The snow was falling outside, and starting to pick up as it grew closer to the evening, but it still wasn't bad or dangerous to drive in. Which was good, that made Alison Barrington feel so much better about still being at the mall, even if it was the last place she thought she'd be spending Christmas Eve.
So much had happened over the last few years, but finally she was her own, strong, self. No longer was her love of Rafe controlling her life. In fact Rafe was long, long gone. He drifted back to the Angels after one too many run ins with Caleb. In fact that whole part of her life was long gone. Things were so very different now, she barely saw anyone from those days. But that's to be expected she guessed.
These days she ran a catering business, did volunteer work when she could, and spent a lot of time thinking about her past. Just like she was right now, remembering the Christmas she and Jamal both worked as Elves. Her first real love, probably her only one and she'd let him slip away. But then she would remember the saying, If you love someone, let them go. If their yours to keep, they'll be back. Or it was something like that.
Besides, who really ever had time to date, when you had to prepare food for business meetings and bridal showers on a nonstop calendar? Though looking around her right now, she wished she'd been able to get this stuff done earlier. She did have plans this evening, to meet up as she did every year with some friends at the bar across from the hospital. It had been through so many changes and owners, she didn't even know what it was called anymore, and part of her didn't care. She was just glad for the tradition.
She paused for a moment in front of the electronics store, mesmerized by the sight of Rudolph on television, and it brought a smile to her face.
"I love that Hermie." A voice spoke from next to her and it sent chills down her spine.
"Me to, the only elf searching for himself." She responded before looking over and finding herself lost in his eyes again.
He smiled a warm smile, "Hey Spunky."
"Hey Jamal, its been a very long time."
He nodded, "Yeah, where's Rafe?"
Alison leaned forward, "Heaven. He and Caleb finally did each other in."
"Ouch, I'm sorry."
"Its okay, a lot has happened in these past few years." She looked back at the television screens, "Where the heck have you been?"
"Well, Imani almost killed me. She was a werewolf." Jamal Woods felt a sense of peace, finally being able to tell someone about that whole situation that would actually believe it. "After that, I figured I had to do something productive with my life."
"And what did you choose to do?" Her blond hair floating as she turned back to him in a way that still made Jamal's toes curl.
"Well, I joined the police academy and I'm a Detective now. I just moved back to Port Charles. What about you?"
Alison took out her business card and handed it to him, "My muffins are very popular."
"You do make the best." Jamal smiled, "Hey, want to get something to drink, or do you have to be somewhere."
"I could use a peppermint Hot Chocolate for sure."
He nodded and the boy started towards the food court.
Alison finished her last sip of hot chocolate when her phone began to ring, "Alison here." She gave Jamal a smile to say she was sorry for the interruption. "Oh, Hi Jack. Yes, I'll see you then. Bye."
"You still talk to Jack?" Jamal looked down at his empty cup, but held onto it still.
Alison sighed, "Not as much as I would like. Usually just around this time of year. I meet up with him, Lucy, Kevin and Chris at the bar across from the hospital on Christmas Eve. Its usually the only time I ever see them."
"Wow, things really are different, aren't they."
She nodded, "Yeah, hey want to come along?"
"I can't. I have to get to work, I'm covering for Lucky Spencer tonight."
Alison chuckled, "Do you remember the first year we went to the nurses ball, that seems like it was so long ago."
"Yeah, but sometimes its just like yesterday." Jamal finally stopped and tossed his empty cup in a trash can. "It was good to see you Spunky. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Jamal." Alison watched him walk away, and part of her felt her heart tugging at her, wishing it wouldn't be weird to call him back.
The squad room of the PCPD was quite, most of the guys had the evening off. Only a few were on duty and mainly focused on the television up in the corner that had a Christmas movie playing. Jamal wasn't really concerned with what it was, and was barely paying attention. Instead he was getting caught up on paperwork.
The snow was falling a bit more then it was earlier, but still nothing to worry about. It was the kind of night you normally would hate to have but this evening it was perfect. Especially for a man who had seen the love of his life earlier that day, and now had no idea how to deal with her. Not after all this time, and after all that they had been through.
"I found someone who wanted to see you." Alison's voice floated into his ear as Fred their good luck charm dangled before his eyes.
Jamal reached up and held on to Fred, "I haven't seen this little guy in years. What brings you here?"
Alison leaned against the top of his desk, "I didn't like how things ended at the Mall Woods."
He couldn't help but smile, "Oh really, and what do you plan to say or do about it."
"Well first, I brought you this." She placed a basket of cupcakes, muffins and cookies on his desk, "I figured you could all use some holiday spirit here at the station tonight."
"Thank you." He tried to open the cellophane but Alison smacked his hand away.
"I'm not done yet."
"Whatever you say Spunky."
"Second of all, I wanted to say I'm sorry about everything that happened between us. If I could go back and give myself some advice, trust me, I would."
"Apology accepted." Jamal pushed his seat back and pulled Alison on to his lap, "Anything else you want to say?"
"I've missed you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I've missed you too." He held her around her waist, "So what do we do now?"
"Right now, or from now on?"
"Which one do you want to answer?"
She smiled, before leaning down and letting her lips fall on his.
Jamal pulled back, "I missed that."
"Me too." She smiled, "As for from now on, maybe we can see where this goes."
"That sounds perfect to me."
"Great, this is the best Christmas Eve, ever."
"I agree." He kissed her again for just a moment before he heard clapping coming from the rest of the guys.
"Okay, we're done. For now." Alison slid off his lap, "I need to get over to the bar anyways."
"Tell everyone I say Merry Christmas." Jamal stood up and buttoned up her jacket.
"I will, they'll be surprised. I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, you sure will Ali, you sure will." Jamal couldn't have gotten the smile off his face if he wanted to. Things were finally settling into place, a place he always wanted to be in.
