merry and bright
for @fitzythesnowman for the 2015 fitzsimmons secret santa exchange. my prompt was fitzsimmons meeting each other’s parents for the first time. i hope you enjoy reading this as much as i did writing it! fic under the cut.
(note: i’d like to say thank you to and credit my friend connie for letting me use her ocs for fitz’s mother and jemma’s parents; elinor, claire, and james are her ocs, and she’s kind enough to let me use them)
It was nearly time to leave for the airport, and Jemma was still waiting for Fitz to arrive so they could leave. She’d gone over to Fitz’s dorm last night to help him pack, so that couldn’t be why he hadn’t arrived yet. She called him, asking “Where are you? We have to leave in less than ten minutes!”
He replied, “Relax. I had to walk over from my dorm, and the pavements are slippery. I’m waiting in the front foyer.”
Snapping her phone shut, Jemma slung her backpack over one shoulder, grabbed her suitcase, and hurried down the stairs to meet Fitz. They were soon in the backseat of a taxi, on their way to the airport.
Since the drive to the airport would take around half an hour, the pair told each other about their parents.
Fitz’s mother, Elinor, was a lovely, creative woman who’d always done her best to provide for her son, working two jobs while Fitz was in school since his father had left them when Fitz was a toddler. She’d always supported his love of science, even though she didn’t quite understand it. On Saturdays, she’d take him to the junkyard to find things for him to tinker or build with. After Fitz left home, she’d bought a little cottage in the Scottish Highlands, where she now lived with her cat; a ginger named Morag who’d been a Christmas present from Fitz two years previously. Now retired, she writes poetry, which she was very interested in.
Jemma’s parents, James and Claire, had met when they were in university. James had been studying mathematics, Claire to become an architect and happened to sit next to each other in a geometry lecture. They were a somewhat posh, upper middle-class family, so Jemma had been comfortable growing up. Always feeding their gifted daughter’s ever-growing thirst for knowledge, they bought her books on biology and chemistry, which led to Jemma receiving a full-ride scholarship to university at the age of 13, and subsequently receiving two doctorates at the age of 17.
Elinor Fitz was waiting for them after they’d landed and picked up their suitcases, and immediately wrapped Fitz and Jemma in a tight hug. She was a little shorter than Fitz, with long, bright auburn hair pulled back into a single braid and blue eyes so much like Fitz’s. Her friend’s curly hair and facial features might have been from his father, but his eyes were very much his mother’s. She smelled warm and sweet, like cinnamon sugar and coffee.
“So, this is the Jemma Simmons I’ve heard so much about,” Elinor exclaimed fondly. “He positively adores you! I’ve never heard him so happy when talking about another person before!”
Fitz’s face turned bright red, not unlike the color of a ripe tomato. “Mum,” he groaned exasperatedly, but also with a hint of a smile. “You’re embarrassing me!”
At this, Jemma and Elinor both smiled, and Fitz glared. “You’re supposed to be on my side for things like this, Jem!”
“But you’re so cute when you’re flustered,” Jemma protested. “And it’s impossible for me to not smile when you’re being cute.” Fitz’s face grew even redder, but mostly because his best friend had just said he was cute.
Soon, they were in Elinor’s car, driving up to her little cottage. “Mum adores you, and it’s not just your charismatic personality,” Fitz muttered under his breath. “You’re the first real friend I’ve had; the others I’ve called ‘friends’ just ate lunch with me out of sheer pity.”
“Oh,” said a somewhat shocked Jemma. She’d known that Fitz had been a bit of a loner before they’d met, but not to that extent. “I apologize if I seemed a bit mean during our first few months at the Academy. It’s just that you were the only one there close to my age, and also happened to be at the top of the class along with me, and I was a bit competitive.”
“Just a bit competitive,” Fitz asked teasingly. “We hated each other! We were bitter rivals until we were paired up for that lab!”
Caught up in their playful bickering, the pair didn’t notice Elinor looking at them fondly in her rearview mirror. “Fitz is in love with that girl, and she with him, yet despite the fact that they’re geniuses, neither of them seem to notice,” she said to herself.
