A/N: Alright, kids! We've done Halloween and Thanksgiving. Now let's bring on CHRISTMAS!
We've got a lot of characters to cover because, sadly, people are spending the holidays apart. That being said, this chapter is the HUGEST, MOST COLOSSOL chapter I have put out. Why? Because ONE, like I said so many people we need to check up on. TWO, I really want to make up for the last chapter being my shortest one to date. THIRD, you guys just deserve it!
I mean it, you have been my inspiration from the very beginning and have stuck with me, giving your kind words and reviews. I don't know where you guys live but where I'm at, it's already 20 degrees Fahrenheit. (sigh) that was a nice month and a half of autumn, yeah? I'm serious, it snowed the morning of Halloween! LIKE, WHAAAAAT!?
So, it's just so ding dang COLD that I can't help but get into the Christmas spirit. Consider this an early gift for all of you!
I love you guys, and if you haven't chimed in yet with a review, please do here. I worked extra hard on this chapter, and I want to know if you liked it.
One last note: I apologize for this horrible account that's been spamming people with shit post reviews. This Troll is the worst kind because they force their rhetoric into what I have been trying to keep as a happy place. Do what I did and report them for hateful speech and abuse. This should not allowed on this platform. I am so sorry for the language this idiot is using; THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THAT HERE!
So, let's bury these hate-filled things with real reviews, the kind words from you guys! Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, I don't tolerate none of that - everybody is welcome here!
Have fun and drop a line!
The buzzer rang and Tori sprung out of the kitchen.
"Mia! Come on, your Uncle Miles is here!"
"Okay, coming!" came down from her daughter's room.
Tori straightened her red shirt before opening the door.
"There she is!" he smiled.
Despite being older and shorter than Sam (about eye to eye with Tori) he could be a dead ringer for him. They were absolutely brothers.
She wrapped her arms around him, and he reciprocated, bringing it in tightly.
"So good to see you!" she said.
The resemblance is uncanny; it often gave Tori the misty eyes and today was no exception.
Miles leaned back and glanced to the right of him.
"Okay, hope you're not mad but I invited some people along."
Tori was genuinely surprised.
"Oh? Uh, I guess..."
"Yeah, they were just some people I picked up at the airport."
"MERRY CHRISTMAS, TORI!"
The Latina thought she was going to lose her balance when her parents stood in the doorway, holding bags and boxes.
"OH MY GOD, YOU GUYS!"
She hugged the both of them at the same time. She was so overwhelmed, deciding on who to embrace first would have been impossible.
"I missed you so much!" Holly said with a kiss.
"How you been, Tori?" asked David.
"It's been...quite a year," she smiled.
Tori stepped aside as the three came inside.
"Where is my grandchild?" demanded Holly with a smirk.
"She's coming," Tori replied with a thumb, indicating the direction of Mia's room. "I still can't believe you guys came!"
"Yeah, well, we missed you" David admitted. "So, we called Miles and arranged this surprise."
"Hey, hey!"
Tori's heart shot up at the familiar voice.
"You shouldn't leave that door open," Andre said. "Too many weirdos out there."
He looked to the side and smiled.
"Finally!"
"Not my fault!" Trina grumbled.
"Uh, yes, it is," Andre quipped. "You decided to wear heels."
Tori covered her mouth and stomped her foot.
"SHUT! UP!"
She didn't miss a beat and hugged her best friend and big sister.
"It's a Christmas miracle!" grunted Andre with what little breath Tori's vice-like grip would allow.
"More like a Thanksgiving conspiracy," David said. "While we were having dinner, we brought up the subject of Christmas..."
"And we didn't have anything particular planned..." added Holly.
"And I guess we missed you and junk," smirked Trina.
"So, here we are!" finished Andre.
Tori looked to Miles, and he shrugged.
"Sorry, I didn't know what to get you this year, so I thought, hey, how about family?"
"What's going on down here, the TV on?"
Mia's eyes bulged out when she saw more than her uncle were standing in the living room.
"Holy shhhh...shnikes!"
"Nice save," Trina said.
"Grandma, Grandpa!"
Holly hugged her only granddaughter super tight. David gave Mia the old handshake-but-I'm-really-pulling-you-into-a-hug fake out. Classic dad.
"Please everybody get comfortable," Tori said. "Mia, help them with their things."
Mia nodded and relieved her grandparents of their coats and hung them on the rack by the door. It usually sat pretty bare but now it was full of clothes by the end.
Then she and David piled everything neatly by the coffee table which had a small two-foot Christmas tree on top.
"Wow, that makes it look smaller, huh?" Tori said, a little embarrassed.
"Don't fret, girl," said Andre with a hand on her shoulder. "The holidays aren't about decorations. It's a house filled with your favorite people."
He side hugged her, and she leaned on him.
"Let's have a look at you!" Trina said to Mia. "Come on, your auntie hasn't seen you in a while."
Mia was sporting what she wore every Christmas the last eight years, her dad's red flannel pajamas. He wore them every Christmas morning, so it felt like he would be there tomorrow.
"I'm so jealous!" Trina told her. "You look pretty in anything!"
The teenager rolled her eyes. But she appreciated the sentiment because positive comments on her fashion sense were non-existent.
"Still blowing them away on the dance floor?" her auntie asked.
Mia nodded.
"That's my Mia!" Trina said with a hug. "You get that from me, you know?"
