Irreconcilable Differences

++++++++



"Children," Jeanne fussed as she watched her son and daughter try to fight for the spot closest to the tree.



Jason laughed as he picked up Kelly, scooting her over.



"You can't always win cause you're bigger," Kelly frowned.



"Seriously?" Carrie laughed, turning to Ashley.



"You should have seen them when they were younger," she smiled.



"Alright, you know the rules. Youngest to oldest."



"Ha," Kelly laughed in Jason's face.



"Um, Kell," Ashley interrupted. "I think you'll find that you aren't the youngest anymore."



"Huh?"



Ashley nodded towards Carrie.



"Me?" the country singer asked confusedly. "But I said I didn't want anything."



"Nonsense," Jason smiled, grabbing a box and handing it to her. "Or course we were gonna get you something. This is from me and Ashley."



Carrie smiled, slowly unwrapping the gift. Her eyes lit up as she uncovered the package.



"An iphone?" she asked in awe.



"Yep. Well all have one, and we didn't want you to feel left out," Ashley laughed.



"Wow," Carrie breathed. "You guys...this must have been expensive. You didn't have to do this, seriously."



"Of course we did," Jason shrugged her off.



"Nice," Kelly smiled excitedly as Carrie pulled out the phone.



"It's your turn," she pointed out.



"Oh, yea," Kelly replied, nearly forgetting that she was next.



"Here," Jason smiled, handing her an envelope. "Mine first."



Kelly opened it, pulling out a gift certificate to her favorite spa in Texas.



"Kick ass," she grinned fisting Jason.



He beamed in response, knowing he had done good for once.



++++++++



"Hey you," Kelly smiled, squatting beside the sofa that Carrie was stretched out on, programming her phone. Carrie smiled at her. This morning had been another one of those times when the girl before her had surprised the hell out of her. She had just assumed that Kelly had been so excited about opening her own presents, but as the morning unfolded, the Texan seemed to get a bigger kick out of seeing the other's faces as they opened their's.



"Hey," she smiled back. "Where's everybody at?"



"Outside, checking out Jason's new four wheeler."



"Seriously, you have to be like the greatest sister, ever," she laughed.



Kelly just shrugged, "You wanna come with me for a sec?"



"Sure. Why?" Carrie asked, taking the hand that Kelly offered as she stood.



Kelly didn't reply, guiding the two of them up the stairs to her room. She dug around in one of her drawers, pulling out something.



"Kell," Carrie frowned. "I thought we agreed."



"Close your eyes," Kelly replied, holding her hands behind her back.



Carrie sighed, and did as she was told. Kelly held out the red velvet box before her, opening it.



"Ok," she smiled nervously.



Carrie opened her eyes, her jaw dropping. "Kelly, " she breathed. "This is too much."



Kelly shrugged, "It was nothing. I just saw it the other day, and it reminded me of you for some reason."



"Can I?" Carrie asked, reaching out for it.



"Oh, yea, of course," Kelly replied, handing her the box.



Carrie took out the necklace, attempting to put it on herself.



"Need help?" Kelly laughed, walking behind her.



"Thanks," Carrie replied, holding her hair out of the way. She fingered the necklace carefully. It was a small white gold treble clef with a cross running vertically through it. The pendant was encrusted with diamonds, and it fell against her chest, sparkling beautifully.



"Seriously," she shook her head. "I can't accept this."



"You don't like it?" Kelly asked, worriedly.



"God no, Kell," Carrie said quickly. "It's beautiful, and it's perfect. It's just...my gift is no where near this good."



"I thought we agreed," Kelly smiled.



"Yea, but I knew you wouldn't be able to not get me something. Honestly, you can be too sweet for your own good sometimes."



"So, you'll take the gift?" Kelly asked, hopefully.



Carrie sighed. She couldn't say no to that face; besides, the necklace was gorgeous. "Of course, I'll take it."



Kelly glowed with happiness.



"Now it's your turn to close your eyes," Carrie said.



Kelly closed them tightly, listening to Carrie leave the room, probably to go to the spare bedroom. The footsteps soon returned, and Kelly started to fidget in anticipation.



"Here ya go," Carrie said.



Kelly opened her eyes, taking the wrapped gift held out before her. It was obvious it was a CD beneath the paper. Kelly unwrapped it curiously, gasping as she realized what it was.



