, and I'm not asking you to marry me at this moment. We can have a long engagement; we can wait a year before we even start planning the wedding. I love you, you know I do and I know you love me, I just want to know if you'll let us keep loving each other for the rest of our lives…" He was serious. Jeff Winger was seriously asking Annie Edison to marry him. "And after this weekend, with all the crap you've had to put up with you never once lingered away from me and I just want you to know how much I love and care about you."

"So will you please for the love of God, marry me?"

Annie's heart was thumping inside her chest as she stared back at Jeff. His eyes were like crystals and she couldn't imagine what her face looked like at that moment. Jeff was serious, she thought that he was half joking when they were sitting in the bathtub almost a month ago. But no he was dead serious. Jeff Winger, the man she loved, wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Mr. Commitmentphobe was going to change his ways to make sure that they would be together for the rest of their lives. This went against her plan; she wanted to date him at least another six months before he even thought about proposing. But that's the thing about Jeff, she thought, he doesn't pay attention to her plans. He's changed her, a long time ago she would have freaked out at the alteration of her perfect life plan. But like she had changed him, he had changed her, and this time she wasn't too worried about messing up that big life plan of hers. But still this was a huge decision.

And as Jeff waited for her reply it seemed like one thousand different scenarios popped into her mind and each one of them began with one word, "Yes."

Jeff looked stunned at her response so she repeated herself, "Yes! I will marry you!" She grabbed his shoulders and shoved him towards her wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard on the mouth.

When they broke away Jeff was laughing and Annie was crying when he nervously put the ring over her finger. "It's a perfect fit." He whispered, "Abed's going to be disappointed at such a cliché."

"He'll get over it." She said wiping a tear away with her right hand so she couldn't gaze away from the ring on her left.

AN Part Two:

Sorry that took so long. I had writers block with this because I wrote the beginning and the end I just didn't know how to write the middle. Well I hope I succeeded and I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you so much!

Love you guys!

Tay 3