4Christmas. Christa's least favorite time of year, she once loved the holidays after Nathan left for Iraq. It had been over 21 months since she had last seen Nathan and it looked like he wasn't coming home. She was at home with her family trying not to ruin their holiday spirit with her depression.
It was early in the morning and Christa was watching the snow fall covering the ground insuring a white Christmas. She was glad she got all her Christmas shopping done so she didn't have to go out in the nasty snow. She sat up in bed wrapping the blankets around her warming her sudden cold arms. She closed her eyes and imagined that Nathan was here holding her so closely.
Her memory flashed to the day he was called up for duty. He got the call while she was at work and that night at dinner he didn't want to tell her and was keeping to himself. When he finally blurted it out Christa's response was running out of the apartment. She didn't want to lose him and was afraid that he was going to die.
When he found her she was crying in the park. She was swinging on the swing just hoping to fly away from everything. The reality set in the next day when he had to go to the airport. She didn't want to go with him but thought she would feel horrible if she didn't. So they stood in the airport, Nathan face showing his sadness and Christa crying. He just wrapped his arms around her.
She never wanted to lose the feeling she had when Nathan held her. She felt protected and so much love when he held her. They both knew they were in for a rude awakening not being able to see each other for god knows how long.
Christa came back to reality wiping her tears away with her blanket. It was only 3 days till Christmas and it looked like Nathan wasn't coming home for this one. The phone rang next to Christa and she didn't move, she was afraid every time the phone rang. The ringing stopped as soon as it started.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Nelson, its Nathan."
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, I actually have good news."
"Really, Christa will be so happy to hear it."
"No it's a Christmas surprise for Christa. I'm coming home."
"When?"
"We'll be landing at 8."
"Tonight?"
"Yeah, then we have to go through some ceremony and then we're free to go."
"Are you home for good?"
"Yep that is until I get called back."
"Well let's hope that doesn't happen."
"Yeah. But I want to surprise her and don't want to wait till Christmas. I don't know how to surprise her."
"I have an idea. I'll come pick you up just call me and I'll figure it out."
"Thank you."
"She's coming down the stairs so just call."
"I will."
"Good morning mom."
"Morning Christa. How are you today?"
"I'm doing better. What are you doing today?"
"Last minute Christmas shopping. Your father and I have a party to go to tonight and you're more than welcome to come with."
"No its okay, Rachel's coming home today so I'll think I'll hang out with her."
"Okay."
The rest of the day Christa just moped around the house crying every now and then. All she wanted for Christmas was Nathan and the crying to stop. She just wanted to be happy, she had been on this emotional roller coaster ride for almost 2 years.
That night Christa watched as her father kissed her mother with the longing of wanting Nathan to do that. After they left she ordered a pizza and watched It's a Wonder Life for the millionth time that week.
As the night progressed Christa was getting more depressed. She couldn't handle it anymore and got on her knees and prayed. She fell asleep watching the news missing the part about Nathan's troop coming home. As she slept she dreamed of what life would be like if Nathan hadn't joined the army in the first place.
Nathan walked in with Christa's mom glad and relieved to home in one piece. He just wanted to hold Christa and be with her. She was the only thing that kept him going through the long, hot days. He checked his pocket to make sure the box was still there.
"She's in the living room." Nathan found her curled up on the sofa sleeping so sweetly looking like a fallen angel. He walked over to her and gently shook her awake.
"Go away."
"Christa baby get up, I'm home." Her eyes shot open and starred at Nathan like he wasn't real. The tears started again this time harder than before. He just wrapped his arms around cradling her in them. "I'm not gonna let you go this time." He whispered in her ear as they sat there. "I have something for you."
"No Nathan this is enough."
"No, this is something I need to do." He pulled away from her and sat down in front of her. She just looked at him wondering what had gotten into him. He got down on one knee and she knew what he was going to do. "Christa will you marry me?"
"Yes!" She screamed causing Nathan to jump and her parents to come running in the room. The ring glisten from the lights on the Christmas tree and Nathan smiled at his handy work.
So in the end Christa's dream came true and she got Nathan. All she ever wanted was him and they both got their Christmas wishes.
Merry Christmas and hopefully your Christmas wishes come true. I hope you liked it, I did.