Between Homes 2
Part 4 of "Home" series
Author: Astrid
Disclaimer: Hey, if I owned any of it other than my creation, Kylie, the show would be a lot more...what's the word, continuous? Nor do I own the lyrics to I'll Be Home For Christmas by Kim Gannon
Archive: my site; Annie's Valenti Homestead; if you want if, all you gotta do is ask
Dedication: to Annie! I love ya, chica!
Category: main focus on Tess & the Valenti's but includes everybody.
Summary: Takes place about 14 months after Tess leaves again. The gang celebrates the holidays with Kylie, now almost a year & a half old.
Rating: PG
Notes/Spoliers: the Evans' and Mrs. DeLuca know about the aliens. Song lyrics in italics.
Feedback: Please! I don't know what it is about the feedback I get but I like it, I love it, I want somemore of it! (Credit given to Tim McGraw, his song, my own take on the lyrics)
December 24, 2002
The pod squad plus Kylie, the Evans, Mrs. DeLuca, and Sheriff Valenti are having a Christmas celebration at the Crashdown. Mrs. DeLuca is feeding Kylie while she talks to the Sheriff and the Evans. Maria and Michael are kissing under the mistletoe. Isabel and Alex are dancing to 'Rockin Around The Christmas Tree,' Max is telling Kyle about what happened the last time Isabel baby-sat Kylie, "So, I get home and Isabel had made her a make-up mobile."
"You're kidding."
"Nope, it's been up over the crib for almost a week."
Liz, looking much healthier, walks into the dining room, "Guys, I found this package at the backdoor. It's for Kylie. From Tess."
"Open it, Max," Isabel says.
"No. I think Kyle should open it."
Liz gives the package to Kyle and he carefully unwraps it. He open the box. Lying on top of the dark blue tissue paper is a small gift card.
"To my beautiful baby girl. I'll always be close to your heart. Love, Tess."
Kyle goes through the layers of tissue paper until he finally comes to the gift.He pulls it out, an oval shaped locket on a silver chain. He carefully opens it. On one side there's a picture of Tess holding a newborn Kylie; on the other is a lock of Tess' hair.
"It's beautiful," Mrs. DeLuca finally says.
"That's three," Alex says.
"Three what," Mrs. DeLuca asks.
"Three times Tess has sent a gift to Kylie. Last Christmas, she sent a bear that plays 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.' She sent Kylie a stuffed ET doll for her birthday," Max says.
"But they never have any postal markings. Just, 'To: my beautiful Kylie. From: your mommy,'" the Sheriff says.
"Meaning that they're personally delivered," Liz says.
"She said she'd always be watching Kylie," Mrs. Evans says.
"Mind warps," Isabel says.
"Okay, time to exchange gifts," Max says, moving on to a brighter topic.
Michael and the Sheriff exchange looks and both drop down on one knee.
"Maria/Amy DeLuca, will you marry me," they ask at the same time.
Maria and her mom look at each other just before screaming, "YES!"
The others all clap and congratulate them. Kyle walks outside and looks up at the sky.
"You gonna give up?"
"I can hold on as long as you did, Alex. I'll keep waiting for Tess as long as it takes."
"Good luck, man."
Liz opens the door, smiling, "C'mon you guys! Remember, presents?"
Alex pats Kyle on the back and they walk back inside.
***
Elsewhere:
In the children's ward of a hospital, a young candy striper tries to ccomfort a child that can't sleep.
"My mommy sings me songs at home," the little boy says.
"Would you like me to sing to you?"
"Please?"
"Anything?"
"A Christmas song."
"Okay, but I don't know that many."
"It's okay, just sing one you know."
She begins to sing:
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow
And mistletoe
And presents 'neath the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams
"Thank you, Tess," the little boy says, half asleep.
"You're welcome, Nathan. Merry Christmas," Tess says as she gets up to leave.
She goes back to her apartment; it's smaller than the one she had in Stillwater but it's big enough for her. She sits on her bed, wearing a pair of sweatpants and Kyle's jersey, looking at pictures and drinking hot chocolate. The pictures are of Kylie's birthday party. Her phone rings.
She answers it, "Hello?"
"It's me."
"Did you deliver Kylie's Christmas present?"
"Yeah. He still misses you."
"Did you take any pictures?"
"No, but I'll get copies of somebody's."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Tess says hanging up the phone.
She puts the pictures into the top drawer of her night stand and climbs under the covers and turns off the light.
In a hushed voice she sings:
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
As she cries herself to sleep.
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