Hello lovely readers, this is my Christmas gift to you guys. It's a short story and I hope you will like it.
I do not own Girl Meets World.
xxxxx
"Will Santa Claus bring me everything I ask for?" Six–year–old Marley poked her arm into the sleeve of the red coat Riley Matthews had found at the consignment store. Marley's cheeks were flushed and her blue eyes, so like her mother's, sparkled with excitement.
Riley felt a familiar surge of love for her daughter. "If he did, what would you ask for next year?" she teased as they left their apartment. Riley was in a hurry to get to the storefront in downtown that had been turned into Santa's workshop. She hoped the line of eager children didn't stretch all the way down Harbor Avenue.
"It doesn't really matter what Santa brings me," Marley said after Riley had secured her in the back seat and slid behind the wheel. "Daddy will buy what Santa forgets."
Riley tensed as she turned the key in the ignition, but the engine sputtered to life. The car needed a tune–up as well as a couple of new tires, but all would just have to wait. Marley was spending Christmas with her father, so she and Riley were celebrating early. Most of Marley's presents were wrapped and hidden away in the back of Riley's closet.
She tried to not resent Brandon for spoiling his daughter, just as she struggled against turning the holiday into a gift–giving competition. Not that she could win. Brandon's job in Wall Street paid a lot better than hers at the high school. Even with monthly child support checks, Riley had to budget carefully—hence the choice between gifts and tires. But Marley would only be a child for a short time and as far as Riley was concerned, her happiest memories were not going to be of lavish holidays spent with her father and his family.
"You're lucky to have a daddy who loves you so much," Riley said diplomatically. "That's more important than the presents he buys."
"I know," Marley agreed. "If you get a husband, you'll still love me, won't you?" she asked as Riley found a parking space right downtown.
It wasn't hard to figure out what had provoked Marley's question. Brandon and his wife Missy had a two–year–old boy and another baby on the way. No wonder Marley felt displaced! He might be a dynamic financial manager, but when it came to his daughter, the man was clueless.
Riley helped Marley from the car and gave her a quick, fierce hug. "No matter what happens, I will always love you with every cell in my being, and so will your father." It was Marley's mom whom he had stopped loving only four months after he had vowed to do so forever.
Marley squirmed impatiently. "That's what you always say. If you had babies, I could take care of them just like my dolls."
Riley clasped Marley's hand tightly as they walked quickly down the street. The downtown shops were open late during the Winter Festival, their windows filled with colored lights and holiday goods. Red and white twinkle lights were strung between the old–fashioned brass street lamps, each outfitted with three white globes.
The historical district with its quaint shops stretched along the streets. The sidewalks were crowded with tourists as well as locals, and a group of Victorian carolers sang on the corner. A ferry leaving the terminal sounded its mournful horn as it began its journey back across East River. The evening air was cool and smelled of salt, but the rain had stopped and stars twinkled overhead.
"I like it being just you and me," Riley told Marley after exchanging friendly nods with a teller from the bank. The other woman's arm was linked through her husband's, giving Riley a brief pang. This was the season for families, but hers was broken. "I'm in no hurry to marry," she muttered to herself as much as Marley, who skipped along at her side.
Between work and raising her daughter, Riley had no time for a social life. The idea of dating again filled her with dread. Online profiles, blind dates, awkward dinners, painful small talk and rejection. Who needed any of that?
"Ava's mom has a boyfriend," Marley said, holding tight to Riley's hand as they sidestepped a trio of teenagers. "Ava said they're getting twin babies after Christmas."
From what Riley had heard, Ava's mom's live–in lover spent more time with his motorcycle than he did with her. Once the woman had confided to Riley that she couldn't stand being alone. Riley had felt sad for her.
"Oh, Mommy, look!" Marley exclaimed, stopping at the entrance to Santa's workshop. "It's beautiful."
The doorway and windows had been decorated with blinking lights, pine bows and artificial snow. An oversized elf in a green tunic and pointy hat held open the door. "Welcome to the North Pole!" he cried boisterously over the holiday music from inside, then handed Riley a form to sign for a photo with Santa. "No obligation to buy," he added.
The Merchants' Association had outdone itself this year. Sitting on a golden throne on a raised dais in the center of the room was Santa, surrounded by two more elves and a photographer. A woman at a side table collected orders and money. The best part for Riley was that the line of parents waiting with their children wasn't long.
Marley hung back, suddenly shy. "I don't think I want to talk to Santa right now."
"It's okay," Riley reassured her, glancing around. "Isn't that one of your friends with her dad?"
"It's Sarah," Marley replied, brightening instantly. "Hi, Sarah!"
