Author's Note: Here is the second and final part of HM. Thanks again for the feedback. I seriously appreciate it more than any of you realize.
Jason gaped at his wife. It was all he could do. She was standing right here in front of him and she seemed completely alive and real. How was this possible? Was he losing it? Truthfully, he shouldn't have such a hard time believing she was here- considering the fact that he'd been a superhero a long time ago. But, he still felt shock. Her words registered in his brain a few seconds later and a frown slowly appeared on his face. Love? He was going to find love again? "It's not gonna happen, Jade."
She sat down next to him on the step. "Yes, it will."
"Trust me- it won't," he said, looking at her.
"Jason-" she began.
"Jade, I'm not gonna fall in love again. I know that for sure," he said, then, lowered his voice a little. "What are you doing here?" Seeing her again was just... there were no words.
"I'm here because you need me," she said with a smile.
"But, I've needed you plenty over the last few years and you never showed up," he said.
"That's because you've never needed me more than you do right now," she said. "Jase, you're wrong about not falling in love again. It'll happen- sooner than you think."
"Jade, I know you're gonna know things before me since you're... . But, I still don't believe I'm ever gonna really love again. There's just no way," he said. He had seen other women, but, he'd never gotten serious. Had no interest in letting it go to his heart.
"You can't fight it, Jason. You're gonna be in love again and live a long, happy life. That's what's supposed to happen," she said.
"It's just so great to see you again," he said, smiling.
She smirked. "It's so great to see you too, but, not talking about it isn't gonna make it any less true."
"Jade, you're here, but, you're not. Not really. I don't know for how long and that's why I'd rather talk about how much I love and miss you. How much I wish you were here to watch Amber grow up," he said.
She took his hand and squeezed it. "I understand, sweetie. I miss and love you and our little girl more than you can imagine."
"I see you every, single time I look at Amber. Every time I hear her laugh, I hear you laugh," he said.
"Remember when we found out I was pregnant?" she said.
"Like it was yesterday," he said.
"I was so happy. There were only three other times I was ever that happy. When you proposed, our wedding day and the day Amber was born," she said with a soft smile. "Our daughter's lucky, Jason, because she has a father like you. She's gonna grow up to be an amazing woman."
"Definitely," he agreed. "She'll be as amazing as her mother was."
"Aren't you sweet?" she said, winking. Then, she sighed. "You've got a lot of love to give- so does Amber. That's why sharing it with a family is-"
"Jade, don't," he said quietly.
"I have to. You and Amber are gonna have a family-" she was saying.
"We are a family," he said.
"You know what I mean," she said. "The family's gonna grow and you guys are gonna have the happiness you deserve."
"I don't-" he began.
"And it's gonna last. Tell your heart to get ready because its door is about to be unlocked," she said with a laugh.
"Jade-" he began.
"I'll always, always love you and Amber," she said, then, kissed his cheek and vanished.
Jason grinned when Kimberly opened the door to her house the next evening. He and Amber had just left his parents' and were now here for Christmas dinner. "Hi, Kim."
"Hey, Jase. Hi, Amber," Kimberly said, smiling.
"Hi, Aunt Kim," Amber said cheerfully. "Where is Kyle?"
"In the den. Why don't you two come on in?" Kimberly said, stepping aside. 'Jason's smiling- really smiling. He hasn't done that on Christmas Day in years. I wonder what's going on.' After Amber had run into the den, Kimberly looked at Jason- whom was still all smiles. "You seem to be in a good mood."
"Oh, man. Good isn't the word, Kim. I woke up this morning feeling fantastic for some reason. It's been a long time," he said.
"Well, I am so glad to see you like this," she said before hugging him.
"Yeah, it's great. Thanks again for inviting us over for dinner," he said.
"No thanks necessary. I love you and Amber," she said. They now stood in the doorway to the den.
"We love you, too. But, to be honest, I was sure I'd call you and back out," he said.
"So was I," she said with a light laugh. Not that she would have let him- as they both very well knew.