"How did you?" Kelly said, turning the CD over and reading the track list. It was an unreleased CD of all of Rosemary Clooney's greatest songs. As if that weren't a perfect gift as was, Kelly turned it back over and stared in awe at the autograph staring up at her.



Carrie sighed in relief, realizing that Kelly liked it, "I know people."



"Is it real?" Kelly asked.



"Yea," she nodded. "She signed it in 2000. I guess that means it's a used CD. That's ok, right?"



"Are you kidding?" Kelly asked, looking up at her. "Care, this has to be like the most amazing gift ever."



"Seriously?"



"Yea," she nodded, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug. "I love it."



Carrie smiled, accepting the embrace.



"So, I've got to be heading out," she said, pulling away.



"Ok," Kelly nodded. "You have everything you need?"



"Um, yea," she replied, looking around. "My outfit is over there. Everything is over there."



"Ok. Go ahead and take the Cadillac."



"Thanks," Carrie smiled, pulling her into a quick hug. "See you tonight."



"Have fun," Kelly winked as she walked out.



++++++++



"Carrie!"



"Carrie!"



"Carrie!"



Carrie turned in all the directions, not able to focus in any of them as she was blinded by the flashes erupting everywhere. She made her way over to the blood thirsty reporters, reminding herself to be nice.



"Carrie, how has your Christmas been so far?"



"Oh, it's been great," she smiled. "I was a little bummed about not being able to go home, but I've been able to spend it with some amazing friends, so yea. We're having fun."



"Carrie, what will you be singing?"



"Now, isn't that supposed to be a surprise?" she laughed.



The reporter smiled, "Just a hint, maybe?"



"Alright, um" Carrie said thoughtfully. "It's a Christmas song."



The reporters joined in the laughter, surprised at the fact that they were actually enjoying this interview.



"Carrie, who are you wearing?"



"Oh, it's Oscar de La Renta," she replied with a smile, backing up to allow them to take in the beautiful red dress.



"What about jewelry? That necklace is gorgeous," a reporter commented.



"Thanks," Carrie beamed. "I actually got it as a Christmas present this morning."



"From who?"



"Kelly," she smiled.



There was an excited buzzing amongst the reporters. Carrie looked at them confusedly as one of them stepped forward, looking as if he had drawn the short stick of the pile.



"Um, so you and Kelly Clarkson are good friends then?"



"Oh, yea of course. I mean, y'all have probably talked to the her before. You can't spend five minutes with her and not help but fall in love with the girl," Carrie gushed. "She truly is just an amazing, beautiful person, with such a talent and a huge heart."



The reporter started to smile more confidently, making Carrie nervous. She didn't like the way all of the reporters' eyes were lighting up as if they were a bunch of hungry sharks and it were feeding time.



"Sorry y'all," she said backing away with a smile. "I've got to get going. Thanks so much."



The reporters started to call out her name once more, but she turned on her heel, going inside the building.



+++++++++++



Carrie closed the car door, happy to be back home. She raised an eyebrow at her own thoughts. Since when was Kelly's house, home? She shook it off, attributing it to her tiredness. She was still in the dress from the event. It had been running behind, and she didn't want to make everyone over here have to wait for her. She was hoping to sneak into the back door to be able to go upstairs and change, unnoticed.



"Wow," she heard a voice whistle from the kitchen as she passed the open door.



Carrie turned around nervously to find Kelly staring at her in awe. Kelly struggled to not let her jaw drop to the floor. The red dress was held up by thin straps, revealing the blonde's beautiful shoulder, and it was a low v-cut, revealing her...Kelly felt her face turn a bright red as her eyes followed the dress to the floor where it had one amazingly long slit up her left leg. Carrie's hair was pull back, revealing her--in Kelly's opinion--angelic face and the necklace she had given her.



"You look...wow," she breathed.



"Thanks," Carrie smiled nervously. "I didn't want to make y'all have to wait, so I decided I would just come straight here and change."



"Aw, look at you," Kelly smiled. "Becoming all sweet and thoughtful and stuff."



"Shut up," Carrie blushed, making Kelly laugh.



"Why don't you go change and come meet everyone in the living room?"



"Alright, I'll be back in a few," she smiled.



