Merry Christmas?
                                              by Robin

She stood at the window gazing out at the falling snow. This position had become second nature in the two weeks she had been at the hospital, a place she didn't want to be.

Even though the door was closed, she could still hear the holiday music being played. She wished it hadn't happened before Christmas.

Twenty-eight year old Trixie Frayne turned away from the window looking at her husband of five years, Jim, unconscious in the hospital bed.

As she looked at her husband's still form, she thought about the visit she received from the police two weeks earlier. It was late and she had been waiting for Jim to return from the city where he had to take care of some school business. But he didn't make it home, he had been hit by a drunk driver.

She had been surprised at the knock on the door and assumed Jim had his hands full and couldn't unlock it. She pulled the door open and was surprised to see her brother, Brian Belden, standing there. But she wasn't expecting to see Police Chief Wendell Molinson with him. One look at their faces and she knew something was wrong. After sitting down in the living room and assuring them that Katje, their daughter, was asleep in her room, they told her about the accident.

Arriving at the hospital a while later, she went right to the emergency room to see how Jim was. The doctor had run several tests and was waiting for the results. She had been shocked at how still he was in the hospital bed and wished he would wake up letting her know he was going to be fine.

Moving over to the bed, she settled in the chair beside him. She slipped her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Come on, sweetie," she said softly. "You need to wake up. Everyone is waiting for you so we can celebrate the holidays."

She let out a sigh. "I know you can hear me, Jim. I really need you to wake up. I love you so much. I can't lose you."

The doctors had checked Jim thoroughly but couldn't understand why he hadn't regained consciousness. They couldn't explain it. Jim was hooked up to a heart monitor for the nurses to keep track of his condition.

Closing her eyes, she set her head on the bed. She couldn't leave Jim's side. She wanted to be there when he finally opened his green eyes.

Thinking back to the morning of the accident, she recalled the argument they had had.

Trixie and Katje were making Christmas cookies when Jim came down the stairs dressed in a suit. Without realizing it, Katje ran toward Jim and wrapped her arms around him, covering him in flour.

"Why didn't you stop her?" Jim asked taking Katje's arms and releasing her hold on him. "Now I have to change my suit and I'll be late for my meeting."

Jim stormed up the stairs with Trixie right behind. As they stepped into the master bedroom, Jim threw his jacket on the bed as he made his way to the closet.

"Jim, I'm sorry."

"Forget it."

"I'm trying to apologize. I should've caught her before she dirtied your suit."

Jim turned quickly to face her. "You're right. You should have." He slipped on his other suit pants and coat. "I have to go."

He left her standing in the room. She heard the kitchen door slam shut. She sat down on the bed and started crying. She was shocked Jim hadn't seen she was genuinely sorry.

"Trixie," a soft voice said getting her attention.

Lifting her head off the bed, she blinked her eyes bringing Brian into focus. He was standing on the other side of Jim's bed.

"What is it?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"Has there been any change?" he asked looking at Jim's peaceful face.

"No, but I know he will wake up."

"Keep thinking that Trix."

"So, why do I get this visit tonight? Aren't you supposed to be on your way to church?"

Brian nodded. "I am. But Moms wanted to know if you'll be joining us for the Christmas Eve service."

Trixie shook her head. "I'm going to stay here."

Brian moved around the bed. "Trix, you need to get away from here for a little while." He kneeled beside her. "You're not eating or sleeping, and that's affecting you and ..."

"Don't say it, Brian. Please don't."

"Trixie."

"I have to be the one to tell him. It's going to be his Christmas present and when he wakes up, he'll find out."

"Are you sure?" Brian asked brushing the curls off her forehead.

Trixie nodded. "Enjoy tonight and keep an eye on Katje for me."

"Always." Brian kissed the top of her head.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Trix." Brian left the room.

As the door closed, Trixie heard the holiday song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" playing in the hall. She wished that's where they were.

Taking Jim's hand in hers, she said, "Jim, I know you can hear me and will wake up when you're ready. And when you do, there is something I need to tell you. Something you and I have discussed a lot. I love you so much. More than you will ever know."

Sliding the chair as close to the bed as she could, she put her head down next to Jim's chest and closed her eyes.

* * * *

A noise stirred Trixie from her sleep. Lifting her head off the bed, she looked at Jim wondering if he had waken, but he hadn't. Noticing a light from the other end of the bed, she turned to see what it was. A little boy about 10 stood at the foot of the bed. He was wearing white clothes, with his red hair sticking out.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Why are you so sad?"

"I'm waiting for my husband to wake up. He's been asleep for several weeks." Trixie looked at Jim's peaceful face then back at the boy. "Are you supposed to be on this floor?"

The boy ignored her question and stepped toward the bed. "Do you love him?"

