Chapter 17: Reconsiderations
Christmas Eve...
The Christmas Eve was awakened now. Snow was falling from the sky steadily with each individual snowflake being created by many different creators. Everyone was now awakening to the beautiful scene.
Mike sat straight up this morning at six, his late time. He looked toward the window which was shrouded with the curtain. Mike glanced down toward Stella, who was sleeping soundlessly beside him. He nudged her in her ribs.
Stella opened her silver eyes and yawned pleasantly. "Good morning, Mikey..."
Mike stood up off of their bed and walked toward the window. He pulled the curtain back and met the snow with his chocolate brown eyes. Stella sat upward and glanced out the window.
"Another white Christmas." Stella looked back over toward Mike. "...You don't understand what I'm thinking, do you?"
Mike turned toward her. "Do what?"
"You don't understand what I'm supposed to be thinking about, do you?"
"The first Christmas we had together?"
"No. Not about us. About...CC. About her and her husband. I now know why you're doing this."
Mike turned pale. "You're not saying-"
"Yes, I am. You like her too much."
Mike glanced down at the ground. "I just don't wanna lose her as a-"
"No, you don't wanna lose your chances with her." Stella stood up. "You haven't even said anything to me really yet. So bah, humbug to you, too!" Stella turned angrily on her heels and marched out the door.
Mike glared after her. "...Is she still on her period right now?" He paused and thought for a minute. She has a point. I haven't done anything for anyone this holiday season. I think I'm doing Cait a favor, but really I'm killing her...on accident. I don't want to lose her... Stella thinks I love her in a certain way, but I don't. I love her like a sister, and I thought her husband wasn't good enough for her...
Meanwhile...
Caitlin looked at the gifts under the tree. They had somehow unrealistically been dodged from the fire. She remembered her present for Boss and how excited she was when she bought it for him...
"I gotta get out of here," she whispered to herself as she walked over to Bossy's playpen. He stared up at her with his beautiful sapphire blue eyes. Caitlin picked him up and put him in a flannel Elf outfit that she had gotten the day before. Bossy giggled as she put an Elf hat on his head. He flapped his ears as she put on her black dress and put her pale brown hair up with a red rose. Caitlin put a red scarf on her and Bossy.
"Now we have matching scarves!" Caitlin laughed. "I bought one for Boss for Christmas...if he comes home. Anyway, let's go do some last minute shopping." She spun Bossy in the air and held him close to her bosom as she walked out of the door into the cold.
The snow came down around her as she walked to town. Bossy giggled happily as he tried catching it in his little paws. He flapped his ears down to keep out the cold. Caitlin smiled at him merrily.
Once in town, Caitlin did a little last-minute shopping. She bought things for everyone that she was going to get gifts for and sent the gifts for friends that lived out of the area.
"Cait!"
Caitlin turned around. She saw Mike walking toward her from down the sidewalk.
"Oh, hashaa."
"So, you're coming to our Christmas party later tonight, right?" Mike's bold, chocolate brown eyes shone.
Caitlin shrugged as she pulled her scarf closer to her. "I don't know. I might just wait at home for Boss... Sigh, what's happened to him this time?" She sighed dreadfully as she held Bossy closer to her. "I just wish... I just wish that I knew he was alright. I mean, Christmas is all about being with your loved ones, and he's my one and only..."
This isn't going well..., Mike thought to himself. "Come anyway. Maybe something might happen..."
Caitlin glared at him. "Alright, I'll be there. I'm bringing Bossy with me since I don't have a babysitter for him." She turned away and walked back toward the clubhouse.
Oh, dear Lord, now I have to end my plan two days short, Mike thought to himself as he walked back toward the Bad Hams Place.