A/N So since Christmas is technically until the fifth of January I will still be posting these until then. (Hopefully I'll finish by then but no promises.
Disclaimer: I don't own ROTG or The Guardians Of Childhood
Jackie's third Christmas - Forgiveness
"Slow down Jacqueline." Sophie laughed as she hurried down the hallway chasing after her young daughter.
"No" Jackie laughed. "No, No, no."
"Yes," Sophie said. "Yes, yes, yes. You could get hurt, little one."
"No!" Jackie laughed.
"Yes," Sophie said as she caught up to and picked up her little girl. "Yes, I got you little one."
"And just what is going on here?" Sophie looked up to see Sally right Infront of them.
"Jackie and I are playing," Sophie said.
"Playing." Jackie copied. "Down, down!" She cried kicking her legs at the empty air.
"But if I put you down, you'll start running. You could break something or get hurt."
"Down! Down!" Jackie cried. "Down!"
"How about we go outside?" Sophie asked. "And we play in the snow."
" 'No!" Jackie cried. "'no!"
Sophie placed Jackie on the ground and watched as she ran straight for the winter coats. Sophie smirked. Jackie had trouble combining her consonants so, 'No' could just have easily meant 'snow' as well as just 'No'.
Sophie followed Jackie to the front door and helped Jackie put on her winter coat and boots. "Call us, when Jamie and Dad are ready to open gifts. We'll just be in the front yard."
"Yep." Mom said. "And don't forget we have that family dinner at your aunt's today."
Sophie, nodded uneasily before she zipped her coat up and opened the door and Jackie shot out the door and Sophie followed her.
It was early in the morning around 7:00 AM. The sun was just now peaking up from the horizon. Jackie laughed as she ran through the ground with snow falling.
A part of Sophie wondered if this was Jack Frost's doing or if it was just the weather doing what weather does. But she quickly snuffed out the thought. She could not stop believing in jack Frost (though a part of her wanted to out of spite), not only was it literally impossible (how do you stop believing in someone you have a child with?) but doing so would mean that she stopped believing in Jackie. Would mean denying Jackie a part of herself, and she could never do that to her daughter.
Jackie bunched up some snow and threw it in the air.
"You're out this early." A voice said.
Sophie looked up and scowled. "Evelyn." She sighed. "I could say the same for you." Evelyn was a dark brunette girl who Sophie had known back in high school.
"I'm back for Winter Break," Evelyn said. "Is that little Jackie? I see she inherited the Bennett family hair."
"Yes," Sophie said. Walk away, Evelyn.
"She's adorable," Evelyn said watching as Jackie threw some more snow into the air.
"She is," Sophie said. Please leave.
"She's so big." Lyn said. "hard to believe it's been two years since we last saw each other."
"I left school after giving birth," Sophie said. "I wanted to be with my daughter."
"No, of course," Evelyn said. "I heard you continued studying at home and earned your high school diploma that way."
"My teachers were kind enough to help me work out a plan," Sophie said staring at Evelyn. "Unlike others."
Evelyn met Sophie's eyes and then lowered her head. "I know," Evelyn said. "And I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."
"No," Sophie said. "I regret a lot, but not her," Sophie said. "Never her."
"I'm glad," Evelyn said. "I mean that."
Sophie nodded stiffly.
Evelyn seemed to sense that Sophie did not want to talk any longer. "I hope everything works out for you Bennett," Evelyn said. "See you around."
Sophie nodded and watched as Evelyn walked away.
"Ooh, was that Evelyn Rossi?" Sophie sighed and turned to Jamie. "Yep."
"Did she give you any trouble?" Jamie said.
"Nope. She apologized."
Jamie stared back at where Evelyn had disappeared. "And how do you feel about that?"
Sophie stared at Jackie and shrugged. "I don't know. I accept her apology, she seemed sincere but I'm not desperate to be her best friend or anything. Besides it's not like an apology automatically means she stopped being a complete b*tch"
Jamie laughed. "That's true, but she could have changed."
Sophie said. "Not always, some people are still the same obnoxious, judgmental, undermining-"
"Undermining?" Jamie asked.
Sophie turned her head. "Shut up."
"Ahh, the trip this evening."
"Mom and Dad are insisting I go."
"And…?"
"I'm going," Sophie said. "I just really don't want to."
"If you want, I can try to convince them."
Sophie sighed. "No, that'll just kick off another argument and it's Christmas I don't want that today."
