Christmas Tease:
Kendall remembered the party with fondness. Granted that morning she had to keep her heart and mind calm being she knew she was in Kick's arms. If she ever let the others know or him, that they were close like that, she die of embarrassment. But she kept it to herself, pretending to move in her sleep, before waking up, however she so missed that warmth. It was amazing. And she really loved being in his arms, even if he was just asleep and he'll never know.
Now it was Christmas Eve and Kick's family invited the Magnusson's, the Wackerman's, Kendall and Linnie over to celebrate with them. Everyone was over, as the decorations were up, the weather brisk, and snowy, and hot chocolate being spread around with mini marshmallows and whip cream. Kick and Gunther made a fire, while in the kitchen Mrs. Buttowski was making Christmas Eve dinner, Mrs. Magnusson had brought over some stuff and Linnie wanting to help asked if there was anything she could do as she tried to assist.
Brianna, though, wanting to be her mischievous self, was placing more decorations everywhere, as she found the holy and was trying to place it everywhere. Which Mouth, Gunther and Kick noticed immediately, Kick getting annoyed with her actions already. Jackie was helping place some of the platters out with veggies and snacks on them. Kendall looking at what Brianna was doing.
"What's going on?" She giggled, noticing her actions as Brianna seemed to be having fun with the holly at the front door and then going to a few other arch ways. Kick had an annoyed look.
"My sister is being an idiot." Kick folded his arms. Brianna stuck her tongue out.
"It's tradition Kick." Brianna corrected him. "Besides who knows who might meet under the mistletoe tonight." She had a sly look.
"I don't think it counts if the people know where it's at Brianna." Jackie had a small giggle as well. "I thought the tradition was being caught under the mistletoe," She brought up. "Not purposely knowing about it."
"Or hanging it freaking everywhere." Kick added. Mouth even had to shake his head. Brianna pouted.
"You people are no fun." As she brought a few down. Kick rolled his eyes, as he sat back down, before he looked up, and got annoyed.
"Brianna!" She started laughing, the girls even laughing.
"Brianna this isn't funny." Mouth even told her. Kick grabbed the holly, still irritated, as Brianna was holding her stomach.
"If you're trying to make me kiss your boyfriend that's seriously disturbed." Kick told her. "Go do that yourself." He threw a couch pillow at her before sitting back around on the couch. Kendall and Jackie went to sit down.
"I don't think it's that bad." Kendall tried to lighten the mood. "She was probably hoping for the kiss herself." She tried to help. 'Well, to be fair...' Brianna got up from the floor, holding the cushion, still having a sly look aimed at him. He kept his own pointed look with her.
"Trust me Kends, I highly doubt that." He countered. "She's playing games, and needs to stop." He was directing his attention to his sister, who just rolled her eyes lifting her hands. Jackie giggled.
"You're brother Brad is coming for the week right?" Jackie tried to change the subject. "Since he has time off from college."
"Yeah the idiot is coming for a visit." Kick said. "Should be interesting since he's bringing his girlfriend."
"How long has he been with this one?" Mouth was trying to remember.
"What like…" Brianna was trying to think. "They started dating his first year in college, given that he went to travel after graduating high school to do some stuff for himself and Dad's and Mom's business." Brianna was trying to remember. "But they been together for like almost four and half years now." She glanced at Kick for confirmation. He nodded.
"Yep." He couldn't believe it. "Had a few on and off moments the first year, but after that been pretty steady and solid." He admitted.
"Wow that's impressive." Kendall was surprised.
"I know." Jackie was also shocked. "I don't remember Brad being, so…" She tried to find the right word.
"We know." Gunther and Kick laughed.
"He never was the ladies man." Kick added. "Had a lot to learn." He chuckled.
"Well he certainly wasn't like you idiots." Brianna had a look folding her arms. The girls having a small giggle.
"Hey!" Both boys shot, giving her a glare.
"I'm just saying." She rolled her eyes, walking away going into the kitchen. Kick and Gunther had an annoyed look.
"Well it's a good thing that Brad finally learned how to be a gentlemen." Kendall brought up.
"Yeah, and how to get a girlfriend." Jackie giggled. "I kinda figured he always be alone with how he used to be."
"Same." Kendall nodded.
"Us too." Kick agreed. "He had a lot to learn."
"Boy did he." Gunther chuckled as he sat near Jackie on the loveseat.
"So who is his girlfriend?" Kendall questioned.
"Actually someone he went to high school with." Kick replied. "Granted at first I didn't like her, but she changed a lot since those times and matured." He mentioned.
