𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ➺ 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓎/𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃

𝟒𝟏 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

A/N 

Hello, my loves! Sorry for the little delay. But I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I get really nostalgic talking about Christmas in general, so writing Christmas set in the 70s was like pure ecstasy! 

Remember to leave comments and votes, etc... I love reading what your thoughts are! And I hope I did Ruth and Harold justice. 

Enjoy! 

C x

/////

~part of your world~

December 25th, 1975

Brian

The streets in Mayfair were festive.

The people of Mayfair knew how to go all out for celebratory reasons. I'd not spent that much time in Mayfair, but I knew it well enough to notice the jovial greetings that its residents often exchanged.

As I pulled up outside of Maria's block of flats, an older couple was passing me by, arm in arm in their best church clothes. The man noticed me as I stepped out of the car and gave me a friendly nod and wished me a Merry Christmas with a smile. It didn't matter who you were in Mayfair, specifically Maria's neighbourhood, because everyone was treated as equals regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity.

I could see why Maria chose to live here. Even if she wasn't overly thrilled with her flat.

Making my way to Maria's block, my breath formed misty puffs in the cold morning air. I adjusted the collar on my coat and glanced up at the building, excitement flooding my veins. Christmas morning, and I was about to spend it with not only my parents, but with Maria too. It felt like a gift in itself.

Pressing the buzzer, I waited for Maria to let me in. Once she did, I stepped inside, making my way up the familiar staircase. The holidays definitely brought a sense of cosiness, but also the blatant recognition that life had its share of ups and downs, even during the festive season. And, my Lord, had it been one hell of a year for ups and downs. That time the previous year, I wouldn't have even fathomed the idea of being with Maria again, but there I was, on my way to take her home.

Reaching Maria's floor, I stood before her door, my heart racing. I raised my hand to knock, but before my knuckles could make contact, the door swung open.

Maria greeted me with a tired smile, her voice a mere echo of its usual cheer. "Merry Christmas, Brian."

"Merry Christmas, love," I replied, taking in the way her eyes held a hint of exhaustion. I stepped inside, feeling the change in atmosphere as she closed the door behind me.

She seemed to be moving in a flurry, her steps quick and almost restless. I watched her as she moved back and forth, a furrow in her brow as if she was trying to sort through a puzzle in her mind. My concern grew, a soft frown forming on my lips.

"You alright, Maria?" I asked gently, my voice carrying a note of empathy. I recognised that look—when her mind raced faster than her words could keep up.

She paused in her pacing, turning to look at me with a small, strained smile. "Yeah, yeah, just... a lot on my mind, you know?"

My brows furrowed, my gaze focused on her. I knew that look too well—the anxious storm that sometimes swept through her mind, making everyday tasks feel like insurmountable mountains.