Disclaimer: Do not own any of the chracters, made up some of them though (don't sue me plz). But then the story's by me .
Note: Decided to take up Kharma's Christmas challenge and wrote this, Hope you guys like this and plz review. ;p
LET IT SNOW
*************************************************
"But it's Christmas!" a 6-year old complained over the phone.
"I know dear," a warm female voice answered back through the phone on the other end. "But your father and I have
things to attend to over here. Please understand dear. Both of us would do almost anything to get back in time."
The small boy frowned as he held unto the phone tighter. "You always say that. Last time you didn't come back home
for Nanna's birthday ."
"I know and we both explaind to Nanna why, and she understands."
"But I wish you could come back home," tears were welling up in the boy's eyes. "Please," he pleaded to his mother.
His mother let out a long breath as if admitting defeat. "Oh, all right. your father and I will try to get back on
Christmas. Happy?"
The little boy smiled broadly and shouted a definete yes into the phone. "Promise?"
The voice on the other laughed at her young son. "Yes, yes...I promise. Now what you have to do right now is
to go to bed." The boy frowned again. "I know that it's exactly an hour after your bedtime young man."
"But how did you know?"
"I'm your mother, I know everything. Now go back to bed before Nanna finds you talking on the phone. I don't think
she'll be very pleased to find you up so late," she said, only this time a little more firmly.
"K," he answered, amazed at how she knew the time, when she wasn't even in the same country. "Mummy?"
"Yes dear?"
"I love you."
She laughed again. "And I love you to."
"And Daddy."
"Yes, and daddy loves you to. Now go to bed."
"Bye."
"Bye dear."
The boy placed down the phone back into it's cradle and ran back upstairs to his brother's room. He couldn't wait to tell
him that he had made their parent's come home for Christmas.
*****************************************************************
The cemetary was quiet. Nobody was around except for the silent graves which were covered by the December snow.
He walked over to a grave stone and stared at it for a while. Finally he bent down to place the bouqet of red daisies
in front of it and dusted the snow covering the engravings. It was her favourite flower. He stood up and took of the sunglasses that were on his oval
shaped face. The sky was greyish as it threatened to snow again he concluded as he looked up.
"Sorry about the early visit," he said in his clipped British accent as it broke the silence. "I know it's still another
two more weeks to Christmas. Bu thought I come early this year. Well actually the truth is that your other son won't be around
to celebrate Christmas with me, his only brother." He snorted. "Probably out galavanting with some other girl."
"A lot's been happening since I moved to the states to work. Almost getting myself killed half the time," he laughed.
"And no. I'm still not married if your wondering. Though there is this woman who I'm sure the both of you would agree, is
a real firecraker. Her name's...well let's just say nothing happened yet. Though I wish it would," he said while looking down
and kicking the snow with his shoe.
He sighed and looked up as a bird flew over. "I miss you both," he said as a lump formed in his throat. "I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have made you come back so early. If I hadn't you would still be here." Tears were in his eyes. "It was all my
fault. I'm so sorry." He looked down at the grave, his brown hair covering his eyes. he looked up again and dried them.
"There I go again. It's the same every year. I promise myself that I won't lose it again but it never works," he said
as he sniffed. "Well I have to go, sorry that couln't stay but flights at this time of the year are impossible to obtain,
and I've got work pilling up back there," he laughed, but not at his words, but at his feeling for not being brave enough
to stay and face them.
He walked up to the car but turned around instead. "Merry Christmas, Mum, Dad. Merry Christmas." He looked ta the words on
the grave stone and read again. It's been the same for the last 20 years and it hasn't changed.
IN MEMORY OF
JAMES and ELIZABETH BAILEY
BOTH WILL REMEMBERED AS
LOVING FRIENDS AND
LOVING PARENTS
1950-25TH DECEMBER 1980
******************************************************************
The clock over the fire place ticked away slowly. Too slow.
Two young boys one aged 9, while the other 6, sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, waiting. They glanced at
the unopened presnts on the floor underneath the Christmas tree, as the snow outside was falling. They had been waiting
the whole day for their parents to fulfill their promise to come for Christmas. It was already Christmas and also dinner
time. But their parents weren't home yet. The youngest was upset yet angry at the same time. 'Why weren't they home yet?