"Whatever you say, sis."
Holly sniffed the air.
"Tori, is there something cooking?"
She spun around and rushed to check on the food. Holly followed her as she rolled her sleeves up.
"Come on, kiddo. Let's do this!"
Jenna stepped out of her little car and approached the door.
She took deep breaths as she mentally prepared herself. This was the first time she was at his house.
Jenna pressed onto the doorbell and an instrumental of "Deck the Halls" came instead of the usual DING-DONG.
(Nice touch.)
"Hello?" came an older woman's voice as the door cracked open.
"Hi, Mrs. Mosier!" waved Jenna. "Merry Christmas."
Her eyes lit up as she opened the front door all the way to reveal a living room filled with people.
"Look everyone! Jenna's here!"
The older folks got up to formally meet the girl who couldn't help but tower over the mother.
"Look at you!" said a man with thick glasses. "I'm Uncle Ken and this is Aunt Helen and Aunt Sue."
"So nice to meet you," Jenna told the older ladies who warmly shook her hand.
"You're too tall for him!" grumbled the oldest man in the room.
"Come on, gramps! Be nice."
Billy emerged from behind the patriarch and patted him on the shoulder.
"She's too tall for you," he whispered to his grandson.
"It's fine, gramps!" he smiled aggressively. "Jenna is fine the way she is." Billy then turned his attention to Jenna. "Can I get that for you?"
Jenna blushed as he took her jacket and placed it in the downstairs bedroom with all the other coats.
"Thanks," she said.
"Despite my dad," came Mr. Mosier. "Billy managed to pick up on manners."
He shook her hand and smiled.
The old man muttered something incomprehensible and sat back in the brown chair facing the TV.
"We were blown away by you two in the play!" his mom gushed. "That was the night he told us you two were an item."
"Mom..." Billy groaned.
"Oh, hush! I think it was very sweet. Two actors playing lovers falling in love for real..." she clasped her hands together. "It's like a fairytale!"
Jenna covered her mouth as Billy turned redder than the holly hanging by the mantle.
She then turned toward the glowing arbor. Must have been an seven-footer. The star at the top was just a centimeter from touching the ceiling.
"Oh, my God! I love your tree!"
Upon closer inspection, the fake green tree with convincing-looking fake snow was adorned with silver and gold tinsel with matching white twinkling lights. But the balls and sentimental ornaments brought a splash of color here and there.
"Thank you!" said Mrs. Mosier. "We couldn't get a real evergreen because of Billy's allergy."
The blond boy but his head in his hands.
"Oh, don't be so embarrassed," his dad chided. "So, you break out into hives when you get near pine needles, so what?"
"I thought you couldn't get a real tree because the dog kept drinking the sugar water," said one of Billy's cousins.
"No, no," corrected Mr. Mosier. "Spaz left the water alone. It was Billy. You should've seen him, it was like having a five-year-old leper running around," he chuckled.
Billy sighed and decided to let it go.
Hours ago, he coached his family to prepare for Jenna's arrival. He knew Gramps was likely a lost cause, but he implored everyone else to be on their best behavior and be welcoming to Jenna. He said he really liked this girl and wanted to make a good impression.
And so far, they have been giving her a warm reception (again, Gramps notwithstanding).
"Billy!"
He turned to see his mom rushing to him with something red that was folded.
"We have to take a picture!"
"Oh, uh, okay..."
"But put this on!"
Billy picked up the thing and the ugliest sweater imaginable unfurled.
"Mom, really?"
"Auntie Vera made that for you! You don't have to wear it all night, but I have to show you wearing it for the picture!"
"Come on, son" his dad butted in. "She follows you on Facebook."
"No, she doesn't," Billy protested.
"Yeah, but she follows me, and I post everything about you!" his mother explained.
He closed his eyes and sighed again.
"Okay, fine. I'll put it on."
Jenna couldn't wait to see how it looked; she only saw it from behind.
Billy turned around and this wooly red sweater featured a lime green elf with button eyes and a crooked grin. And he was standing next to a kind of, sort of snowman. It was hard to make out. It was just a blob of white with two dots for eyes, I guess.
She was trying her hardest not to laugh but in doing so, she was making worse noises.
"Go ahead, laugh."
The tall girl giggled a little but quickly pushed it down for his sake.
"Well, let's do it!"
Jenna followed his mom's instruction and stood next to Billy. With her dark purple and blue top, she stood in contrast to the red and green and hint of yellow coming off of her boyfriend.
"Hey dad, do you have a pumpkin I can hold?" he asked. "I feel like all the colors of the rainbow aren't represented here."
"Hahahaha!"
(He can always make me laugh.)
"Smile," she said, readying her phone. "And say...cheese!"
"Cheese!" they both grinned before the flash blinded them.
"Holy crap, mom. My eyes."
"Alright, everyone!" his dad rallied the family. "Let's go eat so I don't miss my favorite part of A Christmas Story where the kid shoots himself."
"Is this the house?" Neil asked.
"Yeah," Chase nodded. He pointed. "Right...there."
Neil pulled over and his nephew got out of the car.
"You sure we'll be okay if we're late?" he asked.
Neil waved his hand.
"They can't start without me," he grinned. "Besides, this is important."
He reached into the backseat and handed a white paper bag to Chase, who took it with shaky hands.
"Th-thanks," he said. "Say, if you wouldn't mind, could you..."
