Welcome to 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear', the first of my Christmas stories. This story features both Damon and Elena's points of view. Damon's for the first couple of chapters and then we'll hear from Elena. See you at the bottom.


"I think you've had enough, buddy," Ric says, looking at me pointedly.

"I beg to differ. I don't think I've had nearly enough," I retort, sarcasm lacing my tone.

Much to my dismay, he shakes his head and pulls the bottle out of my reach. "Are you going to tell me who beat the hell out you?"

"You don't want to know!" I stare at him for a long moment before throwing back what's left of my drink. After ordering another, I watch as Ric shakes his head again and walks over to the pool table.

"Don't stop, please don't stop Damon," Andie squeals as her body undulates beneath me. Just as I'm about to enter, the bedroom door flies open.

"Oh fuck," I mutter, rolling my eyes when I see that it's Andie's husband and more importantly my boss who just burst in. Before I have a chance to take a breath, he yanks me off of her and sends me flying with a right hook to my jaw. Raising my hand in hopes that he'll back off for a moment doesn't sway him in the least. Before I know it, I'm being pulled to my feet and once again lambasted with his fist, sending me sprawling a second time. Shaking off my stupor, I feel the sting of a split lip and the coppery taste of my blood. After taking a deep breath, I shakily get to my feet, raising my arms to protect my face from further damage.

Grabbing onto me, he fists my shirt, raising me onto my toes to get right in my face. "You get the fuck out of my house right now. And you will be at work Monday morning. You and I are going to have a few words," he seethes, his voice menacing as he gives me a shove hurtling me onto the floor yet again.

With my head spinning, it takes me a few moments to get my bearings. Once I do, I shakily stand on my feet, hightailing it out of his house before he can land another blow to my jaw.

Luckily I have Ricky to drag me into my house and deposit me on the couch. Once I'm laid out on the couch, he forces some aspirin into my mouth and hands me a bottle of water. After swallowing, I drop my head onto the throw pillow, closing my eyes. Barely coherent, I feel him taking my shoes off before I hear the slamming of my front door. I don't remember anything else till I wake up with the headache from hell the next morning.


When I drag my ass into the newspaper office Monday morning, I go straight to my desk, setting my camera down. I work as a cameraman for our local Sheridan TV station. Since Edgar also owns the 'Sheridan Press' newspaper, I also work there as a photographer. Although the scenery is beautiful in this one horse town set against the backdrop of the Bighorn mountains, I know I'll never get 'discovered' as long as I'm stuck here.

Raising an eyebrow at me, Jules is clearly excited at the prospect of me being in trouble. A shit-eating grin forms on her face when she blurts out that Mr. Starr wants to speak with me. She's hated me since I told her that I didn't want anything from her but an occasional quick fuck. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, she leaps at it, doing anything and everything to undermine me, hoping to get me fired. Truth be told, the only reason I fucked Mrs. Starr was part of a grand scheme to get myself fired.

"What did you do? Run into a doorknob or something?" She makes no effort to disguise her giddiness, no doubt aware of what happened via one of the town gossips.

Knowing that I want nothing more than to leave this two bit town that's stuck in the middle of bum fuck nowhere, he hits me where it matters. After tossing me a copy of my contract, he sits back in his desk chair, tenting his fingers, a sinister smile playing on his lips. Dropping my eyes, I deflate visibly when I see that I'm contracted to this newspaper for another two years.

"Surely you don't want me around after what happened?"

"Think again." Dropping my eyes momentarily, I realize exactly what he's going to do.

"You will finish out your contract or I will make sure that you'll never find a job in this field ever again," he threatens, his voice dripping with disdain yet smiling like the 'Grinch Who Stole Christmas'.

"I slept with your wife, Edgar. Surely you don't want me after that." Swallowing thickly, I stand up and press my palms onto his desktop, my white knuckles betraying the illusion of self confidence that I'm trying to project.

"You really want to keep me here?" I finish, my stomach in knots on the inside.

