A Crash and Burn Xmas

New York City:

It was Christmas morning and Daniel busied himself in Wilhelmina's kitchen as he made breakfast. He planned on spending the day in her apartment because of an argument he and his father had. He tried not to think about it but his mind kept travelling to it and the hurtful words he said.

Flashback (within a flashback):

As soon as he woke up he was summoned to his father's home office. He soon regretted spending the night at his parents' house. 'This is going to be a long day' he thought. And Willie wasn't even going to be by his side. He gave up on trying to invite her on his family dinners and gatherings, her excuse was that she was busy working or it wasn't the right time.

"Dad, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I'll just get to the point. What the hell is going on between you and Wilhelmina Slater?"

"What are you talking…"

"I'm not stupid, son. Are you two having an affair now?"

"No…uh…She's attractive…but I don't see her that way."

"You know I thought it was just a coincidence when you moved to England a week after she did. I thought it was just a coincidence when you were photographed together at the CFDA awards. But after what I saw last night…those are two coincidences too many."

"What…what did you see last night?"

"I went to Fey's office to discuss some business and she wasn't in but guess who was?...YOU and that girl Wilhelmina with the lights dimmed…her head between your legs…you want me to elaborate?"

"Dad, it was…we were just…"

"Whatever you're doing with that girl, stop it now."

"Dad, Wilhelmina and I…are…"

"Seriously, Daniel? She's a senior fashion editor of a major fashion magazine, she's in a contract as managing editor in London. She's been in high profile relationships since she came into the industry. And you? You have no career, no career goals, you live off your trust fund, you've never been in a serious relationship- and those floozies in skimpy outfits from college don't count. I mean what are you thinking, Daniel?"

"Dad, Am I not good enough for a woman like Wilhelmina?"

"No and she's not good for you either. Look, the girl is nice but are you going to throw your life away and become Mr. Slater? Her cheerleader? Have her bear you what, two children and become a stay at home dad? Have her wear the pants in the relationship and become her bitch? With women like her that's exactly what's going to happen if you don't stop this. Stop your little crush, fling or romance or whatever the hell you're doing with her."

"Dad…I"

"YOU HAVE NO FUTURE WITH HER, DANIEL!"

And those words set him off and he stormed the fuck out. And at that moment he had an epiphany, why should he spend Christmas with a bunch of pompous people instead of the woman he loves. Why spend Christmas in a party where all his father would be doing is brag about Alex's achievements and his new girlfriend.

(End of flashback)

Wilhelmina was asleep when she was awoken by the smell of bacon and pancakes and realized somebody was in her apartment. 'Who could that be? Please let it not be mother, not mother, not mother…' she silently prayed, and then the footsteps got louder and then she heard.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

"Danny? Daniel What are you doing here?" She questioned

"I was making breakfast."

"You came all the way over here to…make breakfast?"

"No I'm here to spend some time with you or the whole day if possible." He said the last statement hopefully. He jumped on the bed and pecked her soft lips

"I guess I can cancel on my folks."

"You'll do that? Don't they have a…"

"An annual boring shit in the Hamptons every year with their friends? Yes. I've been wanting to get out of it. So I'm all yours."

"Wow, you'll do that for me?"

"I'll do anything for you."

"I love you."

"I love you too. Seriously, Daniel why aren't you spending Christmas with your family?"

"Do you feel like spending Christmas with your family?"

"Touché" She leaned in to kiss him again

"I had an argument with my dad." He confessed

"And I'm guessing by abandoning the family Christmas party, it was a big argument."

"Yeah, but I don't wanna get into it now."

"That's okay."

"Let me go and get our breakfast." He climbed off the bed and ran to the kitchen. Moments later he returned with a large tray and carefully put it on the table by her large bedroom window. She quickly got out of bed and walked over to the window.

"Okay, here you go. An omelet, bagel and coffee for you…and bagels, eggs, bacon, buttered toast, pancakes, yoghurt, and hot chocolate with marshmallows for me."

"Wow."

"What? A man's gotta eat." As they sat there enjoying their breakfast Daniel began "So I was thinking that we should have our own Christmas today."

"Okay?"

"We gonna drink; watch movies; drink; eat dinner; drink and don't you tell me 'I don't really eat dinner.' " She chuckled when he imitated her voice

"Go to hell, I don't sound like that. You're gonna order dinner on Christmas day?"

