CPOV
I sat in the station, holding Ana's hand throughout while she gave her statement. Hearing her speak about what had happened from when he turned up at the store to pushing her out of his truck, was harrowing.
My Dad was sat in the corner as our legal representative, if needed but so far he had only given his name. Ray was sat outside, letting Bradley and a detective from Lewian handle this. He was too close to the situation and putting him in the same room as Paul would be disastrous.
I'm in complete awe of how strong Ana is, in dealing with all this. She had only just been released from the hospital and wanted to get her statement out of the way before she went home. She wanted it done so she could concentrate on Christmas and not worry about anything else.
"Breathe baby" I whispered to Ana when she was struggling to tell the detective, what had been said between them.
"He said it could be like old times, being up there. Like when the two of us had been dating. I told him to stay away from me. When he asked why, I told him that I had moved on and I loved Christian. He flipped, was so angry." she looked to me, stumbling on her words.
"It's ok Ana, if you want to take a break" Bradley told her.
"No" she shook her head. "I need to finish this. He said that if I wanted Christian then he could come and save me. He opened the door and started pushing me towards it. This snow was coming in and I was trying to grip his coat, pleading with him to take me home but he just kept pushing until I was lay on the road."
"He said he came back for you, did he" The detective asked.
"I didn't see any lights or cars come back. I followed the road as best as I could, for as long as I could hold out and no one came back."
He was writing notes down in his pad, before he looked back to Ana.
"One more question and then I will let you get out of here unless Bradley has any more. Prior to this incident, when was the last time you two spoke."
"The festival. He wanted to speak to me alone but we had nothing to talk about. We broke up years ago and he had only started paying attention to me again, since Christian and I have been together."
"Thank you, I have everything I need. Bradley."
"I'm done Ana, you can escape once you have sighed your statement."
Bradley had been writing everything down and when Ana had read and signed the statement, he opened the door. I helped Ana up from her chair as we made our way out to the reception.
My dad had stayed behind to speak to them. Finding out what the situation is with Clayton, not wanting to ask while Ana was in the room.
"All done" Ray asked, immediately on his feet.
"All done Dad."
I watched as she walked into her fathers arms. Whispered words between them, as Ana assured him that she was ok.
We said goodbye to Kelly, wishing her a Merry Christmas as neither of us would be back in town for the next few days.
"Where does Doris live" I asked.
"The first house you pass on the way into town, why" Ray asked me.
"I wanted to send her flowers or something. Without her it would have taken us all a lot longer to realise what was going on" I doubt without Doris, we would all be here now.
"She won't be here" Ana said as we opened the door to the station. "She said she was going to Maisy's for Christmas, when I spoke to her at the store. She is back for New Year though" Ana told us.
"I will have to make sure I send some when she comes back."
"We can all send her some" Ray said.
My Dad followed us out of the station, telling us that everything was locked away and would be staying that way. He left us to go back to the bed and breakfast, to collect his things with mum.
"You look a bit more alert than when I saw you last" Daryl said, standing near Ray's car.
"Sleep and rest does that for you" she told him, kissing his cheek.
"Merry Christmas Uncle Daryl" she teased him.
"Uncle, you have called me that since you were a toddler. Shit I feel old" he laughed. "You look after each other, rest and have a great Christmas."
"We will do, you too" Ana said before getting into the back of Ray's car.
"Ready to go home Ana."
"Ready to get back to my mountain" she smiled as Ray drove us home.
The further we climbed on the road, the bigger her smile became. She wasn't scared of these mountains like I would have been, if I was stuck up here alone. As Ray parked up in front of the house, she brushed a tear away and let out a breath.
"I'm so glad to be home."
No one else had arrived yet, letting Ana settle in before they all descended. Walking in through the door, Ray ushered Ana straight to the couch before lighting the fire. She watched as I went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. Making sure she was comfortable and warm with her favourite tea in hand.
Despite her complaints that she was fine, we still didn't let her move unless it was essential.