"No, I absolutely don't want you here but this isn't about what I want. This is me getting my reckoning." He stands up himself and leans forward so he's right in my face. At well over six foot tall, he's an imposing figure. Feeling a shiver of fear make its way up my spine, I back away just slightly.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold," and all that," he adds, a Cheshire cat-like grin forming on his face. I back off when he starts to round on me. I already have one black eye and my jaw still smarts when I chew after he opened a can of whoop ass on me Saturday night. Turning around I start to slink out of his office, tail between my legs, only stopping when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I grimace, certain that he's going to hit me again.

"Damon, don't forget there's the lady's holiday bizarre that you need to cover tomorrow. I also want you to be on hand to photograph the tree-lighting ceremony in the town square Saturday night." Knowing that he has me between the proverbial rock and hard place, all I can do is nod.

"Whatever you say, Edgar." After turning my back to him, I walk out of his office, pulling his door shut behind me.


Christmas is in two weeks. Tonight is Sheridan's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The town council usually buys a tall pine tree from one of the logging companies that work in the Bighorn mountains. This year's tree is about thirty feet tall. It's quite impressive but this isn't exactly my idea of a good time on a Saturday night. I should be spending the night buried inside some pretty girl. Instead I'm stuck here.

I do plan to go home to spend Christmas with my mom. I grew up on a ranch outside of Cody, Wyoming. It's close to Yellowstone. I loved growing up there because we could go into the national park and go hiking in the Tetons whenever my brother, sister and I wanted to. After my dad died suddenly of a heart attack, we tried to get her to sell the ranch and move into town. I obviously got my temperament from her because she's as stubborn as the day is long, adamantly refusing to leave the home she shared with dad.

Caroline still lives in Cody with her husband Enzo. They both work at the 'Buffalo Bill Center of the West'. It is a massive complex of five museums and a research library featuring art and artifacts of the American West. Founded in 1917 to preserve the legacy and vision of Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the complex is the oldest and most comprehensive museum of the West. It has been described by The New York Times as 'among the nation's most remarkable museums'. The center attracts a lot of tourists as thousands pass through Cody on their way to Yellowstone which is a distance of approximately one hundred miles.

Even though I'm shivering I decide to walk around a while, maybe take a few pictures of the townsfolks, their children and pets living their everyday mundane lives. I take off on foot to the park, pulling my parka snug as there are a few inches of snow on the ground. Clutching my hands together, I raise them to my mouth so I can blow some of my hot breath on them because I forgot my gloves. The city beautification committee strung holiday lights along the path leading into the park and all over the gazebo. I don't see anyone around at this hour save for a few stragglers.

With my teeth chattering, I walk out of the park and walk into our local Starbucks to get a hot salted caramel mocha. Taking a seat near the window, I set my camera down on the table top while I indulge myself, taking a long swallow, savoring the burn as it goes down. As it starts to warm my frigid body, I watch people walking up and down the sidewalk presents in hand. The tree lighting ceremony doesn't start till nightfall but I wanted to do a little people watching so I came downtown early. Usually the tree lighting draws quite a crowd so I'll wander back into the park once people start to show up.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I text Ric to tell him where I'm at. I also send my mom a text to see how she's doing. She sounds a little morose so I take the time to text my sister to see if she knows what's up with her. Before I know it, it's dark outside. When I look out of the window, I see many people walking into the park towards the tree. After ordering another, I vacate my table and walk back out into the cold, camera in hand.

I wonder through the crowds, arriving at the tree just as the mayor takes to the microphone announcing the commencement of activities. I swallow down the last of my coffee, disposing of the empty cup in a nearby garbage can. I start to mingle with the crowds, asking questions and taking pictures.

When Anna, the top reporter for my TV station finds me, she grabs me to come over to the truck with her so I can film her report on the festivities. Once that's done, I put the TV camera into the truck while keeping my other camera in hand. After saying goodnight to Anna and the crew, I walk through the park once more. The crowd has disappeared, only I'm stupid enough to still be outside in this frigid weather. Just as I'm about to call it a night, I turn to look at the Christmas tree. My mouth drops agape when I see her.