Sarah waved and her father smiled when he recognized Riley. One of Santa's helpers escorted Sarah up the red–carpeted steps to Santa.
…
Marley tugged on Riley's arm. "Mommy, why is Santa staring at you?" she whispered loudly. "Did you come here when you were a little girl like me?"
Lucas Friar's jaw itched beneath the scratchy beard, the heavy red suit was too warm and his big toe throbbed like a bad tooth. Earlier this evening a little boy in a Seahawks sweater had jumped off Lucas' lap and landed on his foot, just because he wouldn't promise the kid a new Xbox. Lucas didn't believe in making promises that parents might not keep.
When he glanced up to see how many more children were waiting in line, a glimpse of long, brunette hair grabbed his attention. Since middle school he'd always been partial to that color. As he stared, the woman turned, and he could see her face.
Riley.
"Santa?" A little girl wearing glasses tugged on Lucas' sleeve. Reluctantly he shifted his attention to the job at hand. At the last minute his previous professor who played Santa each year had recruited Lucas to fill in when he came down with the flu. Lucas wanted to carry on the tradition and help the kids keep their fantasies for as long as they could before they realized what a cold place this world could be.
"Ho, ho, ho!" he exclaimed after he had recovered from the shock of seeing Riley again. His assistant gave him the little girl's name. "And what do you want for Christmas, Sarah?" he asked.
When Marley's turn came, she marched confidently up the carpeted steps while Riley watched with a burst of pride. Coming to see Santa was a tradition she and her daughter shared.
This year Santa looked younger than usual in his white wig and fake beard. When he'd stared briefly at Riley, she had felt a jolt of awareness that Mrs. Claus, stuck back at the North Pole, might not have appreciated. Riley gave Marley a reassuring smile as Santa repeated his ho–ho–ho's in a booming voice.
"Big smile now," said the photographer, snapping their picture.
Riley wished she could tell who Santa really was, but all she could see was green eyes and long lashes behind his wire spectacles.
"Tell me what you'd like me to leave under your tree," Santa said to Marley while Riley's hand tightened convulsively around her purse strap. She hoped the expensive doll in her closet still topped her daughter's list.
The carol that was playing came abruptly to an end. It was then that Marley, in a clear, high voice, announced, "What I want more than anything is a boyfriend for my mommy. Then she won't be lonely anymore."
Awkward laughter rippled through the room and people looked curiously at Riley as she cringed. For a moment, Santa appeared speechless. "I might not have room for him in my sleigh," he said, recovering quickly. "Why don't you tell me what you'd like me to bring you instead."
Riley had no idea what Marley replied with. Head high, she was too busy trying to ignore the whispering behind her in line without bursting into tears. When Marley was done, Riley grabbed her hand and hurried past the other parents and the woman taking money; their expressions seemed full of pity.
"Mommy, Mommy, what's wrong?" Marley exclaimed when they reached the sidewalk. "Are you mad at me?"
Guilt halted Riley's flight and she crouched in front of Marley, who looked ready to cry. What kind of mother would spoil her daughter's joy because of a little embarrassment? Marley hadn't done it deliberately.
"Oh, sweetie, I'm not mad." Riley stroked her long, blonde hair. "It was so warm in there that I needed some air, that's all."
"Do you feel better now?" Marley asked anxiously.
"Much." This wasn't the place to discuss Marley's comment. "Let's go home," Riley suggested. "We'll have cocoa with marshmallows to warm us up."
…
A few moments later, as Riley drove through the sudden rain shower, the steering wheel pulled hard to the right and the tire began to thump.
"Mommy, why are you stopping?" Marley exclaimed as Riley eased the car to the shoulder of the dark road and turned on her four–ways. "Is something wrong?"
"I think we've got a flat tire," Riley replied. "Stay here while I check." There were no street lights along this stretch, so she grabbed a flashlight from the glove box and peered around cautiously before unlocking the door.
The scattered houses sat far back from the road, their lights hidden behind tall hedges. There was no other traffic.
Riley checked the front tire, confirmed her suspicion, then got back inside. "I was right." She dug her cell phone from her purse. "It's flat." Roadside assistance wouldn't be cheap, but it beat fighting the tire alone in the rain.
"Who are you calling?" Marley asked, sounding worried.
"No one, unfortunately," Riley glared at her phone with disgust. There weren't many cell towers in the area, making service both intermittent and unreliable. Tonight they were out of luck.
Now what? The apartment was too far away to walk and she dared not leave Marley alone in the car, so the only choices were to make their way down one of the long driveways or to wait for another car. Neither possibility thrilled Riley. She wasn't paranoid, but the idea of putting Marley at risk was petrifying.
