Safely tucked in a towering building, Nick watched as the snow fell from the sky.� It had been snowing like that for hours and with every snowflake that fell, he knew his chances of seeing his new bride lessen.� He had to fly out of the state for a last minute meeting.� Nick had this gut feeling that he shouldn�t leave, that he should reschedule it after the holidays.� However, his manager wouldn�t hear any of it.�
Now he was kicking himself for not sticking with his instincts.� He was now thousands of miles away from Melissa and the idea of spending their first Christmas apart killed him.� The only part that was kept him sane was the fact she was with her family.� Since he wasn�t close with his family, they decided to spend Christmas with hers.� He reached into his pocket and grabbed his cell phone, dreading to have to make this call.
�Hello?�� Even her voice had an effect on him.
�Hi baby.� �
�Nick, it is so good to hear your voice.� Please tell me you are on your way back home.� The weather is getting worse here.� �
He sighed knowing what he was going to say was going to hurt her.� �No, I�m not honey.� I can�t get a flight out; the weather is really bad here too.�
�That�s okay.�� She replied with ease, but he knew she was upset. �
�I�m so sorry Mel, I shouldn�t have flown out.� I hate that we are going to be apart on Christmas.�
�Me too, but we will have many more Christmases together.� �
He smiled.� �Yes many more.� How�s your family?�
�They�re good, we were decorating the tree.�
�I thought you did that already.�
�We did, but Ringo decided to climb the tree and he knocked off a lot of the ornaments.�
Nick laughed, that cat of her mother�s was always trouble.� �He didn�t destroy any of the presents, did he?�
�No, I think he likes the tree a lot better.�
�Honey, I want you to do me a favor.�
�Anything.� �
�Look under the tree and find the present that is wrapped in golden wrapping paper.� �
Melissa walked over to the tree and spotted the small rectangle box.� She picked it up and read the tag.� To: Melissa Love: Nick �
�I want you to open that now.�
She rested the cordless phone on her shoulder as she unwrap the box.� Once the paper was removed, Melissa opened the box.� She pulled out a glistening snowflake ornament.
�Nick, it is beautiful.�
�There is an inscription.�
She looked closer and saw it.� �The Carters� first Christmas 2006.�� Tears welled up in her eyes.� �I love it Nick, thank you.� �
�You�re welcome baby.� I wanted our first Christmas to be special.�� He laughed.� �I didn�t know what to get you; I had to ask your mother for some help.�
�All I want for Christmas is you.� I wish you were here.�� She tried to keep control over her feelings.
�Me too, me too.� I want you to have amazing Christmas with your family, baby.� I love you.�
Hearing that undid her.� �I love you too.� Merry Christmas, Nick.�� She finally got out through her tears.
�Merry Christmas, Mel.���� He shut his cell, feeling horrible after hearing her cry.� He knew she tried to put up a brave front, but under it she was devastated.� Christmas was Melissa�s favorite holiday and he knew she would try to have a happy Christmas, but she would be missing him the whole time.
After dinner Melissa�s family sat by the roaring fire and talked about past Christmases.� She watched the faces of her parents, grandparents, sister, and brother-in-law.� She knew she should feel so lucky to have family to celebrate the holidays with, but all her heart could think of was Nick alone in some cold and remote building.� She quietly exited the room and walked into the front room where the Christmas tree was.
