Just a little story, written for the wonderful Selenite (go, check out her stories!). Happy Birthday, my dear friend!
Enjoy!
(Oh, and I own nothing, of course)
Jane lit the candles one by one and with each additional light the Christmas tree came more to life. She blew out the match and took a few steps backwards to look at her work. She was pretty satisfied. Red and golden baubles hung from the green branches and reflected the flames of the red candles around them. Between all the red and gold a few, very old straw-stars made the decoration complete.
Jane liked it simple. She never understood why people would overload their Christmas trees with artificial plastic angels and multicolored baubles until you couldn't see the actual tree anymore.
This reminded her of home, of her youth.
She went back to the couch beside the fireplace, where orange flames brought the wood to crack, and snuggled into her fleecy blanket. A cup of tee steamed on the small table to her side and the air was filled with the scent of oranges, cinnamon and smoke. Outside of the window to the right of the tree, thick snowflakes covered the view over the hills and the forest near the small town in Norway. This was how Christmas should be like, she thought.
Well, almost. One thing was missing. Company.
Eric was supposed to be there two hours ago and help her decorate before they would enjoy their dinner together.
Just when she looked over to her cellphone, wondering if she should call him, it began to ring. The sweet sound of "Carol of the Bells" filled the air.
She leaned over and grabbed the phone. And indeed, it was Erik calling.
"Hello, Erik? Where are you?...No...Yes, no, that's okay, I understand... No, don't worry I'll be fine!... Yes!... Okay, I see you tomorrow, then... Okay, merry Christmas Erik!... Yes, I will! Okay, bye!"
That was certainly not what she had expected. But of course, as a scientist in the middle of a huge research program, things like Christmas always come second. But still she couldn't fight the unpleasant feeling, that seems to conquer her chest.
"Merry Christmas, Jane" she said to herself. Another Christmas alone. Great.
She decided to skip the meal, put on some Christmas music and just sit there and watch the fire, so she cuddled into her blanket, shut all other lights off and watched the flames in their endless-seeming, always happy dance.
The next thing she heard was a knocking on the door. At first she was too sleepy to realize it, but when the knocking became louder she jolted awake and dropped the blanket on the ground. She must have fallen asleep. The candles on the tree were burned down and the fire was merely a pile of embers.
She ran to the door, her heart beating faster and faster. Erik made it, she thought. The light was too dim, so she had to search for the doorknob. Eventually she found it and swung the thick wooden door of the cabin open.
It was too dark outside, she couldn't see anything but a faint shadow, a tall figure in front of her.
"Erik?" she asked.
"I have to disappoint you, I'm afraid." a cold, but wonderfully smooth and elegant voice said.
Jane jerked backwards. The tall man followed her inside. She backed up more and more until she hit the wall. As the man entered she finally could make out his face that was illuminated by the dim glow of the embers. His raven hair fell in wet tangles over his shoulders and his leather armor and green cloak were damp. But his green eyes shone as bright as emeralds.
Jane's heart sped up once more. But this time with excitement. This was definitely not a visitor she had expected.
"Jane..." his voice sounded more like the light ringing of bells now.
He stepped closer with a few swift strides until he stood right in front of her. He lifted his pale, elegant hands and embraced Jane's face. His touch was light but cold. She didn't mind. He was here.
She smiled and looked him in the endlessly deep eyes. He smiled back and then, slowly but determined lowered his head to press his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around him embraced him with all her heart. They stood like that for a few moments. Then, he pulled away to look at her. He smiled. "Now, Miss Foster, would you be so kind and explain the purpose of this holiday you call Christmas?"
Well my dears, I think you can guess who Santa is ;)