Baby I can be your Hero.

Kitty

It was a Christmas morning. Even before opening her eyes, she smiled under the thought of how surprised Sam would have been with the present she's prepared for him. It was not a secret that Sam was miserable being so far from his family and fortunately for her, Kitty had enough money to fix it. From the moment he told her twins are his world, Kitty saw pieces of the proof it was true, she couldn't imagine more loving, caring and responsible older brother even if she could - Sam cooked breakfast for them (probably that was were his cooking skill came from), took them to school and was ready to take any job he could to help family with them, especially now when things got rocky. She still was hurt by Sam's decision not to tell her the truth, especially since Kitty would do anything to help him with his situation - from solving the money issue to helping him babisitting kids who did not deserve to live in that crappy hotel room at all. Yet even while they were at their worst, breaking up and being sort of forced to live under the same roof, Kitty was not about to skip the christmas presents part, calling Sam's family who nicely agreed to keep a secret from his son and booking their tickets so Sam could spend a family holiday - the one he loved the most - with the people he loved. Kitty changed into her homewear, hearing a sound of her mom cooking from the kitchen and texted Sam's mom to make sure they're on their way already.

Sam

It was no secret that Christmas was Sam's favorite holiday. That year, though, everything seemed to go to the wrong direction. Christmas was supposed to be happiness, a loving and warm home waiting for the family to be reunited. The fact his folks were going to be miles away made literally his heart ache, full of guilt for not being with them. For days he thought about taking a bus, but his mom had been pretty clear: no money on stuff they didn't need. Only, Sam needed his family more than anything in that moment, his favorite time of the year. It wasn't like things were all bad, though. He was still living under the same roof as Kitty, which would've been one of the best things ever if the two of them weren't broken up. That didn't mean Sam couldn't give her the present he'd bought on Black Friday, right? The little ring he bought was still well hidden among his things. He knew common sense suggested him to pawn that and give money to his family, but egoistically he hadn't been able to do that, clinging onto the idea that maybe a little gesture could fix part of all the damage he'd done to their relationship. The only thing he had left to think about was when to give her the little ring and maybe prepare something to say, in case she threw it in his face. With a last gaze at the sofa he was sleeping in, to make sure everything was tidy and neat, he went towards Kitty's bedroom and knocked on the door.

Kitty

It's not like Sam was the only one whose favorite holiday was Christmas - ever since she was a little girl, it was Kitty's favorite as well. Either cause of it's religious part or cause in that time of the year she could pretend her past never happened and wait for a miracle like a little girl, Kitty always found it so magical. It was always a life rule - not getting your hopes too high and wishes things carefully cause universe might twist it the weirdest way and this time it proved to be true once again - Kitty wished so much for Sam to be a part of her Christmas holiday, making it possible for Kitty to have her family and Sam and Sophie - her chosen family - be around her, but that was before they broke apart. Their break-up hit Kitty pretty hard and what could be the best holiday of her life promised to be a total nightmare; still having feelings for Sam it was - oh so hard - not to touch him, not being able to reach out so effortlessly up to his lips that clashed so right with her. Girl heard a tiny knock and shouted "Wait a second dad" before coming to the door to open only finding a Sam there "oh...it's you, wait a second" Kitty asked Sam to have a minute to check her phone; there was a text from Sam's mom saying they're on their way which meant it's only couple of hours at max before they arrive "...so, did you need anything?" even though Sam's face was pretty calm, Kitty got a little bit worried - they weren't talking much anymore so it must be something serious if he decided to come to her room.

