Author's Note: Warning: this chapter is PG-13. Nothing graphic, but there's definitely adult themes in this one. This story takes place just two months before my story Hearts See Through Lies.
Summary: Scott and Jean are determined to get Rachel and Nathan what they asked for on their Christmas list. They had no idea it would be so difficult!
A Summers Christmas
December 23rd, 2010
"It's 26°F. It's 3:45am. I'm freezing my butt off and I'm tired. Tell me again why we're lined up here outside of Best Buy?" Scott asked his wife, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice.
"Darling, I don't know why we're lined up outside of Best Buy. I'm lined up outside of Best Buy because our son and daughter only had one thing on their Christmas lists and I mean to get it for them. This store is the only one that had new stock of what the kids wanted before Christmas. I told you to just stay home."
Scott scoffed. "And let you get trampled by these bargain-hunting vultures?"
"Shhh!" Jean scolded Scott as she looked around making sure the other shoppers didn't hear his disparaging remark. **My powers are more than adequate to keep me from being trampled, thank you very much.**
"Yeah, well… I need to make sure you stay warm," Scott mumbled.
Jean smiled that breathtaking smile of hers. "I love you," Jean said, kissing her frowning husband.
"Mmm hmm… How in the world do you even get up at 3:00am? If you ask me, that's another one of your powers right there," Scott said wryly.
"It's not hard. Your snore would keep a deaf person awake," his wife said giggling.
"I don't snore. I dream I'm a motorcycle," Scott said in his trademark deadpan voice.
Jean just laughed in that melodic way that never failed to at least draw a smile from her husband.
Scott pulled his wife closer to him and held her just a little tighter. She just had a way of melting his heart. "You're the only person I'd do this for, you know?"
"I know," Jean said, snuggling closer.
"Couldn't we have just gotten two Christmas cards for Rachel and Nate, stuffed a bunch of cash in it and write, 'buy your own presents'?" Scott asked drolly.
"Oh, don't be such a scrooge, Scott. Nate is twelve now and Rachel is turning sixteen in a couple of months… Our kids are growing up so fast. There'll come a day when Christmas presents won't hold the same magic for them," Jean said.
Scott sighed. "Yeah, you're right, hon."
Jean lowered her head on her husband's shoulder and Scott noticed her drifting in and out of sleep. He looked at her lovingly and knew he was a lucky man… 26°F, 4:00am and all. And as much complaining as he'd done the last hour, there really was no place he'd rather be than by her side. She was his heart, his home.
After a few more hours of sitting out there in the cold, Scott noticed an employee starting to unlock the first set of doors to the store. "Hon, wake up. The store's about to open," Scott said, gently nudging his wife.
"Is it 9am already?" Jean asked.
"Just about," Scott answered. "What are we getting for Rachel and Nate again?"
"An Xbox 360 with the Halo Reach bundle for Nate. And the iPod Touch with 64 GB for Rach," Jean answered.
"Alright, I'll get the Xbox. You go for the iPod," Scott said.
"You read my mind," Jean said smiling.
The moment the doors opened, Scott and Jean split up. Scott went straight to the games section, a crowd of people right on his heels. Scott had never been more thankful for his long legs. They allowed him his sweeping strides to get ever so slightly ahead of the crowd.
He found the Xbox bundle he was looking for on the shelf complete with an anti-theft spider-wrap on it. Scott quickly grabbed it and started to make his way to the cashier. Scott was just a few steps out of the gaming department, when a man about Scott's age shoved him and snatched the Xbox from his hands.
Scott was stunned speechless he didn't move for a second. He didn't know whether to go after the guy or give it up. But then again, what would he do if he caught up with him? It was beneath him to resort to physical violence. He decided to let it go and be more alert. He turned around and lucky for him, there was one Xbox left on the shelf.
He ran and quickly grabbed it, making sure to hang on tight. He was on his way to the cashier again when a set of Bose headphones caught his eye. He made a detour towards it to check it out. There was a portable Blu-ray player in his way that Scott picked up. He was planning to move it aside when he got punched in the jaw.
