This story was my Christmas present from Melissa. I loved it, and I know you will too.
Mel, you're the best friend a girl could ever ask for! Thank you for being there for me when no one else was!
~Jeni~
"It's getting pretty bad out there." Melissa handed her a cup of tea. "We are supposed to get at least ten inches of snow."
Melissa was Jeni's best friend for years, if one of them needed the other, they would be there in a second. After years of saving their money, they finally brought a cute house in the suburbs of Chicago. It was going to be their first Christmas in their new house.
"They aren't going to make it here. I bet the airports are closed." Jeni took a sip of the hot liquid.
"You don't know that Jeni, there is still a chance." Melissa replied sitting next to her.
Melissa was always the optimist one out of the two. The plan for their first Christmas in their new home was going to be celebrated with their boyfriends. Melissa had been dating Nick for almost two years. She was head over heels in love with him and Nick felt the same way. Jeni even had to admit that Nick was a great guy. When the three of them hanged out, he never made her feel like the third wheel.
It was actually Nick that introduced her to AJ, her boyfriend of a year. Anyone that watched them could tell that they were perfect for one another. AJ fell in love with Jeni the minute he met her and the feeling was mutual for Jeni as well. The two of them became inseparable.
The four of them were like a family, always hanging out, spending time together. A day with them all together would consist of hours of talking and laughing. And the thought of them not being here for the holidays killed her. It just wouldn't be Christmas without them.
"Hey, what are you thinking about over there?" Melissa asked laying her green mug on the oak coffee table.
Jeni smiled at her dear friend. "I just wish that Nick and AJ are here."
"They will be."
"Why are you always positive?"
"Well, if I'm not then we would be drowning in our sorrows like you!" Melissa grinned sarcastically.
"Thanks." Jeni took another sip of her drink. "When is Nick's flight coming in?"
Melissa looked at her silver watch. "It landed about an hour ago."
"I bet you are excited to see him."
"You have no idea." Melissa smiled with a look in her eye.
"Oh no, I know that look. You are going to find out if Nick has been naughty or nice this year."
"Maybe." Melissa laughed and then finished her drink.
"Okay, no details."
"Like you aren't going to be doing the same thing with AJ."
"Oh definitely!" The two girls laughed. Suddenly their dark walnut front door swung open bringing in the cold December wind and inches of snow.
"Wow, it is cold out there." Nick chimed as he kicked the door shut and he dropped his luggage.
"Nick!" Melissa ran into his open arms.
Jeni watched the young couple and you could tell they were in love. It was the way they interacted with one another. They would so affectionate and loving.
"I didn't know if you would make it." Melissa replied after a long and passionate kiss.
"I couldn't miss spending Christmas with my babygirl." He slowly kissed her again.
"Come in and take off your jacket." Nick removed his heavy jacket and handed it her. Melissa hung it up in the closet by the door. "Have a seat next to Jeni; I'll get you some hot tea."
"Thanks baby." Nick sat down on the large dark tan sofa. "So how is Jeni?"
"Missing AJ, have you heard from him? I have tried calling him, but it goes straight to voicemail." She asked turning to face him "I already left him three messages."
.
"Um. . . yeah I called him once I reached the airport in Florida. He said he was having a great time with his mom and that he would be leaving in a couple of hours for the airport."
"See Jeni, I bet he is in the air and that's why you couldn't reach him." Melissa handed Nick a mug. "Careful honey, it's hot."
"Thank you." He laid the mug down and pulled her into his lap. "I don't think he is in the air. I heard that they were closing all surrounding airports in Illinois. The weather is horrible out and the visibility makes it hard to see the roads."
Jeni quickly reached for the remote to turn on the stereo system.
"Now an update on the weather." The woman announcer replied. "All flights into and out of O' Hare and Midwest airports have been cancelled. The blowing winds that have reached up 30 mph have caused visibility to be limited and it causing many accidents on the freeways. By the time the storm has passed, we should see at least 10 inches of snow. At least everyone in Chicago should have a white Christmas."
Jeni shut off the stereo and walked over to the window. It was getting worse by the minute. "He isn't going to make it."
Melissa got up off of Nick's lap and walked over to her. "Jeni, you don't know that. He could have made it before they closed the airports."
She turned and faced her friend. "I'm not that lucky."
"Hey, don't do that." She touched her friend's shoulder. "Look how lucky you are! You have this amazing home, friends and family that love you, tons of presents under the tree." Melissa walked over to Nick and reached for his hand. Nick took it and stood up next to her. "And two friends here who are going to make you sure that you enjoy every minute of this holiday."
"I would listen to her; she gets mean when you ignore her." Nick laughed, causing Melissa to smack his arm.
