tns oneshots

Flying In

In the history of ideas, this had to be the dumbest one by far. According to Emily, anyway. How Michelle had convinced her this was the perfect present, Emily had no idea. From the time she was 4, she had had a strict limit on the amount of money she would spend on a present. And even for her sister, this was overboard.

Flying James in from New York would obviously make Riley happy. And her parents adored him. Emily didn't think she could survive two weeks of James, but then she had survived the disaster that was Noah and Jacquie. She was pretty sure she could get through anything.

But now she was waiting in an airport, and was seriously regretting her decision. James' flight had been delayed three hours and then got cancelled. He had forgotten to tell her that and she had spent six hours in the airport yesterday, waiting for him.

According to the arrivals screen, his new flight had landed half an hour ago. He was still no where in sight. The amount of time and money she had spent was barely worth Riley's happiness. What she should have done was suggested the idea to her parents. They could have payed for it and she could have taken credit. No work, no stress, perfect present.

Finally, finally, James sauntered through the double doors. Emily glared. Because of course he was acting like he was on time. He wasn't.

"Hey Embo!" James said.

"I swear to God, James, I'm going kill you if you don't start walking towards the car right now."

James opened his mouth to reply, then thought better of it and followed Emily to the car.

About half way into the journey, James cleared his throat. "Can you turn down the music, Em?"

"Don't call me Em" Emily said, reluctantly turning down the music.

"So, I know this is Riley's Christmas present. But it feels like it's a joint one for me and Riley" James began.

"It's not" Emily responded automatically.

"But it feels like it because it makes me just as happy as Riley will be. Which is why I got you a present."

"Please no" Emily sighed.

"You're going to love it, Emily."

"I seriously doubt that, James."

"You will. Just wait."

They fell back into silence and Emily turned the music back on, shuffling her Christmas playlist on Spotify. As apprehensive as she was, she was also reluctantly excited for James' present.

The next day, Emily was sitting on the couch with a cup of tea, scrolling through instagram. She smiled as she saw her girlfriend's latest post and instantly liked it. Seeing Michelle's smile reminded her of how happy Riley had been the day before, although the screaming had been less satisfactory.

"EMILY" James hollered. "What?" she called back. "It's time for your present" he said. He looked excited. "Come on, you've to go upstairs while I get it." Emily sighed and rolled her eyes. Riley followed her into her bedroom and slumped down onto Emily's perfectly made bed, creasing the sheets. "Have you been assigned guard duty, then" Emily laughed, nudging her sister as she flopped down beside her. "Yeah. But James won't tell me what he got you" Riley pouted. "That sucks. You should dump him" Emily said. "Em, I'm not breaking up with James. We're in love and you just have to get over the fact you don't like him. He likes you." "No, he doesn't" Emily said immediately. "But he's not as bad as he was five years ago."

"OK GIRLS, YOU CAN COME DOWN AGAIN" James yelled. "Stop yelling at me" Riley grumbled into the bed. "I don't think he heard you, Ri" Emily laughed. "Come on, I want my present."

Riley dragged on Emily's arm as they bounced down the stairs but let go once she saw who was in the hall. "Did you miss me?" Michelle grinned. "Oh my god, I can't believe you're here" Emily said, hugging her girlfriend tightly. "I told you you'd love your present" James said triumphantly. "Babe, you're ruining their moment" Riley said, dragging him into the kitchen and letting her sister say hello to her girlfriend in peace.

a/n: short, sweet, and six weeks past Christmas. But it's got Jiley, Michemily and made me happy so it's all good I guess