They promised!' he thought. he glanced at the coffe table. On it was an angel ornament that belonged on top of their
christmas tree. Every year, their family would place it on the tree together. It was a tradition.
Suddenly the door bell rang, the sound echoing through their large house. Both the boys jumped up and was about to run
to the door.
"Preston! Nigel! What did I tell you about opening the door?" A loud but firm voice came from behind. It was Nanna.
"Don't open unless told," both answered in unison. "But it's mother and father!" protested Preston.
The door bell rang again. "I said you can't open the door, I didn;t say anything about not being able to follow," she
answered with a twinkle in her eye. Nanna was the caretaker of the house, but was also like another part of the family. She
was trusted by their parents to take care of both of them since there were born.
Both of them followed Nanna down the corridor to the door. The bell rang another 2 times bofore they had reached the
door. A looked of worry flickered on her face as they reached the door, and saw red and blue lights flashing through the
stained glass of the door. Nanna opened it and two policemen were standing in front of them.
"Is this the residence of James and elizabeth Bailey?" one of the policemen asked.
Nanna looked at them with a suspicious eye before answering. "Yes. Is something wrong?"
The other policeman glanced down at the two boys and looked back at the notepad he was holding. "Are they Preston
and Nigel Bailey? Sons of James and Elizabeth?"
"Yes. what's going on?" Nanna asked, her voiced thick with worry.
"You are?" one of the policeman asked.
"Carol Innes. The caretaker. Please, what happened?"
Both the policemen looked at each other. The one on the right spoke. "I'm sorry to say this, but both Mr. and Mrs.
Bailey died in a car accident on the way back from the airport on the highway this evening. I'm sorry."
Nanna hand covered her mouth with her hand as the words echoed through the corridor. She cried and held the two young
boys in her arms, whom both were unable to understand what was happening and how their lives were changing forever.
********************************************************
"Excuse sir. Sir?"
Nigel woke up to the calls of a sweet voice. "Huh?" he was still dazed from his sleep. A young woman was standing over
him, dressed in something like a uniform.
"Sorry to wake you up, but the plane is about to land and all passengers are required to fasten their seatbelts."
Land? Seatbelt? where was he? "Um...yes of course." he shook his head to clear the cob webs and remembered where he was
He was on a plane back from England. Nigel tighten his seatbelt. He thoughts returning to him, as well as his dream.
Only it wasn't a dream. It really happened. He remebered the voices, the lights and people explaining to him and his
brother, that their parents weren't coming home for Christmas. They were dead.
Nigel sighed and looked out the window, watching as the ground gradually came closer.
After so many years, things were still fresh in his mind. Sometimes he wished that he would forget everything that
happened. And sometimed...he was glad that he still could, something like a punishment for him. Having to relive those
moments forever.
He gripped the arm rest of the seats tighter as the plane made a bumpy landing. In a short while passengers were being
ushered out of the plane as smilling stewards and stewarddes' wished them goodbye. Nigel took a deep breath before facing the
terrorfying crowd of the holiday seasons, as well as to prepare to face Christmas again. Outside snow was falling, he
noticed through the larger than life windows of the airport.
He hated snow.
************************************************
10 days to Christmas...
Sydney tidied up het table and shuffled all her paperwork together. She glanced at the clock on her table that read
10 o'clock. She looked outside and found that Nigel's table was still empty, she knew that Nigel would have arrived
back from England already but he still wasn't in yet. Sydney took the files from her table and casually walked over to
Karen who was siting at her table shifting through some paper. Sydney was about to ask her to file those for her and then
ask about Nigel when he came in.
"Morning Nigel," Sydney said, hoping she didn't sound to excited than usual.
"Oh um...oh hi Syd, morning," he answered, sounding like his cat died last night only he doesn't have a cat.
Nigel walked to his table and placed his bag on it while eyeing that 2 inch thick pile of paper. Sydney shot a look
at Karen who looked just as surprised at Nigel's mood.
The phone rang and Karen picked it up by the first ring. She's getting good at this thought Sydney. Sydney walked
towards NIgel and planted herself next to him. It took a while before noticing her.
"Oh...is something wrong Syd?" he finally asked from above his glasses.
