Christmas Wishes-A Jade Rivera Story
By: Faith Adeline

Snow fell from the dark night sky. They danced around me; landing on my coat and eyelashes. I walked down the pavement, my hands in my pockets. Christmas trees shone brightly from windows and houses were decorated with holiday cheer. Personally, I hated the holidays. I didn't when I was younger, but now...things were different. I was different. I wasn't the little girl with wide eyes, waiting for Santa to slide down our chimney bearing gifts, anymore. I was eighteen, and I was battling something far bigger than the holiday rushes in stores inside of me.

My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I picked it up without looking at the screen, flipping it open with a curt, "Rivera."

"Where are you?" Daniel asked me.

Just the sound of his voice sent a shiver down my spine. I cleared my throat, making sure to sound like I was scowling. "Why does it matter?"

"It's Christmas Eve," he merely responded.

The wind strengthened, brushing my hair away from my shoulders and into the night air. "And?"

"And I'd like to see you."

"Why? You've been alive for four centuries; I doubt you even celebrate the holiday."

"No, but you do."

I stiffened, shaking my head even though he couldn't see it. He could probably hear the movement over the phone. "No, I don't, Daniel. You know that."

He was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "You shouldn't be alone."

I smiled bitterly. "There's a lot of things I shouldn't do, but that doesn't stop me, does it? Now...goodnight, Daniel."

"Jade-"

I hung up, throwing the phone back in my purse and running a hand through my hair. I looked around the cemetery, the weight of the wreath in my other hand heavy. It was seven o'clock. Normal people were with their families, enjoying the holidays. The only family I had ever truly had was here...lying six feet underneath me. I walked to my mother's grave, the snow crunching underneath my boots. I knelt down; the water that spread to my jeans didn't affect me. I wasn't as affected to the cold as I used to be.

"Hi, Mom." I whispered, placing the wreath against her grave. I traced her name with my fingertips, tears brimming in my eyes. I clenched my fists, pushing them back. I would not cry. I had cried too much already. "It's hard to believe it's been almost a year. A year since I found out what I was...who I truly am. And a year since you've died." I paused, clearing my throat. "It's getting easier...holding the monster inside of me at bay. I don't get visions anymore, and that nasty bloodlust is gone for now...Phillip's been helping me, as has Daniel."

My mother didn't have a clue who any of these people were. But...I told her because I needed someone to talk to. I needed my mom, and the only way I could have her was here...

Everything around me was silent and dark. I could smell the sweet, musty scent of decay. It disgusted me. What I was disgusted me.

"Would you be proud of me, Mom?" I asked quietly. "The things I do...that I'm capable of...it's horrible." A tear slid down my cheek. I held a hand to my lips, biting back a sob. "I'm scared," I whimpered. "I need you! Why did you...how could you...?” I stopped, regaining my composure. I stood and pressed my lips to my fingertips then to the stone. "Merry Christmas, Mom."

I shoved my hands in my pockets and began to walk away, my car illuminated by a streetlight. I was halfway there, when I felt something. A tug in the energy surrounding me. I looked around. Nothing was out of the ordinary. There were some spirits hanging around, I could sense them, but nothing else. I wrote it off and continued. Then, something pushed me. I held myself up, my gun instantly drawn.

A spectral blinked in front of me, its eyes wide. "Don't shoot!" It even held its hands up in mock surrender.

I rolled my eyes and deemed it harmless. Tucking my gun into the back of my pants, I stared at it. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"My name's Earl. I need your help. I can't move on until-"

"No, no, buddy. I don't think so. I'm not Melinda Gordon."

"But, you don't understand-"

"You're barking up the wrong tree. Hope you find someone to help." I turned and started to walk away. Suddenly, I was pushed into the snow, my entire body getting wet. I groaned, sitting up on my elbows and wiping it off my face. "What...the...fuck." I growled, wobbly trying to stand upright. I finally got my balance, my clothes thoroughly soaked.

"I need your help," the spectral pleaded again.

"So you pushed me into the snow?"

"I didn't want to have to do that, but you walked away!"

I rolled my eyes. "Why won't you leave me alone? There has to be someone else who can help you."

He stepped up to me, his form starting to appear more solid. He was somehow receiving more energy. "There isn't. You're the first person to see me in over a week."

My luck. "So...what...there someone you need to say goodbye to? Maybe a lover you can’t live without and want to see one last time?”

He shook his head. "No, nothing like that. I...I need to find my daughter. I need to know she's okay."