Jamie wrapped an arm around Sophie and she leaned against him. "I miss you." She told Jamie. "I wish you could stay. It's nice to have one person around who knows."
"I know," Jamie said. "I'm sorry."
"You belong out there," Sophie said. "You've become too big for this town. Just don't forget where you came from."
"It's impossible," Jamie said. "Not when my family is here."
Sophie smiled.
"Anyway, your acting like you won't make it big," Jamie said. "You will, you having a child will not change that."
Sophie sighed before she turned to Jackie and watched as she continued to throw snow then she fell on the ground and started to make snow angels.
Sophie smiled and knelt on the snowy ground she made a fist full of snow and smiled when she realized that the snow was perfect for making snowballs and snowmen.
"Do you want to build a snowman?" She asked Jackie.
She heard Jamie cough and she turned and threw a snowball at him. Jamie shielded his face and laughed. Jackie cackled and packed together with some snow and threw it at Jamie.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's this about?" Jamie laughed. "Are you two ganging up on me?"
Jackie shrieked her cute little giggles while Sophie chuckled softly. "Play with us."
"Play!" Jackie said. "Play!"
Jamie sighed and started to make a snowball before he lightly tossed it at Sophie hitting her squarely in the face.
Sophie brushed the snow out of her face and turned to Jackie. "Snowman?"
" 'No man!' Jackie said. 'No man!"
"Sophie! Jamie! Jackie!" Sophie, Jackie and Jamie turned to see their mother standing in the doorway her arms wrapped around her just as they finished building the snowman. "It's time for breakfast and to open gifts."
"Jackie," Sophie said. "It's time tie go inside."
Jackie shook her head. "No!"
"Don't you want to find out what kind of toys you got?" Sophie asked kneeling down in the snow. "And maybe, we'll come back out later."
"Stay!" Jackie said jumping up and down. "Stay, Stay, Stay."
"Jackie." Sophie sighed then she got an idea. "Do you want ice cream?" Sophie asked.
Jackie stopped jumping and stared at Sophie. "Ice cweam?"
Sophie nodded. "Yes, Ice cream, if you come inside, I'll let you have a small bowl of ice cream."
"Ice Cweam!" Jackie said running towards her mother. "Ice Cweam! Ice Cweam!"
Sophie's smiled and picked her up and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Ice Cream."
Sophie chuckled as she watched Jackie make a mess of herself as she ate her ice cream. "Oh, my little winter sprite." She said. "Do you want help?"
Jackie shook her head. "No!"
Sophie chuckled and bopped her little girl on the nose.
"Sophie" Dad called Sophie turned to see her father holding a gift out for her. Sophie smiled and took it into her hands and read that it had her name on it and that it was from mom and dad. She smiled when she opened it and found a book entitled: Burgess: From Colonial to Independence. She had remembered a few years ago when doing research on Jack's gift how she had always been at the archives looking things up. When asked what she was doing Sophie had stated that she had found a fascination with history and that had been part of the truth, as she dug deeper, she had found the history of Burgess to be something truly fascinating. "Thank you," Sophie said with a smile giving her parents a hug.
"You're welcome." Sally and Jason said together.
Dad then picked up another present and handed it to Jamie. Jamie stared at the name of the person who gave it to him(Sophie) before he slowly tore off the paper. He laughed when he saw what was inside. The movie that the film company Jamie worked for was making a movie based on a YA novel so Sophie in her infinite wisdom had bought him not only the YA Novel the movie was based on, but every single book in the series. Jamie broke out laughing and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Soph, I needed that laugh."
Sophie smirked. "Even an assistant director should know the story they're undoubtedly going to change and destroy."
Jamie rolled his eyes. "Changes have to be made, it's a 300-page story."
"Uh-huh, this is why books are better, they can be however long you want," Sophie shrugged "No need to forsake the plot for time – I can just take the time I need."
"Oh hardy har," Jamie said. "You know that's not true."
Sophie chuckled and stepped out of the way when it looked as though Jamie was about to push her.
"Speaking of, how has your writing been going since that story was accepted in Literature Weekly?"
Sophie nodded. "Going good. I sent another piece off a couple of months ago, I'll hear at some point after the holidays whether or not it was accepted."
"That long?"
Sophie shrugged the idea that it would take long had not really bothered her, she had learned since she first started looking into submitting to magazines that the consideration period could take a long time. Some Magazines could take up to nine months for short story considerations. And some magazines did not like to have stories to be reprinted in another magazine.