"I was thinking…" Willie noticed that he had that 'I've got a horrible idea' smile on his face

"Oh shit." She uttered

"I was thinking we could make dinner together…it'll be…fun?"

"Huh" She replied skeptically

"So which cuisine would you like to have, Ms. Slater?"

"Whatever is considered Christmassy, I guess"

"Then it's settled and then we are going to wash it down with Bordeaux. And later we can open our presents."

"Daniel we gave each other our presents yesterday and we opened them yesterday." She reminded him

"We can wrap them up and open them again."

"Danny" She warned

"And we will act surprised and be all emotional and shit, like we did yesterday"

"You should be thankful that you're pretty."


Hours later after dinner the couple sat by the window having chocolate covered strawberries and wine. The couple looked out the window watching the snow as it blanketed the city.

"Wow look at New York, all covered in snow. I'd say she looks pretty." Daniel said in amazement

"Well snow is a magical blanket."

"In what way?"

"It has the ability to conceal everything that seems ugly and make it appealing."

"Ain't that the truth?"

"Hey, just in case I forget…" She gestured to the wine they were drinking "…This is the best Christmas of my adult life."

"Yours too? This is the best Christmas of my life too. There was always some tension or some weird awkwardness with my family." He admitted

"To the best Christmas ever."

"The best Christmas ever." They clinked their glasses.


That evening, the couple lay on the rug next to the fire place. He noticed how she kept looking and fiddling with her new necklace he gifted her with the previous day.

"I'm glad you like your necklace."

"I love it. It's one of a kind"

"It is. Wanna hear the story behind this pendant?"

"Of course."

"Okay. It was my grandmother's, my maternal grandmother. My grandfather, Jack gave it to her 44 years ago. He told me and Alex the story of how he worked overtime, night and day so he could buy it for his wife. He told us how he and Grandma fought about him working all the time and not spending enough time together. Although he hated fighting with her, he was smiling inside because he knew what the reward would be."

"And he wasn't disappointed." He continued "He said the look on my grandmother's face when he gave it to her was priceless. Kind of like yours when I gave it to you yesterday."

"Oh, my God, Daniel. You gave me a family heirloom?"

"Got that right. You know my grandmother had to sell it when there was a major financial problem. A few years later my grandpa Jack tracked it down. He finally found it with some rich jerk who bought it and was going to give it to his mistress but when my granddad told him the story, he was so touched that he sold it back to him for half its value."

"Wow, love won."

"Indeed. And despite his drinking problem, he stayed true and faithful to her. He once told me that if I ever found a woman who stirs half the emotions or makes me feel the way he felt about my grandmother I should give that necklace to that woman. And that's why I gave it you. I love you, Wilhelmina Slater."

"I love you too, Daniel." Her luscious lips met his in a tender kiss. He stared into orbs and smiled as the burning fire illuminated her beauty.

"What?"

"You're so beautiful."

"Thank you, Danny." She said while blushing like a schoolgirl

"No, really. I think you are the most beautiful woman on earth."

"Now you're just fucking with me."

"No, I'm serious, Willie. You are. I would never lie about something like that." He said brushing some stray hairs back and tucking them behind her ear.

"Really? That's sweet." She pressed her lips against his

"I've always been fascinated by your beauty, Willie. But that was before I got to know you and that's when I knew that it is possible for a human being to be beautiful inside out. You know I even wrote a song about you."

"You did what?"

"Back when I was in college, there was this battle of the bands thing and I wrote a song with you in mind 'cause I had a huge a crush on you."

"Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack."

"What was it called?"

"It was called crash and burn. I thought it was good but the audience didn't think so."

"Can I hear it?"

"No."

"C'mon, Danny please sing it for me."

"No, Willie. The audience laughed me off the stage, I can't, no."

"Daniel, that audience was a bunch of college idiots. I love you, I would be happy to hear it." He looked into her eyes once again and he groaned

"Okay fine. But if you laugh…"

"I'm not going to laugh." He quickly ran to get the guitar from the stand. He returned and sat next to her.

"This goes out to the woman I love."

"We're driving down the highway,

Cool wind in my hair

Just me and my special lady,

We haven't got a care in the world.

But the road ahead's uncertain

There'll be bumps along the way

And I know there'll be some hurtin'

so I hit the gas, and pray.

I don't wanna crash 'n burn

I don't wanna go too fast

I want to be with you,

wanna see this through

I don't wanna crash 'n burn

I don't wanna go too fast

I want to be with you,

Wanna make this last forever

And ever my lady."