I paused, looking at him. He seemed to only be a couple years older than I was, with dirty blonde hair and a thin frame. "Daughter?"

"Yes. You see...I died on the way home from work. I lived with her in this crummy downtown apartment; it's all I could afford. No one has probably checked on her since I died, you need to get her out of there! She needs food and a warm bed and...everything I couldn't provide for her." He looked at me, pleading. "You need to save her."

How could I say no to that? If I did, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life. "Fine. Follow me." I started back to my car, rubbing the rest of the snow off my body. "You didn't have to push me, you know. It's fuckin' cold out here."

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly.

I shrugged my shoulders, sliding into the driver's seat. By the time I closed my door, he was already beside me, sitting on the passenger seat. "How did you die?" I asked, starting the car. I turned the heat on, wanting to have dry clothes before hunting around an apartment complex for a child.

"I'm not sure. It's...foggy. All I remember is walking home, and being pulled into an alley. Then...the worst pain I'd ever felt. It's like they...bit me."

Vampire. "And this was a week ago?"

He nodded his head.

I sighed. Damn...there was a vampire who'd killed at least one innocent out there... "What's your address?" I quickly wrote down what he told me, pulling away from the cemetery afterwards. As I was driving, I pulled out my phone, dialing Daniel's number.

He answered on the first ring. "Thought of my offer more?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. I need you to meet me somewhere."

He didn't ask why, he just wrote the address down and promised to be there in ten minutes.

I hung up the phone as soon as he started asking if I wanted to spend the night with him again. I didn't want to celebrate Christmas. Why couldn't he understand that? He didn't bother calling back; he knew I wouldn't answer. I groaned when a Christmas melody started to play on the radio, turning it off. By the time I pulled in front of the downtown apartment, Daniel was already standing there. His hair blew in the wind, fallen snowflakes lying in the strands of red. I got out of the car, looking behind me to see if Earl was following. He was.

"What floor?" I asked him.

"Third," he said, walking to the front of the apartment. "If something happened to her...I'll never forgive myself."

My face softened, and I put a hand on his arm. While he appeared perfectly normal in front of me, he didn't feel normal. He wasn't completely solid. It was more like...gelled liquid, in a way. Cool...smooth...my other side loved it; inhaled Earl's spirit scent with glee. "It's not your fault," I whispered.

I watched his eyes glazed over, as if he were going to cry.

Daniel ruined the moment. "Who are you talking to?" he asked.

"What's your last name, Earl?"

"Finney," he said.

I turned to Daniel. "I'm talking to Earl Finney. His daughter is in this apartment building...he died and no one knows. We need to get the girl, get her somewhere warm and safe. Then...Earl here can go into the 'light'. Right, Earl?"

He shook his head. "Yes, as long as I know she's alright."

"I thought you vowed not to help spirits. I believe you referred to them as 'pesky fuckers' that you couldn't waste your time on." Daniel said with a smile. "Christmas spirit cause you to change your mind?"

I frowned. "Even though I'm repeating myself, you do know that you've been alive for like, four centuries, don't you? One would think you'd be over Christmas."

He stepped close to me, his eyes a beautiful turquoise. "I'll never be sick of Christmas," he said. I could feel his breath on my cheek, a shiver running down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

"Shut up," I said, turning and walking into the building. That man aggravated me to no end.

He laughed, stepping in behind me.

I followed Earl up the steps, looking at the various ragged people who lay on the steps, coughing and half dead. It was a sad sight... Suddenly, he came to a stop in front of a door, his corporeal body turning to me. "In here," he said.

I opened the door, looking around. I could see he had tried to make the apartment feel like home. There was a tree in the corner, decorated with a dozen ornaments, if that. He had filled it with warm colors...as if their warmth could lessen the bleak place they lived in. "Do you hear anything?" I asked Daniel.

He nodded his head, heading into a room without replying. When he came out, a little girl was in his arms. She was no more than seven. I immediately saw white film over her eyes. She was blind. She stirred, her brown hair falling down her shoulders. Then, she awoke, sitting up in Daniel's arms. She looked at him, her head tilted. "Daddy?" she questioned.

"No," he replied. "I'm not your father."

"Where is he?"

I looked at Earl, who was next to his daughter, rubbing a hand over her hair. "My baby girl," he whispered. "Where will you go now?"

"Daddy needs to be here...for Christmas! Santa comes tonight, he told me. Look, I even leaved cookies out for him." She pointed to a plate of what looked to be sugar cookies. "I eated one though...I was hungry. Where's my daddy?"

