Midnight Storm

Chapter 2: The joy of Christmas

Hope's Party went perfectly. She was having fun and laughing with friends. Before we knew it Christmas Eve was here and we were no closer to finding her family. We sat in front of the fireplace looking at the tree we had just finished decorating. It looked amazing, even for the littlest of trees it was the most beautiful of them all. The warm flame in the fire pit flickered as we sat in exhaustion. We were watching the Christmas special when the doorbell rang. I went to the door and opened it to find Maria. 'I'm sorry to bother you Mark but my family is in London to spend Christmas with the rest of my family and I was wondering if I could spend christmas with you and Hope. But if you are busy I'll just...' She started 'It's fine, I mean I'm glad to see you. Not that I'm not always glad to see you it's just.....' I blubbered. ' Whats happening to me? Why can't I talk to her? Why do I sound like a lovesick fool?!' I thought to myself. Just as I was about to go in I saw a snowflake fall onto my outstretched hand it melted as soon as it touched my palm. 'Hope! Maria! Come quick! It's snowing! We are having a white christmas!' I said excitedly. The last time I had a white christmas was when my mother was still alive. She was a beautiful woman, a very talented woman too. I turned to see Maria and Hope standing in the doorway. 'Wow, I've never had a white christmas before.' Hope said 'Me neither' Maria agreed. For some reason after Maria had come to my house for christmas I haven't been able to talk to her at all without making a complete fool of myself. 'Hey Mark? Can Maria stay the night? I'm helping her with the case and I still have to choose a secondary college to attend next year as well as get everything for then.' 'Hmmm...' 'Is that a yes?' She said looking up at me with those big, blue hopeful eyes. 'Yes Hope Maria can stay the night.' I said

After Hope went to bed Maria and I sat on the couch in front of the fire drinking Wine and wrapping presents for everyone. 'I can't thank you enough Mark' Maria said to me. Something about Maria just seemed magical tonight, whether it was the fires warm glow on her face or the christmas trees lights reflecting in her beautiful eyes. ' Calm down Mark! You are going to freak yourself out. Wait until you know for sure that you fancy her before anything gets serious'

'Urghhh' I groaned. My head felt like it was going to explode. I sat up and saw I wasn't alone. Next to me was none other than Maria. ' Oh My gosh! How did this happen? I got out of bed and put my clothes on. I turned around to see Maria holding the covers to her chest and crying softly. 'Whats the matter Maria?' I asked. 'I'm so sorry Mark. I was drunk and I wasn't thinking straight and...' 'I love you' I blurted out. 'Really?' she said shyly. Not knowing whether it was the right moment or not I picked her hand up and kissed it. She leaned over and kissed me properly. 'Do you really love me Mark?' She asked. 'With all my heart my love. I'll leave you to get dressed.' I said and with that I left the room.

I woke up to hear knocking on my door. 'Mark!' More knocking 'MARK!' Yelled Hope. 'Yes!' I said loudly so she could hear me through the door. 'They're here! The letters are here!' She yelled excitedly. I smiled as I heard her slide down the banister. I got ready as quick as I could and ran down the stairs like I could fly. 'What schools decided they want the incredibly talented and beautiful Hope at their school?' I said with a smile 'Every single one I applied for! But there is only one I want to go to though.' She said smiling. 'Let me guess, this school is the one called Moonlight?' I asked. 'Yes' she said. 'My parents went there.' 'Well if thats where you want to go, then thats where you shall go. Do you want to go and get your uniform?' I asked with a smile. I was proud of her, smiling through all of this, not knowing whether or not she would ever see her family again. She is so brave. 'Really? Can Maria come too?' She asked hopefully I looked over a Maria who was scratching behind Alexa's ears. She had the most adorable face on the planet according to Hope. 'Yes. She can come if she wishes' I said calmly, after Christmas Eve Maria and I have had an extremely close relationship, Hope only found out a few days ago but ever since she found out she has been keeping us together. Honestly I love having them around. I loved them so much that I couldn't imagine my life without them anymore. 'I would be honoured Mark' Maria said as she walked over to us. 'Yay!' Hope exclaimed as she pulled us into a hug.