"You tell me. You're the one coming in here with the cold mood," she answered taking her glasses off. "Whar happened
to you?"
A Smile flickered across his face. "Oh nothing just jet-lagged I guess."
"You can't lie to me Nigel. I know you better than that." Sydney glanced back at Karen who was whispering into the phone.
Sydney raised an eyebrow, Karen had been whispering into the phone for tha last month.
"Really, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong." NIgel protested. "Seriously," he said as Sydney gave him one of those, 'are-you
-sure' type of look.
Karen had placed down the phone, and was walking towards her and Nigel.
"Oh yeah, since the both of yu are here, than I guess I can break the bad news now," Karen said while smiling with the
'you're-gonna hate-me-for-this' look.
"What bad news?" Sydney asked.
Karen didn't answer but passed her a letter instead. As Sydney opened it, Karen spoke. "The collage wants you and Nigel
to give a talk on relic hunting and on the new relic you just found for a seminar on ancient studies...on Christmas day."
"What!" Sydney exclaimed as She read the letter, with Nigel reading from over her shoulder. "But, I've got a family to
go back to this Christmas! And who want to have a seminar on Christmas day?"
"Sorry, but I'm just the messanger. Don't kill me."
Sydney let out a huge sigh and threw her hands up. "Just when I was looking forward to the holidays."
"Oh well, C'est la vie." Nigel said. He took a file in his hands and walked to the door. "I'm just going to Dr. Miles
for while to drop a file." Nigel announced at an amazed Sydney and Karen.
"What's with him? I thought he'll be the one making the noise about this." Karen said, as soon as Nigel was out of earshot.
"I'm just amazed at this as you are." Sydney answered.
"And besides his always in a bad mood when he comes back from England at this time. Whtever happend to Christmas being
the season of joy?"
Karen was right, Sydney thought. It's been a pattern every year. But Sydney shrugged and karen went back to her work,
leaving Sydney with her thoughts.
********************************************
6 days to Christmas.
The collage was pretty much empty. Most of the teachers and every student had gone for Christmas break by now. Sydney
still grumbled at the idea of spending Christmas working. She had tried complaining to the Dean, but it didn't work. She
still had to attend the seminar. Sydney walked into the office and saw Nigel typing away at the computer.
"Hey Nigel."
Nigel looked up and smiled. "Morning Sydney."
Sydney stepped into her office and went straight to her cupboard. she only came to take a file and then she was heading
back. The cold and snow wasn't something she had in mind. All she wanted was to go back home, and enjoy the warmth there.
She found her what she was looking for, closed back the drawer and walked out. "See you Nigel."
"Yeah Christmas right," he replied without looking up this time. "Oh Sydney?"
Sydney turned back. "Yeah?"
"About Christmas. I've been thinking...maybe this year we should forget about the gifts. After all, we see each other
almost every year."
Sydney looked at Nigel and wondered. She had been hoping to give something to Nigel all year, and now this. "Yeah sure,
sounds practical," she lied. "Saves my shopping time."
"Yeah exactly. So see you?"
"Bye." Sydney said walking back to the door. This was a lousy Christmas.
*************************************************************
Christmas day...time:1345
"Ready to go?" Sydney asked from her office.
Nigel looked into her room and saw her arranging her notes. "Yes, but isn't it still a little too early?" he asked
reading his watch.
Sydney frowned. "Is it?" she looked at her watch. "Well we could get there early and prepare and still get a bite
to eat. How's that?" She asked while placing her sling bag over her head and unto her shoulder, and then a pile of files
and papers over her arm.
"Sure." Nigel got up from his chair and placed his laptop bag on his back, careful not to show what was inside.
"Let's take the lift. I'm not about to tale three flights of stairs with this weight." Sydney said referring to
her files.
Both of them walked silently to the lift and stepped into it as the doors opened automatically. Nigel read the screen
as the numbers counted down. 3-2-
Before the number 1 could appear, the lift jerked and stopped, forcing Nigel and Sydney to the floor. "What the-"
Sydney said clenching her teeth.
Nigel pushed himself up and pressed the lift's buttons. Nothing happened. "Oh no."
"What is it?" Sydney asked, sounding worried but calm.
"We're stuck."
