Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious, Dan does.
Author Notes: Yet another Christmas chapter but this is a unique one because it's a long overdue request from Metatron85, hope you like it!
Jade was driving home after a long day at the studio, her new horror film "Krampus" finally finished production and not a moment too soon as the premiere was a week before Christmas, so she was looking forward to celebrate by going home and spending time with her wife and kids.
There was just something about the idea of turning Christmas into a horror fest that made her all giddy inside and the movie gave her the opportunity to turn that childhood dream into a reality.
Tori however didn't share that enthusiasm since she believed the holiday was meant to bring families together, not scare them into an early grave.
Her only response? "Ironic Vega, seeing as you died in the first arc of the movie."
Jade had miraculously convinced her wife to audition for a role in her film and after successfully getting a part in the project, the Thespian had a blast throughout the first weeks of the production since she scared the living daylight out of her spouse in and out of the set.
Once her role was done, Tori ran out of the studio as fast as she could, swearing revenge on Jade for all the jump scares her endured.
"You scared five years off my life with your damn movie!" The Latina yelled out "You owe me big time West! This I swear!"
"It was worth it." She grinned evilly. "Vengeful Vega is a sexy Vega."
Jade was in such a good mood that for the first time ever, she turned on her car's radio hoping to find a Christmas song and she didn't have to wait long as "Joy to the world" was on the radio, she of course decided to sing but added her own lyrics to it.
"Joy to the world, I'm getting laid" Jade sang randomly "I'm getting laid tonight! My wife's pissed at me so we'll light the fire place, deck the halls and then we'll play some jingle boobs, It's been a real long wait for her and she'll want revenge! It's Christmas and I'm getting laid!"
Ping.
Jade raised an eyebrow, she knew Tori wasn't texting her since she was hell bent on getting revenge that she had given her the silent treatment till her plan was done, so once she had come across a stoplight she took the chance to see who texted her.
T- Hey mom, please don't forget get to buy everything I need for my latest masterpiece.
"Oh, right." She murmured. "I promised Tony to get everything on the list, guess I better make a detour to the grocery store.
Ping.
T-And hurry back, Mama's going to try and put on the Santa on the living room again this year.
J- Distract her, I wouldn't want to miss this for the world.
T- sure thing Mom.
J- That's my boy.
After a quick trip to the store, Jade finally drove to her neighbourhood and to her chagrin, she had forgotten about the downside of Christmas.
"Annoying, arrogant neighbours."
As it turns out, the neighbourhood decorating contest had begun and everyone around had gone overboard with their decorations in hopes of getting not only an over the top trophy but also a thousand dollars price, she really hated going through with this charade every year, especially since she unfortunately had two of the most infuriating neighbours on the face of the Earth.
The moment she parked in her driveway, the two thorns on her side made their presence known.
"Hey Jade!" Hayley Ferguson waved from her from door. "You finally made it, better late than never to take part in the festivities."
"Yeah!" Tara Ganz agreed arrogantly "Though that would be hard to tell seeing as your house is lacking in decorations."
The Thespian rolled her eyes at her neighbours and the eyesore that was their house as it had all Christmas decorations known to man, going from a huge inflatable Santa to Red and green lights to robotic reindeers.
While the West household only had a few gnomes with some crudely made elves hats on the front lawn, Jade knew it was quite the poor decorations but quite frankly she never liked putting too much effort into this part of the holidays, especially since her wife loved doing this, nevertheless she figured she should put something up, at least to get her neighbours to shut up.
So wordlessly, Jade got into the garage and once she found what she was looking for she got back out into her driveway to put a Grinch statue dressed as Santa, she then put some Christmas lights on a window and right into the Grinch's outstretched hand to make it appear as if he was stealing the Christmas decorations, she also got a bag of fake snow out of the trunk of her car and randomly threw the snow all over her front yard.
The former Goth smirked at her cleverness, turning to look at the two women who were unimpressed at her effort or in their opinion, lack of effort.
"We'll look at this." Jade said. "I'm done and it only took five minutes tops."
"It's pathetic." Tara sneered. "You think a green weirdo says Christmas?"
"Everyone likes the Grinch." The former Goth shrugged. "It's a story of redemption, people who grew up watching it will be amused."
"As if!" Hayley shouted. "When people come around they're going to be amazed at out house and completely disregard your pitiful attempt at being Christmasy!"
As if the spirit of the the holidays came by to make them eat their words, a bunch of children who were walking by to get to their homes saw the Grinch decoration and were in awe.
"Wow!" A little girl said "Look at that! The Grinch is here! That means Santa is going to come!"
"That's so cool!" A boy said this time. "Hey miss, can we take a picture?"
"Knock yourselves out." Jade shrugged.
The group of kids stood in front of the Grinch statue, one of them giving Jade his cellphone so she could take the pic.