Scott staggered back. His first instinct was to shut his eyes as the punch dislodged his glasses slightly. Luckily it didn't fall off his face. His second instinct was to clutch the Xbox tighter. He straightened his glasses and saw that the guy who punched him went for the Blu-ray player. Scott didn't know whether to laugh or get angry. He just got punched for an item he didn't even want.
He decided to forget about the headphones. His were still working anyway. He made his way to the cashier, the Xbox tucked safely at his side. But on the way to the cashier, he saw a Guitar Hero bundle for the Xbox and considered getting it as well. There was only one left. He picked it up to look at the specs when Scott yelped in shock. Something bit his ankle!
He looked down and saw a kid who couldn't be any older than six crouched between his legs. "That's mine, mister!" The kid yelled at him just as he grabbed the guitar from Scott. Rude little brat. But Scott was tired and didn't have the energy to teach the kid some manners, or at least look for the kid's parents and get them to teach him some manners.
Scott sighed. He hoped his wife was faring better.
Meanwhile
The Best Buy associate finally unlocked the glass case so Jean could get the iPod Touch for Rachel. Luckily, the item was locked up and needed an employee to access it. Jean was the third to get there so it was pretty orderly.
Jean took the iPod and paid for it with the same associate. She got suckered into getting the extended warranty, but Rachel had a tendency to be a little careless at times. She figured it would probably come in handy.
Jean was about to make her way to the food court where she and Scott agreed to meet up when she realized that Rachel would need a case for her iPod. She turned back and went to grab a pink one hanging from a hook. But before she reached for it, she saw a young girl running towards a laptop. The teenager spilled her Starbucks all over Jean as she lunged for the item. The kid grabbed the laptop and ran out of there, not even bothering to apologize to Jean. Good God! Vultures indeed.
After needing a moment to get over her shock – and to wipe her face off – Jean went back and took the pink iPod case. But just as she was about to take it off the hook, she got smacked on the side of the face by a handbag. Stunned, she looked beside her to see a woman who couldn't be younger than seventy grab the iPod case. "Sorry dearie, but my granddaughter loves pink. And this is the last one!"
Jean was about to open her mouth to argue, but decided that her daughter wasn't picky with things like colors. She saw a black one just beside it and decided she wasn't in the mood to argue with a grandma. Jean sighed and grabbed that one. A part of her wondered if her husband wasn't on to something when he suggested cold hard cash as Christmas gifts.
An hour later
The Boathouse
Scott watched with amusement as his wife telekinetically opened their bedroom window from outside and snuck the kids' presents in through there. "I must say, honey, you have the best powers of anyone I know," Scott said.
"They come in handy," Jean answered smiling. She looked at Scott and must have noticed the bruise forming on the side of his face. "Oh, darling, your cheek is really red. You're going to be sporting a nasty bruise there by tomorrow. Let's get you inside and put some ice on it."
Scott and Jean walked in through their front door and took off their shoes. "Hey mom, dad, where have you guys been?" Rachel asked from the couch, Nate by her side.
"Oh, you know, just doing some last-minute Christmas shopping," Scott answered.
"What happened to your sweater, mom?" Nate asked, obviously noticing the coffee stains on one of his mother's favorite items of clothing.
"Let's just say, next year, your father and I will be doing our Christmas shopping in August," Jean replied wryly.
"That bad, huh, mom?" Rachel said.
"Worse," Jean said, not having the energy to elaborate further.
"Dad, what happened to your face?" Nate asked, after he saw his mother putting some ice on his father's right cheek.
"Well son, let's just say I took one for the team," Scott said drolly which drew a laugh from his wife.
"Were you guys able to get the gifts on our Christmas list?" Rachel asked excitedly.
"All I'll say is that whatever you two get on Christmas morning, know that your father and I would have had a better chance of coming out of Jurassic Park alive," Jean said wryly.
Christmas day
"No way! You actually got me the Halo Reach Xbox 360 bundle! These were sold out everywhere! Even Jack's parents weren't able to get him one!" Nate cheered excitedly.