Once they arrived, Jemma and Fitz hauled their suitcases into the second bedroom, which had two twin beds that were quickly pushed together. After a long day of traveling, they were exhausted, and didn’t even bother changing into pajamas before falling into bed, just taking off their shoes.
Elinor found them curled around each other the next morning, Fitz’s face buried in Jemma’s hair, Jemma’s in Fitz’s shoulder, and She stood in the doorway, watching them for a couple of minutes before closing the door and knocking. “It’s Christmas Eve! Wake up! We’re decorating the tree today!”
Startled awake, they quickly realized how they were wrapped around each other and sprang apart, blushing. Jemma went to shower and get dressed, Fitz doing the same once she was done. Together, they walked into the living room and saw a large box of ornaments, another with a strand of lights, and the box holding the tree topper: a model TARDIS.
The three set to work, Christmas music playing in the background, occasionally interrupted by tinkling from Morag’s jingle-bell festooned collar as he tried to rid himself of it.
“Mum, why’d you put that collar on the cat,” Fitz asked. “He clearly hates it.” Fitz’s point was proved as Morag glared at them, eliciting a round of giggles from Jemma.
By lunchtime, they were done, and Morag had finally succeeded in removing his collar. Jemma was petting him, Fitz looking on in disbelief. “He hates me. It’s not fair,” he complained. “I’ve never done anything to wrong him!”
“It’s not my problem that he doesn’t like you,” Jemma said smugly.
“Will you shut up?”
Now, the three of them sat on the couch, watching cheesy Christmas movies. Morag was curled up in Jemma’s lap, purring, but when Fitz moved closer to her, Morag jumped off and stalked away, hissing at Fitz all the while.
Later, when it was completely dark out, Elinor drove them to the nearest town to look at all the Christmas lights. Bundled up in coats, hats, scarves, and mittens, they walked around until they finally got cold, then drove back home.
Dinner was simple; a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, peas in a buttery sauce, and Elinor’s home-baked apple pie for dessert. Fitz and Jemma thanked Elinor for the lovely mean
It was Christmas morning, and Jemma found herself being shaken awake by her very excited best friend. “Wake up, Jemma! It’s Christmas!”
“Ugh, Fitz,” she groaned. “I don’t mind being woken up, but was it really necessary to practically shake me out of bed?”
“It’s Christmas! Mum’s made us breakfast, and once we’ve eaten, we’re going to open presents!” Fitz couldn’t contain his excitement.
“Alright, alright! I’m getting up,” Jemma exclaimed. Fitz grabbed her by the hand and practically dragged her into the living room. Elinor had set out a breakfast of pancakes, with all sorts of toppings: fresh fruit, whipped cream, honey, and melted chocolate.
Fitz’s eyes went wide as saucers, and Jemma laughed. “Your stomach really is the way to your heart, Fitz,” she said, smiling.
“That’s my Leopold,” Elinor said fondly. “He loves food almost as much as he loves telling me about you, and that’s a pretty remarkable thing.”
“Mum, will you quit it,” Fitz asked, rolling his eyes. “I’m right here! Can we please just dig in? I’m starving.”
Thirty minutes later, breakfast eaten and dishes cleared away, Fitz, Jemma, and Elinor sat around the Christmas tree, their presents for the others in hand.
Fitz passed a box over to Jemma. “From me. Hope this helps with the complaints about how your dorm is too cold at night.” She opened it, and there sat a fleece blanket with the periodic table printed on it.
“Oh, thank you so much, Fitz! I’d been hoping for a blanket!” She embraced him in a hug. “My complaining paid off!”
“So I’d pity you and get you one? You are a despicable human being,” he said disapprovingly, although he was smiling.
Elinor passed boxes to Fitz and Jemma. “From me to the both of you,” she told them, watching as they tore the wrapping paper off and unfolded what was inside.