Sam

With the tiny box in his pocket, Sam hesitated a bit in front of Kitty's door. There were so many words that had to be said, that he wanted to use to justify himself for the behavior he had. None of them was enough to make up for how he made the girl feel, he knew that well. There was something cruel in the way the two of them were so close and at the same time so far apart. That kiss the two of them exchanged before they found out about their parents' plan had made a bubble of hope in Sam's chest, but things went back to post-break up as nothing happened. Now, the mission was to show Kitty that he was able to be as honest as he'd never been - what an ironic saying. Part of him wanted to keep that ring for a better moment, for the moment in which - hopefully - they got together, since he never stopped thinking there could be a second chance if he played the right cards. It had to be a promise of love and honesty, a symbol of a beautiful relationship, not a shattered one. And still, it was meant for that Christmas and patience had never been Sam's strong suit. A small smile on his lips as he heard Kitty's reply from behind the door, he waited, leaning against the doorframe, hands in his pockets to play with the tiny box. There wasn't even time to say anything, focused as Kitty was on her phone. He wasn't going to ask the question that immediately jumped to his mind - is it Jake? - staying put on the same spot until she got his attention back. Now, that was awkward and definitely not the good morning he had expected. "I- huh-" scratching the back of his head, he looked around as if there could be any help. "Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and be the first to do it." Another little, awkward break. "And thank you again for all you've been doing for me lately. I totally don't deserve it and you've been the best friend I could ask for."

Kitty

Part of her was hoping it’s not Sam cause it still was hard to see him after the break-up, especially at Christmas, considering plans they had to spend it happily together; still part of her that still had feelings for Sam, that still cared about him deeply was glad to see him even under these circumstances. Why was he coming? Their mutual plans fell apart and even cute little traditions like kissing under mistletoe were now out of the discussion; the thought of Sam’s parents probably giving up and telling him the truth about the surprise wasn’t very uplifting, but Kitty decided to give him a try at an explanation.The reason he came was really cute and very pure, only Sam could come this early just to wish a happy holiday. “Merry Christmas, Sam” - her smile treacherously formed on her lips not being able to resist him and Kitty immediately bit her lip so the boy wouldn’t notice it. She was listening to him thanking her for everything she does and her heart dropped at the part when he called her a best friend - sure that was the way she chose herself for them so they could stay under the same roof and Sam didn’t need to live in a cheap hotel room, but hearing it from him...was it what he feels towards her now, only thinks she’s a friend? “It’s okay. I barely do anything, it’s mostly my parents...” Another awkward pause filled the room and Kitty felt how with every next one it only became sadder. “Anything else? I need to go out in an hour and I wanted to prepare” she took a sudden pause thinking she should tell it’s for church but not wanting to lie to Sam, it didn’t look like a good idea; could she even tell him the truth? She so wanted it, to jump and scream that she needs to go to the airport to bring his family and especially twins - who she missed herself a lot - to him for a holiday. Kitty expected Sam to joke or leave her room, but instead, her eyes followed the boy taking a small box out of this pocket. Was it the box? For the first time in a long time, she became speechless.

Sam

Sam was happy and grateful of the chance the Wildes gave him, to stay there even though his family was too far, but it was hard. Not only because he missed his family so much, but because it was hard to bear Kitty's gaze without feeling extremely guilty. They weren't on bad terms, or she wouldn't have agreed on having him under the same roof, but it felt so... cold. So out of tune with what they had been up until a couple of weeks before. She needed time, Sam knew that, there was no need to push some buttons, but that didn't mean he couldn't use Christmas to reconnect a little bit with her, right? After all, she didn't "lose her lovin' feelin'", as he almost bitterly thought to himself on the first night in Wilde's household. It was a matter of trust, regaining it and prove her he could be a better guy.Her reply was cute. Merely three words, yes, but it was enough to make his heart race a little bit faster, to make him wanna cancel the distance between them and take the girl into his arms and kiss her. But there couldn't be such spontaneity in his that moment. He shook his head at her words. "It's not true, you know that. You could say not to them, you had all the reasons in this world to do that, but you didn't. I wish I could thank you properly for this." Sam hated pauses. The more silence was in a room, between him and the other person, the more he needed to say something. Usually, it wasn't the best of the approaches and it ended up being a hot mess. If things went out differently, the two of them would be out together that morning, playing with snow and doing couple-y things with big smiles plastered on their faces. The fact plans included him only because he was under the same roof  made everything even sadder. "Oh, okay huh- I won't take long, promise."There wasn't much to do but to take the box out of his pocket, at that point. Kitty was silent. Sam's gaze flickered from the box in his hand to the girl's face, then he let out a sigh. "I know we were thinking about this day very differently than how it went down. And I'm sorry if this ruined your Christmas. It didn't feel right if I couldn't give you part of what I planned to." He opened the box, letting  the girl see the ring in it and handing it out to her. "I wanted to go for a space thing, like that necklace, but then- what's more representative of my girlfriend- my ex girlfriend, than this?" With a clumsy smile, his eyes locked into hers, he went on. "It still holds the same meaning to me, because it was a promise ring. With this, I promise you to always be true, to never pressure you into anything you don't want to do, to always kiss you with tenderness. I promise to help you carrying heavy stuff and to pick stuff from high shelves, because you're tiny and beautiful," he added, with a small laugh. "I promise that I'll work harder and become a better person, so that you'll look at me and will be proud. And maybe one day you'll be able to say again 'You see that Lemonhead right there? He's my boyfriend.'" He finished talking and all of a sudden that speech sounded too cheesy, sappy in his own ears. His eyes still into Kitty's, Sam held his breath and waited for her reaction, trying not to lift his expectations up.