It shined with all the lights on it, three boxes to be exact.� Melissa came closer and her eyes glazed over all the ornaments on the tree.� Silver and frosted balls, glittered icicles, glass angels, and shimmering snowflakes hung on the branches of the tall tree.� Her eyes then went straight to one snowflake, the one Nick gave her.� Her slender fingers ran over the inscription as she read it over again in her head. �
She then sat on the window sill and watched as the snow fell to the ground.� Melissa couldn�t wait till Christmas came; she had gotten everyone�s gifts ahead of time, even Nick�s.� He was so hard to shop for, but she finally found the perfect gift.� Well, the perfect gift actually found her. She loved everything about Christmas, decorating the tree, hanging up stockings, shopping for your loved ones, but what she loved the most was being with the ones you loved.� Now all she wished was that Christmas was over, so she could see Nick again.� Christmas seemed not worth celebrating without him here. �
�Melissa?�� Her grandma stated walking over to her.� �Are you okay, sweetie?� �
Melissa quickly wiped the tears that she didn�t even know that had fallen.� �Yeah, I�m okay.� I�m just watching the snow fall.� �
�Honey, I may be old, but I�m not blind.� You are missing that husband of yours, aren�t you?�
�You know me too well.� I hate that we are spending Christmas apart.� �
�It�s only Christmas Eve; he still has a chance to make it.� �
�He can�t get a flight out; I guess the weather is just as bad there as it is here.�
�There is still a chance, honey.�
�How?�� She asked as her grandmother sat down beside her.� �It would have to be a miracle for him to get here safely and on time.� �
�Exactly.�� She chimed.
�What? I�m confused.�
�Sweetie, it is the holiday season.� Miracles happen more now than ever.� �
�Grams, I would love to believe in Christmas miracles, but I don�t want to get my hopes up just to have them dashed in the morning.� �
�Let your grams tell you a story.� When I was about your age, there was a Christmas where your grandpa was in another state.� His car had died on the highway and he had to walk many miles to a gas station to get help.� I was at home waiting by the phone worried out of my mind.�
�I bet you were.� What happened?�
�Well, once he reached the gas station, he called me.� Because of the holidays, no repair shops were open so he had no way of getting home.� I was beside myself with sadness, just like you are now.� �
�So what did you do?�
�I went outside and I gazed up at the stars.� I found the brightest one and made a wish on it.�� She brushed back her granddaughter�s hair.� �I wished for your grandpa to come home to me.� �
�Did he?� Melissa asked facing her.
�He did.� He went into this all night diner and sat down.� One of the patrons there asked him what he was doing there on Christmas Eve.� Your grandpa told him the whole story and this gentleman turned out to be a mechanic.� He took grandpa out to his car, fixed it, and sent him on his way.� Grandpa made it by Christmas morning; it was the best present I got that year.�
�That is a sweet story grandma, but it isn�t a car that is stopping Nick from being here.� It is Mother Nature; even if the snow did stop there is no certain way that Nick will get a flight.� I just need to face the fact that I�m going to spend Christmas without him.��� Melissa leaned back into her original position, watching the snow fall. �
�Come with me.�
�Where?� �
�Just humor your grams.��
They headed to the front door and bundled up.� Once outside, Melissa helped her grandmother down the sidewalk and out to the driveway.� Snowflakes covered them as they stood out in the chilly weather. �
�There!�� Her grandmother pointed to the brightest star in the dark sky.� �Make your wish on that star.�
�Grams, this isn�t going to work.� Come on; let�s go back in before you catch a cold.�
�Melissa, you want your husband here with you, don�t you?�� She asked looking at her.
�More than anything.�
�Then listen to your grandmother.� What do you have to lose?� �
Melissa nodded her head.� �Okay, what do I have to do?� �
�Look at the star and once you have your wish, close your eyes.� �
Melissa looked at the dazzling star as the words came to her.� She slowly closed her eyes.
�Now, I want you to envision your wish, don�t say anything, just picture what you want.�
Melissa�s let her mind go free, she thought about Nick.� Having him here opening presents on Christmas day, kissing him under mistletoe, having Christmas brunch with the rest of her family, and seeing his face when he opened the present she got him.
�Now you leave the rest up to the stars.�� Her grandma�s voice echoed through her thoughts.
Melissa opened her eyes and smiled at her.� �Let�s go in and have some hot cider.�� She took her grandmother�s hand and helped her back into the house.
