Are you it for me?

Christmas

Jessie found herself becoming more integrated with the team as time went on. She continued to hang out with Magda, Pernille, and Niamh, even adding a few other players to the mix. Since she last saw Mal their communication began to slow down. Both of them said it was because they were so busy, but couldn't wait to see each other for Christmas. Jessie would fly out to Colorado on Dec. 19, but the day before she was supposed to fly out the airlines cancelled all flights. When Jessie found out her flight was cancelled she was with Niamh at Niamh's apartment. She told Niamh "I don't know what to do? I'm supposed to spend Christmas with Mal and then go see my family in Canada." Niamh suggested, "You can spend Christmas with my family so you won't be alone." Jessie said, "Thanks, I will do that but first I need to call Mal." Jessie calls Mal. Ring Ring Ring. Mal finally picks "Hi, babe, I'm so excited for you to get here tomorrow. I have everything planned out." Jessie interrupts her "Mal I'm so sorry but the airlines just cancelled all my flights. I'm going to be staying in London through Christmas and until games start back up in January." Jessie left out the detail that she would instead be doing Christmas with Niamh and her family. Mal was visibly upset by this, but she understood. Mal said, "Okay, I guess we will see each other at She Believes then." and then hung up the phone.

Jessie wanted to do something special for Mal since she wasn't going to be there for Christmas. She sent flowers, chocolate, and a note to her house.

In the note it said: Dear Mal,

I'm sorry I can't be there in person. Believe me I want to be there. I hope you can forgive me. Here are your favorite chocolates and flowers . I can't wait to see you in February for the She Believes Cup. Have a Merry Christmas! I love and miss you! - Jessie

Mal called Jessie right away. Jessie was in the kitchen helping Niamh's mom make a pie when she saw that Mal was calling. Jessie excused herself "Hello." "Jessie I got your gift. I love it so much. Merry Christmas!"Jessie said "Oh that's wonderful I didn't know if it was going to get there on time." As Christmas music was playing in the background you could hear Niamh shouting "Jessie is on my team." Mal wasn't expecting to hear Niamh, she thought Jessie was alone for Christmas. Mal said, "Oh is Niamh over?" "No, I'm actually over at her parents house. I forgot to tell you she invited me over for Christmas. We are about to play ping pong." Mal told Jessie she needed to go and that her gift for Jessie should be on its way. Mal didn't want to make a big deal out of Jessie spending time with Niamh. I mean she didn't want Jessie to be alone for Christmas so shouldn't she be happy?

After the phone call Jessie knew something wasn't right. She started to feel down until Niamh came over. "Hey are you okay?" Niamh asked. "Yeah, just a little down after my talk with Mal. She suddenly had to go." "Oh well I know how to cheer you up." Niamh grabbed a gift from under the tree and gave it to Jessie. It was a Iniesto coffee mug, Jessie's favorite football player. Jessie was so excited she gave Niamh a hug and told her "you didn't have to get me a gift." Then Jessie handed Niamh two tickets to Liverpool vs Man City. Niamh was so shocked she picked Jessie up and spun her around into a hug. Niamh said, "Thank you so much. This is the best gift I have ever gotten." The rest of the night included board games with Niamh's family. As it got late Jessie was going to go home, but Niamh's parents insisted she should spend the night.

Jessie saw Niamh childhood bedroom for the first time. Her walls were covered with Liverpool things, not a Chelsea blue insight. Before they went to bed they decided to watch A Christmas Story. Niamh didn't last long as she fell asleep on Jessie. Jessie didn't want the night to end, but she slowly drifted off to sleep.