Christmas Angel

The young girl, though her eyes were closed, lay wide awake beneath her covers. Either side of her, her older sisters slept peacefully, small smiles on spread across their lips. The young girl, Carole, guessed their sleeping happiness had something to do with the music playing softly from the sterio in the corner of the room, and the beautiful, melodic singing. As she rolled onto her back, Carole squeezed her eyes momentarily before relaxing her lids again, all the while listening to the voice singing. The question that always plagued her mind whenever she listened to this tape, who was the singer? The Christmas angel, her sisters called her. But who was she? Who is the Christmas angel?

He sighed as he stood in the doorway of his daughters' room knowing his youngest had not yet drifted off. As quietly as he could manage, he tiptoed over to Carole's bed and sat down on it's edge. "Carole," he said in a whisper. "Sweetie, you're supposed to be asleep!"
"I can't get to sleep Daddy," said Carole, looking at him before slowly averting her eyes a few moments later. "Daddy, who's that?"
"Who Carole?"
"The lady singing Daddy," said Carole, "who is she?"
Carole's father is silent for a while before he says anything. "The lady singing is your mother, Carole," he said, his voice extremely quietly.
"My mummy?" Carole asked breathlessly.
"Yes."
As she melted into the pillows, her father lightly stroked her hair with the tips of his fingers.

Carole couldn't stop the smile spreading over her lips as the next song started to play. For some reason, this Christmas carol had always been her favourite, for as long as she could remember.
"Your mother used to sing this to get you to go to sleep," he said, and Carole jumped involuntarily at the sound of his voice, having not realised he was still there.
"Really?" She asked, and he nodded.

As the song went on, Carole quickly seemed to drift off to sleep, giving her father the chance to creep quietly from the room. He paused momentarily in the doorway, smiling at the sound of his wife's voice. "Merry Christmas, Angela," he said in a whisper. "Sing our girls to sleep, just like you do every year."

When he made to move he just didn't seem able. The memories came back in a wave. He remembered how much she had loved their daughters. How happy they'd been when Carole had been born, and how sad when they learnt she wouldn't be there for it all. He remembered her ingenious idea of recording a tape of Christmas carols, for the girls to remember their mother by. His smile widened as he realised how thankful he was she'd done that.
"Thank you Angela," he said in a whisper. "For preserving yourself as a Christmas Angel."

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Merry Christmas everyone! As usual, I'll be taking a short break from posting online over the holidays. See you all on the 7th!

Mini Me's

Fondly, Iris stared up at the row of porcelain dolls, lined neatly, motionlessly on the shelf. As she backed ibno her rocking chair, the images of the porcelain dolls filled her head as she dozed off.

The pale faced girl with ringlets the colour of chocolate and an eggplant coloured bonnet smiled graciously as she bent low before gracefully sitting on the ground. She looked around her, smiling at the sounds of laughter that filled the air. The sight of children running around, playing and the beautiful, clear blue sky overhead with the sun shining it's rays down on the world.

Iris smiled in her sleep, shivering with pleasure. Even though she was in her dark living room, it felt as if the sun were beating down right above where she sat, warming her too.

Daintily, the young girl rose to her feet and approached the other children, her skirts rustling as they brushed the ground where she walked. After a little chat, she began to skip happily along with a group of girls who were adorned in the same heavy skirts as she.

Iris's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she laid eyes on was a porcelain doll that was almost identical to the young girl in her dream. Who was the girl from her dream. Slowly, she tottled over to the shelf, shakily climbed a step and cautiusly took the doll into her arms, smiling fondly at her as if she could see. "Hi Iris," she said. "I always knew it would be great to have a mini me. My family and closest friends, immortalised forever, looking exactly like we did in our youth."

As Iris returned her doll self to the shelf, she scanned the rest of the dolls on the shelf, her eyes lingering for a minute or so as she recalled a memory associated with the loved one who the doll resembled.

She stopped as she came to the last doll, a baby, which she took from the shelf and cradled in her arms. She looked down at it's snow pale face, lightly touching a finger to it's cool surface before tracing an invisible line up the doll's face as he finger brushed the edge of the baby doll's fringe. "Baby Jane," she said softly, "the only doll anyone was named after in place of named for."

The doll still in her arms, Iris glanced at a nearby framed picture of her daughter, beautiful and glowing with life. she touched a finger to her lips then pressed it ever so lightly to the doll's forehead before returning her to the shelf with the other dolls and backtracking to look at them all, the smile on her lips spreading wide.
"There you all are," she said, "right there forever. Watching over me."