Daniel sighed, looking at me.

Great...what could I say? I took the little girl out of his hands once I noticed she was starting to shiver. "My name is Jade, and I'm a friend of your daddy's. He told me you were here, that you've been by yourself for a while now."

She shook her head. "Seven days. I counted."

"Good girl." I sat down on a sofa, sinking into the cushions. "Sweetie, your daddy isn't coming home."

She looked up at me. "Why not?"

I looked into her eyes, wishing she could see me...wishing she could see her dad. "Because...a mean person hurt your daddy. And your daddy-"

A tear fell down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "Daddy died...didn't he?"

I looked at her in shock. "Y-yes."

"Just like mommy. He told me mommy died when I was this old." She held up three fingers. She put her head against my chest, crying silent tears. "I need my daddy...I can't see without him."

A knot formed in my chest, and I bit back a sob. I looked up at Earl, taking his hand in mine. "I am so sorry," I said.

"Where am I gonna go?" she asked quietly. "Who's gonna take care of me?" She put her hand on mine, squeezing it softly. "Will you take care of me, Jade?"

I looked at both her and Earl, and nodded my head. "Yes. I'll take care of you."

Earl smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Can you go by my friend Daniel?"

"I want to stay with you," she whispered. "You're warm."

"Alright. I'm just going to go get some things out of your room, okay?" I stood with the help of Daniel. We both went to the bedroom. I instructed what to grab, telling him to throw it in a small pack I saw lying on the floor. After that, I went into Earl's room and had Daniel take whatever Earl said was of importance. Pictures, family mementos, things of that sort. The little girl kept her head on my shoulder, sniffling to herself every once in a while.

"Her name's Elizabeth," Earl said to me. "After Elizabeth Bennett, who was her mother's favorite character."

I smiled, running a hand through Elizabeth's hair.

As we were leaving, Elizabeth sat up and asked, "What about Santa? How will I get my presents?"

I looked at Earl, who pointed underneath the tree. "Daniel," I said, tilting my head in the direction of the gifts. He grabbed them managing to hold everything and still walk gracefully. Jerk.

"Santa will know exactly where you are," I told her.

As soon as we got everything into the car, and her buckled into the backseat, she was asleep. I looked at Daniel, who was looking at me. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

"No clue," I replied. "I just know that right now, we're going to Phillip's."

...

It took me all of ten minutes to get to Phillip's place. He owned a building on the east side of town that he was currently making some sort of club for the rich and possibly famous. And the best part was, it wasn't really a club club. It would be a building straight out of the thirties, with live singers, the freedom to smoke in all rooms, with the option of having a meal with your drink. Very classy, very unlike anything I'd ever seen. Very expensive, also. He was one of the only vampires I knew who cared about having money-and lots of it. He liked having fancy things...cars that drove so fast they could race in Nascar, and clothes made by the best European hands. He was hoping the club would be a hit, and he'd make even more. Even more snow was falling, causing the streets to be icy and slick. Amazingly, I didn't slide once on the ride there. I did, however, slide as soon as I got into the parking lot.

I took Elizabeth in my arms while Daniel grabbed the things. I made my way towards the side entrance, where Phillip had told me to go to. I knocked with my free hand. "Hello!" I said, knowing full well that the vampire would be able to hear me. "Why don't you have a key?" I asked Daniel.

"I won't be here long, so he didn't give me one."

That explained it. "You're leaving again?"

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes."

I chuckled. "Why am I not surprised? It seems running away is all you do."

"Are you really going to argue with me now, with a child in your arms?" he asked, looking a bit angry.

I arched a brow, wondering why he was getting so defensive. "Whatever. Calm down."

He turned away from me, barking a sharp order quietly. The door opened, one of many vampires who stayed with Phillip stepped aside. I didn't even recognize him, but strangely, he knew me. "Hey, Jade."

"Hey...you," I replied.

He rolled his eyes, his hair snow white. "Brandt."

"Right...Brandt." I stepped inside, watching as Daniel practically slammed it shut behind me. Brandt swung two huge locks into place. "Phillip's in the living area, we're placing presents under the tree."

I looked at him. "Seriously?"

"Of course. It's Christmas. You did know that, didn't you?"

