Okay so sorry that it took so long to get this chapter up. I've been writing something else lately and I would love it if you guys would read that one too. It's called Hell or Heaven and I love it because it has sexy AJ!

Note: The Snowflake Inn is actually an Inn in Jackson, New Hapshire and I don't think that I own it.

Thank you and enjoy!

Katie

Pre-Christmas at Keira's

Keira had flown from Fargo to Concord by herself because Vince mentioned last minute that John had an autograph signing that he had to attend.

She rented a car and drove from Concord to Jackson. It was a long drive but she had gotten used to it. When she arrived there were no cars in the driveway and the horses were trotting around carelessly. She dug into her purse and found her keys quite quickly. She began flipping through them.

"Don't need Trish's, don't need John's, don't need car, don't need bed room key, yet," Keira said out loud as she continued searching for the right key. "If I'm in St. Louis I'm really off course. Ah! Snowflake Inn!"

She got the key in the door and let herself in. The moment she entered she was greeted by four huge Entlebucher Mountain Dogs.

"Hi boys," Keira said pushing the dogs away roughly. "At least let me get inside the house!"

She walked in and found a note from her mother saying that they had to go to Intervale for the day and they would return tomorrow around seven. The note also said that there were currently no guests in the inn and no would should be dropping by until after Christmas She crumpled the note up, threw it in the garbage and then walked over to the fridge. She found some snack foods, grabbed the phone and walked into the sitting area. Keira laid down on the couch with the dogs laying on the floor. She dialed John's number and waited for him to pick up.

"Hello," John answered after six rings.

"Take long enough," Keira said as one of the dogs jumped up. "Have you decided how your getting here yet?"

"Yeah I have," he said. "I'm actually in Boston right now, because I really needed some of my other clothes."

"So…"

"So I'm just gonna drive down there," John replied. "As long as you can give me instructions I'll be good."

"One sec," Keira said getting off of the couch.

"Get out of here you!" Keira said laughing.

"Who are you talking to?" John asked confused.

"My puppies," Keira said as she went into the office and found the direction book. "Okay, from Boston…take 95 North, when you get to Portsmouth, NH, take exit 4, which will be on the left, off of 95 to the Spaulding Pike and Route 16 North and follow 16 North all the way thru North Conway Village. Stay on 16 N, go several miles north of North Conway to the lights in Glen, NH, there should be a Storybook Resort is on your right, bear right at the light to stay on 16 North and go 2 miles further, look for the Jackson Covered Bridge on your right and go through the Covered Bridge, it's a quarter mile on the left, you can't miss it!"

"You do know that I'm going to have to phone you back again tomorrow, right?" John asked.

"Oh yeah," Keira said sitting down in the chair. "I miss you though."

"That's a lie," John said laughing. "You're probably thrilled that you get to be away from me for a day."

"You read my mind," Keira said laughing. "What time are you leaving?"

"Around nine I guess," he said. "How come you're not with your family?"

"They're not here," Keira said. "They had to go to Intervale for the day and part of tomorrow."

"I see," John said. "I'd talk to you longer but I really need to get a good night's sleep."

"I understand," Keira said pouting. "So you'll call tomorrow when you're on the road?"

"Sure thing babe," John said.

"Alright, love you," Keira said spinning in the chair.

"Love ya too," John said. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye," Keira said hung up.

For the rest of the evening she played with the dogs and watched some television. It had been the first time in months that Keira had been away from John for a night and she wasn't particularly enjoying her time but she did enjoy being at home again.

˜˜˜

The next morning Keira woke up to the phone ringing.

"What?" Keira asked sleepily.

"Just thought I'd phone to tell you that I'm leaving," John said on the other end.

"Okay," Keira said. "Remember the directions?"

"Most of them," John replied. "I'll call you around Glen."

"Is that when you stopped listening?" Keira asked.

"Just a little," John answered. "But I gotta get going. I'll talk to you later."

"Buh byes," Keira said and hung up again.

She got out of bed and fed the dogs. Then she herself some breakfast and started flipping through the channels in the main sitting room. She watched Dr. Phil and then went upstairs to take a shower. When she was done she got dressed in a black, sleeveless turtleneck and a dark purple skirt that came midway between her upper thigh and knee. She threw her hair up in a messy bun and finished her make-up.

