Christmas Eve Love Story

Thirty-One

Annie pushed her rolling shopping basket through the cascading snow, her heart happy and her spirits light. The collapsible carrier sat low to the ground, with high wire basket sides and a handle. She’d filled it with three heavy grocery bags and purchased a bouquet of fresh flowers for her table. Their petals accumulated the rapidly pelting snow, but she’d have them indoors and in a vase soon enough.

She reached her building an hour before she knew Harrington would be there. That would give her plenty of time to stash her groceries away and get started on that chili before dashing downstairs to watch for Harrington’s arrival. Annie hurried inside, carting her things into the foyer, collapsing the folding cart and dragging that into the hall last. Leo greeted her when she nudged open her apartment door, her arms weighted down with heavy groceries and her work bag slung over her shoulder. “Hello, Leo.”

He pressed up against her pants leg and purred. “Yes, yes.” She stepped past him to deposit her things in the kitchen. “I’ll feed you in a minute.” He followed close on her heels, sitting to watch her remove her hat and mittens and lay them on the radiator. Annie unbuttoned her coat and leaned toward him, stroking the top of his head. “Mom’s had good news today.” She gathered him up in a hug. “I got promoted,” she whispered, her face very close to his. He stared at her with his big eyes. “Which means”—she firmly kissed his head—“you’re getting adopted!”

He squirmed in her hold, evidently more interested in food than celebrating. Annie smiled and set him down. “All right,” she said. “You can have your dinner. But then, I have to get to work.” Memories of Braden standing in the snow flooded her, and her heart fluttered. He’d been so incredibly handsome, she hadn’t been able to resist him, or his sexy kisses. She hoped she’d get more of those someday. She looked up and begged the heavens. Please, please, please. Please.

She also really wanted to go out on that date. If she woke up in the morning to yet another Christmas Eve, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. At least she’d get to see Braden again, or would she? Annie frowned. Going through that do-over day without him would be incredibly sad. But she wasn’t going to think about that now.

Annie removed her coat, hanging it over the back of a kitchen chair. She draped her scarf across the radiator and held up her finger to Leo. “I’ve got to grab the rest of my things from downstairs, then you’ll get to eat.” The cat complained with a loud mew.

“Spoily!” Annie laughed and shook her head. “You can wait two more minutes.” Come to think of it, she felt hungry too. Maybe she’d munch on a snack while she was cooking and make a couple extra cinnamon rolls to share with Bea when she came by. Even though it was smallish, she’d bought a whole fresh turkey this time, and creamed corn to make corn pudding like her mom used to make. Frozen green beans for a green bean casserole too.

Harrington was bringing chocolates for dessert, but she’d still purchased ingredients for a simple pumpkin pie and she intended to make one, assuming tomorrow actually was Christmas Day. Otherwise, none of these expensive groceries would be here when she woke up tomorrow anyway. Annie retrieved the rest of her stuff from the foyer and hauled it up the stairs, grabbing a vase from beneath her kitchen sink for the flowers. She arranged them in the vase and glanced at her kitchen table. It came with an extra leaf that she kept in the coat closet, and she could add that tomorrow to accommodate everybody. Having the others in her building over for Christmas dinner would be so amazing.

Her heart caught in her throat.

Assuming she didn’t mess something up.

And assuming Christmas Day actually came.

Annie set the vase on the table. She didn’t have nearly enough chairs. Only three here, plus the one at her desk in the bedroom, but that only made four. Her sofa and living room armchair were bulky and not budging. Maybe she could ask some of the neighbors to help out.

Annie strapped on her apron and opened her cookbook binder. She’d already made several notations on the side of the index card about her minor modifications. Tonight’s chili was going to be better than ever. She heard her dad’s voice in her head, world class .

Annie’s phone alarm went off forty minutes later. Thank goodness! She’d become so involved in her cooking, she might have otherwise neglected to think of Harrington. She opened the building’s front door as he exited his cab. The driver deposited his suitcase beside him on the sidewalk. “Need help with your bag?” the driver asked, viewing the icy steps.

“I’m fine,” Harrington grumbled. “Perfectly capable of doing this on my own.”

