Love Actually: Chapter 5
Chapter Five: 1 week until Christmas
Leah POV
Could one week have so much promise and so much emptiness at the same time? They were complete opposites, so how was it that I was feeling both?
Fuck these feelings.
Alex and I had been doing that little dance for the past week. After the night we spent together- and every other night after that- my heart seemed to get attached to the idea of having him around forever. The pull I had towards him turned into something I couldn’t ignore, yet the emptiness was there as well since I knew there was no real future on this.
A Christmas fling, that was what I had been telling myself ever since it started. But I hated the term, I hated that my traitorous heart clenched painfully whenever I thought of it.
I had never been a love ‘em, leave ‘em kinda girl. Sam had been my only anything, but I already knew he could never compare to Alex.
My rational liked to constantly remind me just how insane that statement was. To which my heart replied with only one word: soulmates.
I practically growled as I remembered how many times I had thought of that word in the past week. It was been the first thought when I woke up next to Alex that first morning, and it had crept out in the oddest of moments.
There was no awkwardness since that day. From the moment we woke up, Alex and I seemed to agree not to let any second go to waste. We somehow found ways to communicate that required no words. We didn’t need blunt hand gestures or silly expressions anymore, it seemed that by being together intimately we know understood how each other worked.
He took me into town that day and got a friend of his to fix my computer for him. I kissed him shamelessly as the technician explained to him how to reboot my computer. While we were in town, we picked up a Spanish-English dictionary so we could teach each other a few words. He showed me around the market shops and helped me pick up Christmas gifts for my family.
The rest of the week was blissfully simple. I worked on my book while he worked around the house. He taught me more soccer maneuvers and I explained- as best as I could- what my crime novel was about. We discovered watching subtitled movies were also a good way to pick up words and before the week was over we both knew the basics about each other’s language. He seemed to know I wasn’t much for PDA, holding hands was about as far as I got in public- yet with him I didn’t seem to mind- he didn’t push it however.
Night time, however, was a completely different ball park. We just couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. It wasn’t all about sex either, I genuinely liked Alex. He was smart, and funny, and he was not afraid to put me in my place either.
We just seemed to click. We even spent a whole night giggling as we found translations to our favorite curse words and I didn’t even gag when he shifted the conversation towards more fluffy words. After all, what girl didn’t like to be called beautiful? Especially in a foreign language?
Soulmates.
My mind kept replaying the word as I tried to fit everything in my overstuffed suitcase. For the past week I had been fighting back any thoughts of what would happen today. Today I was flying back to Seattle.
Alex knew this, and for some odd reason he decided today was the day he wouldn’t be around. From the moment I woke up this morning he was already gone. A grammatically incorrect note left behind, telling me that he had to step out but would be back in time to drive me to the airport.
I was a little peeved that he was just going to drop me off like nothing had ever happened, but I guess it was for the best.
Still, I couldn’t deny felt worse than when I saw Sam with Emily. While that encounter had left me mad and bitter, I could already tell this vacation would leave me heartbroken.
I’d take mad and bitter over heartbroken any day of the week.
Finally settling my suitcase down, I gave a last glance around the room and was a little surprised when the image blurred with tears. Growing even more irritated, I wiped the offending tears away just in time to hear Alex was back.
I rolled my suitcase out towards the living room, to find him pacing around. He stopped and gave me a sad smile.
“Lista? *Ready?*” He asked.
I simply nodded, still irritated by his disappearance act and my stupid emotions. Alex sighed and took the suitcase from me.
“Abrochate el abrigo que hace mucho frio afuera… Very cold outside,” he said, his thick accent making me smile slightly.
I sighed, buttoning up my coat, understanding his request. It was the last thing he said as he took my bags and pilled them in his car. We drove quietly pass the town and towards the airport. For some reason the closer we got to our destination, the more my anger grew. I chastised myself for making such a big deal out of leaving when it was obvious that he didn’t even hesitate to let me go.
The car stopped right in front of the international terminal of the airport. I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me, stepping out waiting in front of the car.
He made his way next to me and leaned back against his car, making no move towards the trunk were my suitcases where. He kept his gaze down and I wondered if that meant I was on my own from this point forward. Not wanting to dwell on it, I took a step towards the trunk- intent on showing him I didn’t need his help. He immediately reached out and softly pulled my arm back.
He finally looked up at me, his baby blue eyes seemed devastated. I could already feel my heart breaking. I allowed him to pull me into his arms. I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes and enjoying the moment while it lasted.
Part of me felt smugly satisfied to know that this was as hard on him, as it was on me. But the part of me that felt like the world was ending was much bigger and noisier than the later.
Just as I was about to push him back, he tightened his hold on me and whispered, “Stay.”
Such a simple word, such a loaded meaning.
Soulmates.
I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Ironically, the anger from showing my pain gave me enough strength to push away from him slightly. Looking right into his eyes, I shook my head and let him wipe the tears off my face.
He sighed and released me. I watched as he opened the trunk and set my suitcases on the floor. Pulling the handles out, I prepared to make a haste exit.