Still, when she was accepted it was money in her pocket, money that could be put toward a house, and food, and clothes for Jackie.
"It's fine, it's how it goes," Sophie said with a shrug. "It's good money while I'm going through school."
While they were talking mom and dad opened their own presents, Dad got a sketchpad and pencils from Sophie and Jamie and Jackie. While Mom received a brand-new dress that Sophie had seen her eyeing in the store several weeks before.
Then it was Jackie's turn, fortunately, she had finished her ice cream but unfortunately, she had more ice cream on herself then inside her stomach. Sophie had laughed but a handful of tissues wet the tissues and did her best to clean Jackie's face and hands. "Oh Sweetie, you're so dirty"
"Dirty!" Jackie echoed.
"Yes, Dirty" Sophie said. "You are dirty, you're going to need a bath," Sophie said. "After we open presents, you need a bath."
Jackie shook her head. "No Bath, No Bath!"
Sophie chuckled. "One quick Bath," Sophie said. "But first," Sophie said putting the gift behind her back. "You have to open your gift."
Jackie's eyes widened Sophie pulled the gift from behind her and waved it Infront of Jackie. "Do you want it? Do you want it?" Jackie held her hands out and Sophie smiled before she gave it to Jackie.
Jackie stared at it before she started to rip the paper off and saw a DVD of the Rankin and Bass Jack Frost. Sophie stared at it. "Where did you find that old fossil?" She asked.
"Hey!" Mom exclaimed while Dad just chuckled. "I was 2 when that movie came out it's not that old."
Sophie winced. "Sorry mom, I just meant that I didn't think it was still out."
"Well we are lucky enough to have kept our DVD player in working order, and I found this in an old second-hand shop a while ago I thought Jackie would like it."
Sophie laughed. "Maybe we'll watch it later," Sophie said taking the movie from Jackie, "It'll be over here," Sophie said softly when it looked like Jackie was about to start crying. "But I'm taking it so it doesn't get broken."
"Bwoken?" Jackie said.
"Yes," Sophie said. "We don't want it to get broken right?"
"No Bwoken!" Jackie said.
Sophie nodded and placed it on the table by the TV and turned to everyone. "Who's next?"
After presents, (where it was revealed that Jamie got a new video game that Sophie couldn't tell the name of, mom got a brand new tea set painted in the style of Monet, while dad got plates that were painted in the style of Van Gogh. Jackie got a couple of extra toys a polar bear from Sophie, some rag dolls from Mom and Dad, and several other types of toys from 'Santa') Jamie pulled Sophie aside and handed her books on the subject of winter, ice, snow, winds, temperature, and somehow a book on cryokinesis. Sophie knew it wasn't perfect but maybe it could help her if and/or when Jackie developed powers.
"Where did you get this?" Sophie asked raising the cryokinetic book.
"Yeah, I found that by chance on the internet," Jamie said. "I think the author thinks it's not real, but honestly I figured that even a stopped clock is right twice a day."
Sophie held them tightly and smiled and gave Jamie a hug and quickly ran into her room to hide them away and when she came back out, she gave Jackie a bath.
Jamie watched Sophie as she walked back into the living room to get her daughter passing by Jason as he did so.
"You're a good brother."
Jamie turned to see his father smiling softly at him. "I'm just trying to help her," Jamie said. "Even if I can't be here."
Jason sighed put an arm around his son. "That's what a good brother does."
"So… tell me about this movie you're involved in?"
Jamie sighed. "You wouldn't be interested, it's the typical boy meets girl romance."
"So…?" Jason said. "It's still a movie you're attached too, and I want to know more about it."
"If that was the case…" Jamie started. "You could see it?"
"That's a given." Jason returned. "But I want to know more about your role."
So Jamie told him.
Sophie took her daughter to the pond near her house, she allowed Jackie to walk on the ice while Sophie walked on the grass beside her holding tightly to Jackie's hand. Though to be honest Jackie didn't need her handheld, most likely because of her father, Jackie was able to balance on the ice pretty well, and never seemed to slip or fall.
They couldn't stay long, the Bennett family were going to be going to dinner at her aunt's. Something Sophie had not been looking forward too. She hadn't seen her aunt since Jackie's first Christmas two Christmases ago.
Her mother had assured her that her aunt would not say such things again, that she had learned her lesson, and that if Sophie had at any point felt like she was being overly judged and undermined they would just leave. Sophie had been prepared to just insist that they could stay home. Then her father stepped in, asking that she at least try. To go for at least fifteen minutes and if it was too much they would go.