"Will somebody come and help us?" Marley asked in a tiny, worried voice.
"Yes, of course." Riley tried to sound reassuring. "We'll just have to sit here for a little while."
She hadn't seen another car since they turned off the main road. In this part of town at this time of the evening, people were home watching TV, not driving around in the dark and the rain. She planned to wait a half hour and then start knocking on doors.
Before she could suggest a guessing game, Marley's voice broke the silence. "Mommy, I think I have to go potty."
…
Lucas couldn't wait to get home so he could take off the itchy red suit and flop in front of his new plasma TV. In the three months since Lucas had moved back from Texas, he'd bought a condo and gone into business with a school friend. So far the signs indicated that he had made the right choice in leaving the veterinary hospital.
All the signs, at least, until he'd looked up tonight and seen the object of his unwavering adolescent obsession, Riley Matthews. Cheerleader, homecoming queen and, without a doubt, the prettiest girl who had ever strolled the hallowed halls of John Quincy Adams' school. Driving through the dark in his SUV, he could remember how totally besotted he'd been.
He turned onto the curving shortcut to the bluff while he reviewed the evening. When his old professor had asked him to step in, Lucas had figured playing Santa might be fun. He liked kids, even looked forward to having his own. Seeing Riley had been a bonus, and then her little girl asked him to bring her mom a boyfriend. Last Lucas had heard, Riley was seeing Charlie Gardner.
As Lucas drove around a bend, his memories of Riley in her cheer uniform were interrupted by the sight of a car on the shoulder, flashers blinking. He could see someone inside, so he put his plans for a cold beer and mindless TV on hold and pulled over behind the other car.
"Someone's stopping to help us!" Marley clapped her hands as another pair of headlights shone through the back window. "We're saved."
Riley hoped her daughter was right and some harmless older couple had stopped to give aid. She and Marley had only been sitting here for a few minutes, but at least Marley's need for a bathroom hadn't yet reached the critical zone.
In her mirror Riley saw a big red shape emerge from the other car. With her door locked, she lowered her window cautiously.
"Good evening. Car trouble?"
Riley recognized his voice instantly, but without his disguise Santa was far more attractive than she had imagined.
"I've got a flat tire," she explained. "It was raining so hard that I didn't want to get out of the car." She hadn't even noticed that the shower had ended.
"I'll take a look," he offered. "You stay put."
"Thank you for stopping." She had no intention of getting out of the car. "I'll be happy to pay you." Not that happy, since payday wasn't until next week, but she wasn't exposing herself or her child to danger, even if it was dressed up like Old Saint Nick.
…
Lucas was disappointed that she didn't recognize him, even without his glasses.
"You're still as pretty as ever," he blurted. As her eyes widened, he felt like a total geek. Way to go, Lucas. "I mean, you haven't changed."
Her eyes narrowed, suspicious. "Do I know you?"
"Of course you do, Mommy," exclaimed the precocious little girl from the back seat. "He's Santa Claus." She peered through the window. "Where's your beard?" she demanded. "You're supposed to have a beard."
He glanced helplessly at Riley. "I, um…" His mind had turned to mush. Help, he mouthed silently.
Who are you? she mouthed back.
He glanced distractedly between her and her daughter. Now what? Before he could reply, another car came around the bend. When it pulled up beside them, he saw that it was a patrol car.
"Everything okay here?" the deputy asked through his open window. "Ma'am?" He smirked as he looked Lucas up and down. "Santa?"
Lucas considered letting Officer Friendly change her flat, but just then the deputy's radio crackled to life.
"Miss, do you want me to call roadside assistance before I leave for this other scene?" he asked.
She glanced up at Lucas, obviously seeking assurance. Did she think Santa was going to mug her in front of her kid?
Part of Lucas knew he wasn't being fair. What had he expected, that she jump out of the car and throw her arms around him? And say what?
"Save your money, Riley," he said gruffly. "My name's Lucas Friar. We went to school together. If your spare's good, I'll have it changed in ten minutes."
"Since you two know each other, I'm outta here." The deputy's words barely registered with Riley. She was too busy staring up at her would–be rescuer.
"Lucas?" she blurted as the cruiser drove off. "I didn't recognize you." Immediately she realized her total lack of tact.
"I guess I've put on some weight." He held out the loose–fitting red jacket. "Even without the padding."
"Mommy, I really have to go potty. I don't think I can wait."
"I'm sorry, sweetie," Riley replied, feeling a jab of guilt for getting her priorities scrambled just because a hunky guy had shown up. "Just a few more minutes, okay?" She hit the trunk release button and unfastened her seat belt. "I'll help you," she told Lucas.