It was only half an hour after she finished that her phone started to ring.

"Yes?" Keira answered as she ran around, making sure everything was good.

"Okay, I've made it to Jackson Bridge," John said.

"Then go through the bridge," Keira said waiting.

"Alright," John replied.

"Then all you have to do is go a quarter mile and you'll be here," Keira said getting excited.

"Yeah, except for the part about me knowing which house I'm looking for," John said.

"Oh, right, it's a huge blue and white one," Keira said going into her room and looking out the window.

She could hear the car slow down and stop through the phone.

"You must be really bad at giving directions," John said to her.

"Why?" She asked confused.

"You just led me to an inn," John answered.

"So?" Keira asked him from the front door.

"You grew up here?" He asked closing his cell phone.

"Kind of," Keira said leaning on the doorway. "Coming in?"

"Sure," John said opening the trunk and grabbing his things. "This place is huge."

"Not once you get used to it," Keira said opening the door a little wider for him. "Hi." She kissed him and then closed the door.

"Your parents home?" He asked.

"Nope, not until this evening," Keira said wrapping her arms around his neck.

"In that case," John said pulling her towards him.

He kissed her eagerly. Keira pulled away and laughed.

"We'll get to that in a while," Keira said as the dogs ran into the sitting away and began to bark.

"Whoa," John said. "You didn't say that there were four of them."

"They're harmless," Keira said playing with them. "Their names are Chitter, Chatter, Jibber, and Jabber."

John looked at her and smiled.

"Okay, Chitter and Chatter are mine and then Natalia copied me by calling hers Jibber and Jabber," Keira explained.

"I'm sure it went like that," John said.

"Oh shut up!" Keira yelled at the dogs. They quickly cowered and left the room. "I so won."

"So is there a tour of this place?" John asked her.

"Oh, yeah, right," Keira said looking around. "Umm…I guess we could start with down here."

She showed him around the house and then took him to her room.

"I've already talked to my mother and she said that it was alright for you to stay in my room," Keira said opening up the double French doors. "This is it."

"I am never going to feel sorry for again," John said looking around the room.

Keira laughed. "There's the bed, sitting area, hot tub, bathroom and fireplace."

"I just might enjoy getting to meet your parents," John said walking into the room with her.

"Okay, quick breakdown, Natalia is my half sister, Kevin is her father and not mine, I don't like to talk about my father, you can ask once we leave here, Sue is my mother as well as Natalia's, that's how we're related. Kevin is not a Christian but he runs a tight Christian style household, so no swearing or anything of the like. Drinking, if social, is permitted. If he asks you, which he might, we are not having any type of sexual relationship. Any kissing that goes on between us must be pecks, no tongue. Umm…don't believe anything Natalia tells you, she has a tendency to lie. My mother, half sister and stepfather's last name is Methot. My father's last name is Langdon. My mother and stepfather will most likely want to be called Mr. and Mrs. Methot," Keira said looking around.

"Babe," John said grabbing her shoulders, "calm down…breathe."

"Okay," Keira said calming down. "Are you hungry or anything?"

"No, I'm good," John said sitting down beside her. "I could use a little sugar though."

"Alright," Keira said kissing him.

John laid her down on the bed and continued to kiss her.

"I love you so much," Keira moaned.

"I love you too," John said kissing her slowly.

They continued to make out for half an hour before John couldn't help himself. His hand traveled underneath her shirt and rested on her abdomen.

"What time is it?" Keira asked.

"Don't worry," John said kissing her ear. "It's only two. We have lots of time."

He kissed her lips and again moved his hand higher. She let out a moan when he touched her breast. She could feel him smile as he kissed her. He began to stroke her nipple with his finger. When she let out a light whimper he stopped and then began to squeeze.

"Oh God," Keira said throwing her head back and John kissed her neck.

Keira looked off to the side and was shocked when she saw her mother and sister standing in the doorway.

"Holy shit!" Keira screamed causing John to jump off of her.

