Anna unlocks the front door to her house. The air is stale inside, having been uninhabited for months. She sets down her bags and opens some of the windows, eager to air out the place. She's exhausted from her flight and the fact that she got very little sleep the previous night. The knot in her stomach that formed as Skylar gave her a lingering kiss goodbye still hasn't dissipated.
She looks around the house, and it's filled with pictures of friends and family, and it's then that she realizes that she doesn't even have a photo of him. She picks up her phone and Googles their names, and sure enough the photo of them kissing last night appears. She switches on her printer, sending the picture to print as she glances out the window. It's only been a few hours, and she can't believe how much she already misses him.
Meanwhile, Skylar's plane has landed in New York City. He's already noticing a change. People are recognizing him more often, and he knows it isn't because of Ground Floor's success, but rather his new, famous girlfriend. Everywhere he turns, people are asking him about Anna. He brushes them off as he tries to keep a low profile during the trip.
His mother is waiting to pick him up after he collects his baggage. He's relieved to climb into the safety of her car, away from all the prying eyes and camera phones. "Hi Mom," he says warmly, giving the older woman a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi honey, how was your trip?" she asks.
"Interesting," he replies, "People actually know who I am now."
"Could it have anything to do with your very popular girlfriend?" his mother, Meryl asks.
"Probably," he smiles as his mother pulls out of the airport.
"Just don't forget," Meryl says, "That you're talented all on your own. You're always going to be more than just Anna Kendrick's boyfriend."
"Mom," Skylar sighs, shaking his head, "Of course I know that, and Anna knows that. It really isn't like that with us. And I'm not with her because I want the fame and recognition that comes along with it. We really care about each other, you'll see."
"She just seems so…I don't know, different," Meryl replies. "I mean I've read some of her posts on the Twitter, and read articles about her, and I just want to be sure you're protecting yourself."
"From what, Mom?" Skylar asks, slightly annoyed. "Yes, Anna has a sense of humor, and she's incredibly intelligent and funny, but when it comes to the important stuff, we're the same. And I know it's in your DNA to worry, but you're going to have to trust me on this. I'm a big boy now, I can handle it."
"And her schedule, and the distance? What about that? She makes more money than you, sweetheart, by a lot," Meryl replies.
"So what?" he answers. "I know it's going to be hard, but we're going to try. I have to try."
"Ok," Meryl shrugs, "You know I'm just trying to protect you, son. If you love her, then I'm sure your father and I will too."
He picks up his phone to text Anna.
Here for two minutes and already getting the third degree from mom about you. Miss you already.
She replies a moment later.
My empty house is already asking about you, too. You'll need to visit soon.
Long after she hits send, she stares at her phone, but no reply comes. She knows he's probably catching up with his parents and siblings, so she tries to busy herself around the house by going through the mail, unpacking, and starting the laundry. In a week she'll be heading to her hometown of Portland, Maine, and Skylar will be there too. She can't wait.
The next seven days pass in a blur as they both try to keep busy. Anna catches up with friends and practices for her next role while Skylar enjoys spending time with his family and old friends. They text constantly, and talk on the phone when they can, but they really miss each other. After spending nearly every night together for the past few months, they've grown accustomed to sharing a bed, having a constant companion, and all the physical intimacy that being in a relationship provides. And they miss it, a lot.
When Anna boards the plane to Maine, a suitcase full of presents trailing behind her, she has butterflies in her stomach again. It isn't because her family is going to meet Skylar; she knows they'll love him. She just can't wait to see him.
Skylar's mother gives him yet another speech before she drops him off at the airport. "Now don't get too used to the tree and all those presents," she teases him as he gets out of the car.
"Don't worry Mom," he replies, grabbing his bag out of the trunk and heading towards the entrance. The flight isn't long, but he's nervous and eager to see Anna, so it seems like forever to him. Since they don't want to attract attention at the airport, he rents a car when he lands and follows the GPS directions on his cell phone until he arrives at her parents' house.
He parks on the street, and grabs his bag, the bunch of flowers for Anna's mother, and the bottle of wine for Anna's father and climbs the porch steps before ringing the doorbell. The door opens and there stands a woman that looks like an older version of Anna. Janice Kendrick is petite, pretty, and has a great smile.
"You must be Skylar," she says warmly, opening the door and gesturing for him to enter, "We've heard so much about you."
"All good things, I hope," he smiles, handing her the flowers, "It's great to meet you, Mrs. Kendrick."
"Please, call me Janice," she tells him. "Thank you, these are lovely."
They hear a scuffling upstairs and look up to see that Anna's brother Michael has her in a tight headlock while she repeatedly elbows him in the stomach.
"And that, would be my son Michael," Janice says, shaking her head, "Giving his sister a hard time as usual."
Anna wriggles her way out of Michael's grasp and bounds down the steps, flying into Skylar's arms. He pulls her into a bear hug, kissing her on the forehead before putting her back on the floor. Michael follows, extending his hand to Skylar, "Nice to meet you," he says.
