My Angel for Me
Chapter 1: The Children Were Nestled All Snug in Their Beds
Amanda pulled the covers up over her two boys, kissing each forehead, careful not to wake them. Even as they lay sleeping, she could sense their anticipation for dawn. She gently closed their bedroom door. The disappointment of missing Christmas Eve with her family sunk in, including snuggling by the tree just before bedtime. She loved watching their faces light up with excitement, when she read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. They always left out milk and cookies for Santa, even when Philip started being suspicious about him. Amanda reminded Philip if he didn't believe, Santa wouldn't come. She really just wanted to have at least one more year for Jamie to experience the magic through innocent eyes. After the boys fell asleep, Amanda and her mother stuffed their stockings and placed the gifts under the tree. Afterwards, they sat watching It's a Wonderful Life while sipping on steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
As she descended the stairs, Amanda thought to herself, I just need to do a couple of things, and then I can finally shut my eyes. She padded into the family room. The relief she felt was immense. Santa had already filled the stockings and placed the presents under the tree. I will need to give Santa my personal thanks tomorrow! She crept into the kitchen, pulled out a glass from the cupboard and poured herself some milk. She took her first sip as she gazed out the kitchen window. It would've been pitch dark, only for the dim backyard light Amanda kept on, in case 'anyone' wanted to visit her window at night. The snow had started to lightly fall again, covering the trees and yard in a majestic-looking blanket. Her mind went to Lee, as it often did these days. Poor Lee. I know how much he hates hospitals. Come to think of it, poor nurses! I'll give him a call after I get some sleep.
Amanda carried her milk and sat down on the couch, facing the Christmas tree. It looked like a photo from the front of a Hallmark Christmas card. Aware that she was only going to get one or two hours of sleep before her boys would come bounding down the stairs, she allowed herself to drift off on the couch.
The phone rings. Amanda answers, "Hello?" It's silent on the other end. Amanda tries again. "Hello, anybody there?"
Through a bit of static, she hears a familiar voice whispering, "That's a nice tree you picked out."
She knew the voice, but it couldn't be possible. "Daddy?" Amanda felt her heart beating a bit faster.
"Just remember, it's okay to take your time. There is no rush when you're looking for the right tree. You'll know when it's 'the one'. It may not be perfect because none truly are. The needles may feel prickly at first - they'll soften over time, so be patient. With your magic touch, you'll make it even more spectacular."
"Daddy, where are you? How are you calling me? I miss you!"
"Merry Christmas, Panda", the voice said lovingly, fading to barely a whisper.
Goosebumps covered her body as she pleaded, "Don't go!" But the line went dead. Amanda desperately pressed down on the plunger over and over hoping to hear her father's voice that she misses so much. Instead, she hears a different voice.
"Boy, it must've been some Christmas party!"
Startled, Amanda's eyes flew open. She awoke to see her sons rummaging through the presents under the tree. She quickly wiped her tears that threatened to fall, so the boys wouldn't see. They hugged her, and she sent them upstairs to wake their grandmother.
Before starting the waffles, Amanda thought she should check in on Lee. She pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. As she dialed the number to Lee's hospital room, Amanda remembered how frightened she was when she realized Lee had been shot, and then the relief she felt when Dimitri agreed to get the medical kit.
TBC
