You asked for it, you got it. Hailey invites Jay over to spend Christmas with her brothers. This is going to be a two part story since there is soooo much I want to write. Stay tuned.
"You are spending Christmas with my family," Hailey stated as she stormed past Jay and into his apartment.
"Well, good hello to you too," he tilted his head confused and closed the door behind him.
"Hi," she smiled ironically while taking a sip from hot tea she was holding. "Like I said, you are spending Christmas with my family."
"No I am not," Jay shook his head in denial. "I am sorry to disappoint you but I have other plans."
"No you don't," his petit partner crushed on his couch. "I've already talked to Will and he will be working tomorrow.
Damn it, he thought to himself. How did she beat him to it?
He slowly walked towards the armchair, hands casually hidden in his pockets and sat down in desperate need of another excuse.
"I have plans with my friends," he managed to say stuttering.
"Seriously?" Hailey squinted her eyes. "What friends?"
"You know, my tv guy, my car guy, my plumper guy," he said between pauses hoping she wouldn't call his bullshit out.
"Yeah, those people are exactly that, guys. They are not your friends and you are not getting out of this," the blonde detective pointed her finger at him.
He was running out of excuses. Being home alone at Christmas was all he had planned for. He was in no mood for celebrations or great gatherings. Honestly, he felt quite relieved when Will announced he was unavailable for the Holidays. He was used to spending Christmas with the sole company of beer and cold burgers.
"Come on," he dropped his head back on the armchair. "I don't mind being alone, really. And besides, I don't even know your family. I am not antisocial, I just don't like being around people I haven't met before."
"Stop being such a grinch," Hailey snapped. "Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year."
"Oh, you are quoting songs now?" Jay kidded.
"Listen, no one should be spending Christmas alone. For two years in a row I respected your wishes and let you wallow in self pity. Let's make a deal. This year you are coming with me and next year, we'll go anywhere you want to. Anywhere!"
Oh she was not dropping this. He was not used to saying no to her so the harder she poked, the most likely it was for him to cave in.
He switched to almond milk because she said it was healthier.
He started wearing slim line shirts more often because she said they flattered his biceps.
He started growing a stubble because she said he looked ruggedly sexy.
Another word from her, and he was bound to spend Christmas with her family.
"Hailey, please," he whined. "I don't deal well with other people's families. Can't we just go somewhere us two?"
"Oh come on. Look, it will just be my brothers. They can be your buddies. Better yet, they can be your guys. Michael is an engineer and Alex…. runs a funeral home," Hailed paused at the sound of that. "Ok, so maybe Alex can be your guy if you ever want to get rid of a body or something. See, I can hook you up."
Jay admired her strong will. When his partner had her mind set up on a goal, there was nothing stopping her. He was dragging him along with her.
"At least tell me they live somewhere nearby. I am in no mood for a roadtrip."
Hailey smiled as she stood up, visibly happy to have achieved her goal.
"Alex has a house over at Old Town,"
"Oh great, we are visiting the grave digger. What a joy!" he sarcastically said while walking towards the door to see Hailey out.
"Rude," Upton punched him before stepping out. "I am picking you up at 11am. You better be ready."
"Sure, I can't hold back my excitement," the tone of his voice defeated and ironic before closing the door.
Why the hell did he agree to this? Christmas with Hailey's brothers? What could possibly go wrong, right?
He had known Hailey for almost 3 years yet she had never mentioned her brothers before. Well, apart from that one time while interrogating a suspect. He couldn't help but wonder whether they are close. Have they all lost contact with their father? How about their mother?
Well, all his questions would be answered in less than 24 hours.
No matter what, he had to make a good first impression. He couldn't visit her brother for the first time without bringing a gift. But it was already 9pm on Christmas Eve. All stores we surely closed by now. Was Alex married? Did he have kids? Should he get something for the kids too?
All of a sudden, he felt a wave of panic surrounding him as he rubbed his chest to self sooth.
He only enjoyed social visits as kid. He and Will, as the little rascals they were, always teased their cousins and often found themselves doing something reckless, such as jumping into the pool from the roof. It was a wonder how they reached adulthood without breaking any bones.
That was not the time to reminisce. He grabbed his coat and jacket, ignored the freezing winds that were howling outside his window and threw himself in the quest for a presents.
By that time, he trusted a single shop to be open. A little store owned by Mr Billy, hidden in an alley not far from his house. He always referred to him as Sport Billy because he could find anything in that place. Literally, anything.
Grocery, dog food (for that one time he babysited ) electrical supplies, plumping, burner phones, books, condoms….. anything. That little cramped up store was a magic land.
Half an hour later he was already back from his successful mission. Sport Billy did not fail him.
He bought two bottles of rare Whiskey, one for each brother. Those damn things cost 100$ each so they'd better appreciate a good Scotch when they see it.
Two bamboo plants for good luck, one for each wife, if they even were married.
And a few of Barbie dolls along with a dozen toys cars and trucks for the kids.
Of course, he couldn't leave out his partner. The little devil in him wanted to buy her that ugly Christmas sweater he had spotted. It was velvet red with a huge 3d reindeer in front. But that was not the end of it. The sweater was somehow indued with colorful Christmas lights.
"Who's the grinch now Upton," he muttered.
Payback was a bitch and he was surely going force her into spending the whole day wearing that hideous thing.
His evil plan didn't last for long though. Soon, he spotted with the corner of his eye a small jewelry sitting in a dusty glass displayer. He hung the sweater back on the rank and slowly walked towards the showcase.
It was gold pyrites pendant in shape of a star, hanging from a leather rope and it was screaming Hailey.
"How much does this cost?" he hesitantly asked the elderly owner.
"For you, 300$," mr Billy said as he removed the pendant from the showcase to give Jay a better view.
"Wow," Jay took a step back in shock. "I think you are robbing me here Mr Billy."
"I would never do that to you Jay. You are my favorite costumer," the old man said in defense.
"Ok," Jay bit his lips reconsidering. One more look at it and he was in love. There was no way getting it out of his head now. He could picture it around Hailey's tiny neck. He reached his hand to touch but withdrew it at once as if it was radiating heat. There was too much innuendo in getting her a jewelry. Who in their right mind buys his martner a jewelry? He'd better stick to the typical gift and get her the sweater.
"Damn it," he cursed closing his eyes and just like that he inner struggle was over.
Five minutes later he was loading the car with the presents but there was only of bag that mattered to him. The one he chose to keep right by his side while driving. The one with the little black velvet box in it.