Sophie had found it hard to argue. Especially considering that aunty had apologized when she had called to invite her. So she had agreed.
Still, Sophie was wary, at least she wasn't going alone and her grandparents would be there, her grandparents had always been kind to her.
"We keep running into each other." Sophie bit her lip and turned around to see Evelyn walking toward her.
"What are you doing here," Sophie asked her tone harsher than she meant it to.
"It's a public pond, Bennett," Evelyn said.
Sophie took a deep breath. "That came out harsher then I meant it too. I meant what brings you here."
Evelyn shrugged. "Needed to go for a walk." She said.
Sophie continued to walk along the edge of the pond.
"Are you ok?" Evelyn asked. "You seem on edge?"
"I'm fine," Sophie said. "And No offence but you're the last person I would tell my problems to."
Evelyn pursed her lips. "I deserved that."
"You did worse," Sophie said.
"I know," Evelyn said. "I'm sorry."
Sophie looked away. "And that means I supposed to just believe you."
"No," Evelyn said. "But you deserve to hear it nonetheless. It's my job to prove it not yours."
Sophie stared at Evelyn. "What happened to you?"
Evelyn sighed. "People change Sophie." She said.
"Not always," Sophie said.
"No," Evelyn said. "And when they do it's not always for the better either. But people can change for the better."
"Like you?"
Evelyn shrugged. "I don't know, I hope so." She said. "See you, Bennett," She said before she turned and walked away, just as Jamie came into view.
"Should I be worried?" Jamie asked.
Sophie shook her head. "It was actually a half-decent conversation." She said. "She helped me figure some things out."
"Evelyn? Queen Bee of high school?" Jamie asked amused. "Wow."
Sophie shrugged. "People change Jamie."
"Well, mom sent me out to tell you that it's almost time to go," Jamie said. "Unless your suddenly not feeling well.
Sophie appreciated the out, but she shook her head. "Nah, let's go, Granny and Grampa will be there, and Jackie deserves the chance to at least see them."
Jackie looked at her young daughter. "Let's go little one, time for the party."
"party?" Jackie asked.
"Party, we're going to see Granny and Grampa," Sophie said. "Won't that be nice?"
"Yay!" Jackie said before she stepped off the ice and started running. Dragging Sophie along with her.
Lissa opened the door. "Hey guys!" she said giving everyone a hug. "Oh and is that little Jackie, she's gotten so big." She said. "Come in, come in."
Sophie gave a small smile as she entered the house.
"Can I hold her?" Aunt Lissa asked
Sophie stared up at Aunt Lissa who was staring at her. "Umm," Sophie said she whispered in Jackie's ear. "Do you want to go to great-auntie Lissa?"
Jackie stared up at Lissa and smiled. "Ok!" She said reaching for auntie Lissa.
Sophie gave Jackie to Lissa and closed the door behind her.
"I am sorry," Lissa said. "I made many assumptions I should not have made, and I upset you," Lissa said.
Sophie nodded. "I accept it. People change." Sophie said.
"Hey, Sophie," The youngest of Lissa's daughters said.
"Hey, Jess," Sophie said. "How's life been treating you."
"It's been good, finally made the soccer team."
Sophie looked surprised. "Congratulations!" She said. "I'm proud of you."
"So… Sophie Bennett and her family arrived."
"Jen," Sophie said. "Have a problem with me being here."
Jen stepped forward her arms crossed and walked toward her until she was right in Sophie's face. "I see you've changed."
"Perhaps?" Sophie said. "Have you?"
Jen rolled her eyes. "Just because mom's being extra kind does not mean your not a disgrace."
"I'll take that as a no," Sophie said. "Oh well can't have everything." She said before walking off she had a couple of grandparents to introduce her baby too.
Things went pretty smoothly after that. They had dinner and everyone went around the table telling stories, Jackie was constantly in someone's lap eating and when she wasn't she was running around being chased by Sophie, or Jamie or occasionally Jessica.
But for a moment it was getting to much, so Sophie excused herself and went to the porch and stared up at the sky.
"I want to forgive you." She said pretending that Jack could hear her. "But you have to at least prove that you've changed, that you feel sorry for what you did," Sophie said. "I can't, I'm still so angry at you for leaving me. People change Jack, and I hope that when you finally come back – you have too, and maybe then we can talk"
Sophie then nodded to herself before she went back inside.