Fitz exclaimed, “Sweaters! Oh, look! They have-”
“-Our last initials on them,” Jemma finished excitedly. They were navy blue, the letters done in a soft, creamy yellow. “These are great! Thank you, Elinor! Did you knit these yourself?”
“I did,” she replied proudly. “I thought you two ought to have matching sweaters, because I didn’t think you’d be the type of best friends to wear friendship necklaces.”
“Mum, I think you should open your gift from us,” Fitz suggested, grabbing a smaller gift wrapped in snowflake-printed blue wrapping paper and passing it over to his mother. He and Jemma sat in anticipation as Elinor carefully tore off the wrapping paper to reveal what was underneath.
“Oh my goodness, Jemma, Leo, thank you,” she exclaimed, hugging them. It was a framed picture of Fitz and Jemma grinning at the camera, holding their first-place ribbon. They’d won it for their entry (a project on the first law of thermodynamics) in a contest Professor Vaughn had held at the end of their first year. “This is wonderful!”
“Well, since you love hearing about me and Jemma so much, we thought we’d give you a picture of us,” Fitz said, shrugging. “I’m glad you like it as much as you do.”
“Fitz, here’s my gift to you,” Jemma said as she passed it over to him, watching in anticipation as he unwrapped the package.
“A miniature model TARDIS? I’ve wanted one of these for ages! Thanks, Jem,” Fitz exclaimed joyfully. “Oh, and the Fourth Doctor’s scarf! These are so cool!”
“I’m glad you like them!” She’d been worried that Fitz might have already owned one of these things, but she’d been worried that if she’d asked and said no, he’d figure out what she was getting him, and she wanted it to be a surprise.
The rest of Christmas Day was spent marathoning old Doctor Who episodes, eating leftovers from last night’s dinner, and watching the Doctor Who Christmas special in their pajamas. It was the new Doctor’s first full episode, and Fitz and Jemma were enjoying it immensely. After the episode was over, they said goodnight to Elinor. Tomorrow, they’d take a train down to Devon to spend New Year’s with Jemma’s parents.
Morning came too soon, and Jemma and Fitz had to leave. They got up, sleepily got dressed, hauled their suitcases outside, and Elinor drove them to the train station, where they’d take an hour-long train ride to Glasgow, then take another, daylong train ride to Dover from there. They thanked Elinor, who tearfully embraced them in a tight hug, and they said their goodbyes.
Jemma and Fitz spent most of their time on the longer leg of the trip working on a book of sudoku puzzles Elinor had given them to help pass the time. Before they knew it, they’d arrived in Dover, and Jemma’s parents were waiting for them in the station with a sign that read: Welcome Home Jemma (and Fitz).
“That’s Mum and Dad for you,” Jemma muttered sheepishly, like it was her fault that her parents were being embarrassing.
Fitz, however, thought it was cute. “That’s what adoring parents do,” Fitz retorted.
“Don’t side with them against me!”
“Like you did with my mum in the airport?”
“Will you two quit bickering,” Jemma’s parents interjected. Fitz immediately noticed the resemblance between mother and daughter: same facial structure, same moderately wavy hair, but Claire green eyes and blonde hair, unlike Jemma, whose brown hair and eyes she inherited from her father, James. “We’ll never get home if you don’t stop!”
Sheepishly, Fitz and Jemma looked away from each other, grabbed their suitcases, and hauled them to Claire and James’ car.
Just about to get on their way, Claire said, “So this is the Fitz our Jemma’s told us so much about! Nice to meet you. I’m Claire, and this is Jemma’s father, James.
“Hello,” Fitz replied, extending a hand to each parent in turn.
Once they’d arrived at the Simmons residence and put their suitcases in Jemma’s room, they put on their pajamas and made themselves hot chocolate. “It’s a clear night,” Jemma remarked. “We should go stargazing.”
“Are you serious? It’s freezing out,” an incredulous Fitz exclaimed.
“It’s colder back at the Academy!”
