Story Notes:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Merry Christmas Baby!
She hated to be an inconvenience to anyone, especially after ten o’clock on a Christmas Eve night. Her flight had been delayed for hours, causing all of her special plans to go awry. The thought of not being able to get to the store in time weighed heavily on her mind, as she watched the snow falling, and the twinkling of Christmas lights, through the window of the taxi. No! She had to stay positive. I’ll make it in time!
She had called the old man, as soon as she had returned, and explained her predicament – her delayed flight, her fear of not being able to collect the gift on time. He had been truly understanding - a real compassionate soul. He had told her that he would try his hardest to wait until she arrived but only until eleven, when his ride was due to arrive. She’d thanked God for small mercies, all the while praying for a Christmas miracle.
The taxi pulled up in front of the old store and she breathed a sigh of relief as she noted that the lights were still on - signaling the owner’s presence. She groaned, under her breath, at the prospect of asking yet another favor of someone tonight.
“Excuse me!” She exclaimed moving forward in the seat as the taxi came to a halt. “Is it possible for you to wait for me? I just need to run in to the store and collect something. I promise I won’t be long.” She silently pleaded with the reflection in the rearview mirror, her big, doe eyes working their magic. As if sensing her desperation he smiled then gifted her with a nod.
“Ok lady. Only because it’s Christmas Eve.”
“Thank you so much.” She responded, giving him a genuine smile. She was grateful that at least something had gone right tonight. It took her less than a minute to get out of the taxi and rush up the steps of the small, one door store. She was so intent on her mission that she was completely oblivious to the drastic change of temperature, from the heated car to the cold of the winter night. Neither did she notice the harsh whip of the cold wind against her exposed face nor the surprised looks of the passersby witnessing her mad dash into the store.
“Hi Ms Williamson! I’m happy to see you made it in time.” The old man behind the counter commented as she entered the store. He walked toward a nearby desk drawer and unlocked it. She watched the old man’s trembling, arthritic, mitten covered hands as they pulled opened the drawer and grasped one of the contents from within. It was a black, velvet box.
“I have to apologize once again Mr. Marshall. You don’t know how grateful I am that you’re still here.”
“It’s ok, Ms Williamson! You’re a very special customer. It’s the least I could do. There’s one thing you can do for me though.”
“What’s that?” She queried, her eyes filled with surprise.
“Call me Bob.” He added with a wrinkled smile, exposing stained, yellow dentures. “I’m sure I told you so already.”
“Yes you did!” She replied with a chuckle. “And how many times have I told you to call me Evangeline.” She added with a smile.
“Sorry! I forget from time to time…the old brain.”
“It happens. Is everything ready then?” She queried, becoming just a little anxious. She had a taxi waiting and a surprise in store. She needed to get a move, but she didn’t want to appear unmannerly, or worse ungrateful. Especially when the old man had been so kind.
“Have a look for yourself!” She watched as Bob placed the box on the counter. She opened it slowly, almost as if she were afraid. Taking out the contents, she examined it carefully, turning it around and around in her hands until she was satisfied she had seen every inch of it. Smiling broadly, she finally looked up at the storeowner, who was waiting anxiously for her response.
“Bob, this is fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so very much!” Reaching into her purse she pulled out the money and watched as the old man wrote up a receipt. When he completed his task she thanked him once again, for his patience and for a job well done, then took her receipt and gift and hurriedly left the store. Things were definitely looking up.
**************************************
She smiled. That’s all she could do. He’d placed a beautiful Christmas wreath on the outside of his door but it wasn’t just any ordinary wreath, this one was definitely unique. It had been woven together and was spray-painted green, and all types of ribbons, shells and painted pinecones decorated it. He had definitely been busy while she was away.
She rested her heavy traveling bag on the floor, next to the door, and rummaged through her purse to find the keys he had given her to his apartment. Finding the object of the search, she closed the bag and unlocked the door.
The first thing that greeted her, as she stepped into the apartment, was the smell of cinnamon and pine. She smiled and had to stop herself from gasping aloud when she noticed the large Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Its lights giving a comforting glow to the otherwise dark living room area of the loft. The apartment was warm and cozy and with the scents floating around, she felt more comfortable than she had in days. She pulled off her shoes, leaving them by the door, and then removed her coat, hat and gloves. Stepping further into the room, she moved toward the tree taking in the beautiful ornaments, which decorated it, and the way in which the lights twinkled. He had definitely outdone himself.
She cocked her ear to the side when the sound of a Christmas tune traveled to where she stood.
Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise
She couldn’t help but chuckle. That was one of her favorite Christmas songs. Tiptoeing around she noticed that he had strategically placed Christmas wreaths throughout the loft – all decorated differently. He’d also strung lights on the staircase leading up to where his bedroom area was located.
Ah! Lighting the way to paradise. She smiled at the thought. Heading back over to collect her bag, which she had dropped by the door, she picked it up and tiptoed up the stairs, following the sound of the music playing. Reaching the top of the stairs she smiled, taking in the sight of him lying in bed - his hands folded underneath his head, and his body covered by a thick blanket. He was absolutely gorgeous. Just as gorgeous as the miniature Christmas tree he had decorated and placed on the side table next to the bed. He had definitely been very busy.