"I'm so good to show this to my dad!" The little girl said. "He's going to freak out!"
"Hey kids!" Tara said not so subtly. "Don't you want to take a pic in front of out awesome House?"
Hayley on her part made a ridiculous gesture with her arms. "It's the best Christmas house on the block!"
The group of kids were unimpressed "No thanks." They said in union before walking away, much to the disbelief of the two women.
"It's true what they say." Jade smirked. "You just can't beat the classics."
"Who asked you West!" Tara snarled. "You just got lucky! Just you wait! People with actual taste will realise our house is better than yours!"
"Right." The former Goth said uncaringly as she crossed her arms. "You know, I always thought that you two were overcompensating for something... Tell me, how are your husbands and kids?"
To say that both Hayley and Tara were about to explode was an understatement, both women never could find their "perfect men" as they demanded their full attention and when they didn't get that, they accused them of not being fully dedicated to them, so it was the same story over and over until they found men that they later dumped for one reason or another and here they were years later and still single women, the only reason as to why they were living together was because they didn't want to be alone.
Before they could say anything, the lights in their house went off.
"HEY!" Tara yelled out "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
"HOW SHOULD I KNOW!"
"I think one of your Christmas lights went out." Jade said "Good luck finding out which one, it's a well known fact that if one goes out, they all do and will you look at that, you'll have to dismantle your little North Pole to find the light you're looking for."
"AHHHHHHHH!"
"And the Christmas horror continues." She chuckles evilly. "I'm beginning to like this time of year."
Just as she was about to get the groceries out of her car, Jade got an unexpected surprise as she saw Foxy run out of the backyard of her two neighbours from hell, the silver fox got behind his owner as if hiding from the two women, Jade put two and two together, looking down at her pet approvingly.
"I don't know what you did back there to turn off those lights." The Thespian said. "But good job, you're a good fox, Foxy."
She lovingly ruffled his head, getting an affectionate lick on her hand in return.
Jade grinned as she could still hear Tara and Hayley arguing, blaming the other for a terrible job at putting up the lights.
The former goth opened up the front door of her house, taking in a weird yet familiar sight that came in once a year like Clockwork.
"NO! NO!" Tori yelled out frustrated "Bad Santa! Stop hitting me!"
Jade saw her wife fighting a robotic Santa... And losing... Again, knowing how this was going to end, she decided to cut her spouse some slack and unplugged the red menace.
Once Santa was no longer attacking her, Tori crawled away, panting angrily. "Did you see that!" She snapped. "Santa was trying to kill me... AGAIN! What is up with this thing!"
"I think you're on the naughty list, Vega." Jade teased. "And this makes it what? The twentieth time Santa has kicked your ass."
"Well if you're so smart you set him up!"
"Nah." The Thespian said. "I wouldn't want to take away this from you, one day you'll win, that's part of why I love you Vega, you're no quitter."
The Latina smiled. "Yeah... One day, things will be different."
"I'm sure they will" Jade agreed, extending her hand so Tori could take it, which she did, so being pulled from the floor she was soon in the arms of her scary wife.
Tori looked up.
"Hey Jade."
"Yeah?"
"We're under the mistletoe."
The former Goth looked up, seeing that indeed that was the case, she grinned like the cat who ate the canary, getting closer to her wife in order to steal a kiss, only for Tori to put a finger over her waiting lips.
"Nope." She said evenly. "I'm still mad at you for scaring me this Christmas season."
"Aw come on Vega!" Jade snapped. "Don't kill my good mood, for the first time I'm actually enjoying the holidays, you wouldn't want to take that away from me... Would you?"
"You play dirty." The Latina narrowed her eyes. "But no... I don't want to take away your Christmas cheer, I like it when you smile."
"Then come here and gimme a kiss."
The moment they were about to lock lips, they were interrupted, this time by their son.
"Mom!" Tony yelled out. "Did you get what I asked for? Huh? Did ya? Did ya? Did ya?"
Jade groaned looking up "Seriously?! Can't I get a minute with my wife?"
The thespian looked at her son who stared back with expecting eyes, she went outside where she had left the bags, once she came back, the young boy took them from his mother and eagerly set everything up, Tori noticed that he dumped a huge pile of different colored frosting tubes, assorted candies and other colorful items onto to the kitchen table.
"What with all the frosting?" She asked curiously.
"Oh, see mama, I want to try something different for Christmas, every year I make cookies and after a while it gets boring." Tony explained." So I been craving something new and this year I decided that I'm going to make an authentic, delicious, perfect gingerbread house that we'll be able to... Mom! Stop eating the gingerbread making materials!"
"Hey I bought more than enough!" Jade said, popping a few more gumdrops in her mouth. "So you have a few to spare or your masterpiece."
"A gingerbread house?" Tori repeated.
