Bring Me Home for Christmas {7}

When Joe finally comes out of the shower, he's dressed in the pants he's already worn 3 times and another worn-out t-shirt. He slips on his jacket, the same jacket that he wore when I first met him.
"Do you mind staying here with Hailey for a while? I need to go get some stuff," he says, picking up his too-thin wallet and putting it into his back pocket.
"No, I don't mind. Where are you going?" I ask, sitting up and reaching down to fix his bed for him, folding the blanket and stacking the pillows.
"I need to run to the store to get more groceries.. we're kinda empty right now," he says over his shoulder as he turns to leave.
I follow him out. "Wait. Joe." He turns to face me. "Do you have money?" I ask. He nods at me slowly. "What I meant was.. do you have enough money to get.. enough food for you and Hailey?"
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other and just nods. "I have a couple of dollars.. which should be enough." Pause. "Hopefully."
I didnt have to think it through as I reach for my bag and pull out a twenty dollar bill. I put it into his hand. "Take it," I instruct.
"I can't--"
"Yes, you can. It pains me to think that you guys dont have enough stuff to eat around here. Its fine, Joe."
"Are you sure?" he asks. I nod. "Thanks, Dem."
I smile, proud of myself. "No problem."
"I owe you one."
"No, you don't." I shoo him off and he gives me a smile before leaving out the door and down the stairs.

Meanwhile, I go back into Joe's room and walk over to the window, looking down at the busy streets. I could feel the Christmas-y atmosphere and I smile to myself. Then I think of what Joe's told me and I frown again. This time of year must be really hard on him. Hailey starts to stir from her sleep and I walk over to her crib. She was awake. Once she sees me, she smiles.
"Hello beautiful," I coo, picking her up. She stretches her small arms and a yawn escapes her lips. Joe was right-- Hailey made everything better. She never fails to bring a smile to my face.
I take her to the couch and let her sit on the carpeted floor where she lays and rolls around, attempting to crawl at one point. I switch on the TV and watch for a while. Minutes later, Joe comes in with grocery bags in his arms.
"Find everything you needed?" I ask, nodding towards the bags.
"Yeah, thanks for that," he says. He comes over and reaches down to pick up Hailey. "Hey baby. Daddy missed you," he tells her, smiling wide.
"Daaa-daa," Hailey mumbles, tangling her hands in his hair. He laughs and looks at me.
"Did she behave?"
"Yeah. She was perfect," I smile at Hailey and she only burries her face in her dad's neck.
I get up. "I have to get going now. I'll come by tonight and bring dinner. How's that sound?"
"That sounds great but--"
I cut him off, "Alright. I'll see you two later." I step forward and kiss Hailey's cheek. I look Joe in the eyes and he smiles, leaning in to kiss my lips. I walk out, a big smile on my face.

"But Dem," Miley pleads. "We've been saving up for this trip ever since.. forever!"
"We only started saving from the beginning of senior year," I correct her.
"You were the one who planned this whole thing, Demi," Selena adds.
I had just told them about Joe and Hailey and my plans with my Paris money. I was going to buy Joe and Hailey tickets so they could be with their family in California for Christmas.
"You only met this guy, what? Last week?" Miley throws her hands up in the air, exasperated.
"We've been planning for Paris for months. Literally," Selena chimes.
"I know, I know. But.. Joe's been through a lot and I want to give him and his daughter a great Christmas. They're lonely here and they dont have money. If you heard him tell his story, you'd want to do this for him as well. I don't care if you two just go to Paris this summer without me; I'd be okay with that, too," I say.
Miley sighs and looks at Selena. "You really like him, huh?" Miley asks me.
I nod. "A lot." I blush.
"Aww," Selena says. "Dem-dem's first real boyfriend. Oh what the heck, we have all the time in the world to go to Paris," she says. "Plus, we could never go without you Demi. Never," she emphasizes.
"So its okay if I buy them tickets to Cali?"
"I think its a great idea. Its the season of giving, right?" Miley says.
I throw my arms around my best friends and we all laugh.
"So when can we meet this Joe guy?" Selena asks.
"I'm going over to his apartment tonight. You guys can come with me," I say.
They agree and I tell them more about Joe and Hailey. They do nothing but squeal and laugh with me. We buy them tickets for California online and print them out. It was scheduled for them to leave tomorrow night-- just in time for Christmas-- and come back to New York in 3 weeks, long after the New Year arrives. I was giving them a vacation. I wrapped the tickets in Christmas wrapping paper and put a gold bow on it. All I wanted was for Joe and Hailey to have the Christmas they deserve.

-- Comments?

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Bring
• Me
• Home
• for
• Christmas
• {7}
• iilovejemii
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• OneTrueMedia

[LOVATiCLOVER]

...i just wonder how Joe is going to take this all. I hope he loves it!

[twilightfan506]

Awesome!! Please post more soon

[FancyGirl97xx1]

Demi is such a nice person, it's not every day someone is willing to do that for another person. Can't wait for more!

[vtwilight98]

awesome im in love w this series more plz

[ohmyjonas135889]

Loved it! More soon please!

[Mikaelaification]

aww she's so sweet and i hope joe likes it

[jellybean646]

Loved it

[samarah20]

that is really nice of demi joe is gonna be shocked and i love this story so much

[MsSophie26]

Oh, that was so good. I can't wait to see what will happen next. :)

[ZanessaGaily]

Aww, so nice of Demi!!