By the time everyone arrived at the house, they quietly walked inside. All trying not to wake sleeping beauty on the couch. My mother hovered over her, visually checking that she was ok. She said if Ana's body needs sleep, then that is the best thing for her and to encourage it.
"How was she this morning" Mum asked.
"Strong" that is the perfect way to describe my girlfriend as I kiss her sleeping head. "It was hard listening to what he did to her up there. All she wanted was to come back home and he wouldn't listen."
"Well I hope, where ever he is. They leave him to rot."
"I think we can all agree with that mum" Elliot told her.
Ana woke up shortly after, happy to see everyone here.
"Can I get you anything" Mum asked her.
"A glass of water please, my mouth is a little dry."
"No alcohol involved this time" Kate smiled.
"No" she smiled snuggled closer into my side.
...
"Where is your stocking Ana" Ray asked her, as she sipped her water.
"In the closet in, who has the front room" she asked, as Elliot spoke up saying it was the room that he and Kate were sharing.
With them together, things needed to be moved around. Mia was still in the room that she was supposed to stay in with Kate but Ray, not wanting to be in a room with a couple, opted for the pull out couch in what used to be his Dads office.
Kate came back into the room, going to hand the stocking to Ana but she shook her head.
"Dad always puts it up, so it's his job. It's mine to take it down in the morning."
On the end of the mantel, away from the roaring fire, Ray placed Ana's Christmas stocking. Anastasia had been embroidered along the top.
"How long have you had your stocking" I asked, seeing the fabric fraying at the edges.
"My first Christmas, Grandma made it for me. It has had a few repairs throughout the years but there hasn't been a Christmas yet when it hasn't been hung."
"And there never will be" Ray smiled.
My mum and her assistant made their way into the kitchen to see what they could make for dinner. I don't know if I'm looking forward to eating something that Kate has had a hand in, going off what Ana had said but my mum is an amazing cook so hopefully it doesn't go wrong.
We heard a car arrive as Dad got up with Ray to see who it was. We were not expecting guests and I was glad that it was Jose and his family and not the police wanting more information from Ana.
"Happy Christmas eve" he said, coming into the house as Cally ran over to us.
"Mommy said you were sick" she said, taking Ana's hand.
"Yes, I have a bit of a cold."
"Did you stay outside too long. Daddy said I will get sick, if I play outside in the snow to long."
"I did, but my Dad and Christian came and brought me home."
Cally sat beside Ana, telling us that we had to go to bed early tonight otherwise we will miss Santa.
"Don't worry, I will be in bed long before Santa appears. Did you put your stocking up yet" Ana asked her.
"Yes it's all up, waiting to be filled. You have one too" she pointed to Ana's stocking.
"I do, my Dad makes sure Santa doesn't miss it every year."
I think Cally was happy with that fact that even at Ana's age, Santa will fill her stocking.
"We bought food" Leisa said, looking at her friend when she could finally get a word over her chattering daughter.
"You didn't have to, we were just looking for something for dinner" Mum told her.
"It's no trouble. I know you were upset Ana with missing your Dads birthday so we thought you could celebrate it a few days later" Jose told her.
He opened the hot boxes, bringing out different dishes that had been made for us between the diner and restaurant. It was all delicious and the boxes completely empty by the time we finished. Ana only ate a little, not having her appetite back completely yet but she said she definitely had room for what came next.
"I hope I got it right" Jose said, bringing the chocolate cake out that Ana would have made for her Dad.
"Thank you" she said brushing the tears away.
"You don't have to thank us, any of us. Just feel better" he told her, receiving a hug.
My mother found the candles in the kitchen which were soon on the cake. We sang happy late birthday to Ray, Ana having her own version which I think he preferred.
As we bit into the cake, you could see how nervous Jose was that he had got it right.
"Ok" Jose asked Ana.
"Perfect" she laughed, kissing his cheek.
The Rodriguez's didn't stay much longer after the cake was eaten, wanting to get an excited Cally in bed.
