Chapter 4- Christmas with the Nixon's
It was about 5:30 when Sam and Phil left the station. They pulled up outside their house about 15minutes later. The lights were on in the living room so Sam knew that Francesca was at home. 'Francesca!' Sam called as she and Phil entered the house.
'In the kitchen!' Francesca replied and Sam and Phil entered.
'You're certainly making yourself at home,' Sam remarked.
'I just thought that after a hard day's work, you wouldn't fancy doing the cooking,' Francesca replied as she produced a bottle of champagne.
'Nice one sis,' Sam said. 'I'm just gonna find the Christmas decorations.'
'OK then. I'll give you a shout when dinner's ready,' Francesca replied.
'Cheers Francesca,' Sam said as she disappeared upstairs.
Phil watched Sam go upstairs before going back into the kitchen. He closed the door and turned to Francesca. 'Francesca, can I have a word?' He asked.
'Yeah sure, Phil. What about?' Francesca replied.
'I've got a little surprise planned for February 14th,' Phil said.
'Oooh sounds intriguing! What sort of surprise,' Francesca asked.
'That'll have to wait till after I've told Sam. I don't think its fair if I tell you before I tell Sam, that's all,' Phil replied.
'I understand,' Francesca said.
'Phil!' Sam called. 'Give us a hand would you?'
'Coming!' Phil replied. 'Not a word to Sam, OK?'
Francesca nodded and Phil went upstairs to help Sam out. Francesca watched Phil go upstairs and sat herself down with a glass of champagne. It was her first Christmas without her husband and she felt a bit uneasy about it. That was part of the reason that she came back to find Sam. She wanted to get to know her sister again.
Sam and Phil came downstairs with a couple of boxes and a few bags of decorations. 'Right then, shall we have some food first then do this lot?' Sam asked.
'Yeah, I'm starving,' Francesca replied.
About half an hour, Sam, Phil and Francesca started on the Christmas decorations. Francesca found a CD of Christmas songs and put it on the stereo. The first song began to play:
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true…
All I want for Christmas
Is you…
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true…
All I want for Christmas is you
(Mariah Carey- All I Want For Christmas Is You)
'I know exactly what I want for Christmas,' Phil remarked as he put his arms around Sam's waist and gently kissed her neck.
'The only thing I want for Christmas is a bloody divorce!' Francesca replied as she took another sip of champagne.
About an hour later, they finished decorating the tree and started on the rest of the room. By about 10:00, the living room was totally unrecognisable from the way it was a few hours ago. Francesca yawned. 'I'm going up to bed, I'll see you,' she said.
Francesca went over to Sam and gave her a hug. 'I'll see you,' she said again and went upstairs.
'It's the first chance I've had to be alone with you all day,' Phil said as he sat down on the sofa.
Sam refilled tow glasses of champagne in the kitchen and she re-entered the living room. She passed one glass to Phil and sat down beside him on the sofa. 'Thanks babe,' Phil said and kissed Sam softly on the lips.
Sam leant her head on Phil's shoulder and he started stroking her hair. After about half an hour, Sam started to doze off. 'Come on. I think we'd better get you up to bed,' Phil finally said.
Sam started to stir. 'Yeah, I'm tired,' she said.
Phil got up and turned off the lights on the Christmas tree before returning to Sam. He carried her upstairs to their bedroom and gently laid her down on the bed. 'I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year,' Sam said.
'I think I know why,' Phil replied.
'It's because its our first Christmas together and being alone in New York over the festive period is going to make it all the more special,' Sam said as she got undressed and got into bed.
'As you said, it's our first Christmas and I wanted to make it special,' Phil replied and he got into bed beside Sam.
'We've got each other Phil. That's special enough but if you want to spoil me then I'm not gonna stop you,' Sam smiled. 'I've spent more Christmases on my own than I can remember. It makes a change to be spending it with someone I…truly, truly love.'
Phil put his hand on the side of Sam's face. 'I've spent every Christmas on my own since I broke up with Cindy. I love you Sam and I got everything I wanted when we got together after the miscarriage,' He said.
Phil kissed Sam softly on the neck and put his arms around her waist before going off to sleep.