Kitty

The worst part of every break up was this - you’re standing next to the person who meant the universe to you just a week ago and you two were so happy together playing and laughing around and then it was a cold shower - you felt like part of your body was missing and you were hit on your head with something heavy, like there’s a hole in your heart you can’t seem to fill no matter what you’re trying to put there. And the sad part - they still mean the same to you. With her head, Kitty clearly knew she just have to cut things with Sam cause it’s impossible to gain a trust back and it’s gonna be fragile forever since it was broken; she could probably ask Spencer to let Sam live with his family and it could even probably be better for Sam to have a kid, Spencer’s younger brother, around cause he missed twins badly. But her heart...she wished she could control it - the heart that was whispering that they’re gonna be that exception among all rules, that it’s them and after everything, they would only grow stronger.(edited)It was a great contrast of how things changed between them - their strong side was always that they could talk to each other about anything - foolishly joking, discussing serious things or even sharing deep spiritual thoughts; after everything, their relationship started from a train of texts they sent to each other. But now, as much as Kitty wanted to ignore an aching pain in her heart and answer him that it’s not true and she’d never let him be homeless no matter if they’re together or not, she couldn’t overstep herself and pronounce a single reply, so she only silently nodded to him as a speechless “you’re welcome” to him thanking her.These past few weeks were a rollercoaster of emotions - from being in a seventh heaven together to their break up to feeling sad for Sam and torn for physically not being able to be there for him fully - yet never before Kitty felt as conflicted as she was during listening to Sam’s speech. Her heart dropped someone near her stomach when she heard him calling her a girlfriend like it had been before the storm, girl’s eyes got watery enough for Sam who looks straight in her eyes noticed but not enough to cry in front of him. His promises sounded so beautiful, every girl’s dream, but how could they do it now, after everything that happened...It was just as well thought as any other Sam’s present - a tiny ring where the gem was cut in the form of cat’s paw; the fact Sam chose it for a promise ring was so tender and so meaningful. If only the circumstances allowed her to accept the ring. Kitty couldn’t even recall the last time she was afraid after that cursed night, but at the moment Kitty just wished she could disappear behind the door and not breaking his heart just as he broke her, it took her everything to calm down and focus leaving a deep breath out to get a courage to answer “Sam, I’m sorry, but I can’t take it...It’s really beautiful, it is, probably the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, but I can’t wear it like nothing happened. I can keep it if you want it to be with me, but I can’t wear it and I can’t promise...anything. Not now” She raised on her tiptoes to give Sam a small awkward hug hearing how his heartbeat races way faster than usual.She went back to her room holding a tiny box in her hands as tight as she was holding to the thought that maybe there’s still a chance for them both. It only took an hour for her to take dad’s keys from the car and bring the guests from the airport. Pressing the point finger to her lips showing Sam’s family to hold a breath and be quiet not to ruin the surprise, Kitty knocked few times leaning in the room a bit so Sam would see her. “I have something for you too, actually. ” not answering anything to the confused expression on Sam’s face, Kitty waved with her hand so they’d come into the room and smiled at the bright sound of twins screaming “SAMMY” filled the room. She lip-talked “Merry Christmas” to Sam before sneaking out to her room, hoping it would fix his Christmas at least. At the end of the day, her company wasn’t that bad - mom and dad cleared the schedule so they could spend it together and pups were almost ready as Kitty prepared red outfits for each; it seemed like everyone was able to find some magic of Christmas that evening.

