A/N: Some Jem and Tessa happy times, just in time for Christmas. Enjoy!

Bonus Chapter #2 - A Change of Pace

- Two years after the epilogue -

When Jem first broached the subject, Tessa had said no with an air of finality that would have been offensive to anyone else less understanding.

There were just too many things that Tessa wasn't ready to divulge. The trashy romance novels stashed on the lowest shelf of her flimsy cabinet came straight to mind, as did her terrible (and perhaps unsanitary) habit of snacking in bed; Or even the way that her books seemed to dot every flat surface in the apartment. She remembered the time when Jem had found her old battered copy of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' in the microwave and she grinned with a tinge of embarrassment at the look of utter confusion on his face as he held it up with a trace of bolognaise sauce on its cover.

Tessa was under no illusion that Jem would mind these little things about her. He would probably press his lips together too firmly, trying hard not to laugh while failing miserably. Or he would tease her, watching with satisfaction as pink spread from her neck to the tips of her ears.

No, he wouldn't mind at all. In fact, he'll probably enjoy her 'quirks', as he called them. However, it did seem utterly unfair for Jem not to have any embarrassing traits at all. Other than leaving her to stew in misery for five years (which was not embarrassing as much as it was heart wrenchingly devastating), he frustratingly had a lack of flaws. He was generous and kind but never lacked passion. He was gentlemanly and assertive without being arrogant. In fact, the only time in the past 2 years that Tessa remembered getting angry at him was because he insisted in helping Will in a fight that broke out in the pub (Will and Jem won, but the call from the hospital almost made her have a heart attack).

So on the second time he had brought up the subject, Tessa had wavered slightly. They were in a tiny café, the inside warm and welcoming with the smell of freshly roasted coffee permeating the air. Tessa and Jem sat side by side in their usual corner seat, watching the rain pelt passer-bys outside the window.

Tilting her head slightly to rest on Jem's shoulder, she brought the mug of hot chocolate to her lips while watching someone chase their errant red umbrella down the street.

"How's the apartment search going?" asked Tessa, fiddling with the end of his scarf. He took a sip of the herbal scented tisane, setting the cup down on the table as it started to burn his fingers.

"Surprisingly difficult. Will keeps insisting that we should live within one square block of one another" he said airily, smiling as Tessa's shoulders shook with silent laughter.

"He's a little bit attached isn't he?"

Jem grinned lopsidedly, "Hardly. I tried to find an apartment in the same building but there were none for rent"

Tessa sighed with mock exasperation "I don't see why you're bothering to look for another apartment since you two are practically attached at the hip"

"As much as I love Will like a brother, I don't think I can stomach another night hearing Will and his girlfriend-"

Tessa slapped his arm, laughing at Jem's expression of deep disgust "Okay okay! I get it Jem! No need to talk about Will's nightly activities!"

Jem's smiling face relaxed into one of thought "You know, this would be a lot easier if I just moved in with you."

Tessa froze with her cup halfway to her mouth before she staunchly set it back down onto the table.

"That's a terrible idea" said Tessa.

"I feel like I should be offended" started Jem, "But I'm more curious than anything else"

Tessa fidgeted with the jade pendant at her throat while she thought of how to politely rebuff him once again. Exasperatingly enough, her mind was coming up blank for ideas.

"Uh," she fumbled, her eyes trailing after an adorable golden retriever out in the rain. "Church would hate it inside my apartment"

Jem looked unperturbed. "He'll get used to it"

"The living room cabinet isn't big enough for your DVD collection" she added, grasping at straws while he took another measured sip of tea to hide his grin.

"Then I'll buy you a new one"

"But if you move in with me, you'll get fat from all my baking!"

Jem almost choked on his drink from laughter, his eyes shining with mirth as if to 'Really Tessa, that's what you're going with?' He set his mug down, clenching and flexing his fingers to get rid of the cramping sensation as he regarded Tessa was a look of mild amusement.

"I'm beginning to worry that I've got a terrible case of body odour and that that's the reason why you don't want me to move in." mused Jem, his posture relaxed although something akin to genuine concern lurked in his expression, "Or is it because you don't like the smell of that orange flavoured toothpaste I like?"

Tessa distractedly ran her fingers through her damp hair , "No, that's not it, you smell great-" Jem's eyebrows shot up and she ignored the expression on his face "- It's just that… I don't know… this sound silly… but-"

"Yes?" he prompted.

She groaned, burying her face into his duffel jacket in hopes that it would somehow muffle her embarrassment "You're just too perfect"

His voice sounded puzzled "I'm too perfect?"

She nodded, her cheeks burning at the admission. "Uh huh"

He shifted, tightening his grip on her shoulder and pressing a kiss to the top of her head "Well, would it help if I started up some bad habits?"

"Like what?"

He thought for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly against the thick material of her coat. "I could start leaving my shoes around? I'll develop a habit of playing my violin very early in the morning?"

She shook her head, hiding her smile, "Still not quite annoying enough but it could work"

Jem looked surprised "Really? All I had to do was develop some annoying traits?"

Tessa nodded solemnly "It also helps that you're very persuasive and ridiculously good looking too"

Jem rolled his eyes, "And not at all to do with the fact that I love you?"

She waved her hand in the air as a sign of dismissal at the idea, "Not at all"

Jem pulled her closer with a laugh, "Good to know then".

A/N: If I ever do decide to add extra random chapters, it will all be connected to this story and not posted as a separate one. So if you want, follow this story for possible future updates! Thanks guys and Merry Christmas and have a fantastic New Year (in advance) :)

Love,

DecoyDream x