A Night To Remember (Joe Elliott Fan Fic)

Chapter Twelve

Katie's P.O.V - Christmas 1994 - 09:03 PM

"Now, smile... Breath and just stay with me." My best mate, Phil, said, as we stood on the doorstep of Joe's house.
"I fucking hate you!" I looked at him.
"It's Christmas. It's Joe's turn to host. You can't skip out on Christmas!" Phil looked at me. "Erin's not even here!"
"Hiya!" Charlotte called, walking up the drive.

I couldn't help, but smile at her.
I wore black jeans, a red and green striped elf top, with Jac's black jacket, and my purple and green converse - topped with my signature red bowler hat.
Phil just wore a black dress shirt and black jeans, Charlotte wore a flowy, light blue dress, showing off her two months baby bump, and Rick wore a black shirt, that had elves on it, with black jeans.

It was snowing, so we all quickly hugged each other and let ourselves inside.
"You look fantastic, by the way!" I told Charlotte.
"Thank you! We have another scan in two weeks, I'm so excited!" She grabbed my arm, her engagement ring on full view, taking me into the living room, where everyone was.

'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' Was playing and everyone cheered when we all walked in.
Phil left our bag of presents under the tree, as I hugged and greeted everyone, Vivian passing me a drink.
I smiled at Joe, who wore a black dress shirt, with blue jeans, and was about to go over to him, as to just 'get it over with', when Alicia dragged me over to Charlotte and Jac, talking about the baby.

We talked and laughed for a good hour, when Joe announced it was 10:00 - Time for presents.

We all gathered in the living room, Joe turned the music down, and we sat in a somewhat circle, sat on the sofas and the floor.
We dished out our presents, laughing, talking and some slight friendly insults... It was Christmas. Come on!

I got a new set of headphones and some Christmas pyjamas, from Sav and Alicia, vinyl records, from Viv and Jac, a polaroid camera, from Rick and Charlotte, and two tickets to see Aerosmith, from Phil.
Joe didn't get me anything...

Now, I knew where we stood.

No one noticed, I didn't say or do anything. I just smiled and helped Sav and Phil gather the wrapping paper.
They binned it and the music turned back up.

I put my presents in the bag, me and Phil brought with us, and Sav made me dance with him to 'Fairytale Of New York'.

At around 11:30, I walked into the garden. There was a trail of lights leading to Joe's patio. I followed the lights and smiled softly, feeling sad.
He had a outdoor fire pit, with a 'C' shaped sofa around it.

I sat down and curled up, starting to cry. I really hurt Joe, and I hated myself for it.
He was married! It wasn't right. I know he's getting divorced now, but we just couldn't happen, and now we never will.

The fire, suddenly, ignited, making me jump and sit up. It was remote operated, but I don't have the remote.
I looked to the house and Joe was stood at the back door.
He put the remote on the kitchen counter and walked over to me.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked me, like last year.
"Your house." I looked away, wiping my eyes, so he couldn't see I was crying.
He sat on my left and turned my face towards him.
"Why are you crying? It's Christmas." He frowned, wiping my cheek with his thumb.
"We're not friends anymore." I frowned.
"What gave you that impression?!" Joe was shocked.
"You haven't spoken to me all night and you didn't get me anything for Christmas... It's OK, Joe. It's my fault." I sighed.
"Oh, Kate... I didn't think of it like that... I have got you something. I just wanted to give you it personally. I've been trying to talk to you all night, but someone keeps taking you from me!" Joe looked at me.

I blinked, not knowing what to say to that.
Joe went into his jeans pocket and pulled out a small little present.
"Merry Christmas, Katie." He held it out to me.
I took it, with shaking hands, and looked at it. Red wrapping paper, with Santa's sleigh on it. He didn't use this paper for anyone else.

I ripped it open and tipped its contents into my right hand.
A necklace, the shape of a key.
"It's beautiful." I whispered, admiring it.
"There's a rule to it. You never take it off." Joe took it from my hand and unclipped it, holding it for me to put it on.
"I promise, Joe." I smiled softly.
Joe fastened the necklace around my neck, and I fixed my hair over it.

"Katie... I'm not mad, or upset, by you pushing me away. I talked to Phil about it all, and I understand why you did it, but I really can't help how I feel. I'm in love with you, and I want to be with you. I know my divorce has only just begun, and I understand if you don't want that hassle, but you're the only woman for me. I meant everything that I said in that panic room. I love you." Joe spilled his heart out.

I looked at him, subconsciously playing with my necklace. The man that I loved was telling me he loves me too, and he wants to be with me.
Why am I so stupid?!
He loves me.

"Did you like your present?" I asked him, placing my right hand on his left shoulder.
"Yes! Thank you. You always know what to get me." He whispered, his hands slipping around my waist.
I bought him a picture frame, that held a picture of me and him in the studio, taken in 1985.
I figured if we weren't on good terms, after this party, then that picture was my goodbye. It was the first picture taken of just the both of us.

"Merry Christmas, Joe." I whispered to him.
"Merry Christmas, Katie." He leaned in, closing his eyes.
I smiled and finally kissed him, knowing this time, he was mine.

The End.