Sam

As optimistic as Sam could be, having high expectations about what would happen after that gift was impossible. Kitty was not going to change her mind about their relationship because of a promise, as she stated multiple times when the two tried to talk about it through texts, but what was he supposed to do? Even now that he hadn't the excuse of 'being too impulsive' and had the chance to think it over and over, it was the only thing that seemed right to do. The only way he could prove the girl his love and hold the promise, more than mere words. All that time he told himself that it wouldn't matter how adamant Kitty would be about them getting back together, because in his heart there was that bubble of hope that kept growing, telling him that maybe God, or even his beloved stars, gave them the chance to be physically closer. That  they got the chance to overcome their trust issues and go back to what they were or start again owning up to Sam's mistakes.The plan started to feel wrong the minute Sam saw tears in Kitty's eyes. He was no fool, he knew that the girl was not going to cry in front of him, but the mere thought of hurting her made him feel like the worst person on the face of Earth. It was too late to take it back and go back to the living room, pretending that nothing had happened. Silence fell between them and this time it was full of unspoken words and thoughts, from both sides, but he didn't dare to break it. It was only when Kitty started talking that Sam realized he was holding his breath all along. And maybe he didn't need to breathe anymore. When she refused to take it, it was like there his heart was trapped in a vice, and it was like in the astronomy class all over again: that soft and yet terrible pain in the realization that it was all wrong. Sam released his breath, finally, and managed to shake his head, handing her the box again. "You don't have to wear it or promise me anything. I know it's impossible for you to do it. You can keep it in a drawer, throw it away, throw it in my face. It's yours, just like my heart." His lips curved into a soft and yet sad smile, accepting her hug. He closed his eyes, inhaling her perfume one more time, with all the good memories of the two of them cuddling in front of the fireplace or to a meteor shower. And in the end, he let go.The following hour went by slowly, mostly because Sam stayed still on the sofa, dwelling on what he should have done in that moment with Kitty, if he did the right thing not kissing her like his impulsiveness told him to. All the options were disheartening and all of them ended up with the girl hating him more than she did in that moment. Only the light knock on the door shook him from his train of thoughts. He didn't think he'd see Kitty again in such a short time, especially with the promise of another gift. He blinked in confusion, and he was about to ask what was it about when the twins' voices filled the room- and by extension his heart. He immediately took them into a hug. "What are you doing here?" he asked, knowing who was behind all that. His gaze met Kitty's and he mouthed a "thank you" as the twins gave him another bone crushing hug. His parent joined them in that hug and the five of them stood there, holding onto each other. When they all pulled away, Mary was teary eyed, remarking how beautiful it was to be there and how precious Kitty had been to make all of that possible. Something that reminded her and Dwight they had to go thank the Wildes, too, for everything they did and kept doing. "We'll talk to you in a bit," promised Dwight, with his usual reassuring smile and a pat on his arm. "We missed you a lot," said Stacey, pressing her lips against his cheek and resting her head against his shoulder. Stevie groaned and nodded. "Yeah, Kentucky sucks," he remarked. Sam's eyes widened. "What's with the language, boy? Mom and Dad wouldn't be happy to hear you talking like that." The little guy let out a sigh and pretended like his older brother didn't scold him at all. "Oh and I made a macaroni frame for Kitty in school, can I give it to her?"  Sam let out a little laugh and nodded, allowing Stevie to fly from his grasp and go looking for Kitty. Left alone with Stacey -and pretty sure that Stevie was inviting Kitty to his future Winter Ball or something- Sam nodded towards the door. "I want you to meet someone," he said,  taking her to the other rooms. Steve was with Kitty, but too focused on the two little puppies to realize Sam's fear of a Prom invitation. Sophie (Oreo, actually) and Ghost were super cute in their Christmas outfits, something that was really in Kitty's style, at least in Sam's imagination. Stacey let out a squeal of delight and went towards them. "You have dogs!" With that, the twins were sold. Sam turned to Kitty and slipped his hands into his pockets, not sure what he could do. "No one can resist our children, apparently. Not even human children," he said jokingly, hoping in his heart that the girl would go with the lighter tone and not back to that awful moment in her room.