"With all my heart. Little boy, where are your parents? Do they know where you are?"

Again he ignored her question as he looked at her. "He loves you too."

Trixie stared at him. "How do you know?"

"I just do." He smiled at her.

"How?"

The boy remained quiet.

A beep from the heart monitor made her look at Jim and she saw he was still unconscious. Turning back to the boy, she realized he was gone.

Trixie's eyes jerked open as she looked around the room wildly. It was just her and Jim. They were alone. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Getting to her feet, she moved to the door and looked into the hall. The little boy was nowhere to be seen.

Maybe I was dreaming, she thought as she made her way back to the bed. I must have been. But why did the boy seem so real? I feel as if I know him from somewhere.

Trixie looked down and gave Jim a kiss on the lips. "I love you Jim. I will love you forever." She glanced at her watch and saw it was 2 a.m. "Merry Christmas sweetheart."

She sat down in the chair holding Jim's hand. Leaning back, she squeezed his hand and watched him sleep.

* * * *

Trixie woke hours later feeling stiff and she knew she had fallen asleep. Keeping her eyes closed, she started to lift her arms above her head, but strong fingers held onto her right hand. Forcing her eyes open, she looked at her husband expecting to see him still unconscious. Her eyes went wide when she saw Jim's green eyes staring back at her.

"Jim."

"Trixie," he said softly.

"Oh, Jim."

Trixie was on her feet in seconds with her arms wrapped around his neck hugging him. She could feel tears streaming down her cheeks. Leaning back she gave Jim a kiss.

"I can't believe you are awake," she said softly leaning back looking at Jim.

"What happened?" Jim asked just as softly.

She reached up and brushed the hair off his forehead. "You were in an accident."

"Am I going to be all right?"

"You will be."

Jim took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "Have you been here all night?"

Trixie nodded. "Each night for the past two weeks."

"Two weeks?"

"It's true. I couldn't leave you here alone."

"What about Katje? Where is she?"

"She's been staying with Moms and Dad. Don't worry. She's all right."

"I can't believe two weeks have passed," Jim said running a hand through his hair. "Trix, what day is it?"

"December 25th."

"Christmas?" Trixie nodded. "Why are you here with me? You should be home with Katje."

Trixie pulled her hand from Jim, shocked at his comments. She asked slowly, "Don't you want me here?"

Jim stared at her for a moment. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. This is the holiday that makes children excited. You should be with Katje watching her face light up at the gifts."

"Jim, that's not the point of this holiday and you know it. The holiday is for peace, love and being with the people you care about."

"I know, but..."

"There are no buts, Jim. I am where I'm supposed to be. At my husband's side."

"I'm sorry, Trix. Please forgive me. And not just about my comments now." He reached for her hand and she slid it into his. "I shouldn't have snapped at you about Katje getting flour all over my suit. I could've stopped her, but didn't. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." Trixie settled on the bed beside him. She reached her left hand to his face and caressed his cheek. "I will always forgive you because I love you."

"I love you, too."

Trixie moved closer to Jim and gave him a kiss. As she straightened up, Jim said, "I guess you should let everyone know. I bet they've been waiting for your call."

"They can wait," she said squeezing Jim's hand. "There's something I need to tell you."

"You sound serious."

"I am." She took a breath. "It has to deal with your Christmas present."

"I don't need anything as long as I have you and Katje."

"Then maybe you don't want your gift." She smiled at him.

"Trix, just tell me."

"You know how we've been trying to add to our family?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, in seven months, we'll have the addition."

"Really?" Trixie nodded. "Oh, Trix, that's wonderful. That's the best gift I could ever receive."

"You're happy about this?"

"Of course. I love you so much. Family is all I need." Jim touched her cheek and she gave him a kiss.

The door opened slightly and Brian poked his head in. "Look who's awake. How are you feeling?"

"He's still a little weak," Trixie said quickly with a smile. "But he'll be fine."

"Jim?" Brian asked.

Jim gave a soft laugh. "Exactly what she said."

"That's good to hear."

"So, why do we get this visit?" Trixie asked getting down to business.

"There's someone who wants to see Daddy," Brian said.

"Katje's here?" Jim asked reaching for the controls raising the bed so he was sitting up slightly. "I want to see her."

Brian smiled. "Just take it easy."

Her brother opened the door fully and a moment later, Katje was in the room. Trixie picked Katje up and set her on the bed. Katje crawled up the bed and threw her arms around Jim's neck.

"Merry Christmas, Daddy."

"Merry Christmas, baby," Jim said holding her tight. He looked at Trixie. "Merry Christmas, Trixie."

"Merry Christmas, Jim."

Trixie wrapped her arms around Jim and Katje and knew this would be the best Christmas they would ever have because they were together.

The End