I’ll Be Home For Christmas — Vinnie Hacker
Pairing/s: Vinnie Hacker x fem!reader
Summary: I’ll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Christmas eve will find her where the love light gleams.
The clock is ticking. I’ve been staring at my laptop screen for a good amount of 20 minutes trying to think if I should fly over to Seattle for Christmas. I don’t even know why this is such a hard decision for me, of course, I want to spend time with Vinnie and his family even if I already spent Thanksgiving there. The only problem is if he wants me there. Things have been rocky between us because of being on both ends of the country, me in New York and him in Los Angeles. Add to the fact that it feels like we’re only together because it’s what we’re used to at this point so we decided to cool off for a minute, just until after the holidays to figure out if we still want this. I don’t need to decide if I still want to be with him because I truly do. I love Vinnie and I would do anything to be with him and to make him happy with me. I love Christmas in New York but I overlooked the loneliness this city and its dreadful cold causes me. It feels empty, emptier than usual, and I don’t want to be here.
I finally booked a 6 and a half hour flight to his hometown that leaves in…2 hours. I’ve been texting Maria to try and get a feel if he wants me there. I don’t want to ruin their Christmas by showing up unannounced so I told her that I’m going.
I plan to book a flight to visit u guys. Would that be alright?
Are u kidding me Y/n? Of course we want u here!
Vins been down. he misses u
Btw lmk what time Nate could pick u up
My flight leaves in 2 hours so ill land by 9-ish!
Okay, thats perfect! N dont worry abt it
I quickly dressed up and got gifts for the family and went to Vinnie’s favorite bakery and restaurant to get an apple pie and lobster mac and cheese so that I could at least have some contribution to the celebration. I remember when he first visited me here, we went to the bakery to get a late-night snack and all they had was a single slice of apple pie. We had no choice because we were starving and it turned out to be the best thing we ever ate together. And the lobster mac and cheese because when we went on a date, I teased him about getting something a kid would order but he shoved it down my mouth and I still remember how I made him switch our meals. We were so in love back then, so alive. I hurried back to my apartment to pack my bags and now I’m on my way to the airport.
I’m finally at JFK and the whole place is packed. Everybody’s trying to get home to their families and a lot of the flights were getting canceled because there’s a mild snowstorm. I’m finally at my gate as the flight attendant announced that our flight would be pushed back till 5 pm. I texted Maria about the situation and she told me to not sweat it. I could almost cry from frustration and just when I felt like no one’s eyes were on me since everybody’s got their own thing, an old lady tapped me by the hand.
“Dear, what’s wrong?” She asked me and I flinched in surprise.
“Oh, nothing. I just wanna get in time to see my boyfriend for Christmas.” I wiped the tears that I didn’t know were there and chuckled to ease my emotions.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get there in time.” I just nodded.
After a minute of silence, I spoke up. “You know, I think I’m losing him.” I looked down at my hands in embarrassment. I did not just share my love life with a stranger.
“I don’t know. We weren’t what we used to be, I guess. He’s not in love with me anymore.” I sniffled at my confession.
“Is that why you’re going to see him? Is this your grand gesture?” Her warm smile made me tear up more.
“Yeah, I guess it is my grand gesture. But enough about me, how ‘bout you? Why are you going to Seattle?”
“I’m gonna visit my husband. Married for 43 years. He passed away last year.” She gripped my hand and I felt the pain that she was carrying but it was masked behind her smile. I could never fathom the thought of losing a loved one.
“43? That’s amazing.” I smiled. “So how did you guys make it work?”
“Well…” She sighed. “We always made sure to communicate. But most importantly, we made sure to always, always understand.” My stomach dropped at her statement.
She continued on as I just listened: “You know, sweetheart, there will always be a time wherein you’re not in love…it’s inevitable. But simply not being in love isn’t a ticket to immediately leave. The both of you have to try to make it work because there’s love itself, in its purest form. Nothing will ever last if you’re only focusing on the ‘falling in love’ aspect of it. That’ll fade and you’ll be left with what you think is nothing. But it’s not nothing, it’s just the absence of the chaos that is being in love, and there you’ll find comfort, peace, and simplicity. Even stability.”
“Have you ever noticed with new couples or those in the dating stage that they’re always doing something? Be it dinner dates or Disneyland trips?“ She asked and I nodded. “They could never sit still and just be there. It’s because they’re falling in love. But once you find love, you’ll learn that just existing in each other’s arms and watching TV at home is just as satisfying.”
And then I understood all at once. “Oh! So, of course, you go on dates, the not sitting still, so that you can find love within them and when you finally do, then you’ll constantly find love in them even in the most basic of things like you know…sitting still?” She nodded in agreement.
We sat still for a minute until I spoke again. “So how are you now that he’s gone?” I frowned a bit knowing it’ll hit home.
“Oh, my dear. He’s not gone, he’s just not here with me physically. But I miss him. I really do. There’s not a day where I wish he’s here with me. Even 43 years isn’t enough, I suppose.” She lightly chuckled and my heart stung in pain. Vinnie and I failed to see the big picture.
I was about to speak when she spoke again. “Hold on to each other, I can tell you really love him. You are willing to sit still for a few hours for him.” We both laughed at the irony.
“Thank you…” I began but I didn’t even catch her name.
“Y/n. Thank you, Barbara. I really needed that.” I spoke with sincerity.
I looked up at her and smiled as I said: “So what was he like?” She smiled back as if she waited her whole life to tell her piece.
“He was everything to me. He was kind, an awful cook, but he was a great father and husband.” I saw her shed a tear. “He always made sure I was okay first. It was always like that with him: me first and him second. He definitely knew how to make me feel special.”
“Wow, he’s kinda like my Vinnie.”
