A/N Hello, everyone. Okay, I am going to publish this last chapter that I wrote ages ago and really sort of hate. But, I want to finish this story for you guys. I still get reviews and PM's asking me to finish. Thank you all for being so patient. Thank you for being so kind.

A VERY Merry Christmas

He opened the loft door quickly, dropping his bags by the door, anxious. The lights were off and nobody seemed awake. He cursed his plane under his breath for arriving in LA so late. Dammit, she was asleep. When he had decided to return home early, he had hoped to arrive much earlier. But, they got stuck on the tarmac, and the rest was frustrating history.

Slowly walking through the living room and into the hallway, he stopped in front of her door. He tried to steady his nerves. He knew what he wanted. But, what if she had changed her mind? He stood there, internally debating his next move. Finally, he decided- he had to see her, touch her.

When he opened the door, she appeared to be asleep. Should he wake her or just quietly crawl into bed next to her? He needed to talk to her. This is why he came home. And, while this could technically wait until morning, he didn't want to. He wanted her to know now. After opening her gift, he needed her to know how he felt. It was consuming him. He had to get it out.

He walked into the room and closed the door quietly behind him. Slipping off his pants and shirt, he crawled under her covers to cuddle up to her. Wrapping his arm around her tiny waist, he pressed his face to her neck. She smelled like honey and cucumber. He breathed her in. This moment, right now, was what he had been longing for. The reason he spent most of his Christmas on a plane. With her in his arms, he finally felt complete.

Feeling the warmth of his body against hers, Jess turned over with a welcoming, sleepy smile. Leaning forward a little, he gently kissed her forehead.

"Mmmmm," she moaned out. What are you doing home? I thought you would be gone for the rest of the week?"

Feathering kisses along her jaw and down her neck, he seemed to miss her question altogether, lost in her soft skin.

Her fingers laced into his hair and her heart began beating faster, "Nick, did you hear me?" She was quickly becoming distracted.

"Hmmmm?" His hands were pulling at her shirt now.

"I asked why you're home so early." She pulled back from him a bit.

Taking a deep breath, he gazed into her eyes. "I just needed to see you. Jess, that present…"

He couldn't finish. He didn't want to cry. Closing his eyes he remembered the expression on his Mother's face when she opened her gift from Jess. She held up what looked like a plain, black photo album. Inside pictures of their family, most of them with his Dad, were matted and placed onto page after page. He opened his gift to find the same book. As he flipped through the pages, he realized that she had tried to include every happy picture she could find. He hadn't even seen some of these photos. Just when he thought he thought he couldn't hold back the tears, an envelope fell out of the back of his book. He opened it to find a glittery "sex coupon." He laughed out loud. That was the moment when he knew for sure. He opened his eyes and ran his fingers down her face.

"Did you like it? Did your Mom…"

"Jess…you…" He sighed deeply. "Give me a minute, okay?" He wanted to tell her. He needed to finally get this out. She deserved to hear how he felt. "That photo album that you put together was amazing, Jess. Where did you get all those pictures of my Dad?"

"I found them when we were in Chicago for his funeral. Your cousin gave me this box of photos to go through when I was trying to write the eulogy for you. I just made some copies. Was your Mom mad? I really wanted to give you something special to help remember your Father this year."

"Was she mad? No, Jessica, she wasn't mad. She cried. She loved it. So did I. Thank you." He kissed her lips and then drew back. Timidly he asked, "Did you, umm, open my gifts yet?" He was biting his lip and suddenly looked nervous.

Holding up her wrist, he saw the glint of the bracelet against her skin. "I love this so much. But, the train whistle was the best. Thank you, Nick," she placed a sweet kiss on his lips.

"Nick, I wanna say something to you."

"Me first, Jess. I wanna say it first." She quirked an eyebrow at him. Did he know what she wanted to say?

Swallowing his fear and nervousness, he took the plunge, "Jess, I care about you so much. And, I don't know why you want me, but I'm so damn glad you do. And, I'm so…I'm scared to lose you. You're my best friend. I need you. But, I can't fight this anymore either. I don't want to." Taking a deep breath, cupping her face and looking deeply into her eyes he whispered, "I love you."

A combination of relief coupled with excitement bubbled up in Jess. "Nick, I love you. I do."

Briefly closing his eyes to let her words sink in, he reached over and pulled her into a deep kiss. Sinking back against their pillows, Jess looked over at Nick and began to laugh.

"What?"

"I'm…I'm just really happy. Best Christmas present ever."

"Come here." Pulling her close, he took her hand in his, fingers running along the silver chain and heart that now adorned her wrist. Kissing her hand and placing it on his chest, he snuggled against her as they drifted off to sleep together.

The End.