A Twist of Fate [niall horan]

Chapter 31

Aubrey's P.O.V.

Christmas- undeniably the most festive and happily celebrated holiday of the winter season. Family and friends gathered around each other during this time of year, relishing each joy filed moment. Presents would be exchanged, laughter and constant chatter filling the atmosphere, tons of food would be brought out, and in the event of snow, it would perfectly fall as the festivities went on. For me, though, all these valued traditions came to an end six years ago; the day my dad died on his way home from work.

It was the day right before Christmas Eve, my dad deciding to spend a little extra time at the office making sure everything was accounted for. As an insurance accountant executive, he had to make sure every penny was reported. After finishing everything up, he called me telling me he was stopping to buy some wrapping paper before coming home. Wrapping paper seemed to be the least of my worries an hour later when I got the call that my dad was hit by a drunk driver, ending in my father's death.

To this day, I still regret not telling him to forget the wrapping paper and come home. Since then, every Christmas, I feel a pang of guilt, because even though I wasn't the cause of his death, I might have been able to prevent it. Through the years, I've tried to let it not affect me as much, but I seem to feel worse every year.

Late Christmas Eve night, I was sat against my bed just mindlessly staring out the window. Everything seemed to be still with the streets completely empty as the snow continued to fall- no sign of any life anywhere. My ringtone cut me off from my concentrated state. A smile took over my face as I noticed it was my aunt calling me.

"Merry Christmas," I greeted as soon as I answered.

"Merry Christmas to you too, honey. How are you?" She replied.

"I'm good, just laying in my bed while the rest of the guys sleep." Over the past two days they've had two shows as well as some interviews mixed in. All of them had planned to head home for a few days before coming back to New York for New Year's then finishing the U.S. leg of the tour in Miami. Due to the unpredictable weather, flights were delayed and there was no guarantee they would be back here in time to stay on schedule. I felt bad because I knew how hard it already was spending so much time away from their families normally, but it must have been especially hard on an important family holiday.

"Awh, I don't want you to wake them up," My aunt worriedly said.

I laughed, "No, you're fine. Zayn is sound asleep in my room." His head was buried somewhere under his blanket and the million pillows buried under him.

"Is Adam asleep?" I asked.

"Yeah, I had him open your present so I could call and tell you his reaction," she chuckled. "He went absolutely crazy about it," she continued.

"Awh, I'm glad. I knew how much he wanted something like that." After months and months of thinking, I ended up getting him a membership for a soccer club near our house. It was something he had been hinting at for a while, always complaining how playing with his friends was too easy.

"He's very happy, Aubrey. He wanted to open the other two you got him, but I told him to wait until morning," she cheerfully said. In addition to the membership, I got him a new pair of headphone and the David Beckham jersey he's been dying for, an unsigned one that is.

"And did you like yours?" I asked.

"Haven't gotten a chance to open mine, yet. Tomorrow morning I will." I could sense her smile through the phone. Luckily her love for coffee helped me come up with getting her a Keurig.

"You're going to like it." I smiled.

"I'm sure I will,Aubrey. Everything good with you?" Her tone changing into one of sincerity and seriousness.