"Yeah!" Tony said. "It's just the challenge I been looking for, I even made a few drawings of what I'm hoping it will look like!"
To the surprise of his parents, Tony got a notebook out of his backpack and showed them a very detailed drawings of not just a gingerbread version of their house but the entire neighbourhood as well.
"Ok wow." Jade said impressed. "Since when can you draw?"
"It started being a hobby for me, mom." He shrugged. "To be honest, I always felt a little left out since I can't sing or act or dance like you guys and my sisters can, so I wanted to explore and see what I could do, I mean everyone in the family has an artistic side and talent of some kind and I... All I can do is cook, anyone can do that... And I just want what you guys have with my sisters... An artistic connection.
Jade and Tori shared a look before they each put a hand on their son's shoulder, he stared at his parents, waiting to see what they were going to say after such a revelation.
"Tony... First of all you never have to prove anything to us." Tori said with empathy. "Right Jade?"
"Right." She nodded. "Second of all, you do you have artistic connection with us... Look at this! You drew several sketches for not one, not two but several gingerbread houses and what's more you plan on building this from scratch, that's something neither of us could do!"
"You're just saying that because you're my parents."
"No, we're not." Jade said firmly. "You're the chef in this house, you made food that boggles the mind with how good you present it to us, cooking is a much an art as it's drawing or writing or whatever and you Tony?... You're an artist in the making."
"I couldn't said it better myself, baby." Tori said with a wide smile. " No matter what Mijo... We're always going to be proud of you... Talent or no talent."
Tony was emotionally overwhelmed by such powerful words, he didn't know what to say so instead he let his actions do the talking... By hugging his parents.
They hugged back.
A few days later it was time for the Neighbourhood Christmas decorating contest and the judges were looking at the contestants, some were more impressive than others until they finally stopped in front of Hayley and Tara's house.
Both women were already tasting victory.
"Well, I think we have a winner." One of the Judges said.
" I agree." Another said. "This house is like a little Santa's workshop.
"Quite impressive." A third one noted. "Just look at the monumental effort they put into this."
Several contestants grumbled bitterly as their two arrogant neighbours were undoubtedly a shoe in for the grand prize.
... That is... Until a little girl and her father walked by.
"Excuse me." Amy said. " Pardon me... Um, would you mind moving just a little bit, please?"
The trio of Judges looked down at the child.
"Hello" the first judge greeted "And who might you be?"
"Oh, I'm Amy Harris." She introduced herself. "What's going on here?"
Andre soon reached his daughter, looking at the extravagant decorations everywhere. "Damn... Tori wasn't kidding when she said the entire neighbourhood went nuts for Christmas."
"If you must know." Tara said rudely. "We're about to win the Christmas contest so buzz off!"
"Well, you haven't change much since high school, have you?" Andre asked annoyed. "Let's go Amy, we don't want to be late for Jade's Christmas movie."
"Yes!" His daughter cheered. "I can't wait to hear the music you came up with, dad."
"Well without further ado I declare that the winners are Hayley and... Tara for their..."
"Wait a minute Martha, look at that over there!"
The judge walked away from Tara and Hayley who had the trophy inches away from their hands.
"HEY!"
"Look at that house."
"What of it Vivian?" Martha asked. "Yes, it's clever for its Grinch decoration but hardly impressive."
"True, but look at the window!" Vivian said. "That's a very good scale model of the neighbourhood."
The three judges "Ooooh" walking away from Tara and Hayley.
"HEY COME BACK HERE!"
"YEAH! GIVE US OUR PRIZE!"
"Whose house is this?" Martha asked.
"More importantly." Vivian muttered "Who made this?"
"I don't know." Jack, the third judge said, looking at the contestants applications on his notepad. "It doesn't say."
Meanwhile Andre and Amy knocked on the front door of the house and soon enough Tori opened up.
"Hey you two, come on in!" The Latina greeted enthusiastically before noticing three strangers on her front lawn. "Can I help you?"
"Actually you can." Martha said. "We're curious, who made this gingerbread neighbourhood?"
"Ah, that would have been my son." Tori replied proudly. "He put a lot of effort into this little pet project go his."
"May we speak with him?" Vivian asked.
"Why? Tori questioned suspiciously "Who are you?"
"Madam, were from the neighbourhood committee." Jack replied. "And we're here because we're judging the entire neighbourhood to see who wins this year's prize and I got to say, that this? Is very creative."
"Hey Vega!" Jade yells out "Get in here, the shows about to start!"
"How did Tawny get out of this?" Tori muttered under her breath.
"I heard that!" Jade snapped. "And I told you, she pregnant with our grandchild! I don't want her to get scared, that could be harmful for her and the baby."
She finally noticed the three stranger on her front lawn.
"Who are you?"
"Jade, baby, they're from the neighbourhood committee and they want to talk to Tony about the gingerbread houses he made."
"Tony get out here!"
