A few days later…
“You know you’re getting heavy,” Jakob teased Madison as they walked up the stairs to their apartment in Port-Charles. It wasn’t the most beautiful apartment, only slightly bigger than their apartment in Florida, but Madison insisted that they not splurge on something more expensive even though with Jakob’s new job they could afford to. She was still conscious about saving money.
“I am not! Maybe you aren’t as fit as you use to be,” she teased him back, removing her hands from around his neck and tickling his waist gently.
“Hey now! If you want us both to fall down these stairs, keep it up!”
She laughed laying her head on his shoulders.
“We’re almost there,” she said as they made their way to the top of the stairs. When they reached the top of the stairs, Jakob let out a big sigh of exhaustion as Madison rolled her eyes at his over-exaggeration. When they got to the door, she reached for the doorknob, opening it.
“Okay, carry me over the threshold!”
He smiled at her, taking one big step into the apartment and standing at the door. Madison hopped out of his arms. “You did very well sir.”
“I don’t know why you had me carry you up all those stairs and over the threshold, we aren’t even married.”
“Just practicing,” she winked at him and kissed him on the cheek quickly. She turned on the light and they both surveyed the room. Madison walked over to the window, opening the dingy brown curtains. Dust fell from them, causing her to sneeze.
“Bless you,” Jakob said walking up behind her.
“Thank you.” She leaned back into his chest. “Well, we have a nice view of…the street.”
“And don’t forget the large trash can,” he continued.
“And the litter,” she finished. They both laughed. Despite everything, they could always laugh together. With as little they had, they had each other and that made them feel most blessed.
“I can’t wait to take a walk around town,” she said excited.
“Yeah, but when I get home from work, okay?”
“Why,” her face became serious.
“Just…’cause. Don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Why are worrying all of sudden…nothing’s going to happen to me. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“I know just…just don’t go venturing off far way without me,” he said seriously.
“What you think I’ll forget to come back or something,” she said teasingly, but the expression on his face didn’t change causing her to get more serious. “Jakob, I’m not going to -” *achoo* Madison growled as she reached in her pocket for a napkin she tucked away after their lunch earlier that day.
“This place is going to need a lot of cleaning.” Madison said bracing herself for another sneeze.
“Yeah. You know we could’ve gotten some place better-”
“No this is fine,” she interrupted. “We need to save money.”
“We can afford more things now with my new job. I could buy you more things and we could get some great things for the apartment.” The previous conversation was gone, pushed and stored into the back of their minds willingly.
“I don’t need any more things. I have everything already,” she smiled, touching his face.
“Okay…but if you need anything, anything at all, you just ask okay?” He felt as if he was somehow depriving her of the better things in life by being with him. She deserved to pampered and treated like a Queen and he could never afford to do those things for her before. He didn’t know she already felt like one…being with him made her feel like one. There was always a part of him that felt like he was undeserving of her love and he felt guilty, but she had fallen in love with him long before he ever knew the truth.
“Okay,” she smiled.
“And I’m getting you a new coat.” He saw her start to protest. “No arguments. The one you have now can’t possibly keep you warm enough. It never got this cold in Florida.”
“Okay.” She walked pass him to the mantle on top of the small fireplace, and turned around to get a better view of their apartment.
“I think I know what this place needs.”
“What’s that?”
She walked to one of the large duffel bags on the floor and took out two framed pictures.
“Some things to make it feel like home.” She placed the pictures on the mantle. The first one was a picture of the two at a carnival about a month after they met. The other was a picture of the two with their friends in Florida taken a few days ago, all standing in front of the Christmas tree Madison had decorated. Jakob smiled as she put up the two pictures.
Their neighbors and their friends decided to throw them a going away party the day after Christmas. Madison and Jakob should’ve known something was up. Their friends and neighbors were quiet and occasionally Madison or Jakob would catch one of them whispering behind their backs and wondered why. The neighbors had gotten together and thrown them a surprise party. They spent the latter part of the day dancing, eating and reminiscing about the times they had there, until the party spilled into Jakob and Madison’s apartment, where the picture was taken. More than a few tears were shed. They had all become a small family of sorts. The day they had to leave Madison took the Christmas tree over to the newlyweds next door. They had moved in a few months back and with no support from their families, they struggled, but managed to pay rent on time and keep their stomachs full. Madison gave them the tree and insisted on taking snapshots of their first Christmas together as husband and wife for their own personal album. She would keep in touch, she promised.
Meanwhile, Christmas for Jax in Port-Charles went by slowly, everything reminding him of the last Christmas he spent with V. He visited the Quartermaines bringing a special gift for Lila, who managed to make Jax genuinely smile despite his mood. He brought over a few things for Lucas and Bobbie as well as a verbal message from Jerry to Bobbie. Jerry called at least once a week, not being able to be with his brother physically, but supporting him any way he could. He didn’t want to leave Jax after V’s death, but had no choice. Jax insisted on him going, afraid that the authorities would somehow get wind of him being in PC. His last stop was to the Gatehouse to see Ned an Alexis. He had planned to drop off gifts and leave, but Ned and Alexis made sure they kept him long enough to enjoy some drinks and music. They talked about business and Ned and Jax argued the way they always did about the most absurd business dealings while Alexis kept them as civil as she possibly could, realizing that if V were there with her, she’d be helping her or they would both be off talking amongst themselves while the two argued. It was small moments like this that hit V’s friends the hardest. Ned noticed the sadness in Alexis’ eyes and knew she was thinking of V and ended his “argument” with Jax. After a few hours, Jax eventually went home to spend time with his parents and after they left he slept, dreaming of last Christmas with V again. Although he dreamed of it often, the dream was his very own special gift every night this Christmas.
To be continued…