"Now she's really nice and surprisingly a really sweet and amazing person." Gunther added. Jackie looked at him with that.
"Oh?" She smiled. "She sounds lovely." Jackie was interested. He had a small smirk.
"Maybe…" He spoke, bringing her slightly closer. "Not like someone else I know." He whispered, causing her to blush. Kendall giggled at her reaction, while the boys in the room just rolled their eyes. 'Cool it Gunther.' Kick thought. Gunther sent him a look. 'Like you might not get close to Kendall tonight.' He teased his friend. Kick let out a breath. 'Don't be like Brianna.' He warned.
"Anyway, she was once a former cheerleader, which may have made her be a bit different back then." Kick went back to the subject. "But like Gunther said, she's really nice and we like her, plus she keeps my brother balanced and in check. Amongst other things." He chuckled.
"Oh is that right." Kendall smiled.
"It's always necessary to find a companion to keep these Buttowski boys in check." Brianna came back in, leaning against the wall. "If you don't, things go crazy, and they go mad." She gave her brother a look. "They need someone to challenge them and give them that push they need, not to mention someone to keep them balanced." She continued. "It's always so hard to find." She giggled in a somewhat sarcastic tone now.
"Brianna…" Kick warned, as he was about to say something more. Suddenly the door opened, causing a breeze to come in for a few seconds before it closed. Brad, both of the boys' fathers, and Brad's girlfriend rushing in. The boys' fathers went to go place their coats in the closet before going into another room.
"Brad, Kelley!" Brianna went to hug and greet them. "Glad you guys made it." She smiled. They took off their coats, Brad putting them in the closet.
"Hello Brianna long time no see." Kelly smiled back. "I'm happy to see all of you guys again." She giggled, as she looked around the room. "Oh you must be Kendall." She beamed. "Brad told me so much about you." She continued, as she went up to hug her. "Can I just say you are an amazing girl, a true inspiration." She told her. "You really are and I think you are truly incredible and strong." She complimented her. Kendall flushed.
"Okay Kelly…" Brad chuckled. "Give her room to breathe, she doesn't know you remember." He reminded his girlfriend.
"Oh right, sorry." She lightly laughed, letting Kendall go and going back to be next to Brad. "It's just a pleasure to meet you is all." She added. "Not that I'm not excited to see all of you." She assured.
"We get it Kelly." Brianna calmed her.
"Glad Kick finally got you to come to our Christmas Eve dinner." Brad spoke. "Bout time he asked…." He started looking at his brother.
"Enough brad." Kick gave him a pointed look as a warning, to which Brad understood and laughed.
"Guess the dill weed hasn't changed." He commented.
"Nope." Brianna confirmed. Kick just rolled his eyes.
"Brad." Kelly looked at him with a disapproving look.
"What? He knows he's a dill weed." Brad defended, which Kelly only quirked an eyebrow. Brianna and Kick snickering. "Fine…" Brad let out. "I'll put our stuff upstairs." He relented, grabbing their suit cases and going upstairs.
"You have him wrapped around your finger." Brianna laughed.
"Yeah, but Brad's still a doofus." Kick commented. Kelly looked at him. "Hey it's our thing, I call him that and he still calls me dill weed." He shrugged.
"At least you guys aren't as bad as you used to be." Gunther added.
"Tell me about it." Kick agreed.
"You guys would pretty much tear up the neighborhood." Kendall remembered.
"I know." Jackie giggled.
"Yes, but no fighting on my watch." Kelly stated. "You guys are too old for that." She glanced. "Way too old."
"Kids, dinner is almost ready if you want to come sit!" Mrs. Buttowski called.
They all went into the dining room, Brad coming down after putting his and Kelly's things away. They all sat around the table, enjoying the dinner that Mrs. Buttowski and Mrs. Magnuson made. They laughed and told some jokes. Brad and Kelly even telling some interesting things that were going on at their college from strikes, to teachers running for charities to some other interesting things.
Brianna still tried to play mischievous games, which Brad and Mouth laughed at, while Kick found to be tedious and annoying, as he continuously had to keep taking holly from her. However, as the night went on they played games and enjoyed opening just one gift each. Linnie had to leave a bit early given that she had to leave the next day. She would have Christmas morning and breakfast with Kendall, but had to go back home to spend Christmas evening with one part of the family that she had to play neutral sides with, then have Christmas dinner with her husband's family. Kendall understood. She wasn't mad about it, plus her family was here, and the Buttowski's already invited her back for Christmas dinner as well.