Kitty

There were so many words in English language and yet not a single one described what Kitty went through with Sam’s betrayal. When Kitty found out Sam was lying to her, she was praying from all of her heart for it not to be true, just not him, not her Sam. Boy, who saw through her facades and taught her how to trust again, the boy who made her melt like a hot chocolate on a windy winter evening; he caused the emotions Kitty even forgot existed before they met - how it is to feel safe, how it is to feel careless and lean on someone, who you feel protected with, to feel trustful to another human - especially a boy like Sam. Life is not an alien to an irony and the person she fell for definitely shared something in common with her personal nightmare, Cole, appearance wise - both were tall and really good at playing football, both had plump lips and thin nose, both wore the same haircut - despite it being the different colors. Sam was the opposite of who Kitty would fell for after happened to her, but he took all bad thoughts away, becoming her strength and defense. Kitty told herself never to trust boys after what happened, yet her guarded walls fell under Sam’s charm, warm words and kind heart; maybe that’s why it was so painful. If it was anyone else, it would hurt for a little small of time, but it would go eventually and it wouldn’t work that way with Sam - since she trusted the boy the most. He made her weak again - and broke her into pieces.Those thoughts were occupying Kitty’s mind as her hands senselessly almost automatically turned the box around with Sam’s words playing in her head “it’s yours just like my heart”. Even on darkest days when she felt there’s no hope anymore, her heart and her whole body were still #teamSam - once she closed her eyes, it was still there - her head on Sam’s shoulders and his hands around her waist, little wrinkles in the corner of his eyes when he was smiling, the smell of his skin and his softest velveting voice. Kitty took the ring from the box to try it on and - of course, not having any other chance with Sam choosing it - it fit perfectly. A crooked smile touched her lips and although she kept automatically breathing, this lack of hope tightened her chest not giving her to breath full air, she simply felt like there’s no chance for her to have this feeling again - freedom and unconditional happiness that dork made her feel. It was taken off from her finger right at the moment knock happened, her heart doubled its race Was it Sam? Why isn’t he with his family where Kitty noticed the younger blond’s boy’s head.“Hey there, little buddy, come on it” - quickly taking the box in the first drawer where Kitty secretly still kept saving their photos with Sam together, Kitty tapped on her bed, welcoming Sam’s younger brother to join her “What is it? Is it for me? Thank you, young gentleman.” It was a macaroni frame made especially for her and Kitty still couldn’t believe a kid could make it for her - people usually didn’t let her close to children considering her a mean person and a bad influence, but Evans family had some weird immune to it. Kitty smiled as she saw Sophie jumping trying to get on a bed to them loudly barking “Well, Sophie, meat Stevie, and this young man is Ghost, wanna touch them?”. The kid was sold the moment he saw the puppies as if he wasn’t charmed by Kitty enough before - Stevie taught how to hold puppies and scratch their heads and Kitty showed tricks they have learned. That was the moment when Sam and Stacie entered the room, a sudden thought of Sophie sharing the Evan’s S-names tradition even left a small smile on her lips.After playing for a while, Kitty sent them all to a dinner their parents decided to share to have a moment to fix her hair and change into simple, nice red dress, the only person staying with her was Stacie, who felt inseparable and too excited about being able to watch as Kitty applies her cosmetics. Kitty even helped her little friend to style her hair, remembering how hair salon was one of her own favorite games when she was a kid.It wasn’t till late night when Evans left to a hotel room Kitty paid for - not crappy small one this time - and Sam and Kitty were able to be in a room alone cleaning the table while girl’s parents were talking on the kitchen. From Sam’s face expression Kitty could get that he was about to explode with words thanking her for making it all happen as Sam didn’t have a proper chance to thank her before. Sam approached her right as she left the room catching her almost under mistletoe carefully hanged by someone. There was nothing more Kitty would want than just get lost in the moment and kiss him, but they were too broken to fix all trust issues with one simple kiss “Sorry, Sam, we can’t. But maybe we can do something else” - her red lipstick left a perfect stamp on boy’s cheek. “Merry Christmas” - she whispered, raising her tiptoes to be able to reach him and place her head on his shoulder one last time as she felt the warmth of his arms around her.

