Breathe-Chapter 8
By: Panda Angel
Jillian decided it was best to leave Denise alone, so she left work early and wearily drove herself home. The red flashing light on her answering machine indicated that she had a message, but she ignored it. When she walked into her bedroom, she spotted those stuffed animals that she had avoided. Now, memories of AJ, her AJ, overwhelmed her and she flung herself on her bed, bawling. She reached her arm out and pulled one of the animals closer. It was a stuffed guardian angel. Jillian smiled and wiped her eyes as she remembered how she has acquired the animal.
~*Flashback*~
“I’m so glad you’re here with me this Christmas,” Jillian looked into her boyfriend’s eyes as he pulled her onto the couch.
“Me too,” he grinned devilishly, then began kissing her neck lightly, moving along her jawline and finally to her mouth.
“Baby, please,” she pulled back a bit.
“What? You don’t like my kisses?” he pouted.
Jillian rolled her eyes. “Of course…but can we be serious for a minute?”
“Yeah, sure…I want to seriously kiss you.” His brown eyes twinkled from the lights on the Christmas tree as he grinned at his gorgeous girlfriend.
“AJ…” Jillian playfully hit his leg. He took the opportunity to hold her tiny, delicate hand in his.
“You have my complete, total, undivided, and very serious attention.”
“It’s just…I am really glad you’re here for Christmas. I don’t know what I would do without you…I don’t have anyone else…” She played with the fringe on a pillow to keep the tears from erupting.
“Jillian…I’m here with you now. I always will be,” AJ tilted her head so that their eyes met in an intense stare.
“Thank you and I’ll always love you for that. But, I miss my mom…and dad.” A tear slid down her fair cheek.
AJ let go of her hand for a brief moment and indicated for her to stay right there. He ran into another room and came back carrying a small gift bag. “Here…it’s an early Christmas present,” he resumed his place on the couch and handed her the bag.
Jillian looked at the present, then back at her boyfriend and reached into the bag to pull out a plush guardian angel. “Aww…”
There was a locket around the angel’s neck with a picture of Jillian’s parents inside. AJ explained, “The angel will be there to watch over you when I can’t, and I found that picture of your parents. I thought you-“
Jillian silenced him with a deep, sweet kiss. “Might like that,” AJ finished breathlessly.
“I love you so much. You’re the only present I want for Christmas,” Jillian hugged AJ, taking in a breath of his cologne.
“I love you, too. Now, let’s really get serious…” he smiled broadly, gently cupping her face in his hand, gradually moving closer for a kiss.
~*End Flashback*~
Jillian slipped out of her day dream wishing more than ever that her mom or dad was there to comfort her. Instead, Xander jauntily trotted into her bedroom and pounced on his owner’s lap.
“Aw, hey baby,” Jillian cooed, smoothing down his fur. Xander responded by licking her hand.
“Yeah, that’s a good boy. Now, I’m going to bed. Night, love you,” she gently kissed the top of his furry head and almost immediately fell asleep.
Email: panda_angelaj@hotmail.com