"I take it you're happy?" Scott asked his son.
"Yeah! I can't wait to tell Ric and Jack and Dan and Uncle Hank and Uncle Kurt and especially Uncle Peter!" Nate said, listing everyone who'd want to play with him.
"We're glad you're happy. Your dad took a punch in the face, not to mention a bite on his ankle to get that for you," Jean said.
"I love it! Sorry you got hurt getting it for me, dad. Thanks so much!" Nate said, hugging both Scott and Jean.
Scott and Jean smiled at each other then turned to their oldest. "Rach, your turn. Go on, open your gift," Scott said.
Rachel shrieked when she saw the newest iPod Touch. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Rachel said hugging both her parents.
"Your mother and I also tucked a $50 iTunes gift card in there, so you can get started with buying your songs," Scott said.
"Mom, dad, Rachel and I got gifts for you too!" Nate said pulling two boxes out from under the Christmas tree.
"You guys didn't have to get us anything," Jean said. "It's not like you two work."
"I saved a bit working at the fair over the summer. And Nate saved some from his paper route," Rachel answered.
"Here mom, this is from Rachel and me," Nate said handing Jean a box gift-wrapped in red.
Jean opened it up. "Oh wow! Umm… what is it?" Jean asked sheepishly, never having seen the gadget in her hands before.
"It's a Kindle, mom!" Nate answered excitedly. "It's an electronic reader. Rachel and I pre-loaded some of your favorite books on there like A Christmas Carol, Moby-Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird and Little Women."
"And we also added The Time Traveler's Wife! We remembered you wanted to read it, but haven't gotten the chance yet," Rachel answered.
"Thank you, guys, so much!" Jean said, so touched her children would get her such a thoughtful gift. "This must have been so expensive!"
"You're worth it, mom. We love you," Nate said.
"You guys are making me cry," Jean laughed through her tears. "What'd you get your dad?"
"Go ahead, dad. Open yours," Rachel said.
Jean wondered what the kids could have possibly gotten Scott. It was a huge box. The item had been sitting under their tree for a couple of weeks and she admitted that she had been curious, especially considering how heavy it was.
Scott ripped off the gift wrap. "A record player?" Scott said.
"Yeah, we saw the vinyl collection you never touch in yours and mom's closet. Oh, and we also got a new one to add to your collection. Look underneath," Rachel said.
Scott lifted the box to reveal the album, 'In The Wee Small Hours – Frank Sinatra'. "You two are the best kids a dad could ask for!" Scott said hugging each of his kids. "Thank you! I love it! And it's perfect because your mom and I have a similar taste in music. I'm sure she'll be using it as much as me."
Jean laughed. "You got that right, hon."
"Can I go to the mansion and tell Uncle Peter about my gift?" Nate asked, itching to show off his new toy.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go see Clarice. I think she has music on CDs I can rip onto my new iPod," Rachel added.
"Sure, but you two be home by 3pm alright? Your mom and I need help with preparing tonight's dinner. Everyone's coming over at 6pm tonight," Scott said.
Jean and Scott watched their children take off, their gifts right along with them. Scott turned to Jean and smiled. "You were right. It was worth it. The joy on their faces. It didn't feel like it at the time, but it was worth going through that zoo at the mall."
Jean chuckled. "I'm glad we were able to give them these memories. You know, that year I spent with Rachel – Rachel from the future I mean – so many years ago… All she'd talk about was the memories she had with her family. I didn't know she was talking about us at the time. But it meant so much to her."
"Yeah, we won't be around forever, but the memories will be," Scott said, kissing his wife passionately.
"Hmm… Before we get carried away…" Jean said, reluctantly pulling away from her husband's embrace. "I've got something for you." Jean got up and pulled out a relatively small box from under the tree. She handed it to Scott and said, "Merry Christmas, my love."
"Jean… I told you not to get me anything. I have everything I need," Scott said gently scolding Jean yet accepting the box.