"See!" Jeni started to laugh.
Melissa walked her over her friend. "He still has time and there is still a chance. Don't give up hope."
Jeni quickly hugged her best friend. "Thank you." She looked over at Nick. "Thank you both."
"Alright, now I need to get done some of the preparations for the Christmas feast. Who wants to help me?" Melissa looked at Nick. "Baby?"
"That's not fair; no know I can't say no to you."
"Exactly!" She grabbed his hand. "Jeni, you finished decorating!" Melissa pulled Nick into the kitchen, leaving Jeni to finishing the tree. She and Melissa started decorating it and it was only missing some finishing touches.
She dug into the boxes, searching for any more Christmas ornaments. After ten minutes of adding more white lights and ornaments, the Christmas was done. Jeni plugged in the tree, then stood back and looked at it. It looked so wonderful with the different color Christmas ornaments. She and Melissa had decided to combine their ornaments instead of buying new ones.
"It looks beautiful." Melissa said as she and Nick walked into the room.
"You did a great job, Jeni!" Nick said holding Melissa close to him.
"Thanks guys." They all stood there, just staring at the magnificent tree. Jeni took a deep breath. "Merry Christmas, AJ."
Melissa kept Jeni busy baking Christmas cookies and talking about Christmases of the past. She
was so grateful for friends like Nick and Melissa, they were trying everything they could took
keep her hopes up. However with every hour that passes and with no sign of AJ, her heart just
ached. She wanted him here for Christmas more than anything in the world. She would give
anything to wake up next to him on Christmas morning.
"Hey, Nick and I are going to call it a night."
"Okay goodnight." Jeni replied from her spot on the sofa. Melissa turned to leave, but stopped
and looked back at her.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm okay. Goodnight."
"Night." Melissa made her way to her bedroom and shut the door.
Jeni stood up and stretched her body. She looked that the large tree, feeling so lucky to have so
many wonderful people in her life. Still she couldn't help but miss AJ. It just didn't feel like
Christmas without him. She walked over the large bay window and looked out. Suddenly, the
wind stopped blowing and she noticed a bright star in the sky.
"He still has time and there is still a chance. Don't give up hope."
Melissa's words echoed in her head. She closed her eyes and made a wish upon that star. When
she opened her eyes, the wind was raging again. With a sigh, Jeni headed to her bedroom and
closed the door.
Jeni hadn't seen the star that she wished on, sparkle even brighter than before thanks to the
powerful wind covering the landscape.
Several hours later, Jeni tossed and turned her in queen sized bed. She felt a sudden chill entered
her room and pulled the covers over her exposed shoulder.
Then she something wet touch her cheek, slowly she turned to her side to see what it was.
"Hi baby." AJ smiled at her.
"AJ?"
"Yeah baby, it's me." Jeni reached up and touched his cheek. It was cold to the touch, but that
didn't matter. She quickly embraced him, never wanting to let go.
"I didn't think you would make it."
"I didn't think I would either, but none of that matters now." He pulled away. "I'm here now
with you." He caressed her cheek and leaned in to kiss her lips.
"Yes, you are. Get those clothes off and get in bed."
Without a reply, AJ stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed with her. He snuggled up
against her back, wrapping his arms around her waist. Jeni sighed and rested her hands on his.
"I love you."
"I love you, AJ."
"She is sleeping in awfully late." Nick stated as he came up behind Melissa who was making
breakfast.
"I don't think she slept much last night."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "Well, I should take full advantage
of this time alone."
"Do you want breakfast? Because if you keep that up, I won't be able to finish."
He made her turn towards him. "I'm fine with that." He captured her lips in a kiss.
"What about the rest of us?" AJ stated walking into the kitchen with Jeni right behind him.
"AJ, you're here." Nick replied giving his brother a hug.
"Where else would I be?" He hugged Melissa.
"What time did you get in?" Nick asked.
"Like 3 or 4 in the morning, Jeni was already in bed."
"It was a nice way to be woken up." Jeni smiled as she held him arm.
"I bet." Melissa smiled. "Okay who is hungry?"
They all sat down to have breakfast and catch up on how AJ got to Melissa's and Jeni's place.
"So I was at the airport and they told me all the flights were grounded because of the weather. I
couldn't believe my luck, I even tried to find a layover, but there wasn't anything. I figured I was
going to spend Christmas alone in the airport."
"What happened? How did you get here?" Nick asked grabbing another piece of toast.
"Well after an hour of sitting in the airport and constantly bothering the airport employees, an old
man came up to me and said he would fly me here."
"Who was this guy?" Jeni took a sip of her orange juice.