"But when I woke up this morning... I don't know. I've been looking forward to coming here all day long," he said seriously.
"That works out fine because I've been looking forward to seeing you guys all day long," she said. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"All right," he said, nodding. "I've gotta thank you for something else, Kim."
"What's that?" she asked.
"I know you're the reason I'm in this fantastic mood. That's not a big shock, though. If anybody could manage to make me feel like this again, it's you," he said.
"I'd love to take credit for this, but, I don't think I'm responsible," she said.
"Believe me, Kim, you are. I can't explain why or how, I just know you are," he said, smiling.
"Daddy, you have to kiss Aunt Kim," Amber said.
Jason's eyebrows shot up. "What are you talking about, baby?"
"You two are standing under mistletoe! You have to kiss. It's a rule," Amber said, grinning.
"Aww, don't," Kyle said, making a disgusted face.
Kimberly smirked at her son. "You'll feel a lot differently when you're older, sweetie."
"No way, Mom. No way," he said.
"It's a rule. They have to do it," Amber said.
Kimberly laughed as an unexpected wave of giddiness crashed over her. "You know what's weird?"
"What?" Jason asked.
"I don't even remember putting that mistletoe there- at all," she said. She honestly didn't. It almost felt as though it had magically appeared. A part of her felt it had... .
"Old age can be cruel," Jason quipped. He laughed when she gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Merry Christmas, Kim."
"Merry Christmas, Jason," she said, then, met his lips in a kiss.
Five Years Later
"Ooh, I have another one!" eleven-year-old Amber said as she grabbed a beautifully-wrapped gift from under the tree that joyous, Christmas morning.
"Hey! She has more presents than me. Shouldn't that be, like, a crime or something?" twelve-year-old Kyle said to his mother and stepfather- causing them to laugh. "I mean, I'm the cool one."
"I'm the cute one," Amber said, smirking. "Besides, it looks like you have more."
"You both have the same amount because you're equally cute and cool," Kimberly said with a smile.
"Thanks, Mom, but, you're not a big expert on cool," Kyle said.
"So true. Neither is Daddy," Amber said.
"Thanks," Jason said dryly, then, shared an amused smile with his wife. He and Kimberly had gotten married three and half years earlier. Also, Kimberly had given birth to their twin son and daughter- Jeff and Holly- eleven months ago. The babies were currently crawling around on the floor. The couple had found more happiness than they knew what to do with. It was just as Jade said it would be- and then some.
"I was hoping to get this. Thanks, Mom,'' Amber said, giving Kimberly a hug.
''You're welcome, honey,'' Kimberly said as warmth and love washed over her. A couple years ago, Amber had asked Jason and Kimberly if it would be okay if she called Kimberly ''Mom''. Naturally, they told her it would be more than okay. 'My family. I love these people so much it scares me,' Kimberly thought.
''What's on your mind, Firebird?'' Jason asked in a low voice.
''You and the kids. I love you so much, Jason,'' she said.
''I love you, too, Kim. With all my heart,'' he said. ''You brought me back to life and I plan to thank you for that as long as we're on the planet.''
''I'll make sure you do just that,'' she joked. He laughed, then, they shared a sweet kiss. Kimberly stood. ''I'm gonna get some more coffee. Want some?"
"Sure," he replied.
She nodded, then, began heading out. After she'd reached the kitchen and refilled the coffee mugs...
"Hey, Kim."
Kimberly looked to her right to see Jade. Instead of gasping or gawking in astonishment, Kimberly smiled warmly. "Hi, Jade."
"I'm here because I felt now was the perfect time to say thank you. Thanks so much, Kim. You're always gonna be what Amber and Jason need," Jade said, smiling.
"Thank you for saying that," Kimberly said.
"No problem," Jade said. "Keep being incredibly happy."
"I will," Kimberly said. Jade smiled one last time, then, vanished. Kimberly stood still, smiling. Her smile widened when she heard laughter coming from the living room. She picked up the mugs, then, turned and headed out of the kitchen- eager to rejoin her family.
Endnote: Happy holidays, everybody!