“Maybe so!” Annie marched down the steps in her snow boots and coat as the cab driver took off. “But there’s really no need with me here to help you.”

Harrington leaned into his walker and stared at her while snow swirled around them. “And you are?”

She smiled and picked up his suitcase. “Annie.”

He shook his finger. “My guardian angel, yes.”

Annie blinked. “What?”

“You helped me another time, didn’t you?” He scratched his head. “Can’t precisely say when, but I do know you were there.”

“I—want to be here more often too.” He didn’t argue with her about the suitcase, merely followed her along. They paused at the base of the steps.

“What’s that mean?” Harrington asked her.

Annie grinned. “I’m inviting you to Christmas dinner.”

“Oh?” He looked surprised but secretly pleased. “What makes you think I’ll accept?”

“I have a hunch you like peppermint bark,” she said slyly, “and I’ve got some.”

Harrington patted the front of his coat. “A woman after my own heart.” He started to climb the stairs using his walker, and she waited behind him, intending to go up second in case he slipped. She’d bring the suitcase up after that.

“Hold on,” he said, peering over his shoulder. “Don’t you live on the third floor?”

“I do,” she said, “but we’ll help you.”

“We?”

Eric appeared right on cue. “You guys need any help?” He eyed Harrington’s suitcase and viewed Annie, noting her careful attention on Harrington as he struggled up the stairs.

“Uh, sure,” Annie said. “Could you grab the luggage? Thanks.”

They all made it into the foyer, and Eric shut the door. “You’re Annie, right?”

She nodded and Harrington held out his hand, intending to shake Eric’s. “My name’s Harrington.”

“Yes, sir.” Eric nodded. “I believe we’ve met.”

Harrington narrowed his eyes at Eric. “That’s right. You’re in school somewhere.”

“NYU, sir.”

Harrington’s tone grew wistful in a put-on way. “Studying poetry.”

Eric chuckled. “Literature. Yes, sir.”

Harrington unlocked his door, and Eric carried his suitcase over the threshold. Harrington thanked him and said, “Wicked storm out there. Runways shut down at LaGuardia.”

“Tomorrow’s supposed to be bad too,” Annie commented to both of them. She glanced at Eric. “I’m making a pretty simple Christmas dinner for people in the building, and you’re invited too.”

Eric shifted the backpack on his shoulder. “That’d be great. I accept.”

“It’s a mess out there,” Harrington said, shaking the snowflakes from his coat.

“But a great night for chili.” Annie grinned at the older man. “I’m bringing you some in a bit.”

Harrington placed a hand over his heart. “You really are some sort of angel, aren’t you?”

“No. Just a neighbor.” And maybe a friend. She stared at Eric. “And you can be on the lookout for some fresh cinnamon rolls.”

Eric grinned. “Now I know I’m dreaming.”

Harrington’s nose scrunched up. “Maybe we all are?”

No, no, no, no, no and no.

“What a merry Christmas Eve,” Harrington said in parting as Annie climbed up the stairs.

“Sure is,” Eric said before he shut his door.

Harrington closed his door as well, and the resulting echoes were in tune. Though she’d only been getting to know them a short while, Annie’s connections with her neighbors already felt heartwarmingly strong. She had the very keen sense that she was doing what she was supposed to do, and that she was where she was meant to be. She only hoped she wouldn’t be here forever.

***

A short time later, Annie led Bea into the kitchen where she filled her sugar cup. Bea stared around the room at Annie’s works in progress: the cinnamon rolls, the pumpkin pie, and the green bean casserole. Her world-class chili simmered on a back burner on the stove.

“My,” Bea said. “Someone’s been busy.”

“I’ve invited a few of the neighbors over tomorrow for a holiday meal. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Oh, thanks! That’s very kind, but I’m expected at my daughter’s place in Queens.”

Wind slammed against the window, and Annie glanced at the snowy streaks leaving trails down the glass. “Weather’s looking bad though. So, if for any reason you can’t make it…” Annie passed Bea the cup of sugar, and she took it.

“Thanks, Annie. That’s very nice.”

Annie delivered the chili to Harrington and set it on his stove.

“Thanks for the supper,” he said, leaning into his walker.

