'Twas the night before Christmas.
It was just getting dark when String got back to the cabin. Tet was pleased to see him as always. After all the coloured lights and tinsel of the last few days, the cabin seemed a bit dull. It didn't normally worry him, he couldn't remember the last time he had put Christmas decorations up in the cabin, maybe not since he lost his folks.
String lit the fire and put on some classical music before dropping into the chair by the fire. Tet had made himself comfy on the rug and was enjoying the warmth. He looked up at String.
"Yep, just me and you again Tet, but hey I couldn't leave you on your own at Christmas could I?" He reached down and fussed Tet's head.
Cait knew he wasn't a fan of the holiday season and she hadn't tried to push her love of it on him and he appreciated that. She knew him well enough to understand. The thing was, he realised that ever since Cait had been in his life he was actually beginning to enjoy the festive period more than he cared to admit. Was it the spirit of the festive season finally winning him round or was it the spirit of a certain ex Texas Highway Patrol Deputy that was having that affect? Should he have gone with Cait to Texas? Should he just get in the Jet Ranger and go now? He didn't much fancy having to spend time with people he hardly knew, but at least the little light in his life that went out when he lost sight of Cait at the airport would still be there. Sighing, String glanced up and noticed the Christmas card Cait had given him on the mantel piece. Standing, he reached for it. Cait had chosen it because the dog on the front, which was wearing a Christmas hat, looked like Tet. He opened the card, the greeting just said Merry Christmas & Happy New Year and it had been signed 'Love Cait' with a row of little kisses. Love Cait? Did he? Was that why he felt like a love-sick teenager, missing someone already when he had only seen them a few hours ago? He had spent the last 3 years pushing her away and getting on with his life, but had she managed to wiggle her way into his heart despite his best efforts? The way String was feeling he would bet his life on it. Dropping back into the chair and picking up his glass of wine, he took a sip. The New Year was only a week away and Cait would be back in California. New Year, new String he decided, and he would make every effort to let Cait know exactly how he felt about her. A week seemed like a lifetime as he sat there by himself on Christmas Eve, but it would soon pass. Lost in his thoughts String nodded off in the chair.
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String was woken by the sound of a helicopter approaching. It was a helicopter he didn't recognise the sound of, so he got out of the chair and went and got the handgun that lived under the bar. Keeping low he placed himself to the side of the window and with gun raised and safety off he looked out. It was hard to see into the darkness but there was light coming from the chopper and the moon was full. The thing was String wasn't sure he could quite believe what he thought he was seeing, but putting the safety back on the gun and tucking it in the small of the back he opened the cabin door just as the chopper was taking off.
"What are you doing here?" asked String
"Well, are you going to let me come in or stand there asking silly questions?" answered Cait.
String stepped to one side and Cait carried her bags inside.
"Can you give me a hand, there are some more bags on the jetty." said Cait heading back towards where the helicopter had dropped her off. String followed and helped Cait gather the remaining bags. When they got back in the cabin, String just stood staring at her.
"Cait, what are you doing here? Why aren't you in Texas with your family and what are all these bags?"
"String, I am here because I couldn't enjoy Christmas knowing that you were here on your own OK, same answer to the second question and the bags contain our Christmas." replied Cait smiling.
"But I don't understand, you were so looking forward to Christmas with your family."
"I know, but I decided I wanted to spend it with you and Tet instead. I mean Mom wasn't happy, but she understands."
"Cait, I don't know what to say."
"Just say you are pleased to see me and help me get these groceries put away."
"Cait, of course I am pleased to see you, I was just thinking about you actually."
"Really?"
"Yes really."
String stepped forward and embraced Cait.
"Thank you Cait."
"What for?"
"For giving up Christmas with your family for….me."
String felt like he wanted to hold Cait in his arms forever but reluctantly let her go. Cait immediately started to empty the bags, putting the groceries she would need for a Christmas meal away.
"What are these for?" asked String lifting a bag which contained fairy lights, tinsel and a few baubles.
"Oh yeah, sorry, I know you don't decorate the cabin…and that's fine, but I just grabbed those and thought maybe they would nice around the fireplace, but understand if you would rather not."
Without saying anything, String grabbed Cait's hand, handing her her coat whilst grabbing his.
"String, where are we going?"
"We're going to get a tree."
"A tree, you never have a Christmas tree."
"Well I do now, come on, it's still Christmas Eve." said String as they left the cabin. He picked up the axe on the way past.
The moon was so bright and its reflection in the lake was stunning. It was a still and peaceful, beautiful night.
"I watched you at the boarding gate until you were out of sight Cait, I can't believe you didn't go." said String as he walked along holding Cait's hand.
"Well, I got to the door of the plane and realised that I was going to be miserable thinking about you spending Christmas on you own, so I just told the flight crew that I was feeling unwell and decided not to risk flying. It delayed the plane a bit whilst they got my suitcase off, but hey it's Christmas so nobody minded…..too much."
"But what about all the presents for your folks?"
"Oh I let those go with the plane and on my way back through the airport I arranged with the airline for my Sister to collect the luggage in Texas. Then I rang Dan, you know from Red Circle Flights. He owed me a favour, so I asked him to fly me up here."