"I know… But when have I ever followed instructions?" Jean said giggling. "C'mon, open it!"
"Hmm… it's really light, it almost feels empty," Scott said. He proceeded to open it and looked a bit confused when he first saw what was in it.
"It's a picture," Scott said perplexed.
"It's a vacation package, darling. The picture is of the Fairmont Hotel in Whistler, BC. I got us the Fairmont Gold package for four nights. The plane tickets are there too, I tucked them in the booklet," Jean said.
"Wow, first class. Hon, you really went all out. Thank you so much! This is perfect. I love it! Don't get me wrong, I love our kids, but I'll never say 'no' to some you-and-me time. I can't wait to go!" Scott said, looking very impressed.
"I have one more thing for you, but I want to see what you got me first!" Jean said excitedly. She figured she probably sounded like a school girl, but it was only with her husband that she could act a little girlish every now and again.
"What makes you think I got anything for you? I mean, you and I both know I'm gift enough," Scott said, grinning.
Jean burst out laughing. "You're hilarious, Scott!"
"Ouch… Well, sweetheart, you definitely keep my ego in check, that's for sure," her husband said wryly.
"C'mon, darling. I'm excited to see what you got me!" Jean said persistently.
Scott laughed. "Alright, stay right here, I'll be right back." Scott left the living room briefly.
"You didn't just put it under the tree?" Jean asked when her husband came back with a large box.
"Well, for one, I didn't want the kids accidentally trampling it or anything. And second, I didn't want you snooping around and ruining the surprise," her husband answered.
"I would never!" Jean said acting all indignant. Her husband just gave her a look. "It was just that one year!" Jean said relenting.
"Yeah, yeah… Anyway, here you go, Merry Christmas. I hope you like it," Scott said, handing her the beautifully wrapped gift. Jean knew he didn't wrap it himself because her husband was all fingers and thumbs when it came to gift-wrapping.
Jean opened the gift and gasped in shock. "Dear God! Scott, this isn't…"
She looked at her husband who was grinning from ear to ear. "Yup, it's that coat I saw you admiring at Saks Fifth Avenue a couple of weeks ago."
"For God's sake it was $4800! I would admire a Lamborghini the same way, it doesn't mean I'd buy it!" Jean cried. "Honey, we can't afford this." Her husband just bought her the cream, classic blazer-style coat by Saint Laurent she had admired at Saks. She remembered putting the coat back the moment she saw the price tag on it.
"I can afford it, Jean. You look so beautiful in it," Scott said.
"Scott, we share a bank account which I just looked at this morning. Nothing's been touched. Do you have like a piggy bank you keep secret?" Jean asked her husband, still stunned at the gift.
Scott just chuckled. "You know I would never keep anything like that secret from you. If you must know, I sold my Batman #251 comic book. I got it appraised for just under $5000. I sold it to a private collector then got your coat."
"Oh, Scott… I know how much you treasure your comic book collection," Jean said, her eyes welling with tears.
"I treasure you more," Scott said smiling. "Come on, try it on."
It fit perfectly. Jean had such a difficult time bringing herself to take the coat off. She loved it! "And to think, I thought you were bored out of your mind while I was shopping that day," Jean said teasingly.
"Oh, I was bored," Scott said laughing. "But I'm also observant by nature. And that was the only item in that store that you looked at for a good ten minutes."
"Thank you so much, Scott! You know I would have been happy with anything, right? But this means so much more to me knowing what you gave up," Jean said her eyes welling with tears.
"I love you, Jean. It was no sacrifice. If I could, I would gather the stars from the sky and lay them at your feet," Scott said. Jean knew her husband meant every word.
"I love you, Scott. From the moment I met you, you've cared for me, protected me, given me a home, and two beautiful children… Never once in all the years we've been together have you hurt me, shamed me, been unfaithful or given me reason to doubt you. You own my heart, Scott. You always will," Jean said, kissing her husband passionately.