*************************************************************
hie people..how was it...hope not too boring...plz review...;p
Note: Decided to take up Kharma's Christmas challenge and wrote this, Hope you guys like this and plz review. ;p
LET IT SNOW
*************************************************
"But it's Christmas!" a 6-year old complained over the phone.
"I know dear," a warm female voice answered back through the phone on the other end. "But your father and I have
things to attend to over here. Please understand dear. Both of us would do almost anything to get back in time."
The small boy frowned as he held unto the phone tighter. "You always say that. Last time you didn't come back home
for Nanna's birthday ."
"I know and we both explaind to Nanna why, and she understands."
"But I wish you could come back home," tears were welling up in the boy's eyes. "Please," he pleaded to his mother.
His mother let out a long breath as if admitting defeat. "Oh, all right. your father and I will try to get back on
Christmas. Happy?"
The little boy smiled broadly and shouted a definete yes into the phone. "Promise?"
The voice on the other laughed at her young son. "Yes, yes...I promise. Now what you have to do right now is
to go to bed." The boy frowned again. "I know that it's exactly an hour after your bedtime young man."
"But how did you know?"
"I'm your mother, I know everything. Now go back to bed before Nanna finds you talking on the phone. I don't think
she'll be very pleased to find you up so late," she said, only this time a little more firmly.
"K," he answered, amazed at how she knew the time, when she wasn't even in the same country. "Mummy?"
"Yes dear?"
"I love you."
She laughed again. "And I love you to."
"And Daddy."
"Yes, and daddy loves you to. Now go to bed."
"Bye."
"Bye dear."
The boy placed down the phone back into it's cradle and ran back upstairs to his brother's room. He couldn't wait to tell
him that he had made their parent's come home for Christmas.
*****************************************************************
The cemetary was quiet. Nobody was around except for the silent graves which were covered by the December snow.
He walked over to a grave stone and stared at it for a while. Finally he bent down to place the bouqet of red daisies
in front of it and dusted the snow covering the engravings. It was her favourite flower. He stood up and took of the sunglasses that were on his oval
shaped face. The sky was greyish as it threatened to snow again he concluded as he looked up.
"Sorry about the early visit," he said in his clipped British accent as it broke the silence. "I know it's still another
two more weeks to Christmas. Bu thought I come early this year. Well actually the truth is that your other son won't be around
to celebrate Christmas with me, his only brother." He snorted. "Probably out galavanting with some other girl."
"A lot's been happening since I moved to the states to work. Almost getting myself killed half the time," he laughed.
"And no. I'm still not married if your wondering. Though there is this woman who I'm sure the both of you would agree, is
a real firecraker. Her name's...well let's just say nothing happened yet. Though I wish it would," he said while looking down
and kicking the snow with his shoe.
He sighed and looked up as a bird flew over. "I miss you both," he said as a lump formed in his throat. "I'm so sorry.
I shouldn't have made you come back so early. If I hadn't you would still be here." Tears were in his eyes. "It was all my
fault. I'm so sorry." He looked down at the grave, his brown hair covering his eyes. he looked up again and dried them.
"There I go again. It's the same every year. I promise myself that I won't lose it again but it never works," he said
as he sniffed. "Well I have to go, sorry that couln't stay but flights at this time of the year are impossible to obtain,
and I've got work pilling up back there," he laughed, but not at his words, but at his feeling for not being brave enough
to stay and face them.
He walked up to the car but turned around instead. "Merry Christmas, Mum, Dad. Merry Christmas." He looked ta the words on
the grave stone and read again. It's been the same for the last 20 years and it hasn't changed.
IN MEMORY OF
JAMES and ELIZABETH BAILEY
BOTH WILL REMEMBERED AS
LOVING FRIENDS AND
LOVING PARENTS
1950-25TH DECEMBER 1980
******************************************************************
The clock over the fire place ticked away slowly. Too slow.
Two young boys one aged 9, while the other 6, sat quietly on the sofa in the living room, waiting. They glanced at
the unopened presnts on the floor underneath the Christmas tree, as the snow outside was falling. They had been waiting
the whole day for their parents to fulfill their promise to come for Christmas. It was already Christmas and also dinner
time. But their parents weren't home yet. The youngest was upset yet angry at the same time. 'Why weren't they home yet?
