Author's note - I don't own any of the characters. Enjoy this little short.
It's that time of year again.
He took a breath of the cold wintery air, taking another step down the sidewalk, leaving his shoeprint in the inch-thick snow below. The snow blanketed the city, covering the streets with in a pillowy white. The small storm had started about an hour ago, making it a true white Christmas.
The sounds of the busy New York night had dulled down from its usual chaos. Elliot noted that it was probably due to the cold temperature outside. Everyone was probably close to falling asleep. It was getting late, close to midnight. All the children in their bed awaiting their gifts from Santa under the tree in the morning.
He had always enjoyed this holiday. Just the way the Christmas lights looked had made everything look so serene, like it was almost not even real.
Elliot had left Maureen's house about an hour ago, after having what seemed a feast to say the least. The whole family had gotten together to celebrate the holiday. His eldest daughter was adamant on hosting dinner at her brand-new home with her husband. Elliot first was reluctant since she was six months pregnant with the firstborn and he didn't want her to be overwhelmed. He had to tell her so many times to relax and sit down, but she was stubborn as always and wanted everything to go perfect.
All his children were there, and he couldn't believe they were getting so big. Where did the years go by? It had gone by so fast. It was as if he blinked and boom, they were all grown up. Even Eli was already twelve years old which blew his mind.
Kathy was cordial with him, even though things had not worked out between them they had never let it effect the children. He loved her and that would never change. This was just for the best.
Each year he would walk by her apartment, but never rang the doorbell. He couldn't bring himself to do it, every year going by just made it more difficult. Eight years. He meant to call her, to explain. After the shooting he had gone through a deep depression, he wouldn't get out of bed for days, drowning the memories with a bottle of Jack. Kathy couldn't take it anymore, and he didn't blame her. She had said that he wouldn't talk to her, and that she didn't know what to do anymore. He just couldn't share those demons with her, and have it haunt her as well.
It kept him up at nights. The holidays really got to him. The holidays were the time to reflect on what you were thankful for, and it was hard to be surrounded by family on a day like this, because he was so thankful for her.
His partner, his friend, his life.
He now stood directly in front of her apartment. He took in another breath, slowly exhaling and letting its cloud of fog show in the air. He paused and looked up to where her window was.
"Merry Christmas Liv." He said in a soft whisper.
He then looked back to the street around him and continued walking. "Just another block" he thought in his head. But he knew he would be out there much longer. Having the memories haunt him until morning.