Dallas , Texas
Christmas Eve
Harlee waited outside of the bus station resting her legs on her luggage . She normally enjoyed the holiday season but this time the festivities , hugged up couples , and carols were annoying her to no end . She crossed her arms and continued waiting impatiently for her ride " Where are you Mark ? " she tapped her foot and rolled her eyes .
" Harlee ! " someone called out to her just as she was about to place in her ear buds , she looked around and finally spotted her uncle Mark " There is my college girl , come here " he jetted over to greet her " Hey " she smiled and was trapped in his bear hug " It's so good to see you doll face " he released her and placed a kiss on her forehead " Likewise …. we should hurry up and get to the house " she stretched a bit and yawned " I can't wait to see auntie " she shrugged and placed her hands in her hoodie pockets " Good because she has something special for you " he grabbed her luggage and took her under his arm " Sounds exciting , I can't wait to find out what it is . I'm happy to be back " she rested her arm on his shoulder as they headed to the car. " If you are up for it tomorrow , I'm going a toy drive for the WWE . I'm sure some of the guys and girls would be happy to see you there . Julia is joining me and I am sure you don't want to be alone in the house …. but no pressure " her goal was just to get through her time off without doing too much , she was absolutely miserable on the inside but it was something she wanted to keep to herself " … I'll think about it , lets just get home " she leaned into him some more and proceeded to the vehicle .
Pensacola Florida , Christmas Eve
" Is there something I can help you with ? " Joe asked as he shut the over door closed " You interrupted my time with Leary … and now you are in my face like one photograph that we took for show has changed things between us … you have a good life Alfonse … why are you here ? " he leaned up against the counter and crossed his arms . " We've been arguing since we were young boys Joe and you are still blaming me for your accident , harbor all of the ill will that you like … but since it's Christmas I'd like to give you a gift … after all we are family " he placed his hands on his hip and pulled and envelope out of his pocket " I couldn't do this infront of uncle because of everything that happened … but I've always cared about your well being Joe … and I think you are going to appreciate this " he approached Joe and handed him the purple envelope " Go on and open it … " Joe snatched the envelope from Alfonse and examined it a bit " Not sure what this … I appreciate the kind gesture " he chuckled a bit and took a few steps back " But I don't need your charity … or anything else from you Alfonse " he ripped the envelope in half and allowed it to drop to the floor . Alfonse stroked his chin and slowly nodded " I see …. I just tried to do right by you . Well I hope that you find your holiday spirit " he saluted and stepped out of the kitchen .
Joe rolled his eyes and picked up the torn envelope , he had planned to trash it Leary snuck up on him and grabbed the back of his legs which lead to him unknowingly putting the pieces on the table " Oh god Leary you gotta stop doing that , and that oven is hot so be careful " he leaned over and grabbed her hands " I'm sorry Joe , I just wanna taste the cookies already they smell so good " she released him and began to bounce up and down " You are acting like you had sugar already , I told mom not to leave those m&ms out " he chuckled and helped Leary take a seat at the table " Look there are plenty of fruits on the table , have some grapes and then we can eat all of the sweets we want tonight after we open our gifts " he winked and messed with one of her pigtails " Okay ! " she wiggled a bit and took notice of the torn envelope " You ripped your Christmas card Joe " she observed on of the halves " No I didn't but I tell you what , why don't you go scribble on it for me while I check on the cookies and get the frosting .. how does that sound ? " he kneeled down " Okay ! I'll make it pretty for you " she slid the other piece towards her before hopping off of the chair " Okay but first take these grapes with you " he pulled a vine of grapes from the bowl and placed them in a napkin before handing them to her " Thank you Joe " she remained cheery and excited as she went to do her own thing.
