Logan

113. Christmas, Part 1

*Desmond's POV*

I sent a quick text to Wren as I came into the station:

Could you give me a ride to the flower shop tomorrow? I put in a special order. Also wanted to talk to you about a couple things.

Wren: Sure. Special....for Natalie?

Yeah.

Wren: Tomorrow's Christmas though, it won't be open?

Access code to the cooler in the lobby, only those with orders get one.

Wren: Sweet, okay. See you then.

I'd picked out her gift as carefully as possible, after Alex told me how much she loves Christmas, so I wanted to find something good.

The shift was a bit grueling, but I had to get through it. I found myself re-arranging the kits, and only going on a couple of accidents and calls to the nursing home. I wanted to make it home safe for her.

I crawled into the bunk bed at the 3:00 shift change, and hoped for a few hours of peaceful sleep.

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*Natalie's POV*

Hmm, the smell of cofee, oh, and bacon. I looked over to see the sun glaring through the crack in the curtains, bits of frost at the window. Today was Christmas. After a shower, I texted Wren.

We're supposed to pick up Desmond at 10

Wren: It's 9:30 Nat, why didn't you text sooner?

Alex didn't wake me up.

Wren: I'll be there soon, alright?

I decided on the red dress I'd been saving for a set, it's red laced sleeves and rounded longer tulle skirt were perfect for the occasions. Regular stockings, thigh high, no garter because it was too exhausting to try to bend. I looked in the mirror and twirled. Thankfully, I was able to slip the dress on without needing help, and I was having a great hair day. I put my boots on and braced against the wall to pull them up, then put my coat on. After last night, there was fresh snow on the ground. I stepped carefully, only slipping a little near Wren's car before I opened the door.

I took one look at his face, and knew he was about to burst with laughter.

I sighed and opened my coat, "Go ahead, you can laugh."

Wren started laughing, then when I rolled my eyes he took a breath and chuckled, "Listen, I'm not making fun of you, I promise. You look like Santa Clauses' hot mistress."

"Yeah, well, Mrs. Clause is under a lot of stress."

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*Ripley's POV*

Christmas was always a holiday I dreaded.

There were always courteous offers from the crew, but I always felt too weird to accept. I was their boss, they could only be themselves part of the way. I saw moments their families could never see, getting people to safety, jumping into a trampoline with a child in their arms, a drunkard at the bar who got into a fight... We were a family, but I never felt at home.

The rest of the crew brought in dishes made by wives and mothers. Raleigh brought in a nice lasagna from his grandmother, and Gideon brought in a charcuterie board, filled with high-end meats and cheeses. It all went so fast, that by the time I got to the table, all that was left was a community center turkey platter. I sighed, picked it up with a water bottle, and brought it back into my office. Might as well dig in.