Gazing out at the snow coming down, she wondered if her husband would make it home. A Christmas Eve snowstorm had blanketed the area and he had called earlier telling her where he was stuck.

She pulled the curtain closed, knowing that staring down the driveway wouldn’t bring him home any sooner. Turning back to the living room with the roaring fire, she slowly moved about lighting candles, setting off a warm glow that matched the ones coming from the Christmas tree.

“This was supposed to be our first Christmas together as husband and wife,” she whispered sadly. “And we’re apart.”

Trixie Frayne had been looking forward to their being together and was disappointed they weren’t. Her husband, Jim, had received a call early that morning, stating the papers he needed for the school were ready. Because the law office wouldn’t be open the day after Christmas, and he needed those documents by December 29, Jim had to go into the city that morning to get them.

She had opted to stay at home knowing she really wasn’t up to the train ride especially after the small amounts of sleep she had been getting. Sleep was difficult for her as she entered her ninth month of her pregnancy. It seemed that each night when she was ready for bed, the baby started moving. Getting comfortable was a challenge, and sleep was limited.

Settling in the rocking chair by the fire, she gazed at the yellow and orange flames basking in the heat, hoping Jim would make it home before the night was over. They had both been looking toward the holidays, especially now that they were expecting their first child.

Turning the radio on, holiday music drifted about the room. She was sad, but knew if it were humanly possible, they would be together.

Trixie turned to look at the presents under the tree. She had always been anxious to find out what was in them at past Christmases, but she didn’t have it in her that night to try and guess what was in each one. She was more focused on her husband returning home safely.

Watching the Christmas lights twinkle, she thought back to the invitation she’d received earlier in the day. Her parents had offered to pick her up and take her to church with them for the evening service, but she had declined, wanting to be home when Jim finally got there.

But her parents weren’t the only ones who had tried to get her to join them at church. She recalled the persistent knocking on the kitchen door hours earlier.

Moving as quickly as possible, she entered the kitchen and pulled the door open letting in two people and a cold blast of air. Trixie saw her eldest brother and his wife standing there removing their hats and scarves.

“Brian, Honey, what are you doing here?” Trixie asked as they pulled their gloves off.

“We wanted to see how you were doing.” Honey said.

Trixie smiled. “You guys didn’t have to come check on me. I’m fine. But where’s Petey?” Petey was Brian and Honey’s almost 10-month-old son.

“Petey is with Mother and Dad in the limousine heading to church,” Honey said.

“And we wanted to come,” Brian insisted. “We also know that Moms and Dad already asked, but would you like to ride with us to church?”

“Thanks, Brian, but I’m going to stay here. Jim will hopefully be home soon and I want to be here when he does.”

“We understand,” Honey said. “We just thought we’d check.”

“Thanks for asking.”

“We should get going then,” Brian said, sliding his gloves back on.

“You’re right,” Honey agreed.

“Trix, if you need anything, give us a call,” Brian said.

“I will.” Trixie gave them both a hug. “Have a merry Christmas.”

“We’ll see you tomorrow at dinner,” Brian said.

“I’ll see you then,” Trixie said.

That had been several hours earlier, and now she was still alone.

Her gaze once again shifted back to the fire. She picked up one of the cookies the two of them had made the day before and nibbled on it. It was a sugar cookie, and she remembered with a smile how they finished up the baking with a flour war. They were both covered from head to toe, but didn’t care because of the fun of being together.

As she continued to gaze at the flames, they seemed to lull her to sleep as it flickered. Her eyes drifted closed as a familiar song, “Hey Santa” came over the radio waves.

The city is covered in snow tonight

The children are fast asleep

I’m waiting for him, but he’s nowhere in sight

And I wonder if he can hear me

Sitting up, Trixie listened, hoping to hear the Jeep in the drive or the key in the door, but there was just the sound of music. She reached over and turned the radio off.

“Well, I guess Santa didn’t hear me,” she said, glancing at the clock. “It’s late and I don’t think he will be here tonight.”

Closing her eyes, Trixie wished that wherever Jim was, that he was safe and warm and he remembered how much she loved him.

As the embers in the fireplace died out just before midnight, Trixie grabbed the empty plate that had held the cookies and carried it into the kitchen. She set it in the sink, then moved to the kitchen door and made sure it was locked. Lifting the curtain, she made one looked once more down the driveway, but there was no vehicle coming toward the house.

Releasing the curtain, she headed back to the living room, turning the kitchen light off in the process. She unplugged the tree lights and spread out the embers.

She made her way out of the living room turning the rest of the lights out except for a single lamp, so Jim could see when he finally arrived home. Trixie slowly made her way upstairs to the master bedroom. She changed into a flannel nightgown and climbed under the covers. Turning out the light beside the bed, she looked out the bedroom window, watching the falling snow for a moment.

“Jim, be safe. I love you” Trixie said and closed her eyes.

*****

A while later, something woke Trixie. She wasn’t sure what it was. Opening her eyes, the room was as dark as she remembered before closing her eyes. Staying still for a moment, she listened for whatever it was that woke her. When she didn’t hear anything, she figured it was her imagination.

Closing her eyes, she settled back against the pillow ready to go back to sleep. A moment later, she opened her eyes with a groan and pushed the blankets back. After struggling to sit up, Trixie swung her legs over the side of the bed and slid her feet into her slippers.

Trixie got to her feet and slowly, but carefully trudged her way through the darkness to the master bathroom, silently thanking their unborn baby for the movement that made her get out of the nice, warm bed.

Exiting the bathroom, Trixie shuffled her way across the bedroom floor in the dark, ready to go back to sleep. She sat down on the bed, slipped her feet out of her slippers and stretched out on the bed. She pulled the covers up tucking them under her chin. Letting out a breath, she closed her eyes.

Suddenly she felt movement beside her and a hand draped over her extended stomach. She stayed perfectly still holding her breath, knowing her husband couldn’t be in bed with her.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

Trixie sat up quickly, turned the light on, then spun around as fast as she could to find Jim in bed beside her, his head propped on his right arm facing her.

“Oh, Jim!”

He sat up and pulled her close. She settled her head against his chest, breathing in deeply. He murmured, “I promised I would be back.”

“I’m so glad you are.”

“I’m glad to be home, too.” Jim ran his fingers through her shoulder length curls. “I hope you didn’t stay up too late.”

Trixie shook her head. “I was up for a while, waiting, but it wasn’t too late.” She leaned back and looked at his face. It was the most beautiful face she had ever seen. He looked tired and she figured that was due to the long trek he had made to get home. She reached up and brushed a lock of his red hair back from his forehead. “You look tired.”

Jim reached up and caressed her cheek. “So do you.”

Trixie leaned over and gave Jim a kiss. “Let’s get some sleep, then. We need to go over to your parents for dinner tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Jim asked. “I mean about going to sleep. Don’t you want to open one of your gifts tonight?”

Trixie smiled as she shook her head. “I already got my gift. It was you returning home, safe and sound.”

“My gift was finding you the same.” Jim gave her a kiss. “I love you, Trixie Frayne.”

“I love you, Jim Frayne.” Trixie returned the kiss.

When they broke apart, Trixie turned the light off and slid underneath the covers once again. She felt Jim stretch his right arm under her head and she leaned against him. He put his other arm on the part of her stomach where the baby’s heartbeat was.

Jim murmured, “Merry Christmas, Trix.”

“Merry Christmas, Jim.” Trixie listened until Jim’s breathing finally evened out. She looked out the window. “Thank you, Santa.”

They were both happy the other was safe and they were together again. Neither of them could picture their Christmas being any different.

Happy Holidays!!

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