A/N: Went to a Christmas Parade yesterday ate some Pizza and caught a cold... such is life. but that only means I don't have a whole lot to say. I also didn't do much writing on this because... MetaTorious is taking up a lot of my mental energy. The next chapter on that one is Massive... again and I may have to split it in 2. or 3 we will see anyway, back to this story... Will look to see how much Christmas I can fit in my head today. enjoy! ~S.K.
Step 5: Get Deeper
Jade paced in her room at Trina's, phone pressed to her ear as she spoke with her agent, Margot. The conversation centered around the unexpected interest in Jade's work with Tori for the LoveLights project.
"Other PR companies want to hire you for the same thing you're doing with Tori," Margot relayed, sensing Jade's hesitation.
"I've got an issue with the authenticity of this project," Jade admitted, her commitment to genuine art conflicting with the commercial aspects.
Margot, however, brushed off her concerns. "Do it for the clicks, Jade. This is generating a lot of interest for you."
Jade's eyes lit up with excitement. "So, I'm getting into the Valentine Gallery?"
Margot's response was less enthusiastic. "No. But, Jade, this is great for you. They'll notice soon. You're going to have steady gigs for a long time."
Despite Margot's reassurances, Jade couldn't shake the disappointment. Her dream of entering the Valentine Gallery, a place dedicated to more artistic pursuits, seemed to drift further away. The prospect of commercial success didn't quite align with Jade's vision for her art, leaving her with a lingering sense of dejection.
Jade descended the stairs, joining Kaysie and Lola in the kitchen as they enjoyed their breakfast. Trina was busy bustling around, organizing things for the day.
"Hey, Kaysie, Lola," Jade greeted them with a smile. "I'll be heading out with Tori today for a shoot. Kaysie, you're coming with me," she informed her niece.
Kaysie looked up from her breakfast with curiosity. "Where are we going?"
"We're meeting Tori at the bakery," Jade replied, quickly checking her phone for any updates. "So, get ready. We'll be leaving soon."
Trina nodded in acknowledgment, adding, "Make sure to have a good time, girls."
Jade smiled, grabbing a quick bite before ushering Kaysie to get ready for the day's adventure alongside Tori.
The bell jingled as Lola, Trina, Jade, and Kaysie strolled into Holly's Treats. Tori, elbow-deep in cookie decorations, glanced up as Jade introduced Kaysie to her. The little girl's bright eyes and excitement made Tori grin.
"You've got great taste in music," Tori winked at Kaysie, who beamed.
As they whipped up sugary masterpieces, Jade steered the conversation. "So, what's the plan for the tree farm?"
Tori glanced around, lowering her voice slightly. "Well, I've got this Christmas-themed hangout lined up," she admitted, to which Trina immediately perked up.
"You've been skipping out on family dinners, Tori. Bring him to the next one," Trina insisted, playfully nudging her sister.
Jade, always the strategist, chimed in. "How about a sneak peek before the big family dinner? Meet him somewhere else first, just to be sure he's family dinner material."
Trina hesitated, her eyes flickering between Tori and Jade. "I don't know…"
"Come on, Trina, it's a great idea!" Tori jumped in. "Plus, it gives me a chance to make sure he's not scared off by my crazy family."
After some back and forth, Trina finally relented. "Alright, but we're moving family dinner to the next night then."
Tori breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the compromise. "Thanks, Jade. That helps a lot."
Tori, grateful for Jade's understanding, appreciated the compromise. The prospect of introducing someone new to her family seemed a bit less overwhelming with the chance to gauge compatibility beforehand.
As they rolled into the tree farm, excitement hung in the air, only to be punctured by a buzzing phone. Tori's face shifted from anticipation to disappointment as she read the text—Rob was bailing again. She sighed, resigned to the fact that this guy wasn't worth her time. This marked the second time he'd flaked, and Tori wasn't about to let her hopes hinge on someone so unreliable.
Looking at Jade and Kaysie, Tori delivered the news, "Well, he's not coming."
Jade, ever practical, asked, "What are you going to do?"
Tori shrugged, a resilient smile playing on her lips. "I have a date..." She looked at Kaysie, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Shall we go pick a good tree?"
The trio spent the afternoon wandering the tree farm. Eventually, Kaysie wandered off on her own, leaving the two women to stroll and talk. Jade, in her usual direct manner, probed, "What made you turn from love?"
"I didn't turn from it," Tori defended. "I'm just fine being single."
"Are you?" Jade countered. "I remember your music before Andre, while you were in love with him, and after he died. You were wild and open to a lot before you fell in love. Once you did, your music was beautiful and heart-wrenching, especially after he died. But 15 years is a long time to write commercial trash."
Tori stared at Jade, surprised by her candidness. "If you think my music is trash, why did you take this job?"
"A girl's gotta eat," Jade shrugged, unapologetic. "You need to get back in touch with what you lost when he died."
Tori sighed, acknowledging the truth in Jade's words. They paused by a tree, a moment pregnant with unspoken emotions. Tori, tempted to kiss Jade, was on the verge of making a move when Kaysie bounded back, interrupting the moment with a tiny tree in her arms.
"Can we get this tree?" Kaysie asked, her eyes sparkling.
Jade couldn't help but quip, "What in the Charlie Brown Christmas is that?"
"That's my favorite Christmas movie," Kaysie proudly declared.
Tori smiled at the girl's enthusiasm. "Mine too... Yeah, let's get that tree."
The three of them headed out to pay, the unexpected turn of events bringing an unexpected joy to the otherwise thwarted day.