String smiled. "Must've been some favour."
"Yeah well I helped him with his girlfriend a while back and now they're engaged to be married. String….are you pleased I'm here?"
String stopped walking, leaning the axe against a tree turned to face Cait.
"Cait, of course I am pleased you are here, I just can't believe you have given up so much of what you love for me."
The light from the moon was catching Cait's eyes and making them twinkle like tiny stars. String felt like he could gaze into them forever and before he knew what he was doing he had taken Cait into his arms and was kissing her passionately. Cait responded to him with the same passion. When they finally separated, neither spoke, but String collected the axe and they walked hand in hand towards a clump of pine trees.
"So, which one would you like?" asked String pointing at the pines.
"Ooo, well, we don't want a huge one do we, just one that would look nice by the fire I think" replied Cait. "how about this one, this one would be perfect."
String walked over to the tree Cait had chosen. It was only about 5 foot high, but would indeed look perfect by the fire. Swinging the axe, String soon had the tree chopped down. Turning back to the cabin Cait carried the axe whilst String dragged the tree. Just as they got back outside the cabin and whilst String man-handled the tree up the steps, Cait walked out along the jetty towards the lake. String turned when he realised Cait was no longer by his side. He watched Cait as she stood looking up as the stars and went to join her, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her close.
"What are you thinking about?" asked String.
"Oh, just how there is always a magical feeling in the air on Christmas Eve that's all. You probably think I'm crazy right?"
"No, I don't think you are crazy, I love that all this festive stuff makes you so happy and I love that you have never tried to change the way I feel about it….but I have to admit that some of your Christmas spirit has rubbed off on me anyway and besides, I think there might be something magical about this Christmas Eve too"
String looked down at Cait and into those twinkling eyes once again.
"Come on then, we need to get the tree up before midnight, and we have to be asleep before Santa comes, otherwise he won't leave us any presents you know." laughed Cait grabbing String's hand and leading him back to the cabin.
It didn't take them long to get the tree in position by the fire.
"I wish I had brought some more decorations now" said Cait stepping back to look at the rather bare tree, decorated only with the strand of lights, tinsel and few baubles she had brought with her.
"Hold on a minute" replied String as he headed upstairs.
He was gone for a few minutes. Cait couldn't quite believe what had happened. She had made the decision to come to the cabin because her heart ached from the thought of String spending Christmas by himself. Usually he at least had Dom with him. She did love spending Christmas in Texas with all her family and would miss the Christmas traditions they had developed over the years, but she also knew that she was where she was meant to be, here with String and Tet. She hadn't been sure what sort of reception she would receive, but from the way String held her at the airport, and how he had looked at her in the elf costume, she just had to take a chance on it being a warm one.
"Hey Cait, are these any good?" asked String coming down the stairs carrying a box.
Taking the box from String, Cait opened it. Inside were Christmas tree decorations from String's childhood.
"String, these are beautiful." said Cait lifting out a gold bauble painted with tiny stars.
"And so are you Cait." said String softly leaning across to kiss Cait once again.
Seeing that Cait was blushing at his comment made String smile.
"Are you sure you are OK with these going on the tree?" asked Cait.
"Yes, I'm sure. I must've kept them for a reason, and I think here with you tonight is the reason." replied String caressing Cait's cheek with his hand. "that gold bauble was my Mom's favourite."
Soon Cait had the tree looking wonderful. The decorations were twinkling from the reflection of the fairy lights and stood next to the fire it looked like an image from a Christmas card. The gold bauble with the tiny painted stars had pride of place on the front of the tree. As Cait stood back admiring her work String came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms.
"It looks great Cait."
"Magical" replied Cait leaning back into String's arms. "Hey, I meant to ask, do you want anything to eat? I brought lots of lovely goodies with me."
String turned Cait in his arms to face him.
"There is only one thing I want and its right here in my arms." replied String
"Well, I'm right here waiting, and I have been for some time" replied Cait with the most loving look in her eyes that String had ever seen in his life.
"I know."
String took her lips with his, picking her up as he did so, he carried her up the stairs to the sleeping loft.
What followed was filled with passion, lust but most of all love.
"Hey String" said Cait softly, looking up at him from where she lay snuggled up against his chest, his arms around her.
"Mmmmm" replied String meeting her gaze.
"I think I just heard a noise on the roof. Do you think it could be Santa?"
"A noise on the roof eh? Cait, how old are you?" smirked String.
"Hey you!" exclaimed Cait digging String gently in the ribs "you are never to old to believe you know. What's wrong with dreams of tiny reindeer, and a jolly old man in a sleigh, full of toys and presents and wonderful things, and the story of Christmas day* eh? "
String found himself just gazing into Cait's eyes and he realised then and there that she could say or do whatever she liked, he didn't care, he was a lost cause, and he knew it. Drawing Cait into his arms even tighter String intended to show Cait for the second time that night just how much she meant to him and afterwards they both fell asleep, locked in each other's arms.
*Cait's line about the jolly old man in a sleigh is taken from Alfie The Christmas Tree by John Denver. A beautiful poem/song, which has been part of my Christmas since I was a small child.