"I don't know and honestly I didn't care; if he could get me here I was fine with it." AJ drank his
coffee and laid it back down. "I follow him to this tiny plane and I was having second thoughts.
But this guy, who had a striking resemblance to Santa Claus, knew that I had someone waiting
for me." He looked over at Jeni and squeezed her hand.
"So this guy flew you all the way to Chicago?" Melissa asked picking up everyone's plates.
"Yeah and I thought the flight would be bumpy with the weather, but amazingly it was a smooth
ride." He finished off his coffee. "Once we landed, I offered him some money for all the
trouble, but refused. He simply said Merry Christmas."
"What a sweet old man." Jeni replied laying her head on AJ's shoulder.
"I for one am so glad that you are here, AJ." Melissa stated laying the dishes in the sink.
"And why is that?" He asked placing his mug in the sink and faced her.
"Well someone, I'm not naming names, was really upset at the idea of spending Christmas
without you."
Jeni tried to hide her growing grin as AJ walked over to her. He lifted her chin and slowly kissed
her. "I love you."
"It finally stopped snowing." Melissa said looking out the kitchen window.
"I have an idea, it is a little juvenile, but I think it would be fun."
The four of them were bundled up and outside making a snowman. The snowman had stick
arms, button eyes, carrot nose, and a mouth made out of stones.
"I think he looks very good." Melissa said touching the snowman.
"This was a great idea, Nick." AJ replied wrapping an arm around Jeni's waist.
"It was a great idea Nick, but I have another great idea." Melissa looked over at Jeni and Jeni
knew automatically what she was talking about.
"What is this idea of yours, baby?" He asked looking at her.
Melissa picked up some snow and threw it at him. "Snowball fight."
"Oh you are dead!" Nick went after her.
AJ watched the whole thing when he felt something cold hit me. Jeni stood there laughing.
"I'm going to get you!" AJ ran after her.
After an hour or so of playing in the snow, everyone headed back into the house to warm up.
"Hot chocolate for everyone." Melissa came into the room holding a tray. Everyone was sitting
on the floor next the tree and fireplace with blankets and pillows. They all took a cup and
snuggled up to their loved ones.
"This has been the best Christmas." AJ stated holding Jeni in his arms.
"I have to agree." Nick smiled as he brought Melissa down so she was sitting between his legs.
"Well it isn't over; we still have presents to open."
One by one, everyone opened presents; the hardwood floors were cover in wrapping paper and
ribbons.
"That was the last one." Jeni replied from her spot next to AJ.
"Not completely." AJ stated looking over at Nick. "Nick and I have one last present for both of
you." They stood up. "Mel, you are going first, so close your eyes."
Melissa looked over at Jeni. She shrugged her shoulders. Melissa closed her eyes waiting for
whatever surprise Nick had for her.
"Okay, in one, two, three, open your eyes." Nick said as she did what he told her.
Nick was on his knee in front of her, Melissa glanced over at Jeni. Jeni had tears in her eyes, she
was so happy for her best friend.
Melissa brought her eyes back to Nick.
"I wanted to find the perfect Christmas present for you, a gift to show you how much I love you."
He reached for her hand. "I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I love you Melissa, so
much. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, I'll marry you!" Nick placed the beautiful ring on her finger and then enveloped her in a
hug.
Jeni rushed over to her friend to see the ring. "Wow, Nick that is a stunning ring." Jeni replied
and then walked back over to AJ.
"Not as stunning as the woman wearing it." Nick smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too." Melissa slowly kissed him.
"Hey, hey, you two. There is still one last gift to give out." Nick and Melissa laughed and gave
their attention to AJ.
"Jeni, you know how much I love you." Jeni shook her head. "I would be lost without you. You
are my heart and my soul. When I'm not with you, I feel like a part of me is missing. And when
I'm with you, I could never be happier. I want to spend the rest of my life being happy with
you." AJ pulled a box of his pocket and got down on one knee.
"Baby, I love you more than life itself. Will you marry me?"
Jeni shook her head because she didn't trust her voice. AJ slipped the ring on her finger and then
pulled her up. He cupped her face with his hands. "I love you."
"I love you." He captured her lips in a long and loving kiss.
"Hey, hey, you two, get a room." AJ and Jeni laughed as Nick got even with them.
"Let me see Jeni." Melissa looked at the dazzling ring. "It is gorgeous Jeni."
Melissa went back over to Nick and sat between his legs and Jeni joined AJ back on the sofa.
"This has definitely been the best Christmas." Jeni replied snuggling up to AJ.
"I agree." Melissa smiled resting her head against Nick's chest. "Merry Christmas everyone."
"Merry Christmas!" They all replied to one another.