"I'd hit you if I could," I said, starting to walk down the many steps that led to the basement where the vampires lived. I didn't understand why they lived in the basement of their club, but hey, what the Master says goes. For vampires, at least. There were doors on either sides of us, where vampires and various other prenatural creatures slept. At the far end of the hallway, was the dining and living area. It was huge, probably the size of a ballroom. Brandt opened the double doors, letting Daniel and I walk in first. In the center of the room there was a table that sat at least thirty people. On the other side, was merely an oriental rug and the doorway to Phillip's room. On the other side, were two black sofas, a stiff-backed black armchair (with ottoman), two black coffee tables, and a grand Christmas tree. Underneath it were mounds of gifts.

"Did you buy a gift for every single loyal vampire of yours?" I asked Phillip, who was admiring the tree.

He turned, grinning. "Of course! Tis the season...wait..." he paused, pointing to Elizabeth. "Who's that?"

"This is Elizabeth, she's...she's going to be somehow staying with me now."

He laughed. "You're nineteen. How do you plan on taking care of a child?"

I frowned. I hadn't thought that far... "I'll manage." I laid her on the sofa, throwing a blanket over her. She looked so peaceful... "Her dad died." I looked back at Earl, who had followed us. "He asked me for help...she needs somewhere to go, Phillip. And...I can't let her go to some foster home. She's blind, she needs someone who'll take care of her."

"So, naturally, a vampire hunting reaper is the best option?"

I put my hands on my hips. "If you're going to be an ass, I'll leave."

He grabbed my shoulder, shaking his head. "No, no, of course not. I think it's wonderful you want to take care of her, Jade. Really. I will completely support your decision, and help you whenever you need it. Besides," he bent down, brushing a hand along her cheek, "I've always wanted a niece."

"Thanks...I think. I'll take her in with me Monday...explain the situation to my boss. Maybe he can draw up some papers for me."

"Will he do that?" Daniel asked.

"He will. He'll be too scared I'll quit and he'll be forced to hire some vampire or something. Some of the people they have lined up to be hunters is funny."

"Isn't it fun having power over little people?" Phillip sighed, placing the gifts Daniel handed him under the tree. "So, is her father still here?"

I looked back, thinking I'd see Earl. Strangely, I didn't. He was gone. "No...he was...but now he's gone."

Phillip shrugged his shoulders and stood. "Well, I've been up since six this morning, and you know how daylight hours weaken me. I'm going to sleep."

I looked at my watch. "It's only midnight."

"Yes, and I have a meeting with the contractors in the morning. If I'm not perfectly rested, I may kill them in a fit of anger. Goodnight, Jade." He kissed my cheek. "Goodnight, Daniel."

"Goodnight," we both said, watching him walk away. I sat on the carpet, stretching my body out like a cat. I was tired myself. I closed my eyes, not saying a word when I felt Daniel lay beside me. I thought of my mother...the Christmas' we had together.

Smiling, I said, "You know, the day after Thanksgiving she was ready to put our tree up." I opened my eyes, meeting Daniel's eyes immediately. "We listened to carols as we strung up the beads and garland, and then watched Holiday Inn while we hung the ornaments... Afterwards, she made coco, and we snuggled together under a blanket and talked of what we wanted Santa to bring us. When I got older...we did things together less and less. But Christmas was untouchable. No matter what, I was there to put up the tree..." Tears fell from my eyes, and I swallowed them down. "I miss her, Daniel. I miss her every day."

He wrapped his arms around me, holding me in his arms. For a moment, I forgot how angry I was at him. I forget that he had run away when I had needed him the most...and I lost myself in his touch. I cried on his shoulder, releasing every emotion I had kept within myself. Shortly, I fell asleep, cradled with him in front of a roaring fireplace.

...

Morning came all too soon. I awoke to the sound of a slowly beating heart. When I opened my eyes, I saw Daniel's were closed. He had fallen asleep. I wiggled out of his embrace, trying not to wake him up. I failed. His eyes darted open. "Nice try," he said with a smile. I hit him on the shoulder, getting up as soon as I smelled breakfast. That's when I noticed Elizabeth wasn't on the couch. I heard a laugh and turned, seeing her sitting on the opposite side of the room with Phillip. They were eating breakfast. Well, she was. While Phillip could eat food, he chose not to most of the time. Although, sometimes, he got cravings for any of the many Italian dishes and had his chef cook one up for him.

I walked towards them, smiling as Jane laughed. She held a fork in one hand, and was carefully picking apart a couple pancakes. They were drenched in strawberry sauce and whipped cream. She had the cream all over her face. I sat down next to her. "Good morning, Elizabeth."

