A/N: Hi, here with chapter two. As usual I own nothing but my plot and OCs. This was a fun one. I hope you enjoy.


Chapter Two: Pickups and Put Downs

Jacinda looked at the clock and sighed.

"Hey Lady, I ordered a large cluck bucket, you gave me a medium soda."

"I'm so sorry Sir," Jacinda said. "I'll get you the correct size."

"Don't bother, apparently it takes you all at least an hour to get any orders around here. I thought this was a fast food restaurant."

Jacinda winced as she heard the squeal of the tires on the pavement through the headphones. "Damn it!" She huffed pulling the headphones roughly from her head and throwing them down. "I'm late."

"J," Sabine went over to her friend. "It's 3:40, what are you still doing here?"

"Louie," Jacinda said, but it came out a sigh. "No one wanted to work the window during the after school rush. He stuck me here. If I ask to leave, he'll probably kill me. I was already late this morning because the door to the bathroom got stuck again."

"That's logic for you." Sabine held out her hand. "Give it here J. Go get Luce."

Jacinda hesitated.

"Girl what are you waiting for?" Sabine saw the man heading out from the kitchen. "Get outta here."

Jacinda took the headphones and clapped them into Sabine's hand. "Thank you, thank you."

"J, so help me, if you don't get a move on, I will kick your ass myself."

"Thank you,I owe you one." Jacinda threw over her shoulder as she ran.

"More than that," Sabine gave a fond smile as she turned back to the window.


You're done. Henry heard the manager's nasal tone playing back in his head, an echo chamber as he drove home. It turned out that little Mikey's mother was Kaitlin Madsen the CEO's daughter, and had taken it as a personal attack that Henry would dare to try to comfort her son with sugar.

Oh the horror, a candy cane in the Christmas season. Call the cops.

Henry would be pissed. He would if he had the energy, but the truth of the matter was, he knew this was coming. Trent had had it out for him since day one, and Jeb, it seemed even before that considering they lived in the same apartment building.

As he passed the department store, he looked at the Swyft sticker. Well, he'd just have to take some extra rides. Maybe the mediocre reviews wouldn't matter. He heard a ding on his phone, and glanced down. Speak of the devil.

He drove to the location, and had to bite back a sigh as he saw his passenger come to the window wrapped in a knee length red coat, curls haphazard.

"Well would ya look at that? You've still got your touch Mills." She smiled as she pulled the door open and went inside.

He looked through the rearview. "Hey Tilly, you know you don't have to order a ride right?"

"Yeah," Tilly said. "Course."

Henry raised an eyebrow as he pulled out. "So…?"

"Thought you could use the company." Tilly said simply. "Seems like one of those days." She looked out the window. "Gloomy,"

Henry peeked out the window to see the last of the fall sunshine. "Sure, if you say so."

"I'm not wrong though." Tilly said. "You got something bothering you."

"What gave it away?"

Tilly reached over and flicked the bell on Henry's cap. "You're frowning in that hat."

Henry pulled the cap off quickly throwing it into the seat next to him. "Not much in the spirit."

"A Madsen's elf not in the spirit?"

"Former." Henry corrected.

"Oooh," Tilly frowned. "I'm sorry."

"It's been coming for a while." Henry said. "Guy hates me."

"That's not possible." Tilly said. "You're not hateable Mills. That's like hating a puppy in booties."

"Thanks, I guess…" Henry shook his head at the image. But that was Tilly. "But the boss and Santa would kick that puppy into traffic."

Tilly winced. "That's horrible."

"Even Scrooges cash out on Christmas." Henry pulled up to their apartment building.

"Thanks for the lift. Five stars," Tilly grinned. She turned to Henry as he got out of the car grabbing his phone and the elf cap and locking his car. "Oh, I started unpacking, but I must have unpacked the wrong boxes," Tilly said. "It's...a bit of a mess really. But they're unpacked for you."

Henry looked to Tilly, afraid to even ask which boxes. He'd find out soon enough.


Jacinda got to the school only to see her stepmother's car out front. Oh hell. I didn't make it.

She went to the pickup line, but didn't see Lucy.

"Ms. Vidrio," A boy came over. Jacinda recognized him as one of Lucy's friends. "Lucy's in the office with Ms. Davis."

"Thank you,"

"Nathan," The boy smiled.

"Right, Nathan, thank you." Jacinda went in the school building and went in the direction of the office.

Just as she suspected, her stepmother was already there.

"Mom!" Lucy saw Jacinda and her face lit up as she ran over.

Jacinda hugged her daughter, but her eyes remained trained on her stepmother.

"You're aware pickup is at 3:30?" Victoria spoke. "I'm sure I don't have to remind you why it's important you're on time."

"Yes I know, it's just work…"

"I'll be taking Lucille this weekend." Victoria said. "You're welcome to come by for Thanksgiving dinner of course."

Lucy's eyes widened as she looked between her mother and her grandmother. "No...I...I'm supposed to go with mom…"

"Victoria, please," Jacinda held Lucy close.

Ms. Davis watched the exchange, frowning. "Ms. Belfry, there was an extenuating circumstance, surely…"

The woman looked to the teacher. "Did I ask for your opinion Ms. Davis?"

"Well no, but…"

"Then don't offer it."

"Excuse me?" Ms. Davis frowned.

"You're excused Dear." Victoria looked to Lucy. "Come along Lucy."

Lucy shook her head. "My stuff is at Mom's." She'd left what she was going to do for Thanksgiving at home. She would never call her grandmother's house home.

"You have an hour. I expect Lucy to be dropped off at home by then." Victoria conceded.

"Yes, of course." Jacinda said. "Thank you."

Victoria sniffed but left the office.

"Have a happy Thanksgiving Lucy," Ms. Davis said. She wasn't sure how happy it could be for the poor girl, but she would wish it regardless. "Jacinda,"

"Thank you." Jacinda said.

"Thanks Ms. Davis." Lucy replied.

Mother and daughter left the school office to enjoy the time they had together.


A/N: So that happened. Next chapter: Henry finds out just what it is that Tilly unpacked, and more.