Scott and Jean were so lost in each other for several minutes Scott had started divesting Jean of her clothing when she suddenly pulled away. "Oh, I almost forgot! I still have one more present for you! Well, it's definitely not going to top your gift… But here it is," Jean said, grabbing the little box that held their vacation package and flights.
Jean could tell her husband needed a moment to gather himself and cool his blood. He finally took the box from her. After a second of digging through it, Scott pulled out a tiny little booklet, about the size of a hockey card. On the cover it said, 'Because I Love You! Coupon Booklet'. Jean smiled knowing her husband was intrigued.
Scott flipped open the coupon booklet. "Coupon 1. No chores for 24 hours." Scott burst out laughing. "Oh, man… I'm gonna save this for the Stanley Cup final!"
"You definitely can. They don't expire," Jean said.
"Coupon 2. You win one fight," Scott read out loud. "Wow, I'm going to have to use this one wisely."
"You do that, darling," Jean said smiling.
"Coupon 3. A cup of hot cocoa and a cuddle," Scott said, continuing to flip through the booklet. "Hmm… I may redeem that tonight. What's this next one… Coupon 4. Control of the TV remote for 24 hours. Hmm… Again, will save for the Stanley Cup final."
Jean just laughed. She and Scott were both having so much fun.
"Okay, Coupon 5," Scott continued. "Breakfast in bed. Nice! Do I get to pick what I want for breakfast?"
"Yes, you do!"
"Sweet! I want two eggs, over easy, four hickory-smoked bacon strips, four pork sausage links, two pieces of ham, four buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and hash brown on the side. I'll let you decide when to surprise me with it," Scott said excitedly.
"Alright… I'll make sure to have an ambulance on stand-by when you have that inevitable heart attack," Jean said drolly.
Her husband just laughed. He turned to the next page. He sat up quite quickly, his interest obviously having gone up another notch. "The naughty section," Scott read out loud.
Jean just smiled.
Scott blushed, but quickly turned the page and read out loud, "One whip cream or chocolate sauce adventure."
"Honey, you're turning redder than your glasses," Jean said teasingly.
Scott cleared his throat. "You umm… would risk your beloved bed sheets?"
"What can I say… You're special to me," Jean said, playing along. "Go on, there's more."
Scott flipped to the next page. "One role-playing session of your choice… Hmm…"
Jean could see all the naughty images playing through her husband's mind. It was a good thing Rachel was out of the house. She didn't want her daughter accidentally catching a stray thought.
Scott continued. "One skirt, no panties day. Oh my God, Jean! That's scandalous! I love it!"
Jean just laughed. Scott turned the next page and read out loud, "One skinny dipping adventure. Wow, I'm definitely taking that one with us when we go on vacation! Hmm… let's see the last one… Wildcard: Anything, Anytime."
Jean knew her husband was beyond aroused through their psychic rapport. She herself was pretty hot and bothered just hearing him read the coupons out loud. "You know you're projecting your thoughts, right?" Jean said somewhat amused.
Her husband cleared his throat. "Hon, how long do we have before the kids come back home?"
"About three hours or so," Jean answered.
"Let's go upstairs!" Scott said.
"Scott!" Jean said, giggling.
"You're right, we don't need to. The kids aren't home," Scott said, who started unbuttoning his wife's shirt.
"We have guests coming for dinner! We need to start cooking!" Jean said, pushing her husband away half-heartedly.
Scott looked disappointed for a moment. But just when Jean thought her husband would relent. He reached for the coupon book behind her and ripped out one of the pages. Then he leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, "Anything, anytime."
Jean couldn't argue with that… Not that she wanted to.
To be continued...
Thanks so much for reading, guys! I can't believe it's been exactly one year since I started my story The Girl From Tomorrow. This was initially supposed to be my last chapter, but it just didn't feel like a proper ending, so please hit next chapter for the final story.
With this little world I created, I was able to give Scott and Jean the life they deserved. And I was able to give us fans the happy ending we were cruelly robbed of. Thanks so much for all the kind words of encouragement and story ideas along the way. Please feel free to drop me a line. I'd love to know what you all think. Cheers!