The three judges were ready to interview the young man and ask him about his creation but stopped right in their tracks the moment they saw a twelve year old boy.
"Yeah mom?" He asked tossing some popcorn into his mouth. "Are we going to see the movie now? Uncle Andre and Amy are waiting."
"Is this your son?" Jack asked.
"He is."
"He's the one who made that masterpiece." Vivian inquiries.
"I am." Tony nodded "And thank you! Took me three days to get it done."
"Prove it." Martha asked condescendingly. "You're much too young to have created something far beyond your years."
"Hey!" Tori snapped. "Don't you talk to my son that way! He may be young but he's a prodigy when it comes to cooking, baking and what not."
"Is that so?" Jack asked in disbelief. "Then you wouldn't mind proving those skills young man?"
"Uhh... Why?" Tony asked uneasily. "Who are you people?"
"We're the ones who will give you a prize if you can prove to us that you made this."
"WHAT?!" Tara and Hayley asked outraged.
"Um, OK." He shrugged as he got his phone out and opened up his YouTube channel, showing the judges his tutorial of how he made his gingerbread neighbourhood from scratch.
After seeing it, the trio discussed among themselves, Jack was looking among the applications on his notepad, not once did Tony's name came up, still the Judges were curious.
"Tell me my boy." Jack said. "With such talent, why didn't you fill an application to take part of the contest?"
"Because I didn't do it to win anything." Tony replied honestly. "I just made the it as a challenge to myself."
"Well your parents must be very proud." Vivian said.
"Oh we are." Jade and Tori said at the same time.
"Well unfortunately because you didn't fill in an application we can't give you the money or the trophy."
"Wait... Didn't you just said that you would've given our son a prize if he proved his creativity!" Jade snapped "And he just did!"
"And we stand by our word." Martha replied. "Tony, was it?"
He nodded.
"Can we have a bite out of your gingerbread neighbourhood?"
"Sure."
Tony got three plates and gave them to the judges, who took a bite of the houses.
"Umm."
"Yum.
"Ooooh."
They were in agreement.
"Tell me Tony, how would you like to help out with this year's Christmas charity?"
"Wait... What?" He asked again to make sure he heard right.
"See, every year the neighbourhood donates things to the less fortunate, from clothing to toys and even food, unfortunately this year out cook became unavailable due to an illness and we're on such short notice to find another one, now if you're for it, we would be willing to pay you in exchange for you to make dinner for the needy."
"No."
The trio of judges were disappointed.
"We understand, thank you for your time."
"You misunderstood me." Tony said quickly. "I'll do it!"
"But you just said..."
"I said no because you don't have to pay me." Tony said. "It's the Christmas season and it's supposed to be the time for giving, not taking, I didn't make my gingerbread houses for money, I did them for fun and I'm not about to take money from you in exchange for my cooking when people need it most, you need a chef? You got one."
"That's good to hear, young man."
Tony then turned to face his parents. "Mom... Mama, I know I always make Christmas dinner but do you think that this year... I could..."
"You're not going alone." Tori said firmly.
"But Mama!"
"Because we're going with you." Jade finished. "Just tell us what to do and we'll get it done."
It was moments like these that made Tony proud of being a West.
Tony faced the Judges. "Just tell us the time and place."
After getting everything arranged, to celebrate Tony let everyone in the neighbourhood have a taste of his gingerbread houses.
Andre took a bite.
"Yum, that's good." He said. "Hey Tori?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you mind if I hired Tony for New Year's dinner?
Meanwhile Tara and Hayley were not amused by the sudden turn of events.
"How is it that even when we win, we lose!" Tara snapped.
"Because you're losers!" A blonde girl said as she walked by.
"HEY!"
The blonde girl walked in line towards the free snacks, coming face to face with a boy her age.
"Hi there!" Tony said cheerfully. "Merry Christmas! And here's your piece of gingerbread!"
"So I heard right?" The girl asked. "You made this?"
"Yup, I'm Tony and you are?"
"Emily and we'll never be friends."
She walked away without saying another word.
"That was rude." Amy said.
"Ten bucks that I never see that girl ever again."
And that's a wrap, took me a long time to write this but I hope you all like it, especially you Metatron85, sorry it took so long but better late than never right?
Tony having some self doubts about his talent is something I wanted to explore given that he's the odd one out seeing as his parents and sisters have the talents to be in the entertainment industry while he's not but Jade and Tori would of course reassure him that talents come in different ways.
I also couldn't resist the idea of adding Tony and Emily's first meeting, they didn't start things on the right foot but as we all know, their relationship evolved as time went on, heh.
Also, I am aware that Jade may be a bit OOC but let's not forget that as she ages, she matures so she most likely grew to have a fondness for the holidays all thanks to her wife and kids.
Speaking of witch, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you all in 2020.
Invader Johnny Signing Off.