Disclaimer: I own the plot and my OC's. All else is Michael Buckley's...
A/N: sorry for the pro-longed absence :/ hope this makes up for it :)

19. Home for Christmas

Wishlist ~ The Ready Set

Narrator's point of view...

Snowbird, trying ribbons up in your hair, wishing that I could be there, stay awake, stay aware. 'Cause I'll try to stay awake throughout the night, and I will chase the sun in flight till I'm there, I'll be there…

Yet still no ring of the bell. No knock at the door. No footsteps to announce his presence. Nothing.

She'd been awaiting his arrival for quite some time now, holding onto the promise they'd made a while back.

Keeping up contact with miles of distance in between proved challenging. Yet what other choice did they have?

Winter finally came, and his promise hang in the air. Yet where was he, at this hour of need? This day of joyful celebration, of christmas spirit, of families, of love. Yet he was nowhere to be found.

Chestnuts roasted by an open fire, in hollow spirit. Struggling to keep warm in empty blankets, she continued looking out her wind ow with faint hope as billions and trillions of snowflakes made their descent t o the ground, covering the world with a soft, white blanket.

The snow gradually began to linger in the air rather than continue its hastening across the sky. Eventually, dusk broke out, masking the skies in darkness. The fire's warm glow kept light in the atmosphere, yet she had nothing to which she could hold dear. Spying a flurry of a shooting star across the sky, she closed her eyes and dared a whispered wish. Yet she should have known better. Why aim with such high spirits w hen you're sure to be rejected by the world?

I've got time, 24 hours , waiting for the go ahead from the tower. If I had just one wish, get me home for Christmas…

Wonder of wonders, sh e was then brought out of her melancholy thoughts by the sound of a jingle of keys—bringing her to her feet—followed by footsteps hurriedly ascending the staircase, simultaneous to the anxious beating of her heart.

And suddenly she was engulfed in his arms, breathing in his scent of peppermint and pine, eyes shut tight and holding on for dear life. Words of endearment passed. But to her, it meant nothing. Words couldn't capture what lay enveloped inside her heart. Looking deep within her, she felt warmth, yet not of the physical type. Finally he was home. Finally she was complete. Finally…it felt like Christmas.

Loosening his hold, he turned her head towards him and a soft smile lit up her pale face. Brushing a stray golden lock tenderly behind her ear, he kissed her cheek gently, causing a rosy blush of color to rise.

Time passed a nd they now sat enveloped in blankets at the window, the very spot in which she 'd felt lonely mere minutes before. More words passed as he told her of his travels and wonders in every city, yet in each and every one , thoughts of her still filled his mind. With a sigh, she fell even further into his arms, causing them to tighten their hold around her, never letting go. Fingers intertwined, they lay there, enjoying the other's presence, dreading time of departure. For every rainbow fades out…

But for now, enjoying the moment at hand was their utmost priority.

Gradually, darkness grew even heavier yet the fire's fervent glow kept them awake as she told him of missed events and occurances. Yet she was only filling a peaceful serenity with unnecessary words. Subtly, he silenced her with a kiss, bringing her even closer as the atmosphere grew colder.

As the sky cleared out, they were rewarded with a sight of the full moon, bearing its light on all. It shone through as candle-light dimmed, leaving the two in peaceful reunion. If only for a moment…