The morning of Christmas Eve was one of anticipation for Jim. He'd spent the rest of the previous evening making certain arrangements in regards to Jenny. There were a few lose ends to tie up but things were already in motion.

Jenny opened the cafe for breakfast at the usual time. A few minutes later a delivery man stood at her counter. "Jenny Lawson?"

"Yes? I'm Jenny Lawson."

"This is for you," He smiled as he placed a beautiful Christmas cactus on the counter. It was in full bloom; the stems heavy with color.

"Thank you," she smiled at him.

"Don't thank me...he said it's all on the card," the man winked and left.

She pulled the card out of the little envelope and read:

Pardon me if I seem to cop an attitude

But the attitude is one of worship

And is, I think, sincere.

My heart swells

against the prison of my ribs

And grows to keep my lungs from seeking air.

Still the breath is not pushed out

By such a simple force as pride

But by the glory of my dreaming

That I might, perhaps, be loved

By you. ...Joseph Zitt

Jenny;

I'm sorry. Please forgive a fool.

Jim

She stared at the card and then at the plant. Not a word for weeks...and he ignored me the other night. And now this. She spent the next hour in a state of confusion.

It was a slow morning and the place was quiet. Too quiet...the silence gave her mind too much room for thought. She turned on the radio. Music will help. It was the mid morning request hour. About half way through the DJ read his next request:

"An unusual one for Christmas Eve but Jenny, this one's from Jim. An old Paul McCartney song...Maybe I'm Amazed"...

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time,
You hung me on the line.
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.

Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.

Baby, I'm a man,
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?

Baby, I'm a man, maybe I'm a lonely man
Who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.

Baby, I'm a man,
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time,
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song,
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you.

Jenny stared at the radio. No... it couldn't be Jim...not possible. But he does know this is your favorite radio station...

Jenny made it through lunch and she and Luis closed the cafe and began the cleaning up. She wouldn't have minded staying open but she knew Luis wanted to go home to his family, so she had decided on an early closing. They finished about 3:30 and she headed upto her apartment. A few minutes later there was a knock on her door.

She opened the door to three people who were in matching outfits.The obvious leader of the group spoke, "Jenny?"

"Yes..."

The leader turned to her companions...and they began to sing:

I was making my list
I was checking it twice
In the middle of this
I got tears in my eyes
For in my foolish heart
There was one simple truth
The only gift I wanted was you

Jim stood just outside, listening ...and hoping.

I was trimming the tree
I was stringing the lights
While the radio played "Silent Night"
There were presents you sent
Though there were quite a few
The only gift I wanted was you

"This is for you...:" she handed Jenny a stuffed animal. "And this," one of her companions offered. "And in case you're wondering," said the third, "he's downstairs, hoping you'll let him come up." said the third. They turned and bounded down the steps.

Se hlooked at the toy. It was a donkey. There was a note attached. Her fingers shook as she opened it.

I'm sorry I've been such a jackass. Can you forgive me?

Jim

She looked at the donkey again and noticed it was wearing a nametag around it's neck: It said 'Jim.'

The second gift was a single red rose. There was a ribbon attached and entwined in the ribbon was a gold heart pendent with a single dimond chip. On the back it was inscribed: Yours, Jim.

Slowly she walked down. He was standing just outside, hands in his pockets. He looked hopeful...and nervous. When he saw her he stepped tentatively toward her. "Jenny?" She looks so lost...confused. His heart ached for the pain he had caused.

"Jim?"

He stepped a little closer. "You got my message?"

She cracked a small smile."Which one?"

He stood a foot away. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah...so...?"

"Can we talk?"

"Upstairs?"

He follwed her up and walked into her living room. Standing in the middle he turned to face her. Closing the door behind her, she froze in place.

"Jenny, I know I hurt you...I'm really sorry. I was ...just so confused...and afraid."

She made a step toward him. "Afraid?"

"Of getting hurt... you're so much younger..." he stepped toward her."I guess I don't understand..."

Her eyes were searching his. "Age is relative, Jim..."

"Yeah, I'm not sure I understand what that means...I...,he swallowed, not knowing how to say what he was thinking.

"You've weathered some storms, Jim. So have I. I'm not sure what you expect me to say...I can't seem to help the way I feel about you. Age has nothing to do with it."

"But...I'll go way before you do and you'll be alone."

"I've been alone before. Point is, neither of us has to be alone now..."

He stepped closer to her. But what if..."

"No what if...no worrying about a future we can't predict" She moved much closer to him.

He reached his hand out and cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. His blue eyes bored into her, reaching into the depths of her soul and touching her in places no one had ever touched before. He felt the connection immediatly and suddenly all of his fears and worries fell away. Gently he lowered his lips to hers, his kiss much gentler than his last one had been. He lingered over her lips for a long time and then slowly took possession of them and eventually her mouth. She moved into him and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close...needing her warmth. Her hands climbed his back, pressing him into her. They stood, kissing for a sweet eternity until finally both needed air. He eased her head to his shoulder. "Still want me for Christmas?' he asked.

"That's a good start.' She smiled at him; his smile.

Her hands slid inside his jacket and eased it off his shoulders. He finished removing it and slung it over a chair. Walking to her kitchen, she asked if he wanted anything.

"Yeah, you." His meaning was unmistakable. She returned with a soda and handed him a scotch. He set it down and reached for her again. They sat on the couch, his arm around her shoulder with her snuggling into his shoulder. For a few minutes they simply enjoyed the quiet between them.

How about we go someplace for dinner?" he asked. "Let someone else do the cooking for a change."

She gazed into his warm, loving eyes and replied. "Only of I can cook you breakfast in the morning..."