"And I'm the rebellious one?" Natalia asked their mother.

"Get, get," Sue said hurrying her other daughter out of the room and then closing the door.

"Sorry," Keira said biting her bottom lip.

"That's alright," Sue assured her. "You're just lucky that I came to check on you instead of Kevin. You must be John."

"Hello Mrs. Methot," John said shaking her hand, still a bit embarrassed. "Nice to meet you."

"Don't worry about all of this," Sue said to him and then turned her attention to her daughter. "Keira, go and make sure your sister knows how to keep her mouth closed."

"Yes mom," Keira said leaving the room.

"So, I've heard a great deal about you," Sue said motioning him over to the sitting area.

"Hopefully that's a good thing," John said sitting down on the couch opposite her. "I've heard quite a bit about you too."

"Well I would hope so," Sue said laughing. "How do you like the inn?"

"It's beautiful," John said looking around.

"Thank you," Sue said. "I put all of my money into this place. But anyways, I was so happy to hear that my baby could come for a few days before Christmas."

"Don't call me baby," Keira said walking back into the room. "Could we perhaps go downstairs into the sitting room instead of sitting in my bedroom?"

"Sure thing," Sue said. "Please, come downstairs."

"How did that go?" Keira asked John quietly.

"Perfectly," John said smiling. "I'm the parent master."

Keira smiled and felt more confident.

"Ah, Mr. Cena," Kevin said shaking John's hand. "How are you?"

"Fine, and yourself?" John asked.

"I'm doing alright," Kevin replied. "Would you like a holiday drink?"

"Sure," John replied. "If your having one."

"I'm going out," Natalia said walking past everyone.

"Not today sweetie," Kevin said to her. "We're having dinner in about an hour and then we're going to spend time with Keira and John."

"I don't feel like it," Natalia said and walked out the front door.

"She's a little cranky today," Keira said laughing.

"She's been miserable ever since you phoned to say that you would be home for a couple days," Kevin said absentmindedly.

"Geez, thanks," Keira said.

"Come, come, sit down," Sue said motioning everyone in the sitting room.

˜˜˜

"I hate you!" Keira screamed as she slammed the door in Natalia's face.

"And I didn't even have to try that time," Natalia said walking away from the door.

"Those two never did get along," Sue said shaking her head.

It was after dinner and Sue, John and Kevin were sitting in the sitting room listening to the two girls fighting upstairs.

"Was there a reason?" John asked confused.

"Keira always thought that Kevin was the reason that I left her father," Sue explained. "But even now, when she knows the reason she refuses to befriend her sister."

"Why do you always this!" Keira screamed from the top of the stairs.

"I wouldn't have to if you'd quit hogging the spotlight!" Natalia screamed back.

"Hogging the spotlight?" Keira asked in shock.

"Yeah," Natalia replied. "Look at me, I'm Keira, I have a famous boyfriend, I'm on television."

"I'm successful and your covetous?" Keira asked laughing. "Grow the fuck up!"

"That's it," Kevin said walking into the other room with Sue and John behind him. "I will not tolerate that language in my house!"

"She started it daddy!" Natalia said pointing at Keira. Then she looked at Keira. "Ya heard me, I have a father that cares about me."

Keira's mouth dropped open in shock but she remained silent.

"Oh? Precious has nothing to say?" Natalia asked.

Keira looked at the floor and swallowed.

"Finally, I shut her up," Natalia said as everyone watched.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. Keira jumped at Natalia and started punching her. Natalia pushed Keira but Keira kept a strong grip on Natalia's hair. When Keira was going to stand up she lost her footing on the stair and fell. Since she had such a strong grip on Natalia's hair she pulled her down the stairs as well.

"Holy shit psycho bitch!" Natalia screamed holding her head.

John helped Keira up. "You alright?"

"I am now," Keira said holding her neck.

"Did you see what she did to me daddy?" Natalia asked with puppy dog eyes.

"I will not take sides. The next time you two want to fight it out do it off of my property," Kevin said. "And don't come whining to me."

Everyone watched Kevin storm out of the room. Then the attention was focused on Sue.

"What am I going to do with you two?" She asked her daughters. "You are alike in so many ways yet you refuse to see it because of your stubborn attitudes."

