(no subject)

[beautiful_ann]

Christmas Eve in New York City is beautiful, particularly with the light snow falling tonight.

Ann is up in her room, touching up her makeup and nervously primping.

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[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

“But they’re all written in,” he replies. “Now wait here, I’m going to get your present—not that I’m going anywhere. It’s right over there.” He stands up and walks to the tree, where he pulls out a box not small enough to fit in a purse. He pulls out two boxes, in fact, and hands them over to Ann.

[beautiful_ann]

Beaming!

She accepts them, and carefully unwraps the smaller one first. Inside are a pair of finely-made shoes. Her eyes light up as she takes one out and examines it.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Jack says nothing, but watches her with a wide smile.

[beautiful_ann]

She sets aside the shoes and unwraps the next package, equally carefully.

She gasps a little when the fabric of a very nice, very appropriate, and definitely very expensive dress comes into view.

"Oh, Jack . . ."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

“You deserve it.”

[beautiful_ann]

Still a little flabbergasted, she runs a hand over the dress.

"Jack, thank you so much."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

He leans over and kisses her on the cheek. “I love you. Merry Christmas.”

If they’re being spied upon from the displaced, he knows nothing of it.

[beautiful_ann]

And if he thinks he's getting away with just kissing her cheek, he's got another think coming.

She leans over, catching his hand in one of hers, and kisses the corner of his mouth. "I love you, too."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Well, then, she is greedy with her kisses, and Jack being in the Christmas spirit of giving, gives her a rather generous kiss on the lips.










Which, sadly, won’t lead to anywhere, as someone clears their throat.

[beautiful_ann]

. . . Hi, Jack's dad.

Ann is a lovely shade of red as she surreptitiously scoots a few inches away from Jack. Just repacking the dress, really.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Jack’s dad is grinning. Jack’s mother…well, Ann might have some indication of what Mrs. Driscoll’s original hair color was before she went grey. “It’s all right, Jack,” Mr. Driscoll replies. “We’re just on our way out.” Jack nods, a bit stiffly. Two seconds later he realizes he has to stand and walk them to the door, which he does, after Mr. Driscoll and Else have had a chance to say their goodnights to Ann. Mrs. Driscoll just smiles tersely, eyes flashing at Jack as she walks past.

Eventually, all Driscolls save Jack are successfully ushered out the door.

[beautiful_ann]

Ann stands up and follows them to the entryway, returning the goodnights.

As soon as they're gone?

She half-collapses against the wall, giggling.

"Oh, Lord."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

No collapsing allowed! Jack catches her. He may or may not be laughing himself.

“Mom’s gonna kill me for that.”

[beautiful_ann]

"Sorry."

She puts her arms around his waist. "Not very sorry, but sorry."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

He kisses her forehead. “You don’t have to be sorry.”

[beautiful_ann]

She looks up at him, smiling.

"Good. I enjoyed kissing you too much to be sorry."

Then, tightening her embrace around his waist, she laughs. "I don't think I've had stage fright that bad since the Venture."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

“Why? Did she make you nervous? My mother, that is.” As if to calm her down from this theoretical disturbance, he lifts a hand to smooth her hair.

[beautiful_ann]

"I wanted to make a good impression on all of them.

"Your mother is pretty formidable, though."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

“Well, yeah. I’m sure she’ll warm up to you.” Assured that no one else is watching, he kisses her on the lips.

[beautiful_ann]

No one but Pinot, and the cat couldn't care less. (There are ham scraps!)

Ann leans up into the kiss, tilting her head. They haven't had nearly enough chances to do this.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Oh, certainly not, and Jack intends to take full advantage of this solo time. He’s a little worried someone might run up to the door to interrupt them. It’s happened so often before in the past.

[beautiful_ann]

No islands to run into this time, though, right? And no Carl Denham, thank you very much.

She can smell wine on his breath, and her mouth quirks up a little in a smile.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

And no parental units!

He feels the smile against his lips and pulls back just long enough to ask, “What?”

[beautiful_ann]

"Nothing."

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Huh, well then.

Jack is feeling a little adventurous. So he gives her a kiss on the neck. “How long can you stay here?”