Matthew Gray Gubler Short Stories - Christmas Edition

Sleigh Ride #2

Set in NY

Y/BFF = your best friend

"Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy and cosy are we.

We'll snuggle up together like two birds of a feather would be."

Dreamy fireplaces, cosy jammies and a view of a winter paradise; your idea of a perfect Christmas was really shaping up. The only thing missing was a certain someone to share it with. That someone was half a world away on a book tour and due to record amounts of snowfall and blizzards galore, he wouldn't be home anytime soon – something you had discovered earlier on in the day when you had woken up to a voicemail from him. You had only just wrapped up your own book tour and were now looking forward to getting home to relax in a nice hot bath before changing into a onesie. You had been sitting in the chauffeur driven car for far too long and you needed the kind of bubble bath that even the classiest of hotels can't provide – one in your own bathtub.

You were almost ready to fall asleep when the car pulled up outside of your home. You thanked the driver, a kindly older man who often had the pleasure of transporting you from place to place as you toured the country after every new book release, and vacated the vehicle eager to get inside away from the sudden drop in temperature and back into the warmth. Your breath was visible in the chilly air, billowing out like smoke with every outward breath and you hurried to find your keys. Although it was barely 4pm it was dark outside and even though your home was pretty secluded, you had never felt safer. The warm glow of your outdoor Christmas decorations that Matthew had put up and set on a timer before he had left only made your home feel even more inviting. You could practically hear your bath bombs and pajamas calling out to you, making you all the more keen to get inside. Once in the warmth and locked in you kicked off your shoes, dropping everything that you had been carrying – your bag, a couple of books, some documents and your phone - onto the sideboard and ran up the stairs, practically stripping off as you made a beeline for the bathroom. Matthew wasn't available to chat for a couple of hours at least and you were going to make the most of having no responsibilities for the time being.

Making your way into the living room, clad in your favourite onesie and fuzzy socks with your phone in hand, you took a moment to turn on the Christmas lights. As the room lit up you stopped in your tracks. There were pictures of you and Matthew everywhere and whilst it was always a comfort to see his adoringly compassionate face, it only made you feel even lonelier knowing you were in for more - this time unplanned - time apart. The photo that pulled at your heartstrings the most was the one on the coffee table taken from the exact same spot on the couch that you would be occupying alone until he was able to get back to you. You gazed at the picture. It had been taken back when you were still getting to know each other several years ago. You had both just escaped the frostiness of the snow outside, both sets of cheeks glowing a rosy red, and had settled down to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with your group of friends. Your best friend, Y/BFF, had sneakily decided to capture the moment, something you had been unaware of until you had her phone thrust into your face a few minutes later when she decided to show it around the group. You had both been too caught up in the romance of the season to notice the tittering amongst your friends.

As you sat down, mug in hand, you reached for your phone to FaceTime him. You didn't get a chance to, though, as he had apparently had the same idea from wherever his schedule had taken him. You smiled as you accepted this call. This would have to do for now.