Sam

Despite things being so desperate between the two of them, Sam never stopped thinking that something in the magic of Christmas would fix something. Not everything, that would’ve been the most foolish thought he’d ever have. Some kind of magic had already happened though, making Kitty show there was still something between them two, that she cared enough to make a grand gesture like that, despite all her talks about ‘being a bitch’, a sentence that Sam never took seriously. No one with the cold heart she claimed to have would make sure that an ex that hurt you would have a beautiful day and reunite with family. Kitty did, expecting nothing in return from him and even disappearing from the room as soon as the twins appeared. He wanted to make sure that she knew that and she stopped doubting herself on that matter. All day passed by and Sam spent it with his family, stealing glances at Kitty and smiling, his heart full of words he wanted to tell her. None of them was enough to express his feelings, actually, and putting together a good speech was not his best suit. Actually, his impulsiveness always made it hard to form a concrete speech in those cases. Luckily -or unlikely, it depended from the perspective- there was never the chance to face her properly, giving him time to gather them better.When his parents and the twins went to the nice hotel room Kitty arranged for them -another thought that was entirely on  her and out of her good heart- the two of them were alone. Sam assured the Wildes that he would help the girl clean everything and thanked them again and again. However, when the time came and the two of them were face-to-face, all the nice things he intended to tell her flew away from his mind. Other than a dull ‘thank you for everything’, there was a blank space he didn’t know how to fill. The two of them kept cleaning in silence, though he could see her eyes lingering on him from time to time, maybe to make sure that another promise ring wasn’t going to pop out of his pocket.In the end, he didn’t manage to say anything, not even casually as it was meant to be. Things went by silently, except for the noises of flatware, until the two of them were done. Right when Kitty turned her back to him something clicked in his mind. If there was something that Sam learned through his experience with the girl, was that he couldn’t miss a beat with her. “Kitty, wait-” the two of them stopped right under the mistletoe. Impulsiveness told him to use that tiny little sign to his advantage, that maybe something like that was a hidden message for the two to go beyond their problems and start again. Kitty didn’t seem to have his same opinion on the matter. It was a brief, small kiss left on his cheek that left a red mark on it and his nose full of that ‘girly-girl’ perfume she used to tease him with. He put his arms around her and closed his eyes, always surprised of how well she fitted into his embrace. “Merry Christmas, Kitty.” The girl turned her back again with a ‘good night’ and it was in that moment that Sam let his impulsiveness take over. He grabbed the girl’s arm to drag her into a kiss. Too late to wonder if it was the right or wrong thing to do, Sam only felt their lips clash together and he closed his eyes once again, getting lost for a brief moment, before pulling away. His gaze met hers, a small smile spreading on Sam’s lips. “Sorry, it was the only way I could explain how grateful I am about your Christmas present. Good night.”

Kitty