She turned to me. "Good morning, Jade. Phil'p told me Santa came!"

"Did he? See, I told you he'd come."

"What do you think he brought me?"

"I don't know. We'll find out after you get done eating."

Brandt brought a plate of pancakes for me, along with coffee. Daniel simply had a mug with warmed blood in it. Yum. He sat next to Phillip. Beside each other, one couldn't help but notice they were brothers. Daniel had deep red hair with those wonderfully blue eyes, whereas Phillip had dark brown hair with silvery gray eyes; both had British accents, from their home country. They were both handsome, and lean in figure. I wondered how many girls' hearts they had broken in their long existence. I felt Daniel near me, could smell the scent that was all him. It was a mixture of the coldness that death brought, and sea. He smelled like the oceans.

"Merry Christmas, Jade." Phillip said.

"Merry Christmas, Phillip."

Phillip held out a square box that had somehow materialized in his hands. He was grinning proudly. "What is that?" I asked, pointing to it. I finished my piece of pancake, taking it with a hesitant hand.

"Your Christmas gift," he replied, rolling his eyes.

"But...I didn't get you anything." To be honest, I hadn't thought I would need to. He hadn't told me we would be exchanging.

"I don't mind. Open it. I want to see the look of amazement on your face."

I took it, my hands pale against the deep red paper. I laughed, saying, "I'm sure it's wonderful."

"It's more than wonderful, actually." He let me know.

I opened it carefully, running my hands along the thick velvet box the wrapping had once covered. I was scared to lift it, wondering what lay inside. Finally, I opened it, gasping when I saw what lay against the velvet. It was an engraved locket. On the front there was a red rose, with wilting petals falling down to the bottom of the locket. "It's beautiful, Phillip." I said, blinking back tears.

"Open it," he told me.

I did so, a tear sliding down my cheek when I saw the picture inside. "Mom," I whispered, putting a finger on the portrait. "Oh, Phil, it's amazing."

He smiled smugly, nodding his head. "I know."

I pulled him close, hugging him tightly and kissing him on the cheek. "You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to. You also have a couple gifts under the tree. But, I wanted to give that to you personally."

"Presents, presents, presents!" Elizabeth clapped, smiling.

We all got up, and I took her hand so I could lead her towards the tree. I sat down with her on the carpet, sitting her in my lap. "Here's the first one," I told her. We opened it together. It was a porcelain doll, with beautiful brown hair and blue eyes.

"Dolly," she grinned. "What does she look like?"

I described the doll to her, watching as she ran her fingers over its face. Then, she turned to me and said, "Can I see you?" she asked.

"Sure," I said.

I put her hands on my cheeks, and smiled. Her fingers moved across my face. She had the greatest look on her face, as if she were really studying what was in front of her. Finally, she put her hands down and said, "I think you're real pretty. Like my dolly is."

I laughed, giving her a small hug. "Thank you, Elizabeth. You're really pretty too."

"My daddy always called me his 'pretty girl'," she whispered. "Daddy always said mommy was in heaven...is daddy in heaven with mommy now?"

"I suppose so..."

"Do you think daddy can see me from heaven?"

"I think your daddy can see you perfectly," I whispered, giving her a small kiss on the cheek. I wiped away a tear that fell from her eye, and then put another present in our laps. She opened it with me, exclaiming her surprise at the set of brail books. Her daddy had been teaching her how to read. She taught us what she learned, reading the first chapter of one of the stories perfectly. Daniel, Phillip, Brandt, and myself, clapped after she was finished.

"You are a very smart girl," Phillip told her.

"Thank you," she said, grinning. I noticed one of her teeth was missing. It made her smile that much more adorable.

The rest of the morning was spent opening presents, and watching snow fall outside. Elizabeth and I drank coco, wrapped in a blanket tightly. I read her a story, and she fell asleep on my shoulder. I couldn't help but think that somehow, my own Christmas wish had been answered. That I could find someone to love, who would love me back as strongly as I loved them. Not a love like I held for Daniel, but a love like I had had with my mother. A love that can't be touched, or broken.

And looking at Elizabeth's sleeping face, I knew I had fallen irrevocably in love with her.

A/N: If you're read "The Beginning" you already know who Jade is, and some of the other characters. This takes place about a year before that, when Jade is 19. She's a character from my story, Sinful Desires, which isn't posted on here. I hope you've all enjoyed it! Have a Merry Christmas! Or Happy Holiday, lol.
Faith