"Drive around the block?"
Chase sighed.
"Yes, that."
Neil nodded, "I get it, don't want to be sitting there like a getaway car."
"Right, thanks."
"Don't thank me, just doing my job as the greatest wingman on the planet."
Chase shook his head and walked toward Lauren's house.
He heard the car driving away as he began ascending the steps to the porch.
The tall boy paced a little back and forth, not sure what to say when he sees Lauren. They have gotten comfortable around each other, so why does every time he sees her a total system reset? It's like the butterflies don't completely go away. Instead, they sleep and wait until the next time they cross paths.
Chase took a deep breath and psyched himself up enough to knock only to have the door pull away from his raised hand.
(Oh, crap! I didn't get to knock! Now what do I do?)
He was greeted by the smiling Lousie.
"Merry Christmas, Chase."
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Jackson!" he blurted out. "May I see Lauren, please?"
She chuckled and nodded.
"Would you like to come in?" she asked.
"Actually, my uncle and I were on our way somewhere, but I wanted to give this to Lauren."
He held up the bag.
"Oh, alright. I'll go get her."
"Thank you."
He noticed a white bench on the porch and decided to sit rather than stand like he was the UPS man.
Lauren emerged from the door and turned to see Chase waiting for her.
"Hey," he smiled nervously.
"Hi," she smiled back. "You sure you didn't want to come inside?"
"Oh, I'm sure. My Uncle Neil is performing at this Christmas party in Encino and I dunno, sounds like it'll be fun."
She sat beside him.
"Encino? That's a drive."
"Yeah," Chase nodded. "But, if I have to, I can drive home."
"Don't you only have a learner's permit?" she chuckled.
"It's cool as long as an adult's in the car."
Lauren leaned back.
"OOOOOOHHH! Now I get it. So, if uncle has too many hard eggnogs..."
"I can be the designated driver."
"Well, if you wanted to say Hi you didn't have to come all the way down here-"
His posture stiffened and he turned toward her, face to face.
"I did, though. I wanted to give you this."
She slowly accepted the bag.
"Now I feel bad," she frowned.
"What, why?" he asked, concerned.
"I didn't know we were exchanging presents...I would have..."
"No, no, no, it's fine. I just," he scratched his head. "I just saw this and thought of you and..."
Chase shut his eyes tightly.
"I really hope you like it."
Lauren blinked and looked inside the bag and softly gasped.
She reached in and pulled out a grey jewelry box.
"What is this?" Lauren whispered incredulously.
He made an audible painful whine. The anticipation was eating away at him.
"Chase!"
He forced himself to open his eyes and saw Lauren holding a sterling silver bracelet with a musical note cham. Her eyes glistened.
"It's beautiful," she smiled.
"Really?"
"Are you kidding? I love it."
She put the bracelet on her left arm. The music note dangled like it broke free of the sheet music it came from.
"So, you do like it?" he asked again, not willing to accept that he succeeded with the Christmas present.
"Of course, silly! It wasn't too much I hope?"
Chase shook his head no.
"No trouble," he said. "Really. I don't buy a lot of things...so it felt good to get something for you."
Lauren blushed and cleared her throat.
"Look at us, huh?"
"What?" he asked.
"You know, the two of us. Remember how we met?"
Chase covered his face.
"I remember you threatening to kick my ass because you thought I was going to kick Mia's ass."
"Not necessarily," Lauren pouted. "I'm not one to raise hands. And apparently neither were you."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't going to fight a girl. I was just a big jerk who talked a big game then."
She scooted a little closer to him.
"That pretty much sums it up, yes. But I made a mistake, too."
"You did? What?"
"I almost wrote you off but when you showed up at lunch and...well at least tried...to be civil, I figured there was more to you."
Chase cracked his knuckles.
"You definitely surprised me when I first saw you. I was never so terrified of someone who wasn't bigger than me. I guess the more I replayed that scene in my head what an idiot I was, the more I realized if she's willing to stand up to anyone who might hurt her friend, that sounds like someone I would want to get to know."
He glanced at Lauren; her eyes never ceased to enchant him.
"Besides, that day showed me that I want to stay far away from your bad side."
Lauren laughed.
"It took time but I eventually found there really was a sweet boy underneath. And I remember the day. It was during that freak rainstorm we had sophomore year."
"I remember that," he nodded. "Nothing like that happened here for like, what, a hundred years?"
"Something like that. But remember when I missed the bus and you offered to walk with me in the rain. You lent me your jacket for cover."
He shrugged.
"You just had your hair done the other day," Chase said. "I didn't want it to get ruined."
She pointed at his chest, the charm ringing like a bell when her arm moved.
"Old Chase would not have cared enough to do that. And he definitely wouldn't run into a store just to buy an umbrella for us to share."
"You still have it?" he asked.
"It's in my room. Shame though, haven't had much opportunity to use it."
L.A. wasn't exactly a hotbed of precipitation.
"Here's hoping for a rainy day soon," Chase smirked.
"And here we are now," she glanced up at the porch ceiling. "Sitting under the mistletoe."
His face turned pale as he noticed the hanging greenery.
(How did I miss that?)
Under an umbrella, under a bridge, under the mistletoe...Chase couldn't help but notice a pattern with them.
"Chase?"
"Yeah?"
