a christmas miracle

three

NickNelson: I guess I just leave the suitcases behind, right?

Charlie can't help the smile when he reads the message from Nick and takes in the attached photo. It shows the boot of Nick's car filled to bursting with colourful wrapped presents. On the ground were two suitcases, presumably filled with clothes for Nick and his daughter on their trip home.

CharlieSpring: No other options. You can't possibly leave presents behind.

He set the phone down on the little table in front of him, glancing at his sister who was sitting across from him.

"What?"

"Who's making you smile like that?"

"Just a friend."

"A friend? You don't smile like that for any of your friends that I know." Tori teased, sipping at her drink.

"It's a new friend."

"A new friend? Seems like more than a friend if he's making you smile like that." 

"Please don't." I beg her, looking at the new message Nick has sent.

NickNelson: Problem solved.  Élodie just has to deal with no space in the backseat. Thank god it's only a two hour drive.

I let out a laugh at the image attached, the suitcases stacked on the backseat of Nick's car and just a small part of Élodie's legs showing  from her car-seat. Tori raised an eyebrow at me but I just shook my head and set the phone back down on the table.

Through the rest of our journey home, Tori tried a couple of times to get me to tell her about Nick but I wasn't ready to start telling her anything. I didn't hear anything more from Nick so I assumed he was driving by now.

-------

By the time I crawled into my childhood bed, I was wishing I was back in London. My mum had instantly started on questioning every part of my life, criticizing everything she deemed not good enough. Tori jumped in every now and then to try and defend me but mum would steer the conversation back to me pretty quick.

All I wanted to do is sleep but I checked my phone one last time, seeing a few missed messages from Nick.

NickNelson: Two hour drive with a toddler singing along to every Christmas Carol - not with the right lyrics, btw - completed. Hope you've arrived home safe too.

NickNelson: Élodie wanted to say thank you for her new book. She loves it and is already begging to go to bed so we can read a few pages. It's only 3pm.

NickNelson: I guess you're busy with your family now but I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I'm looking forward to seeing you again next week.

He's so adorable. I can't believe I met someone who seems to be exactly who I'm looking for, completely by accident.

CharlieSpring: I made it home in one piece, not sure if I'll get back to London in one piece though. Merry Christmas to you and Élodie too. You gave her the book already? It's not Christmas yet.

NickNelson: Yeah, it's a tradition with our family. We each get to choose one gift to open on Christmas Eve. I hope you survive until you go back to London because I really do want to see you again.

CharlieSpring: I want to see you too. That sounds like a lovely tradition. Enjoy your bedtime story tonight. 

I waited for a bit but the little tick to show he'd read the message didn't pop up so I set the phone aside and buried myself under the covers. Sleep came quickly and I soon found myself dreaming about going on cute dates with Nick