“No problem. I hope you enjoy it.” Annie paused on the threshold on her way out. “Don’t forget about Christmas dinner. Eric and I will come to get you a little before two.”

“I look forward to it.” He bowed his head. “Thank you.”

Eric was next, and she knocked on his door, holding the cinnamon rolls. They were fresh from the oven, and their sweet aroma filled the foyer. Eric pulled open his door and grinned. “You’re awesome.” He accepted the covered platter she handed him. “And these smell incredible.” He set the plate down on a table by the door. “Thanks.”

“You won’t forget about dinner?”

Eric pulled his cell phone from his jeans pocket. “Got it on my calendar.”

“Excellent. See you tomorrow.” She snatched a quick look at Harrington’s apartment. “Would you mind helping me get Harrington up the stairs?”

“Absolutely,” Eric said. “No problem.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have any folding chairs?”

“That’s all I’ve got!” he said. “I’ve got a card table too. That’s what I use in the kitchen. Want to borrow them?”

“Just the chairs would be great,” she said. “How many have you got?”

“The four that came with the table.”

“We could probably use them all.”

Eric nodded. “I’ll bring them up a little early. What? Around one thirty?”

“One thirty’s good.” Annie grinned. “Thanks! See you tomorrow.”

Eric waved. “I won’t forget the wine.”

Annie set two empty hot cocoa mugs in her sink later. She’d had a good chat with Bea over chili, and they’d watched a rom-com together, with Bea popping out across the hall every so often to check on her casserole. For her part, Annie had almost everything ready for tomorrow. All she had left to do was stuff the turkey and get it in the oven, then make the gravy. She couldn’t say how long it had been since she’d had a big Christmas dinner. It was probably when she’d been invited to Tina’s parents’ holiday meal when she was still dating Roy.

“Okay, kitty.” She spoke to Leo when she entered the living room. “It’s time for one big boy I know to hit the hay.” He raised his head from his snuggly spot in the sofa blankets. “Santa comes tonight.” I hope.

He sluggishly hopped off the sofa and plodded into the bedroom, dutifully claiming his place at the foot of her bed on the soft duvet. Annie reached into her bedroom closet and grabbed the shopping bag of kitty stocking stuffers she’d purchased from the high shelf. “You stay put,” she told the cat. “I’ll be right back.”

She went to work stuffing his stocking and filling it to the brim with new toys and treats. She hung it back on the small nail she’d driven into the window frame by the living room radiator. She patted the stocking once she’d set it in place. “You stay put too, and don’t go emptying yourself on me.”

Annie strode to her small Christmas tree and reached down to unplug its lights.

She stopped suddenly, picking up her snow globe instead. She shook it heartily, observing her dad’s sweet painting propped up behind the tree. I do believe, I do. Annie shut her eyes and pressed the snow globe to her chest. In friendships, and miracles, and Christmas. Maybe in finding my place in the world. In my own little snow globe, here in this very vast universe. She’d been so isolated before, but she didn’t feel that way anymore. She felt connected and hopeful about the future. Maybe even a future with Braden, whether he remembered her or not. They could always start fresh. She’d done that with him already—so many times. And, if time finally moved forward, maybe their relationship would progress.

And if it didn’t?

Annie experienced a fleeting moment of fear, and she released a deep breath.

If it didn’t , she would handle that too.

She’d have her job and Tina, friends at work and in her building. She’d create a solid and satisfying existence for herself and Leo. Then, if the stars aligned, she might someday find her fated match, like one of the heroines in her favorite rom-coms. But for now, she was good. Good with who she was and the person she’d become. Someone stronger in herself and with a keener appreciation for others, folks who were feeling like family. The family she didn’t have.

Her mom’s voice lilted through the air. We’re here, Annie.

No. Not the family she didn’t have. But rather, the birth family she’d always have and hold dear in her heart, along with her new “found family” of special people. She wanted to give as many of them as possible a really happy holiday in the small ways that she could. She wished she’d learned more about that department-store Santa. She hoped that he was safe and happy and enjoying his Christmas to the fullest, wherever he was.

Annie opened her eyes and kissed the top of the snow globe for luck before setting it down. “Here’s hoping tomorrow’s Christmas.”

She reached beneath the tree and unplugged its lights.