I wrote this for a contest, but I didn't win anything...oh well...I'm posting it here because I like it a lot and I hope that you do to! Please review, it keeps me going!

Christmas Present

Outside the snow is swirling all around, as an icy wind plays with it in a seemingly eternal game. The lit streetlamps cast pools of orange light onto the slushy road and flash on the windshields of the few passing cars. A young woman who is hurrying down the empty sidewalks barely notes these things for her mind is occupied with more pressing matters. She makes her way to her destination, her head bowed and shoulders slumped, she looks as though there is barely anything keeping her up.

Movements slow and weary she enters a tall building, one like that most of us are born in and hope to never have to return. Most of the nurses recognize her and call out greetings that she responds to mechanically. Holiday cheer has even touched this place where hope and despair battle day in and day out in every patient and visitor’s heart. As her heavy boots beat out a steady tattoo on the linoleum floor, the worn traveler drags off her outer shell of gloves and the like.

Dark brown hair spills down to her shoulders, shining in the bright fluorescent lighting. Her pale skin is stretched tightly over the fine bone structure of her face, and the dark smudges of sleepless nights shadow her sorrowful brown eyes. Normally reticent in nature, her mien is even more solemn and restrained.

Unwrapping the long, blue and green scarf from about her neck she opens the door to one of the rooms and slips in. Silently, she drapes her coat over one of the chairs in the room and sets a small, festive bag and her purse down on it. Tiredly, she sinks into another one that is placed next to the bed. The racket of the chair scraping across the floor as she moves it closer shatters the silence like the screech of nails across a chalkboard.

“Hey love,” she murmurs. “It’s me, Lily.” Gently, she reaches out and brushes a few stray strands of inky black hair away from the face of the unconscious man. He is a man of about average height with naturally tanned skin and an appealing face. Not the handsomest person ever to be seen, but not in any respects the most hideous. Right above his left eyebrow is a row of neat, little stitches and his right cheekbone is almost completely back to its normal color, the bruise nearly gone.

“Oh Grey,” she sighs, the words coming out as a mere whisper of sound. “Why did this have to happen to us?” Gently, she clasps his hand in hers and presses her lips to his knuckles. “They told me yesterday that you might never wake up, that you might lie here, attached to these machines until you die. You can’t do that Grey; you can’t leave me all alone like that.” Lily lays her head down on the bed, tears sparkling in her eyes.

“It’s Christmas Eve and here I am. I even brought your present. I’ve had it for a while, but I’m not going to tell you what it is. Work was very difficult today, everyone was so happy, and it hurt me so much because I love winter and I can’t seem to feel it. It seems as though I’m lost in a world of darkness with no way out, groping blindly for help and there is no one there. I want you to wake up and take me in your arms. I need to hear your voice telling me that it’s alright.

“People say that miracles happen during this time of the year, that so many wonderful things are possible. If I could have just one wish come true, one prayer answered it would be to have you back. I called your phone today just so I could listen to your message. I started crying. I miss you so much, having you so close yet so far away is torture. It is like I’m detached from anything pleasant.” Lily closes her eyes, and two glittering tears trace down her cheeks and seep into the blanket.

As silence once again reigns, her breathing evens out and she slides into the tranquil lake of dreams. If someone were to glance in upon the scene, they might think that an angel had descended from the heavens to watch over the man. Her brown hair tumbles over the blankets in generous curls and her dark lashes fan out on her cheeks, she quite resembles one.

Time passes as the snow collects outside on any available surface, and most people have long since retreated to their homes. The watch around Lily’s wrist beeps almost in synch with Grey’s heart monitor, as it announces that midnight has arrived and it is Christmas day.

The young woman shifts in her sleep, as her grip on her love’s hand tightens slightly. A deep breath is taken by the man and he also moves, but it is the movement of one who is waking. His eyes slowly flutter open to reveal shocking amber depths, and he takes a moment to focus in on the ceiling. A low groan escapes him, as he carefully props himself up on his elbows, and his confused gaze is drawn to the sleeping Lily. Comprehension dawns, and he stretches his hand out and lightly strokes her hair.

“Lil,” he whispers, his voice husky from not being used in a while. “Lil.” Lightly, she stirs and he combs her hair away from her face. “It’s time to wake up.” Intertwining his fingers through the hand that holds his, he uses his thumb to caress her skin. “Lily.”

“Mmm,” she moans, as she swallows and blinks her eyes open.

“Lily,” he prods, and she bolts upright to stare at him in shock.

“Grey!” she exclaims. “You, you’re up!” Tremulously, she grazes her free hand’s fingers across his cheek, tears welling in her eyes.

“Yeah,”Grey rasps, and Lily leaps from her chair to wrap her arms about him in a hug. Sobbing, she clutches him, and he just holds her as she mumbles something incoherently against him.

“What did you say?”Grey asks, as he pulls back a little so he can see her precious face.

“I said,” Lily starts, as she uses one hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Thank you, thank you for my Christmas present.”

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