She placed her hand behind his neck and brought him in for a kiss on the lips. He hesitated out of sheer nervousness, but he then closed his eyes and hugged her waist. Their lips parted slightly but they weren't so bold here. They just adjusted slightly and continued to kiss.
It officially ended with the honking of the car horn.
"Of course," Chase sighed.
"I guess that's your ride."
"I should be going," he said, his hand holding onto hers.
She smiled and leaned in for a kiss on the cheek goodbye.
They stood up, Lauren admiring her bracelet.
"I'll call you tomorrow?" Chase offered.
"I'd love that," Lauren replied. "Merry Christmas, Chase."
"Merry Christmas, Lauren."
They almost kissed again but opted for a hug instead.
As the boy left the porch, she starred at him longingly with a sigh. Her other hand fingered the silver bracelet.
(I'll never take this off.)
Chase slammed the car door as he got inside, only feigning being upset for the interruption. Inside, he was on top of the world.
"So, did she like it?" he asked.
"Just drive, wingman."
Jade and Alice came through the door and right away, Alice's toddler cousins grabbed onto both of her arms and dragged her.
"ALICE! ALICE! ALICE! WE MISSED YOU!"
She mouthed "help me!" as she was dragged away. But Jade's arms were full, so she was unable to intervene.
"Jade! You made it!"
Harry's mother, Rosie, came rushing in to embrace the former goth.
(Okay, what's the deal, Rosie? You looking for a place to stick a knife?)
"Merry Christmas, Jade!"
The complete 180 Rosie was doing unsettled Jade. Everything just felt off since the last time she was back east. Maybe it was travel fatigue, but Jade was past propriety and decided to (at least politely) address the elephant in the room.
"Forgive me, Rosie, but I'm a little...confused by the sudden invite. I mean I understand Alice, but you sounded like you really wanted me to come."
"Jade?"
There stood her ex-husband, dressed rather nice in his black seasonal sweater.
"Harry! Did you finish those dishes?"
"Um, no, mom! I was about to!"
He dashed away toward the kitchen.
"What was that about?" Jade asked.
"Oh, my son's in the doghouse these days but I promised to be nice for Christmas."
Jade just looked bewildered.
"I don't follow...?"
"Harry spilled the beans. He admitted about the affairs."
The pale woman hugged herself.
"Oh? Oh."
"Why didn't you tell the truth?" she asked.
Jade shrugged, "I was more worried about Alice. I didn't want to hurt her image of her dad, you know?"
Rosie looked absolutely heartbroken.
"And you just took the blame for the divorce?"
Jade looked down, unable to face her mother-in-law.
"I mean I did want the separation. But I tried to make it work, I did what I could..."
Seeing Rosie and this house and all the memories flooding back were too much. Jade started to tear up a little and Rosie hugged her again.
"Jade, I am so sorry about how I treated you. We're all very sorry for icing you out like that."
She pulled back and wiped her tears.
"I know you two are done but you're still Alice's mother and for what it's worth, you're still a daughter to me."
"Thanks, Rosie," Jade sniffed.
The plump older woman made a face.
"What is this Rosie business? Call me mom!"
"Thanks...mom."
"Everything was delicious!" declared David as he held his piece of apple pie.
Everyone made a pleasant moan of contentment; nobody would leave Christmas hungry. It was a Vega family rule.
Fortunately, Miles encouraged everyone to bring in more sides and desserts while he came in clutch with a second bird. The supermarket near Tori's place sold complete turkey dinners from the start of November through the end of December. Plus, you can pay extra to pick up your order hot and ready to eat. But you had to get your order in weeks in advance because slots closed up quick.
They had to do something to keep Tori in the dark of the surprise while at the same time making sure there was enough food.
"Mia, how are you, baby?" Tori asked.
The girl was curled up in the chair.
"It hurts but in that good way," she sighed.
The adults chuckled.
"That's the sound of a successful Christmas," Holly noted.
She was a little concerned about her granddaughter; she looked rather thin. So, she was worried if she was eating enough. But Mia was not bashful at the table, so she was just a fortunate teenager with the hard-working metabolism. Also, the dancing was likely plenty of exercise.
When Tori walked off on her own, Holly made a point to follow her for a heart to heart.
"Hey."
"Mom, everything alright?"
She hugged Tori.
"Everything was great. But what about you?"
The Latina looked to the side for some form of subterfuge but came up empty for a distraction.
"Uh...honestly, being a principal was more work than I let on."
She looked around for anybody who might be in earshot and leaned in close to Holly.
"Mia had been sneaking out but I caught her and made her promise not to."
The Vega matriarch flashed back to memories of her oldest slipping out under cover of night to meet boys.
"You sure she can keep her promise?" Holly asked.
Tori nodded.
"I put in a little alarm to tell me whenever the door leading outside opens. I turn it on when Mia's not looking after we settled in for the night."
Holly was genuinely impressed by her daughter's resourcefulness.
"It hasn't triggered once. She kept her word."
But Tori didn't exactly looked relieved.
"What's the matter?"
"I still get the impression that she isn't telling me everything. There were some night terrors following our confrontation about the sneaking and the lying."
Holly had no idea and covered her mouth.
"Oh, Tori..."
"But she has been doing better, though. She..." Tori cleared her throat. "We started going to therapy. Although...separately."
She took Tori's hands into hers.
"That's great. I know since Sam you both had each other but that isn't always going to be enough. You need to face your problems."
