"Three Little Words"
It's New Year Eve, and Jade is accompanying Tori and her family to a party, where Jade decides she's ready to tell Tori how she really feels.
AN: Hello all. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to this project, and seeing how it turns out in the end. I wish all of you a Happy 2024, and I hope you enjoy!
It's 9pm and Jade is at home in front of the mirror looking at herself wearing her black lace dress. She is standing there adjusting her hair, making sure everything is perfect because right now, Jade couldn't be more nervous. She and Tori have been together for almost a year, and this is the second family function Jade has been invited to with the Vegas'. Jade has been thinking about this for a long time, and she feels ready to finally tell Tori she loves her.
Finally satisfied with the way she looks, Jade checks the time on her phone, before closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath. She's practiced over and over how she would say it, but she still doesn't know where and when. The two of them would be at a party with Tori's parents, and the rest of her family, but Jade wasn't sure she was ready to declare her love in front of a room full of people. The idea of telling Tori at midnight sounded super romantic as long as Jade could keep her cool, and say exactly what has been on her mind for the past few months.
Jade pulled up to the Vega's home, figuring parking behind the pick up truck was her best bet. She walked up the driveway, knocked on the front door, and breathed a sigh of relief when it was Tori who answered. Tori had on a knee length, purple dress, with her hair half up and half down. Her necklace was the heart locket that Jade gave her for Valentine's Day, and the sight of her had Jade completely breathless.
"Hey, you look amazing." Tori said, leaning in to kiss her.
"Thanks, so do you."
Tori kissed her once more before welcoming Jade inside. Trina was in front of the living room mirror, making the final adjustments to her hair, while David was in the kitchen helping Holly put her necklace on. David and Holly both see Jade come in, and welcome her with Holly walking over to give her a hug. In the time Jade has been with Tori, she has been able to let her guard down, and let people in. She was never much of a hugger before, but Jade has surprised even herself with how much affection she has been showing people lately. Now that Jade has arrived, they are ready to head to the restaurant, and meet up with the rest of the family.
Tori's parents were up front while the three girls sat in the back, with Tori in the middle, holding onto Jade's hand. It was a little awkward with Tori's whole family in the car, but that didn't stop Jade from being amazed by her beautiful girlfriend. She hoped her smile could distract from the fact that her knees were shaking, and she kept a tight hold of Tori's hand, while grazing her thumb along the other girl's knuckles. Tori smiled leaning into Jade, and as much as she tried to hide it, Tori picked up on the nervousness radiating from the girl next to her. When the car finally stopped at the restaurant, Tori pulled Jade aside to talk privately.
"Are you okay? You look nervous."
"I'm okay. I'm just not used to being in a place this fancy." Jade told her.
Tori took both of Jade's hands. "Hey, it'll be okay, don't worry. My aunt and Uncle are really excited to meet you. You'll be fine, I promise."
Jade took a deep breath and nodded, while the two of them joined the rest of the group inside. The Vegas' stepped into the dining room, and up to a table where Holly's sister, Sonja was seated, along with her brother, Ron, and his new wife, Ellie. Ellie is Ron's third wife who he met on a group rock climbing excursion. Both have children from a prior marriage, and even though it took some time, the family is getting along really well.
Tori has always gotten along well with her aunt Sonja. She could often talk to her about anything, and tell her things that she couldn't tell her parents. Sonja was the first person Tori came out to as a lesbian, and she helped Tori be able to come out to her parents. Sonja has been incredibly supportive of her relationship with Jade, and it made Tori happy that her girlfriend felt like part of the family.
Holly greeted her siblings, while Jade pulled out a chair for Tori to sit. Jade sat next to her, unwrapping the silverware from its napkin, thumbing through the menu, and anything else she can give her hands to do in order to hide her nerves. Jade was so focused on the menu, that she was mildly startled by Tori running fingers through her hair. Jade smiled back at her, while taking her in, and enjoying how happy she looked. Getting to spend this holiday with Jade, along with her whole family has meant a lot to Tori, and so far her girlfriend has been a big hit. Jade has already met Tori's aunt Sonja, and her uncle Ron seems really interested in getting to know Jade, asking her about school.
"So, are you a singer like Tori?" Ron asked Jade.
"Yeah, I like to sing, but I'm really into film making."
"She's amazing. You should see the stuff she's worked on so far." Tori said, resting her hands on Jade's shoulders.