I took a deep breath as I reached and grabbed the collar of his coat. He followed my lead and kissed me passionately, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me up so I wrapped my legs around his waist. My tight jeans protested by the movements and my coat would be wrinkled but I didn’t care.
The need for air made me pull away first. “Adios, Alex,” I said goodbye, unlocking my legs from around his waist I set my two feet on the ground, gave me a last watery smile and walked away from him.
Jacob POV
I paced on the sidewalk feeling like I was going to pass out at any second. It felt like forever since Nessie had shown up and my door and subsequently discovered my obsession with her. After my epiphany, where I realized I had to take the plunge and tell her how I felt, I was still clueless about how to do it.
Work had been completely surreal. I learned through the grapevine that Nahuel was seeking to transfer to New York. Since I had no idea where their relationship stood, theoretically, that meant that Nessie would be going with him. The thought of never seeing her again was enough to kick me into action.
I tried to talk to Bella, desperate for her opinion in the matter, but since her transfer from department last week she had been completely out of it. I didn’t want to bother her with my problem when she obviously couldn’t even deal with hers. Likewise, Leah had been completely M.I.A. recently, so that left me completely alone to trust my instincts.
For the past couple of weeks, I had walked past her house in hopes to get enough courage to tell her how I felt. However, whenever I thought about actually saying it out loud I couldn’t help the horrible fear that clouded my judgment. Hence, I always ended up turning around and heading straight home only to quick myself for being such a pussy.
Then, last week, as I was reading the note she left me once again, inspiration struck. If I couldn’t tell her, then I would show her. I just hoped she would understand why I had to do it this way.
Taking a deep breath, I summoned all the courage I knew I had and finally turned the corner. With tunnel vision, I didn’t allow myself to think of anything else but to get to her door. Once I got there, I admired the colored Christmas lights surrounding the windows before finally knocking on the door and throwing a silent prayer.
Before the panic could set in, the door opened and Nessie stood there, looking a little disheveled and tired, but still as beautiful as I remembered. Her hair was down, just barely above her shoulders; she was wearing a white simple robe, her flannel pajamas peeking underneath.
Her simple appearance gave me the courage I desired, as always her mere presence gave me the peace of mind I always craved.
“Ness, who is it?” I heard Bella ask from somewhere deep in the house.
Nessie looked confused to see me here. Before she could say anything I brought my finger to my lips, silently telling her to wait.
Flipping the giant cards to my front I let her read the first one.
SAY IT’S CAROL SINGERS
“Just carol signers,” her sweet voice replied, following my instructions.
“Arg, tell them to get the fuck out!” Bella yelled, obviously not in a good mood.
Nessie giggled and shook her head at me. I gave her a small smile and she looked at me curiously. I carefully moved my iphone from my pocket and pressed play.
The speakers started playing “Silent Night,” Nessie’s favorite Christmas song.
She looked surprised at my choice of song. Once I knew I had her undivided attention, I flipped the cards and let her read.
WITH ANY LUCK, BY NEXT YEAR
I watched as she carefully read them.
I’LL BE GOING OUT WITH ONE OF THESE GIRLS…
Her face scolded as she probably wondered what I was getting at. She smiled as I showed her the new Victoria Secret add, the one with all the angels dressed in skimpy angel and Santa outfits.
BUT FOR NOW LET ME SAY,
Her brow furrowed in confusion.
WITHOUT HOPE OR AGENDA,
She looked up at me, and I realized she understood what I was saying.
JUST BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS-
(AND IN CHRISTMAS YOU TELL THE TRUTH.)
Nessie bit her lip, a sign Swan girls did when they were nervous.
TO ME, YOU ARE PERFECT
As her eyes skimmed over the card, I could see her slight intake of breath. Tears welled in her eyes.
AND MY WASTED HEART WILL LOVE YOU
Silent tears fell to her cheeks, and I knew I would never forget the way she looked at me in that moment.
UNTIL YOU LOOK LIKE THIS…
She sniffed, and then let out a hearty laugh as I showed her a picture of a mummy. Her wide smile told me, regardless of what would come after this, that I had made the right decision.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
“Merry Christmas,” I mouthed, as her eyes fell upon me.
Nessie silently stepped out of her doorway. Her gaze holding my own. She reached for the giant card and carefully placed in on the ground next to the others, her eyes never breaking our connection.
With a final step, she wrapped her arms around my waist-in the inside of my coat- and pressed herself against me. My arms went around hers instinctively, and I closed my eyes savoring the newfound intimacy that came from the embrace. Her face was buried on my neck, her soft breathing easing my own harsh intakes of breath. Slowly her face rose and her lips pressed against mine.
The kiss was soft, chaste, full of promise and… love. I could feel it surrounding us, I could feel the love emanating from her and I let a small sob escape me- completely overwhelmed by tonight’s outcomes.
I knew she wouldn’t say it out loud. I knew she needed time, and that it wouldn’t be easy. But I also knew that she loved me, and I would wait for her forever.
The promise was all I needed.
Chapter 6
Chapter 4