Christmas is For Family
Part 3
Derek finished stowing the carry on bags in the bin and settled into the seat next to Penelope. "You ready, Babygirl?"
Penelope was lost in the view outside the small airplane window. Derek leaned closer so he could see what she was looking at. He frowned when all he saw were the workers preparing the plane for takeoff. He pressed a kiss to her temple startling the brightly dressed woman.
"You're not worried about the weather are you?" Derek asked.
She shook her head as she turned to look at him. "We've been in worse than this." She stated as she gestured towards the window. Small flakes of snow splashed on the glass and instantly melted.
"Then what's got you all distracted?" he asked with a lazy drawl. He sprawled in his seat as he squinted at her. "You thinking of another man?"
She chuckled and wrapped herself around his arm. "You know you're the only man I think of…except I was thinking of another man."
"What?!" he replied in mock upset. "Who are you thinking about?"
"David."
"What about him?" Derek asked sounded mildly irritated.
Penelope sat up and looked at him. "He's all alone. And it's Christmas!"
"Honey, he is a grown man who chose to be alone," Derek pointed out. "It's Rossi, he'll be alright."
She smacked him hard on the shoulder.
"Ow," he cried as he rubbed his shoulder. "What was that for?"
"I hate it when you guys say that," she scolded. "Just because he's Rossi, doesn't mean he's alright. It just means he's a stubborn Italian."
He held up his hands in surrender. "What do you want me to do? We're about to fly to Chicago."
"Ladies and gentlemen," the loudspeaker crackled. "Please take your seats we about to pull out of the terminal."
Penelope scooted back in her seat and buckled in as did Derek. "I know we can't do anything," she murmured. "Doesn't make me stop worrying."
Derek grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I know Babygirl, that's why I love you."
Dave pulled his black sedan into the bright garage and shut off the engine. Climbing out of the vehicle he grabbed his briefcase and the bag of Chinese take-out he had picked up on the way home. He walked out of the garage and tapped the code to close the door. The snow began falling at a faster rate, some melted on the cold asphalt and some began to pile up. He entered the cold, dark house and flipped on the lights.
Aaron sat on the couch and slipped his arm over Beth's shoulder and pulled her close. Jack lay on the floor intently watching the television.
"Good idea," Aaron murmured. "Letting him open a present early. Do I get to open a present early as well?"
She fought to hold back a smile. "I don't know; have you been good this year?"
He nibbled at her ear. "I've been very, very good."
"Well," she pretended to think. "If Jack goes to bed on time I suppose you can open one present early."
They shared a kiss then turned back to the television.
"We can't forget to set the alarm," she reminded him. "I need to get up early and put the turkey in the oven."
"I already turned it on," he said casually.
She looked at him. "That sure of yourself, are you?"
He smirked. "I was hoping that you couldn't resist me."
"I am a weak, weak woman," she said solemnly. "Now watch the movie."
The snow was falling at a faster rate as JJ now navigated the vehicle over the slick roads. The light was long gone from the sky and civilization was far behind them. She slowed the car down for a curve then released the gas as she felt the rear of the vehicle begin to slide farther to the right than was necessary. She attempted to correct the slid when she realized she no longer had control.
"Will!" she shouted in panic as the vehicle careened towards the side of the road.
"What…" Will replied drowsily just as the car impacted something large and solid. The car rocked briefly then settled at an odd angle.
"What the hell just happened?" Will whispered.
JJ gasped in a deep breath and slowly released her death grip from the steering wheel. "I must have hit an ice patch."
"Mommy?" Henry piped in from the back seat.
Will and JJ both twisted around in their seats.
"I'm right here baby," JJ stated calmly.
"Are you alright, buddy?" Will asked as he reached back and laid his hand on Henry's knee.
Henry nodded. "Are we at Grandma's?"
"No, not yet. We had to stop for a minute," Will replied with a small smile. "Daddy's going to step outside for a minute. Why don't you go back to sleep."
Will turned to JJ. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."
He leaned over and kissed her. "I'm going to make sure the car is okay."
"Be careful," she warned. "It's slick out there."
He grabbed the flashlight from the glovebox and opened the door then peered out the door before stepping out of the car. JJ shivered as the cold air rushed inside. She turned around to make sure Henry was covered with his blanket then turned back in her seat. A few moments later the door opened again and Will climbed back inside.
"Well, we're not driving anywhere," he announced.
"What happened? Are we in a ditch?" JJ questioned.
He shook his head. "We hit what looks like a large rock. Sheered the wheel right off the axle."
"Damn," JJ whispered.
"Where are we? This doesn't look like the 81."
JJ sighed. "We got re-routed from the interstate. I think we're on the 220."
Will looked around again. "It's pretty desolate. Has there been much traffic?"
"Not for about an hour. Should we call someone?"
"I checked my phone when I was outside," Will explained. "I don't have reception."
"Great," JJ muttered. "Now what?"
"We wait."
JJ turned to look at him.
"We'll be fine," he said reassuringly. "We have food and water. There's enough gas that we can keep warm. I'll set out a flare. Hopefully someone will drive by, see the flare and stop to help."
"Hopefully they aren't a serial killer," she snorted.
"Well it's a good thing I am here with a big, bad FBI agent."
"You'd let me deal with the serial killer?"
"You are trained to do that," he pointed out.
She laughed. "Why did I marry you again?"
"Because I'm the pretty one," he teased as he opened the car door again. "Pop the trunk and I'll set out a flare."
JJ glared at him as he exited the vehicle. She popped the trunk as he closed the door then reached for her phone. The phone was fully charged but like Will's had no reception.
End part 3