Keira and Natalia stared at the ground as if waiting for the yelling to start.

"Tomorrow we will start over. There will be no fighting and absolutely no screaming at one another. No one will mention that this event ever took place," Sue said to everyone. "I will see you all in the morning."

Then she left. Natalia looked Keira and then ran up the stairs. Then Keira took John's hand and they walked upstairs together in silence.

"I am so sorry about that," Keira said embarrassed once they had closed the bedroom doors.

"Don't worry about it," John said kissing her forehead.

"I can't just forget about it John," Keira said rolling her eyes. "It wasn't supposed to go like this."

John took Keira's hand in his. "If you think that this is bad, wait until you meet my family."

Keira smiled. "Don't try to make me feel better," Keira said pushing him. "I have a right to feel miserable."

"And I have a right to make you feel better," John replied. "Don't worry about it babe, it'll be better tomorrow."

"Not if that bitch is around," Keira said.

"Yes it will be," he said and kissed her forehead. "You're just tired and stressed out, get to bed."

"Are you telling me what to do?" Keira asked.

"Damn straight," John said smiling. "And if you don't I might have to use some force."

"Oh please do," Keira said teasing him.

"If you insist," he said grabbing her wrists and pushing her down against the bed. "You are under arrest for violating code 69: distracting in public with your good looks and oozing sex appeal."

Keira burst out laughing. "That was so corny."

"Worked on you," he said and received a playful slap. "Now get to bed Langdon."

"Yes sir," Keira said rolling her eyes.

It took John a little bit longer to fall asleep than Keira because he couldn't stop thinking about the next day. It couldn't possibly be worse than today? Could it?

˜˜˜

John woke up to find Keira dancing around the room.

"Feeling better today?" John asked her.

"Of course," Keira said jumping onto the bed. "It's almost Christmas."

˜˜˜

The day was going better than both John and Keira had planned. When they walked downstairs together Kevin and Sue were at the table eating breakfast and talking while Natalia was outside riding her horse.

"Good morning," Sue almost sang. "How are you two?"

"Good," Keira said slowly sitting down at the table. "What's up?"

"Well actually honey we have bad news," Sue said as she brought them both breakfast. "Tomorrow we have to go back to Intervale so we won't be here."

"Oh," Keira said looking around. "Are we going to have the meal today then?"

"Of course," Kevin said. "We wouldn't want you to miss it."

Keira nodded and thought. "So what happened in Intervale?"

"Mrs. Casernes phoned this morning and said that all of the water lines were frozen," Sue explained. "I swear that that woman does not know how to do anything."

"So put the Inn up for sale again," Keira said.

"Too late," Sue said. "She's in there for the long run."

"That sucks," Keira said. "Can I have it?"

"No," Sue said laughing. "You only want it so that you can name it."

"I think that it's an awesome name," Keira said laughing and looking at John. "Wouldn't you stay at the Stumble Inn?"

"Probably not," John said laughing.

"That's no fair, he has a biased opinion," Keira said continuing to eat.

"On what?" Sue asked her daughter.

"You have the evil power to change people's opinions without even speaking," Keira said laughing and then pointing the fork at her mother. "I know your secrets."

"You got me that time," Sue said. "So what are you two up to today?"

"No idea," Keira said looking at John. "Wanna go to the mountain?"

"Sure," John agreed.

"If you're going to go up there be careful," Kevin said to her.

"I know," Keira sighed. "I grew up here."

"Keira be nice," Sue said.

"Yes mother," Keira said rolling her eyes and laughing.

˜˜˜

"C'mon Chitter, Chatter, Jibber and Jabber!" Keira shouted at the dogs. The obediently returned as Keira looked around and then back to John. "We won't go the whole way. Just enough to get away for a while. Have you ever ridden a horse?"

"Of course," John said.

"Alright," Keira said bringing a second one out of the stable. "The dogs are gonna come with us just incase something goes wrong."

"Sounds good," John said as they both mounted their horses.

"Second question," Keira said before they started. "Ever ridden a horse through a town?"

"Can't say as I have," John said to her.