"Slow down Jacqueline." Sophie laughed as she hurried down the hallway chasing after her young daughter.
"No" Jackie laughed. "No, No, no."
"Yes," Sophie said. "Yes, yes, yes. You could get hurt, little one."
"No!" Jackie laughed.
"Yes," Sophie said as she caught up to and picked up her little girl. "Yes, I got you little one."
"And just what is going on here?" Sophie looked up to see Sally right Infront of them.
"Jackie and I are playing," Sophie said.
"Playing." Jackie copied. "Down, down!" She cried kicking her legs at the empty air.
"But if I put you down, you'll start running. You could break something or get hurt."
"Down! Down!" Jackie cried. "Down!"
"How about we go outside?" Sophie asked. "And we play in the snow."
" 'No!" Jackie cried. "'no!"
Sophie placed Jackie on the ground and watched as she ran straight for the winter coats. Sophie smirked. Jackie had trouble combining her consonants so, 'No' could just have easily meant 'snow' as well as just 'No'.
Sophie followed Jackie to the front door and helped Jackie put on her winter coat and boots. "Call us, when Jamie and Dad are ready to open gifts. We'll just be in the front yard."
"Yep." Mom said. "And don't forget we have that family dinner at your aunt's today."
Sophie, nodded uneasily before she zipped her coat up and opened the door and Jackie shot out the door and Sophie followed her.
It was early in the morning around 7:00 AM. The sun was just now peaking up from the horizon. Jackie laughed as she ran through the ground with snow falling.
A part of Sophie wondered if this was Jack Frost's doing or if it was just the weather doing what weather does. But she quickly snuffed out the thought. She could not stop believing in jack Frost (though a part of her wanted to out of spite), not only was it literally impossible (how do you stop believing in someone you have a child with?) but doing so would mean that she stopped believing in Jackie. Would mean denying Jackie a part of herself, and she could never do that to her daughter.
Jackie bunched up some snow and threw it in the air.
"You're out this early." A voice said.
Sophie looked up and scowled. "Evelyn." She sighed. "I could say the same for you." Evelyn was a dark brunette girl who Sophie had known back in high school.
"I'm back for Winter Break," Evelyn said. "Is that little Jackie? I see she inherited the Bennett family hair."
"Yes," Sophie said. Walk away, Evelyn.
"She's adorable," Evelyn said watching as Jackie threw some more snow into the air.
"She is," Sophie said. Please leave.
"She's so big." Lyn said. "hard to believe it's been two years since we last saw each other."
"I left school after giving birth," Sophie said. "I wanted to be with my daughter."
"No, of course," Evelyn said. "I heard you continued studying at home and earned your high school diploma that way."
"My teachers were kind enough to help me work out a plan," Sophie said staring at Evelyn. "Unlike others."
Evelyn met Sophie's eyes and then lowered her head. "I know," Evelyn said. "And I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."
"No," Sophie said. "I regret a lot, but not her," Sophie said. "Never her."
"I'm glad," Evelyn said. "I mean that."
Sophie nodded stiffly.
Evelyn seemed to sense that Sophie did not want to talk any longer. "I hope everything works out for you Bennett," Evelyn said. "See you around."
Sophie nodded and watched as Evelyn walked away.
"Ooh, was that Evelyn Rossi?" Sophie sighed and turned to Jamie. "Yep."
"Did she give you any trouble?" Jamie said.
"Nope. She apologized."
Jamie stared back at where Evelyn had disappeared. "And how do you feel about that?"
Sophie stared at Jackie and shrugged. "I don't know. I accept her apology, she seemed sincere but I'm not desperate to be her best friend or anything. Besides it's not like an apology automatically means she stopped being a complete b*tch"
Jamie laughed. "That's true, but she could have changed."
Sophie said. "Not always, some people are still the same obnoxious, judgmental, undermining-"
"Undermining?" Jamie asked.
Sophie turned her head. "Shut up."
"Ahh, the trip this evening."
"Mom and Dad are insisting I go."
"And…?"
"I'm going," Sophie said. "I just really don't want to."
"If you want, I can try to convince them."
Sophie sighed. "No, that'll just kick off another argument and it's Christmas I don't want that today."
Jamie wrapped an arm around Sophie and she leaned against him. "I miss you." She told Jamie. "I wish you could stay. It's nice to have one person around who knows."
"I know," Jamie said. "I'm sorry."
"You belong out there," Sophie said. "You've become too big for this town. Just don't forget where you came from."