The tan woman started to breathe that certain way before crying when Holly leaned her forehead against hers.
"And I bet you both will be stronger because of it."
"Thanks, mom. I just hope what's on Mia's mind isn't anything too serious."
"Who was she hanging out with?" Holly asked.
"Some friends...there was a boy I heard she liked at school, but he moved and...anyway, I know nothing about these friends. I never met them! What if she got talked into something really bad?"
Holly held her trembling daughter. A grown woman and she cannot shake the image of the little girl terrified in her dark bedroom.
"Tori, if there was anything that required you to intervene, anything deadly serious, the therapist has an obligation to not keep it a secret."
Her mom looked behind her quickly.
"Has there been anything?"
Tori shook her head no.
"Okay, that's good. If you don't mind my asking, how has it been working for you?"
"Therapy? Oh, um, well Dr. Ivy is really nice. They're pretty smart but laid back. I was nervous about Mia going to see them but after my own session, I have more confidence now."
Holly smiled.
"Good. People have a hard time admitting they need a little help, you know? But as you can see from your dad and me, it did wonders."
Tori smiled and nodded.
"I couldn't help but notice the shop is still closed downstairs."
The Latina sighed.
"Yep."
"If you don't have any desire to reopen it, maybe you should think about a different place?"
"What?" Tori asked.
"It's just you and Mia, sweetie. And that ground floor is collecting dust. I know it's a touchy subject with you...but...as the years go by and Mia gets older, you will be looking to downgrade anyway..."
"Mom! It's fine. Really."
"I just don't want you fretting to pay for a building where you only live in half of it."
Tori stepped back and crossed her arms.
"Well, I'm sure as hell not renting the first floor to someone else!"
Holly held up her hands.
"I didn't mean..."
Tori shut her eyes and hugged her mom.
"I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"No, you didn't, Tori. It's a lot to deal with."
"I can't leave..." she said. "I mean...how could I? Closing the store is one thing but turning my back on this place...it would be like pretending Sam never existed."
Holly held Tori's chin.
"You know that will never be true! You see Sam every day when you look at that beautiful girl's face. That is her father's face and your eyes! Love is what made Mia. So having her means the love in this home isn't really gone, right?"
Tori shook as she allowed herself to cry.
Holly held tightly to her.
David came along but she silently waved him away as they locked eyes. This was a vulnerable moment for Tori and more people might compromise things. He nodded and retreated back to the living room.
"I'm so glad you are all here," Tori sniffed. "Holidays are pretty quiet and...sad."
"Well, that is no such feeling for Christmas," Holly smiled, wiping her daughter's tears.
"Mom!"
Alice rushed and hugged Jade when she entered the room.
"Save me, please!" she whispered into her mom's ear.
"Alright, I have to borrow your cousin, okay kids?"
The two tots made their little sad faces and dropped their arms.
"They miss you," Jade told her.
"I know," Alice sighed. "Hey Gran! Merry Christmas."
Rosie fawned over the girl.
"Aww, such a pretty young lady you're becoming. Your mom told me you directed the big play in school."
Alice blushed.
"Oh, it's no big deal."
"No big deal?" mocked Jade. "Mom, it was incredible! Everyone was on their feet cheering at the end. Alice actually replaced the old director when he quit. Rumor says he was a real prick-" she glanced at her daughter nearby. "-ly person! Yeah, a prickly person. UGH! I wished I filmed it."
Jade rubbed her forehead.
"Why didn't I film it? I must be slipping in my old age!"
"Well, I'm sure there will be more," Rosie patted Jade on the back. "Alice is very talented."
"Where's dad?" asked Alice.
"Kitchen," Jade replied.
She bounded away to say hi to him, leaving the ladies alone again.
"How was the new school working out for her?" asked Rosie.
"Not gonna lie, she was a little fish in the worst way in the beginning," Jade replied. "But she made friends with some good kids. One of them is actually the daughter of an old friend, believe it or not. Bonus: she happens to be the principal."
"Wow, what are the odds?"
"That's what I said!"
Trina looked back when the sound of the door made her ears perk up.
"There you are!" said Tori.
"Hey, stranger," grinned her older sister.
"What are you doing on the roof?"
Trina shrugged.
"I like it, so quiet and pretty." She held her drink toward the neighborhood. "I can see everybody's decorations."
"Mia loves this spot, too."
Tori joined Trina leaning over the three-foot-high brick barrier.
"Andre seems pretty happy. Suppose I have you to thank for that."
Trina blushed.
"Yeah, well, he makes me pretty happy, too."
They both shared the same dawning of realization when that one scene from Friends popped into their heads.
Tori and Trina said in unison: "My best friend and my sister! JINX!"
The sister laughed wholeheartedly, leaning on one another.
"So, where are the others?" Trina asked. "Kicking myself for not keeping track the last couple of months."
"Rob had to head out of town and Beck and Cat are doing their thing in New York, so it was a treat to see you guys come over."
Tori's face fell.
"What's up?" asked Trina, finishing her beverage.
"I was kind of hoping...it's dumb."
"No," she insisted, setting her glass down. "Not dumb. Just tell me."
"I was really hoping Jade and her daughter would join us, but they had other plans."
Trina's eyes widened to a size that was usually reserved for a 60% off storewide sale.
"I don't know what shocks me more; that Jade West reproduced, or that all you want for Christmas is her."
Tori turned bright crimson.
