This time next New Years Eve

Chapter 2 - A Christmas miracle

The door hammered, jerking Elle from a deep sleep that only a twelve-hour shift on your feet could give you. If she hadn’t quit last night, she probably would’ve slept all through Christmas after the double shift Jack tried to force on her. The hammering came again, rapid, constant. She groaned and peeled herself from Sam, who curled into a ball in her absence. The clock said it was only seven in the morning, but it was a surprise that he was still asleep. Carly really must’ve run him ragged yesterday.

The knocking came again, and Elle rushed to the door, peering through the peephole before swinging the door wide open.

“Hun, it’s Christmas, and you have no job, get out of your uniform.” Marie cackled, pushing her way into the apartment, carrying two large bags.

Elle’s mouth bobbed open, her half-asleep brain putting all of its energy into waking up, unable to remember if they had made plans. It was Christmas, right? She hadn't slept through the entire holiday?

Nic stepped in behind his girlfriend, his face sour. He grunted as he pushed past, headed straight for the kitchen. She sucked on her teeth. He’d be disappointed to find no alcohol in the fridge, but she kept her lips pressed tight against commenting. He was Marie’s boyfriend after all, she had no say on the scumbag.

Marie was already crouched by the small Christmas tree, making quick work of wiggling presents beneath before adding a few more decorations to the living room like a well-rehearsed plan. Elle had no complaints about the addition of some tinsel and a few Christmas ornaments, but her eyes blew wide as she took in all the new presents her friend had brought.

“What are you doing?” She tried to keep her voice down, but it had jumped two octaves higher in panic.

“Unloading the presents.” Marie winked, adding a seventh and final gift to the pile.

“Marie, I can’t accept all these.” Then, she added with a flush, “I didn’t get you anything.”

“You can accept these, and you will.” She peered over her glasses. “Unless you want to make a grown-ass woman cry on Christmas.”

Elle glared at her. Grown woman my ass. Marie was only just thirty and acting like a grandma giving sage advice.

“Mummy?” Sam stumbled into the room, rubbing his eyes. “What’s going on?”

Marie answered before Elle could salvage the situation. “It seems Santa dropped these off at my place by mistake.” She picked up the shiniest present from the pile, grinning when Sam’s little face broke into a beaming smile. She pretended to read a label. “You are Samuel Hargroves, aren’t you?”

He nodded, frozen in place as if overwhelmed by the sheer joy building within him. His attention moved to Elle, a silent request for permission. She sighed, looking between Marie and Sam, not knowing who was the more excited of the two. Then, she gave a slight nod. As if it was the starting gun to a race, Sam charged forward, almost throwing himself into the pile of gifts, giving them a good shake before working through them one by one at Marie’s direction.

Elle took a seat and watched, unable to stop the smile curling her lip.

****

Soap suds played up her arms, their warmth adding to her Christmas glow. Rudy wound around her calves, mewing for some scraps of turkey that Elle was powerless but to give. She couldn’t resist his big eyes, even if she knew he’d be hissing at her as soon as he got his treat. She grinned when he did just that and raced back to his spot under the Christmas tree.

Elle had never quite felt the Christmas spirit, not since the accident when she was little, but Ben’s betrayal had put the final nail in the coffin. It was officially her worst holiday, but today felt a little different. After presents, Marie hurried them all to hers for a fine Christmas dinner and games. Sam had long since fallen asleep, his little round belly poking out from beneath his new Christmas jumper. He was curled up against Marie, who was having a nap of her own – though hers was wine-induced.

Elle took the opportunity to thank Marie by cleaning all the dishes and tidying the apartment, while Nic went out to get a few more snacks and alcohol. He had been gone a long time, and she wondered if he needed some help. With everything clean and shiny, she slipped her coat on and headed to the door.

“... Soon. Wait for me a little longer. I Love you too, Baby.”

Elle froze at Nic’s voice, her stomach dropping with the weight of his words. She scurried back when she heard movement outside the door and rushed back into the kitchen. The door opened just as she set foot inside, breaths far more ragged than they needed to be for the five-meter sprint.

“Here.”

She jerked at the grunt behind her.

“Oh, Nic, I didn’t hear you come in.” Elle grabbed the bags and peered inside. “Thank you, this is great.”

“Why are you wearing a coat?”

“Oh, I’m cold.”

He eyed her. The apartment was toasty, and she could already feel sweat building on her back. But maybe that wasn’t because of the heat. Thankfully, his phone buzzed again. Nic looked at it immediately and smiled. Somehow, Elle’s stomach dropped even further.

His question forgotten, Nic padded to where Marie and Sam were cuddled up on the couch and lightly shook his girlfriend awake. She came to, her hair a mess on one side, blinking away her sleep.

“Sorry, Babe, I’ve got to go.”

Elle expected her friend to argue, to shout. It was Christmas day, where did he have to be? But she didn’t, much to Nic’s relief, Marie didn’t even bother asking where. The weasel scurried out of the apartment, throwing a belated goodbye over his shoulder as the door closed behind him.

Elle chewed her thumb nail, gathering her courage to talk to Marie.

“You’ve tidied. You should’ve waited for me.” Her friend extricated herself from Sam’s arms, replacing a pillow where she had been. He cuddled into it and was promptly covered with a blanket.

“Marie, I need to tell you something...”

“Nic is cheating on me.” For the second time that evening Elle was shocked to silence. Marie turned to her and laughed. “Your face is a picture.”

She managed to wander into the kitchen, pour two glasses of wine and return before Elle recovered.

“Are you staying with him?”

“Oh, Hunny no.” Marie relaxed back into the chair, Rudy jumping onto her lap with a grumble. “I’m leaving him tomorrow, I just wanted to see what he’d get me for Christmas. A fitness DVD and a lacy underwear set that isn’t my size. From the look on his face, I don’t think that one was for me.”

She cackled and threw back the rest of her drink. Elle took the cue and hurried to the kitchen to grab the rest of the bottle and a pot of ice cream.

“How did you know?”

“I heard him on the phone outside. He was... Telling someone he loves them.” Elle winced. “Though, could it be a family member?”

“No. I’ve been through his phone. They’ve been seeing each other for weeks. A girl called Rebecca from his office.” A glimmer of hurt flash across her eyes but she quickly smothered it. “Which is why I didn’t give him his real Christmas present.”

Marie took an envelope from the coffee table’s drawer and handed it over. Elle crooked an eyebrow but took it. Inside were two tickets to the Burnbury New Year's Eve bash. Her face must’ve shown her hesitance.

“Come on, Elle. You haven’t been to a party since Sam was born, and I am newly single and need to mingle.” Marie pouted, when Elle’s frown didn't smooth away. "My mum can babysit Sam, she already promised to watch Rudy so she won't mind. Come on, Elle, I need a wing woman.”

Elle looked to Sam, curled up on the couch though it was only 6 o’clock. He’d be as tired on New Year's Eve, there was no way he’d see midnight. She pursed her lips, considering. It had been a long while since she last went to a party. In fact, the last party she went to...

“Okay, but I’m borrowing a dress.”

“Yes, I’ll get you looking so hot you'll have your pick of the men.”

Elle groaned. “Is it too late to change my mind?”