"It's impossible," Jamie said. "Not when my family is here."
Sophie smiled.
"Anyway, your acting like you won't make it big," Jamie said. "You will, you having a child will not change that."
Sophie sighed before she turned to Jackie and watched as she continued to throw snow then she fell on the ground and started to make snow angels.
Sophie smiled and knelt on the snowy ground she made a fist full of snow and smiled when she realized that the snow was perfect for making snowballs and snowmen.
"Do you want to build a snowman?" She asked Jackie.
She heard Jamie cough and she turned and threw a snowball at him. Jamie shielded his face and laughed. Jackie cackled and packed together with some snow and threw it at Jamie.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's this about?" Jamie laughed. "Are you two ganging up on me?"
Jackie shrieked her cute little giggles while Sophie chuckled softly. "Play with us."
"Play!" Jackie said. "Play!"
Jamie sighed and started to make a snowball before he lightly tossed it at Sophie hitting her squarely in the face.
Sophie brushed the snow out of her face and turned to Jackie. "Snowman?"
" 'No man!' Jackie said. 'No man!"
"Sophie! Jamie! Jackie!" Sophie, Jackie and Jamie turned to see their mother standing in the doorway her arms wrapped around her just as they finished building the snowman. "It's time for breakfast and to open gifts."
"Jackie," Sophie said. "It's time tie go inside."
Jackie shook her head. "No!"
"Don't you want to find out what kind of toys you got?" Sophie asked kneeling down in the snow. "And maybe, we'll come back out later."
"Stay!" Jackie said jumping up and down. "Stay, Stay, Stay."
"Jackie." Sophie sighed then she got an idea. "Do you want ice cream?" Sophie asked.
Jackie stopped jumping and stared at Sophie. "Ice cweam?"
Sophie nodded. "Yes, Ice cream, if you come inside, I'll let you have a small bowl of ice cream."
"Ice Cweam!" Jackie said running towards her mother. "Ice Cweam! Ice Cweam!"
Sophie's smiled and picked her up and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Ice Cream."
Sophie chuckled as she watched Jackie make a mess of herself as she ate her ice cream. "Oh, my little winter sprite." She said. "Do you want help?"
Jackie shook her head. "No!"
Sophie chuckled and bopped her little girl on the nose.
"Sophie" Dad called Sophie turned to see her father holding a gift out for her. Sophie smiled and took it into her hands and read that it had her name on it and that it was from mom and dad. She smiled when she opened it and found a book entitled: Burgess: From Colonial to Independence. She had remembered a few years ago when doing research on Jack's gift how she had always been at the archives looking things up. When asked what she was doing Sophie had stated that she had found a fascination with history and that had been part of the truth, as she dug deeper, she had found the history of Burgess to be something truly fascinating. "Thank you," Sophie said with a smile giving her parents a hug.
"You're welcome." Sally and Jason said together.
Dad then picked up another present and handed it to Jamie. Jamie stared at the name of the person who gave it to him(Sophie) before he slowly tore off the paper. He laughed when he saw what was inside. The movie that the film company Jamie worked for was making a movie based on a YA novel so Sophie in her infinite wisdom had bought him not only the YA Novel the movie was based on, but every single book in the series. Jamie broke out laughing and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Soph, I needed that laugh."
Sophie smirked. "Even an assistant director should know the story they're undoubtedly going to change and destroy."
Jamie rolled his eyes. "Changes have to be made, it's a 300-page story."
"Uh-huh, this is why books are better, they can be however long you want," Sophie shrugged "No need to forsake the plot for time – I can just take the time I need."
"Oh hardy har," Jamie said. "You know that's not true."
Sophie chuckled and stepped out of the way when it looked as though Jamie was about to push her.
"Speaking of, how has your writing been going since that story was accepted in Literature Weekly?"
Sophie nodded. "Going good. I sent another piece off a couple of months ago, I'll hear at some point after the holidays whether or not it was accepted."
"That long?"
Sophie shrugged the idea that it would take long had not really bothered her, she had learned since she first started looking into submitting to magazines that the consideration period could take a long time. Some Magazines could take up to nine months for short story considerations. And some magazines did not like to have stories to be reprinted in another magazine.
Still, when she was accepted it was money in her pocket, money that could be put toward a house, and food, and clothes for Jackie.
"It's fine, it's how it goes," Sophie said with a shrug. "It's good money while I'm going through school."
