A/n: this is the first part of chapter 25! I REALLY tried to avoid splitting up the chapters in order to not ruin the aesthetic, but it looks like I have no choice here. These are getting very long and I don't want them to be hard to read. I wanted to wait and publish both parts together but I'd rather feed yall now, after a week of waiting. Hope you are okay with this change!
Enjoy!
December 22, 2015
It is one of those days Jade is feeling ecstatic and restless as the same time. Christmas is just around the corner, and so is her birthday, and it seems as though everything is falling into place. Jade in South Shields, visiting her mother, and the rest of her family is here as well. Karl and Shireen are chatting on the couch while a Christmas movie is playing on the TV, which Leoni watches, and little Karl is upstairs, playing with his toy cars. Norma is busy cooking in the kitchen when Jade bursts into the room after taking a shower. She had the best day so far with little Karl, and is not planning on letting it go downhill at dinner today. Perrie will be joining them, and Jade wants everything to be perfect.
Jade opens the oven door and glances at the food inside. When she recognizes the dish, Pan Haggerty, she presses her lips together and inhales. Jade is trying to remain calm as she shuts the oven door and takes a step back so she could look at her mother.
"Mum, why is there cheese in here? I told you Perrie doesn't like cheese," Jade says in a slightly angry tone. Norma moves her gaze from the dough she is currently kneading and sends Jade an unapologetic smile.
"It's your brother's favorite, pet. There's plenty of other food for Perrie to eat," Norma softly says. Jade walks over to Norma and stands by her side.
"But you did make cheesecake for dessert, right?" Jade asks as she crosses her arms. Norma sighs and shakes her head.
"No, I didn't. I thought you said she doesn't like cheese," Norma says with a puzzled expression. Jade holds back the flood of frustration which is threatening to take over her as she tries to explain to her mother what she thought was obvious.
"But she loves cheesecake!" Jade says and takes a quick, deep breath. She is sure she informed her mother of that earlier; but Norma probably ignored it after it was contradicted by Jade's previous words about Perrie's taste. Norma is unsure of how to react, and all she says is that she made a fruitcake, and that Jade should not be this nervous. "Never mind," Jade mumbles and exits the kitchen. She walks up the stairs, where little Karl is sitting on the hardwood floor, surrounded by his colorful toy cars.
He looks up and adorably smiles at Jade before continuing to play. Jade feels her anxiety fading as she watches him. There is not a single thing about her nephew that she does not admire. Little Karl was born just a few months after Little Mix won the X Factor, and came into the world around the same time Jade started her new life. There is something symbolic about that that Jade simply cannot let go of. This little boy's innocence has brought her endless peace in times of madness. He had only known her as a celebrity, but never made her feel like one. He sees her for who she is, nothing beyond.
"Hey buddy," Jade says and earns herself a quick wave from little Karl. He seems focused on playing, so Jade does not want to bother him. She takes out her phone and opens Instagram, then searches for Perrie's account and yet again stares at the photo Perrie posted earlier today. Perrie is supposed arrive by now, and although Jade is stressed out, she is also very excited. She has not seen Perrie for four days now, and cannot wait to give her a proper hug. They will not be spending Christmas together, and tonight is as close as Jade will get to celebrating the holiday with her girlfriend.
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