They promised!' he thought. he glanced at the coffe table. On it was an angel ornament that belonged on top of their
christmas tree. Every year, their family would place it on the tree together. It was a tradition.
Suddenly the door bell rang, the sound echoing through their large house. Both the boys jumped up and was about to run
to the door.
"Preston! Nigel! What did I tell you about opening the door?" A loud but firm voice came from behind. It was Nanna.
"Don't open unless told," both answered in unison. "But it's mother and father!" protested Preston.
The door bell rang again. "I said you can't open the door, I didn;t say anything about not being able to follow," she
answered with a twinkle in her eye. Nanna was the caretaker of the house, but was also like another part of the family. She
was trusted by their parents to take care of both of them since there were born.
Both of them followed Nanna down the corridor to the door. The bell rang another 2 times bofore they had reached the
door. A looked of worry flickered on her face as they reached the door, and saw red and blue lights flashing through the
stained glass of the door. Nanna opened it and two policemen were standing in front of them.
"Is this the residence of James and elizabeth Bailey?" one of the policemen asked.
Nanna looked at them with a suspicious eye before answering. "Yes. Is something wrong?"
The other policeman glanced down at the two boys and looked back at the notepad he was holding. "Are they Preston
and Nigel Bailey? Sons of James and Elizabeth?"
"Yes. what's going on?" Nanna asked, her voiced thick with worry.
"You are?" one of the policeman asked.
"Carol Innes. The caretaker. Please, what happened?"
Both the policemen looked at each other. The one on the right spoke. "I'm sorry to say this, but both Mr. and Mrs.
Bailey died in a car accident on the way back from the airport on the highway this evening. I'm sorry."
Nanna hand covered her mouth with her hand as the words echoed through the corridor. She cried and held the two young
boys in her arms, whom both were unable to understand what was happening and how their lives were changing forever.
********************************************************
"Excuse sir. Sir?"
Nigel woke up to the calls of a sweet voice. "Huh?" he was still dazed from his sleep. A young woman was standing over
him, dressed in something like a uniform.
"Sorry to wake you up, but the plane is about to land and all passengers are required to fasten their seatbelts."
Land? Seatbelt? where was he? "Um...yes of course." he shook his head to clear the cob webs and remembered where he was
He was on a plane back from England. Nigel tighten his seatbelt. He thoughts returning to him, as well as his dream.
Only it wasn't a dream. It really happened. He remebered the voices, the lights and people explaining to him and his
brother, that their parents weren't coming home for Christmas. They were dead.
Nigel sighed and looked out the window, watching as the ground gradually came closer.
After so many years, things were still fresh in his mind. Sometimes he wished that he would forget everything that
happened. And sometimed...he was glad that he still could, something like a punishment for him. Having to relive those
moments forever.
He gripped the arm rest of the seats tighter as the plane made a bumpy landing. In a short while passengers were being
ushered out of the plane as smilling stewards and stewarddes' wished them goodbye. Nigel took a deep breath before facing the
terrorfying crowd of the holiday seasons, as well as to prepare to face Christmas again. Outside snow was falling, he
noticed through the larger than life windows of the airport.
He hated snow.
************************************************
10 days to Christmas...
Sydney tidied up het table and shuffled all her paperwork together. She glanced at the clock on her table that read
10 o'clock. She looked outside and found that Nigel's table was still empty, she knew that Nigel would have arrived
back from England already but he still wasn't in yet. Sydney took the files from her table and casually walked over to
Karen who was siting at her table shifting through some paper. Sydney was about to ask her to file those for her and then
ask about Nigel when he came in.
"Morning Nigel," Sydney said, hoping she didn't sound to excited than usual.
"Oh um...oh hi Syd, morning," he answered, sounding like his cat died last night only he doesn't have a cat.
Nigel walked to his table and placed his bag on it while eyeing that 2 inch thick pile of paper. Sydney shot a look
at Karen who looked just as surprised at Nigel's mood.
The phone rang and Karen picked it up by the first ring. She's getting good at this thought Sydney. Sydney walked
towards NIgel and planted herself next to him. It took a while before noticing her.
"Oh...is something wrong Syd?" he finally asked from above his glasses.