"Okay, no biggie," Keira said reaching over and grabbing the horse's reins. She commanded the horse to start and made sure that all four dogs were still present. "It'll only be about ten minutes."

So after the ten minutes Keira gave the reins back to John and they picked up the pace. It didn't take them long to get to the mountain and once they did it took a little longer to get to the spot that Keira wanted.

"I used to come here all the time when I was a young lass," Keira said looking around. "Mostly when my mom and dad would fight."

"It's a nice spot," John said to her.

"But we should get going," Keira said turning the horse around. Then she quickly became confused. "Where are the dogs?"

"I don't know," John said looking around. "I was busy listening to you."

"For fuck's sake," Keira said laughing and looking around. "Which way did we come in?"

"Why are you asking me?" John asked her.

"I was hoping that maybe you would remember," Keira said whistling for the dogs but not getting a response. "Well this could be interesting."

"I thought you said that you came up here all the time," John said following her.

"In the summer," Keira said panicking.

"Calm down," John said taking the lead. "We'll get out of here."

It took about three tries before they figured their way out and then they quickly rode back to town.

"I can't believe that I did that," Keira said laughing as she put the horses back.

"Don't worry," John said kissing her cheek. "It's just between you and me."

"Thanks," Keira said as they walked back inside.

"You two got back just in time for dinner," Sue said as she began to take dishes into the dining room.

˜˜˜

Dinner was going quite well. Keira and Natalia were getting along and Sue was telling stories about the girls when they were younger.

"So Keira, are you going to go and visit your dad?" Kevin asked.

Keira almost choked on her food but took a sip of water.

"No, I'm not going to see him," Keira answered.

"Why not? He is your father," Kevin said.

"Because I don't think that he deserves to see me," Keira said. "Can we please change the subject?"

"Sure sweetie," Sue said. "Kevin that wasn't called for." Then she looked back at Keira. "So what are you two doing for Christmas?"

"Keira doesn't celebrate Christmas," Kevin said to Sue.

"Yes I do," Keira said to him. "I don't live with you. I am allowed to celebrate whatever I feel like. And we're actually going over to John's parents place."

"Oh that'll be nice," Sue said happily.

"And we've actually decided that we're going to leave tonight around seven," Keira said to her mother. "That way we can stay in Boston for two nights and leave for West Newbury in the afternoon when we're recharged."

"Good idea," Sue said to the couple. "I wouldn't feel good with you traveling when you're already tired."

˜˜˜

"You're sure that you have everything?" Sue asked Keira.

"Yes mom," Keira said hugging her mother. "It was nice to come home for a while."

"And you know that you're always welcome here," Sue said wiping a tear from her eye. "I never thought that I could miss my daughter so much."

"It's alright mom," Keira said giving her mother another hug. "We'll be out again when we can."

"I know," Sue said trying to regain her composure. "So who's driving?"

"John is," Keira said wiping a few tears out of her eyes.

"Okay," Sue said hugging her daughter one last time. "Take care of yourself little missy. I don't wanna turn my TV on and see my daughter get hurt."

"I'll try not to," Keira said. "And John takes good care of me."

"It was nice meeting you John," Sue said hugging John. "Take care of my daughter."

"It's my number one job," John said putting arm around Keira's shoulders.

They finished saying their goodbyes and went outside to the car. Keira was crying after seeing her mother cry. John opened the door for her and then went around to the other side of the car. He started it up and pulled out of the driveway.

"Gonna be alright?" John asked as they left Jackson.

"Yeah," Keira said wiping her eyes. "I usually don't get sentimental like that around my family."

"You needed it," he said rubbing her leg. "But speaking of your family your mother gave me something for you. It's in the backseat."

Keira looked in the backseat and saw a Christmas gift.

"Yay," Keira said grabbing the box.

She tore through the paper and opened the box. On top of another box was a gold necklace. Keira quickly put it on and then opened the second box. It was full of baking that her mother had made.

"Here," Keira said passing John a cookie as she ate one herself.

"Have fun at your mother's?" John asked.

"Yeah," Keira answered. "I did. It's weird."

"That's good," John said taking her hand in his.

˜˜˜