"What?" she chuckled. "Why did you put it like that?"
"Eh, you know me. Like to stir the pot."
Trina then focused intently on her baby sister.
(Hmmm, why is she so flustered? If it was bullshit, she could just laugh it off, but this isn't that.)
"I mean word on the grapevine she is divorced, and I always got a..." Trina pressed the back of her hand under her chin in a delicate, fancy way. "...heh-heh-heh vibe from her."
"Trina!" scoffed Tori.
"Just sayin'" she shrugged. "You might have a shot."
Tori rolled her eyes.
"I'm going back downstairs, you nut."
Trina watched her leave, and she hung back for a little while longer taking in the view.
"Jade had a kid." She then shuddered. "Must be the antichrist."
Alice was fast asleep in her fuzzy green Grinch pajamas on the big couch in the living room.
It was a beige monstrosity of comfort that could accommodate a dozen people easily. And it overlooked the mounted big screen TV that hung over the Xanadu-inspired fireplace.
It was a bad idea to sit on this couch if you were the tiniest bit tired because it would suck you into dreamland.
In Alice's case, she was still jet-lagged from the trip. She didn't eat much because of her queasiness. But there would be more in the morning if she were on the mend.
Jade walked into the room where the end of Scrooged with Bill Murray was playing.
She was definitely her daughter. Ever since Jade was little, she was a sucker for a good Christmas Carol adaptation. And she kept that tradition going with Alice. They've seen it all: the Alastair Sim version, the George C. Scott version, the one with the Muppets, the Mickey Mouse one, even the musical with Albert Finney.
Jade relished that there was a universally-liked ghost story that people played during Christmastime. It was the chocolate in the peanut butter of holidays.
Luckily, Alice was already laying her head on a pillow. But Jade unfolded a fleece blanket and covered her.
"Some things never change."
She turned to see Harry.
He hardly had spoken a sentence to her since she arrived. The woman would be lying if she hadn't enjoyed watching the man walking on eggshells in his childhood home.
"Yeah, well, she was pretty exhausted from LAX to O'Hare. There must be a law from making an airport that huge!"
Harry snickered.
"At least some golf carts to get you to the other side of the terminal."
"Right," Jade agreed.
"I know it wasn't easy...but I'm glad you came."
"Yeah. Thanks for finally coming clean."
Harry nodded.
"I deserved that."
Jade crossed her arms.
"Can I ask you something and I want you to be honest."
"Okay," he sighed.
She walked away from the couch so Alice wouldn't accidentally hear them.
"Why? Why did you do it, Harry?"
"Um..."
"I mean I know things," she then gestured with air quotes. "Clicked for you and Gina."
"Gemma," he corrected.
"Whatever," Jade huffed. "The point is...you can't help what the heart feels...if you were no longer having feelings for me, whatever. But the disrespect!" she loud whispered. "You couldn't have the balls to end things before seeing another young thing?"
Harry put his hands in his pockets.
"Do you know what it's like to question your sanity? Your self-worth? The years you put into this relationship?"
Jade looked over to see Alice was still sawing lumber.
"If it weren't for that girl over there," Jade quivered. "Then this whole thing would have been a wash."
The former goth took a deep breath because that was a lot to get out at once.
"I'm not mad that I met you and obviously someone I cannot imagine living without came from it."
Harry looked at his daughter as well and nodded.
"But for fuck's sake, we could have ended this like rational adults!"
"I wanted to talk and...you know...you were always busy..."
Jade poked his shoulder. Hard.
"That is such a copout!"
He massaged where her finger once was.
"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry. There...there was no excuse."
Jade hugged herself.
"Was I really that terrible?"
"No, Jade" he said, shaking his head. "We were pretty serious but sometime after Alice...things cooled down."
Her expression morphed into one of scorn.
"Sorry if you felt slighted from the decrease of sex! I was only a new mom and still writing for a living!"
She stepped closer to him. This was a long time coming.
"You know, the time we spent going to couples counseling and family court would probably have also gone into having a date night or leaving Alice with your mom so we could have a romantic evening?"
Harry knew he wasn't really putting the effort like he should have.
"But that's over now. It's too late. We are done but we will always be Alice's parents. That is one amazing kid, and she deserves that much."
"You're not lying there," he said. "She's pretty great."
"So, custody agreements aside, can we make this a temporary ceasefire situation?"
"I can do that," Harry nodded.
Jade gritted her teeth and held out her hand. He took it and she squeezed hard. He winced.
"Okay..." he chuckled. "So, we're cool?"
"Not by a long shot, Harry. But now, I no longer wish to roll you headfirst into a hydraulic press."
"Great," he sighed.
"Goodbye, thank you!" Jenna waved at everybody.
"Merry Christmas!" they each said over one other.
"Merry Christmas to you, too!"
The door closed and Billy walked Jenna to her car.
"Please be careful, okay? They say there are more drunk drivers during the holidays."
(He's so sweet how he worries about me.)
"I'll be extra careful, promise."
"Call me when you get home so I know?" he asked.
Jenna kissed him and got into her car.
"Promise. Oh, and hey, thanks for having me over."
"I hope my family wasn't too much," he shrugged.
"No, they were all great. Christmas is usually just another day at home. We don't really...do anything. So, it was nice to have a full house with all the decorations and cookies and candy. I haven't had a real Christmas in a very long time. They way they all fuss over you...it's sweet."