She moved closer, resting her bag near the foot of the bed, making sure to keep as little sound as possible. Looking over to a nearby table, she noted that the music she had heard earlier was coming from the CD player. She moved toward the bed and began to undress. Poor baby must have been tired, decorating the entire loft. Moving toward his wardrobe, she pulled out one of his faded t-shirts and pulled it on, then took out a pair of his socks and placed them on her feet. Moving back over to the bed she pulled up the blanket and slid in. He instantly shifted position, rubbed his eyes, then jumped up, reaching for and flicking on the lamp on the nearby side table.
“What the…”
“Cris, it’s me!” She said, her voice coming out in a whisper. She moved to touch him, rubbing her hands over his bare back.
“Evangeline?” He asked in obvious disbelief. She almost laughed out loud at the wonderment in his voice.
“No! It’s Santa Claus.” She replied, teasing him.
“Baby! You surprised me. I didn’t expect you to be here.” He responded. His voice filled with immense pleasure. He reached for her, enveloping her in his warm embrace. This is what she craved - what brought her home early, what caused her to leave her family - the warmth of his body against hers. She missed him so much.
“I really wanted to spend Christmas with my family but I missed you. I just had to come home and surprise you. I mean it was good talking to you on the phone every night but there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, like actually being here with you. I needed to be with you, right here, right now.”
“God! You don’t know how much I missed you too, Evangeline.” He responded, running his hands through her long hair and planting kisses on her face and neck, as they began to reacquaint themselves with each other.
*****************************************
She awoke to the warmth of the sun on her face and butterfly kisses on her exposed stomach.
“It’s about time you got up, sleepy head! Merry Christmas!” She gasped at the sight of Cris planting kisses around her navel, and she could help but giggle at the feel of his lips on her skin.
“I’m still sleepy. And Merry Christmas to you too, baby!” She managed to say between yawns. Sitting up she stretched, listening as her body responded with small creaks and snaps.
“Don’t you know it’s good to wake up early on Christmas morning?” He queried while rubbing his hands over her arm, causing goose bumps to appear on her skin. She released an involuntary moan, loving the feel of him touching her.
“Why?” She asked, watching him intently as he kissed her arm.
“Because the earlier you get up, the earlier you get to unwrap your gift.”
“I thought I already unwrapped my gift last night and I really enjoyed it.” She stated with a mischievous wink.
“You little minx. Nah! That was only one part.” He responded with a sly smile. “There’s something else I have for you.”
“Hmm! I can’t wait!” She told him, giving him a sexy wink.
She watched him as he got up off of the bed and ran down the stairs. She took the opportunity to get out of the bed and remove the velvet box from her traveling bag. Holding the box in her hand, she opened the lid and took one last glance then closed it, when she heard Cris’ footfalls.
“I’m back!” She heard him exclaim, and she stared in surprise, as he brought in what appeared to be a large, cloth-covered painting.
“What’s that?” She asked, curious to find out just what Cris was up to.
“This is your Christmas gift.” She moved to the foot of the bed where he was standing, then removed the cloth.
She stood absolutely still as she stared at the framed painting before her. It was one of her on Cris’ bed asleep. She was lying on her stomach, almost nude, except for the blanket that was strewn over her lower half, covering her lower back and buttocks. Her long black hair was spread over her shoulders and back and she was smiling in her slumber, obviously sleeping peacefully. The painting was so lifelike it looked more like a large photo. The shade of brown almost the exact color of her skin. The curve of her back, the texture of the blanket, everything was perfect. She couldn’t help but stare in awe of it.
“Say something, Evangeline!” He finally stated, after her long silence.
“I…I…I don’t know what to say, Cris. It’s beautiful.” She finally managed to gasp out. Tears began to pool in her eyes and run down her cheeks. He moved to embrace her, leaning forward to kiss away the tears from her face.
“Your hand, when did you…how did you…?” She asked, still shocked that he was able to paint such a wonderful painting especially after his painting hand had been injured.
“I painted it with my other hand.” He stated with a smile. “Let’s just say that you inspired me to try something new. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re my muse.”
“Cris, this is the best gift ever! I can’t believe you did this for me. I love it! I really do!” She told him as she hugged him even tighter, a fresh set of tears running down her face.
“Wait! Let me get you your gift now.” She exclaimed, moving away from him to get the box from off of the bed.
“I wanted to get you something very special, and when I saw this, I thought about you.” She said before passing the box over to him. He took it smiling at the little bow she had tied on the outside and then he opened it slowly.
“Evangeline, you shouldn’t have.” He finally stated after staring at the beautiful, antique gold watch that was sparkling within the confines of the velvet box. “This is…wow!”
“I wanted to. Turn it over!” He did as she instructed.
To My Soul Mate, Love Evangeline
“This is…” She watched him as he continued to stare at the watch, at an obvious loss for words. “Evangeline, this is the most wonderful gift I have ever received.” His voice filled with emotion. Pulling her into his embrace, he captured her mouth with his, their lips melding together as their kisses deepened to the soul stealing kind. Lifting her into his arms he placed her, once more, onto the bed as they resumed their passionate kisses, only breaking apart to take much needed breaths. Moving to lie next to her, he felt something poking him in his back and only realized he was lying on the remote control for the CD player, when it began to play.
Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I'm in paradise
“I love you Evangeline! Merry Christmas!” He exclaimed as he moved to kiss the sensitive spot on her neck.
“I love you too, sweetie! And merry Christmas baby!”
The End