He held open her door politely. "Do you live very far?" he asked. "I could run you home and then we can come back to fix the tire."
It was nice of him to offer, but Riley didn't know him anymore. Didn't people always say the serial killer next door seemed like such a nice, regular guy? Still, the deputy had seen them together, in case she disappeared.
"Mommy, can we?" Marley asked, making up Riley's mind. "Please?"
"We live right at the top of the hill in that red brick apartment building," Riley told Lucas as she grabbed her keys and her purse, then freed Marley.
…
In moments they were settled into Lucas' SUV. The leather seats and fancy dash indicated that he must be doing well. As soon as he parked, Riley hurried Marley out of the SUV.
"We'll be right back," Riley told him, keys in hand as Marley fidgeted beside her.
"I'll be here," he replied with a grin that threatened to curl Riley's toes. "Don't keep your daughter waiting."
…
"Why is he wearing a Santa suit if his name is Lucas?" Marley asked when they came back out and Riley locked the front door. "He even sounds like Santa."
Riley was relieved to see Lucas leaning against the silver SUV. She hadn't really believed he might leave without them, but one never knew for sure what other people would do. She was tempted to tell Marley to ask him why he was dressed the way he was, but that wouldn't be fair, especially after he'd been so helpful.
She still couldn't get over how much he'd changed. He's always been good looking, but now the boy next door look had been replaced with GQ Hotness. Even in the baggy clothes, she could tell he was broader through the shoulders and chest. His face was different, too, and not just because he wasn't wearing the fake glasses. It was leaner, with angles replacing the unformed curves of youth.
"Santa needs spare suits in case his gets torn or something," she improvised as she and Marley approached him. "Since he wears it for hours and hours on Christmas Eve, each one has to be broken in, just like your new shoes."
As he opened their doors, Lucas shot Riley an appreciative glance. "So he has guys like me to wear them for him," he added.
"So you know Santa!" Marley exclaimed when he got behind the wheel.
He glanced in the mirror at her as he headed back down the hill. "I certainly do," he said. "When I saw him tonight, he told me about you."
Marley looked entranced. "Did he tell you what I asked for?"
"Did Santa tell you what I asked him to bring me?" Marley repeated to Lucas.
"Oh, no," he said quickly, lips twitching. "That's confidential, but he did say it was memorable."
Lucas probably saw Riley as pathetic!
"Will you tell Santa hi for me when you take back his suit?" Marley asked him as he made a U–turn in order to pull back in behind Riley's car.
"I sure will," he replied. "Why don't you stay right there while your mom and I change that tire?"
"Then you can tell Santa that I did what I was told," Marley replied.
He winked at Riley. "It's a deal."
When Riley unlocked her trunk and reached for the jack, Lucas touched her arm. "Why don't you let me do that," he suggested quietly. "I'd hate to see you get dirt on your jacket."
She glanced down at her light blue parka. "What about your pretty red suit?"
Lucas' grin sent a shiver through her, but it wasn't because of the cold night air. "It's my boss' spare," he said quietly, lifting out the jack. "Go sit with Marley."
A few moments later, he returned the tools and her tire to the trunk, so Riley helped Marley from his SUV.
"Why did the tire get flat?" Marley asked him. Riley had explained in terms that a six–year–old could grasp each step of the procedure.
Lucas wiped his hands on a rag. "A tire's like a balloon," he said after shutting the trunk. "A big nail made a hole for the air to escape."
"I can't thank you enough," Riley told him.
"It was really good to see you again and to meet Marley."
"You, too." Riley stared up at him for an awkward moment, torn between the wish that he would say something more and the need to put the unexpected meeting behind her. As attractive as Lucas had turned out, he wasn't for her.
Quickly she settled Marley in the back seat, thanking him again when he held open the driver's door. They exchanged holiday wishes and he walked back to his SUV. Riley wasn't surprised when he followed her up the hill. It meant nothing, since he'd been going that way in the first place.
When she reached her building, he drove on by. She glanced back in time to see him wave. Maybe she would run into him again, but probably not. A struggling single mom and a successful bachelor wouldn't normally run in the same circles.
"I guess you'll have something to tell the other kids at school tomorrow," she told Marley after they'd entered their apartment. Their little adventure was over.
It was only later as Riley drifted off to sleep that Lucas' image reappeared. This time he wasn't wearing a Santa suit. He wasn't wearing anything at all except a smile and a pair of tight red briefs.
"Ho, ho, ho," he said, brandishing a sprig of mistletoe. "Come to Santa, sweetheart."
…