Billy never really met her parents but from what he pieced together over the few months was that they weren't the warmest people in the world. He didn't think they didn't love her or anything. But for some people, affection might not be in their skill set.
"Well, they like you," he told her. "I'm sure they would be happy to have you back."
"I'll take you up on that offer," Jenna smiled. "Still can't believe we sang through John Denver and the Muppets' 12 Days of Christmas."
Billy nodded, "Every year. Since forever."
"But you love it," she pointed.
"Don't tell them," he whispered.
"I won't."
"You know...if you're free Christmas morning, we usually have a big breakfast. Then we open presents later on after everybody is awake, fed and comfortable. Would you like to come?"
Jenna thought about how her parents were away skiing in Aspen, which was typical of their winter vacation.
"I'd love that."
Billy leaned in through the window and kissed Jenna longer this time.
"Merry Christmas, Jenna."
"Merry Christmas, Billy."
She bit her lip as he looked at her.
"Well, I better go to bed soon if I'm going to make it tomorrow..."
"Uh...yeah...of course..."
They smiled awkwardly before Jenna put the car in gear and jumped forward an inch to her surprise.
"Whoops! Supposed to put it in reverse."
He nodded as she backed out of the driveway. He waved as she drove out of sight.
Billy turned around and almost had a heart attack when he was face to face with his mom.
"Jeez, MOM!"
"Did you ask her?"
"Yes," he sighed. "She's coming."
His mom hugged her son.
"I like her."
Billy put his arm around his mom and hugged her back.
"Me, too."
Jade was flopped down on her bed in the guest room.
She was positively spent from the whole day.
The older she gets, the most exhausting this time of year can get. A big difference from being a child with all the energy in the world and no responsibility. Then years pass and you start shopping, start wrapping, start decorating. Some of it fun in the beginning as a kid you want to feel more grown up.
But then they become a real bear. The traffic, the long lines at the store, the worst artists covering Christmas classics on the radio!
It wasn't until Jade became a mom that the holidays became fun again. Now, she lived to see Alice's face on Christmas morning. It made all that work so worth it.
Jade got a ding on her phone that there was an incoming call.
She begrudgingly picked it up to check who it was.
It was Cat.
"Oh, shit!"
Her phone requested that Jade answer with video, so she selected YES.
Now she was in a wee zoom call with Cat and Beck.
"Merry Christmas, Jade!" they said.
"Merry Christmas," she smiled back. "Where are the kids?"
"Asleep," Cat said. "We told them Santa doesn't come unless they go to bed."
"That usually works," Jade nodded.
"Heard you're back in L.A." chimed in Beck. "Sick of the fresh air?"
"You're one to talk about fresh air, Mr. New Yorker."
Beck made a face.
"How's TV treating you?" Jade asked.
"Eh, alright I guess. I started doing this web series on the side. Doesn't pay much but its getting a lot of positive buzz. I did a voice for an animated pilot and in two weeks, it already got 22 million views."
"Holy Hell," nodded Jade.
"If this gets picked up, it's another steady check," Cat said, looking so proud at her hubby.
"How about you, Cat?"
"Honestly this is my first real break in like a month and a half. My annual holiday blowout gets bigger every year! I might have to hire an assistant just to help with all the extra packages and invoices. Thank God I don't have to carry all of these to the post office! They just pick them all up from here."
"Sounds like you're living that fast-paced, get it done yesterday New York life!"
The couple looked at each other and smiled.
"We survive. That's what we say. You don't live in New York, you survive."
Jade chuckled.
"How about you?" asked Beck.
"Took a much-needed break from writing but I may have the new manuscript ready in time for next spooky season."
"Sweet," he said. "Get it, Stephen Queen."
Jade made a sour face.
"Eww, Beck. Did they automatically send you the dad jokes when you knocked Cat up?"
"Hey!" Cat pointed at the screen. "It was a mutual knocking!"
"Okay, okay, sorry."
"Have you heard from Tori lately?"
"Yeah, she called earlier. She said Hi to the kids. Guess what? Andre and Trina came by."
Jade felt a twinge of sadness.
(Would've been nice to see him again. I would wade through the landmine of Trina Vega to do so.)
"That's good," she said, feigning a happy face. "Tori's been going through it so a friendly face is good."
While she was faking the enthusiasm, her words were true. Jade was happy for Tori to have the company.
Jade felt guilty for heading back to Massachusetts for Christmas. She was worried that Tori had her heart set on them spending the holiday together. Thanksgiving was a real positive experience, in more ways than one. And the invitation was open for New Years.
(Frankly, it would have been a lot easier to make myself scarce after Christmas if I was still hated. But no, Harry's family likes me again.)
A weird situation Jade found herself, disappointed that things aren't awkward.
"You should call her," Cat said. "I mean if you haven't already."
"Yeah, don't forget," Beck added.
Jade looked away and blushed.
Back when they were not the best of friends, calling Tori wasn't difficult. So, why is it a hard thing now that they are tighter than ever before?
"Yeah. I should."
"Alright," Beck yawned. "Tomorrow's the big day."
"Same," nodded Cat. "They say it's going to snow tomorrow morning. Wouldn't that be perfect?"
Jade laid down on the bed.
"Yeah, sounds nice. Maybe we'll catch a taste of that here."
"You have a good night and I'll call you Christmas Day," Cat declared.