"Thank you for the food and the company" Ana told them as we hugged them goodbye.
"Any time Ana, relax, let them run around after you and enjoy Christmas. If I don't see you before I will have a drink at the bar for you on New Years at Daryl's."
"I will hold you to that, although it might have to be non alcoholic if I'm still on my medication."
"As long as you are there, I don't mind what you drink" Leisa told her.
We watched them drive away as the snow that had been falling since they arrived, started to get heavy.
Settling back on the couch, my mother asked for our attention.
"Ana, Ray we have a tradition in our family that we have done since my children were little" my siblings and I groaned as Ana laughed beside me. She was cuddle into my side, her hand in mine.
"What is Grace talking about" she asked.
"I wish you were never finding out."
My mother handed everyone a present, our Christmas eve present or torture depending on what you got. There was no getting out of this so I needed to suck it up.
Ana opened her present first, Pyjamas. She laughed when she saw they were covered in books. My parents tradition was to make us wear the weirdest pyjamas or onesie that they could find so we all came down in the morning in new ones.
"I love them Grace, Carrick thank you" she happily showed me her pyjamas. Some of the books opened with little fabric pages so she could read the classics as well as wear them. She would need a magnifying glass though as they were tiny. Perfect pyjamas for Ana though.
Poor Ray's were covered in police cars. He had a pocket on the front, that when it was pressed, a siren could be heard. My parents had really outdone themselves this year. He thanked them but I could see that siren which thankfully could be removed, being lost in the near future especially when Elliot keeps pressing it.
"Ok Christian, If these are not perfect for you then I give up."
I opened a onesie, that looked like a suit. It even had a handkerchief in the breast pocket.
"Do you think I can wear this for work" I laughed.
"If you do, I will" Ana smiled.
Elliot had a onesie as well which must be Bob the builder, including a hood that looked like a hard hat.
"I hope you're wearing these as well" Elliot told our parents.
"Of course" she smiled pulling out what must be the plainest pyjamas I had seen. If they didn't have tiny holly leaves and berry's on them, you would hardly think of them as Christmassy.
I was just about to complain when I heard Mia screech.
"Mum oh my god, what have you got me" Hers were psychedelic and looked like a rainbow had thrown up on them. Kate's wasn't much better.
"You love fashion and know all about it. You're always wearing colour, what's wrong with them."
"Mum looking at these, you obviously know nothing about fashion."
It was Ana who stopped them bickering. Her giggle making everyone smile.
"Girls, I think you will look good" she teased as they shook their heads before disappearing to their rooms to change.
I had to admit, they were horrible but they were making Ana laugh so they could wear them all year as far as I was concerned.
"I don't think the Christmas tree has had so many presents underneath it before" Ana told me, kissing my cheek.
I kissed her forehead, pulling her in closer to me as we continued to cuddle on the couch, in front of the fire.
"We tend to go a bit over board when it comes to Christmas, plus there are a few more special people that had to have presents this year."
I stroked her cheek, bringing my lips down to hers. I couldn't kiss Ana like I really wanted to with a room full of people, one being her father but I would when we were alone tonight.
"How is your head."
"It's ok. I had a bit of a headache before I took the painkillers. Those are strong, knocked me right out."
"If it gets too bad, let mum look at you please."
"I will, my head hasn't been too bad. It was my bones that ached more although they feel a lot better now they have stopped shaking."
"Ana, that isn't Winchester Falls below us is it" Mia asked, as she was stood at the glass doors with Elliot.
"No. if you could see it from the back deck, Winchester Falls would be to your left. That's Golen, it's smaller than Winchester" Ana got up from the couch, so I followed.
I wrapped the blanket that we had over us, around her shoulders and then my arms were around her too.
"Elliot turn the lights off" Ana told him.
My brother flipped the switch, turning the Christmas lights off on the back deck while Ray turned the ones off inside.
We could see the valley below us, the lights in the tiny houses. Some would have children, all fast asleep and waiting for Santa.
