I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
It was silent as he walked up the front steps. He didn't even bother knocking. He just unlocked the door and stepped inside, dusting off the snow from his jacket as he went. The noise of the door opening and closing must have alerted the staff because Polly came into view.
"Oh, Mr. Kostan, you gave me a fright," she said.
"Sorry Polly," Josef apologized. He gave the woman a smile and headed down the hallways. He stopped at the door and took a breath before walking into the room. The monitors beeped softly in the background as two men stood watch over the young woman in the bed.
"I'll stay with her," he informed them. They nodded and exited the room. Josef sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.
"You look so beautiful tonight," he sighed, squeezing her hand. He didn't get any response from her but he didn't expect to. He hadn't gotten a word out of her in over fifty years. Josef took a shaky breath and wiped at his eyes. This time of year was always difficult for him, even if he didn't like to admit it. It meant another year had passed by and he didn't have her.
"I promise, I'm going to find a way to bring you back," he whispered into her hair, kissing her forehead gently.
As he sat there beside her, he couldn't help but recall their last Christmas Eve together. It had been a wonderful night.
It was 1954 and it had been unusually cold. A thick blanket of snow had fallen, covering the city in sparkling white. They had been at his loft, just the two of them. They were sitting on a love seat, staring into a roaring fire.
"Charles," she said. He turned his head and looked at her.
"Yes?" he replied.
"I love you," she stated with a small blush. He just gave a small smile and turned back to the fire. He did love her, he was sure of that. But she was human. How could they ever truly be happy together?
"Charles…do you love me?" she pressed.
"You know I do, Sarah," he answered, patting her hand.
"Then why won't you—" she began but he cut her off.
"We are not discussing this," he said firmly. Her face fell a little but she dropped the subject. She would pick it up again in the morning if she needed to. They fell into silence again and just enjoyed the other's presence.
"I got you something," Charles said after a while. He reached to his right and picked up a small box and handed it to her. She gently removed the paper from around the box. With care she opened it to reveal a pendant.
"Oh it's lovely," she gushed, kissing him on the lips.
"I'm glad you like it. I saw it and immediately thought of you," he murmured.
Josef was pulled back to the present when the door to the room opened and Polly stuck her head in.
"Mr. Kostan, I'm going to bed. Do you want me to make up the master bedroom?" she informed him.
"Uh…no, thank you Polly. I think I'll stay in here tonight," Josef responded. Polly nodded and shut the door. Josef took off his shoes and being careful of the wiring and tubes, climbed into the bed next to Sarah.
"Merry Christmas my love," he whispered against her cheek. He held her close that night. Maybe it was his imagination or maybe it was a spark of hope he felt as he drifted off to sleep because he could have sworn he felt her move ever so slightly to rest her head on his arm.