" You are such a good uncle " a familiar voice appeared " Huh ? oh …. hey " he rubbed the back of his neck in an awkward manner " Julissa … it's really good to see you " she had gotten even more beautiful with age and tugged her oversized festive sweater " Likewise … you know I've been watching you kick butt on that football field . You are going to go on to do big things " she slowly nodded " Thanks … I gather you saw Alfonse out there " he swung his arms back and forth " I saw him briefly … for the record I didn't … " " It's all good , I know " Joe cut her off and held his collar " Your family must be in town " he raised his eyebrow " Actually they are on the island , I didn't want to go so when Matt contacted me to ask my help for the WWE toy drive I used it as the perfect excuse to get out of it " she pulled her lovely raven colored mane back with some flirtatious flare " Are you gonna go ? " she asked and held her hands against her legs " I doubt it , I'll probably just watch some NBA stuff and besides my dad is going to be throwing hints about me training . I'd rather focus on my studies " he soon smelled the scent of the cookies getting stronger and knew it was time to take them out " One second , let me take these out or else Leary will never forgive me " he opened the over door and grabbed his mit " You are so cute , look at you go " Julissa continued to laugh and give him signals . Joe began to blush , although it has been years since they interacted physically she would always be apart of his life and knew his weak spots . Also the truth was that he wanted to experience love during the holiday season , he was lonely so maybe hanging around with Julissa wasn't so bad .
" There we go , I have to go and find her so that we can hook these things up …. wherever it is she went " he shrugged and approached the door where Julissa had been standing " Okay I'll just follow along " she winked and followed him into the living room .
" Wait a minute ! STOP IT RIGHT THERE " Sika shouted out and frightened the both of them " Come on dad you trying to give me a heart attack ? " he rolled his eyes and played it off " Nonsense , the two of you are standing under the mistletoe you know … there are rules in this house " he smiled proudly . Joe was frozen and confused for a moment " Come on dad …. " he swallowed nervously " Joe … where is your holiday spirit and what did I tell you about leaving women waiting ? " Sika nodded. Joe turned to Julissa who appeared to be hiding how anxious she was , his eyes wandered to her red lips . She was indeed his bad habit and this kiss could lead him back into a world of trouble " Joe ? " she smiled " Oh … I'm sorry … " he rolled his tongue across his lips and leaned in slightly hesitant , but once their lips touched he was unapologetic .
Dallas , Texas
It was nearing 8pm and Harlee had slipped into her snow man pajama bottoms and a Snoopy t-shirt . Mark and Julissa were downstairs speaking with one of the members of their church and Harlee decided to keep to herself and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate while she watched A Garfield Christmas Special . She sat on her bed and hugged her knees " I can never get enough of this cartoon " she smiled and shed a few tears " and no I am not sitting here crying … " the animation was rather touching and she was being reminded of how much she wanted to be that much in love someday . " If I wasn't dreaming about that kiss in the Photo Booth … I wonder what he's doing and where he is …. " she wiped her tears once more and took a deep breath .
Pensacola , Florida
" Where is Joe ? he promised to frost these cookies with Leary ! " Marilyn stood above the sheet full of cookies shaking her head " That boy , goodness " she grabbed the sheet as Leary ran in and took a seat at the table " Grandma can you please put this under the tree for Joe ? " she asked waving a new green 5x7 envelope " Oh sweetheart , did you make him a card ? " she walked over to the table and kissed her grandchild's forehead " Well he ripped his picture by mistake , he told me I could draw on it but she was so pretty " she fisted her cheeks happily " What do you mean my dear ? " Marilyn giggled " There was a picture of a lady in there … she's so pretty so I glued it back for him . Maybe she's his friend " she shrugged . Marilyn smiled and took the envelope " Okay sweetheart I'll take this for you " she winked and headed into the living room " …. Grandma is going to be a bit nosey , especially since you didn't seal the envelope sweetie " she giggled and pulled the flap " What is this ? " it appeared to be part of a news article and there was indeed a well captured candid photograph of a young woman speaking with student who was overwhelmed and holding a large check in his hands " … This is bizarre … " she was truly confused until she recognized a familiar name " .. Oh my god …. " she held her hand over her mouth and stood in shock " … Oh Joe … "