Addison giggled contently as she was twirled through the air, a gentle breeze blowing her luscious red locks out behind her like a burning fire, held tight in the arms of the love of her life. On solid ground again and clutching his hand, she skated with him, basking in the glow of fairy lights dotted elegantly around the ice rink. Christmas was her favourite holiday - she loved spending precious time with her loved ones, rather than the families of the newborns whose lives she saved every day. As pleasant as they were, they couldn't make her feel the way that Mark did; gloriously happy to the point that she felt like she was flying whenever she looked in his eyes. The music faded and lights died down as their time on the rink came to a close, and Addison turned to Mark pouting. 'Can't we just have one more go? Please?' she begged. He chuckled, thinking how cute she looked when she pulled that face - it was a face he would be happy to see every day for the rest of his life. 'Sure Red, we've got the whole holiday together' he said, feeling elated as a grin spread across Addison's face and she jumped into his arms squealing with delight.
Walking peacefully through the New York streets, Addison rested her head on Mark's shoulder, and nestled her pink cheek into his warm woolly scarf. He wrapped a strong arm around her and squeezed her tight. 'Aren't I lucky to be with you' she whispered, thinking about how differently things might have turned out if she had accepted Derek's proposal back in med school. She shuddered suddenly, unsure why - was it the memory of Derek or the biting cold? 'You know, we could do some last minute Christmas shopping if you're up to it Addie?' Mark suggested, turning to look at Addison as they approached Times Square. 'Really? But it's Christmas Eve!' she said, confused about what more he could possibly want to buy. They had already purchased all of the mandatory family gifts, as reluctant as they may have been - this year it was an aged bottle of wine and a delicate glass dish for Bizzy and the Captain. 'I have a special little something that I want to get you - I haven't found the right moment to buy it before now, and we both know that there's no way I can do it tomorrow. How about you go and grab us something from Starbucks while I get it, and then we can meet back here?' Mark suggested, unwinding his arm from her neck and turning to face her. She was pouting again, and glaring at him in that way that was meant to be bitchy, but he was seduced by. He gazed down at her, willing her to agree with his eyes. 'Okay fine, but don't spend ages otherwise your drink will get cold' she huffed, strutting down the street towards the familiar green glow that signalled a Starbucks was nearby. Mark chuckled, before striding confidently into Macy's, eyes lighting up as he saw that the gift he had been planning to get was right there, waiting for him.
Addison sighed, reluctantly waiting in the mile-long queue to order her favourite holiday drink. That aroma of freshly ground coffee wafted through the air, but this was not enough to lift her from her mood. She tapped her perfectly manicured nails against her purse impatiently, eyes wandering listlessly around the cafe. They landed on a delicious looking slab of triple chocolate cake, and she grinned mischievously as she planned how she would savour this once a year treat. She had been on a rigorous diet since January, which was totally unnecessary as she was gifted with the metabolism of a marathon runner, but it made her feel more in control of her life. Still, a girl has to do what a girl has to do, and in that moment Addison's impulse was to buy that cake. She felt herself drift into a happy daydream about Christmas in New York, replaying the day like a movie in her head. It truly had been the perfect day, probably because she had spent the entirety of it with the love of her life. 'Addison!' She snapped out of her daydream and came to attention, whipping her head around to where the voice had come from. Eyes open wide, she stopped dead. No. It couldn't be.