"Oh, what kind of stuff have you made?" Ron asked.
"Some short films. I'm really into making horror. I know it's not a genre for everyone, but I have fun with it."
"Well, it's good to see you have so much passion for what you do. I'd love to check it out sometime." Ron told her.
"Uhm, sure. If you want."
"She's great, Uncle Ron. You'd really like it." Tori told him.
Tori hugged Jade around her shoulders, while Jade grabbed her wrists, giving her a squeeze. Ron's wife, Ellie smiled seeing how affectionate these two were.
"Aww, you guys are so sweet. I love how close you two are."
"How long have you two been together?" Ron asked.
"Almost a year now." Tori said.
"That's really great; I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Uncle Ron." Tori said.
Jade's heart swelled hearing Tori talk up her film making to her family, and to finally have someone who is truly proud of her. Her father never cared much for her passions, and while her mother was proud, she never really expressed to others around them how proud she was. All of the praise that Jade wasn't used to made her blush, and have to look away, while Tori hugged her tight, and kissed her cheek. Jade loved the way this girl made her feel, and she knew she had to find a way to let Tori know what was inside her heart. It had to be tonight, and it had to be perfect, because Jade only had one shot at this.
As their food arrived, the family continued to enjoy each other's company, and reminisce about the past. Sonja would often talk to Tori and Trina about their mom when she was a teenager. She is currently telling them about the time Holly was in tenth grade, and she tried to sneak back in the house after she was grounded, and not supposed to be out.
"So, it was almost two in the morning when I could see your mom sneaking up the driveway, and then she went to climb in the kitchen window." Sonja said, while Holly covered her face.
"Then what happened?" Trina asked.
"She opened the window trying to come in all quiet, but that didn't go too well when she ended up breaking the dining room table." Sonja laughed. "Word to the wise, never try to stand on a drop leaf table."
The three siblings laughed at the memory, with Tori and Trina unable to hide their smiles from their mom. Although Holly was embarrassed about it at the time, she liked being able to relate to her daughters, and have them see her as a real person.
As the evening went on, the live band started to play the song "Wonderful Tonight". The female lead singer sat at her stool, while the guitar player sat playing softly next to her. Several couples got up to dance, while Tori looked over to Jade with a hopeful smile, reaching out her hand.
"Dance with me?"
Jade smiled, taking Tori's hand, and walking her out to the middle of the floor. Jade pulled her girlfriend in close, while Tori leaned in, resting their foreheads together, and swayed to the music. Jade was never much of a slow dancer before, but right now she isn't doing too bad.The soft, lilted guitar, along with the warmth of the girl in her arms caused Jade to feel like she's floating, and no one else in the room existed but her. They go in for a soft, slow kiss, with Tori unable to stop smiling, even when they pressed their lips together. There couldn't be a better way to go into the new year, than with the one person who is able to make the rest of the noisy world melt away, and make you feel at peace.
When the song was over, Tori wrapped her arms around Jade, whispering a 'thank you.' in her ear, while taking her hand, and walking by themselves for a bit.
"So, I think I know what my New Year's Resolution is going to be. To never let an opportunity pass you by, and try plenty of new things. How about you?"
Jade ponders this question, while squeezing Tori's hand, then bringing it up to her lips for a kiss.
"To always let the people who mean the most to me know how much I love them." Jade says, taking both of Tori's hands.
A huge smile spreads across Tori's face, her lip quivers, and she can feel the tears forming in her eyes as Jade continues.
"Tori, you're perfect, you're amazing, and the best thing to ever happen to me…" Jade stops trying to hold back tears. "...and I love you."
The tears start to stream down Tori's face that Jade wipes away.
"I love you, too."
With the whole room watching the TV, they can hear "3,2,1…Happy New Year!", as the two share a kiss.
After the champagne toasts, and everyone hugging and kissing, wishing their loved ones a Happy New Year, it was time to head home for the evening. Tori and Jade rode home, holding hands the whole time, with Tori resting her head on Jade's shoulder. Jade spent a lot of time stressing about this evening, but after tonight, she wonders what took her so long. Tori and Jade have had a great first year together, with a lot to overcome and some struggles along the way, but in each other, they were able to find the love of their lives. This was a new year ahead of them, and both girls were excited to see what 2024 has to come.
Thanks for reading, Happy New Year, and I'll see you again for Valentine's Day.