Once Linnie left, Brianna continued to try to play devious match maker, but her brother had her out witted. Gunther laughed at the fact she was trying so hard. Although, with how the night was going the girls were having fun, as Kyle was showing them his puppets and trying to put on a small show for them, they enjoyed desserts of all kinds, were telling jokes and funny stories, and enjoying the night.
(*)
"Jackie, hun, I think it's best we go home." My mom looked tired. She has been working quite a bit lately, but with the fact it was getting late, it was understandable why she wanted to go home.
"Okay mom." I nodded. I gave Kendall a final hug for the night. "See ya tomorrow."
"See ya tomorrow." She waved.
"Gunther, go walk Mrs. Wackerman and Jackie home." I heard his mom tell him as we were getting our coats.
"Already on it." He told her, I blushed a bit as he was getting his coat on.
"Thank you again for inviting us." My mom said to Mrs. Buttowski. "Everything was delicious."
"Of course, and again feel free to come again tomorrow, if you wish." She told us. My mom nodded as we all headed out the door, after I did a final wave and thank you. It was brisk, really cold in fact, which I think made my mom walk faster to our home. She walked in.
"Thanks for walking us home." I turned towards Gunther. "I'm sure you probably want to get back with it being so cold." He chuckled.
"Trust me, I'm fine." He assured. "This weather doesn't bother me much." He mentioned. I had a small smile and light giggle.
"Thank you by the way…" I brought up as he continued to just look at me. "For the art stuff, I mean." I tried to clarify. "They're really nice, and I just…thank you." My mom had taken my gift inside when she walked in, but thinking about it, it was still really sweet of him. I kinda felt like the gifts I got him were small and insignificant now. Especially the one he opened tonight, which I was only able to make thanks to Kendall, but it still felt insignificant given it was only a scarf and hat that he was now wearing. He smiled.
"Of course, I know how much you love art and photography." He commented. "Although, I think I like your gifts best." He held up the end of his scarf that I made. "It definitely keeps one warm." I blushed.
"I'm glad." I said. "But I admit I thought comparing those gifts to what you gave me…" I looked away. "Well…they're…a bit…" He just stared at me as I was trying to figure out what to say, since it was kinda of obvious that I thought my gifts to him were too simple.
"Trust me Jackie." He interrupted. I glanced up, looking at him. "Your gifts are really amazing. I loved what you gave me." He assured, which caused me to blush more. "There…" He looked at them, before glancing at me. "Very sentimental." That made me smile hearing that. I was glad he liked them, letting out a small breath, the fog coming out because of how cold it was.
"I'm happy you like them then." I spoke." Anyway…um," I glanced behind me, I'm sure my mom wanted me in at some point. "We…well I should be getting in…" I turned to tell him. "Don't want us to freeze…" I stated with a small laugh, beginning to walk to the door. But I was surprised when he grabbed my hand, pulling me towards him.
I glanced up at him, his hand caressing my cheek before our lips met. It took my breath away again. The few seconds, warmed me and made me melt. I didn't want to leave, didn't want him to leave. When he released my lips, I was a bit breathless, probably like always, looking up at him. He really was warm and gentle. I just wanted to stay in this moment if I could.
"Probably should get in before your mom gets mad at me." He whispered in my ear, before having a gentle smile towards me. "Merry Christmas Jackie." My heart fluttered, and I think I was losing my balance, and more of my breath.
"Merry…Merry Christmas Gunther." I somehow managed to reply back as he released me and I went in. I let out a heavenly sigh, pressing my back against the door, glancing out the side window we had next to the door, watching as he left. Before releasing another sigh and touching my lips, my mom coming out from the hall.
"Have a nice Christmas dear?" I looked at her, a smile and blush very evident on my features.
"Yeah…" I admitted. "Very…" I bit my lip, before going to the stairs so I could head upstairs. "Very nice." I whispered.
"I'm glad dear." I heard her say as she went to her room, while I went up to mine.
(*)
Back at Kick's, it was getting late and Kendall figured it be best if she go home too. She had a long night of games, food, treats, jokes, and more. She felt tired so she thought it probably be best to head home and get some sleep. Honey told Kick to walk her home, not that he wasn't wanting to already, although he had to prevent one of his sister's schemes again, as he took her holly. Brad laughing at that as he went upstairs with Kelly for the night. Brianna just huffed but, went back to being with Chris as they enjoyed the night together watching a film.
After getting their coats on and final few goodbyes, Kick and Kendall were out of the house and heading to her place. It was snowing a bit more, and cold, so they rushed a bit to get to her place as they got in.