Almost angelic in appearance, she's standing there in front of the tree, her eyes are raised to the star twinkling at the top of it. Suddenly snow starts flittering down softly from the sky, creating a stunning picture. Lights in the background create a halo appearance around her head, leaving me speechless. I raise my camera, taking several pictures of the almost cherubic-like portrait the holiday atmosphere has created. When she sees the flash of my camera she turns to me, looking almost a little afraid.

"I'm Damon," I say, offering her my hand to shake.

Looking from side to side, she doesn't say anything for a few seconds. When she makes eye contact with me, she speaks, "Not to be rude or anything, Damon, but it's kind of creepy that you're out here in the middle of nowhere."

"You're one to talk. You're out here all by yourself."

"It's Sheridan. Nothing bad ever happens here. Besides, I wanted to look at the tree."

"It is pretty. I'm a photographer," I explain, showing her my camera.

"You're a very beautiful subject. Can I take a couple more photos?"

I don't miss how her eyes are darting around like a scared rabbit. When our eyes meet again, she smiles shyly. "I don't know, Damon."

"Please?"

"I guess it would be okay?" she replies albeit a little hesitantly.

"Thank you." With a wide smile on my face, I step back to snap a few more photos of this breathtaking young woman.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow? I mean, I know we don't know each other but I'd like to remedy that. Will you meet me somewhere?"

"Where?"

"Wherever you choose. I'd really like to get to know you better." My voice is nervous. Shivering, I cup my hands, bringing them to my mouth again. After blowing a puff a warm breath on them, I shove them back into my coat pockets.

"Um, how about I meet you right here at this same time?"

"I'll be here." Nodding her head, she starts to walk away. When I realize that I don't even know her name, I chase after her. When I catch up, I place my hand on her shoulder till she turns around.

"What's your name?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow." After giving me a wink and a smile, she turns around and walks away. Completely enthralled, I continue to stare at her till she disappears around the corner.

The next day, I'm excited as all get out to meet up with the captivating yet mysterious girl. It's almost time for my shift to end at the TV station when suddenly a five alarm fire comes across police scanner.

"Damon, Anna, get over there," our station manager, Jo Laughlin yells, motioning for us to get a move on. Jumping into one of the station's cars, Anna and I speed over to the address. We spend hours at the sight, filming and talking to the police chief, the fire captain and several bystanders and firemen. By the time, they have the fire under control, it's nearing ten in the evening. I'm supposed to meet the girl at midnight. After taking Anna back to the station and editing the footage for her report, I glance at my watch, frowning when I see that it's already a little after midnight. Running out of the station, I jump into my car and drive as quickly as I can to the park. Luckily no cops were around since I ran a red light or two on the way over here.

After parking my car, I take off, running towards the Christmas tree. When I get there, she's nowhere to be seen. I look all around, even venturing into the women's bathroom. I search all over but I know it's futile.

"Fuck?!" I utter, knowing that I missed her. Sighing heavily, I drop my head and walk out of the park slowly, my shoulders slumped sadly. Somehow I know that I lost someone and something significant tonight.


I was going to wait till next week to start this but I figured, what the heck!

Both of my Christmas stories are from Eva's inspired and brilliant mind. Thanks and much, much love to you Eva.

Many thanks and lots of love to Kate for the cover.

I do hope to participate in Sar's fifth annual DE A2A exchange on Live Journal again this year. Writers give prompts and we pick one and go with it. Last year my entry was 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus'. In 2013, I wrote 'Where Are You Christmas' and 'The Snow Globe' if you're interested, the links are in my profile.

Please have a look at my other stories: 'Rainy Days and Mondays' and 'Tears in Heaven'.

Please remember to click that review button, anxious to hear your thoughts.

Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend. See you sometime next week for chapter 2.