Home for Christmas

Chapter One

The rain played a symphony of oddly relaxing lullabies as Scarlet lay there...'emotionally unavailable' the nerve of that jerk! Angrily jerking herself from her bed, she went unto the balcony adjacent to her bedroom. Dwelling on thoughts of Lee was a valuable waste of time now that they were official 'over', she should be at work. Work, which always seemed to put her mind off things didn't seem inviting. The last thing she wanted to do was put on a pretty suit, a well-practiced smile and sit in her office listening to other people rave on and on about their problems, their jobs, their relationships etc. Being one of the only trained psychiatric therapists in her district had its pros and cons. She wished she was as happy as she was successful. If one was to look at Scarlet Blair, they would think she had it all, that thought would change once they found out she was dumped a few days ago for not being able to 'emotionally commit'. She was known to be smart, funny, talented and naturally charming. She knew most girls would give both their eyeballs for what she had – a successful career, a beautiful house overlooking the sea, a private car and driver, wardrobes of clothes and jewelry not to mention a fun-loving, somewhat crazy family. She tried to be a good daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt and friend but what she wasn't or couldn't be- was a good girl friend or so she was told. It seemed to be one of her greatest faults right alongside her stubbornness and her lack of culinary skills. Scarlet had it all or almost all and she was grateful but she wanted love. She wanted to love and to be loved. She was loved – by her family and friends and those who took the time to get to know the vulnerable little girl behind the hard-core doctor image she professed to the world. But she wanted something more something deeper, something magical. "Maybe the reason no one can fulfill your dreams is because you don't know what they are" the words of her best friend echoed in her head like her subconscious – a very nagging subconscious. Sapphire Jewels was Scar's best friend since forever. From the first time those two little girls sat down to play a game of blocks they somehow knew they would always be friends. Among the two of them everyone including them thought Scar would be the one to fall in love and marry first but call if fate or what you may Sapphire is happily married to a techie who works for the government, Matthew, and they are proud parents of six-month-old twins – Dylan and Ellie and their godmother Scarlet spoils them rotten so does their godfather Alvin. Alvin....Well enough was enough she might as well get moving, no need to anymore waste tears, she had only a few left. She walked over to her wardrobe skimming through her wide array of clothes for an outfit to wear. Finally, she chose a peach cotton dress with a broad brown belt and matching handbag and high heeled pumps, a few accessories and enough makeup to hide the puffiness of her eyes. After a leisurely bath and dressing Scarlet took a hard look at herself in the mirror before she left her bedroom, she was not as glamorous as many but she liked what look back at her: beautiful brown eyes, honey glazed skin, long straight black hair with hints of brown, an average figure and height and an expressive face. She had only stepped into her car a few seconds after being escorted by her personal driver Mike when her phone rang and at the other end of the line was her best friend whom she could hardly hear over the cries and noises of her godchildren. After disconnecting the call, she gazed outside at the Christmas decorations on the houses. She had already finished buying all her presents, mailed all her cards and letters, decorations already up and office work almost done, after the Christmas party tonight at work she had a full two weeks to spend the holidays with her family back home in the country and she was looking forward to it. Christmas was a very special time for her since she was a little girl and no matter what she was going to be happy for the holidays come what may.