"You got it," Jade grinned. "Night, you two."
"Good night," said Beck.
"Merry Christmas!"
"You, too."
The call ended and Jade put her arms down, staring at the ceiling in the dark room.
She thought back to her first memory of this time of year with Tori Vega in it.
They were dressed up: her, Tori and Cat; to perform Andre's song to his teacher to challenge his low grade. Jade liked the song fine at the time (honestly haven't thought about it in a while) but this time her trip down memory lane took a different turn.
Jade found herself more enamored with how Tori looked in that cute outfit. While her and Cat looked like they walked out of the movie Mean Girls. Reliving that performance in her head, moments when Tori got really close, or even touched her, made her heart ring. It was like a tiny blacksmith was in her chest and the organ that pumped her blood was a tiny anvil. And this master of metal was forging a sword of sapphic sensuousness.
While she was often jealous of the tan songbird and detested sharing a stage with her, Jade didn't feel that here. There was a smile across her face, and it wasn't forced.
(Did I...Did I always feel this way? Am I remembering this differently, or did I unlock something I was blind to?)
The time and place she grew up; Jade was no stranger to queerness. It wasn't not an option.
She only in the last few years pieced it together that it was an option for her specifically.
In her writing circles, even to those she wasn't out to, would pick up her vibe. Those with more sophisticated "gay-dar" (and bold enough) would make a move. Jade would politely decline. In her youth, if it were an unwanted advance from some dude, she would knee him in the nuts.
But, this older more seasoned Jade took a gentler approach.
(What if they, too just came to terms with being gay? What if I was their first? Jesus, I would hate to color their romantic journey with a disastrous first step.)
Jade would carry on with some small talk and when the woman didn't take the hint, she would let them down easy.
She didn't think much of it. Jade chalked it up to becoming a big softie, looking out for a stranger's feelings.
(Has getting out of L.A. really make me such an empath?)
Then it hit her.
"Oh...shiiiiiiiiiit," Jade whispered to herself.
(I did what I did...never testing the waters...because I was...GULP...saving myself for...Tori Vega?!)
And as if by magic, her phone sounded off.
It was Tori.
"Okay, I'm convinced," she groaned. "Our smartphones are listening in on us."
She answered.
"Hey, Jade! Merry Christmas."
Those words were especially sweet coming from her.
(What the fuck, West!? Keep it together!)
"Help me, I'm cold!" Jade whined.
"Well I wish I could send you over some warmth right now."
Jade bit her lip and her legs overlapped tightly like her lower half was turning into a pretzel.
"How was the trip?" Tori asked.
"Tiring," Jade replied, suppressing a yawn.
"You sure sound like it," she giggled. "Is Alice around?"
"That little noodle is knocked out."
"Oh, okay. Well, just tell her that Mia says Merry Christmas."
Jade rolled over onto her side.
"Any big plans Christmas Day?"
"Everybody's spending the night and we're pretty much staying in tomorrow. You?"
Jade stretched and rubbed her eyes.
"Um, after presents and stuff, they normally go out for a Christmas brunch."
"Cool, cool," Tori said. "It was pretty nice here, actually. Some unexpected company."
"I heard," Jade smirked. "Just got off the phone with Cat and Beck."
"We should really visit them sometime. If it's too much for them for us to crash there, we can always get a hotel."
The former goth's eyes grew three sizes that day.
"Like go to New York...just the two of us?"
"Well, no, silly! We'd bring the girls along!"
Jade clutched her chest.
"Oh, right," she frowned. "That's...pretty...silly."
"I dunno, maybe summer break. Could be cool."
The more Jade thought about it, that did sound like it would be a blast. Alice would travel back to the east coast anyway after school lets out, so why not?
It was more than just a warm feeling deep, deep down.
Tori being incorporated into her family made the most sense.
The divorcee and the widow.
In the words of Tori: Could be cool.
"If only."
"What?" asked Tori.
"Huh, oh sorry. Talking out of my ass. I think the holly-jolly trappings are just that. They're wearing me down."
The Latina chuckled.
"Okay, Christmas Grunch..."
"...how dare you..."
"...I'll let you get some sleep."
"Okay," Jade yawned fully. "Merry Christmas, Stori. FUCK! I mean, Tori! TORI."
The laughter on the other line didn't help Jade with her embarrassment.
"Christmas Story," she said. "That's classic. I needed a laugh, Jade. You have a Merry Christmas, too."
Jade rolled to her other side, biting down hard on her hand.
"Good night," she mumbled.
"Good night."
She plugged in the phone to charge and buried her head under the pillows.
(Goddammit!)
A/N: Jenna meeting Billy's family was absolutely inspired by Frozen.
"He brought a girl!" [CHEERS!]
Little bit of continuity of the whole Trina not knowing about Alice thing, seeing how Jade is famous but only a trusted circle knows her kid's identity. And if you're one not to pay close attention (like Trina) Jade being a mom would've gotten past you.
BTW - Jade is SO me! I love that old Charles Dickens story and pretty much every movie that's been made from it.
And yeah, still no sign of the email problem getting fixed yet. Having a hard time keeping up with my fics I'm reading. (S.K. - I promise, I will catch up!) I'm used to keeping the emails in my inbox as reminders to go and read the newest thing! If only I could put all of you on a mailing list, so you know when the next chapter is out!
Anyhow, see you lovelies next week!