Gail x Holly prompt: Having not talked in 8 months, Gail shows up on Holly's front doorstep in SF at Xmas, semi-incognito with a bunch of carollers (perhaps it was something they joked about doing together once?)

I can't believe it's almost Christmas the pathologist thought to herself as she set out her poinsettia. I can't believe Gail isn't here was her next thought. She tried once more not to let her thoughts slip away to the blonde officer she left in Toronto. She knew she'd made a mistake, she'd felt it the second the plane took off. Her life was supposed to be with Gail, not away from her. But her contract stipulated that she had to stay for a minimum of one year and Holly was not one to break her word. So she pined for the woman she loved instead. It wasn't any help that the women had agreed to part ways amicably but that trying to continue their relationship would be just too hard. The distance was too great and their lives were heading in different directions.

She was listening to her favourite Christmas carols, the ones she'd loved since childhood, and continued to decorate. Even though she'd never spent a holiday season with the blonde she was surprised at how much of her she could feel around her. The poinsettias that were a deep red, the same colour Gail would paint her lips when they'd go out. The glass balls she used to decorate her tree and how the officer had once told her a story about how she'd broken her mother's favourite Christmas ornament and glued it back together, thinking nobody would notice.

And the carols. Gail loved to sing and Holly loved listening to her sing. She had wanted to go caroling with her girlfriend, ex-girlfriendshe reminded herself, this Christmas. Gail knew how much Holly loved Christmas and they had talked about all of the activities they would do together: skating in front of City Hall, seeing the Nut Cracker, spending Christmas Eve with Gail's family (much to Gail's chagrin), and then spending the entirety of Christmas day just the two of them. Holly could see them cuddled up in front of the tree, exchanging gifts, and watching Miracle on 34th Street (Holly's favourite) then the Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Gail's favourite). It was all she had wanted for them.

She was putting the finishing touches on the tree, making sure the tinsel was evenly spread across the evergreen when she head the knock at her door. She wasn't sure who'd be showing up unannounced at her place but grateful for the distraction from her thoughts.

She opened the door and was pleasantly surprised to find a chorus of carolers. Before the group dressed in matching red berets started serenading the brunette one woman at the front handed her a card. She smiled despite being unsure what to expect. The singers let her read the card before they started.

Dear Nerd,

I know you had wanted to do this together but I thought sending carolers would be a close second. Well, maybe a distant tenth, but I miss you and I want you to enjoy this.

Gail xoxox

Tears were threatening to spill the second she saw the handwriting. She looked up at the smiling faces in front of her as they started on their a Capella rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithfull". Holly just let the tears fall down her cheeks as she listened to the beautiful voices harmonizing. She thought her heart was about to burst from the pain of missing Gail when the solo started. The group of singers parted to make room for a single singer to stand front and centre.

One single voice, so perfect she could listen to it forever. The tears were pouring from her eyes and she had trouble focusing but through the haze she could still make out the sapphire eyes of the soloist. She was reaching for the blonde before she was finished her solo, her lips muffling the last note.

Applause was all she heard from the chorus that had shown up at her doorstep unannounced. Both women held onto each other as the tears streamed d0wn their faces.

"Merry Christmas, Lunchbox" she heard Gail whisper into her ear.