Here's the final installment, hope you all have a happy new year! Don't forget to comment, enjoy!
Dec 24 – Christmas Eve 11:00 pm
Carly was looking out of her apartment window wondering what Sam and Freddie were doing. Thoughts were also on her Granddad, thinking if he'll ever make it from Yakima in time for Christmas. She hugged her legs together, watching the downpour of the rain.
"Hey kiddo, aren't you going to bed yet?" Spencer said checking up on his little sister. He had a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk at hand.
"Are those for Santa?" she asked.
"Yeah, you know storms like this don't keep Santa from delivering toys," Spencer reassured her. But his optimism was not making Carly feel any better. "Wanna cookie? I think Santa could spare a few."
"No thanks," Carly's sullen demeanor was only matched by the dreary weather outside.
"Cheer up, tomorrow's Christmas!" Spencer put on arm around Carly.
"I know. I just had the idea of this perfect Christmas with everyone together."
"Hey, I'm sure things will turn around. Miracles do tend to happen around Christmas. I'm gonna turn in for the night. Try not to stay up too late, ok? Good night," Spencer said as he set glass of milk and the plate of cookies by the window and retreated to his room.
"Night, Spencer," Carly said as she also made her way upstairs toward her room.
Carly, in a gray T-shirt and pajama bottoms, slipped into her warm and cozy bed. She figured a good night's sleep would help. She yawned, letting her head hit the cool pillow. Her thoughts were dwelling on the Christmas miracle that Spencer mentioned. A flash of lightning lit her bedroom window followed by a crash of thunder as Carly's eyes lids began to feel heavy.
"Carly?" a familiar voice was calling out to her.
"Who's there?"
"Carly…" the voice continued.
"OK, this is getting weird"
"Don't tell me you forgot about me already," a short three and a half foot man sporting a Seattle Mariners jersey approached.
"Mitch!" Carly was surprised to see her angel. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm your Christmas miracle, Carly"
"I thought you were my Christmas angel?" Carly with her hands on her hips and a raised eyebrow.
"I'm that too. I get two paychecks this way," Mitch added as he nibbled on a buffalo wing.
"Why are you here? Didn't you already get your wings?"
"I did. But the Big Guy in the Red Suit sent me. He's been keepin' an eye out for you."
"Well, from the looks of it, it doesn't seem like much of a Christmas," Carly said with her arms folded.
"Carly, you know the thing about miracles is that they work in mysterious ways. Just when you think that everything has fallen to pieces, things just sorta fall into place," Mitch explaining how miracles worked as he wiped off some hot sauce away with his handkerchief .
"I don't know," Carly remarked, still sounding skeptical.
"Remember, the meaning of Christmas comes from here," Mitch pointed to his heart, "and you gotta have faith…" his voice seem to fade away
"Mitch, wait!"
Dec 25 - Christmas morning
The storm continued into the morning as Carly awake in a fluster of confusion. She could still hear loud rain drops hitting against the roof. The last thing she remembered was Mitch appearing in her bedroom telling her to about a Christmas miracle. As she lay there in her bed, Carly was still feeling lethargic and heavy eyed. Suddenly, Spencer, in his green plaid pajama bottoms, burst through her door, hopping up and down like a wild man.
"Carly, come on! Get up! You'll never guess what happened! Come on!" Spencer took his sister by the hand and leading her out into the living room. Carly was pleasantly surprised at who she saw.
"Greetings from Yakima," Carly's grandfather held out his arms in excitement.
"Granddad, you're here. But how? I thought you were stranded when you couldn't get your car running," she asked as she gave Granddad a warm bear hug.
"There's nothing in the world that will keep me from seeing my grandchildren on Christmas. I rented a car at the last minute, made through several hours of traffic in the storm, and was able to make it just in time for Christmas."
"I'm just glad you're made here safely," Carly added.
Spencer was putting some hot chocolate on the stove as he heard the door knocking. Carly gasped to see her best friend standing at the door.
"Feliz Navidad!" Sam exclaimed while she clasped tightly to Carly with glee.
"I thought you and your mom were visiting your aunt?"
"Aunt Jodie didn't make parole, so Mom's visiting her in prison. She said I could spend Christmas here, since prison's not exactly the most pleasant of places during the holidays."
"That's perfect. Granddad just got here."
"Who wants hot cocoa?" Spencer brought in a tray of mugs trailing behind the aroma of marshmallows and chocolate. He handed Sam and Granddad each a mug.
"My, what an….interesting Christmas tree you kids have," Granddad was commenting on their eccentric tree as he sipped his hot cocoa.
"Isn't the greatest?" his granddaughter said, "Spencer made it and we helped decorate it."
Another knock at the door left everyone wondering who it could be.
"I got it," Sam ran up to the door and answered it. Who she saw left a flabbergasting look on her face.
"Merry Christmas everybody!" Freddie and his mother, Mrs. Benson, greeted everyone. Carly ran up to Freddie and wrapped her arms around him. "Is that offer to stay for Christmas still available?" Freddie asked.
"You know you're always welcome. But I thought you were flying out to Portland to visit your aunt and uncle?"
"Well, our flight was delayed due to the weather conditions…" Freddie explained.
"…We spent the entire Christmas Eve in the airport terminal. And when the storm got worse, our flight got cancelled. Freddie mentioned that you invited us to over for Christmas," Mrs. Benson elaborated on their situation.
"Well, the more, the merrier," Spencer chimed in as he gave Mrs. Benson and Freddie a mug of hot cocoa.
Once everyone in the Shay apartment got settled in, Spencer began the holiday preparations. He was making his specialty, spaghetti tacos, as well as a special Christmas dish, Hamurkey. Spencer's Hamurkey, a plump, juicy turkey crammed with an overly sized holiday ham, was inspired by seeing the Tur-duck-en on the Food Channel. Mrs. Benson went back to her kitchen to fix a traditional Benson family meal to bring- mashed turnips, sweet potato pie, and green bean casserole. Granddad had also brought in delectable delights, a generous serving of roast beef with chestnut dressing, candied fruits dripping in lemon sauce, and a dense and hearty Christmas fruitcake. Getting caught with all the festivities, Carly noticed Freddie gazing outside the apartment window, sipping his hot chocolate.
"Sorry you missed you trip," Carly said approaching him. The rain had been non-stop throughout the day.
"It's ok. I'd much rather spend Christmas here, so it all worked out for the best," Freddie smile.
"Hey look up there," she nudged him.
"Look at what?" a confused Freddie didn't see it coming as Carly pulled him in for a quick kiss on the lips. She had caught him under the mistletoe that hung above the window.
"Merry Christmas, Freddie" Carly whispered, now blushing at the cheeks.
"Merry Christmas," Freddie replied putting his arm over her. They gazed over at the black Christmas tree, which was now glowing in a multitude of bright lights.
"Whoa, Mama! What do we have here?" Sam jokingly hollered as she joined them at the tree. She playfully punched Freddie in the arm, in some sort of gesture of congratulations. Sam also gave Carly a heartfelt embrace, as her best friend, knowing the feelings she was having towards Freddie. The trio was in awe and admiration of the bright lights in the tree, but Carly noticed one particular light that was shining exceptionally bright. She could make out familiar someone's face in the light. It was her Christmas miracle.
"Remember Carly, ya gotta have faith."
"Thanks Mitch. And have a Merry Christmas."