"Thanks for walking me home, I'm sure you're probably going to want to head back right away." She commented, as she went to open the door.
"Nah, I'm in no rush, besides with how my sister's been all night." He chuckled. "I could use a little break." She laughed at the way the two siblings were. Actually she laughed at how they all were, given their relationship was better, but they all still knew had to give each other a bad time on the occasion. It made her laugh.
"You can come in then." She offered. "For a bit, if you want." He nodded as they stepped in. She took off her coat, placing it in the closet near the door.
"I'm surprised you don't mind that your sister…" He brought up, thinking about it. Not that he wanted to bring up such a touchy topic, but he was surprised.
"It doesn't bother me." She had a small smile. "That side of the family, given that it's both mom and dad's, she's known longer." Kendall admitted. "And even if they are choosing sides when it comes to me, and what to believe especially in regards to mom and him…" She glanced away. "That family Linnie grew up with, I mean she knew before I was born since were like a decade apart you know." She explained. "I'm not gonna take that away from her." She breathed. "And even Linnie admits they're not perfect. And that she'll always be here for me." She smiled which caused Kick to smile to. "Besides I think she said she's looking forward to her husband's family dinner the most." She laughed. "I guess not as much…" Kendall tried to find the right word.
"Drama." He gave her, which she shrugged but ended up nodding to.
"Yeah, sure we'll use that." She commented. He chuckled.
"I think every family has their own issues, it's just how we handle and deal with them." He mentioned. She lightly nodded.
"I agree, plus I think I like the fact now, knowing you guys, your guys' family feel more like my family than mine ever did." She confessed. "You guys are really amazing." She flushed. He rubbed her arm which caused her to look up at him.
"I'm happy you enjoyed yourself tonight." He said. "I was…well the last holiday, we were all worried if you spent it alone…" He continued. She glanced away slightly, feeling her cheeks redden more. "So it's just good to know you…you were with us and had fun." He told her. She looked back up wanting to say something, however something caught her eyes as she looked up at the light that was in the foyer. She blushed more, but started to giggle. Kick noticed her laughing. "What?" He questioned, to which she just pointed up. "Brianna…" He got an annoyed look as he whispered her name.
"How could Brianna have done this?" Kendall was still giggling. He hadn't realized he was being that loud. He glanced back at her. "I probably bet it was Linnie." Kendall shook her head. "When we were decorating the other day she probably found some and put it there." Kendall blushed more. "It…it used to be an old tradition that we would do…" Kendall remember, Kick stared at her as she explained. "I remember mom made it fun, so I'm sure she just did it, you know…out of habit." Kendall glanced up. "Probably should take it down though." She was trying to avoid Kick's gaze, since he was looking at her. She was feeling more and more embarrassed by the second. "I should…um…We…" She was trying to find any excuse to leave, move so that it wouldn't feel awkward or like she did this purposely.
However, what she wasn't expecting was Kick to pull her back, and bring her in close. She thought she might pass out from that, from feeling his warm body against hers. If this was a dream, no one wake her. And if this was real, someone, anyone remind her to breath. She didn't quite hear what he said, but she was sure it went along the lines that it's tradition, and for a mere few seconds. It was small, so brief, she felt his lips on hers. A small peck, but she felt them. And she was sure she was dreaming. He kissed her cheek, before releasing her, her lips and now cheek feeling warm and flushed. She felt a buzz.
"Merry Christmas Kendall." He smiled. She thought that damn smile was going to do her in as she somehow managed to go to the door, holding it for balance.
"Yeah…Merry….Merry Christmas Kick." She replied as he left. She shut the door, leaning back against it sliding down. Her heart was going a million miles per minute and she felt dazed. But she felt so happy. Her lips still tingled from that small kiss, as she touched her lips. 'It was the best Christmas Eve, ever.' She thought.
To be continued…
L: AHHH! My girl has done it! Okay well you have done it in a few chapters now, but omgosh! Yes, I am loving the new progression of the story, loving the development and loving where we are going! YES! Absolute, 150%, yes! Please keep this up!
S: Everyone, Lereda is back.
L: Hey guys, long time no see, glad to be flipping this series up, and making it a new. It's getting upgraded!
S: Okay I think you're done now.
L: Sorry…anyway love the work, more to come, and can't wait to get our commentary back on!
S: Hope you all enjoyed. Thank you.
L: Also Merry Christmas Eve (early), Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and Just happy winter holidays!
S: What she said! We love the holidays and will gladly wish them all to you guys!
Both: Bye! And see you soon. Please keep safe.
