I'll be home for Christmas:
Thanksgiving was now long since past and Christmas seemed to get closer and closer with each passing day. It was her favorite times of year but this year she couldn't bring herself to truly enjoy it. Something was missing in her life and she knew what it was. But there was also nothing she could do about it.
"I'm heading out. You sure you don't wanna come?"
"No, I'm good thanks though."
Her friend turned for the door.
"Phoebe, why don't you go home for the holidays? I can lend you the cash if that's a big deal."
Phoebe looked up at her friend, "No. I can't." She answered quietly as she watched the flickering lights on their tree.
Marilynn sighed, "Well if you change your mind let me know." She said as she closed the door behind her leaving her friend to think of Christmas' past and what she would miss out on.
----
December 19 and the presents she had for her sisters still sat under their tree; She was yet to mail them
"Won't make it their now will you?" she said to no one as she picked up the gift she got for Prue.
She felt the lone tear trickle down her cheek as she thought of Christmas' past. But where she really found her mind drifting was to Christmas present. She was 1000's of miles away from where she wanted to be, and after her fight with Prue, she knew she couldn't go home for Christmas
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents 'neath the tree
She pictured Christmas morning, as Prue and Piper sat in the living room opening their stockings and presents. Laughing about everything, and talking about the presents they had received.
She could almost smell Pipers turkey and stuffing as the smell wafted its way through the Manor.
She could see the lights all over the inside and outside of the Manor they had shared together the over 20 yrs. The angel their mother had made, sitting graciously on the top. Letting all that saw her know of the love that was put into it and the love that they all shared. "I guess this year I'll miss out on all that." she said quietly as she placed the gift back under her small tree.
The song on the radio reminding her of everything she was going to miss out on
Christmas eve will find me,
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams
She heard the knock on her door. It was December 23, two days till Christmas. Her sisters present still sat under the tree. She had forgotten to mail them. Today I will. They may not get there on time for Christmas but at least they will be post marked before.
"Special delivery for you." Marilynn said as she sat on Phoebes bed handing her the small envelope.
No return address, she noted as she turned it over to open it. As she looked inside she was stunned.
"What is it?" her friend asked eagerly.
"Um. It's a plane ticket." Phobe replied quietly
"Plane ticket? To where?" she asked, but she already knew.
Phoebe pulled out the ticket and the small-attached card 'Wish you were here.' "To San Francisco. It's Pipers writing ,so I'm guessing it's from her."
"Well let's get you packed kid. You have a plane to catch tomorrow." Marilynn grabbed her suitcase and started throwing everything inside. Once everything was packed they had there own private Christmas.
-----
The next day Phoebe got on the plane, bound for home. She couldn't believe she was actually going home for Christmas.
---
Marilynn placed her keys on the counter as she picked up the phone. "Package is on its way." She said as she listened to the voice at the other end.
"'Yeah, and you owe me big time. Don't even think I will forget this." She listened again. "Merry Christmas to you too." she said as she hung up the phone. She had done her Christmas giving and hoped that with her help it would bring her friends family back together.
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve, and to her the airport seemed almost deserted. Maybe it was because she was on one of the last flights into the city. She grabbed her bags and made her way from the airport. Heading towards the taxi stands she stopped as someone stepped in front of her. Tired from the time change and the flight, she was about yell at them till she realized who it was.
"Need a ride?"
She stood there ready to burst into tears as she let her sister take her bags from her, "Hurry up will you, before our sister realizes I'm gone and gives me heck." She shouted over her shoulder.
She walked in the Manor not really sure what to expect. She had told her that her sister didn't know anything about her coming home. That it was a surprise.
Heading up to her bed from sheer exhaustion, she fell asleep immediately not sure what Christmas morning would bring.
--- ----
Christmas morning came as Phoebe lay in her bed. Even with her flight the night before she was still awake early. Time change and the excitement that always dwelled in her that time of year.
Grabbing her robe she pulled it around her, shutting out the cold Christmas air, as she made her way down the stairs. She could hear Prue and Piper in the living room just talking. Taking a deep breath she rounded the corner.
"I hope there are lots of presents under that tree for me too." she said as she saw her sisters turn and look up at her.
"That, is why we have to wait for the presents." She said as she saw the look of amazement on her sisters' face.
Phoebe stood there as her sister walked up to her and hesitated a moment before pulling her baby sister into a warm hug, "I can't believe you're here. It wouldn't have been the same without you. But." She pulled back, turning to her other sister, "you?" she asked not ready to believing that her sisters would do what she had. As she looked again to what she held her arms.
"Me. Merry Christmas Piper." Prue said as she watched her sisters together.
Phoebe and her still had some major issues, but this was a time for family. And as she watched her two yougner sisters sitting together on the couch she knew she had given them both the best presents ever. Each other.
--- ----
Th end