While they were talking mom and dad opened their own presents, Dad got a sketchpad and pencils from Sophie and Jamie and Jackie. While Mom received a brand-new dress that Sophie had seen her eyeing in the store several weeks before.
Then it was Jackie's turn, fortunately, she had finished her ice cream but unfortunately, she had more ice cream on herself then inside her stomach. Sophie had laughed but a handful of tissues wet the tissues and did her best to clean Jackie's face and hands. "Oh Sweetie, you're so dirty"
"Dirty!" Jackie echoed.
"Yes, Dirty" Sophie said. "You are dirty, you're going to need a bath," Sophie said. "After we open presents, you need a bath."
Jackie shook her head. "No Bath, No Bath!"
Sophie chuckled. "One quick Bath," Sophie said. "But first," Sophie said putting the gift behind her back. "You have to open your gift."
Jackie's eyes widened Sophie pulled the gift from behind her and waved it Infront of Jackie. "Do you want it? Do you want it?" Jackie held her hands out and Sophie smiled before she gave it to Jackie.
Jackie stared at it before she started to rip the paper off and saw a DVD of the Rankin and Bass Jack Frost. Sophie stared at it. "Where did you find that old fossil?" She asked.
"Hey!" Mom exclaimed while Dad just chuckled. "I was 2 when that movie came out it's not that old."
Sophie winced. "Sorry mom, I just meant that I didn't think it was still out."
"Well we are lucky enough to have kept our DVD player in working order, and I found this in an old second-hand shop a while ago I thought Jackie would like it."
Sophie laughed. "Maybe we'll watch it later," Sophie said taking the movie from Jackie, "It'll be over here," Sophie said softly when it looked like Jackie was about to start crying. "But I'm taking it so it doesn't get broken."
"Bwoken?" Jackie said.
"Yes," Sophie said. "We don't want it to get broken right?"
"No Bwoken!" Jackie said.
Sophie nodded and placed it on the table by the TV and turned to everyone. "Who's next?"
After presents, (where it was revealed that Jamie got a new video game that Sophie couldn't tell the name of, mom got a brand new tea set painted in the style of Monet, while dad got plates that were painted in the style of Van Gogh. Jackie got a couple of extra toys a polar bear from Sophie, some rag dolls from Mom and Dad, and several other types of toys from 'Santa') Jamie pulled Sophie aside and handed her books on the subject of winter, ice, snow, winds, temperature, and somehow a book on cryokinesis. Sophie knew it wasn't perfect but maybe it could help her if and/or when Jackie developed powers.
"Where did you get this?" Sophie asked raising the cryokinetic book.
"Yeah, I found that by chance on the internet," Jamie said. "I think the author thinks it's not real, but honestly I figured that even a stopped clock is right twice a day."
Sophie held them tightly and smiled and gave Jamie a hug and quickly ran into her room to hide them away and when she came back out, she gave Jackie a bath.
Jamie watched Sophie as she walked back into the living room to get her daughter passing by Jason as he did so.
"You're a good brother."
Jamie turned to see his father smiling softly at him. "I'm just trying to help her," Jamie said. "Even if I can't be here."
Jason sighed put an arm around his son. "That's what a good brother does."
"So… tell me about this movie you're involved in?"
Jamie sighed. "You wouldn't be interested, it's the typical boy meets girl romance."
"So…?" Jason said. "It's still a movie you're attached too, and I want to know more about it."
"If that was the case…" Jamie started. "You could see it?"
"That's a given." Jason returned. "But I want to know more about your role."
So Jamie told him.
Sophie took her daughter to the pond near her house, she allowed Jackie to walk on the ice while Sophie walked on the grass beside her holding tightly to Jackie's hand. Though to be honest Jackie didn't need her handheld, most likely because of her father, Jackie was able to balance on the ice pretty well, and never seemed to slip or fall.
They couldn't stay long, the Bennett family were going to be going to dinner at her aunt's. Something Sophie had not been looking forward too. She hadn't seen her aunt since Jackie's first Christmas two Christmases ago.
Her mother had assured her that her aunt would not say such things again, that she had learned her lesson, and that if Sophie had at any point felt like she was being overly judged and undermined they would just leave. Sophie had been prepared to just insist that they could stay home. Then her father stepped in, asking that she at least try. To go for at least fifteen minutes and if it was too much they would go.
Sophie had found it hard to argue. Especially considering that aunty had apologized when she had called to invite her. So she had agreed.