This Moment

No matter how many times he'd wipe it, his face would become wet almost as soon as he took the tissue away. He slowly looked up at the feeling of a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Dom," said the girl with the kind smile. "Why the tears?"
She sat down beside him, her hand having migrated to his knee as the story came flooding out.
"I don't know what I'm going to do Kelly," he said, his eyes still glistening with moisture as he held her gaze. "I..."
The way she gave his knee a gentle pat silenced him at once.
"Dom, is this happening right now?"
His head fell a little as he shook it.
"So why don't you be here with me?" she asked, reaching for his hand and giving it a light squeeze,
"Be here with me now," she said as he hesitated.

"Kelly, I can't... how am I going to do this?" Kelly waited patiently as he went on. "Dom, that's all in the future, am I right?" Again, he nodded, helplessly. "All we have is this moment. Have you ever thought about how you'd feel if you realised you missed out on something because you were to busy worrying about what's to come?"
"No," he admitted in a tear stained voice.
"Baby," she said, still trying for his attention as she twisted and turned her head in an attempt to meet his eyes once more. "don't blink and miss this moment. Be here with me." She waited as slowly, he re-met her gaze.
"Have you ever thought about how you'd feel if you missed out on something?" she asked again.
"I never thought about it..." he said in an echo. "But what am I going to do?" he asked after a while.
She got up, not sure what else to do. Wondering whether she'd ever get through to him. "Maybe one day you will find that you just can't push rewind." she said as she wandered away. "Tomorrow's unspoken."

Kelly was quite surprised when weeks later, she ran into Dom. "Hi Kelly," he said, offering her a small smile. At once, her mind froze and her eyes involuntarily grew wide.
"Look Dom," Kelly said. "There's only so long you can be patient. I'm not interested anymore."
"Kelly wait, please," he said, managing to lightly brush her arm with his fingertips as she made to get away. She quickly turned around, her stare harsh as she folded her arms across her chest.
"I'm ready to be here with you," he said, the pleading clear in his tone. "It took me a while to listen to what you said, but it really helped. Thank you."
"I'm glad you've learnt to revel in the moment Dom," she said sincerely, taking a step forward.
"Kelly, I realise this may be a lot to ask, but..."
"Just get it out, please," she said, at least, not moving.
"Be in the moment with me," he said. "Will you give me a second chance? Can we start fresh?"
The wait was agonising as he awaited her response. "Well, I suppose." she said, and a smile cracked his lips. "For the sake of the moment."

If You Can Afford Me

She squatted down before him, seeing clearly the hunger in his eyes. "Hi sugar," she said, smiling sweetly. "Do you want somethin'?" Unable to take his eyes from her, the smart clad blindly reached into his pocket, producing a few notes, which he then set down at her feet. Her smile grew wider. "Alright then!" she said, effortlessly jumping from the platform into his lap with a light thud. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and his eyes lustfully met hers. "Now we're talkin'!" She leaned forward, kssing him square on the mouth before swiftly leaning back, lifting her legs and easily jumped back up onto her feet, her heels click clacking as she wandered away.

"Hey!" called the confused man after her, waving another note in the deal. "There's more where that came from!"
She paused ,waving a hand lazily in the air. "Sorry Darlin'," she said. "I might be back, but for now, enjoy the show." She smiled as she looked back to see one of her colleagues had taken her place on the man's lap.

She was immediately drawn to a cute, bewildered looking guy in a classy looking long sleeved shirt and jean ensemble. She pushed another of her cooleagues out of the way, her eyes locked on him. "I'll take this one," she said.
"How about it Sweetie?" she asked, batting her lashes as she stood still in front of him, allowing him to take her in. Usually, a guy was overcome with desire, but this one surprised her. His expression remained the same. "It's his first time love," said the guy beside him, slapping a few notes into her palm. "Go easy on him." She nodded, snatching the money before he could change his mind.

"Hi," she said, turning her attention back to cute guy. She sat on his lap, trying every trick she knew, every trick in the book, to not a single response. She looked to see his friends all preoccupied by some of her colleagues. The tricks worked on them. She leaned closer, batting her lashes in an attempt to mask her desperation.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Ooh," she said flirtatiously. "He speaks."
"What's your name?" he asked again, calmly, although she could sense his patience may soon wear thin.
"I...I'm Lauren," she said, letting out a breath as her shoulders slumped.
"Well Lauren, I know that you do this sort of stuff for money..."
"That's generally the point, yes."
"But, I.. I don't know. It seems superficial." At her frown, he kept talking. "You're a beautiful girl."
"If you want something, just name your price."
"Can't I just talk to you? You seem like a nice girl. One who deserves to be treated well."
"Thank you," she said, finally smiling.

"So what do you say we get out of here?"
"I suppose.." she said uncertainly. "But you pay the bill, cause that's the deal." She moved to sit on the edge of the platform in front of him.
"If that's the way it has to be," he said, rising to his feet and smoothing his clothes before offering his hand. She slips it easily into his, smiling as she jumps down.
"Lauren," he said, holding her gaze. "What do you say I take you out?"
"I never even.. thought of that before." she said honestly.
He shakes his head. "I thought so."
 "Well, if you can afford me." she said. "Cause, the owners, they might make you pay."
"Whatever," he said with a smile, leading her to the door.