"Look up" Ana whispered, smiling.
"You won't be able to see that in Seattle" Kate told us.
Without the lights on, we could see the stars bright above us.
"There is too much light pollution to see anything up above in the city. Here there is nothing to obstruct them, unless it's snow clouds."
Ana flipped the lights back on as we moved back into the room.
"Ok what Christmas movie are we being tortured, sorry I mean asked to watch this Christmas eve" Elliot asked our parents.
"Another Christmas tradition" Ana asked me as I rolled my eyes.
"Yep and unfortunately you have to suffer with us yet again."
"I will go and put the kettle on then."
Ana giggled, telling me the kitchen was that way as I led her back to the couch. My mum having heard Ana, was already on her way past us to make the tea.
"Ana, what is this mound outside. I meant to ask last time we were here but I forgot" Elliot asked her.
"It's a firepit" Ray told us. "my Dad and I built it together when I was about ten."
"Shall we get it started then. Sitting in front of the firepit on Christmas eve could be a new family tradition."
"A tradition you can do on your own. Too cold out there" Ana told him. "Besides you would have to dig it out first."
I didn't want to think about Ana being cold again and I don't think anyone else did too, so talk quickly moved onto what movie we were going to watch. I don't know what traditions Ana and Ray had but I think with us being here, my parents had hijacked their Christmas Eve.
"Ana should chose, it's her house" my mother said, placing the tea down in front of her.
Ana giggled making Ray smile as he got up and went to the shelf that was full of DVD's next to the TV.
"This is our Christmas tradition" she smiled, sipping on her tea.
We laughed when the movie started, A muppets Christmas carol. I would watch this any day compared to the old movies my parents usually make us watch.
It was fun to watch both Ana and Ray singing along, even Mia who had seen this the most out of my family joined in. When that had finished, the polar express was played.
"I'm spending Christmas Eve here more often, they have better taste in Christmas movies" Elliot laughed.
"You're welcome anytime" Ana told him.
When we climbed up to bed, Ray made the excuse that he was just checking the house was secure.
"My stocking will be filled soon" she laughed.
"Hey bro got a minute" Elliot stopped me as I was just about to follow Ana into our bedroom.
"I won't be a minute baby" she smiled heading into the bathroom as I turned to my brother.
"Early Christmas present for you."
"What" I asked as he handed me a small bag. "Are you serious" I asked pulling the condoms from the bag.
"Kate said that you would need them as Ana's meds will mess with her shot."
My brother amused me at times, others I wanted to shake some sense into him.
"When Ana is ready then I will use them. Until then, I thank you for my gift" he seemed very happy with himself as he headed into his bedroom.
Closing her bedroom door, I was still chuckling to myself.
"What's so funny."
"Elliot and his gifts."
I showed her what was in my hand which she took from me.
"Soon" she said wrapping her arms around me.
"When you're ready baby and not before. ok."
"Ok, I still want you to kiss me though."
"I will always do that Ana."
I wrapped my arms around her, bringing my lips down to hers. Ana still had a bruise on her head which I was mindful of as our kiss continued. There was nothing better than Ana's lips on my own.
…
Tomorrow was Christmas day. I had thought about postponing my plans with every thing that had gone on but I won't let that man ruin hopefully the start of our future.
"Better hurry and sleep otherwise Santa won't bring you any presents" I told her as she lifted her head from my chest.
We were lay in our favourite position, legs and arms wrapped around each other.
"Santa already sent my present just before thanksgiving. You didn't come in a sleigh thought, you came in a helicopter."
"Crashing into your life. You really are my angel Ana" I smiled, stoking her face.
As the clock approached twelve she finally let sleep take her. Like a child she was excited for us to share the day together. I hoped by the end of tomorrow she would have said yes to sharing a lot more.
Thank you for reading.
Two more chapters to go. The last main chapter will be up tomorrow with the epilogue Christmas Eve.
Take care
Caroline.