The Christmas Wish

Chapter Five

I hear a noise and it wakes me. I sit up and it is dark through the house. I hear the noise again and I get up to find out what it is. Walking out of my room and down the hall, I try to switch on the lights and nothing comes on. Great, the power is out. I softly walk down the stairs and towards the living room. I suddenly hear my name called and it sounds like Luke. I quickly move towards the sound and I keep hearing him.

"Laaurrraaa!"

"Baby, is that you? I'm coming."

"Laura, please help me."
I quickly run to the sound and I see him standing next to the tree and it is the only light I see. I don't know why he is here. I try to run to him and it feels like I am running through quicksand.

"Please, help me!"
I keep trying to get to him and he slowly fades away as I finally get to where he was and he is gone. I fall to my knees and sob. I wake up tangled in my sheets and I sit up realizing I am alone. I can't help but sob uncontrollably. I just have this feeling that this dream was telling me the truth, that Luke needed help. I finally lay back down to try and get some more sleep. It felt like I had just gotten back to sleep when I felt a little body bounce on the bed excitedly.

"Mommy, wake up! It's Christmas, and Santa brought presents."
I laugh as I pull her down to me squeezing her against me.

"Good morning little one. Merry Christmas to you too."

"Come on, Grandma and Grandpa are already making coffee and cinnamon rolls. Let's go! I want to unwrap presents."

"Alright, let's get moving."
We head downstairs to the kitchen and Mom and dad are making breakfast. The smell of cinnamon and coffee fills the air. It brings back so many memories, since it is every Christmas that we start with cinnamon rolls. Keely runs into the living room and I hear her squeals.

"Mommy, mommy, Santa came! He ate our cookies! Momma come quick!"

"It's okay, honey. Go to her. We will be in, in a minute." My mom softly says pushing me to go after her.

I head in and I hear a knock at the door and know who it is. I walk over to the door and open it. I find Brandon on the other side with his arms filled with gifts.

"Merry Christmas!" he says.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Bran. You didn't have to bring presents."
I have to spoil my favorite niece."

I hear little feet behind me as I laugh. Keely is definitely spoiled by all her family.

"Uncle Brandon, you came! I was hoping it was daddy though."

"Of course I came. I can't miss Christmas morning with you. How about we go see what Santa brought."
He quickly follows Keely into the living room as I mouthed thank you to him. I walk into the kitchen to fix another cup of coffee.

"She is still hoping that her dad will come home?" My dad asks, sipping his coffee.

"Yeah, she asked Santa to bring him home."

"Are you okay, sweetheart? You look tired." My mom asks as she pulls out the cinnamon rolls.

"I didn't get much sleep. I had a nightmare."
"Was it about Luke?" Dad asks.

"Yes, he was here in this house near the Christmas tree. I couldn't get to him and he was begging for my help. I can't get this horrible feeling out of my chest, dad. I feel like he was really calling out to me. I couldn't reach him, and he disappeared."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I hope that is not an omen. I pray every day that he comes home to you and Keely."

I hear laughter from the other room and Keely calling for me.