“If you say so.”Soon, they were out on the back patio, armed with blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate, taking turns looking at the different constellations through Jemma’s telescope. Fitz asked, “When did you get this?”
“When I was born, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and when I was seven, I had surgery to correct it. I was bedridden for weeks afterwards, so, to relieve my boredom, my dad would wheel my bed outside and we’d stargaze together. The telescope was a birthday present when I turned thirteen.” She wrung her hands. “I haven’t told anyone that I had scoliosis. I didn’t want anyone to pity me , or that think I was trying to. It’s in my S.H.I.E.L.D. file, but only the administration has access to that.”
Fitz, lost in thought, painted a picture in his mind of seven-year-old Jemma and her father on the same patio they were sitting on, looking at the stars together.
“Fitz,” Jemma asked worriedly. “Oh, it probably sounded like I was trying to make you pity me. I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be! I love it when you tell me stories,” he replied. “You didn’t sound like you were trying to make me pity you at all! We’re best friends; we’re supposed to tell each other things like that!” He hugged her. “You’re my best friend in the world, and I always want to listen to your stories.”
“Same to you, Fitz.” Jemma tightly hugged him back. They stayed that way, quietly, not saying anything else, until they fell asleep.
They were woken the next morning by Jemma’s startled parents. “What are you two doing out here,” Claire asked. “You could’ve frozen to death!”
“It’s not that cold, Mum! The temperature’s barely below freezing,” Jemma replied. “And we were wearing hats, gloves, and coats in addition to being wrapped in blankets!”
“She has a point, Claire,” Jemma’s father politely argued.
“You’re supposed to be on my side, James! You’re a parent!”
Jemma rolled her eyes. “Mum, Dad, cut it out,” she groaned. “You’re arguing like children.”
They went inside, and spent the rest of the day putting a 1,000-piece puzzle together. The next few days flew by in a blur of bread-baking, James’ terrible puns, Jemma and Claire groaning at said puns, and Jemma’s parents giving each other knowing looks every time their daughter and Fitz looked at each other.
On New Year’s Eve, as Jemma and Fitz pored over a book, quietly discussing it to each other, James remarked, “That’s how you used to look at me when we were their age.”
“I was smitten from the moment I first saw you. We were friends for a while before we really figured out what we felt for each other, though.”
James smiled. “I have a feeling that I’ll be walking Jemma down the aisle at their wedding one day.”
“They’re only eighteen,” Claire exclaimed. “Just because they’re a girl and a boy and happen to be friends doesn’t mean they’ll get married!”
“Oh, want to bet on it?” James had a gleam in his eye.
“I bet you twenty pounds.”
“Deal.” They shook on it.
Later that evening, they all sat in front of the television, wearing those silly paper crowns from party poppers, waiting for the New Year’s fireworks to go off It was Jemma and Fitz’s first holiday that they could legally consume alcohol, so they’d brought out bottles of champagne. They were both a little tipsy, and Jemma was giggly, repeatedly saying “You have poodle curls, Fitz!” and petting his hair.
It was 11:59 PM, and they were counting down the seconds to the new year. “Ten, nine, eight, seven six, five, four, three, two, one, zero!”
The fireworks went off, and Jemma kissed Fitz on the cheek. “Happy New Year, Fitz!”
Startled, the only thing Fitz could think to do was kiss her on the cheek. “Happy New Year, Jemma.”
James whispered, “He’s smitten with her. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Oh, hush,” Claire retorted, but was hiding a smile.
Fitz and Jemma had to fly back to the U.S. on the first because school started up again on the fifth, and they wanted a few days to readjust to that time zone. Hugging Jemma’s parents, they said their goodbyes, got in a cab, and drove to the airport.
“That was a great holiday break, Fitz, don’t you think,” Jemma asked.
“Yes, it was,” Fitz replied, thinking of Jemma kissing him on the cheek just a few hours earlier.
(note: i’d like to thank and credit my friend connie for letting me use her ideas for fitz’s mother and jemma’s parents; elinor, claire, and james are her ocs, and she very kindly let me use them.)