It was midnight and Melissa couldn�t sleep.� She had gotten so use to having Nick sleeping beside; now not having him next her, made it hard to rest.� She got up and put on her robe and then grabbed her cell phone out of her purse.� Quietly, she walked down the hallway to the front room. The tree was still lit, sending a glow throughout the room.� Melissa glanced out the window and saw the snow was still falling.� She sighed and then sat down on the plush sofa.� She dialed his cell phone, knowing he would probably be asleep.� It went straight to voicemail.�
�Hi honey, I know it�s late.� I just wanted to hear your voice and to wish you a Merry Christmas.�� She brushed back her hair and she laughed.� �You won�t believe what my grams made me do.� It is long story, I�ll tell you about it when I see you again.�� She got serious.� �I can�t wait to see you, I love you.�� �
She flipped her cell shut as she tried to hold back her tears.� She stopped fighting them in hopes that maybe she would feel better.� After some time, she got up and headed back to her room.� She needed her rest.
As Christmas morning came, everyone rose and got dressed.� Melissa�s mother and grandmother started making breakfast as everyone else watched some TV before they opened presents.
�Maybe I should wake Mel, she is sleeping awfully late.�� Her mother replied to her own mother.
�No, let her rest, she needs all the sleep she can get.�� She smiled at her daughter and left.� Melissa�s mother stood lost by that comment, but continued to cook.
Melissa finally woke up and glanced at the clock by the bed.� �Oh wow, I should have been up two hours ago.�� She got out of bed and got dressed.� She smiled at her family as she entered the front room.� �I�m so sorry that I overslept.� I couldn�t fall asleep last night.� �
�Don�t worry about it sweetie.� Are you hungry?� Her mother asked her. �
�Yes, but I�ll get it.� Why don�t everyone get ready to open presents, I be right back.�� Melissa replied as she entered the kitchen.� She saw the array of food.� She took a little bit of everything and then joined her family.
Everyone laughed and talked as they all opened presents.� �Okay Mel, you should open one now, since the rest of us have open one present.�� Her sister replied.
�Okay, let me just put my dish away and I�ll be right back.�� She once again entered the kitchen; she rinsed off her plate and put it in the dishwasher.� Melissa finished the last of orange juice that was in her glass and placed it in the washer also.� She heard a big commotion in the other room.
�Come on Melissa, hurry up!�� Her grandmother stated. �
�I�m coming.� What�s the big deal?�� She asked as she entered the room.
�Merry Christmas, baby.�� Nick smiled standing in front of her.� Tears welled up in her eyes as she ran into his arms.� He wrapped his strong arms around her as tears flowed freely now. �
�How did you get here?� She asked leaning back enough to see his face, but still remaining in his arms.
�I went to the airport anyway after we talked to see if I could get a flight, but everything was cancelled.� It wasn�t till after midnight that one flight to Illinois opened up and I got the only available seat. Once I landed, I got the last rental car and drove all the way here. It was a miracle!�� Nick replied.
Melissa looked over at her grandmother who just smiled at her.� She returned the smile.
�I tried calling you at midnight; I just thought you were sleeping.� �
�Nope, I was in the air, so I had to turn it off.� I was determined to spend Christmas with my wife.�� Nick wiped away her tears and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips.
�Well now that you are here, why don�t you take off your coat and stay awhile.�� Melissa�s grandma grinned.
Nick laughed and removed his coat and then joined the family as they opened the rest of their gifts.
�This is from me to you.�� Melissa handed Nick a medium sized box, wrapped in green wrapping paper.
Nick ripped off the paper and opened the box.� He pulled out a frame with the words on it, World�s Best Dad.
Nick read it out loud and then looked at her.� �Mel, are you?� �
Melissa simply nodded.� �Yes, I found out a couple of week ago.� I wanted to wait till Christmas to tell you.� You are going to be a daddy!�� She stated as tears ran again.
Nick wrapped his arms around her and then pulled her in for a kiss.� �I�m going to be a daddy!� We are having a baby!�� He replied with a huge grin on his face.
�Yes we are!�
�Congrats, honey!�� Melissa�s grandmother smiled at her.� Everyone congratulated them also.�
It started out as a horrible Christmas, having Nick miles away from Melissa.� Then knowing she wouldn�t be spending their first Christmas together and that she wouldn�t be able to tell him that she was pregnant.� Somehow though, Nick managed to get a flight here and now he is celebrating Christmas with Melissa and her family.� Melissa�s grandmother was right, miracles do happen.� Having Nick here was a perfect example of just that�a Christmas miracle!