They exchange pleasantries about Skylar's flight before Janice says, "Why don't I let Anna show you to your room so you can relax a little before dinner?"
"Thanks, that would be great," he says. He picks up his bag and Anna leads him up the stairs to her childhood bedroom.
"Now," she says, closing the door behind them, "This isn't a very big house, so we're going to have to share the bed," she smiles, "I hope that's ok with you."
"We'll just have to be quiet," he grins mischievously, and she laughs. He crosses the room, threading his fingers into her hair before pulling her into a kiss. "I missed you," he breathes into her mouth, and she sighs softly.
The kiss builds in intensity, and he reluctantly pulls his lips from hers, resting his head on her forehead. "If we don't stop now, we're going to end up missing dinner," he explains, "Although I fully intend on making up for our week apart later," he adds.
She gives his lips another quick peck before taking his hand and leading him towards the bedroom door. "Come on," she says, "I want you to meet my Dad."
William Kendrick is sitting on the sofa in the family room, watching something on The History Channel when they walk into the room. "Dad," Anna says, "This is Skylar."
"Hi, son," William replies, shaking his hand. "Good to have you here. You're all my little girl talks about these days."
Anna blushes as Skylar says, "Nice to meet you sir. Thank you so much for having me here."
"Please, call me William," William corrects. "There's no need for formality here, we're all family."
There are wonderful smells coming from the kitchen, and Anna and Skylar help Janice finish up dinner and set the table. They all enjoy a nice Christmas Eve dinner together, and Skylar feels at ease with the Kendricks. Michael even ribs him a few times as if he were his brother, a sign that Anna told him would mean he approves. After dinner, they all sit around the tree sipping hot cocoa and eating homemade cookies. Anna is curled into his side as they share stories about her childhood, and he's laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes.
"They're being kind," Anna says, "My hair was awful! It was this big, frizzy, uncontrollable mess. The only reason it's presentable now is because I have a team of professional stylists working on it around the clock."
"I've always thought it was beautiful," he tells her honestly, and he can't help but notice the way Janice smiles at him from across the room.
"Well you know what they say," Anna jokes, "Love is blindness."
He tickles her side, and she laughs. Anna's parents bid them goodnight, and they watch a little television with Michael before heading to bed. They take turns in the bathroom before climbing into bed together, the moonlight streaming through the window their only source of illumination in the room.
"Your family is great," Skylar tells her, "I'm so glad I could meet them, honestly."
"Yeah, they are great," she agrees, "And my parents are always so supportive of me, I'm really lucky."
"I'm really lucky," he whispers, scooting closer to her and kissing her. "I missed you…so, so much."
The kiss quickly intensifies, and she sits up, straddling his hips as they continue to kiss. "My God, I missed this," she breathes into his mouth as her fingers trace the outline of his abs. He shivers under her touch.
They make love slowly and quietly, Skylar maintaining a maddeningly slow pace, wanting to relish every moment he has with her after their time apart. He whispers words of love in her ear as she falls asleep, her head on his chest and her arm slung around his waist. They wake as the morning sun begins streaming through the curtains.
"Merry Christmas," he murmurs to her as she opens her eyes. She blinks a few times and sees that there is a small wrapped package resting on the pillow just inches from her face.
She sits up, picking up the gift and turning it over a few times in her hands. "You didn't have to get me anything," she tells him.
"I know, but I wanted to," he explains. She tears the paper carefully before lifting the lid of the box. Nestled inside is a long, velvet box. She pries it open, and finds a white gold bracelet; the metal twisted and sculpted into the phrase "Don't you forget about me".
"I know it's kind of cliché," he says, lifting the bracelet out of its box and fastening it onto her wrist, "But if it weren't for Pitch Perfect and Jesse and Beca, I wouldn't know you. And I wouldn't have fallen in love with you. And every time I hear this song, or see plaid, or sing, or breathe, I think of you. You gave me the money clip, something I have with me all the time, and having it is like carrying a tangible piece of you with me wherever I go. So now you can wear this, and think of me."
"It's perfect," she says, fingering the delicate design.
"And one of a kind," he smiles. "And when you're filming, it also doubles as an anklet. You know, since your ankles are the same width as your wrists," he teases.
She pokes him in the ribs. "Thank you," she says, leaning over to kiss him. The kiss deepens, and he rolls over her, pressing her into the mattress. They break apart when they hear a soft knock at the door.
"If you guys are decent, breakfast is ready," Michael's voice says through the door. Reluctantly, they climb out of bed, throw on robes over their pajamas, and pad down the stairs and into the kitchen. The day is filled with food, laughter, warmth, and presents. Anna's favorite part of it all is when Skylar joins in with them to sing Christmas carols, harmonizing perfectly with her own voice.
"I could really get used to this," Skylar whispers in Anna's ear during dinner, and she feels a surge of love for him, realizing that he really fits perfectly into her little world here.
"They love you," she whispers back, "And so do I."
Now she can only hope that she fits in as well with his family as he has with hers.