“Well if my Anthony’s just like your Vinnie then I think you’ll last a lifetime.” We both laughed.
After a few more hours of talking, it was finally time to board the plane. We parted ways but made sure to keep in touch just in case I needed any more elderly advice. That conversation was enlightening to me because what she said was true: you don’t always have to be in love. Being in love means expecting the next big thing and then bigger and then more grandiose. But love and loving means you can rest your bones and hold each other. It’s the comfortable silence and little things that matter most.
Just a few more minutes. I squirmed around my seat anxiously as if that’ll make the plane fly faster. I’m worried that I won’t make it in time for our call. You see, Vinnie and I made an arrangement that we get to call at a certain time if we still want to be with each other, just like Miranda and Steve from Sex and the City, and if we didn’t then we won’t call or pick up. But theirs is that they’ll meet at the Brooklyn Bridge. Our time was at 12:05 this coming December 25th and I know I’ll make it but I’m still on edge.
“Nate, honey, could you bring this to your sister’s house? You know she doesn’t like cold roast chicken.” My mom smiled at my dad as he fulfilled her orders. I can admit I’ve not been the great since Y/n and I made the decision to cool off but I think it’s for the best. I know my answer though and that is I still want to be with her. She makes me the best version of myself and that’s what I constantly want to be for her.
“Hey, mom?” I called out.
“Yeah?” I could hear her from their bedroom as I went and asked for her advice.
“Do you think Y/n and I could still give it another shot?” I was being truthful to her about my relationship problem because I know she could help me.
“Of course, Vin. You have to make it work because I like her and she’s like the daughter I never had.” She pointed her finger at me as if I was being scolded.
I leaned on the door just in case she still had something to say. “Do you want my advice, Vin?” I nodded. “Your problem is fixable. You just have to talk and not talk for the sake of being heard but to be understood. So what if the ‘fire’ died down? Light it again! And again and again!” She said as if in disbelief.
“I didn’t raise no quitter, okay? You’re lucky you’ve found a girl that puts up with you.” She cupped my face and kissed my cheek.
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” I pouted but she just laughed and ignored my question.
It’s almost midnight and my dad’s still nowhere to be found so I asked my mom about it. “Hey, mom? What’s taking dad so long?”
“I don’t know, Vin. Just sit tight and we’ll eat by midnight or when they get home.” I notice her perk up as if in panic.
“I said he, Vin. You really need to lay off on those video games, it’s hurting your ears.” I just shrugged it off, not caring anymore.
I know we’re supposed to hate those people who rush to get out of planes but I understand now because the second they told us we could exit the aircraft, I ran at lightning speed. Well, not really. I’m finally at the doors of the airport when I saw Nate. I ran up to him and I hugged him and now we’re on our way home.
“Uhm…Nate…how many minutes till we get there?” I looked at him warily.
“In about 30 minutes. Don’t worry, we’ll get there.” He just chuckled.
“Thank you for this, by the way. I didn’t wanna be a burden to you guys especially on Christmas Eve but I just really wanted to spend the holidays with him.” I looked out the window so that he couldn’t see the tears that were about to fall from my eyes.
“You’re never a burden to us, Y/n. We’re glad you’re spending it with us because Vinnie’s being a little bitch with his moping.”
“I think I’m to blame for that.” We just laughed it off. “Has he…has he ever talked to me about you guys? Cause we’re kind of figuring it out if we still want each other.”
“Are you kidding me? He talks about you all the time! He keeps on joking that he’ll bail on us just to be with you in New York. And as for you guys figuring it out…I think traveling across the country during the Christmas rush shows how much you still wanna be together.” He said as if it’s a matter of fact. It’s true though and even if you asked me to ride multiple trains just to get here then I would.
“So why’s there chicken at the back?”
“Prop.” Nate answered as we both laughed.
After what felt like hours, we’re finally at their house. The minute Nate pulled the handbrake, I ran towards their door. I think I gave everybody a fright when I opened it because they all looked at me with wide eyes. Vinnie’s the last to look up because he was by the Christmas tree staring at his phone, sulking.
“Hi.” I said breathlessly to Vinnie as my heart rate picked up. I didn’t know what else to say. My eyes pooled with tears and a single one even dropped down to my cheeks. This smells like a Hallmark movie.
“Hi…” He said and I saw he was holding back his tears. “I was uhm…I was just about to call you.” He sniffled and that’s when I ran and leaped into his arms. A huge amount of relief fled my body because he still wanted me. He still loves me.
“I know. You don’t have to. I’m here, my love. I’m not going anywhere.” I hugged him tightly, missing his warmth on mine. “You know, I would call but I’d rather tell you myself.” I smiled at Vinnie as I cupped his face in my hands and I kissed him.
“I’m sorry I almost gave up on us.” He whispered to my ear when I was hugging him. I could sense the tears and how he’s choking up from his own emotions.
“It’s alright, Vin. I’m sorry too. I love you so much.” I pulled his head off of my shoulder and looked him in the eyes, my fingers brushing the hair on his forehead.
“I love you.” He kissed me, family-appropriate of course. And when we pulled away, we heard Maria clap her hands as she told us to get on over there and eat because she’s hungry already.
“Thank the heavens you came, Y/n. We wouldn’t have been able to handle a moody Vinnie till New Year.” Maria said as she rolled her eyes.
As we were eating, I couldn’t help but think of how I got so lucky with Vinnie. It’s not every day you find someone you truly wanna spend your whole life with and even then you’ll, unfortunately, find things to resent about them but no, not with Vin. Not to mention his wonderful family that treats me as their own and definitely, definitely, treats me better than their son. I don’t know what I did in my past life but I’m so grateful it led me here.
Author’s Note: Merry Christmas! I hope u guys enjoy this one :’)