Dance of Passion

She took a few quick, mindless steps toward him before turning away, allowing her hair to fall in a curtain over her eyes. Then, she turned to look at him again, coming closer still. He took a few steps toward her, mirroring her actions in a way, and she turned from him again, still unsure of what she wanted. 

She was within arm's length of him now, and he reached out, firmly clasping her wrist as she made to turn away again, pulling her back instead. Before she could make any move whatsoever, his lips were against hers. At first, she tried to pull away, horrified. She was still angry with him. Wasn't she? But then, it was as if a wave washed over her mind, putting it to sleep, and she closed her eyes, melting into his kiss. 

As quickly as they'd seemed to vacate her frenzied mind, her thought processes returned and she wriggled from his grasp, angrily walking away. He was quick though, and soon caught up, taking her hand once more, pulling her toward him. Unsteady on her feet, she crashed against his chest before abruptly pulling herself upright, crossing her arms firmly across her chest. he held up his hands like an offering, shrugging his shoulders. 

There was a moment where they were both silent, frozen before at the same time, they both took the few steps forward so they were standing inches from one another. Her eyes were fire, and his were ice, slowly, helplessly melting it. He reached out a gentle hand, brushing a finger against the skin of her cheek, causing her to tremble involuntarily as a chill ran down her spine. His fingers trailed lightly down the length of her face before coming to rest around her chin, his palm barely touching it's pointed, bony surface. She took a cautious step backwards, wordlessly staring at him, taking him in as he stood seemingly frozen in place. 

It all happened so quickly. She could feel her heart thudding against her rib cage. Her shoulders slumped in lazy exhaustion as she allowed her mind to succumb to the yearning of her heart. His eyes slowly widened, his mouth fallingopen a moment before abruptly closing again as she came at him, her hand thrust out before her, forcefully grabbing his shirt in it's fist and pulling him to her. She closed her eyes as their mouths met. All her body was on fire, and his kiss seemed the sole cure, melting the invisible heat and sending a wave of calm washing through her. 

Exhausted, she collapsed into his open arms, finally melting as he placed a light peck on the top of her head, interlacing their fingers together and pulling her up so he could look into her eyes. She let out a breath before a relaxed smile replaced her earlier, seemingly glued on frown. His eyes softened as he looked at her, the woman he loved and her smile was mirrored in him as he lost himself in the moment. 

Every Day Birthday

"Dad," said the young boy, clear, bright eyes sparkling as he looked up at the man beside him. "What's a birthday?"
"Well Tommy," said his father putting down his knife and fork with a gentle clang on the bare plate and turning to face his son, making sure he had his full attention. "In the old days, a birthday was a person's special day, held once a year on the same date to commemorate, and celebrate the day of their birth."
"So why don't birthdays exist anymore?"
"Because one day, a little while ago, someone decided it would be a good idea to have your birthday everyday," said his father. "Once upon a time when the occasion was only annual, they were special."
"But it can't be special when it happens everyday," said Tommy, his eyes sparkling.
"Exactly," he said, reaching out to ruffle his son's hair.
"But aren't birthdays supposed to be special?" Tommy asked quietly.
"Yes, they are."

"Why do birthdays have to be every single day?" she asked with a heavy sigh.
"I feel like I've barely lived, yet I'm on the downhill track."
Her friend turned to her, mouth open wide. "We are not on the downhill track Sally!"
"It feels like it," Sally said.
"Maybe to you," said her friend.
"Kristen," Sally said seriously, eyeing her friend. "When you're about to have 'grand' added to your list of titles, it feels like it."
"There must be some way to age slower," said Kristen, thoughtfully scratching her chin.

"George," she said softly, squeezing his hand a little harder, causing his eyes to meet hers.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice so quiet she had to lean in close in order to hear.
"The people," she said shakily. "I'm not sure they like your invention."
"Well, I suppose it is killing me quicker." George shrugged.
"In the old days, every day was someone's birthday," she said, "but when it's every day, it loses the magic and the spark that all birthdays are supposed to have."
"What are you trying to say?"
"A day doesn't have to be your birthday just to be special."
"But birthdays are extra special."
"When they happen once a year," she said, surprising even herself with her patience. "But it loses all of that when it happens every day. Besides, having a birthday every day, you age a lot quicker and you're therefore here for a lot less time."
"Well, I suppose you do have a point Dear," he said to a sigh of relief from his wife.
"Thank you," she said, finally feeling herself relax,
"Will you contact my secretary for me?" he asked. in a whisper, "I'll make a motion to have it changed in the morning."