++++++++



Kelly laughed as Bryan told her and Jessica another one of his corny jokes. She could see Carrie walking into the room nervously out of the corner of her eye. She had changed into a simple sweater and black pants, and Kelly wasn't sure how it was possible, but she looked even more beautiful than before. She saw one of Jason's friends slide up next to her, a cocky grin on his face.



"I'll be right back," Kelly told Jess and Bryan, before walking towards the country singer.



"Hands off Mark," she reprimanded, slapping away his arm that was trying to sneak it's way around Carrie, who was looking extremely uncomfortable next to him.



"Hey hun," he smiled his beautiful smile, which had the power to make any girl go weak in the knees. Kelly, however, had seen him in his ninja turtle underwear, so that smile didn't stand a chance. He leaned in, kissing her cheek as she pulled him into a hug. "How you been?"



"I've been good. It's nice to be home for once," she smiled. "How's everything with you? Still have three girlfriends?"



"You hurt me," he replied, putting his hand over his heart, jokingly.



"You're such a dork," she laughed. "But you know the rules. I don't care who you mess around with as long as it's not one of my friends. I won't have you breaking any of there hearts."



"It's the smile, I know," he replied, rolling his eyes. "I swear, at times, I don't even mean to."



"I wonder what all those girls would say if I showed them the pictures I have of you in your headgear?"



"You haven't lost your touch," Mark smiled. "Alright. For you, I'll leave her alone. But you have got to stop bringing all these beautiful girls and telling me to back off."



"Next one is all yours," she promised.



He gave her one last hug, smiled kindly at Carrie, and walked off.



"You have to forgive him," Kelly said, turning to Carrie. "In reality, he really is a complete gentleman and such a sweetheart. You just have get past the smile first."



"Thanks," Carrie smiled. "You look great by the way."



"Back at ya," she returned the smile. "You wanna come meet some people?"



"Yea, sure," she replied, allowing Kelly to lead her back over to Jessica and her husband by the hand.



"Hey y'all, I'm back," Kelly smiled. "This is Carrie. Care, Jess and Bryan."



"Hey, it's great to meet you," Jessica said, shaking her hand. "I mean, when one of you're best friends has a girlfriend, it's always a pleasure to meet the girl that's turned her."



"Jess!" Kelly fussed, blushing. "Not cool."



Jessica and Bryan looked down at their intertwined hands and smiled. Carrie's eyes dropped to the ground, her cheeks a brilliant red.



"Oh, I'm sorry," Jessica quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. Seriously, I was just joking cause of all the tabloids. I'm sorry, seriously."



"No, it's fine," Carrie replied, sighing in relief. "I mean, I can't help it if she can't keep her hands off me."



Kelly's mouth opened in shock, "You nerd," she said, nudging her playfully.



"It's not just you," Bryan informed her. "She's just a very hands on person."



"What is this? Bash on Kelly day?" Kelly asked, looking at the three of them helplessly.



"Yea," Bryan laughed. "But you have to admit, you are very touchy feely."



"To an extent," Jess chimed in.



"To an extent," he nodded.



Carrie looked at them curiously.



"Kell has no problem walking up to a random stranger and hugging them," Jessica explained. "She'll go jump on one of our laps no problem. She's just a naturally affectionate person."



"Because y'all are my friends," Kelly pointed out.



"But," Jessica continued. "When it comes to kissing--"



"Ok," Kelly blushed breaking in. "We so are not getting into this right now."



"Why not?" Carrie asked. "I've seen you kiss people all the time."



"On the lips?" Bryan asked.



Carrie thought back. She had actually never seen Kelly actually kiss someone on the lips. Not even in any photograph or tabloid story, "No. Never, actually."



Bryan and Jessica shared a smile.



Carrie turned to Kelly, shocked, "You've kissed somebody before, right?"



"Of course I've kissed somebody before. Five people, actually."



"Five people? Like, including just a peck on the lips?"



"I'm going get something to drink," Kelly replied, walking towards the kitchen.



Carrie smiled as she walked away. Just when you thought she couldn't get more lovable, she surprises you, once again.



"She's not mad is she?" Carrie asked, turning to Bryan and Jessica.



"No, just a little embarrassed, I think. Which is odd, because she usually doesn't get embarrassed," Jessica added, thoughtfully.