Still, Sophie was wary, at least she wasn't going alone and her grandparents would be there, her grandparents had always been kind to her.
"We keep running into each other." Sophie bit her lip and turned around to see Evelyn walking toward her.
"What are you doing here," Sophie asked her tone harsher than she meant it to.
"It's a public pond, Bennett," Evelyn said.
Sophie took a deep breath. "That came out harsher then I meant it too. I meant what brings you here."
Evelyn shrugged. "Needed to go for a walk." She said.
Sophie continued to walk along the edge of the pond.
"Are you ok?" Evelyn asked. "You seem on edge?"
"I'm fine," Sophie said. "And No offence but you're the last person I would tell my problems to."
Evelyn pursed her lips. "I deserved that."
"You did worse," Sophie said.
"I know," Evelyn said. "I'm sorry."
Sophie looked away. "And that means I supposed to just believe you."
"No," Evelyn said. "But you deserve to hear it nonetheless. It's my job to prove it not yours."
Sophie stared at Evelyn. "What happened to you?"
Evelyn sighed. "People change Sophie." She said.
"Not always," Sophie said.
"No," Evelyn said. "And when they do it's not always for the better either. But people can change for the better."
"Like you?"
Evelyn shrugged. "I don't know, I hope so." She said. "See you, Bennett," She said before she turned and walked away, just as Jamie came into view.
"Should I be worried?" Jamie asked.
Sophie shook her head. "It was actually a half-decent conversation." She said. "She helped me figure some things out."
"Evelyn? Queen Bee of high school?" Jamie asked amused. "Wow."
Sophie shrugged. "People change Jamie."
"Well, mom sent me out to tell you that it's almost time to go," Jamie said. "Unless your suddenly not feeling well.
Sophie appreciated the out, but she shook her head. "Nah, let's go, Granny and Grampa will be there, and Jackie deserves the chance to at least see them."
Jackie looked at her young daughter. "Let's go little one, time for the party."
"party?" Jackie asked.
"Party, we're going to see Granny and Grampa," Sophie said. "Won't that be nice?"
"Yay!" Jackie said before she stepped off the ice and started running. Dragging Sophie along with her.
Lissa opened the door. "Hey guys!" she said giving everyone a hug. "Oh and is that little Jackie, she's gotten so big." She said. "Come in, come in."
Sophie gave a small smile as she entered the house.
"Can I hold her?" Aunt Lissa asked
Sophie stared up at Aunt Lissa who was staring at her. "Umm," Sophie said she whispered in Jackie's ear. "Do you want to go to great-auntie Lissa?"
Jackie stared up at Lissa and smiled. "Ok!" She said reaching for auntie Lissa.
Sophie gave Jackie to Lissa and closed the door behind her.
"I am sorry," Lissa said. "I made many assumptions I should not have made, and I upset you," Lissa said.
Sophie nodded. "I accept it. People change." Sophie said.
"Hey, Sophie," The youngest of Lissa's daughters said.
"Hey, Jess," Sophie said. "How's life been treating you."
"It's been good, finally made the soccer team."
Sophie looked surprised. "Congratulations!" She said. "I'm proud of you."
"So… Sophie Bennett and her family arrived."
"Jen," Sophie said. "Have a problem with me being here."
Jen stepped forward her arms crossed and walked toward her until she was right in Sophie's face. "I see you've changed."
"Perhaps?" Sophie said. "Have you?"
Jen rolled her eyes. "Just because mom's being extra kind does not mean your not a disgrace."
"I'll take that as a no," Sophie said. "Oh well can't have everything." She said before walking off she had a couple of grandparents to introduce her baby too.
Things went pretty smoothly after that. They had dinner and everyone went around the table telling stories, Jackie was constantly in someone's lap eating and when she wasn't she was running around being chased by Sophie, or Jamie or occasionally Jessica.
But for a moment it was getting to much, so Sophie excused herself and went to the porch and stared up at the sky.
"I want to forgive you." She said pretending that Jack could hear her. "But you have to at least prove that you've changed, that you feel sorry for what you did," Sophie said. "I can't, I'm still so angry at you for leaving me. People change Jack, and I hope that when you finally come back – you have too, and maybe then we can talk"
Sophie then nodded to herself before she went back inside.
A/N Hope you enjoyed it. Incase it wasn't super obvious Evelyn is a young woman who used to go to school with Sophie. She was a huge bully of hers for a long time especially after Sophie became pregnant. Sophie has disliked her ever since.