"You tell me. You're the one coming in here with the cold mood," she answered taking her glasses off. "Whar happened
to you?"
A Smile flickered across his face. "Oh nothing just jet-lagged I guess."
"You can't lie to me Nigel. I know you better than that." Sydney glanced back at Karen who was whispering into the phone.
Sydney raised an eyebrow, Karen had been whispering into the phone for tha last month.
"Really, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong." NIgel protested. "Seriously," he said as Sydney gave him one of those, 'are-you
-sure' type of look.
Karen had placed down the phone, and was walking towards her and Nigel.
"Oh yeah, since the both of yu are here, than I guess I can break the bad news now," Karen said while smiling with the
'you're-gonna hate-me-for-this' look.
"What bad news?" Sydney asked.
Karen didn't answer but passed her a letter instead. As Sydney opened it, Karen spoke. "The collage wants you and Nigel
to give a talk on relic hunting and on the new relic you just found for a seminar on ancient studies...on Christmas day."
"What!" Sydney exclaimed as She read the letter, with Nigel reading from over her shoulder. "But, I've got a family to
go back to this Christmas! And who want to have a seminar on Christmas day?"
"Sorry, but I'm just the messanger. Don't kill me."
Sydney let out a huge sigh and threw her hands up. "Just when I was looking forward to the holidays."
"Oh well, C'est la vie." Nigel said. He took a file in his hands and walked to the door. "I'm just going to Dr. Miles
for while to drop a file." Nigel announced at an amazed Sydney and Karen.
"What's with him? I thought he'll be the one making the noise about this." Karen said, as soon as Nigel was out of earshot.
"I'm just amazed at this as you are." Sydney answered.
"And besides his always in a bad mood when he comes back from England at this time. Whtever happend to Christmas being
the season of joy?"
Karen was right, Sydney thought. It's been a pattern every year. But Sydney shrugged and karen went back to her work,
leaving Sydney with her thoughts.
********************************************
6 days to Christmas.
The collage was pretty much empty. Most of the teachers and every student had gone for Christmas break by now. Sydney
still grumbled at the idea of spending Christmas working. She had tried complaining to the Dean, but it didn't work. She
still had to attend the seminar. Sydney walked into the office and saw Nigel typing away at the computer.
"Hey Nigel."
Nigel looked up and smiled. "Morning Sydney."
Sydney stepped into her office and went straight to her cupboard. she only came to take a file and then she was heading
back. The cold and snow wasn't something she had in mind. All she wanted was to go back home, and enjoy the warmth there.
She found her what she was looking for, closed back the drawer and walked out. "See you Nigel."
"Yeah Christmas right," he replied without looking up this time. "Oh Sydney?"
Sydney turned back. "Yeah?"
"About Christmas. I've been thinking...maybe this year we should forget about the gifts. After all, we see each other
almost every year."
Sydney looked at Nigel and wondered. She had been hoping to give something to Nigel all year, and now this. "Yeah sure,
sounds practical," she lied. "Saves my shopping time."
"Yeah exactly. So see you?"
"Bye." Sydney said walking back to the door. This was a lousy Christmas.
*************************************************************
Christmas day...time:1345
"Ready to go?" Sydney asked from her office.
Nigel looked into her room and saw her arranging her notes. "Yes, but isn't it still a little too early?" he asked
reading his watch.
Sydney frowned. "Is it?" she looked at her watch. "Well we could get there early and prepare and still get a bite
to eat. How's that?" She asked while placing her sling bag over her head and unto her shoulder, and then a pile of files
and papers over her arm.
"Sure." Nigel got up from his chair and placed his laptop bag on his back, careful not to show what was inside.
"Let's take the lift. I'm not about to tale three flights of stairs with this weight." Sydney said referring to
her files.
Both of them walked silently to the lift and stepped into it as the doors opened automatically. Nigel read the screen
as the numbers counted down. 3-2-
Before the number 1 could appear, the lift jerked and stopped, forcing Nigel and Sydney to the floor. "What the-"
Sydney said clenching her teeth.
Nigel pushed himself up and pressed the lift's buttons. Nothing happened. "Oh no."
"What is it?" Sydney asked, sounding worried but calm.
"We're stuck."
*************************************************************
hie people..how was it...hope not too boring...plz review...;p